Better Bible Reading Podcast
222 episodes - English - Latest episode: 10 months ago - ★★★★★ - 4 ratingsKevin Morris from BetterBibleReading.com teaches reading and study methods to help you have an enjoyable and productive bible reading experience. Learn how you can make the most of your time, eliminate distractions, and grow in your knowledge and grasp of the Bible!
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Episodes
Why I've Been Radio Silent! June 2023 Update
June 30, 2023 01:00 - 18 minutes - 13 MBHere's the latest and greatest of what's going on with me, and what to expect on the Better Bible Reading podcast on YouTube channel for the rest of 2023! Support the show If you enjoyed this episode and want to support the show, consider becoming a Patron!
The Man and the Message | Sermon on 1 John 1:1-4
June 26, 2023 04:00 - 50 minutes - 34.6 MBThis sermon is entitled "The Man and the Message" from 1 John 1:1-4. It was preached by Kevin Morris at Ortega Presbyterian Church in Jacksonville Florida. You can listen to the audio version of this entire series from Ruth on the Better Bible Reading Podcast: https://www.betterbiblereading.com/podcast Support the show If you enjoyed this episode and want to support the show, consider becoming a Patron!
Waiting for Her Blessed Hope | Sermon on Ruth 4:1-22
June 13, 2023 10:00 - 45 minutes - 31.1 MBThis sermon is entitled "Waiting for Her Blessed Hope" from Ruth 4:1-22. It was preached at Ortega Presbyterian Church in Jacksonville Florida. You can listen to the audio version of this entire series from Ruth on the Better Bible Reading Podcast. Support the show If you enjoyed this episode and want to support the show, consider becoming a Patron!
A Living Hope | Sermon on Ruth 3:1-18
June 10, 2023 14:00 - 53 minutes - 36.7 MBThis sermon is entitled "A Living Hope" from Ruth 3:1-18. It was preached at Ortega Presbyterian Church in Jacksonville Florida. You can listen to the audio version of this entire series from Ruth on the Better Bible Reading Podcast. Support the show If you enjoyed this episode and want to support the show, consider becoming a Patron!
Good Friday | More Than What Meets the Eye
April 07, 2023 16:00 - 27 minutes - 18.7 MBGood Friday is a mixed bag for Christians. Some treat the day very seriously, some churches have special services, and other Christians simply skip Good Friday and go straight to celebrating Easter. But what should we think about Good Friday? Rather than telling you how to celebrate Good Friday, I want to tell you how we should think through the events. Specifically, I want to spend this episode discussing how Good Friday was a day when much more was going on than what met the eyes of Jesus'...
Her Hope is Not Put to Shame | Sermon on Ruth 2:1-23
April 04, 2023 17:00 - 43 minutes - 29.9 MBThis sermon is entitled "Her Hope is Not Put to Shame" from Ruth 2:1-23. It was preached at Ortega Presbyterian Church in Jacksonville Florida. The audio version of the first sermon from this series in Ruth can be found on the Better Bible Reading Podcast: https://www.betterbiblereading.com/podcast Support the show If you enjoyed this episode and want to support the show, consider becoming a Patron!
"In Hope She Believed Against Hope" Sermon on Ruth 1:6-22
March 05, 2023 01:00 - 45 minutes - 31.5 MBThis sermon is entitled "In Hope, She Believed Against Hope" from Ruth 1:6-22. It was preached on Sunday, February 26, 2023, at Ortega Presbyterian Church in Jacksonville Florida. Support the show If you enjoyed this episode and want to support the show, consider becoming a Patron!
Outside the Church There is No Salvation?
February 23, 2023 19:00 - 28 minutes - 19.3 MBIs this a helpful statement? Is it a Roman Catholic idea? Is it even biblical? Today I want to share with you a provocative statement made by none other than the Protestant Reformer, John Calvin. Today we're doing a little church history, some interaction with Ephesians 4, and an overall increase (hopefully) in our appreciation for belonging to both Jesus Himself, and His church. Support the show If you enjoyed this episode and want to support the show, consider becoming a Patron!
