The Biblical Mind

Can Christians watch horror movies? Is horror merely entertainment, or can it reveal profound theological truths? In this episode of The Biblical Mind Podcast, Dru Johnson sits down with theologian and film scholar Dr. Kutter Callaway to explore why horror has become one of today's most influential storytelling genres—and why Christians should take it seriously.

Drawing from his new book, Be Afraid: What Horror Reveals About Facing the Darkness, Callaway argues that great horror doesn't simply frighten audiences; it exposes deep truths about evil, suffering, trauma, sin, and the human condition. Together, Dru and Kutter examine the horrifying stories already found in Scripture—from the Levite's concubine in Judges to the crucifixion—and ask what these passages have in common with modern horror films.

The conversation also explores why supernatural horror resonates with younger generations, how films like Get Out, The Babadook, Hereditary, and Midsommar wrestle with inherited trauma and cultural fears, and why interpreting films in community resembles reading the Bible in community. Whether you're skeptical of horror or an avid fan, this episode offers a thoughtful biblical framework for understanding fear, art, and the stories that shape our imaginations.

Learn more about Kutter Callaway at his website! (Click Here)

Order his latest book (click here)

We are listener supported. Give to the cause here:
https://hebraicthought.org/give

For more articles:
https://thebiblicalmind.org/

Social Links:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HebraicThought
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hebraicthought
Threads: https://www.threads.net/hebraicthought
X: https://www.twitter.com/HebraicThought
Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/hebraicthought.org

Chapters:

00:00 Defining Horror: A Genre Exploration
02:46 Horror in Biblical Texts: A New Perspective
06:14 The Role of Horror in Understanding Humanity
09:00 Personal Experiences with Horror and Its Impact
16:09 The Supernatural vs. Slasher Horror: A Comparative Analysis
21:12 Cultural Reflections in Horror Films
22:16 Exploring Horror and Societal Trauma
25:12 Artistic Truths in Horror Films
28:01 Parent-Child Dynamics in Horror
30:26 Emerging Voices in Horror Cinema
32:42 Reflections on Personal and Societal Sin
35:31 Horror as a Reflection of Societal Fears
37:02 Engaging with Horror: Questions to Consider
41:11 Community Interpretation of Art and Scripture

What were synagogues actually like in the time of Jesus? Were they places of worship, centers of local government, or something entirely different?

In this episode, archaeologist and New Testament scholar Dr. Jordan Ryan joins Dru Johnson to challenge common assumptions about ancient synagogues. Drawing on archaeological discoveries, ancient texts, and the writings of Josephus, Philo, and the New Testament, Ryan explains why synagogues in the first century looked and functioned very differently from both modern churches and modern synagogues.

The conversation explores the origins of synagogues, their possible connection to city gates in the Hebrew Bible, and their role as “town halls with Torah” in Judea and Galilee. Ryan discusses ritual purity, mikva’ot (ritual baths), Torah and prophetic readings, public debate, and the surprising evidence that synagogue gatherings were highly interactive communal events rather than passive worship services.

Listeners will also hear fresh insights into the ministry of Jesus, including what happened when he taught in synagogues, whether men and women sat separately, why rabbis were not yet a formal office, and why Jesus seems to have avoided major cities like Tiberias and Sepphoris.

This episode offers a fascinating glimpse into Jewish life, worship, and community in the world of Jesus and the early church.

We are listener supported. Give to the cause here:
https://hebraicthought.org/give

For more articles:
https://thebiblicalmind.org/

Social Links:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HebraicThought
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hebraicthought
Threads: https://www.threads.net/hebraicthought
X: https://www.twitter.com/HebraicThought
Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/hebraicthought.org

Chapters:

00:00 Understanding Synagogues: Misconceptions and Functions
05:00 Origins of Synagogues: Historical Perspectives
07:48 The Role of Synagogues in Ancient Jewish Society
11:39 Worship Practices in Ancient Synagogues
14:21 Ritual Purity and Preparation for Synagogue
20:37 The Experience of Attending Synagogue on Shabbat
25:21 Scriptural Readings and Teachings in Synagogues
28:12 The Role of Discussion in Torah Readings
33:44 Understanding the Origins of Rabbis
39:08 The Structure and Function of Ancient Synagogues
44:15 Jesus in the Synagogue: A Cultural Perspective

In this wide-ranging conversation, Dru Johnson sits down with theologians Daniel Bannoura and Bruce Fisk, contributors to Being Christian After the Desolation of Gaza, to explore the Israel-Palestine conflict through the lens of Palestinian Christian experience. Drawing on history, theology, and personal experience, Bannoura and Fisk argue that the crisis in Gaza cannot be understood apart from the broader history of Zionism, Palestinian displacement, and the ongoing struggle for justice and human dignity in the region.

The discussion examines the relationship between Christianity, Christian Zionism, and modern Israeli politics, while also addressing questions of antisemitism, Palestinian identity, settler violence, military occupation, and competing historical narratives. Dru pushes back on several claims, creating a thoughtful exchange that highlights both areas of agreement and disagreement.

The episode also explores how biblical interpretation shapes political views, why many Western Christians know little about Palestinian Christians, and how younger generations are rethinking the Israel-Palestine debate. Throughout the conversation, the guests challenge listeners to consider what Christian faithfulness, neighbor love, and justice look like in the aftermath of Gaza’s devastation.

