What if an ancient inscription could confirm a biblical figure’s existence—or even affirm the earliest Christian belief in Jesus as God? In this powerful of the Ephesiology Podcast, Michael and Andrew welcome field archaeologist Dr. Titus Kennedy to explore the intersections of archaeology and Scripture. From unearthing altars and human remains to discovering a seal impression that could belong to the prophet Isaiah, Dr. Kennedy reveals how artifacts and ruins breathe life into the biblical text. Whether you’re curious about what archaeologists hope to find in Jesus-era digs or how physical evidence shapes faith, this conversation is a journey across time, stone, and sacred memory.
Show Notes
- The relationship between archaeology and missiology
- Top 5 archaeological discoveries that illuminate Scripture
- Behind-the-scenes of excavating skeletons, altars, and sacred artifacts
- How physical evidence affirms the historical reality of biblical narratives
- Discoveries at Jericho, Jerusalem, and beyond
- The Nazareth Inscription and Roman responses to Christianity
- The Megiddo mosaic and early Christian worship
- How archaeology can transform our reading—and living—of the Bible
Quotes from the Episode
- “Archaeology doesn’t just confirm Scripture—it helps us see it.” — Dr. Titus Kennedy
- “We talk about tomb robbing today, but this is an ancient practice. Almost every tomb in antiquity was robbed.” — Dr. Titus Kennedy
- “When you find something mentioned in the Gospels—like a coin with Pontius Pilate’s name—it becomes more than history. It becomes real.” — Dr. Michael Cooper
- “Some dig sites are like onion layers of civilizations. In Jerusalem, you might dig through the Roman period to get to Byzantine… or even earlier.” — Dr. Titus Kennedy
- “Holding something that was part of a Gospel narrative—an oil lamp, a bowl, a foundation—makes Scripture not just theology, but tangible.” — Dr. Titus Kennedy
- “If you have the Bible as a historical guide, it gives you something close to an archaeological superpower.” — Dr. Titus Kennedy
Resources Mentioned
- Excavating the Evidence for Jesus by Dr. Titus Kennedy
- The Essential Archaeological Guide to the Bible
- Unearthing the Bible: 101 Archaeological Discoveries
Archaeology and Early Christian Missiology
Unearthing the Past, Illuminating the Mission
Join Dr. Cooper on an exploration of the dynamic intersection of archaeology and missiology in the study of early Christian movements with a focus on Asia Minor. Drawing on the material culture and historical records of the Seven Churches of Revelation, the emersive learning experience delves into how archaeology informs both ancient and modern mission practices. The course will also discuss how early Christian communities adapted to cultural, political, and economic pressures while remaining faithful to the gospel.
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Our Podcasters
Michael is the missiologist in residence with East West where he focuses on equipping and empowering church leaders in evangelism, discipleship, leadership, and catalyzing church planting movements in the most difficult to reach places on the planet. He is the author of Ephesiology: The Study of the Ephesian Movement as well as many other books and academic articles. He has lectured at universities around the world and serves as affiliate faculty at Kairos University where he facilitates the degree programs in partnership with Ephesiology Master Classes.
Andrew is a proud husband, father and pastor who desires all to know the one true King. He is honored to serve at West Village Church in Victoria, BC. Previously, he’s ministered in Houston, Chicago, Indy, Flagstaff and Tempe in a variety of church contexts. Andrew has a BA in Christian Ministry from Trinity International University and an MA from Phoenix Seminary. He is currently a Doctor of Ministry student at Kairos University and is the co-host of the Ephesiology Podcast. When not at work, he’s an avid disc golfing, vinyl playing, Spider-Man following/collecting fellow. Go Pacers.
Matt Till has woven together roles as pastor, professor, podcaster, and Emmy Award–winning writer and producer. With over 25 years in ministry—including church planting, higher education and administration, and co-hosting the Ephesiology podcast—he has dedicated his life to engaging people and communities with compassion, justice, and inclusion. Today, as Senior Director for Social Justice and Community Engagement at TelosGO, Matt continues that calling. He and his wife are raising three children in South Florida, where he can often be found reading on the beach, sipping Cuban coffee, or savoring lechón asado with yuca con mojo.
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Ephesiology: A Study of the Ephesian Movement
If you want to understand principles for the growth of Christianity in the first century, the place to begin is the city of Ephesus. In this winsome study, Ephesiology offers readers a comprehensive view of the empowering work of the Holy Spirit in the most significant city of the New Testament, and compels us to ask the question: how can we effectively connect Christ to our culture?
“Masterfully handling the book of Ephesians and using its content as a definitive guide, Michael Cooper lays a theologically strong foundation that is both corrective and directive to disciple making movements. The principles he gleans from the book of Ephesians and related texts, help to ensure the on-going multiplication and maturation of a movement. Because these are supra-cultural principles, they are applicable anywhere in the world.”
Marvin J. Newell, Staff Missiologist, Missio Nexus, Author of Crossing Cultures in Scripture
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Taking its inspiration from the historical and philosophical legacy of Athens, Greece, the Areopagus Symposium focuses on intellectual and philosophical topics related to Christology, missiology, and ecclesiology. We invite scholars, theologians, and practitioners from diverse backgrounds to engage in a profound exploration of the theological landscape at the intersection of these vital disciplines. Sign up for an Ephesiology Master Classes account and gain free access to the Areopagus Symposium.
The Ephesiology Podcast and Ephesiology Master Classes are ministries of TELOS.GO, a registered 501c3 non-profit agency committed to imaginatively missional ways of engageing culture, church planting, and theological education. Your donation to the podcast is tax deductible.
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