The Biblical Mind

• Wine, Worship, and Craftsmanship: A Biblical Theology of Alcohol (John Dunne) Ep #206

  Was wine in the Bible just a calorie source—or something far richer? In this fascinating conversation, Dr. John Anthony Dunne, author of The Mountain Shall Drip Sweet Wine: A Biblical Theology of Alcohol, joins Dru Johnson to explore how wine and alcohol shaped ancient Israel’s culture, theology, and imagination. Dr. Dunne traces how biblical wine reflected not only the scarcity and agricultural hopes of ancient life, but also a tradition of craftsmanship, connoisseurship, and divine blessing. Together they unpack why biblical wine wasn’t just functional—it was symbolic of abundance, peace, and God’s favor. From fermentation methods and ancient storage to the surprising case for white wine at the wedding at Cana, this episode challenges modern assumptions about alcohol in Scripture. Dunne explores why the biblical world viewed wine as inherently miraculous, why production was tied to the land promise, and how modern communion links us to Canaan’s terroir in unexpected ways. 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 Introduction 00:42 Christianity and Alcohol 02:52 Cultural Perspectives on Alcohol Consumption 06:01 Theological Implications of Alcohol in Scripture 08:58 Wine Production and Its Significance 12:00 The Craft of Winemaking in Ancient Times 14:57 Grapes: Beyond Wine Production 18:06 Environmental Factors in Viticulture 20:58 The Symbolism of Wine in Biblical Texts 22:06 The Importance of Climate in Winemaking 25:11 Exploring Ancient Grape Varieties 27:07 The Fermentation Process of Ancient Wines 35:04 The Significance of Jesus' First Miracle 45:10 Wine as a Connection to the Land

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• Is Nationalism Biblical? Yoram Hazony on Nations, Empires, and Justice (Yoram Hazony) Ep. #205

  Is nationalism always bad—or does the Bible have a more nuanced view of nations, borders, and political life? In this fascinating episode, Israeli philosopher Yoram Hazony joins Dru Johnson to explore the political vision of the Old Testament, from the Table of Nations in Genesis to the prophetic hope of nations learning from Israel in peace. Hazony explains how the Bible’s anti-empire stance emerges from the stories of Babel, Assyria, and Babylon—and why God’s vision for humanity includes independent nations with borders, traditions, and space to seek Him freely. Together they unpack how Israel’s kingship, laws, and tribal structure offer a model of checks, balances, and moral limits on power. The conversation also tackles modern questions: What can Christians today learn from biblical nationalism? How does this compare with movements like Christian nationalism in the U.S.? And why does Hazony see so many modern Christian intellectuals missing the Old Testament’s political teachings? For more of Yoram's literature: https://www.yoramhazony.org/ https://x.com/yhazony 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 Introduction to Nationalism and the Bible 00:56 Biblical Foundations of National Identity 09:32 Political Philosophy in the Old Testament 12:43 Critiques of Nationalism in the Hebrew Bible 20:42 The Nature of Sin and Human Corruption 22:40 Nationalism and the Biblical Perspective 26:08 Borders and National Independence 40:01 Governance and the Role of Law 45:28 Christian Nationalism: Perspectives and Concerns

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• Do You See What I See? Worship, Joint Attention, and Being Human (Cockayne & Salter) Ep. #204

  Is church just a place to think about God—or are we wired to worship together? In this groundbreaking episode, theologian Dr. Josh Cockayne and developmental psychologist Dr. Gideon Salter join Dru Johnson to explore how human beings are made for joint attention, and why gathering for worship is a deeply embodied, social necessity. Drawing from their book Why We Gather, the conversation unfolds how infants develop the skill of “joint attention”—the ability to notice something with someone else—and how this same capacity is essential to biblical worship, from Genesis to Revelation. They argue that worship isn’t merely cognitive or emotional—it’s communal, embodied, and neurologically formative. Togetherness isn’t a nice-to-have; it’s the foundation of how we know God and the world. From communion rituals and infant behavior to liturgical design and online church, the episode provides a practical, psychologically grounded, and theologically rich vision of church that challenges both individualism and shallow expressions of “community.” For their book "Why We Gather," see the publisher's website here: https://www.baylorpress.com/9781481322911/why-we-gather/ 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 Introduction to Worship and Individual Experience 02:59 The Role of the Body in Worship 06:02 Joint Attention and Its Importance 09:20 The Collaboration Between Psychology and Theology 12:12 Understanding Joint Attention in Worship 15:17 The Impact of Joint Attention on Community Worship 18:05 Liturgy and Joint Attention in Practice 21:09 Theological Implications of Joint Attention 24:04 Cultural Jointness and Worship 27:06 Conclusion and Reflections on Worship 27:42 Children's Participation in Church 28:42 Exploring Joint Attention in Liturgical Settings 30:57 The Role of Community in Worship 32:36 Understanding Jointness and Joint Attention 35:12 The Dynamics of Participation in Worship 36:18 Theological Perspectives on Joint Attention 38:12 The Biological and Social Aspects of Gathering 41:44 Critiques of Theoretical Frameworks in Worship

