four cubits and a span
A layperson's conversation about ancient biblical narrative in the life of the modern believer, incorporating the best of biblical scholarship. Also, stories.
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- Update frequency
- every 6 days
- Episodes
- 101
- Years Active
- 2017 - 2021
Changing The Script (Esther 1-2)
After an extended break due to illness, four cubits and a span will be returning with new episodes in April! To tide you over, this special episode is a nice follow-up to last November's episode Just…
Sun 11 Mar 2018
poetry and philosophy (2017/12/10)
Advent is upon us, and it's not entirely un-topical to think about Job calling God to account and reflecting on how God acts in the world. In Nahum we've got some proper literature, and in observing …
Tue 05 Dec 2017
drama and relationship (2017/12/03)
Three cracking texts in this week's episode: Job, Jonah, and Hebrews. From the depths of human suffering to the very heart of Christian faith, this week's show felt like quite a journey. There are no…
Mon 27 Nov 2017
justice (2017/11/26)
My friend Adina Whitcomb joins me by recording on this week's extended episode to talk about the book of Esther. We're going to really get stuck into the story and the character of Esther, and allow …
Tue 21 Nov 2017
An Introduction to Daniel, Ezra, and Nehemiah
In this bonus episode, I introduce the books of Daniel, Ezra, and Nehemiah at a midweek Bible study class recorded in Glasgow. We briefly look at their origin, their social and historical context, an…
Sat 18 Nov 2017
identity and community (2017/11/19)
The story of the Bible is not just the story of God in the lives of individuals, but the story of how God acts on and through - and is understood by - communities of people. The emphasis on community…
Mon 13 Nov 2017
reflection and introspection (2017/11/12)
The Bible tells God's story by telling the story of his people, and this week we have Hosea, Ezra, and Paul doing exactly that. From the first prophetic watchman to a small tribe in the hill country …
Wed 08 Nov 2017
Rising Action (Acts 8)
From the most unlikely origins, Jesus will commission Paul to implement the great work narrated in the book of Acts - taking the gospel out across the Mediterranean world. But before Paul turns to Ch…
Thu 02 Nov 2017
interpretation and reinterpretation (2017/11/05)
The Chronicler teaches us about re-interpreting the biblical text for the present day (his was over 2,000 years ago, of course), and what that means for the way in which we read Chronicles, and indee…
Mon 30 Oct 2017
alternative histories (2017/10/29)
We're playing with history in all three readings this week, all in slightly different ways. In the New Testament, Stephen throws the entire Hebrew Bible narrative on its head in pretty much the most …
Sun 22 Oct 2017
patterns and participation (2017/10/22)
In our second week with Ezekiel's temple vision, we get stuck into the details and find that Ezekiel has a radical new agenda for God's people in this vision of startling and shocking new beginnings.…
Sun 15 Oct 2017
temple and tradition (2017/10/15)
In this episode we've got a double-helping of temple narrative: Solomon is dedicating the first temple in 2 Chronicles 5-6, and Ezekiel is envisaging the temple restored in Ezekiel 41. Meanwhile, in …
Sun 08 Oct 2017
The Language of Suicide (Philippians 1)
In Philippians 1 this week, we are confronted with the first century philosophy of suicide, and the disjunction between that and the modern-day tragedy of suicide. The stigma surrounding it in our so…
Wed 04 Oct 2017
hubris and humility (2017/10/08)
In 1 Chronicles 24-25, we have the first of two weeks concerning the first temple, but two very heavy texts in Ezekiel 34 and Philippians 1-2. Ezekiel rails against the failed Israelite leaders follo…
Sun 01 Oct 2017
testament and testimony (2017/10/01)
If you struggle with reading prophecy as much as I do, then come listen to my friend Nathan Kitchen talking about Ezekiel 27. There so much to miss that makes so much more sense out of these oracles …
Sun 24 Sep 2017
narrative and counter-narrative (2017/09/24)
My good friend Nat Ritmeyer joins me on the show this week to talk about Luke 17, and two very challenging Old Testament passages in 1 Chronicles 7 and Ezekiel 20. Taking the Biblical narrative on it…
Sun 17 Sep 2017
hope and glory (2017/09/17)
At the end of the Kings history in 2 Kings 24-25, we're feeling the pain of loss as Judah and Jerusalem are humiliated over and over again as the nation finally falls. In Ezekiel 13, the prophet is l…
Sun 10 Sep 2017
culture and counter-culture (2017/09/10)
This week on 4QS we're reading 2 Kings 16, Ezekiel 6, and Luke 2. It's Canaanite Culture 101 with King Ahaz, and the alternative histories of his great triumph/humiliating defeat. Ezekiel is just get…
Sun 03 Sep 2017
The New Creation (2 Corinthians 6-7)
A special follow-up episode to Monday's brief look at 2 Corinthians 1-2, this is a study class that I recorded in 2016. We're going to dig into the text, and into the culture of the first century Med…
Wed 30 Aug 2017
grief and comfort (2017/09/03)
Welcome to the first full episode of 4QS! We're reading 2 Kings 8, Lamentations 4, and 2 Corinthians 1-2, and trying to strike that difficult balance between mourning and hope. Join me for a look at …
Sun 27 Aug 2017
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