The Humble Skeptic

• Is Faith Blind?

  When asked to define the word “faith,” the majority of Christians polled at a variety of Christian events and gatherings described it a “blind leap.” But is this idea taught anywhere in the Bible? On this episode of The Humble Skeptic, Shane examines the arguments and passages that some Christians use in support of blind faith. This is Humble Skeptic episode #3 which was originally released on Nov. 22, 2022.SPECIAL OFFER: What is Faith?This 20-page PDF resource by Shane Rosenthal walks through many of the issues covered on this episode, and includes all the supporting documentation in case you’d like to research things further yourself. We’ll send you a link to download this PDF when you upgrade to a paid subscription or make a gift of any size. Click here for more info.SHOW NOTESRecommended ArticlesDoes Hebrews 11:1 Teach Blind Faith?, Shane RosenthalWhy Should We Believe the Bible?, Shane RosenthalBe a Berean!, Shane RosenthalOn Faith & Doubt, Shane RosenthalHow to Detect Deception, Shane RosenthalIs My Dad Mentioned in Billy Joel’s “Piano Man”?, Shane RosenthalRecommended EpisodesIs Faith Irrational? Humble Skeptic #2Faith & Proof, Humble Skeptic #7Proof of the Gospel, Humble Skeptic #8Greg Koukl on Blind Faith, Humble Skeptic #18Faith Founded on Facts, Humble Skeptic #15Are The Gospels History or Fiction? Humble Skeptic #52Dealing with Doubt, Humble Skeptic #19The Pilot Episode, Humble Skeptic #1 (The Billy Joel episode)Recommended BooksFaith is Not Wishing, Greg KouklReligion on Trial, Craig PartonTestimonies to the Truth, Lydia McGrewCan We Trust The Gospels? Peter J. WilliamsIs Jesus History? John DicksonA Doubter’s Guide to Jesus, John DicksonProof of The Gospel, Eusebius of CaesareaLuke’s Key Witness, Shane RosenthalWe Need Your Help!Consider supporting The Humble Skeptic podcast by making a one-time gift or by upgrading to a paid subscription via Substack ($5.95 per month, $59 per year). Use the button below for more information about giving options.Books Currently For Sale in Our New & Used Bookstore Every purchase helps to support this podcast. We’ll even throw in a Humble Skeptic coaster with every purchase!Redating the New Testament, John A.T. Robinson • $45From Joshua To Caiaphas: High Priests After the Exile, James C. VanderKam • $50The Letters to the Seven Churches of Asia in their Local Setting, Colin J. Hemer • $40The Deconstruction of Christianity, Alisa Childers & Tim Barnett • $24The Great De-Churching, Jim Davis & Michael Graham • $20Click one of the links above to get more info about a book or to purchase via Ebay. Click here for additional books, including a complete set of the New International Commentary on the New Testament (NICNT) by Eerdmans, featuring respected scholars such as F.F. Bruce, Leon Morris, Philip Hughes, Herman Ridderbos, and others.LIMITED TIME OFFER — U.S. Residents Only!$675 • The Ancient Christian Commentary on Scripture (30 Vol. Set)This softcover set retails for over $1,500, but for a limited time we’ll send you a brand new boxed set for a gift of $675 or more to help support the work of The Humble Skeptic (this donation is not tax-deductible). I frequently use this set for my own research and study. The Ancient Christian Commentary on Scripture published by IVP promotes a vital link between the varied Christian traditions of today and our common ancient ancestors in the faith. "The initial cry of the Reformation was ad fontes--back to the sources! The Ancient Christian Commentary Series is a marvelous tool for the recovery of biblical wisdom in today's church. Not just another scholarly project, the ACCS is a major source for the renewal of preaching, theology and Christian devotion." — Timothy George"Contemporary pastors do not stand alone. We are not the first generation of preachers to wrestle with the challenges of communicating the gospel. The Ancient Christian Commentary on Scripture puts us in conversation with our colleagues from the past, that great cloud of witnesses who preceded us in this vocation. This commentary enables us to receive their deep spiritual insights, their encouragement, and guidance for present-day interpretation and preaching of the Word." — William Willimon Get full access to The Humble Skeptic at www.humbleskeptic.com/subscribe

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• Is Faith Irrational?

