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This is a re- presentation of a talkand discussion held on the 23rd of July 2024 at the County Hotel Lytham St Annes, in Lancashire. It is taken from a series of talks and presentations/discussions taken from a series of talks working through what author, Tom Butler Bowden describe as "the Greatest Spiritual Classics, taken from his book of the same name".

It was first made availabe to to the Patreon Community on thwe 25th July 2024

Introduction

Episode Notes

Abraham Joshua Heschel: A Brief Biography

• Born on January 11, 1907, in Warsaw, Poland, into a devout Hasidic family.
• Educated traditionally and later pursued academic studies at the University of Berlin, earning a doctorate in philosophy in 1933.
• Fled from Nazi Germany to London in 1938, then emigrated to the United States in 1940.
• Joined the faculty of the Jewish Theological Seminary of America in 1945, teaching until his death in 1972.
• Active in the American civil rights movement, marched with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in Selma.
• Vocal critic of the Vietnam War, advocating for peace and justice.
• Promoted interfaith dialogue between Jewish and Christian communities.

The Book:

"The Sabbath" by Heschel: Key Themes and Christian Perspective

Sanctification of Time

• Heschel: The Sabbath is a "palace in time," emphasizing the sanctity of time over physical places.
• Christian Perspective: While Christianity also sanctifies time (e.g., Sunday), it extends this sanctification to all of creation through the incarnation of Christ, suggesting that holiness permeates both time and space.

Community and Individuality

• Heschel: The Sabbath emphasizes communal worship and family gatherings.
• Christian Perspective: Balances community and individual spirituality, emphasizing both aspects to nurture a holistic spiritual life.

The Sabbath as a Symbol of Eternity

• Heschel: Views the Sabbath as a symbol of eternity and a foretaste of the world to come.
• Christian Perspective: Emphasizes the resurrection of Christ as the pivotal event that transforms time and history, viewing the Sabbath as a foretaste of eternal rest.

Moral and Ethical Implications

• Heschel: The Sabbath reflects a commitment to social justice and human dignity.
• Christian Perspective: The ethical dimensions of the Sabbath align with the teachings of Jesus, emphasizing mercy, compassion, and justice, particularly as seen in the Sermon on the Mount.

My New Testament Perspective: The Samaritan Woman at the Well (John 4:1-26)

• Jesus' encounter with the Samaritan woman at Jacob's well highlights themes of spiritual satisfaction and true worship.
• Jesus emphasizes that true worship transcends physical locations, focusing on worshiping in spirit and truth.

Conclusion

• Heschel's "The Sabbath" offers rich insights that can deepen our understanding of spiritual rest and holiness.
• From a Christian perspective, these insights can be

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As Christians, how should we respond to those who sit on the far left?

This episode was originally made available to my Patreon community on 27th May 2024.... I hope you find this helpful for context and application.

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Welcome to The Bible Project Daily Podcast. Today, we reach the final chapter of Judges—a disturbing yet powerful conclusion that forces us to ask: How do we know what’s truly right? The Israelites believed they were doing the right thing, but ended up compounding injustice with more and more sin. In this episode, we reflect on the dangers of relying on our own judgment, and the call to seek what pleases the Lord. Because when we do what is right in our own eyes, we often miss what’s right in His.

📌 Episode Notes

Summary:
What starts with grief ends in rationalization, manipulation, and moral confusion. This tragic end reveals the consequences of a nation with no king—and a people doing what is right in their own eyes. But as believers today, we do have a King: Jesus. And the call is not to follow our hearts, but to follow Him.

Key Verse:

Takeaway:
Right and wrong are not determined by instinct or urgency, but by abiding in Christ and asking daily: Does this please the Lord?

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Welcome:

This episode looks at how Israel, in the aftermath of a horrifying crime, rushes to act — with justice on their side but without first waiting on God. Their initial victories turn tragic, resulting in staggering losses and a near-eradication of a tribe. The story reveals a critical truth: even when we do the right thing, we can get it terribly wrong if we get ahead of God.

Key Verse:

Takeaway:
Justice without God becomes vengeance. Zeal without wisdom leads to ruin. Stay close to the Lord — and don’t just follow His Word… follow Him.

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Warning Very Explicit Biblical Content. Listener discretion required. Not suitable for Children or vulnerable adults.

It’s Time to Speak Up

Let me end with one final observation — and I believe it comes straight from the last verse of this dark, sobering chapter.
It says: “Consider it, confer on it, then speak up.” That’s the call.

So when is it time to speak?

Let me give you some biblical guidance — a few situations where God’s people must raise their voices.

1. Speak Up When There’s Injustice

That’s the heart of this passage. A woman was brutally abused and killed, and the question is raised:
What will Israel do about it?

What will you do?

If you see injustice — in your community, in your workplace, in your neighbourhood — you don’t sit back. You say something.

God’s people are called to stand for justice — not just pray about it, but speak into it.

