Dr. Heath Thomas grow up as a pastor's kid, thought he'd be an English teacher but ended up specializing in Hebrew Poetry. He is now the president of Oklahoma Baptist University and somehow found time to co-write a book with Craig Bartholomew titled the Minor Prophets: A Theological Introduction. We talk about what the role of the prophet is, the content of their messages, and why they seem so angry all of the time.

Read more about Dr. Heath Thomas HERE

Find the book HERE

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Although cherubim in European art are cute, small, and angelic, the ancient world thought of them as terrifying protectors. In today's conversation, Dr. Gray continues to describe what we can learn about the ancient world by looking at their art. What did these people believe about hybrid creatures like the cherubim, seraphim, and sea serpents play? What role do these creatures play in the Bible?

Find out more about Dr. Gray HERE

See depictions of cherubim HERE

See depictions of seraphim HERE

See the sea serpent on Kudurru boundary stones HERE

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If the imagination influences spiritual formation, then what can we discover about how people in the ancient world thought of the spiritual realm by looking at their art? Today's guest is Dr. Taylor Gray, and we will discuss how exploring iconography helps us understand ancient customs, stories, and ways of thinking about the divine world.

Find out more about Dr. Gray HERE

See Pillar Figurines HERE

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Today we continue our conversation about Dr. Lanta Davis' new book called Becoming by Beholding. We begin with "bestiaries" - what they are and what their purpose was in early Christian art. We also talked about art and architecture. Does the shape and design of a church building indicate how worship is practiced inside? And how can ancient depictions of historic figures in the church reveal who significant leaders were? And what if they were women?

You can find Lanta Davis' book HERE

See examples of Bestiaries HERE

Read more about Dr. Davis HERE

Read Dr. Davis' article "The Witness of Women Written on the Walls" HERE

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Dr. Lanta Davis joins us today to talk about her new book called Becoming by Beholding. Her book will prompt you to think about the connection between art, imagination, and theology. How did the historic church think about the imagination and spiritual formation, and can we do a better job of that in today's environment? Are we aware enough of what we "behold" and how that creates an impression on our lives? And how did the Protestant church lose its ability to gaze on images and allow them to stoke our imagination?

You can find Lanta Davis' book HERE

Read more about Dr. Davis HERE

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Dr. Ryan Vroegindewey joins us once again to talk about the global food system, how animal welfare matters, and how to think about "organic", "mono cropping", and "genetically modified food".

Helpful books referenced in today's episode:

Stewards of Eden by Sandra Richter

Scripture Culture and Agriculture by Ellen Davis

The collected works publications by Katharine Hayhoe

Learn more about the movie Kiss the Ground

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How does the Bible instruct us to treat the world, our food, and our ground? Today we talk with Dr. Ryan Vroegindewey about how he became aware of the complexities in our global food systems and what we can all do to become more informed with the choices we make.

Helpful books referenced in today's episode:

Stewards of Eden by Sandra Richter

Scripture Culture and Agriculture by Ellen Davis

The collected works publications by Katharine Hayhoe

Contact Cyndi Parker through Narrative of Place.

Learn more about me and sign up for upcoming tours of Israel/Palestine.

Join Cyndi Parker's Patreon Team!

Dr. Stephen Ko is an interdisciplinary writer at the intersection of faith, medicine, and public health. He is also the Senior Pastor of New York Chinese Alliance Church. In his new book Faith Embodied, Dr. Ko explores the intersection of his medical knowledge with his spiritual insights. Using our senses can we learn to see Scripture in a new way and can we learn to fully embody our worship?

You can learn more about Dr. Stephen Ko HERE where you can also subscribe to his newsletter and follow him on social media.

Explore his book Faith Embodied HERE.

Contact Cyndi Parker through Narrative of Place.

Learn more about me and sign up for upcoming tours of Israel/Palestine.

Join Cyndi Parker's Patreon Team!