  While we’re taking a short summer break, we’ve decided to re-release some of our favorite episodes, starting with the first program in our series on “faith.” Many people today claim that faith is “believing in things without evidence,” but is this really the case? On this episode of The Humble Skeptic, we’ll take a deep dive into the true definition of faith. This episode was originally released on Nov. 15, 2022.SPECIAL OFFER: What is Faith?, by Shane RosenthalThis 20-page PDF document walks through many of the issues covered on this episode, and includes all the supporting documentation in case you’d like to research things further yourself. We’ll send you a link to download this PDF when you upgrade to a paid subscription or make a gift of any size. Click here for more info.SHOW NOTESRelated ArticlesWhat is Faith? Shane Rosenthal (20-page PDF)Faith Is Not Wishing, Greg KouklDon’t Take a Leap of Faith, Greg KouklOn Faith & Doubt, Shane RosenthalHow to Detect Deception, Shane RosenthalWhy Should We Believe the Bible?, Shane RosenthalWhat Can We Know About Jesus from History? Shane RosenthalOn Faith & History, Shane RosenthalIs My Dad Mentioned in Billy Joel’s “Piano Man”?, Shane RosenthalRecommended BooksFaith is Not Wishing, Greg KouklReligion on Trial, Craig PartonTestimonies to the Truth, Lydia McGrewCan We Trust The Gospels? Peter J. WilliamsIs Jesus History? John DicksonA Doubter’s Guide to Jesus, John DicksonProof of The Gospel, Eusebius of CaesareaLuke’s Key Witness, Shane RosenthalRelated AudioThe Pilot Episode, Humble Skeptic #1 (The Billy Joel episode)Greg Koukl on Blind Faith, Humble Skeptic #18Dealing with Doubt, Humble Skeptic #19Are the Gospels History? Humble Skeptic #52 with John DicksonFaith Founded on Facts, Humble Skeptic #15 with John Lennox and othersThe Jesus of History, Humble Skeptic #12 Why Should We Trust the Bible? Humble Skeptic #39 with Mike FarleyEvidence & Faith (Pt. 1), (Pt. 2), (Pt. 3), (Pt. 4)Below is the Google Ngram chart referenced on this episode. This tool charts the occurrence of words or phrases in all the scanned books that Google has in its database. The graph below illustrates the fact that the phrases “blind faith” and “leap of faith,” came to prominence in the 19th and 20th centuries. Get full access to The Humble Skeptic at www.humbleskeptic.com/subscribe

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• How Did Jesus View the Old Testament?

