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SummaryJesus' life was notorious for offending, displeasing, and angering those around him. He was different. He had a different way of viewing the world. And, he said some pretty radical things. The Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7) serves as a compilation of some of Jesus' most radical teachings in one place. However, the shock value of his words are not limited to the original audience alone; we soon will see the values of Jesus run counter-cultural to many of our own.Talking PointsGenesis to Matthew; Context of the Sermon; Mountain Moment; How to Read The Sermon; The Mosaic of Jesus; The Unlikely As the Liked; Jesus' Punch in the GutReferencesThe Gospel of Matthew (NICNT): R.T. FranceMatthew: NIV Application Commentary: Michael J. WilkinsCSB Study Bible (Matthew)Wisdom of Jesus Son of Sirach

SummaryWhy is God going to bless Abraham and his family. The last line of God’s promise makes that clear: so that all the families of the earth will find this blessing in you. This is a key component to understanding the rest of the biblical story. This is the key to unlocking the door moving forward:God’s plan is to rescue and bless his rebellious world through Abraham’s family, and this is why the whole rest of the OT story is just going to focus on the one family; eventually called the people of Israel.Talking PointsDavid Russell; Genesis Summary; Abraham Chiasm; Faithfulness Over Knowledge; The Cycle of Humans; Significance of Abraham; Points to Jesus; Where The Story Goes From Here; Where We Go Next!ReferencesThe Book of Genesis, Chapters 1–17 - Victor P. HamiltonGenesis 1-11 - Samuel Bray & John HobbinsThe Pentateuch as Narrative - John SailhamerThe Bible Project (Genesis 1-11)Adam as Israel - Seth Postell

SummaryGod comes down not to inspect the scenario, but to thwart it. His method is perhaps surprising: he will confuse their language. Why not simply topple the tower? Because that would solve the problem only temporarily. Towers are replaceable. Even if the people did not build another tower, they could choose another equally presumptuous project. The solution must go deeper than that. It is not the tower that must be done away with, but what makes possible the building of that tower—an international language that provides communication among linguistic groups. If this ability to communicate is removed, it is unlikely that the individuals will continue with their work.Talking PointsBuilding Kingdoms ON Innocent Blood; Kingdoms in the East; Innovation vs. Devastation; Celestial Tower; God Looks Down; The Power and Scare of Unity; God's Judgment & Grace; Where to Next?ReferencesThe Book of Genesis, Chapters 1–17 - Victor P. HamiltonGenesis 1-11 - Samuel Bray & John HobbinsThe Pentateuch as Narrative - John SailhamerThe Bible Project (Genesis 1-11)Adam as Israel - Seth Postell

SummaryFor many today, the idea that the Bible is good, beautiful, and loving crashes against moments in the Bible of violence, judgment, and bloodshed. We find ourselves asking questions like, “How could a good God send a flood to destroy the earth?” Without a good answer, these questions should keep us awake at night, rattle our confidence, and make belief seem less believable. The problem is that many often don’t seek out good answers; many would rather walk away from these intense moments in the biblical story and leave their faith behind, too. Talking PointsNephelim; Sons of God; ANE Flood Narratives; Saving Creation; Infested Earth; First Altar; God's Grace; Man's HeartReferencesThe Book of Genesis, Chapters 1–17 - Victor P. HamiltonGenesis 1-11 - Samuel Bray & John HobbinsThe Pentateuch as Narrative - John SailhamerThe Bible Project (Genesis 1-11)Adam as Israel - Seth Postell

SummaryTwo brothers come to worship God. Neither offering is inferior to the other. Regardless, one offering is accepted over the other. What follows is embarrassment that turns to anger, that quickly turns to murder. Perhaps the silence is the message itself. As outside viewers, we are unable to detect any difference between the two brothers and their offerings. Perhaps the fault is an internal one, an attitude that is known only to God.Talking PointsWoman Elevated To God; Keeper of Sheep; Favoritism; Hot vs. Anger; Blood Crying Out; Crouching Sin; 4-Fold Punishment; The Fate of Humanity; Jesus HyperlinksReferences:The Book of Genesis, Chapters 1–17 - Victor P. HamiltonGenesis 1-11 - Samuel Bray & John HobbinsThe Pentateuch as Narrative - John SailhamerThe Bible Project (Genesis 1-11)Adam as Israel - Seth Postell