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• How Artists Think Biblically: Liturgies, Ritual, and the Weight of Words (Douglas McKelvey) Ep. #203

  What gives someone the right to script your prayers? In this powerful conversation, Douglas McKelvey, author of the bestselling Every Moment Holy liturgical series, joins Dru Johnson to unpack the spiritual and theological journey behind his work. From a childhood steeped in neo-charismatic theology to a disillusioning college experience at Oral Roberts University, McKelvey shares how God used a profound unraveling—what many today might call “deconstruction”—to rebuild a biblically coherent faith through unexpected mentors and communities. Listeners learn how McKelvey became part of the Art House Foundation and later the Rabbit Room, drawing from the legacies of Francis Schaeffer, Edith Schaeffer, and Andrew Peterson to create a community of artists grounded in Scripture. Along the way, he opens up about the fear and trembling that should attend writing liturgies—and what it means to write prayers people will carry into their most vulnerable moments. This episode explores beauty, hospitality, ritual, and the theological integrity behind the words we say to God. Whether you're a liturgy lover, creative, or just someone seeking coherent theology after chaos, this is an episode that will stay with you. Learn more about the Art House and Rabbit Room here: https://www.arthousenashville.com/our-story https://www.rabbitroom.com/ 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 Introduction to the Rabbit Room 02:22 The Evolution of the Rabbit Room 05:17 Community and Connection in the Rabbit Room 08:29 The Significance of Northwind Manor 11:31 Personal Journey and Theological Foundations 14:10 Navigating Doubt and Deconstruction 23:08 Charlie Peacock and the Art House Foundation 26:29 The Art House and Its Influence 31:04 The Physical Space of the Art House 34:20 Theological Foundations for Artists 36:33 Every Moment Holy: A Journey of Prayer 43:13 The Impact of Ritual in Prayer 50:43 Reflections on the Craft of Prayer 52:18 The Rabbit Room: A Hub for Creativity  

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• Is Abraham a Hero or a Warning? How Genre Makes or Breaks Your Bible Reading (Andy Judd) Ep. #202

  What if our biggest biblical misunderstandings come from reading the right words in the wrong way? In this episode, Old Testament scholar Dr. Andy Judd joins Dru Johnson to unravel the complex and often misused concept of genre in biblical interpretation. Drawing from his background in English literature and law, Dr. Judd explains how many theological debates, misreadings, and even dangerous interpretations arise not from misused Hebrew dictionaries—but from unspoken assumptions about genre. Why do readers assume Abraham’s behavior is exemplary? Why do sermons treat biblical laws like modern legal codes? Why do people interpret apocalyptic visions as historical predictions? From Genesis to Judges, Paul’s letters to Revelation, Judd shows that failing to ask, “What kind of text is this?” is often where interpretation goes off the rails. Blending humor, literary theory, and deep biblical insight, Judd offers practical ways to become better “travelers” in the ancient biblical world—learning to coordinate with texts the way we coordinate with traffic rules in a new country. Andy Judd's personal website can be found here: https://www.andyjudd.com/ 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 Introduction 00:54 The Journey into Genre Studies 03:26 Misinterpretations and Conflicts in Biblical Genre 06:26 Understanding Narrative and Ethical Frameworks 10:18 The Role of Genre in Biblical Interpretation 12:39 Defining Genre: Conventions and Contexts 14:37 Cultural Contexts and Genre Navigation 18:35 The Boomerang Test: A Practical Approach to Genre 24:32 Deep Structures and Genre Regulation 28:08 Understanding Genre in Scripture 33:54 The Role of Genre in Biblical Interpretation 39:22 Biblical Law: A Unique Genre 43:56 The Social Function of Biblical Law 49:42 Wisdom and the Interpretation of Law

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