  After his resurrection, Luke 24 records that Jesus walked with two of his disciples on the road to Emmaus, and during that journey, we’re told that “Beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself.” So what OT passages did Jesus likely have in mind as he discussed the Hebrew Bible with these two disciples? Joining me to discuss this question is Jason DeRouchie, research professor of Old Testament and Biblical Theology at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and the author of How to Understand and Apply the Old Testament.SPECIAL OFFER — If you make a GIFT of any size or upgrade to a PAID subscription, we’ll send you a “pre-release” PDF copy of Shane’s forthcoming book, Luke’s Key Witness.SHOW NOTESBooks40 Questions About Biblical Theology, Jason DeRouchie & othersHow to Understand & Apply the Old Testament, Jason DeRouchieDelighting in the Old Testament, Jason DeRouchieJesus in the Old Testament, Ian DuguidWalking with Jesus Through His Word, Dennis JohnsonJourneys With Jesus, Dennis JohnsonThe Promised One: Seeing Jesus in Genesis, Nancy GuthrieThe Lamb of God: Seeing Jesus in Exodus & Leviticus, Nancy GuthrieJoseph: A Story of Love, Hate, Slavery, Power & Forgiveness, John LennoxArticlesFinding Christ in All of Scripture, Shane RosenthalWhat is the Most Important Thing Taught in the Bible?, Shane RosenthalA New Way of Reading Scripture, Shane RosenthalJustin Martyr on the Importance of Fulfilled Prophecy, Shane RosenthalThe Bethlehem Prophecy: An Exploration of Micah 5:2, Shane RosenthalSprinkled Nations & Speechless Kings, Shane RosenthalWhy Should We Believe The Bible? (PDF), Shane RosenthalAudioComing to Grips with the God of the OT (1), WHI #1584 with Tom EggerComing to Grips with the God of the OT (2), WHI #1585 with Tom EggerIn The Beginning Was the Word, HS #75 with John RonningThe Messiah’s Redemptive Mission, HS #72The Angel of Yahweh, with Matt Foreman & Doug Van DornDecoding The Prophecies of Daniel, HS #68Babylon, Humble Skeptic #66Jacob’s Ladder, HS #63 with Richard Bauckham & Michael HortonThe Earliest Gospel, HS #46 with Mike BrownHow to Read & Interpret the Bible, HS #37 with Mike BrownThe Big Picture, HS #26 with J. Daniel HaysWhat Did the Earliest Christians Believe?, HS # 25 with Dennis JohnsonVideoShane Rosenthal on Frank Turek’s Cross Examined PodcastShane Rosenthal on The Alisa Childers PodcastWrite a Positive ReviewIf you’re a fan of this podcast, consider writing a brief note to let others know what you like about it (preferably via the Apple Podcast app since their reviews are visible in many other podcast portals). Positive reviews help boost our algorithms! Get full access to The Humble Skeptic at www.humbleskeptic.com/subscribe

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• In the Beginning Was the Word...

  “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” What exactly do these words mean? Some argue that John is hinting at concepts related to Greek philosophy, but is this really the case? What are the Jewish Targums and how do these ancient texts helps us to better understand the meaning of John’s prologue? On this episode, Shane talks with John Ronning, author of The Jewish Targums and John’s Logos Theology.Click here for detailed notes related to this episode (including quotes from Philo of Alexandria, and the Aramaic Targums.SHOW NOTESBooksThe Jewish Targums & John’s Logos Theology, John RonningTargum Isaiah, Jonathan ben UzielThe Messiah of the Targums, Michael B. ShepherdThe Jewish Gospels, Daniel BoyarinThe Angel of the Lord, Foreman & Van DornJourneys with Jesus, Dennis JohnsonThe Son of Man in Early Jewish Literature, Richard BauckhamA Handbook on the Jewish Roots of the Christian Faith, Craig EvansA Handbook on the Jewish Roots of the Gospels, Craig EvansThe Jewish Annotated New Testament, Daniel Boyarin & othersThe Works of Philo, Philo of AlexandriaArticlesThe “I Am” Sayings in John, John RonningThe Targum of Isaiah and the Johannine Literature, John RonningWhen Yahweh Became Flesh And Dwelt Among Us, John RonningHigh & Lifted Up: The Son of Man in John’s Gospel, John RonningFinding Christ in All of Scripture, Shane RosenthalThe Bethlehem Prophecy: An Exploration of Micah 5:2, Shane RosenthalAuthenticating the Fourth Gospel, Shane RosenthalThe Identity of the Beloved Disciple, Shane RosenthalA New Argument for John’s Identity, Shane RosenthalNotes for Episode #75, Shane RosenthalAudioJewish Views of the Messiah, Humble Skeptic #38 with Daniel BoyarinThe Angel of Yahweh, Humble Skeptic #70 with Foreman & Van DornWere Jews Expecting a Divine Messiah?, WHI #1243 with Craig EvansWere Jews Expecting a Suffering Messiah? Humble Skeptic #47Jacob’s Ladder, Humble Skeptic #63 with Richard Bauckham and othersBabylon, Humble Skeptic Episode #66 Decoding the Prophecies of Daniel, Humble Skeptic #68 The Messiah’s Redemptive Mission, Humble Skeptic #72Signs of the Messiah, Humble Skeptic # 74 with Andreas KöstenbergerWhich John Wrote John? Humble Skeptic #50SPECIAL OFFER — If you upgrade to a PAID subscription or make a GIFT of any size, we’ll send you a pre-release PDF download of Shane’s forthcoming book, Luke’s Key Witness. When you subscribe, you’ll get instant access to the book here (it’s currently behind a paywall). If you choose the donation option, you’ll receive the PDF via email. Thanks for your support! Get full access to The Humble Skeptic at www.humbleskeptic.com/subscribe

