Biblical World

Episode: Here's the second in our multi-part series on the Epic of Gilgamesh, hosted by Chris McKinny and Amy Balogh! They finish Tablet 1 in this episode, discussing Gilgamesh's need to tame his passions, his journey into the wilds, the character Enkidu, links to early Genesis (e.g., Enkidu as Adam), links to Daniel and much more!

Hosts: Chris McKinny and Amy Balogh

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Episode: In this episode of Biblical World, Kyle interviews Paul Evans about his new book, Sennacherib and the War of 1812: Disputed Victory in the Assyrian Campaign of 701 BCE in Light of Military History (T&T Clark, 2023). They delve into military history and consider how the goals and ideologies of individual combatants/nations lead to alternate narratives of how events unfolded and what those events meant. The ideas of what...

Episode: Part 2 in our 3-part series on the top ten archaeological discoveries and stories related to the Bible from 2023. Some are honorable and some ... dishonorable. We talk about the lead "tablet" from Mt. Ebal, cosmic rays, the location of Canaanite Jerusalem, and other sensational and significant finds and stories from the year. Buckle up and enjoy the ride! 

Hosts: Chris McKinny and Kyle Keimer

Give: Visit our Donate Page if...

Episode: In this three-part series - Chris and Kyle discuss the year’s top ten archaeological discoveries and stories related to the Bible. Part 1 discusses the most important finds related to the Bronze Age. We talk Hittites, the location and identification of Sinai, and much more!

Hosts: Chris McKinny and Kyle Keimer

Give: Visit our Donate Page if you want to help Biblical World continue by becoming a one-off or regular donor.

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Episode: Kyle and Mark talk with Prof. Steve Ortiz about the Archaeology of the United Monarchy. In particular, they focus on the so-called "Solomonic" gates while also touching on the historicity of David and Solomon and issues in the use and dating of archaeological materials.

Guest: Dr. Steven Ortiz is the Director of the Lanier Center for Archaeology at Lipscomb University where he is also a professor of archaeology and biblica...

Episode: What do we know about children in ancient Israel, about who they were, the lives they led, and the people in their lives? Kristine Garroway is at the forefront of a new interest in the lives of children, and she draws on insights from comparative Ancient Near Eastern literature, archaeology, and the biblical text to help us get to know them better.

Guest:  Dr. Kristine Garroway is Professor of Bible at Hebrew Union College...

Episode: Welcome to the first of a multi-part series on the Epic of Gilgamesh, hosted by Chris McKinny and Amy Balogh! Why is this story so important, and what might it say about how we read the Bible? Where did it come from? What's its relationship to real places and history? What does it have to say to themes like guilt, grief, and what it means to be human? Does Gilgamesh have anything to say about the development of the Bible, ...

Episode: Suzanna Millar and Sébastien Doane introduce us to a newer field in biblical studies that focuses on animals in the Bible and ancient Near East. Millar and Doane co-chair "The Bible and Animal Studies" program unit at the Society for Biblical Literature.

Guests: Dr. Suzanna Millar is the Chancellor's Fellow in Hebrew Bible/Old Testament at the University of Edinburgh. She co-edited the Cambridge Companion to Biblical Wisdo...

Episode: In this episode, Amy Balogh interviews Prof. Azzan Yadin-Israel (Rutgers University) about his recent book Temptation Transformed: The Story of How the Forbidden Fruit Became an Apple (Univ of Chicago Press, 2023) in which he finally solves the mystery of how the “fruit” of Genesis 2-3 came to be known as an apple. This is the third installment of the “New Perspectives on the Bible and Nature” series.

Guest: Prof. Azzan Ya...

Episode: In this episode, Amy speaks with Prof. Erica Ferg (Regis University) about the impact of geography on the religious history of the Eastern Mediterranean, including the Baal Cycle from Ugarit and the biblical story of Elijah. Erica’s research focuses on the agricultural communities of the Levant and the lived experiences that shaped how people viewed the religious traditions of the biblical world in the pre-modern era, whic...

Episode: This episode covers new terrain for Biblical World. Amy speaks with Ron Simkins about the environmental crisis, ancient Israel, and an economy of enough. This is part 1 of our series on "The Bible and Nature". 

Guest: (From the Creighton University website) Ronald Simkins is Professor of Theology and Classical & Near Eastern Studies at Creighton University. He also directs the Kripke Center for the Study of Religion and So...

Episode: Biblical World co-host Kyle Keimer discusses his research on King Hezekiah's preparations for the Assyrian attack in 701 BCE. How do archaeologists determine the nature and extent of Hezekiah's defensive network? Did the Judeans use fire signals? How did the king prepare for war (and pay for it)? Listen in for a fascinating discussion of Keimer's archaeological, biblical, and geographical thoughts on this crucial event in ...

Episode: In this episode, Kyle and Chris chat with Shlomit Bechar of Haifa University about her recent book Political Change and Material Culture in Middle to Late Bronze Age Canaan (Eisenbrauns 2022). We tackle the topic of how changes in the material culture relate to political events (in particular the expulsion of the Hyksos from Egypt and Thutmose III's campaign to Canaan), the excavations at the mega-site of Hazor, the challe...

Episode: Chris and Kyle chat with Ken Dark about his work in and around Nazareth, which has illuminated our understanding of early Roman-period Nazareth. Ken talks about his survey on the northern outskirts of Nazareth, his re-analysis of the Franciscan excavations at the Church of the Annunciation, and his work at the nearby Sisters of Nazareth Convent.

Guest: Prof. Ken Dark (KCL London) He’s the author of Archaeology of Jesus’ N...

Episode: This wide-ranging interview explores the joys, travails, and wonders of archaeology related to the history and context of the Bible. Discussion focuses on Pauline archaeology, especially on Cyprus, but also his excavations in Kazakhstan, Sudan and elsewhere.

Guest: (from the Libscomb University website) has forty years of experience as an archaeologist, working extensively in Cyprus, the Near East, Egypt, Central Asia, and...

Episode: This episode is the final installment in the 3-part archaeology of Passion Week discussion. Chris and Kyle take a detailed look at how archaeological finds in Jerusalem can help us better situate and understand the events of this fateful week. Chris and Kyle discuss the location of Jesus’ crucifixion and burial, the Garden Tomb, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, and traditions about Jesus’ death and burial. (republished fr...

Episode: This episode is part two of the three-part series on the archaeology of Passion Week. Chris and Kyle take a detailed look at how archaeological finds in Jerusalem can help us better situate and understand the events of this fateful week. They delve into the Gospel of John, the Last Supper, and Jesus’ trials. (republished from 2021)

Hosts: Chris and Kyle

Summary: Chris and Kyle discuss the following topics: - Archaeology an...

Episode: This episode is the first of a three-part series on the archaeology of the Passion week. Chris and Kyle take a detailed look at how archaeological finds in Jerusalem can help us better situate and understand the events of this fateful week. (This episode is republished from 2021).

Hosts: Chris McKinny and Kyle Keimer

Summary: Chris and Kyle discuss the following topics: – Traditions about the Passion Week – How we connect ...