Episode
Archaeology of the Everyday: Grounded Theology in Ancient Israel (Backfish & Shafer-Elliott) Ep. #238
- Podcast
- The Biblical Mind
- Published
- Feb 5, 2026
- Duration seconds
- 1975
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Summary
What if theology isn’t something abstract but grows directly from the soil beneath our feet? In this episode, Dr. Cynthia Shafer-Elliott and Dr. Libby Backfish discuss their new book Grounded Theology, which argues that Israel’s theological reflections were deeply intertwined with daily life—especially as subsistence farmers in a land marked by both promise and struggle. Drawing on archaeological discoveries from ancient households, the conversation explores how everyday artifacts like loom weights and ovens reveal Israelite religious practices not just in temples, but in kitchens. The land itself—its fertility, harshness, and rhythms—shaped covenantal faithfulness and theological imagination. They challenge modern listeners to reevaluate their own “floating theology” and rediscover the formative power of embodied life, land stewardship, and communal labor. With humor, honesty, and deep insight, the guests call for a return to theology that is firmly grounded—in history, material reality, and the lived experience of Israel. You can find Grounded Theology here:https://bakerpublishinggroup.com/products/9781540962539_grounded-theology-in-the-hebrew-bible We are listener supported. Give to the cause here:https://hebraicthought.org/give For more articles:https://thebiblicalmind.org/ Social Links:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HebraicThoughtInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/hebraicthoughtThreads: https://www.threads.net/hebraicthoughtX: https://www.twitter.com/HebraicThoughtBluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/hebraicthought.org Chapters:00:00 The Need for a New Textbook03:34 Household Archaeology and Daily Life10:31 The Role of Land in Theology15:14 Connecting Ancient Practices to Modern Faith23:35 Challenges in Theological Education28:53 Conclusion and Reflections on T…