Campus pastors Jacob Nannie and Bill Gorman are joined by Darrell Bock, a New Testament scholar and Senior Research Professor at Dallas Theological Seminary. The interaction centers on the historicity of the resurrection, exploring why it's not just a symbolic or spiritual event, but a pivotal moment in history that underpins the Christian faith.

Some of the toughest objections to the gospel accounts are tackled during this conversation, considering whether the writers are simply too biased, or if the resurrection is just a legend or myth that developed over time. Bock focuses on the reliability of the gospel narratives, surprising details that make them stand out from other ancient texts, and the unexpected role of women. Also addressed are alternative explanations for the disciples’ transformation, from wish fulfillment to hallucinations.

The discussion concludes that the reality of the resurrection isn't just ancient history—it radically shapes how we live, infusing hope, courage, and purpose into the Christian life. If you're wrestling with doubts or seeking a deeper understanding of why the resurrection matters, this episode brings both scholarly insight and practical application to one of Christianity’s central claims.

3 Main Takeaways:

1. 
   The Resurrection as a Historical Event
   The episode emphasizes that the resurrection of Jesus is a real, historical event. Dr. Darrell Bock explains why treating the resurrection as history is crucial to the Christian faith: grounded in eyewitness testimony that led to rapid changes in belief among Jesus' followers.
2. Transformation of the Disciples and Early Witnesses
   A radical transformation was experienced by the disciples and other early witnesses who were not predisposed to believe in the resurrection. Rather, they were skeptical, in mourning, and afraid. The episode addresses alternative explanations and considers the best explanation.
3. The Importance and Impact of Resurrection Today
   The resurrection is described as a "game changer" for personal faith and daily life, shaping hope, perseverance, work, and confidence for Christians today, anchoring the meaning and purpose of life and work.

Timestamps:

1. 00:00:00 — Dr. Darrell Bock describes the resurrection as a "game changer on steroids," setting the tone for the episode's significance.

   00:03:21 — Dr. Darrell Bock explains the profound transformation of the disciples from despair to conviction, emphasizing the historical impact of the resurrection.

   00:04:05 — Dr. Darrell Bock addresses the issue of bias in the Gospel accounts, focusing on how the witnesses were not inclined to believe in the resurrection initially.

   00:07:10 — Dr. Darrell Bock clarifies the genre of the Gospels as ancient biography (bios), distinguishing it from myth and highlighting its historical reliability.

   00:08:17 — Dr. Darrell Bock discusses how the first witnesses of the resurrection were women, a detail culturally unexpected and compelling for the historicity argument.

   00:10:23 — Dr. Darrell Bock recounts how the leaders dismissed the women's report of the resurrection as a fable, revealing the skepticism among early believers.

   00:12:01 — Dr. Darrell Bock wishes he had a recording of Jesus revealing the Scriptures to the disciples on the road to Emmaus, showing the deep impact of that encounter.

   00:14:03 — Jacob Nanney highlights transformation as a unifying theme in the resurrection accounts, from fear to bold witness.

   00:16:42 — Dr. Darrell Bock explains the "mutation" in Jewish belief regarding the timing of resurrection, emphasizing the historical anomaly and its implications.

   00:21:14 — Dr. Darrell Bock shares how the resurrection gives hope beyond suffering and endurance in life, touching on its personal and transformative significance.

In this episode, Jesse and Leah Roberts, the creative duo behind Poor Bishop Hooper, share with Pastor Paul Brandes their journey as artists, songwriters, and founders of a nonprofit ministry dedicated to Scripture-based music. They candidly discuss their calling, how their ministry evolved step-by-step, and give insights into their projects like Golgotha and Every Psalm.

3 Main Takeaways:

1. 
   Faithfulness in Small Steps Leads to Impactful Ministry:

Jesse and Leah emphasize that their journey as musicians and ministry leaders was not the result of a grand, predetermined plan, but rather a series of faithful steps. By being obedient to God’s leading one step at a time, their work grew organically—from local church worship to founding a nonprofit, creating widely-used resources like Golgotha, and serving diverse communities, including prisons.

1. 
   Truth and Beauty Powerfully Transcend Contexts:

The experience of bringing the Golgotha project into prisons was transformative, both for the artists and the inmates. Leah shared how presenting something rooted in both truth and beauty had a profound gospel impact in places marked by pain and deprivation, proving that spiritual art remains powerful regardless of environment—whether in a cathedral or a maximum security prison.

1. 
   Christ Meets Us in Our Suffering and Darkness:

Drawing from their time immersed in the story of Christ’s suffering (through Golgotha) and their own personal hardships, Jesse and Leah encourage listeners that Jesus deeply understands our darkest, “Holy Saturday” seasons. The incarnation and crucifixion mean that Christ has entered into human suffering, providing comfort and solidarity for anyone experiencing pain, uncertainty, or waiting.

