God gave Israel laws meant to protect the vulnerable, especially widows and orphans. If someone needed money, you couldn’t lend it at interest. There was to be no profiting from another’s misfortune. And, what about “not cursing God or your leaders”? Best not to look at social media! Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadSubscribe: […]Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadSubscribe: ... Read more

Why did the flood happen? Was the flood regional or did it cover the entire earth? Cale looks at archaeological and scientific evidence of the flood and considers its geographical scope. What would it have been like for the animals on the ark? Ultimately, what does this story tell us about God? Podcast: Play in […]Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadSubscribe: ... Read more

Who are the “righteous remnant”? Do the animals on the ark have a special significance? Cale shares a key phrase for the entire flood narrative, some incredible insights from the early Church Fathers, and much more! Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadSubscribe: RSSPodcast: Play in new window | DownloadSubscribe: ... Read more

The laws of ancient Israel were about putting love in action. Sin, including sorcery, seduction, selfish lending practices…are you scandalized yet! (Another s-word)and all kinds of other faults, demonstrated a lack of love that would not go unnoticed—or unpunished—by God. Also, here, for the first time, God reveals that he is “compassionate”. But how? Podcast: […]Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadSubscribe: ... Read more

We’re used to seeing people in coutroom dramas (and in real courtrooms!) putting their hand on a Bible and swearing “to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help me God.” But in ancient Israel, having to “swear to God” before the blazing pillar of fire was, literally, an “awe-some” […]Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadSubscribe: ... Read more

Crime and punishment in ancient Israel wasn’t like 21st-century America. It was about restitution, not incarceration. There weren’t supermax prisons for perpetrators, but criminals did pay for their misdeeds—often with their lives.   Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadSubscribe: RSSPodcast: Play in new window | DownloadSubscribe: ... Read more

Amidst all the laws of ancient Israel, one thing holds true: it takes a village. It takes a village not only to raise a person, but it also takes a village to corrupt a person…and to judge a person. Perhaps unlike modern, individualistic societies in the West, everyone had to take responsibility to put love […]Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadSubscribe: ... Read more

Did you know the concept of taking sanctuary in a house of worship actually comes from the Book of Exodus? Plus, Cale shows how Israel used the “lex talionis” (the law of retribution) to deal with violence. Jesus takes this concept and turns it upside down…or, right side up! Podcast: Play in new window | […]Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadSubscribe: ... Read more

Why would an ancient Israelite father actually want to sell his daughter into slavery? And a Q&A about the famous Flavius —Josephus, that is! Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadSubscribe: RSSPodcast: Play in new window | DownloadSubscribe: ... Read more

It might shock you to know that after the Israelites escaped brutal slavery in Egypt, they themselves had slaves. What is this all about? And how did the Judeo-Christian tradition eventually abolish slavery?  Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadSubscribe: RSSPodcast: Play in new window | DownloadSubscribe: ... Read more

In Exodus, God tells Moses he only wants a “bare-bones” altar to be built. No carved stones, no outer beauty. Does this mean Catholics are wrong to build beautiful Cathedrals? Plus, in our Q&A segment? Are there really 8 Beatitudes…or are there actually 10? Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadSubscribe: RSSPodcast: Play in new window | DownloadSubscribe: ... Read more