According to Oxford mathematician John Lennox, the account of Joseph’s rise to power in the latter part of Genesis—which leads to the climactic moment in which he reveals himself to his brothers and publicly forgives them—“is one of the most moving scenes in all the world’s literature.” On this episode, Shane Rosenthal talks with Professor Lennox about the implications of this amazing story, as well as other important scenes from Genesis which he has written about in his book, Joseph: A Story of Love, Hate, Slavery, Power and Forgiveness.

On last week’s episode, John Lennox argued that the story of Joseph is one of the most moving accounts in all the world’s literature. But is this famous narrative just a beautiful rags-to-riches tale, or is there evidence that Joseph was a real historical figure who became prime minister of Egypt during the time of a great famine? Shane Rosenthal discusses this question with Egyptologist David Rohl, author of numerous books including Exodus, Myth or History?

What are we to make of the God who is presented in Genesis and other Old Testament texts? According to popular atheists such as Richard Dawkins, this God is judgmental, homophobic, racist, misogynistic, and an ethnic cleanser. Is this an accurate representation of the God of Israel, or a completely distorted caricature? Shane Rosenthal discusses these and other important issues with Dr. Thomas J. Egger, professor of Exegetical Theology and president of Concordia Seminary in St. Louis.

Martin Luther once noted that in numerous passages throughout the Old Testament, it’s appropriate to “interpret the name Yahweh to refer to our Lord Jesus Christ.” How can this insight change the way we read and interpret a book like Genesis? On this episode Shane Rosenthal continues his conversation with Dr. Thomas Egger, president of Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, and together they discuss how so many of the themes introduced in the Bible’s first book are ultimately resolved in the person and work of Jesus Christ.