The Biblical Mind

What did the Puritans really believe about the Old Testament, Mosaic law, Jews, and Israel? In this episode of the Biblical Mind Podcast, historian Dr. Yisroel Benporat explores the fascinating and often misunderstood relationship between Puritan theology and the Hebrew Bible.
Benporat explains why Puritans attempted to apply biblical judicial laws to early American society, including laws concerning adultery, the Sabbath, and criminal punishment. He unpacks the distinction between moral, ceremonial, and judicial law and shows how Puritan thinkers wrestled with the relationship between the Old and New Testaments.
The conversation also challenges the popular myth that Puritans were essentially “quasi-Jews.” Although Puritans were deeply fascinated by Hebrew Scripture and Jewish texts, their views of contemporary Jews were shaped by Christian supersessionism and a strong desire for Jewish conversion.
Finally, Benporat examines Puritan eschatology and the restoration of Israel, exploring why some scholars see connections between Puritan thought and later Christian Zionism. The episode concludes by considering what Puritanism can teach us about biblical interpretation, Christian nationalism, theocracy, Jewish-Christian relations, and the enduring Hebraic roots of Christianity.
For Dr. Yisroel Benporat's website Click Here
Helpful Resources: "How Far Moses Judicialls Bind Mass[achusetts]" (ca. 1643), "John Cotton’s Treatise on the Duration of the Lord’s Day" (1611) , "Legislating the Lord's Day"
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Chapters:
00:00 Introduction to Puritans' biblical interpretation
02:26 Yisrael Ben Parat's interest in Puritan New England
03:26 Puritan laws: adultery and capital punishment
06:46 Sabbath laws and biblical prohibitions
08:17 Puritan use of scripture as political model
11:36 Puritan views on Sabbath and Old Testament laws
14:29 Categories of Mosaic law: moral, ceremonial, judicial
16:21 Puritans' application of judicial laws
21:13 Hermeneutic of continuity and abrogation in Puritan law
24:10 Puritans' view of Jews and anti-Semitism
27:29 Replacement theology and Puritan eschatology
36:55 Puritan eschatological visions and Christian Zionism
44:40 Puritans' objectification of Jews and cultural views
49:36 Modern resurgence of Puritanism and its implications
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How should Christians study the Bible? Does Scripture itself teach us how it should be read? In this episode of The Biblical Mind, Dru Johnson is joined by Dr. Gary Edward Schnittjer, distinguished professor of Old Testament for Cairn Theological Seminary at Cairn University, to discuss his new book, Connected: How Scripture Guides the Study of Scripture. Together they explore why the Bible should be interpreted on its own terms rather than through modern assumptions, and how the biblical authors model faithful reading of Scripture itself.
The conversation begins with the challenges of teaching today's college students, biblical literacy, and how classroom practices have changed over the past three decades. From there, Schnittjer explains why the Bible's literary artistry, historical context, and overarching narrative are essential for understanding God's revelation. Rather than treating Scripture as isolated verses, he argues that the Bible presents one unified story centered on God's covenant relationship with humanity through Jesus Christ.
Along the way, Dru and Gary discuss intertextuality, the importance of reading biblical books within their historical setting, why ancient treaties help illuminate covenant language, and even why Nehemiah might be "the first American" in the Bible. This episode offers practical wisdom for pastors, students, and everyday readers who want to read the Bible more faithfully and discover how Scripture itself teaches us to study Scripture.
Order Dr. Schnittjer's new book, Connected: How Scripture Guides the Study of Scripture: https://bhacademic.bhpublishinggroup.com/product/connected
See more from Dr. Schnittjer at his Substack: https://CarpentersStudent.com
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Chapters:
00:00 Introduction and podcast format
01:32 Primary hurdles in biblical teaching
02:35 Changes in seminary and college classrooms
04:03 Teaching biblical discovery to college students
07:02 Adapting teaching methods for modern students
10:36 Classroom dynamics and student engagement
13:33 The impact of technology and culture on biblical understanding
17:50 Using treaties to understand biblical covenants
21:07 The significance of Jesus as a connection maker
26:36 The metaphor of connectedness in Scripture
30:28 Visualizing the biblical story as a scroll
34:31 The importance of genre and context in Scripture
40:07 The role of historical background in biblical interpretation
45:36 Developing biblical wisdom through diverse genres
50:52 Nehemiah as an American archetype
54:18 Closing remarks and book recommendations