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• Signs of the Messiah

  Jesus’ words and deeds are best interpreted in the light of the Old Testament Scripture. Thus, the fact that Jesus said at the temple, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink” (Jn 7:37), makes much more sense when read alongside Exodus 17, in which Yahweh provided life-giving water to the thirsty Israelites. On this program, Shane takes a deep dive into John 7-9 with the help of New Testament scholar Andreas Köstenberger. After discussing the rich Old Testament background that helps to illuminate John’s meaning, the two also discuss whether the story of the woman caught in adultery is an authentic part of the Fourth Gospel or a later addition.SPECIAL OFFER — If you upgrade to a PAID subscription or make a GIFT of any size, we’ll send you a downloadable PDF copy of Luke’s Key Witness (shown below). When you subscribe, you’ll get instant access to the book here (it’s currently behind a paywall). If you choose the donation option, you’ll receive the PDF via email. Click the image below for a preview. Thanks for your support!SHOW NOTESBooksSigns of the Messiah, Andreas J. KöstenbergerEncountering John, Andreas J. KöstenbergerA Theology of John’s Gospel & Letters, Andreas J. KöstenbergerThe Jesus of the Gospels, Andreas J. KöstenbergerTruth Matters, Köstenberger, Bock & ChatrawCommentary on the NT Use of the OT, Carson, Beale & KöstenbergerEchoes of Exodus: Tracing the Theme of Redemption, Roberts & WilsonThe Angel of the Lord, Matt Foreman & Doug Van DornThe Lamb of God: Seeing Jesus in Exodus, Nancy GuthrieJesus in the Old Testament, Iain DuguidJourneys with Jesus, Dennis JohnsonThe Surprising Genius of Jesus, Peter J. WilliamsThe Jewish Gospels, Daniel BoyarinLuke’s Key Witness, Shane RosenthalArticlesThe Date of John’s Gospel: Are We Witnessing a Paradigm Shift? Shane RosenthalFinding Christ in All of Scripture, Shane RosenthalNew Life in the New Year: The Story of Exodus, Shane RosenthalAuthenticating the Fourth Gospel, Shane RosenthalScribes of the New Covenant, Shane RosenthalOn Faith & History, Shane RosenthalWater Into Wine? Shane RosenthalWhat’s the Point of Jesus’ Parable of the Rich Man & Lazarus? Shane RosenthalA New Way of Reading Scripture, Shane RosenthalThe Identity of the Beloved Disciple, Shane RosenthalA New Argument for John’s Identity, Shane RosenthalAudioThe Messiah’s Redemptive Mission, Humble Skeptic #72The Angel of Yahweh, Humble Skeptic #70 with Foreman & Van DornThe Sinai Inscriptions, Humble Skeptic #71 with Michael S. Bar-RonDid The Exodus Ever Happen? Humble Skeptic #69 with David RohlJacob’s Ladder, Humble Skeptic #63 with Richard Bauckham and othersBabylon, Humble Skeptic Episode #66 Decoding the Prophecies of Daniel, Humble Skeptic #68 Jewish Views of the Messiah, HS #38 with Daniel BoyarinStories of Jesus: Can We Trust Them? HS #61 with Peter J. WilliamsWhich John Wrote John? Humble Skeptic #50VideoLuke’s Key Witness, Shane Rosenthal on The Alisa Childers Podcast Get full access to The Humble Skeptic at www.humbleskeptic.com/subscribe

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