Matthew Novenson: Multiplicity at the Birth of Christianity

03/29/22 • 130 min

My buddy and the New Testament scholar Matt Novenson is back on the podcast to tackle a bunch of Bible questions and topics from the Jesus De/Constructed group. It was a tour de force of the early Christian movements. In the conversation we discuss things like...

the major social /cultural context of Jesus
Rome’s relationship to Israel
the role of the Temple in Jewish life and how its destruction changed things
the historical Jesus and the many Gospels he inspired
what is Apocalyptic Judaism, the Kingdom of God, and Jesus’ own message
Did Jesus and his earliest followers think the world was going to end?
Paul and his role in early Christianity
how the discoveries of the last century have reshaped our understanding of NT times
the Resurrection of Jesus and the historian

Dr. Matthew Novenson is Senior Lecturer in New Testament and Christian Origins at the University of Edinburgh, where he is also director of the Centre for the Study of Christian Origins. Check out his previous podcast visit “ Messiah, Lord, Logos, & Other Titles” and his books:

THIS EPISODE IS SPONSORED BY

Louisville Seminary is a progressive theological school located in the fun and friendly city of Louisville, Kentucky. They offer the following programs: Master of Divinity, Master of Arts in Religion, Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy, the Doctor of Ministry, and dual degree options in partnership with the University of Louisville in law, business, and social work. All master’s level students who are enrolled at least half time are guaranteed a minimum of a 100% tuition scholarship. Louisville Seminary hosts various virtual and in-person visit opportunities. If you’re interested in the MDiv or MAR for this coming fall, there is still time to apply. The deadline is June 1. To learn more, to schedule a visit, or to apply, visit www.LPTS.edu. For Homebrewed Christianity listeners, if you apply to a master’s program by June 1, your application fee will be waived. Simply email the code “Homebrewed Podcast” to [email protected].

Don’t forget to join Tripp & Diana this Lent for an open online class – Jesus De/constructed! Details here. Follow the podcast, drop a review, or become a member of the HBC Community.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

the major social /cultural context of Jesus
Rome’s relationship to Israel
the role of the Temple in Jewish life and how its destruction changed things
the historical Jesus and the many Gospels he inspired
what is Apocalyptic Judaism, the Kingdom of God, and Jesus’ own message
Did Jesus and his earliest followers think the world was going to end?
Paul and his role in early Christianity
how the discoveries of the last century have reshaped our understanding of NT times
the Resurrection of Jesus and the historian

THIS EPISODE IS SPONSORED BY

Don’t forget to join Tripp & Diana this Lent for an open online class – Jesus De/constructed! Details here. Follow the podcast, drop a review, or become a member of the HBC Community.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Previous Episode

Conrad Kanagy: a Church Dismantled

Dr. Conrad Kanagy taught Sociology at Elizabethtown College since 1993 and is an established scholar in the study of American and Global Christianity. He is also an ordained Mennonite minister. You can check out his podcast, YouTube channel, and the upcoming webinar – “Jesus in the Mainline: Why is Progressive Christianity Embracing A Church Dismantled?.”

Wherever you look, the metrics of the institutional church spell doom. Amid this forecast, Conrad Kanagy—long-time pastor and sociologist of religion—offers a vision of hope in what he calls the “Spirit’s dismantling of the church.” Five years ago, Kanagy learned that he had Parkinson’s disease. This devastating experience of “dismantling” gave him the courage to strip off his masks and to say things that, according to one reader, “Pastors and professors are not supposed to say!” When Covid-19 emerged two years ago, Kanagy produced a popular podcast that he has turned into a series of books receiving overwhelmingly positive reviews.

Donald Kraybill, author of The Upside Down Kingdom, writes: “Conrad’s essays mingle the voice of a prophet, the eye of a sociologist, the heart of a pastor, the wisdom of an educator, and above all the candid confessions of a child of God. He may stir your ire or light your fire, annoy you or compel you to compassion. Prophetic voices do that. But you will keep on reading. I promise!”

Professor Walter Brueggemann notes: “Conrad is able to cross many boundaries...he is able to juxtapose odd partners, push the extremities of exposure, and do a broad sweep of scripture. The subtext of his writing is the scriptural account wherein the biblical community of faith, in its distortion and obduracy, was dismantled in order to make way for an authentic community of mission.” Dr. Kanagy is currently writing an authorized biography of Professor Brueggemann.

The author includes stories of his growing up in a strict Amish/Mennonite community, his life-long struggle with OCD and constant fear of God’s wrath and damnation, his crises in ministry, battles with cancer, and his recent diagnosis of PD.

Don’t forget to join Tripp & Diana this Lent for an open online class – Jesus De/constructed! Details here. Follow the podcast, drop a review, or become a member of the HBC Community.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Next Episode

John Dominic Crossan: Render Unto Caesar

John Dominic Crossan is back on the podcast talking about his new book Render Unto Caesar: The Struggle over Christ and Culture in the New Testament. It is always a blast to have Dom on the podcast and this is no exception! Dr. Crossan is one of the leading New Testament scholars today. Not only has he significantly contributed to the academic guild, but he has consistently written texts for a larger audience.

Want to hang out with Dom? Then come join an upcoming live stream QnA where he will be tackling a bunch of Bible questions from listeners. It promises to be a nerdy good time!

Previous Visits from Crossan to the podcast