Welcome back to The Church Resource — your go-to show for discovering the best resources for pastors, church leaders, teachers, and everyday believers who want to grow deeper in their understanding of Scripture. Hosted by Lucas Pinckard and Dr. Chris Respass, this episode dives into a unique and powerful study tool that's been transforming how people read the Bible: The Holman Bible Atlas.

So why should a Christian care about a book of maps? As Dr. Chris explains, everything in Scripture happened somewhere. Understanding that "somewhere" gives depth to what we read. The Holman Bible Atlas doesn't just show topography; it connects biblical events to real locations, helping us see the historical, political, and theological significance behind the stories. Whether it's Israel's shifting borders, Paul's missionary routes, or the empires clashing in Kings and Chronicles, geography provides context that changes how we read the text.

Lucas shares how he's used the Atlas while studying 1 & 2 Kings, Chronicles, and the prophets. Having a visual reference made sense of why nations fought, why certain cities were targeted, and how distance affected travel and strategy. In the ancient world, 20 miles wasn't a quick drive — it was a two-day journey on foot! The Atlas helps modern readers grasp that scale, turning abstract names and places into meaningful, interconnected parts of God's story.

Dr. Chris recalls first encountering the Holman Bible Atlas in seminary during a Biblical Backgrounds course. What started as just another required text soon became one of his most valued resources — a book he still keeps on his desk years later. The Atlas helped him connect the dots between historical events, prophets, and kings, moving from fragmented understanding to a fuller picture of the biblical narrative.

Together, they highlight how the Atlas strikes a rare balance: scholarly yet readable, detailed yet approachable. Its charts, timelines, and summaries make complex biblical history accessible for everyone. Want to know which kings ruled during Isaiah's ministry? There's a chart for that. Trying to trace Paul's missionary journeys in Acts? The maps make it easy. And with rich scriptural cross-references throughout, it constantly points you back to the Bible itself.

Whether you're a pastor, seminary student, Sunday school teacher, or just a believer hungry for deeper insight, the Holman Bible Atlas belongs on your shelf. It's beautifully made, easy to use, and designed to enrich your study and teaching of God's Word.

If you have any recommendations for Lucas Pinckard and Dr. Chris Respass email us at TheChurchResource@gmail.com