Resources by Bob Hiller

Episode 1593 Aired October 17, 2021

For the past 500 years, Protestants have argued that the doctrine of justification by faith alone is a core component of the gospel of Jesus Christ. But sometimes opponents of the Reformation claim that the Bible actually teaches the opposite. In James 2:24, for example, we’re told that “a person is justified by works and not by faith alone.” So what is the point James is making, and does his teaching actually conflict with Paul and others? Shane Rosenthal discusses this with Bob Hiller, author of Finding Christ in the Straw, as they continue their discussion of the book of James.

Episode 1592 Aired October 10, 2021

Was the book of James written by one of the twelve disciples or the brother of Jesus? Are there any references to James outside the world of the New Testament? Many scholars have concluded that his epistle was likely written in the early- to mid-forties of the first century. Since James so frequently quotes and alludes to the sayings of Jesus throughout his epistle, this provides strong evidence that both he and his readers were saturated in Jesus’ teaching from a very early date. On this episode, Shane Rosenthal begins a two-part discussion of the book of James with Bob Hiller, author of Finding Christ in the Straw, A Forty-Day Devotion on the Book of James.

Episode 1494 Aired November 24, 2019

In the second half of John chapter 21, Jesus turns to Peter three times and asks him, “Do you love me?” What’s the point he’s making, and how does it relate to events that have already transpired? How has John’s theological emphasis shifted as we’ve made the transition from the body of this narrative to […]

Episode 1493 Aired November 17, 2019

Some scholars have argued that chapter 20 is the real ending of John’s Gospel and that chapter 21 is a later addition. But is there any evidence for this claim? On this program, the hosts will make the argument that John’s Gospel has both a prologue and an epilogue, and will also discuss some clues […]

Episode 1492 Aired November 10, 2019

In John’s version of the resurrection account, after placing his hands in Christ’s wounds, Thomas says to Jesus, “My Lord and my God!” Was this just an exclamation of surprise, or was this a confession of Jesus’ divinity? Also, what did Jesus first say to his followers when he first revealed himself to them? On […]

Episode 1489 Aired October 20, 2019

In John 19 we’re told that Pilate delivered Jesus over to the chief priests who led him out of the city to the place of crucifixion. If the chief priests were basically in charge at this point, where might they have taken Jesus? The book of Hebrews gives us a hint when it says that […]

Episode 1488 Aired October 13, 2019

When Jesus was brought before Pilate, he was essentially accused of being a kind of rival king, a usurper to the throne. But when asked, he said, “My kingdom is not of this world.” What are the implications of this statement for us as Christians? For example, should believers separate themselves from the world? The […]

Episode 1487 Aired October 6, 2019

When a band of soldiers arrive at the garden of Gethsemane seeking to arrest Jesus of Nazareth, Jesus turns to them and says, “I am he.” In fact, this short phrase appears three times during this part of the narrative, which means that John is placing special emphasis on these words. So why are they […]

Episode 1485 Aired September 22, 2019

Some people in our day argue that the doctrine of the Trinity is something that developed many centuries after the time of Christ. Yet in John 15:26, Jesus teaches that “when the Advocate comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father, he will bear […]

Episode 1484 Aired September 15, 2019

What is the Old Testament background to the imagery Jesus uses in John chapter 15 regarding the vine, and what does this imagery reveal to us about Jesus’ identity and mission, or our union with him? And what is the point Jesus made when he said, “Already you are clean because of the word I […]

Episode 1483 Aired September 8, 2019

In his upper room discourse, Jesus refers to the Holy Spirit as “another advocate.” Why is this significant, and how does it relate to the theme of John’s Gospel as a whole? Also, many people in our day associate the work of the Spirit with ecstatic experiences or that tingly feeling you get during worship, […]

Episode 1482 Aired September 1, 2019

Many people today seem to think that Jesus was a groovy teacher whose ultimate mission was to teach the Golden Rule. Others say he came to show us the way to the good life—how we can all achieve our best life now. But what are we to do with Jesus’ words when he says, “I […]