In this video JC Schroeder reviews the "The Beatitudes through the Ages" by Rebekah Eklund published by Eerdmans in 2021. This is one of the most helpful books to understand the Beatitudes. This is a go to resource for sermon preparation, research, or just to have the Beatitudes explained. Works Cited: Rebekah Eklund, The Beatitudes through the Ages (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2021) Timestamps: 0:00 Introduction 3:15 What is this books about? 9:58 Who is this book for? 11:38 Observations...

In this video, JC Schroeder looks at the Greek text of the first Beatitude, "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs in the kingdom of heaven" (Matthew 5:3 and Luke 6:20). Works Cited: Rebekah Eklund, The Beatitudes through the Ages (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2021). Wesley G. Olmstead, Matthew 1-14: A Handbook on the Greek Text, Baylor Handbook on the Greek New Testament (Waco: Baylor University Press, 2019). Jonathan T. Pennington, The Sermon on the Mount and Human Flourishing: A Theolog...

In this video, JC Schroeder describes how biblical Greek asks yes or no questions. Numbers 12:2 from the Septuagint (LXX) is a great example of both uses. Then he compares this with the Hebrew Masoretic Text of the verse. Works Cited: BDF §426-427 CGCG §38.7-8 HALOT s.v. רַק iv. Time Stamps: 0:00 Introduction 0:29 English Questions 1:43 Greek Questions 3:24 Numbers 12:2 LXX 8:28 Numbers 12:2 MT 11:53 Conclusion ---------------- 📺 Watch on YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/@bites...

In this episode, JC Schroeder describes how the introduction and conclusion to the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5-7 is so important. The introduction and conclusion act as an interpretive lens for reading the Jesus’ Sermon. Some of the connections Matthew makes are subtle, so he points these out from the Greek New Testament text. Works Cited: Richard B. Hays, Echoes of Scripture in the Gospels (Waco: Baylor University Press, 2017), 144. Ulrich Luz, Matthew 1-7, Hermeneia (Minneapoli...

Psalm 146 describes why we should praise God and challenges our tendencies to praise other things. This sermon was originally preached at South Branch Bible Fellowship in NJ on 4/14/24. ----- 📺 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@bitesizeseminary 🎧 Listen to the podcast: Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/bite-size-seminary/id1588657153 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6rzuso0r2D8XHOp0b8Cc4G?si=lt773C3cQaKFFeF-qB1GXw 💻 Check out www.bitesizeseminary.com ...

We can get caught thinking that preaching or teaching is a burden, but really we should view it as a joy and privilege to share the Word of God. ----- 📺 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@bitesizeseminary 🎧 Listen to the podcast: Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/bite-size-seminary/id1588657153 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6rzuso0r2D8XHOp0b8Cc4G?si=lt773C3cQaKFFeF-qB1GXw 💻 Check out www.bitesizeseminary.com for more resources. 📬 Connect with JC...

Reading and applying the Bible can be hard. JC Schroeder shares three keys for studying and applying the Bible well. These keys act like ground rules to our interpretation. They will provide a richer and more productive reading and application of Scripture. ⏰ Timestamps 0:00 Introduction 0:31 Key #1 3:56 Key #2 7:57 Key #3 10:34 Conclusion ----- 📺 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@bitesizeseminary 🎧 Listen to the podcast: Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/b...

In this video JC Schroeder reads and breaks down the first verse of the Bible, Genesis 1:1, in both Hebrew and Greek from the Hebrew Bible and the Greek Septuagint. 📚 Citations - Barry Bandstra, Genesis 1:1-11, Baylor Handbook on the Hebrew Bible (Waco: Baylor University Press, 2008) 42-43. - Hebrew text from Elliger, K. and W. Rudolf, eds. Biblia Hebraica Stuttgartensia. Stuttgart: Deutsche Bibelgesellschaft, 1977. - Greek text from Rahlfs, Alfred and Robert Hanhart, eds. Septuaginta: Id e...

How much did a New Testament letter cost in the first century? JC Schroeder shows the surprising cost for Paul's letters in the New Testament. 📚 Citations - New Testament letter cost from E. Randolph Richards, "When is a Letter Not a Letter?: Paul, Cicero, and Seneca as Letter Writers" in Paul and the Giants of Philosophy: Reading the Apostle in Greco-Roman Context, ed. Joseph R. Dodson and David E. Briones (Downers Grove: IVP Academic, 2019) 88-89. - Image of New Testament Manuscript of Ep...