Genealogies are Glorious! Here's Why
February 02, 2023 05:00 - 28 minutes - 19.5 MBGenealogies are probably the least-appreciated part of the Bible. They're full of names hard to pronounce, and if our motivation is low, we'll find a reason to simply skip over them altogether. But that's no good. Genealogies are worth out time- not only because they are part of God's inspired Word- but also because they make some important points when it comes to understanding the Bible's claim to historical reliability and theological interpretation. To help you appreciate genealogies, let...
No Hope! (Ruth 1:1-5 sermon)
January 26, 2023 15:00 - 46 minutes - 31.8 MBHey friends! I'll be preaching a series of sermons through the book of Ruth at my church, and I wanted to share them with you. You can expect these sermons about once a month, and if you've never studied the book of Ruth before, this sermon will be a great place to start, since we'll kick things off in chapter 1, verse 1. Thanks for listening! Support the show If you enjoyed this episode and want to support the show, consider becoming a Patron!
How 1st John Explains John's Gospel
January 04, 2023 20:00 - 23 minutes - 16.3 MBWhile the gospel of John is a popular place to start for many Bible readers (either new Christians or new reading plans), you might wonder where to go from there. I think the best book to follow John's gospel is actually 1st John. This book acts as an inspired commentary on many of the themes found in the gospel of John. Today we'll look at some of these, and hopefully, you'll come away with a new appreciation of this book! Support the show If you enjoyed this episode and want to support t...
The Rat Race (Sermon on Ecclesiastes 9:11-18)
December 23, 2022 00:00 - 35 minutes - 24.4 MBHow does the Incarnation relate to the human condition, known as "the rat race"? It turns out, the vicious cycle of human existence eluded to us by Solomon is exactly what we need to come to terms with, in order to appreciate the good news of Jesus Christ. In a manner of speaking, Ecclesiastes reminds us of the bad news which makes the gospel so glorious. During a season of hustle and bustle, New Years' resolutions, and attempts to remedy our lives with silver bullets, we need to be reminded...
Use These 5 Bible Reading Plans for 2023!
December 21, 2022 02:00 - 40 minutes - 28.2 MBThere are thousands of Bible reading plans, but I want to share with you the 5 Bible reading plans I think you should use in 2023. While these 5 Bible reading plans may sound like too much, I will share with you what makes each one of them unique, and worth your time! 1. The Robert Murray M'Cheyne Bible Reading Plan This plan is divided into personal and family reading, averaging 4-5 Bible chapters each day in various genres. In a year, you'll read the Old Testament once, and the New Testa...
The Heart of the Matter (Sermon on Judges 6:1-32)
December 12, 2022 11:00 - 44 minutes - 30.6 MBThis sermon is entitled "The Heart of the Matter" from Judges 6:1-32. It was preached on Sunday, December 11, 2022, at Ortega Presbyterian Church in Jacksonville Florida. I am posting this video to satisfy my preaching class requirement with Moody Bible Institute, and my professor and classmates will be watching it for grading. With that said, I wanted to share it publicly on my channel for any who are interested in watching. I hope it is a blessing to you! Support the show If you enjoyed ...
Souls | How Jesus Saves Sinners. An Interview with Dr. Matthew Everhard
December 09, 2022 21:00 - 59 minutes - 41 MBToday we welcome Dr. Matthew Everhard back onto the Better Bible Reading Podcast to talk about his newest book entitled "Souls: How Jesus Saves Sinners". "Souls" is a book about the gospel, and it brings to light the importance of our souls in the context of sharing and understanding the gospel. We'll cover some questions about the book, some dangers of false gospels today, and what we should take away from this topic. Below is a link for the book- and please note that the book is also avail...
How Biblical Themes Connect the Dots
September 22, 2022 15:00 - 26 minutes - 18.1 MBThe more we read our Bibles, the more layers we start to uncover. If this hasn't happened for you, or you find yourself thinking that you've already learned everything there is to know about a passage, let me encourage you to start thinking about biblical themes. The themes in the Bible connect the dots in amazing ways. Not only do they cross over from the Old to New Testament- but they also cross over between different biblical genres. Today we'll look at a theme in the Bible that crosses b...
Who Interprets the Bible- Me or the Holy Spirit?
