Gospeled Boldly: A Higher Things Podcast

Not all that glitters is gold, and not all those on the lam are guilty. In this episode, Pastor Eric Brown and Thomas Lemke read about Saul’s kill order against the town of Nob, and the priests therein. Then, David saves a city—what will be his reward? In the Backwards Life, Pastor Brown talks about heroes […] Copyright Higher Things®, Higher Things - Dare to be Lutheran. Support the work of Higher Things.

Take Goliath’s sword! In this episode, Pastor Eric Brown and Thomas Lemke read about David’s pact with Jonathan and subsequent departure. He has a few false starts, but eventually accrues some companions to himself as he stays one step ahead of Saul. In the Backwards Life, Pastor Brown answers a listener question about Jesus bringing […] Copyright Higher Things®, Higher Things - Dare to be Lutheran. Support the work of Higher Things.

David’s gettin’ hitched! As long as Saul doesn’t alter the deal any further… In this episode, Pastor Eric Brown and Thomas Lemke read about the courtship of Michal. Then, as Saul doesn’t cotton too well to his new son-in-law, Michal’s siding with her husband over the raging king. In the Backwards Life, Pastor Brown contrasts modern […] Copyright Higher Things®, Higher Things - Dare to be Lutheran. Support the work of Higher Things.

Or a brother-in-law, for that matter. In this episode, Pastor Eric Brown and Thomas Lemke read about the storied friendship of David and Jonathan. But all is not well with Saul, and when he starts to alter the deal… David best beware. In the Backwards Life, Pastor Brown talks about the danger of interpreting Scripture […] Copyright Higher Things®, Higher Things - Dare to be Lutheran. Support the work of Higher Things.

It’s doesn’t exactly look like the matchup of the century, but it sure goes down in history. In this episode, Pastor Eric Brown and Thomas Lemke read about the fated fight between the giant and the shepherd. And Pastor schools Thomas in both physics and pop culture Jeopardy categories. In the Backwards Life, Pastor Brown talks […] Copyright Higher Things®, Higher Things - Dare to be Lutheran. Support the work of Higher Things.

Apparently the devil doesn’t get all the good music—he doesn’t even like it! In this episode, Pastor Eric Brown and Thomas Lemke read about young David’s anointing as future king, and his employment with the current king as a musician and armor-bearer. Then, everything changed when the Philistines attacked. In the Backwards Life, Pastor Brown talks […] Copyright Higher Things®, Higher Things - Dare to be Lutheran. Support the work of Higher Things.

All means all, Saul. In this episode, Pastor Eric Brown and Thomas Lemke read about Saul’s, er… incomplete… conquest of the Amalekites. Samuel shows up to set the record straight, and make sure Agag is really most sincerely dead. In the Backwards Life, Pastor Brown talks about the pop American Christianity tendency to hype the […] Copyright Higher Things®, Higher Things - Dare to be Lutheran. Support the work of Higher Things.

Jonathan saves the day! In this episode, Pastor Eric Brown and Thomas Lemke read about how the son of Saul tees up a victory for the Israelites, and how Saul’s ham-fisted leadership of the situation causes it to fall apart. In the Backwards Life, Pastor Brown addresses whether podcasts are replacing Church attendance. This episode covers […] Copyright Higher Things®, Higher Things - Dare to be Lutheran. Support the work of Higher Things.

Saul goes to war. In this episode, Pastor Eric Brown and Thomas Lemke read about the continued strife between the Israelites and the Philistines. Only now, the Israelites have a king—but is that for good or ill? In the Backwards Life, Pastor Brown gives a classicist’s take on the textual reliability of the Scriptures. This […] Copyright Higher Things®, Higher Things - Dare to be Lutheran. Support the work of Higher Things.

Making it official—twice! In this episode, Pastor Eric Brown and Thomas Lemke read of Saul’s public selection as king, and his subsequent military victory over the Ammonites. Then, Samuel gives his retirement speech, and it’s a little… scary. In the Backwards Life, Pastor Brown talks about video games. This episode covers 1 Samuel 10:14-12:18. If you […] Copyright Higher Things®, Higher Things - Dare to be Lutheran. Support the work of Higher Things.

