Connecting the Dots cover art

Connecting the Dots

Connecting the Dots

Written by: Dr. Thomas Zelt
Listen for free

About this listen

Connecting the Dots brings the world of the Bible back into view – its geography, archaeology, ancient documents, political tensions, and cultural realities – so Scripture can be understood the way its first hearers would have experienced it.

Hosted by Dr. Tom Zelt with colleagues Phil and Cara, this podcast explores how biblical events, places, and themes intersect across centuries. Rather than treating stories as isolated episodes, we trace the connections: how the Bronze Age collapse informs Judges, how the Assyrian battle imagery shapes Isaiah, how Temple geography intensifies Holy Week, how Jewish legal traditions illuminate John’s Gospel, and how archaeology and ancient sources speak into questions surrounding Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection.

Each episode engages Scripture seriously while interacting with historical sources such as the Dead Sea Scrolls, the Talmud, inscriptions, and material remains from the land of Israel. We also explore overlooked biblical locations, practical insights for Israel study tours, and how understanding the setting transforms familiar passages into vivid, coherent narratives.

If you want to see how the Bible’s history, land, language, and literature connect, this podcast is for you. Because when you understand the setting, you see the story more clearly. When you see the story clearly, you see God’s work more fully.

All rights reserved. Christianity Economics Management Management & Leadership Ministry & Evangelism Spirituality World
Episodes
  • E05: The Linchpin (Part 2)

    E05: The Linchpin (Part 2)
    Apr 27 2026
    “Connecting the Dots” podcast from Impact Biblical Resources hosted by Dr. Tom Zelt continues a two-part discussion on seven rational reasons to believe in the resurrection of Jesus. The discussion focuses on the legitimacy of the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, and how the resurrection narratives’ cultural, geographical, and historical details convey accuracy, referencing places and names, corroboration from Josephus, archaeological finds related to crucifixion by nails, an ossuary bearing Caiaphas’ name, and tomb/burial practices (including rolling stones and cloth details). They conclude that cumulative evidence makes belief in the resurrection rational, likening its implications to dominoes that lead to understanding Jesus’ identity, purpose in suffering and death, and the reliability of his promises. Show NotesDr. Tom Zelt with colleagues Phil and Kara on the Impact Biblical Resources podcast “Connecting the Dots” to continue a two-part discussion on why it is rational to believe in the resurrection of Jesus, focusing on reasons four through seven. Reason four examines the Church of the Holy Sepulcher as a historically credible resurrection site, explaining its complex structure and layered history: an 8th-century BC quarry later used for first-century tombs, inclusion inside Jerusalem’s walls under Agrippa I, Hadrian’s temple platform built to suppress Christian gathering, Helena’s excavation and Constantine-era church dedication in 335 AD, and later damage and rebuilding through conquests, earthquakes, and fires. They cite archaeological indicators such as visible quarry lines, first-century tomb features (bench and ossuary niche) seen in the Syrian Chapel, early Latin graffiti (“Domine, ivimus”) on Hadrian’s wall in the Chapel of Saint Vartan, the 2016 National Geographic documentation revealing a crude limestone burial bench beneath later marble slabs in the Edicule, and a 2022 excavation beneath the floor reporting ~2000-year-old organic evidence of olive trees and grapevines consistent with a garden setting. Reason five is the early shift of worship from Jewish Shabbat (Sabbath) to Sunday, including the widespread naming of Sunday as “the Day of the Lord” in many languages, presented as requiring a major early event such as the resurrection. Reason six highlights the earliest Christian creed in 1 Corinthians 15:3–5, emphasizing that Paul “received” and “delivered” a fixed tradition that likely formed within a few years of the crucifixion, challenging claims that resurrection belief evolved over decades or centuries; they note wording that is atypical for Paul (e.g., “died for our sins,” “in accordance with the Scriptures,” “on the third day,” calling Peter “Cephas,” and referring to “the twelve”). Reason seven argues that the New Testament resurrection narratives convey historical accuracy through consistent details of people, geography, institutions, and practices, referencing items such as the known locations of Bethany and the Mount of Olives, first-century elite homes in Jerusalem excavated after 1967, extra-biblical corroboration of figures like Pontius Pilate and high priestly arrangements from Josephus, evidence for crucifixion with nails, the Caiaphas ossuary, and burial customs including rolling-stone tombs and textile/aromatic burial details consistent with John. The episode concludes that the cumulative evidence makes belief in the resurrection reasonable, and uses a domino analogy: if the resurrection is true, it leads to implications about why Jesus died, who he is, and the reliability of his promises. The hosts close by inviting listeners to explore additional resources at ImpactBiblicalResources.org.00:00 Welcome + Why the Resurrection Matters (Recap & Setup)01:03 Reason #4: Church of the Holy Sepulcher—Why This Site Matters02:29 What It’s Like Inside: Opulence, Crowds, and Mixed Emotions04:53 Archaeology 101: Quarry Turned Tombs (Why the Location Fits)08:27 Hadrian’s Pagan Temple & Helena’s Excavation: How the Site Was Marked11:39 Hidden Evidence Inside the Complex: Syrian Chapel, St. Vartan & Early Pilgrims15:22 Modern Confirmations: National Geographic, Floor Excavations & “Garden” Findings19:54 Reason #5: The Shocking Shift from Sabbath to Sunday Worship24:11 Reason #6 Begins: The Earliest Christian Creed (1 Corinthians 15)25:14 Did the Jesus Story Evolve? Why the Timeline Doesn’t Work26:59 1 Corinthians 15: The Earliest Christian Creed (Read & Explained)27:32 “Received and Delivered”: Why Creeds Stay in Fixed Form30:25 How Early Was the Creed? Paul’s Conversion and the 5–8 Year Window31:39 Clues It’s Pre-Pauline: Unusual Vocabulary, “Cephas,” and “the Twelve”34:19 Reason #7: The Details Ring True—Geography, Names, and Cultural Fit38:53 Archaeology & History Checks Out: Pilate, High Priests, Nails, and Ossuaries42:32 Burial Details & the Rolling Stone: Why the Story Reads Like ...
    Show More Show Less
    48 mins
  • E04: The Linchpin (Part 1)