September 01, 2022 14:00 - 31 minutes - 21.5 MBThis question is very divisive. Some people argue that Bible interpretation is all about the work of understanding the grammar and literary features of the Bible, along with some historical background knowledge. Others argue that only the Holy Spirit can interpret the Bible to us and it requires none of those things. What doesn't help is that we typically argue this question with two different definitions of what exactly Bible interpretation means. Today I want to offer a balanced approach t...
The Best (FREE) Visual Aid Tool for Studying Your Bible
August 18, 2022 11:00 - 25 minutes - 17.4 MBToday I want to focus on one specific way to upgrade your Bible reading process. It's a visual aid tool that anyone can use because just about everyone has this already. You don't need any tech gear or even an internet connection. All you need is a Bible and one highlighter. Here's how it works and why this technique is such a powerful visual aid for Bible reading. Support the show If you enjoyed this episode and want to support the show, consider becoming a Patron!
The Chief End of Theology
July 28, 2022 11:00 - 35 minutes - 24.4 MBFrom Theoretical-Practical Theology Volume 1, pages 104-112 Today we're wrapping up chapter 1 with Peter van Mastricht's interesting explanation of what the big idea behind theology is. For some people, theology is all about doctrine. For others, it's all about practice. And for most of us, it's somewhere between the middle. Peter van Mastricht gives us his answer about the chief end of theology by calling it "preeminently practical". Here's what that means and how it makes his approach to ...
A Parable About Prayer
July 21, 2022 11:00 - 35 minutes - 24.7 MBWhat does the parable of the persistent widow teach us? This parable is unique to the gospel of Luke, but thankfully we don't have to guess about the right interpretation of this parable. That's because Luke tells us exactly what it's about in verse 1: "And he told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart." Today we'll consider how this parable encourages us to pray and how prayer keeps us from losing heart. This video is from a recent sermon I preached ...
Is the Old Testament Expendable? (and what happens if it is)
July 07, 2022 12:00 - 43 minutes - 29.8 MBIs the Old Testament expendable? With "New Testament Only" Bibles, troubling statements from notable pastors, and arguments from the culture, the Old Testament repeatedly finds itself in the crosshairs. In response to this, the Old Testament gets pushed to the side. Is this a sign of innovation and progress, or does it represent a troubling trend that would destroy Christianity? Today we'll discuss what happens when the Old Testament is expendable, and why you should care about the 2/3's of ...
What Does it Mean to Live For God?
June 30, 2022 04:00 - 40 minutes - 27.7 MBFrom Theoretical-Practical Theology Volume 1, pages 98-104 When people talk about living for God, it's not always clear what that means. Maybe it has to do with showing love to others. Maybe it means fulfilling some kind of vow. Or maybe it means something entirely different. If someone asked you, how would you explain living for God? Peter Van Mastricht does a great job of using his own definition of theology as a way to explain what it means to live for God, and that's our topic of discus...
Does your Bible Translation Say it Best? Avoid This Mistake.
June 16, 2022 04:00 - 30 minutes - 20.7 MBHow often do you compare other Bible translations with your favorite one? Today I want to give two personal examples of how failing to do this can be a HUGE mistake, and why comparing multiple Bible translations can greatly improve our ability to understand any passage in the Bible. Support the show If you enjoyed this episode and want to support the show, consider becoming a Patron!
Does your Bible Translation Say it Best? Avoid This Mistake.
June 16, 2022 04:00 - 30 minutes - 20.7 MBHow often do you compare other Bible translations with your favorite one? Today I want to give two personal examples of how failing to do this can be a HUGE mistake, and why comparing multiple Bible translations can greatly improve our ability to understand any passage in the Bible. Support the show
Why Theology MUST be Practical
June 09, 2022 04:00 - 47 minutes - 32.6 MBFrom Theoretical-Practical Theology Volume 1, pages 86-98 Is theology simply a matter of knowledge? How do you know if your theology is correct? How does practice relate to theology? Today, Peter van Mastricht gives us an interesting litmus test for theology. He says that the only true theology is practical theology. To show this, he gives us four points of application for Christian theology. This episode is full of helpful considerations for our personal lives- so I hope you find it to be ...
