What in the Word? – Details, episodes & analysis

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What in the Word?

Presented by Logos

Religion & Spirituality

Frequency: 1 episode/13d. Total Eps: 42

"What in the world does that verse mean?" This show tackles the hardest Bible verses to understand. Each episode, host Kirk E. Miller interviews an expert guest to discuss a text in the Bible that is known to be challenging to interpret. They do in-depth Bible study and survey scholars' interpretations. By investigating the strangest and hardest Bible verses, What in the Word? gets below the surface to learn their implications for understanding God and living the Christian life. Subscribe and join us weekly on Spotify, YouTube, and other podcast platforms. Learn more: https://bit.ly/3DYhMjP

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Did Jesus Use Parables to Hide Truth? | Philip Anthony Mitchell on Matthew 13:10–17

Season 2 · Episode 20

Wednesday, July 22, 2026 • Duration 35:34

Jesus explains that he taught in parables lest the crowds would understand him, turn, and be healed (Matt 13:10–17).

Philip Anthony Mitchell joins Kirk E. Miller to answer the question, Did Jesus use parables to conceal the truth?

Get a free Mobile Ed course when you start a free trial: https://www.logos.com/show/witw-what-in-the-word?utm_source=spotify&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=show-witw

Learn more about the episode:

https://www.logos.com/grow/why-did-jesus-teach-in-parables-matthew-13?utm_source=spotify&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=show-witw

Outline:

(00:00) Do Parables Hide Truth?

(01:05) Meet Phillip Mitchell

(03:18) Matthew 13 Context

(05:21) Reading the Hard Passage

(07:32) Parables as Judgment

(12:05) Sower as Key Parable

(15:09) Encouragement for Preachers

(17:35) Isaiah 6 Connection

(20:29) Remnant and Hard Hearts

(27:25) Insiders and Kingdom Secrets

(31:37) Preaching Tips and Application

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Are We Justified by Works? | Mark Jones on James 2:14–26

Season 2 · Episode 19

Wednesday, July 15, 2026 • Duration 52:47

Does James contradict Paul? In this episode of What in the Word?, host Kirk E. Miller sits down with pastor and theologian Mark Jones to tackle James 2:14–26.They explore the apparent tension between Paul's doctrine of justification by faith alone and James’s claim that "justified by works and not by faith alone."Get a free Mobile Ed course when you start a free trial: https://www.logos.com/show/what-in-the-word?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=show-witwLearn more about the episode: https://www.logos.com/grow/witw-james-2-justification-faith-works?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=show-witw

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Why Couldn’t Jesus Do Miracles? | Veli-Matti Kärkkäinen on Mark 6:1–6

Season 2 · Episode 18

Wednesday, July 8, 2026 • Duration 42:43

Does human unbelief have the power to limit the all-powerful God? In this episode of What in the Word?, Kirk E. Miller sits down with theologian Veli-Matti Kärkkäinen to tackle the startling claim in Mark 6:1–6 that Jesus “could do no mighty work” in his hometown. They explore the relationship between human faith and divine action and raise the practical question: What does this story mean for someone praying for healing that never comes?

Get a free Mobile Ed course when you start a free trial: ⁠https://www.logos.com/show/what-in-the-word?utm_source=spotify&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=show-witw⁠

Learn more about the episode: https://www.logos.com/grow/witw-why-jesus-couldnt-do-miracles⁠? utm_source=spotify&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=show-witw

Outline:

(00:00) Introduction

(01:12) Veli-Matti Karkkainen

(03:55) The narrative arc

(09:00) The different difficulties

(17:00) Couldn't or wouldn't?

(20:55) The function of miracles

(23:33) Healed by faith?

(28:50) Why Jesus heals

(35:02) When healing doesn't come

(39:31) Advice for teaching

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Is the New Testament Text Reliable? | Daniel B. Wallace

Season 2 · Episode 17

Wednesday, July 1, 2026 • Duration 01:02:13

Since we no longer have the original manuscripts, is our text of the New Testament reliable? Given the magnitude of variations among manuscripts, can we reliably reconstruct the original? Premier New Testament text critic Daniel B. Wallace joins Kirk E. Miller on What in the Word? to discuss.

Dan provides an overview of discipline of textual criticism and explains the methods text critics use to determine the original text. The interview discusses the most common misconceptions about the New Testament's reliability and why the sheer number of extant manuscripts actually gives us immense confidence.

