Both my Bible teaching (including the 5 minute Bible podcasts) and reading children's stories are here. 

My passion is helping people to understand the Bible better, and to think about what "better" means ;) 
I have taught Bible in Universities and Seminaries in Africa and NZ for three decades, and in Asia and Europe occasionally. 

I'm a Bible-loving Baptist, but far from a narrow fundamentalist.

Tim Bulkeley

Zechariah 13:6 tells of a prophet with wounds in his hands, is this Jesus? Answer too quickly and you could accuse Jesus of being a false prophet!

Zechariah 13:6 tells of a prophet with wounds in his hands, is this Jesus? Answer too quickly and you could accuse Jesus of being ...

Jesus as false prophet (Zechariah 13:6)

This powerful but not very cheerful passage speaks louder in a very literal translation. The audio was recorded just after the Christchurch earthquake, but the screencast version made only several years later. 
 
The passage is a fine example of Jeremiah's unflinching approach and his use of language supple as a whip.

This powerful but not very cheerful passage speaks louder in a very literal translation. The audio was recorded just after the ...

Jeremiah 4:23-27   Uncreation

This fourth confession illustrates strongly both the dramatic narrative character of the “confessions”, and that they are not examples to follow, or a mine from which we can quarry “texts”. 
 
Rather read this “confession” as a further episode in the continuing drama of Jeremiah and his Yahweh. As you read, allow yourself to be read, and you will listen with profit to the prophet

This fourth confession illustrates strongly both the dramatic narrative character of the “confessions”, and that they are not examples to follow, or a mine from which we can quarry “texts”. 

Rather read this “confession” as a further episode in the continuing drama of Jeremiah and his Yahweh. As you read, allow yourself to be read, and you will listen with profit to the prophet

Jeremiah’s fourth confession: Jer 18:18-23 the continuing drama of Jeremiah and his Yahweh

eremiah’s third confession is a monologue, mainly (or all, depending where we think it starts) addressed to God. Complaint is the dominant tone, and Jeremiah asks for vengeance on his opponents. So this text raises interesting questions about the nature of Scripture, and how God might read (some parts of) the Bible…

Jeremiah’s third confession: Jer 17:12-18: How might YHWH respond?

Continuing a series on The Confessions of Jeremiah, we’ll explore the second of these rich and complex texts Jer 15:10-21. 
 
Although I only have 5 minutes I hope I’ll give you material to spark several times that of study of the biblical text ;) for it is out of such personal wrestling (sometimes like Jeremiah’s struggles with Yahweh) that we grow and learn from our Bible reading :)

Continuing a series on The Confessions of Jeremiah, we’ll explore the second of these rich and complex texts Jer 15:10-21. 

Although I only have 5 minutes I hope I’ll give you material to spark several times that of study of the biblical text ;) for it is out of such personal wrestling (sometimes like Jeremiah’s struggles with Yahweh) that we grow and learn from our Bible reading :)

Jeremiah’s second confession: Jer 15:10-21: complex relationships

In the previous two podcasts in this series I've introduced "the Confessions of Jeremiah" and the first confession (11:18-12:6). Here we'll look at this text from the point of view of how it portrays the characters of Jeremiah (in the book the speaker of the passage) and his God (whom he often addresses and on whose behalf he speaks to others). 
 
I'll suggest that this passage is far from a neat static cartoon of Jeremiah and God on one side and the Judeans (or the "Men of Anathoth") on the other, goodies and baddies. Rather it shows a rich depth of character as Jeremiah learns to experience God more profoundly.

In the previous two podcasts in this series I've introduced "the Confessions of Jeremiah" and the first confession (11:18-12:6). Here we'll look at this text from the point of view of how it portrays the characters of Jeremiah (in the book the speaker of the passage) and his God (whom he often addresses and on whose behalf he speaks to others).

I'll suggest that this passage is far from a neat static cartoon of Jeremiah and God on one side and the Judeans (or the "Men of Anathoth") on the other, goodies and baddies. Rather it shows a rich depth of character as Jeremiah learns to experience God more profoundly.

Jeremiah's first confession: Jer 11:18-12:6: Part Two Jeremiah and Yahweh

Before thinking about this “confession” we’ll first look at lament psalms briefly. Lament psalms often contain: 
 
 an address (maybe simply “O God” or “O Lord”) 
 a/some complaint(s) 
 a request for help addressed to God 
 the affirmation of trust in God, as thanks for past action or simply as praise and conviction God will act 
 a vow to praise God when the crisis has passed (44:8; 80:18). 
 
The first Confession of Jeremiah is a good illustration of both how these speeches are like, and that they are unlike Lament psalms. We will also notice how in Jeremiah the lament-like material works with its surrounding text. The confessions are not a separate part of the book, they are parts of the book. (The next podcast will continue to look at this text, building on this material.)