How to Read the Bible During the Summer
June 02, 2022 04:00 - 23 minutes - 16.2 MBThe summertime is tough for disciplined Bible readers. With vacations and breaks from our normal routine, our Bibles and reading consistency can quickly go down the drain. So what should we do? How can we make the most of this natural break during the summer months? My advice is to pick one book of the Bible to focus on. Focus on quality over quantity. When the Fall comes around, you'll be glad that you took a tough situation and turned it into something memorable for your Bible reading! Her...
A Quick, Important Update
May 31, 2022 15:00 - 2 minutes - 1.98 MBSupport the show If you enjoyed this episode and want to support the show, consider becoming a Patron!
Why You Should Use More Than One Bible Translation
May 26, 2022 12:00 - 37 minutes - 25.7 MBThere are dozens of Bible translations available today, but which one should you use? I say, why limit ourselves to just one? Today we'll talk about why Bible translations differ from others and how to decide which ones are the best options for you. I'll also share my personal top three translations I recommend! Support the show If you enjoyed this episode and want to support the show, consider becoming a Patron!
Ground Rules for Using Natural Theology | Theoretical-Practical Theology Session #10
April 21, 2022 13:00 - 45 minutes - 31.3 MBFrom Theoretical-Practical Theology Volume 1, pages 80-86 Natural theology needs some ground rules. We can either embrace it too much and start having a low opinion of the Bible's value. Or we can reject natural theology of any value, but this makes us deny what the Bible says about God revealing Himself in nature, such as Psalm 19 and Romans 1. What are some careful ground rules for us to follow? Peter van Mastricht shares 4 questions for us to answer, which serve as a litmus test for our ...
How to Know if Christian Author is Worth Reading
April 14, 2022 04:00 - 33 minutes - 23.3 MBThere's a ton of Christian literature available today, but how much of it is actually helpful? We can't possible read all the good material, and there's probably more bad than good on the market, which makes things even more complicated. But what does the Bible actually say about reading Christian books? While there's no way to deal with every example of doctrinal disagreement or scandals that discredit authors, there are some helpful ways to decide who to read and who to avoid. And to do th...
How Theology is Revealed in Nature and Scripture | Theoretical-Practical Theology Session #9
April 07, 2022 04:00 - 37 minutes - 26.1 MBFrom Theoretical-Practical Theology Volume 1, pages 73-80 Is theology a biblical term? What can we learn about God outside the Bible? How does Scripture relate to reason? These are all questions we answer today by looking at Peter van Mastricht's explanation of how theology is revealed in nature and Scripture. Support the show If you enjoyed this episode and want to support the show, consider becoming a Patron!
How to Read the New Testament in One Month | Recovery From Failed Reading Plans
March 31, 2022 13:00 - 27 minutes - 19.2 MBHow difficult is it to read the entire New Testament in a month? Actually, it's much easier than trying to read the entire Bible in a year. We're a quarter of the way through the year, and that means that many of us are currently struggling with how badly we have failed in our Bible reading plans for 2022. In fact, you might be so far behind in your reading that you see no possibility of catching up. But there's still plenty of time left in the year, so what should you do? Annual Bible readi...
Does Theology Put God in a Box? | Theoretical-Practical Theology Session #8
March 24, 2022 03:00 - 43 minutes - 29.7 MBSome people are bothered by the idea of systematic theology because they're afraid that this puts God in a box. But is this true? Today we'll talk about why the Bible commands us to have a certain method of theology, and how this protects, rather than limits, our understanding of who God is. To do this, we'll look at the biblical method of theology, which Peter van Mastricht describes as the connection between theory and practice, or to say it another way, the theoretical-practical. Support...
Christian Meditation? It's Not What You Think
March 17, 2022 17:00 - 35 minutes - 24.1 MBAfter a couple of weeks off, we're back! Meditation is a tricky word because it means different things for different people. It could have one meaning for an atheist, another for an exercise enthusiast, and another for a Christian. But for Christians and Bible readers, what exactly is meditation? Today we'll talk about meditation according to the Bible, and how it is fundamentally different from the popularized use of the word today. Support the show If you enjoyed this episode and want...
