Host Nate Tiessen and guest Landon Hildebrand discuss which gospel is their personal favorite (1:44), censuses past and present (4:36), challenging the "inn" interpretation (10:52), the union of heaven and earth (21:03), Luke's Easter egg within the narrative (25:38), and shepherds today (27:07). Then Nate and Landon discuss the current heavy emphasis on the Christmas season (31:36), contrasting the claims of empire and the heavenly host (36:16), whether Matthew and Luke's birth narratives should be combined (39:24), and what "the good news of great joy" actually is (41:09).

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Luke 2:1-20: Loving Act of God

Host Nate Tiessen and guest Kate Reid discuss the best class they took at CBC (1:11), naming process for John (7:15), Zechariah's Psalm (14:13), task of God's people (18:40), role of John (21:28), and a reminder of who God is (23:17). Then Nate and Kate discuss how much attention we should give to ancient promises (29:25), how an airplane conversation would go (31:52), what question to ask an elderly Elizabeth (33:52), and what theological language we can utilize further in the church (36:36).

Luke 1:57-80: Tombstone Verses

Host Nate Tiessen and guest Katherine Wight discuss reading one Bible book daily for a year (1:24), role of Jesus (7:55), Mary's response to the message of Gabriel (14:40), a family reunion (20:30), this is personal (27:46), and the big picture (33:06). Then Nate and Katherine discuss angelic experiences (42:08), whether Mary is underappreciated (44:58), imagining Mary's greeting to Elizabeth (47:18), and how Mary's song fits with Advent themes (49:10).

Luke 1:26-56: Mary's Psalm

In part two of their conversation, host Nate Tiessen and guest Jon Isaak discuss a once in a life time opportunity (2:50), John's job description (7:45), silencing of Zechariah (12:43), and Elizabeth's response (20:05). Then Nate and Jon discuss the role of angels in Luke's Gospel (23:52), predestination and God-given roles (29:48), the reason for Elijah's prominence in the New Testament (36:15), and how Luke would have communicated his message today (44:46).

Luke 1:8-25: Fear Not

In part one of their conversation, host Nate Tiessen and guest Jon Isaak discuss being restricted to one NT book for 5 years (2:53), who was 'Luke' and who was 'Theophilus' (4:38), whether Luke was a historian or a theologian (10:42), the center of Luke's theology (15:59), a really long Greek sentence (19:31), and the introduction to the getting-older-Israelite-couple (28:20).

Luke 1:1-7: The Director

Host Nate Tiessen and guest Ryan Klassen discuss the Lord's supper (2:35), why we should not read Jude (4:31), why we should read Jude (7:17), introduction to the letter (17:29), the use of three OT examples (22:03), issues with unnamed persons (32:26), a depressing poem (37:56), heart of the letter (43:20), and then they read the letter (49:25). Then Nate and Ryan discuss the onerous task of preaching Jude (54:30), whether non-canonical books are useful (59:09), the use of Jude's benediction out of context (1:03:38), and advice for reading difficult texts (1:07:13).

Jude: Mercy

In a special scramble episode, host Nate Tiessen and guest Shawn Neumann read the book of Philemon and then ask each other surprise questions. The discussion includes the pre-story to the letter (8:24), private or public correspondence (13:03), if Onesimus was not a Christian (17:27), the use of military language (21:49), what does 'refreshing' mean (26:33), choice (with no choice) (29:49), who do I resonate with (34:40), Paul's request (39:20), canonicity (42:33), Paul and slavery (47:06), Paul speaking to relationship's today (51:40), reading Colossians anew (55:59), and one word summaries (57:41).

Philemon: Partnership

Host Nate Tiessen and guest Ron Voth discuss Ron's favorite course during 33 years of teaching (1:46), why we should read the book of Haggai today (7:47), the modern equivalent of 'paneled houses' (24:01), the use of 'stirred up' vocabulary (31:55), a mini-sermon by Ron (42:43), Haggai's riddle (50:33), and Zerubbabel's family legacy (58:22). Then Nate and Ron discuss the current emphasis on church buildings (1:02:58), the Haggai's of the contemporary North American church (1:05:38), missing pieces of background information (1:08:39), and God's power over political forces (1:10:48).

