Year of Biblical Literacy | A Deep Dive on The Gospels with Dr. Jonathan Pennington

For this episode, we interview Dr. Jonathan Pennington. Jonathan Pennington is associate professor of New Testament interpretation and director of research doctoral studies at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky, as well as the associate pastor of preaching at Sojourn Church East. He is the author of The Sermon on the Mount and Human Flourishing, Heaven and Earth in the Gospel of Matthew, and Reading the Gospels Wisely.

Timestamps:

3:18 - What were your initial impressions of the Bible?

6:18 - How did you first learn to study the Bible?

9:56 - Why did you decide to pursue seminary and doctoral work?

14:15 - What drew you to write on the Sermon on the Mount?

17:49 - What are the common misconceptions of the Sermon on the Mount?

25:01 - What foundational things to know about the Gospels?

29:16 - Why did you write the book Come and See?

32:57 - Is the point of studying the Bible to put it into practice?

35:33 - What does studying the Bible look like for you now?

37:25 - What’s your favorite Taylor era?

DR. PENNINGTON’S BOOKS + RESOURCES

• The Sermon on the Mount and Human Flourishing: A Theological Commentary

• Heaven and Earth in the Gospel of Matthew

• Reading the Gospels Wisely: A Narrative and Theological Introduction

• Jesus the Great Philosopher: Rediscovering the Wisdom Needed for the Good Life

• Come and See: The Journey of Knowing God through Scripture

• Small Preaching: 25 Little Things You Can Do Now to Make Your Preaching Better 

• Reading the New Testament as Christian Scripture: A Literary, Canonical, and Theological Survey 

• “Have You Accepted Jesus as Your Lord and Philosopher?” on The Gospel Coalition

• “3 Things You Didn’t Know About the Sermon on the Mount” on The Gospel Coalition

• The Human Flourishing podcast - Apple | Spotify 

midtown Resources

• Check out MidtownBiblicalLiteracy.com for videos, book recommendations, and Bible reading plans

• How-to Study the Bible handout

• How to Study Historical Narrative handout

• How to Study Wisdom Literature handout

• How to Study the Prophets handout

• How to Study the Psalms handout

• How to Study the Gospels handout

Sermons

Ghosts and Ancestors sermon series - Lexington | Downtown | Two Notch

Ruth sermon series - Lexington | Downtown | Two Notch

Wisdom sermon series -  Lexington | Downtown | Two Notch

How Long O LORD series - Lexington | Downtown | Two Notch

The Psalms series -  Lexington | Downtown | Two Notch 

The Gospels series - Lexington | Downtown | Two Notch

Text-in questions

Throughout the year, we want to know the concepts and passages you wrestle with. We'll answer some of these questions in podcast episodes throughout the year.

To submit your topic or question, text either "DOWNTOWN", “LEXINGTON”, OR “TWO NOTCH” followed by your topic to 855-855-0655.

Music by Levvy and Midtown Music

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