Get a free Mobile Ed course when you start a free trial: https://www.logos.com/show/what-in-the-word?utm_source=spotify&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=show-witw

Learn more about the episode:

https://www.logos.com/grow/witw-new-testament-reliability?utm_source=spotify&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=show-witw

Outline:

(00:00) Introduction

(01:21) Dan Wallace

(03:52) Defining Reliability

(04:54) Popular Misconceptions

(13:50) An Example Variant

(18:31) Textual Criticism Principles

(19:15) Extant Manuscripts & Variants

(24:32) Final Reflections

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Is It Better to Remain Single? | Danielle Treweek on 1 Corinthians 7

Season 2 · Episode 16

Wednesday, June 24, 2026 • Duration 54:18

Does Paul prefer Christians remain single, despite the rest of the Bible's positive portrayal of marriage? In this episode of What in the Word?, Kirk E. Miller sits down with Dr. Danielle Trewick to walk through numerous difficulties in 1 Corinthians 7.

For instance, does Paul teach that some receive a special Spirit-empowerment to remain single? What is the "present distress"? And what does it mean for married couples to live as though they are not? Trewick seeks to uncover our expose common assumptions about the text to uncover Paul's vision for whole-hearted, Christian devotion, whether single or married.

Get a free Mobile Ed course when you start a free trial: https://www.logos.com/show/what-in-the-word?utm_source=spotify&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=show-witw

Learn more about the episode:

https://www.logos.com/grow/witw-paul-singleness-1-corinthians-7?utm_source=spotify&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=show-witw

Outline:

(00:00) Why 1 Corinthians 7

(00:55) Meet Dani Treweek

(04:13) Her Singleness Research

(06:59) Reading Paul’s Words

(07:41) Context and Categories

(11:37) Why It’s Difficult

(17:05) Paul’s Preference Explained

(21:13) Rethinking the Gift

(29:49) Better to Marry

(35:48) Present Distress

(41:52) As If Not Married

(46:45) Preaching Pastoral Wisdom

Should One Pray to Dash Little Ones? | Bruce Waltke on Psalm 137:9

Season 2 · Episode 15

Wednesday, June 17, 2026 • Duration 46:47

Psalm 137 ends with one of the Bible's most scandalizing lines: a prayer that an enemy's infants would be dashed against rocks. It understandably troubles believers, and for skeptics, it's a classic case against the Bible's goodness.

Does this cry for violence—especially against innocent babies—belong in what is supposed to be a sacred hymn book? On this episode of What in the Word?, Kirk E. Miller brings in Dr. Bruce Waltke to reckon with this troubling passage.

Get a free Mobile Ed course when you start a free trial: https://www.logos.com/show/what-in-the-word?utm_source=spotify&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=show-witw

Learn more about the episode:

https://www.logos.com/grow/witw-psalm137-meaning?utm_source=spotify&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=show-witw

Outline:

(01:27) Bruce Waltke Background

(04:41) Reading Psalm 137

(05:46) Why It Troubles Us

(08:53) Common Interpretations

(12:56) Imprecations and Justice

(17:32) Law Justice and Mercy

(25:13) Exile Context and Vengeance

(27:44) God’s Enemies, Not Personal

(31:01) Hyperbole or Literal

(35:34) Blessed or Rewarded

(38:11) Eschatology and Revelation

(42:41) Messianic Reading in Psalms

(44:21) Preaching and Application

Why Was Jesus Baptized? | Patrick Schreiner on Matthew 3:13–17

Season 2 · Episode 14

Wednesday, June 10, 2026 • Duration 43:20

Kirk E. Miller welcomes New Testament scholar Patrick Schreiner on to What in the Word? to tackle the question: Why was Jesus baptized? John’s baptism was for repentant sinners, yet Jesus was without sin.

They discuss the different interpretations of Matthew 3:13–17, focusing on what it means for Jesus to “fulfill all righteousness.” What is meant by “righteousness,” and how does Jesus’s baptism “fulfill” it? Finally, they consider the significance of the Spirit’s descent and the heavenly voice declaring Jesus “my Son.”

