Biblical World

Episodes

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  Steve Notley - Locating Bethsaida, the Last Lost City of the New Testament 14.10.2026 43m

  In this on-location episode, Chris McKinny interviews Steven Notley about identifying and exploring the ancient city of Bethsaida/Julias. This is a crossover episode with OnScript and the new In Context university from Lipscomb University where Chris McKinny teaches.
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  Ilker Mimiroglu - Ancient Lystra 22.09.2026 28m

  Excavations have begun at the New Testament site of Lystra! In this episode, Jason Borges talks with Prof. Ilker Mimiroglu, the lead Turkish archaeologist at Lystra, about the city’s history and excavations. Learn more on Instagram @lystraexcavations.
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  Libby Backfish and Cynthia Shafer-Elliott - Grounded Theology 01.09.2026 51m

  In this episode, Kyle chats with Libby Backfish and Cynthia Shafer-Elliott about bringing archaeology and theology into conversation—the topic of their recent book, Grounded Theology in the Hebrew Bible: Exploring the Cultural Context that formed Ancient Israel. The conversation starts with the ancient Israelite household (and how it was essential to ancient thinking and theology), stays with the household (and related areas of ancient Israelite life and theology), and ends with the household (and, again, how it was essential to ancient thinking).
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  Paul Anderson - Archaeology, Jesus, and the Gospel of John 10.08.2026 1h

  The Gospel of John is often ignored by those interested in archaeology and history. However, John includes more historically verified detail (both archaeologically and topographically) than the other gospels combined. Listen in as Anderson discusses why we need to pay attention to John as a historical source.
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  James Hoffmeier - Israel In and Out of Egypt 22.07.2026 1h 7m

  In this episode, James K. Hoffmeier discusses his new book — Israel In and Out of Egypt — an update of his previous books on the subject in light of the latest Egyptological discoveries, as well as the latest developments in Biblical scholarship in relation to the evidence for or against some form of a historical exodus.
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  Jason Borges - Christian Life in the Greco-Roman City 15.06.2026 1h 7m

  In this episode, Chris McKinny interviews Jason Borges about his latest book — Christian Life in the Greco-Roman City — a unique guide to the foreign sites, sounds, and structures that defined the Biblical World of the emerging early Church.
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  Best Archaeological Finds of 2025 (Part 2) 14.04.2026 1h 10m

  We’re back with the second (of 2) episodes on the best archaeological finds of 2025. They’re so significant, we’re still talking about them in April 2026. In this episode, hear about Lamassu, Apkallu, and cuneiform, oh my!
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  Best Archaeological Finds of 2025 (Part 1) 26.03.2026 1h 2m

  Back by popular demand is our Best Archaeological Finds series, and this one for 2025 (we’re well into 2026, we know, but if you listen, it’ll all make sense!). Enjoy this first of our series on these 2025 finds, where we discuss some really cool discoveries!
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  Amy and Chris - The Great Flood Tablet (Epic of Gilgamesh) 22.01.2026 1h 20m

  It’s go time for Amy’s favorite tablet, tablet 11 of the Epic of Gilgamesh!! It’s flood time, or at least, it’s time to learn about the great flood. This episode will cover the events related to the great flood, as reported by Utnapishtim. Gilgamesh seeks immortality, but ultimately, learns about his human limitations and the need for a good nap.
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  Stephen Carlson - Mary, Joseph, and the so-called "Inn" 23.12.2025 58m

  Jason Staples and Stephen Carlson try to ruin your Nativity! Jason discusses Stephen’s essay ”The Accommodations of Joseph and Mary in Bethlehem: Κατάλυμα in Luke 2:7.” They also discuss when Mary and Joseph get married, the census in Luke 2:2, and ... (wait for it) ... the Spanish Inquisition.
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  David DeSilva - Archaeology, Jesus, and Paul 10.12.2025 51m

  In this episode, Kyle sits down for a chat with David deSilva about his two new volumes, Archaeology and the Ministry of Paul: A Visual Guide and Archaeology and the World of Jesus: A Visual Guide (Baker Academic, 2025). The two chat about the importance of material culture for understanding the New Testament, discerning between good church traditions and ”other” church traditions, and whether or not it is important to get one’s historical details right as a part of one’s theology.
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  Mary Buck - The Achaemenid Period 18.11.2025 1h

  Mary Buck continues her study of the Second Temple period by focusing on the Persian Period, and especially, the Achaemenid Empire. Learn about this incredibly powerful yet lesser-known period of history, and figures like Cyrus, Darius, and others who shaped biblical history.
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  Amy and Chris - Epic of Gilgamesh (Part 11) 28.10.2025 1h 5m