    E04: The Linchpin (Part 1)
    Apr 13 2026

    Dr. Tom Zelt talks with colleagues Phil and Kara about why the resurrection of Jesus is the linchpin of the Christian faith, referencing 1 Corinthians 15 and Zelt’s book, The Linchpin: Seven Reasons It’s Logical To Believe in the Resurrection. he explains the book’s purpose is to argue for the resurrection’s rationality from a secular perspective, noting people believed in Jesus’ resurrection before the New Testament was written and that the resurrection generated the New Testament through eyewitness testimony. He introduces the first three cumulative reasons from his seven-part case: (1) movements have causes, and documents demonstrate that the spread of the Christian movement has the catalyst of Jesus’ execution and the resurrection claim, citing secular Roman sources including Tacitus and Suetonius, alongside the Roman framework of legal vs. illegal religions. They explore the second rational reason: Liars who know they are lying do not become martyrs, and the third, Jewish writings indirectly support the resurrection

    Show Notes

    Dr. Tom Zelt hosts colleagues Phil and Kara on the Connecting the Dots podcast from Impact Biblical Resources to discuss the resurrection of Jesus as the linchpin of the Christian faith, citing 1 Corinthians 15 and introducing Zelt’s book, The Linchpin: Seven Reasons It’s Logical To Believe in the Resurrection. He explains the book’s purpose is to argue for the resurrection’s rationality from a secular perspective for those who do not assume the Bible’s authority, noting early Christians believed through eyewitness testimony before the New Testament existed and that the resurrection created the New Testament. The episode covers the first three of seven reasons. (1) Movements have causes: Christianity began in first-century Judea/Jerusalem and spread rapidly across the Roman Empire; Zelt cites non-Christian sources including Tacitus (Nero’s persecution, Christus executed under Tiberius by Pontius Pilate) and Suetonius (disturbances in Rome at the instigation of “Chrestus,” leading to Claudius expelling Jews), plus archaeological mention of a Pilate inscription, to show an early, significant movement tied to Jesus’ execution and claims of resurrection. (2) Liars who know they’re lying don’t become martyrs: Zelt argues the disciples and other early believers (including Stephen and James, Jesus’ half-brother) suffered and died rather than deny eyewitness claims, with John exiled to Patmos; he distinguishes martyrdom for ideology from martyrdom based on claimed eyewitness experience, and notes James’ shift from disbelief (John 7) to leadership (Acts), with Josephus reporting James’ death by stoning. (3) Jewish writings support key elements: Zelt describes first-century Jewish diversity and later rabbinic writings (Mishnah/Talmud), quoting a Talmud passage about “Yeshu” being executed around Passover for sorcery and leading Israel astray, interpreting it as hostile acknowledgment of Jesus’ miraculous works and execution. He then discusses the Jewish explanation for the empty tomb—disciples stealing the body—referenced in Matthew 28, Justin Martyr’s claim that Jewish leaders spread this account, and a later fourth-century text, Toledot Yeshu, which includes a story involving Queen Helena and a gardener; Zelt notes historical issues with Helena’s timeline but argues the narrative still concedes the tomb was empty and shows efforts to counter resurrection belief.