Before thinking about this “confession” we’ll first look at lament psalms briefly. Lament psalms often contain:

    an address (maybe simply “O God” or “O Lord”)
    a/some complaint(s)
    a request for help addressed to God
    the affirmation of trust in God, as thanks for past action or simply as praise and conviction God will act
    a vow to praise God when the crisis has passed (44:8; 80:18).

The first Confession of Jeremiah is a good illustration of both how these speeches are like, and that they are unlike Lament psalms. We will also notice how in Jeremiah the lament-like material works with its surrounding text. The confessions are not a separate part of the book, they are parts of the book. (The next podcast will continue to look at this text, building on this material.)

Jeremiah’s first confession: Jer 11:18-12:6: Part One

Jonah's psalm is a typical psalm of thanksgiving, whose theology and contents would fit well in the book of psalms. However, it provides a good example of how reading a passage in the light of the flow of text surrounding it can change how we understand. Read following the narrative of chapter one Jonah's psalm (Jon 2:2-9 or MT 2:3-10) is thoroughly ironic.

Jonah's Psalm: Jonah 2:2-9

I think I've avoided really looking at this passage, and I notice that my teaching has focused too much on the signs of two source texts being edited together, and noticed too little how the story works, because like the genocide texts it offends my sense of right. The story looks different when one hears it as an exploration of the theme of sin and righteousness, as I'll try to here. 
 
The reading is here Genesis 6:5-7:24 http:--podbible.com-files-E100-E100_Chapter_3.mp3 
 
Though actualy I cheat and think about Gen 9:20ff. as well ;)

I think I've avoided really looking at this passage, and I notice that my teaching has focused too much on the signs of two source texts being edited together, and noticed too little how the story works, because like the genocide texts it offends my sense of right. The story looks different when one hears it as an exploration of the theme of sin and righteousness, as I'll try to here.

The reading is here Genesis 6:5-7:24 http:--podbible.com-files-E100-E100_Chapter_3.mp3

Though actualy I cheat and think about Gen 9:20ff. as well ;)

E100-3: Genesis 6:5-7:24: Sin and Righteousness

The story of the tower of Babel is great fun, even if we don't (quite?) know what it means! 
 
This time I've used some technical language, but I think it will make sense, however if you do want to learn more about "point of view" and "frames" you could see my Introduction to Narrative and Narrative Poetics which is not as technical as it may sound! http://bible.gen.nz/0/ 
 
This is a repost of one of two 5 Minute Bible pieces on Babel. The other one is here: Babel 2: Gen 11 a straight up and down story http://5minutebible.com/babel-2-gen-11-a-straight-up-and-down-story/

The story of the tower of Babel is great fun, even if we don't (quite?) know what it means!

This time I've used some technical language, but I think it will make sense, however if you do want to learn more about "point of view" and "frames" you could see my Introduction to Narrative and Narrative Poetics which is not as technical as it may sound! http://bible.gen.nz/0/

This is a repost of one of two 5 Minute Bible pieces on Babel. The other one is here: Babel 2: Gen 11 a straight up and down story http://5minutebible.com/babel-2-gen-11-a-straight-up-and-down-story/

Genesis 11:1-9 - Babbling about Babel

Amos 7:14 is a striking problem for interpreters, not least because what Amos is reported as saying to Amaziah seems to contradict what he is reported to be doing in the rest of the book. This makes it fertile ground for us to incorporate either our presuppositions or rhetoric into the text. 
 
(I use the NIV and Grasping God's Word) as examples in this but do not intend disrespect for the translators or authors, just to suggest they are human too!

Amos 7:14 is a striking problem for interpreters, not least because what Amos is reported as saying to Amaziah seems to contradict what he is reported to be doing in the rest of the book. This makes it fertile ground for us to incorporate either our presuppositions or rhetoric into the text.

(I use the NIV and Grasping God's Word) as examples in this but do not intend disrespect for the translators or authors, just to suggest they are human too!

Amos 7:14 presuppositions and rhetoric

The first chapter of Isaiah (you decide whether to include the first verses of Ch.2 :) Provides a fine introduction to this book in three parts, and also to a central message of the Old Testament.

Isaiah 1:2-2:4

The Sydney Anglicans are suggesting women might want to promise to -submit- to their husbands. I argue that they are not being biblical enough, and don't go half far enough!

Eph 5:21-22 and those Sydney Anglicans

The puzzle of Jonah's actions, and other strange goings-on don't stop in Jonah 1:3, but deepen (pun intended) as we begin to read on... we meet the ship that had plans of its own and hear echoes of Santa Claus in the telling of Jonah's story...

Tim Bulkeley Videos