  Episode: We’re back with Tablet X of the Epic of Gilgamesh! Enjoy this next installment with Amy and Chris as Gilgamesh goes in search of Utnapishtim! Click to listen back to PART 1,  PART 2, PART 3, PART 4, PART 5, PART 6, PART 7, PART 8, PART 9, and PART 10. Hosts: Chris McKinny and Amy Balogh Image Attribution: Item CBS7771 at Penn Museum - https://www.penn.museum/collections/object_images.php?irn=245958#image1
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  Chris and Kyle – Biblical Archaeology Rising (Part 2) 30.09.2025 1h

  In part II of our intro to Biblical Archaeology, Kyle and Chris explore the contributions of W. F. Albright (who knew over 20 languages) and G. E. Wright, Kathleen Kenyon and others, and the emergence of New Archaeology, regional approaches, and other new methods. They also consider questions of faith and history, theology and archaeology, and text and the past. They discuss how archaeology is ill-suited to ”slay the dragon of theological liberalism,” but also how it contributes to faith. How can we grapple well with the intersection of these fields that often seem so far apart?
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  Chris and Kyle - Biblical Archaeology Rising (Part 1) 02.09.2025 53m

  In this two-part series, Kyle and Chris delve deeply into the history of ”biblical” archaeology. What is this field? How did we get to where we are today? Who are some of the characters that shaped the field along the way? If you’ve ever pondered these (or related) questions, then this mini-series is for you.
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  Mary Buck - The Babylonian Period 25.08.2025 43m

  Episode: In this second of our “Second Temple Series,” Mary Buck discusses the Neo-Babylonian period. Of particular interest is the impact of the Babylonian Empire on the Kingdom of Judah.Babylonian Period. This short-lived "flash-in-the-pan" empire has an outsized impact on history. Learn how and why in this episode! Key BCE dates discussed:627 - Nabopolassar (rebels against Assyria)612 - Nineveh falls, capital moves to Haran606 - Nebuchadnezzar II (famous from Daniel, etc.). Egyptians and Assyrians unite against Babylon. Battle of Carchemish - Nebuchadnezzar II defeats the Assyrian-Egyptian coalition.605 - Nebuchadnezzar II pursues Egyptian army back to the brook of Egypt. (but don't take territory there)599-597 - Jehoiakim rebels against Babylon (dies in 597), then Jehoiakin exiled to Babylon. Finally, Zedekiah appointed as vassal king.588 - Judah relies on Egypt to resist Babylon587/6 - Nebuchadnezzar II returns to Jerusalem a final time, laying siege to the city. Jerusalem falls, partial deportation.586-573 - 13yr. siege of Tyre.549 - Cyrus the Great comes to power in Elam538 - Fall of Babylon (without battle?) Other references:  Al-Yahudu tablets - over 100 cuneiform tablets about the lives of Judean exiles, in the Bible Lands Museum (Israel) Ration texts related to Jehoiakin and his five sons Host: Mary Buck is hosting this series!! Listen to the Assyrian episode HERE. Image Attribution: By Robert Koldewey (10 September 1855 – 4 February 1925) - Die Tempel von Babylon und Borsippa : nach den Ausgrabungen durch die Deutsche Orient-Gesellschaft, 1911, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=87505819 Give: Visit our Donate Page if you want to help Biblical World and OnScript continue by becoming a regular donor.
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  Amy and Chris - Epic of Gilgamesh (Part 10) 09.07.2025 1h 5m

  We’re back with Tablet IX of the Epic of Gilgamesh. Gilgamesh must face reality. From the grief over Enkidu to a search for his (Noah-like) ancestor Utnapishtim on Mt. Mashu, Gilgamesh will learn about his mortality. Meet scorpion beings and enjoy this next installment with Amy and Chris!
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  Amy and Chris - Epic of Gilgamesh (Part 9) 30.06.2025 52m

  We’re back now with Tablet VIII of the Epic of Gilgamesh, and our grief knows no bounds. Tune in and hear Amy and Chris discuss the depths of Gilgamesh’s pain, grief, and loss. They also discuss how Gilgamesh memorializes his friend, and what might have happened in the missing part of the tablet.
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  Amy and Chris - Epic of Gilgamesh (Part 8) 22.06.2025 1h 11m

  We’re back, with Tablet VII of the Epic of Gilgamesh, an emotional high point in the epic. Chris and Amy take us into the friendship of Gilgamesh and Enkidu, the aftermath of Humbaba’s death, and the curse-filled waiting for Enkidu’s fate to unfold. Tune in and enjoy!
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  Kyle Keimer - Misunderstanding Sacrifice (part 2) 03.06.2025 1h

  Kyle Keimer joins to add insights from archaeology to an earlier OnScript episode called Misunderstanding Sacrifice (listen HERE). Dru and Matt L talk about the incomplete pictures gained from archaeology AND the Bible, and how to grapple with both. This episode is cross-listed with the OnScript podcast.