The Hidden Orchard Podcast

She’ol, Hades & Gehenna: Mapping the Biblical Underworld. What is She'ol? Korach's descent into the earth opens a study of the Jewish concept of the underworld, its gates, chambers, and appearances of this tradition in the New Testament. https://www.thehiddenorchard.com/sheol-hades-gehenna-mapping-the-biblical-underworld/

Peter’s vision in Acts 10 is often interpreted as evidence of the nullification of the Torah’s dietary laws. Yet a closer reading reveals a different story. Further, this episode reads like a Midrash on Gentile inclusion, shaped by Biblical imagery and a distinctly Rabbinic style of storytelling. For more information and sources, visit: https://www.thehiddenorchard.com/peters-vision-is-acts-10-about-dietary-law/

What if one of the most influential thinkers in church history turned out to be a case of mistaken identity? We'll look at how an anonymous Neoplatonic writer slipped into the stream of Apostolic tradition and shaped the Church's understanding of heaven, hell, angels, and salvation. For more information, visit: https://www.thehiddenorchard.com/the-accidental-apostle-the-story-of-psuedo-dionysius/

Did Jesus celebrate Chanukkah? When we look closely at the elements in John, chapter 10, familiar themes from the prophets emerge, giving us a clue to the messianic tradition behind this winter holiday. To subscribe, or learn more - visit: https://www.thehiddenorchard.com/the-good-shepherd-and-the-chanukkah-connection/

Materialistic science emptied the heavens of meaning, but Scripture and Jewish tradition insist the cosmos is alive, conscious, and populated by angelic beings, like the Nephilim and Divine Council, as numerous as the stars. For more information on this topic, visit: https://www.thehiddenorchard.com/the-living-heavens-angels-stars-and-biblical-cosmology/

Are all religions connected to an original source? In this article, we explore the surprising parallels between Jewish and Eastern traditions, the surprising path to redemption, and Abraham’s lasting legacy. For more information: https://www.thehiddenorchard.com/the-children-of-the-east-the-connection-between-eastern-religions-and-abraham/

What did Jesus mean when he mentioned the "living water" during the festival of Sukkot? What is Hoshana Rabbah? Discover how this final day of Sukkot connects ancient Jewish rituals, the pouring of living water, and Jesus’s words in John 7. For more info, visit: https://www.thehiddenorchard.com/hoshana-rabbah-and-the-living-water-jesus-teaching-during-sukkot/

When most readers of the New Testament think about biblical holidays, Passover and Shavuot usually come to mind first. In this article, we'll see how Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur may be the most important for understanding the context of the Gospel message. Visit:https://www.thehiddenorchard.com/rosh-hashanah-the-kingdom-uncovering-the-context-of-the-gospel-message/