Athens State University Religious Studies Program

How much of what we “see” in the Bible actually comes from our own culture?

In this episode of Everything Is Interpreted, Dr. Robert White, Dr. Tony Moyers, and Dr. Eric Betts have an engaging conversation about reading the Bible through a cultural lens. Together, they explore how our traditions, experiences, and assumptions influence the way we interpret Scripture—and why understanding the historical and cultural world of the Bible can deepen both our faith and our understanding.

If you’ve ever wondered why sincere Christians sometimes read the same passage differently, this conversation is for you.

Join us as we learn how reading the Bible with greater historical and cultural awareness can help us become more thoughtful, faithful, and compassionate interpreters of the Bible.

Watch the conversation and join us in discovering why… Everything Is Interpreted.

What happens when we stop asking, “What is the lesson?” and start asking, “How does the story work?”

In this episode of Everything Is Interpreted, Dr. Robert White and Dr. Tony Moyers explore one of Jesus’ most familiar—and most challenging—parables: The Good Samaritan.

Using a literary approach to interpretation, we look beyond the surface of the story to examine its setting, characters, surprises, and reversals. Why does Jesus choose a Samaritan as the hero? Why does he answer a question with a story? And how does the structure of the parable itself challenge the way we see neighbors, strangers, and ourselves?

Join us as we demonstrate how reading the Bible as literature can deepen our understanding of Scripture and reveal meanings we might otherwise miss.

Everything is Interpreted-Jeremiah's Temple Sermon

Convergence Podcast
A Time to Break Silence: Prophetic Leadership in a Divided World

In this episode of Convergence — Where Faith, Leadership, and Culture Merge, Dr. Robert White and Dr. Eric Betts reflect on Martin Luther King Jr.’s powerful Riverside Church sermon, “Beyond Vietnam: A Time to Break Silence,” and the continuing importance of prophetic courage in dangerous and divided times.

Drawing on the work of Vincent Harding, the teachings of Jesus, and the challenge of speaking truth to power, this conversation explores the difference between unity and uniformity, the temptation of silence, and the call to practice courageous, compassionate leadership in the face of injustice.

What happens when calls for “unity” become demands for silence?
What does prophetic leadership require of us today?

Join us for a thoughtful conversation on faith, conscience, justice, and the enduring power of love and truth.

Everything is Interpreted – a conversation with Dr. Robert White and Dr. Tony Moyers about learning to read the Bible through historical lens.

Who said we don't know how to have fun? This take came just prior to starting the new podcast and we were having trouble with the camera stand. The podcast entitled Everything is Interpreted-Historical Ways to Read the Bible will be published later this week .

What is the Bible? It may seem like a simple question, but the answer is deeper than we often realize. In this episode of Everything Is Interpreted, Dr. Robert White and Dr. Tony Moyers explore the Bible as a collection of ancient texts shaped by history, culture, and community. Together, they discuss why understanding what the Bible is is essential for interpreting what it means.

Why do we so often misunderstand texts, people, and even facts? In this video, we explore a simple but powerful idea: everything is interpreted. From reading a short text message (“Fine.”) to understanding news headlines, fashion choices, and everyday interactions, interpretation is a fundamental human activity.
We then take this insight deeper by asking what it means for reading the Bible. Are facts ever just facts? Why does the Bible—like any ancient text—require interpretation? Using everyday examples and a brief look at biblical scholarship, this talk introduces three major ways scholars approach texts: historical, literary, and cultural. Along the way, we wrestle with an important question: if all reading involves interpretation, does that mean anything goes?
This video is perfect for students, pastors, and anyone curious about how meaning is made—and why interpretation carries real responsibility.
Topics covered include:
How context shapes meaning in everyday life
Why “facts” don’t speak for themselves
Why texts always require interpretation
Why the Bible is no exception
Three major approaches to interpreting texts
Are all interpretations equally valid?

Thoughtful, accessible, and grounded in real-life examples.


Athens State University Religious Studies Program