Get a free Mobile Ed course when you start a free trial: https://www.logos.com/show/what-in-the-word?utm_source=spotify&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=show-witw

Learn more about the episode:

https://www.logos.com/grow/witw-jesus-baptism-fulfill-righteousness?utm_source=spotify&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=show-witw

Episode outline:

(00:00) Why Jesus Baptized

(01:06) Meet Patrick Schreiner

(01:55) Patrick's Book on Matthew

(03:44) Reading Matthew 3

(04:52) Matthew's Context and Israel

(09:59) Why Baptism Is Tricky

(12:49) Jesus Identifies With Israel

(17:05) Fulfill All Righteousness

(25:08) Matthew Versus Other Gospels

(30:01) Spirit Descent and Sonship

(37:57) Practical Takeaways

(42:49) Final Wrap Up

Did Elisha Summon Bears to Maul Boys? | Jonathan Akin on 2 Kings 2:23–24

Season 1 · Episode 13

Wednesday, June 3, 2026 • Duration 53:26

Jonathan Akin joins Kirk E. Miller on What in the Word? to discuss one of the Bible's most infamous passages, Elisha's curse that led to two she-bears mauling forty-two "youths" in 2 Kings 2:23-24.

Was Elisha simply an irritable old man who couldn’t take a joke? How old were these “youths”? And what exactly does their jeer, “Go up, baldhead!” mean? This episode examines these matters and more, exploring the passage's meaning and significance even for today.

Get a free Mobile Ed course when you start a free trial: https://www.logos.com/show/what-in-the-word?utm_source=spotify&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=show-witw

Learn more about the episode:

https://www.logos.com/grow/witw-elisha-and-the-bears?utm_source=spotify&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=show-witw

Episode outline:

(00:00) Elisha and the Bears

(00:49) Meet the Guest

(04:05) Setting the Context

(07:07) Why This Text Shocks

(10:25) Who Were the Youths

(18:44) Bethel and Idolatry

(23:40) Sponsor Break

(28:59) Go Up Baldy Explained

(36:56) Covenant Curses and Bears

(43:58) Preaching Christ from Kings

(52:41) Wrap Up and Next Steps

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Does the Bible Condone Slavery? | Rebecca McLaughlin

Season 2 · Episode 12

Wednesday, May 27, 2026 • Duration 51:41

If the Bible teaches that human beings are made in the image of God, why does the Bible seem to allow their enslavement? It’s a question that often troubles believers and serves as an objection for skeptics.

Kirk E. Miller sits down with author and apologist Rebecca McLaughlin to work through the issue historically, biblically, and theologically. As we’ll see, those passages that often seem like roadblocks to faith, when read carefully and in context, turn out to be signposts pointing toward it.

Get a free Mobile Ed course when you start a free trial: https://www.logos.com/show/what-in-the-word?utm_source=spotify&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=show-witw

Learn more about the episode: https://www.logos.com/grow/witw-bible-slavery?utm_source=spotify&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=show-witw

Episode outline:

(00:00) Why Slavery in the Bible?

(01:06) Meet Rebecca McLaughlin

(04:56) Why Understanding Feels Hard

(08:57) Misuse and the Curse Of Ham

(10:31) Old Testament Slavery Context

(19:06) Laws Limit Harm

(22:31) Jesus Upends Power

(26:36) Early Church And Philemon

(33:06) Why Not Condemn Directly

(38:31) Modern Equality From Scripture

(44:04) The Cross and Kingdom Humility

(47:39) Exodus and the Black Church

(49:45) Serving Christ Conclusion

Did the Early Church Share Possessions? | Darrell Bock on Acts 2 & 4

Season 2 · Episode 11

Wednesday, May 20, 2026 • Duration 53:09

Luke records that the early Jesus followers in Jerusalem “held everything in common” (Acts 2:44–45; 4:32–37). Does this mean the early church abolished private property and embraced a sort of communalism? Luke-Acts scholar Darrell L. Bock joins Kirk E. Miller on this episode of What in the Word? to discuss these texts and what they might mean for us today.

Get a free Mobile Ed course when you start a free trial: ⁠https://www.logos.com/show/what-in-the-word?utm_source=spotify&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=show-witw⁠

Learn more about the episode: https://www.logos.com/grow/witw-acts-all-things-in-common⁠? utm_source=spotify&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=show-witw

Outline:

(0:00) Introduction

(3:32) What's the difficulty?

(5:06) The context of Acts 2

(9:16) The context of Acts 4

(14:00) Elsewhere in Acts & NT

(17:17) What's going on?

(25:54) An exceptional community

(30:03) Descriptive yet persuasive

(36:38) Important details

(43:05) The practical significance

(47:58) Advice for preaching or teaching

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What in the Word? – Details, episodes & analysis

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What in the Word? – Details, episodes & analysis

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