Humble beginnings… In this episode, Pastor Eric Brown and Thomas Lemke read about Saul’s attempts at finding his father’s donkeys—instead to find himself in a position he never dreamed of (though Samuel did, literally). In the Backwards Life, Pastor Brown talks about the aphorism, “you can’t judge a book by its cover.” This episode covers 1 Samuel […] Copyright Higher Things®, Higher Things - Dare to be Lutheran. Support the work of Higher Things.

When in the course of human events it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with God… or something. In this episode, Pastor Eric Brown and Thomas Lemke read about the Ark of the Covenant’s journey, and Samuel’s ascendance to power. Also, the Philistines attack during church—the ushers […] Copyright Higher Things®, Higher Things - Dare to be Lutheran. Support the work of Higher Things.

The first recorded outbreak of the black plague? You decide! In this episode, Pastor Eric Brown and Thomas Lemke read about the Ark of the Covenant’s trip to Dagon’s temple to give the false god a little… break. Then, the Philistines discover that the Egyptians had the right idea in getting the Israelites to go away—even […] Copyright Higher Things®, Higher Things - Dare to be Lutheran. Support the work of Higher Things.

The chickens come home to roost for Eli’s house… and for Israel. In this episode, Pastor Eric Brown  and Thomas Lemke read about the Lord’s midnight visit to Samuel, and the tidings the young prophet must bring the old priest. One almost gets the sense that this book will bring lots of examples of the Lord […] Copyright Higher Things®, Higher Things - Dare to be Lutheran. Support the work of Higher Things.

The Levitical/Aaronic priesthood biffs it again! In this episode, Pastor Eric Brown and Thomas Lemke read about the worthless sons of Eli. Some high priests—they take the flesh of the sacrifice that belongs to God from the people and give it to themselves to eat. How would those ancient Israelites have rejoiced to know that the […] Copyright Higher Things®, Higher Things - Dare to be Lutheran. Support the work of Higher Things.

Shiloh = Sin City? In this episode, Pastor Eric Brown and Thomas Lemke read about Elkanah’s yearly trips to the Tabernacle, and the strife between his two (count ‘em, two) wives. The one, Hannah, prays for a kiddo and is granted her request. Then she has to drop her tot at one heck of a daycare, […] Copyright Higher Things®, Higher Things - Dare to be Lutheran. Support the work of Higher Things.

In which we reach the end of the book of Acts. In this Episode, Pastor Eric Brown and Thomas Lemke read as Paul gets a little help from his new buddies on Malta. Then, he is delivered to Rome, where he gets to meet the believers who received his earlier letter. And to round it all […] Copyright Higher Things®, Higher Things - Dare to be Lutheran. Support the work of Higher Things.

When soldiers and sailors want to swim away but don’t know how, flotsam junk will do just fine. In this episode, Pastor Eric Brown and Thomas Lemke read as Paul sets sail along the Mediterranean coastline. That is, until an impatient decision results in the ship getting blown off course, leaving the crew with naught but […] Copyright Higher Things®, Higher Things - Dare to be Lutheran. Support the work of Higher Things.

Wait… Bernice was Agrippa’s sister? In this episode, Pastor Eric Brown and Thomas Lemke read about Paul’s verbal defense before Herod Agrippa II. Paul, ever winsome and factual, doesn’t fail to please. But, since he’s already appealed to Caesar, no amount of sympathy from Agrippa can undo what’s been set in motion. For better or worse: Paul […] Copyright Higher Things®, Higher Things - Dare to be Lutheran. Support the work of Higher Things.

In this “lost episode” (so called because Thomas’ audio is horribly botched, so the episode never came out – until now) Pastor Eric Brown and Thomas Lemke finish the story of Gideon. In the Backwards Life, Thomas asks Pastor to talk about how people in the pews should react when those of the clergy have disagreements amongst […] Copyright Higher Things®, Higher Things - Dare to be Lutheran. Support the work of Higher Things.