During the recent annual meetings for biblical studies scholars held in San Antonio, Dr. Heiser interviewed a number of scholars about their recent work. In Part 2 of those interviews, we meet Dr. Andy Naselli (New Testament professor at Bethlehem College and Seminary), Mike Licona (Theology professor at Houston Baptist University), Dr. Sam Lamerson (President & New Testament professor, Knox Theological Seminary), and Kyle Greenwood (Old Testament professor at Colorado Christian University).

For Part 1, click here.

Recorded on the floor of ETS/SBL, Naked Bible 129 packs four fast interviews into one episode. Andy Naselli unpacks a biblical theology of conscience—what it is, how to calibrate it to Scripture, and how Christians can disagree charitably on disputable matters (with a striking cross-cultural example). Mike Licona explains why the Gospels read like Greco-Roman biographies and shows how Plutarch-style compositional devices (compression, conflation, transferal, spotlighting) account for many Gospel differences—no “gotchas” required. Sam Lamerson mixes storytelling, textual criticism, and apologetics, using UFO/Bigfoot curiosity as an epistemology teaching moment contrasted with the historical case for the resurrection. Finally, Kyle Greenwood urges readers to honor ANE context in Scripture and Cosmology, avoiding modern scientific overlays and letting the Bible speak on its own terms. The common thread: methods and context that actually help you read and teach the Bible well.

Timestamp guide (interviews & topics)

00:00–00:45 — Intro @ ETS/SBL
Mike and Trey set up Part 2 and preview guests: Andy Naselli, Mike Licona, Sam Lamerson, Kyle Greenwood.

00:45–17:30 — Interview 1: Dr. Andy Naselli — Conscience (book with J.D. Crowley)

• What “conscience” is, how to calibrate it to Scripture, and how to disagree well on disputable matters (Rom 14).

• Pastorally applying conscience in electoral decisions (endorsement vs. protest), plus cross-cultural conscience clashes (Cambodia “mangoes” story).

• One-sentence definition from NT usage of συνείδησις; six states (weak/strong/seared, etc.); why conscience can change as beliefs change.

17:30–29:30 — Interview 2: Dr. Mike Licona — Why Are There Differences in the Gospels? (OUP)

• Gospels as Greco-Roman biography; Licona’s comparison of Plutarch’s Lives to identify compositional devices (compression, transferal, conflation, spotlighting) that explain many Gospel differences.

• Friendly debates with Bart Ehrman; training gaps in historical method among NT scholars; recommended resurrection resources (Case for the Resurrection; 700-page Historiographical Approach monograph).

29:30–36:30 — Interview 3: Dr. Sam Lamerson — Storytelling, TC, and “paranormal” bridges

• Background (Knox Seminary president; pulpit work; magician/ventriloquist); apologetic contrast: belief in Bigfoot vs. the resurrection as best-attested ancient event.

• Using UFO/Bigfoot interests as epistemology and evangelistic bridge; brief notes on textual criticism and the Septuagint in inspiration discussions.

36:30–57:00 — Interview 4: Dr. Kyle Greenwood — Scripture and Cosmology

• Why ANE context matters; not imposing modern scientific questions on the text; helping evangelicals avoid false expectations about the Bible and science.

• Overlap/differences with John Walton; “Don’t put words in God’s mouth” hermeneutical axiom; practical apologetic value of letting Scripture be what it is.

57:00–end — Wrap-up
Light debrief; tease for Part 3.