The Nature of Theology | Theoretical-Practical Theology Session #7
February 24, 2022 05:00 - 40 minutes - 27.7 MBFrom Theoretical-Practical Theology Volume 1, pages 63-66 What exactly is systematic theology? Is it wrong to create a system of theology? We'll answer those questions today by looking again to Peter van Mastricht. He makes the biblical case for why we should view theology as a "system" and what benefit it should have in our lives. This is our introduction to chapter 1, entitled "The Nature of Theology". Support the show If you enjoyed this episode and want to support the show, consider ...
What Book of the Bible Should I Start With?
February 17, 2022 05:00 - 43 minutes - 29.9 MBNew Christians and Bible readers trying a new reading plan often wrestle with the question: what book of the Bible should I start with? The go-to answer for most people is the gospel of John, while the Bible's answer seems to be Genesis. We'll tackle this question by talking about the benefit of all 66 books of the Bible, the importance of each genre from Genesis to Revelation, and my top 6 Bible books that will help you get a great jumpstart! Support the show If you enjoyed this episode a...
How to Study Long Passages of Scripture | Theoretical-Practical Theology Session #6
February 10, 2022 05:00 - 44 minutes - 30.7 MBFrom Theoretical-Practical Theology Volume 1, pages 29-31. Today we finish up our study of Peter van Mastricht's introduction "The Best Method of Preaching". Mastricht uses the last few pages to talk about some helpful ways to study long passages of scripture. After that, he gives some closing thoughts about how preachers should deliver their message- everything from voice tone to the role of making jokes! I hope you follow along as we talk about Mastricht's primary audience (preachers) and...
When the Bible Seems Overwhelming...
February 03, 2022 05:00 - 33 minutes - 23.3 MBIt's February, the time of year when Bible reading plans tend to go out the window, stress amplifies, and our weeks start to get very busy. Worst of all, our guilt or our shortcomings so far this year make the prospect of Bible reading seem altogether overwhelming. It shouldn't be this way, but ignoring the problem or downplaying it won't help us get anywhere. Instead, we need to face these problems head-on. But first, we have to identify where the overwhelm is coming from. Here are four sou...
How the Bible Speaks to Our Head and Our Heart | Theoretical-Practical Theology Session #5
January 27, 2022 05:00 - 44 minutes - 30.7 MBFrom Theoretical-Practical Theology Volume 1, pages 12-28 Today in our study, Peter van Mastricht takes us through some helpful ways to use any text of scripture as a teaching method. He offers six uses of the Bible for the head and the heart. We'll look at the Bible doctrine as the "truth" of scripture and bible practice as the "goodness" of that truth put into action. This episode is a great example of how the Bible is important for preaching in a corporate setting, and study in an indivi...
Honest Review of The Rise and Fall of Mars Hill Podcast
January 20, 2022 04:00 - 54 minutes - 37.8 MBThe Rise and Fall of Mars Hill is a podcast production of Christianity Today, documenting the church of famed and controversial pastor Mark Driscoll. This podcast was a highly anticipated production during the Summer and Fall of 2021 and has received both high praise and critique from listeners. So what do I think of this podcast? What did it get right and what did it get wrong? Should you spend your time listening to it? And most importantly, what can this podcast teach us about Bible readi...
Did the Sermon Preach the Text? | Mastricht Session #4
January 13, 2022 05:00 - 39 minutes - 27.2 MBFrom Theoretical-Practical Theology Volume 1, pages 7-11. Did the Sermon Preach the Text? Peter van Mastricht wants to encourage pastors to make sure that their sermons stay focused on the sermon text. The way to do this is by maintaining a careful balance in the way the sermon is presented. But this also means that those listening to sermons should appreciate the difficult balance of rightly dividing the Word while preaching the whole counsel of God. This episode will encourage listeners t...
Thank You For a Great 2021! Here's to Quality Bible Reading in 2022.
January 06, 2022 05:00 - 15 minutes - 10.7 MBFriends- Welcome to 2022! Let's dedicate this year to quality Bible reading! Today on the show, we'll reflect on some exciting stats from the show in 2021. Then I'll share what you can expect from Better Bible Reading in 2022! Support the show If you enjoyed this episode and want to support the show, consider becoming a Patron!