Resources:

Poor Bishop Hooper (Band/Ministry): https://www.poorbishophooper.com

Golgotha Project: https://www.poorbishophooper.com/golgotha

Every Psalm Project: https://www.poorbishophooper.com/everypsalm

Author William Quayle: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Alfred_Quayle

Timestamps:

00:18 – Bill Gorman introduces the theme of following God in seasons of darkness and grief, previewing the depth of the episode.

02:49 – Paul Brandes asks Leah and Jesse to share how their calling as artists and creators developed, setting the stage for their story.

03:32 – Leah describes seeking God’s guidance after college, revealing her sense of vocation and trust in God’s provision.

06:13 – The origin story of Golgotha: how a pastor’s request and a 3-day retreat turned into writing all 14 songs for a Stations of the Cross musical experience.

08:18 – Jesse describes how Golgotha began spreading to different churches and communities, moving beyond its initial setting.

11:04 – Leah shares the pivotal moment when they decided to formalize their ministry as a nonprofit, focusing on underserved and unreached communities.

14:01 – Discussion about the heavy, contemplative nature of Golgotha and its focus on the “minor key” of Jesus’s suffering during Holy Week.

18:00 – The first time Golgotha was brought into a maximum-security prison, describing a powerful and unexpected response from inmates.

22:06 – Leah recounts how inmates donated to their ministry, powerfully illustrating the unity and generosity within the body of Christ.

27:26 – The hosts discuss being with God in “Holy Saturday” moments—suffering, waiting, and not yet seeing resurrection—and Leah shares a personal journey through family suffering and the presence of Christ in it.

Hosts Bill Gorman and Paul Brandes are joined by special guest Jeremy Mann, founder and head of The Field School, a diverse classical Christian school on the west side of Chicago. Together, they dive into what it means to cultivate wisdom and virtue in the next generation—not just through academics, but by shaping the whole person.

Jeremy Mann shares his journey from public school teacher to leader of a unique educational community that reserves half its seats for low-income families, embracing a mission shaped by faith and holistic classical learning. Drawing inspiration from Scripture—especially the Shema from Deuteronomy 6—the conversation explores how families, educators, and communities can weave meaningful spiritual practices into daily routines, both at school and at home.

Whether you’re a parent, grandparent, teacher, or simply passionate about passing on virtue to the future, this inspiring episode offers practical ideas, ancient wisdom, and encouragement for anyone seeking to nurture children in today’s world. Get ready for a dialogue about education, faith, and intentional living—right here on theFormed.life.

3 Main Takeaways:

1. Classical Education Is About Forming Wisdom and Virtue, Not Just Knowledge.
   Jeremy Mann explains that the mission of the Field School is to cultivate wisdom and virtue in every child. This goes beyond just academic achievement or standardized test scores. Classical education is about developing the whole person, focusing on character, critical thinking, mastery of the fundamentals, and an enduring love of learning and curiosity.
2. Educational Models Are Important, But Parents Remain the Primary Disciplers.
   The conversation made it clear that, regardless of whether kids are in public, private, classical, or homeschool settings, parents have a unique and irreplaceable role in shaping their children’s hearts and minds. Spiritual formation and character development happen best at home in daily rhythms, not just through institutional programs; when families are intentional about weaving biblical truth and spiritual practices into everyday life.
3. The Biblical Vision of Education Is Holistic and Community-Oriented.
   Grounded in Deuteronomy 6, the discussion revolves around the idea of loving God with all our heart, soul, and strength—and passing that faith on to the next generation. Jeremy Mann shares practical examples from both the Field School and his own family: daily Scripture reading, memorization, prayer, music, and habits that create a shared, spiritual culture. The episode encourages listeners to build similar rhythms, with kids or in their own lives, and to see education as a community endeavor, not just the work of schools.

Resources:

• Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass: https://a.co/d/07KUyIQL
• A Philosophy of Education by Charlotte Mason: https://www.livingbookpress.com/product/a-philosophy-of-education/?srsltid=AfmBOoqx0zOQAB0bsGErnc8GhtQkqOeUuCKj0ZcNKXQLfQCbqxoHhmGt
• New City Catechism – Timothy Keller: https://a.co/d/09C5NmGv
• Apostles’ Creed – Historic Christian Creed
• Athanasian Creed – Historic Christian Creed
• A Student’s Prayer by St. Thomas Aquinas: https://mycatholicprayers.com/prayers/a-students-prayer-by-st-thomas-aquinas/

Timestamps:

00:00 Classical Education for All

04:14 "High Expectations, High Support"

07:59 "Classical Education: Old School Revival"

13:29 "Parent-Led Education and Choices"

15:59 Cultivating Wisdom Through Scripture

20:19 Holistic Faith in School Life

23:02 "Faith Lived Through Rhythms"

27:54 Faith through Community and Music

30:41 Family Bonding Over Simple Meals

33:08 Cabin Dreams & Entrepreneurial Passion

35:03 "Field School Insights Shared"