Haggai: Priorities

In a special scramble episode, host Nate Tiessen and guest Joe Kraftchick read the book of Jonah, and then ask each other surprise questions. The discussion includes establishing the protagonist (10:07), the captain and sailors as underrated characters (12:44), whether the book is a historical narrative (16:39), the original audience and their equivalent today (22:05), a messenger saying no to the call of God (26:28), the past tense of Jonah's psalm (28:33), Nineveh's role as the foreign city in this story (31:40), God changing his mind (34:58), Jonah's influence on the Gospels (40:43), the theology of Jonah (44:57), which Jonah chapter is best to preach on (47:57), and the final 'takeaway' from the book (51:06).

Jonah: Antithesis

Host Nate Tiessen and guest Reuban Schamehorn discuss Reuban's personal experience with 1 and 2 Samuel (2:08), the ark in Dagon's house (4:41), abnormal tissues of growth (11:46), the meaning of "7 months" in the text (18:13), discerning with the cart and cow method (25:25), and the cows and Eleazar as the most faithful characters (34:09). Then Nate and Reuban discuss reading the text in theological isolation (41:02), considering the ark narrative within exile (43:07), the difference between their 15-year old selves interpreting the text and their current 30-year old selves (49:32), and whether or not the ark narrative is overlooked (59:09).

1 Samuel 5-6: Divine Hot Potato

Host Nate Tiessen and guest Kate Reid discuss Kate's personal experience with 1 and 2 Samuel (2:50), the elders wartime theological problem and solution (8:40), reactions to the ark's arrival (11:13), thoughts of a fleeing Israelite soldier (16:04), Eli's anxious waiting (19:40), and the sad birth story of Ichabod (23:53). Then Nate and Kate discuss why this unusual narrative was retained (28:30), names for the ark narrative movie (32:29), what should be included in children's Bible's (34:11), and what would happen if the ark was found today (41:44).

1 Samuel 4: The Story Ark

Host Nate Tiessen and guest Landon Hildebrand discuss 3-pronged forks and cash tithing in the church parking lot (4:07), Samuel the young padawan (6:32), the sexual misconduct of Eli's sons (9:58), the prophetic oracle (17:05), humour in the text (24:08), and Samuel's message for Eli (30:44). Then Nate and Landon discuss pastoral compensation (37:14), how Samuel's calling narrative is used today (44:32), how the church can do better in regards to 'evil dealings' (47:28), and Landon's choice of client for 10 hours of counselling (54:08).

1 Samuel 2:12-4:1 Pastoral Juxtaposition

In part two of a double episode, host Nate Tiessen and guest Michael Szuk discuss the answer to Hannah's prayer (2:47), a generous sacrifice (7:01), the triad of theological non-comparison (13:47), series of reversals (16:18), the concept of sheol (21:31), prayer that gets political (24:50), and the Magnificat from Luke 1:46-55 (36:34). Then Nate and Michael discuss wrestling with contemporary infertility (40:40), a modern-day Hannah interrupting a church service (44:28), bargaining with God (47:50), and preaching the main point of Hannah's song (52:00).

1 Samuel 1:1-2:11 Hannah's Story (Part II)

In part one of a double episode, host Nate Tiessen and guest Michael Szuk discuss Michael's favorite biblical studies course to teach (2:27), why we should read the book of Samuel today (5:56), why Hannah's story starts the book (12:12), polygamy and the OT (20:50), the worship site at Shiloh (24:31), Elkanah's obtuseness as a husband (31:02), Hannah seeking justice (35:48), and sanctioned and unsanctioned forms of prayer (39:51).

1 Samuel 1:1-2:11 Hannah's Story (Part I)

Host Nate Tiessen and guest Kate Reid discuss the upside-down kingdom (01:10), sexual sin and greed (4:57), dehumanizing speech (14:05), the flattening of social categories (17:32), the challenges of church community (19:45), the three sets of household relationships (27:33), Paul's prayer request (36:59), and the family photo-album (39:27). Then Nate and Kate discuss whether the church in the Fraser Valley reflects equality (41:33), modern-day examples of Tychicus (47:04), discerning marriage as egalitarians and complementarians (49:45), and the most popular campfire song at Camp Likely (55:59).

Colossians Chapters 3-4: Gritty Realities

Host Nate Tiessen and a special guest discuss a biblical text and its contemporary implications.

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