In the FINAL episode of BCBS, we struggle to unpack the fever dream of John's Revelation - beasts, angels, prophets, kings and elders surrounding God's throne in heaven, a big, hungry dragon and too many plagues to count. We share our final tho

Hey Jude

Aug 22nd, 2021 41m 23s

In our penultimate BCBS episode, we appreciate Jude's frankness and dire warnings leading into the book of Revelation. His strongly-worded letter leads us to brace for snakes while renewing our commitment to peace and love despite the futility

Third John is a Charm

Aug 8th, 2021 38m 5s

This third letter from apostle/evangelist/elder John praises good hospitality and prompts more questions than answers about utilitarianism, early church infighting and the philosophy of good and evil, all on a single page of papyrus. bcbspodca

Don't Miss a Second John

Jul 25th, 2021 43m 9s

The same or another John writes a short letter to a small church, the collective church or an actual woman representing a church. He warns against blocking your own blessing and letting false prophets infiltrate your sacred space. We learn to b

Love Comes First John

Jul 11th, 2021 1h 11m

This letter from an anonymous John is as insistent as it is inscrutable. As some have strayed from the church, John reminds the flock to ignore the traitors and keep it pushing alongside those who've been walking in love all along. We continue

Just One Second, Peter

Jun 27th, 2021 58m 2s

We discuss Peter's confounding second letter and wonder about the nature of utopia, accountability and the snowball effect. As Peter feels himself nearing the end, we also enter the homestretch, the final countdown to Revelations. bcbspodcast@

The First Peter Reader

Jun 13th, 2021 1h 11m

Turns out a life of faith is no cake walk. Peter doesn't mince words, and we take his warnings about suffering and sacrifice to heart. We discuss sobriety and discipline, and wonder how to fly above the haters while staying grounded in love.

The King James Version

May 30th, 2021 1h 14m

James is way more practical than his predecessors in the early-Christian-letter-writing game, so we have lots of life lessons to chew on. We discuss faith without works, judgment of self vs others and the benefit of keeping certain folks at arm

The Hebrews Review

May 16th, 2021 1h 9m

An anonymous author pep-talks the backsliding Jewish believers, renewing their faith and reminding them to stay the course to honor their ancestors. We discuss perseverance through struggle, the confounding duality of Yahweh and what it takes t

Fill Me In Philemon

Apr 25th, 2021 36m 25s

Paul's shortest letter is strongly worded and written to a guy whose runaway slave he's claimed for himself. Now it's time to set him free in Christ and decide his fate. While debating the merits of power and manipulation, we wonder where's the

The Titus Touch

Apr 11th, 2021 28m 47s

Paul advises former colleague Titus on how to transform the growing Cretan Christian community into perfect righteousness. We appreciate the permission to leave haters in the dust while still keeping it classy. bcbiblestudy.combcbspodcast@gm

Til the Last Second Timothy

Mar 28th, 2021 47m 31s

Paul writes to his mentee Timothy again, urging him to stay strong through the last leg of the race, avoid petty worldly concerns and keep embracing the faith passed down to him. One of us finally reveals our favorite verse of all time. bcbibl

Best and Worst of First Timothy

Mar 14th, 2021 54m 26s

Paul or someone like him writes a letter to Timothy, a protegee who needs less water and more wine. We discuss women in the church, the love of money and slavery yet again, unfortunately. *Bonus: Extra audio issues in this episode. Our apologie

Wait a Second Thessalonians

Feb 28th, 2021 45m 23s

Paul (or a forger) thanks the Thessalonians again for being such a model church, but warns against false teachers who claim the end times have already come. He admonishes them to keep their heads down and work, pull their own weight and pray th

Put Yourself First Thessalonians

Feb 14th, 2021 47m 44s

Paul and two pals write a love letter to an early church that seems to have it all together. He reminds its members to keep loving each other, warn the idlers of the doom ahead, but also mind their own business and resist temptation. We ponder

Awash in Colossians

Jan 31st, 2021 54m 13s

"Paul" writes to a congregation he's never met, urging them to stick together and avoid the dangerous philosophers in their midst. Should the Christians be free to observe their faith how they want, or avoid certain tempting rituals and festiva

The Gift in Philippians

Jan 17th, 2021 50m 41s

Nice Guy Paul is grateful for the fragrant offering and good tidings from the Philippian church, so he sends more encouragement and less self-promo than usual. We talk faith and endurance over power and greed, and resolve to keep our eyes on th

The Region of Ephesians

Jan 3rd, 2021 59m 45s

Paul - or a good imposter - writes politely to a group of Ephesian churches to remind them of who they are and what they stand for. We talk intent versus impact and why pastors get away with so much naughty behavior. Happy New Year, and continu

A Galatians Summation

Dec 20th, 2020 58m 50s

Paul writes to a traitorous group of churches who are still requiring circumcision as a rite of passage into the faith. What was all that crucifixion for, if not to free the people from Moses' archaic law? What will it take to unite the body of

Paul Comes Second Corinthians

Dec 6th, 2020 1h 14m

Paul changes up and reveals a chip on his shoulder. The church isn't appreciating him like they should, and he suffers greatly without the satisfaction of being the Messiah Christ was. We debate the merits of his approach and whether the church

Put God First Corinthians

Nov 22nd, 2020 1h 14m

In Paul's first letter to the Corinthian church, he admonishes them for their petty squabbles, advises against marriage and gives inspo as they continue to fight the good fight of faith. Meanwhile, we find harmony in our theological dissent and

Do As the Romans Do

Nov 8th, 2020 1h 11m

Paul the cofounder of Christianity writes a letter to a Roman church, telling them how to stop fighting and live a Christ-like life. Turns out it has more to do with love, accountability and nonjudgement than being vegan or circumcised. We lame

The Acts of Life

Oct 25th, 2020 1h 13m

In the Book of Acts, we meet Christianity's cofounder Paul, discover what Jesus was up to after his resurrection and begin to understand why there are so many different denominations. Plus we question our purpose and imagine utopia.

John Anon

Oct 11th, 2020 1h 14m

We're back with the final Gospel! John of unknown origin is here to retell the story of Jesus with some creative liberties. We discuss Christ as God and Man at once, his propensity for disappearing from tight spots and our ongoing search for mo

Take a Closer Luke

Sep 13th, 2020 1h 18m

In the third Gospel, Luke begs us to illuminate what hides beneath the surface and take accountability before it's too late to turn back. We debate predestination and the apostles fail to believe women when it comes to the risen Messiah. bcbib