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Dr. Robert Joustra joins The Biblical Mind Podcast to explore one of the most neglected questions in Christian ethics: What does the Bible have to say about international politics? Beginning with difficult questions like the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Joustra argues that Christians need more than political pragmatism—they need a distinctly biblical framework for thinking about war, diplomacy, justice, nationalism, and global responsibility.
Drawing from the theological tradition of Augustine, Calvin, and Abraham Kuyper, Joustra explains how concepts like just war theory, ordered loves, sphere sovereignty, and the common good help Christians navigate today's geopolitical challenges. The conversation examines whether Scripture speaks to foreign policy, how the prophets shape our understanding of nations, and why political power must always remain penultimate to the kingship of Christ.
The discussion also engages contemporary debates surrounding nationalism, empire, immigration, religious identity, and the American political experiment, offering a thoughtful Christian response to the complexities of modern international relations.
Whether you're interested in biblical theology, political philosophy, Christian ethics, or global affairs, this episode provides a rich introduction to thinking faithfully about the nations, justice, and the role of Christians in an increasingly interconnected world.
Order Dr. Joustra's new book: (Click Here)
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Chapters:
00:00 Introduction to Robert Joustra and his book
01:52 The significance of 40-minute podcasts for engagement
03:55 Joustra's background and the genesis of his book
07:13 The impact of 9/11 on Christian political thought
09:57 The biblical basis for justice and international relations
14:59 The influence of Neo-Calvinism and the tradition of Kuyper and Calvin
19:54 The relationship between land, language, and culture in identity
24:53 Empire versus nation: Hazony's perspective and Joustra's critique
30:06 The importance of rightly ordered loves in politics
35:14 The role of scripture, prophets, and realism in international relations
40:07 The American experiment and its unique identity
44:45 The significance of geography and land in national identity
50:00 The future of nations and the importance of proximate goods

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Faith deconstruction has become one of the defining conversations in modern Christianity—but what does it actually mean to deconstruct your faith? In this episode of The Biblical Mind Podcast, Dru Johnson sits down with pastor, YouTuber, and book reviewer Joel Wentz to explore why so many Christians are questioning their beliefs and how those questions can lead to deeper spiritual maturity rather than cynicism.
Drawing from his own experience growing up in evangelical Christianity, Joel shares how wrestling with doctrines like hell, eschatology, and biblical interpretation led him through a season of deconstruction before discovering a richer understanding of historic Christian faith. Together, Dru and Joel discuss the difference between sincere faith exploration and tearing down beliefs for their own sake, the role of church culture and church hurt, why asking difficult questions is deeply biblical, and how the Nicene Creed and church history provide stability amid uncertainty.
The conversation also explores theological humility, the importance of Christian tradition, the dangers of intellectual arrogance, and how pastors, churches, and Christian communities can create safe spaces for honest questions without abandoning biblical orthodoxy.
Whether you're personally deconstructing your faith, walking alongside someone who is, or simply want to understand one of today's most important conversations in Christianity, this episode offers thoughtful, compassionate, and biblically grounded wisdom.

Visit Joel's youtube channel (Click Here), or his Patreon (Click Here)
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Chapters:
00:00 Introduction to Deconstruction and Faith
04:56 Different Understandings of Deconstruction
06:03 Interrogating Inherited Beliefs Without Negativity
08:16 Biblical Questions and Cultural Fears
09:39 The Skeptical Mood of Scripture
10:53 Questioning in the Bible: Examples from Scripture
12:26 Personal Stories of Faith and Questioning
16:30 Deconstruction of Eschatology and Hope
19:11 The Compelling Vision of the Renewed Earth
21:24 The Impact of Eschatology on Personal Hope
23:42 Starting the YouTube Journey During COVID
25:03 Sharing Faith and Books Online
27:24 Encouraging Questions and Faith in Community
28:51 Balancing Questions and Faithful Answers
30:38 The Dangers of Going to Foundations Without Humility
31:48 The Role of Sincerity and Humility in Deconstruction
33:10 The Pool Analogy: Standing in the Water
34:41 Rich Christian Thought on Deconstruction Questions
36:24 Historical Answers to Faith Questions
38:31 Healing Through Confession and Love
40:30 Trust and Gentle Care in Discipleship
42:00 The Continuum of Beliefs and Non-negotiables
44:32 The Nicene Creed and Core Doctrines
45:58 Evolving Views on Doctrine of Hell
49:00 The Journey from Open Theism to Classical Theism
52:31 The Impact of Doctrine on Prayer and Spiritual Life
55:09 The Richness of Christian Thought and Tradition

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Dr. Michael W. Austin is a Professor of Philosophy at Eastern Kentucky University, an author, and a speaker. He has published 12 books; most recently, he co-edited and contributed to QAnon, Chaos, and the Cross: Christianity and Conspiracy Theories.

Most of his teaching, writing, and speaking is focused on ethical questions related to character and human flourishing. He believes that philosophy has much to offer us, in our individual, social, and spiritual lives. For many years, he's also been a speaker for the Kentucky Humanities Council, and he contributes to a blog for Psychology Today, “Ethics for Everyone.”