SummaryIn the narrative there is to be war ; the two sides represented are the two seeds (of the snake & of the woman). Though wounded in the struggle, the woman's seed would be victorious. How will that victory come about, and what will the long, treacherous journey toward victory mean for humanity?Talking PointsHumans are Trees; The Failed Humans; The Ideal; Abraham's Blessing; The Shoot From Jesse; Isaiah; Jesus the Messiah; Romans; The Tree of Life; The CrossReferencesThe Pentateuch as Narrative - John SailhamerThe Bible Project (Sabbath)Adam as Israel - Seth Postell

SummaryThe world you and I live in is not the world God created it to be. I am not talking about dinosaurs. The story opens with God confronting chaos and disorder to bring order and beauty in creation. Humans are formed and appointed to participate in God's divine rule of the universe. As his representatives, humanity can choose to trust God for wisdom to rule, resulting in blessing for the entire world.However, the humans choose to define good and bad on their own, which begins a destructive cycle that reintroduces chaos and disorder back into God's good world. Let us pick up in the story here beginning in Genesis 3.Talking PointsThe Failing Over the Fall; The Wise Snake; The Conversation of Temptation; How We Justify; The Curse of the Snake; Humans Create Disorder; Removal From the ModelReferencesThe First Testament - John GoldingayThe Pentateuch as Narrative - John H. SailhamerGenesis 1-11 - Samuel Bray & John HobbinsBible Project

SummaryThe choice of the tree is often not between what is good and what is bad. Rather, the choice we often face is between what is good and what seems good. In this week of The Bible Peel, Payton and Tracy discuss the two trees in the center of the Garden of Eden: The Tree of Life and The Tree of Knowledge of Good and Bad. Talking PointsSignificance of Trees; The Tree of Life and The Tree of Knowledge of Good and Bad; The Choice; Tav vs. Ra; God's Wisdom vs. Our Wisdom; Suffering and the Choice. ReferencesBible Project: The Tree of LifeBlog: The Tree of Life: Lost but Not ForgottenThe First Translation: John GoldingayThe Pentateuch as Narrative: A Biblical-Theological Commentary: John Sailhamer

SummaryWhy the need to abstain? Obviously it wasn't because of tiredness! God's resting from creation teaches us that as human beings created in the image of God, we too need to make time for rest and purposely abstain from interfering with creation one day of the week. The passion to create can sometimes be dangerous — especially for a technological society that prides itself on its ability to create, manipulate and control the world around it.Talking PointsSignificance of 7; Sabbath; God Resting; Importance of Work; Pendulum Swing; Rest in Jesus.Link/ReferencesThe Bible Project: Sabbath"Keeping the Sabbath" - Missy TakanoBuilding and Discipling Culture - Mike Breen 

SummaryIn the ancient world, specifically the Ancient Near East, to be made in the image of God was a depiction reserved for only two things: idols and kings. When Genesis uses this phrase, “image of God” it uses the Hebrew word selem for “image.” You might be surprised to learn this, but selem is often translated as “idol” in our Bibles - “the idols of God.” Talking PointsCommunity of God; God's Idols; Subduing and Dominion over Earth; Ruling and Reigning on God's Behalf; Restoring the Broken Image; Jesus. Links/ReferenceThe Meaning of the Bible - Douglas Knight & Amy-Jill LevineThe Lost World of Adam and Eve - John WaltonBible Project (Image of God)Adam as Israel - Seth Postell 

SummaryGenesis is one of the most abused books in the Bible. In episode 001 of The Bible Peel, Tracy and Payton will begin peeling back layers of this extraordinary book! Talking Points Summary of Genesis; Reading With Ancient Eyes; House vs. Home; Chaos to Order; Tohubohu; Sabbath Rest.Links/ReferencesGenesis For Normal People - Peter Enns & Jared ByasThe Lost World of Adam and Eve - John WaltonAdam as Israel - Seth D. PostellThe Pentateuch as Narrative - John H. SalehamerGenesis 1-11 (Notes) - Samuel L. Brat & John F. Hobbins