You want to read the Bible in Hebrew, but you also want to do it really, really well...like a professor. Matthew Delany from Hebrew Bible Insights joins JC Schroeder to talk about why Christian’s should learn Hebrew and how it affects the spiritual life. He also drops some awesome helps for learning Hebrew. Go check out Matthew's awesome YouTube channel and podcast Hebrew Bible Insights! 🔗 Hebrew Bible Insights Links 🔗 Website: https://www.hebrewbibleinsights.com YouTube: https...

Since the Bible was originally written in Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek, there is naturally a linguistic gap between those languages and our own. Word studies is one helpful way to bridge that gap. But in order to do this we need to know what are the best tools for the task. In this episode, JC Schroeder shares his favorite books for doing biblical word studies. ⏰ Timestamps 0:00 Introduction 1:06 Basic Resources 4:11 Theological Dictionaries 8:13 Technical Dictionaries 13:01 Extra-Biblical Dic...

Paradoxically, seminary and Bible college can be places where your spiritual life can grow cold. But it doesn’t have to be this way. JC Schroeder shares two practices to thrive spiritually while in school. ⏰ Timestamps 0:00 Introduction 1:11 Practice #1 5:36 Practice #2 9:37 Conclusion 📚 Resources Mathis and Parnell, How to Stay Christian in Seminary Zacharias and Forrest, Surviving and Thriving in Seminary ------- 📺 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@bitesizeseminary 💻 Check o...

In this episode JC Schroeder talks about how looking at the historical-cultural context of Scripture can help open up the Bible for us and our sermons. It helps us to see the connections and distinctions between the world of the Bible and the Bible itself. Having this material in our sermons can help to clarify the text and lead to greater love and transformation. 📚 Resources: John Walton, Ancient Near Eastern Thought and the Old Testament ------- 📺 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.c...

In this episode JC Schroeder talks with Dr. Max Botner about his new book Beyond the Greek New Testament: Advanced Readings for Students of Biblical Studies published by Baker Academic. They talk about theological education, how to communicate that with others, as well as some tips and tricks for learning and advancing in Greek. ⏰ Timestamps 0:00 Introduction 0:55 Who is Dr. Max Botner? 5:03 The Center for Bible Study and Online Theological Education 11:33 Why Go Beyond the Greek New Testame...

There are two dangers we can fall into when studying the Bible. Depending on our personalities or backgrounds, we may be more prone to one or the other. We want more Bible, but if we don’t read the Bible the way it’s intended, that’s when we get into trouble. So let’s talk about these two dangers so we can hear the voice of God in Scripture. ⏰ Timestamps 0:00 Introduction 0:33 Danger #1 4:27 Danger #2 8:35 Conclusion Check out www.bitesizeseminary.com for more resources. 📬 Connect wi...

Ever wished for a tool that could unlock the deep cultural context of the Bible for you? In order to read the Bible well and not import our own ideas into Scripture, we need to know about the world of the Bible or the historical-cultural context. In this episode, I share some of the best resources and tools to help us better understand the background to the Bible. 0:00 Introduction 0:58 Study Bibles 2:08 Background Commentaries 3:59 Overviews 6:50 Primary Source Reader 7:23 Atlas...

It is nothing new that Christians disagree about theology and how to interpret Scripture. But why does this happen? If we don’t assess our disagreements, our debates will only devolve. In this episode I review When Doctrine Divides the People of God: An Evangelical Approach to Theological Diversity by Rhyne Putman. It’s published by Crossway in 2020. This book is a helpful guide for thinking through the causes of theological disagreements in the church and helps to chart a course toward under...

If we stop reading, we stop learning. And if we stop learning, then we stop ministering effectively. If we’re going to pour into others, we need to be poured into as well. Reading is an important tool toward fostering longevity in ministry and avoiding burnout. But reading is not just about reading more books but the right ones, good books. 0:00 - The Importance of Reading to Ministry 3:37 - Types of Books to Read 9:35 - Conclusion Check out www.bitesizeseminary.com for more resources...

Struggling to share your faith with others? Discover the seven C's for authentically communicating your faith in this episode. I discuss how to engage in genuine conversations without confrontation while keeping Christ at the center. I explore how to be good neighbors and friends through honest and open dialogue while making Christianity intellectually and emotionally compelling. Our goal is to invite others into a relationship with Christ, not just win an argument. Evangeli...

Have you ever wanted to learn to read the New Testament in Greek but didn't know where to start? In this episode I share 4 reasons why my favorite is Reading Koine Greek by Rodney Decker along with 2 negatives about the book. The book's streamlined morphology and use of the "4 quad chart" helps unlock Greek morphology. So if you're looking to learn or review Greek, this episode has a book for you! 0:00 Introduction 0:36 Reason #1 - Streamlined Morphology 2:45 Reason #2 - Up To Date 3:43 Reas...