    00:00 Welcome + Why the Resurrection Is the ‘Linchpin’ of Christian Faith

    02:01 A Case Beyond the Bible: Making the Resurrection Rational for Skeptics

    04:25 Reason #1 — Every Movement Has a Catalyst (Why Christianity Started)

    06:48 Roman Historians Weigh In: Tacitus, Pilate, and the Spread to Rome

    12:37 Reason #2 — Liars Don’t Become Martyrs: Eyewitnesses Who Wouldn’t Recant

    16:23 James’ Dramatic Turnaround: From Skeptic Brother to Martyred Leader

    22:53 Reason #3 — Jewish Writings & the Talmud: Hostile Sources Admit Key Facts

    31:19 The “Stolen Body” Counter-Story: Empty Tomb Explanations in Jewish Tradition

    36:51 Wrap-Up: The First Three Reasons + What’s Coming Next
    Show More Show Less
    38 mins
  • E03: The Jewish Arrest Warrant

    E03: The Jewish Arrest Warrant
    Apr 2 2026

    Dr. Tom Zelt, with colleagues Cara and Phil continues a discussion of rising tension in John’s Gospel by examining the “arrest warrant” implied in John 11:57 and a related passage in the Babylonian Talmud that cites he arrest warrant in a discussion about implementing capital punishment.


    Show Notes

    Dr. Tom Zelt, Cara, and Phil continue their discussion of rising tension in the Gospel of John by examining the “arrest warrant” implied in John 11:57 and a related passage in the Babylonian Talmud (Tractate Sanhedrin within the Nezikin division). They explain what the Talmud is—oral law and later discussion (Mishnah and Gemara), compiled after the Babylonian captivity and especially after Jerusalem’s destruction in AD 70—and how Jewish courts were to handle capital cases, including the role of a herald and the four types of capital punishment (stoning, burning, hanging as postmortem display, and slaying by the sword). They quote and analyze a Talmudic comment stating that “on Sabbath Eve, the eve of Passover, Jesus the Nazarene was hanged,” and that for 40 days a herald announced he would be stoned for “sorcery” and for “instigating and seducing Israel to idolatry,” inviting defense testimony. They discuss rabbinic commentary (including Abaye and Rabbi Ula) on why Jesus’ case differed from expected legal procedure, including the claim that as a “mesit” (one who leads others to idolatry) he deserved no compassion, and a note that he was “close to the government,” connected to Pilate’s behavior in the gospel accounts. The hosts connect these accusations to New Testament statements that opponents attributed Jesus’ works to demonic power while the populace acknowledged his miracles, and they argue the Talmud passage functions as a “positive witness from a hostile source” confirming Jesus’ miraculous activity and historicity. They also explore why a Jewish stoning did not occur—Roman control of executions and concern over Jesus’ popularity—leading to Roman crucifixion and “hanging” language linked to Deuteronomy. They address dating language (“Sabbath Eve, eve of Passover”) with Jewish sundown-to-sundown reckoning and Passover-week context, and suggest the warrant would have circulated at least 40 days before Passover, aligning with John’s narrative arc from attempted arrest (John 7), attempted stoning (John 8), escape (John 10), Lazarus (John 11), and the leaders’ decision to arrest and kill Jesus (including Caiaphas’ statement in John 11:49–53). The episode concludes that the Talmudic material corroborates key New Testament themes: escalating conflict, Jewish leadership in initiating Jesus’ death, irregular and rushed proceedings, the shift from Jewish to Roman execution methods, and the Passover timing.


    00:00 Welcome + Why the Arrest Warrant Matters (John’s Rising Tension)

    01:51 What Is the Talmud? Oral Law, Mishnah & Gemara Explained

    03:34 Inside the Sanhedrin Tractate: How Capital Cases Were Supposed to Work

    04:50 The Herald Rule & Four Execution Methods (Stoning, Burning, Hanging, Sword)

    08:50 When the Talmud Names Jesus: The 40-Day Heralding & Charges

    10:34 Rabbi Ula’s Defense: ‘No Compassion’ + ‘Close to the Government’

    12:57 Are These Rules Ancient? Dead Sea Scrolls, Inspiration, and Oral Tradition

    15:15 Breaking Down the Charges: Sorcery, Idolatry, and a ‘Negative Source’ Witness

    19:53 Why ‘Stoning’ Didn’t Happen: Roman Authority Over Executions

    21:23 Why the Jewish leaders needed Rome: legality, popularity, and avoiding a riot

    23:09 From stoning to “hanging”: Deuteronomy 21 and the cross as public curse-display

    24:10 “Hanged on Sabbath eve, the eve of Passover”: reconciling the dating with John

    24:48 Ula the calendar expert: lunar timing, Jerusalem signals, and when festivals begin

    26:52 Two ways to read the date: sundown-to-sundown days and the solar-calendar Essenes

    29:47 Back to the warrant: why Jesus was treated as an exception + Pilate and blame

    31:40 Caiaphas’ prophecy (John 11): ‘better one man die’ and truth from a hostile source

    34:46 When the warrant went out: 40 days before, Lazarus, and Jesus’ ‘here I am’ entry

    36:02 How close is Ula to the events? Rabbinic transmission and the Lincoln analogy

    38:51 What we learn: miracles affirmed, rushed trial admitted, and NT story corroborated

    41:01 Wrap-up and where to find more resources
    Show More Show Less
    42 mins
No reviews yet