It’s a pretty foundational question for Christian faith — but perhaps one we don’t always stop to ask.

In this episode, Jas and Kate are back for the first conversation in our mini theology series. We talk about what Christians actually mean when we say the Bible is the Word of God, how the Bible we have today came together, and some of the historical evidence that helps us understand its reliability.

We also get into some of the harder questions: What about books that didn’t make it into the Bible? What do we do with apparent contradictions? How should we approach passages that feel brutal, confusing or completely removed from our modern culture? And is it okay to have doubts about God or the Bible?

We talk about why context matters, why reading a single verse is very different from understanding the whole story of Scripture, and why we shouldn’t expect to master the Bible or have every question answered straight away.

One of my favourite parts of this conversation is the reminder that we don’t need to be afraid of our questions. The Bible itself is full of people who wrestled, doubted and asked God to meet them in their uncertainty.

Scripture invites us into a lifetime of learning — reading it in context, wrestling with things we don’t understand, bringing our doubts honestly to God and continuing to grow in our knowledge of Him.

If you’ve ever wondered whether you can really trust the Bible, struggled with something you’ve read in it, or simply wanted to understand Scripture more deeply, I hope this conversation encourages you to keep asking, keep reading and keep looking to God.

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

Wesley Huff
Jas mentions Wesley Huff and his work exploring biblical manuscripts, history and the reliability of the Bible. His website includes his Can I Trust the Bible? material and other resources for digging deeper.
https://www.wesleyhuff.com/

The Bible Recap — Tara-Leigh Cobble
I mention using The Bible Recap as I read/listen chronologically through the Bible this year. Each day includes a short recap to help explain and connect what you’ve read.
https://www.thebiblerecap.com/

Cultural Backgrounds Study Bible
Jas recommends this as a helpful resource for understanding the historical and cultural context behind Scripture — particularly when a passage feels strange or difficult from our modern perspective.
https://link.amazon/B0if1FGQy
Affiliate link — I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you

Habits of Resistance — Elizabeth Woodson
Jas mentions Habits of Resistance: 7 Ways You're Being Formed by Culture and Gospel Practices to Help You Push Back, which looks at the stories our culture forms us to live by and how the gospel gives us a different story.
https://link.amazon/B0aQFXpSS
Affiliate link

Early Church Fathers
Kate talks about discovering that many of the questions Christians wrestle with today were also being asked by Christians in the early Church. You can explore a collection of their translated writings here:
https://www.newadvent.org/fathers/

The Dead Sea Scrolls
We talk about the Dead Sea Scrolls and what ancient manuscripts can teach us about the transmission of the Old Testament text. Explore the Israel Antiquities Authority’s Dead Sea Scrolls Digital Library:
https://www.deadseascrolls.org.il/

SCRIPTURES MENTIONED

2 Timothy 3:16 • 1 Thessalonians 2:13 • 2 Peter 1:20–21 • Matthew 5:17 • John 10:35 • John 1:1 • John 5 • Leviticus 15 • Matthew 11:2–6 / Luke 7:18–23 • Mark 9:24

A NOTE FROM US

Jas, Kate and I aren't presenting ourselves as theologians or claiming to cover everything there is to know about these questions in one conversation. Our hope with this theology series is to start conversations, encourage you to dig deeper and point you towards helpful places to continue learning.

If this episode has raised a question we haven't answered, send it through. We'd love to know what you're wrestling with — and we'll do our best to point you towards people and resources that can help.