In episode 126 of the sixth season of the Enter the Bible podcast, co-hosts Kathryn Schifferdecker and Katie Langston discuss the question of how to interpret the Bible figuratively or metaphorically while still believing in the literal resurrection of Jesus with guest Nicholas Schaser. Together, they explore the different genres of biblical literature and the importance of understanding the intentions of the authors. Schaser explains that while Jonah may not be taken 100% literally, the resurrection of Jesus is presented as a physical, historical event in the Gospels.
Guest Nicholas Schaser teaches courses in biblical and Jewish studies at Macalester College in Saint Paul, MN. He received a Masters of Theological Studies in Old Testament from Luther Seminary (2010) and a Masters of Arts in Jewish Studies from Vanderbilt University (2013). He also completed his Ph.D. in Jewish Studies and New Testament at Vanderbilt in 2017.
Show notes
Biblical books and passages mentioned
- Jonah
- Matthew 12:40
- John 4:24
Topics, themes, and figures mentioned
- Symbolic Significance of Scripture
- Historical Resurrection
- Deuteronomistic History
- Road to Emmaus
- Universal Resurrection of the Dead