How to Write in Your Bible in 2022 | My Reading Plan and Method
December 30, 2021 02:00 - 31 minutes - 21.7 MBToday I'm sharing my Bible reading plan strategy for 2022: Active Reading! To do this, we're going to look at a strategy that involves writing in our Bibles- and several types of wide-margin Bibles that are great for this strategy. Be sure to check the episode link for reading plan downloads and video content from this episode! Support the show If you enjoyed this episode and want to support the show, consider becoming a Patron!
Mastricht's Impact on Jonathan Edwards | with Dr. Matthew Everhard
December 16, 2021 05:00 - 57 minutes - 39.2 MBToday we welcome to the show Dr. Matthew Everhard- pastor of Gospel Fellowship PCA, Jonathan Edwards scholar, and Youtuber with some great Bible and theology content. Since we are working through Peter van Mastricht's Theoretical Practical Theology, this was a great chance for us to sit down and have the dots connected between Peter van Mastricht and his profound impact on the great Jonathan Edwards! Be sure to check the description below for links to some great and FREE content! Episode Qu...
Preaching or Entertainment? Mastricht Session #3
December 09, 2021 05:00 - 48 minutes - 33.6 MBFrom Theoretical-Practical Theology Volume 1, pages 6-7. Preaching or Entertainment? This question is relevant today, but it's also one that Peter van Mastricht directly deals with! How a sermon is arranged says a lot about the pastor, but it also says a lot about church members and our view of preaching. Today we take a serious look at how to tell the difference between preaching and entertainment in Mastricht's The Best Method of Preaching. If you enjoyed this episode, consider visiting...
Free Options to Immediately Improve Your Bible Reading
December 02, 2021 05:00 - 40 minutes - 27.8 MBIt's the season of giving! We've entered the home stretch of 2021, and in this episode, I want to help you make the most of December by sharing some powerful options that will immediately improve your Bible reading. And best of all, these options are completely free! Support the show If you enjoyed this episode and want to support the show, consider becoming a Patron!
Preaching and Hearing | Mastricht Session #2
November 25, 2021 05:00 - 43 minutes - 29.7 MBFrom Theoretical-Practical Theology Volume 1, pages 1-6. Peter van Mastricht introduces his best method for preaching by talking about the benefit of his method. He says that it has a goal both for preachers as well as hearers. We'll unpack what Mastricht has to say in his best method for preaching, including how listeners can memorize sermons, and how long a preacher should spend in their introductions! If you enjoyed this episode, consider visiting https://www.betterbiblereading.com/ fo...
Heaven, Hell, Angels and Trees | Listener Questions Answered
November 18, 2021 05:00 - 37 minutes - 25.4 MBToday on the show, I answer some listener questions! If you have any questions you would like to send me for a future episode, reach out to me at [email protected] Here are the questions for this episode: All angels & humans had freedom of choice. Once we are in Eternity if we still have that same freedom, what will prevent another rebellion scenario from happening again? Will the Tree of the Knowledge of Good & Evil be there, or will we just remember our knowledge of sin from ...
Why Theoretical-Practical Theology? Mastricht Session #1
November 11, 2021 05:00 - 33 minutes - 23 MBIn recent episodes, we considered the importance of systematic theology for the average person. This discipline helps us become better Bible readers and it brings clarity to what we believe. Starting today, we will begin a bi-weekly study through systematic theology, using Peter van Mastricht's book Theoretical-Practical Theology. If you haven't gotten volume one of the book yet- there's still time! In this episode, I'll be answering the million-dollar question: Why Theoretical-Practical The...
16 Months in the Gospel of John
November 04, 2021 04:00 - 49 minutes - 34.2 MBMy church recently spent 16 months going through the gospel of John on Sunday mornings. I sit down with pastor Josh Hinson from Ortega Presbyterian Church in Jacksonville Florida to reflect on what we have learned and gained from this important book in the Bible. In this episode, we talk about the following: 1. Why you should commit to studying John, themes in John 2. What makes this book unique 3. Some surprising themes and patterns in the book 4. How Josh approached the gospel of John in...