This is the first installment of a deeper discussion on theology, politics, Israel, Palestine, Gaza, and the future of Christian engagement with one of the world’s most contested conflicts.

Buy the book here: https://wipfandstock.com/9798385254859/being-christian-after-the-desolation-of-gaza/
 

We are listener supported. Give to the cause here:
https://hebraicthought.org/give

For more articles:
https://thebiblicalmind.org/

Social Links:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HebraicThought
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hebraicthought
Threads: https://www.threads.net/hebraicthought
X: https://www.twitter.com/HebraicThought
Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/hebraicthought.org

Chapters:

00:00 Understanding the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict
09:25 The Impact of Historical Narratives
12:21 The Legacy of Imperialism and Its Effects
16:56 The Complexity of Regional Conflicts
20:02 The Current Reality in Israel and Palestine
22:13 The Call for Justice and Equality
26:14 The Future of Christian Engagement in the Conflict
30:26 The Security Dilemma: Perspectives on Israeli Actions
31:27 Shifting Narratives: The Impact of October 7th
33:04 Defining Zionism: Perspectives and Misconceptions
37:15 Zionism and Its Evolution: A Critical Examination
42:56 Settler Violence: A Growing Concern
49:18 The Realist Perspective: Understanding the Conflict
54:06 Christian Zionism: A Complicated Legacy
57:55 The Complexity of Middle Eastern Politics
01:00:43 The Role of Arab Nations in the Israel-Palestine Conflict
01:04:11 Understanding Gen Z's Perspective on Israel and Palestine
01:09:02 The Nuances of Violence and Power Dynamics
01:13:27 Guiding the Next Generation of Christians
01:17:28 The Call for Radical Love and Justice

What does the Bible actually say about politics, and how should Christians engage public life in an age of division and polarization?

In this inaugural episode of Reimagining Biblical Politics, biblical scholar Michael Rhodes joins co-host Marshall Teague to explore the foundational claim at the heart of Scripture: God reigns. Rather than offering partisan talking points or commentary on current political controversies, Rhodes argues that the Bible presents a rich and often-overlooked vision of political discipleship rooted in the kingdom of God.

Drawing from his experiences living and serving in economically marginalized communities in Memphis, Nairobi, and Auckland, Rhodes explains how questions of justice, poverty, public life, and community inevitably led him to reconsider the relationship between faith and politics. The conversation introduces key themes from his book, Reimagining Biblical Politics, including the distinction between "outpost politics"—how God's people live together as citizens of God's kingdom—and "pilgrim politics"—how Christians engage the broader society around them.

Listeners will discover why the language of kingdom, gospel, peace, and savior was deeply political in the biblical world, why Scripture offers far more than a few isolated verses on government, and how a renewed understanding of biblical politics can help Christians faithfully navigate public life today.

Listen to more of Reimagining Biblical Politics (Click Here)

We are listener supported. Give to the cause here:
https://hebraicthought.org/give

For more articles:
https://thebiblicalmind.org/

Social Links:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HebraicThought
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hebraicthought
Threads: https://www.threads.net/hebraicthought
X: https://www.twitter.com/HebraicThought
Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/hebraicthought.org

What does it mean to truly live well in an age of loneliness, distraction, and endless self-improvement advice?

In this episode, Dru Johnson sits down with Alan Noble to discuss his new book on the seven Christian virtues and why recovering ancient wisdom may be the key to human flourishing today. Together they explore how virtues such as courage, temperance, prudence, justice, faith, hope, and love shape a life rooted in Christ rather than in modern self-help culture.

The conversation examines the growing loneliness epidemic, the difference between "thin" online communities and meaningful relationships, and why many young adults struggle with agency, friendship, dating, and purpose. Noble argues that virtue is not a life hack or productivity technique but a lifelong process of spiritual formation empowered by the Holy Spirit and cultivated within Christian community.

Dru and Alan also tackle the relationship between faith and works, discuss mentorship and the loss of intergenerational wisdom, and explore why courage may be one of the most important virtues for our cultural moment. From social media and smartphone habits to friendship and discipleship, this episode offers practical and theological insights for Christians seeking to live faithfully in a fragmented world.

Order Alan Noble's latest book, To Live Well, here:

https://www.ivpress.com/to-live-well?

We are listener supported. Give to the cause here:
https://hebraicthought.org/give

For more articles:
https://thebiblicalmind.org/

Social Links:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HebraicThought
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hebraicthought
Threads: https://www.threads.net/hebraicthought
X: https://www.twitter.com/HebraicThought
Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/hebraicthought.org

Chapters:

00:00 Points of Resistance and Challenges in Teaching Virtues
02:40 Virtues as Pathways to Live Well in Christian Life
04:02 Grace, Works, and Righteousness in Christian Practice
05:25 Community and the Need for Thick, Committed Groups
08:33 The Problem of Thin Communities and Society's Disconnection
10:30 The Role of Wisdom and Mentorship Across Generations
13:25 The Importance of Affirmation and Love in Community
15:17 Healthy Groups and the Balance of Affirmation and Correction
16:59 Scriptural Foundations for Virtues and Character Traits
18:19 The Significance of Courage and Temperance for Young Adults
26:32 Understanding Courage in the Context of Inhibition and Risk
32:53 Practical Steps to Cultivate Virtues and Live Well
39:24 Starting the Journey Toward Virtue and Reflection
40:32 The Role of Prayer and the Holy Spirit in Virtue Formation
43:05 Closing Remarks and Final Thoughts