2. Speak Up When People Are in Danger

The men of Gibeah weren’t just wicked. They were dangerous. Do you think what happened that night would be the last time they acted like that?

And so it’s time to speak up — to prevent further harm.

If you have a friend drinking themselves into despair…
If someone you know is spiraling in addiction…
If someone is caught in a destructive relationship or lifestyle…
Love says something. Silence is not kindness. Sometimes silence is complicity.

So yes — for their good, for their soul — say something.

3. Speak Up About Jesus

Most importantly: speak up about the only true hope — Jesus Christ.

The solution to the mess we’re in isn’t better laws. It’s not moral behavior.
It’s spiritual transformation.

That’s why we need to speak.

People need the Lord. That’s not cliché — it’s reality.
He’s the only one who can rescue this culture, this country, and any human soul from the cliff it’s racing toward.

So yes, speak up. And don’t worry about the labels.

Today, if you say anything unpopular, you're called a bigot. A phobe. A hater.

This isn't

on it andut hate. It’s about holiness.
It’s about a God in heaven who wrote this Book — and who still speaks through it.

If this Book is true, then we must speak.
If it’s not, then anything goes.

But I believe it’s true. And I believe it’s time to speak.

Closing Words

You’ve heard it before. But it bears repeating.
Edmund Burke once said:

So, brothers and sisters in Christ —
Consider it. Confer on tie and speak up.

That’s what this passage is calling us to do.

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Welcome to The Bible Project Daily Podcast. Today, we’re looking at Judges 18 — a sobering account of how a whole tribe, the Danites, slowly walked away from the Lord. This isn’t just a story of ancient idolatry; it’s a powerful warning about what happens when God’s people stop trusting His Word and start crafting a religion that suits their own desires. From misplaced trust to spiritual shortcuts, the story of Dan holds up a mirror to our own lives. Let’s walk through this passage together — and ask: Are we truly walking with God, or just going through the motions?

Summary:
In this episode, we follow the tragic path of the tribe of Dan as they forsake God’s promise and pursue their own plan. Instead of claiming their God-given inheritance, they seek out easier alternatives — and end up embracing idolatry. Through their journey, we see the subtle danger of drifting from the Lord, the consequences of compromised worship, and the challenge to return to genuine trust and obedience.

Key Verse:

Takeaway:
True worship isn’t about convenience or appearance — it’s about obedience, trust, and the real presence of God. If you’ve wandered, there’s still time to return.

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Welcome back to The Bible Project Daily Podcast. In today’s episode, we look at one of the most unsettling—and relevant—chapters in the book of Judges. We meet a man named Micah who builds an entire religion based on what feels right to him, even while invoking the name of the Lord. It’s a powerful reminder that sincerity is not the same as truth, and that the way that seems right can lead to destruction. Join me as we explore Judges 17:1–13 and consider what happens when people stop following God’s Word and start following their own eyes.

📌 Episode Notes

Summary:
In this episode, we explore the disturbing story of Micah—an Israelite who creates a counterfeit form of worship that looks spiritual but defies God’s commands. We unpack how idolatry, spiritual confusion, and religious compromise unfold when people do what is “right in their own eyes.” What begins as a stolen fortune becomes a home-built shrine, complete with a self-appointed priesthood and man-made rituals—all in the name of God.

However, this passage also holds up a mirror to our culture today, challenging us to ask: Are we truly obeying God, or just doing what feels right to us?

Key Verse:

Takeaway:
God is not looking for appearances. He is looking for obedience. The way of the cross is narrow—but it leads to life.

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🎙 Episode Summary

In today's episode, we trace the final downward spiral of Samson—a man chosen by God but overtaken by his own desires. Judges 16 is a tragic yet illuminating story of what happens when God’s gifts are used without God's guidance. From Gaza to Delilah, from strength to blindness, this chapter lays bare the fruit of the flesh—the spiritual and moral consequences of walking in disobedience.

But this is more than a cautionary tale. It's also a testimony to grace. Because even at rock bottom, even after betrayal, lust, and failure, God wasn’t finished with Samson. And He’s not finished with you.

🔑 Key Themes

• The Danger of Presumption: Using God’s gifts without walking in His will
• Temptation’s Tactic: How compromise can wear down even the strongest saint
• The Fruit of the Flesh: Sin’s end is always blindness, bondage, and brokenness
• Grace After Ruin: God’s mercy meets us in the ashes—and raises us up again

🙏 Reflection:

Where have you been relying on God's gifts while ignoring God's voice? Ask the Lord: “Strengthen me, I pray—just once more.” Then turn back to Him with open hands, and watch grace begin to grow again.

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To listen to my monthly church history podcast, subscribe at; https://thehistoryofthechristianchurch.buzzsprout.com

For an ad-free version of my podcasts plus the opportunity to enjoy hours of exclusive content and two bonus episodes a month whilst also helping keep the Bible Project Daily Podcast free for listeners everywhere support me at;|Patreon

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