Uploaded January 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
What do you know about baptism? Why do Christians do it? Where does it come from?
This week, we're exploring the most important baptism of all: that of Jesus. It's clearly a pivotal moment in the narrative of the life of Jesus, but it also presents some pretty important theological problems. And if it's so important, why do the gospels seem to disagree about how it went down?
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For early access to an ad-free version of every episode of Data Over Dogma, exclusive content, and the opportunity to support our work, please consider becoming a monthly patron at:
patreon.com/DataOverDogma
Follow us on the various social media places:
facebook.com/DataOverDogmaPod
twitter.com/data_over_dogma
Have you ordered Dan McClellan's New York Times bestselling book The Bible Says So yet???
Buy at this link: static.macmillan.com/static/smp/bible-says-so-9781250347466
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Chapters:
0:00 Introduction & Episode Setup
0:50 What’s That? — The Baptism of Jesus
1:04 Context: John the Baptist and the “Handover of Power”
2:13 The Embarrassment Problem of Jesus’ Baptism
3:01 Origins of Baptism: Mikvahs and Second Temple Judaism
4:18 John the Baptist’s Innovation: Forgiveness of Sins
5:14 Baptism as Rebirth and the Criterion of Embarrassment
5:56 Theological Tension: Why Does Jesus Need Baptism?
6:38 Mark’s Account of the Baptism (Mark 1)
8:08 Visions, Voices, and Psalm 2
10:05 Isaiah, Servant Songs, and Messianic Imagery
13:05 Isaiah 11, Jesse, and “Nazarene”
14:53 Matthew’s Account: Fixing the Problem (Matthew 3)
17:04 “Fulfilling All Righteousness”
18:06 Public Declaration vs. Private Vision
19:25 Luke’s Account and Narrative Oddities (Luke 3)
20:23 The Dove Becomes Physical
22:23 Baptism, Adoption, and Paul’s Letters
25:49 John’s Gospel: Baptism Reimagined (John 1)
27:11 Identifying the Messiah Rather Than Cleansing
28:12 “He Was Before Me”: Logos and Pre-Existence
31:02 Jesus as the “Grab-bag” Messiah
32:03 John the Baptist Handing Over the Keys
33:26 Baptism as Coronation and Divinization
34:19 Wrap-Up, Patrons, and Credits
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What do you know about baptism? Why do Christians do it? Where does it come from?
This week, we're exploring the most important baptism of all: that of Jesus. It's clearly a pivotal moment in the narrative of the life of Jesus, but it also presents some pretty important theological problems. And if it's so important, why do the gospels seem to disagree about how it went down?
----
For early access to an ad-free version of every episode of Data Over Dogma, exclusive content, and the opportunity to support our work, please consider becoming a monthly patron at:
patreon.com/DataOverDogma
Follow us on the various social media places:
facebook.com/DataOverDogmaPod
twitter.com/data_over_dogma
Have you ordered Dan McClellan's New York Times bestselling book The Bible Says So yet???
Buy at this link: static.macmillan.com/static/smp/bible-says-so-9781250347466
_____________________________________________
Chapters:
0:00 Introduction & Episode Setup
0:50 What’s That? — The Baptism of Jesus
1:04 Context: John the Baptist and the “Handover of Power”
2:13 The Embarrassment Problem of Jesus’ Baptism
3:01 Origins of Baptism: Mikvahs and Second Temple Judaism
4:18 John the Baptist’s Innovation: Forgiveness of Sins
5:14 Baptism as Rebirth and the Criterion of Embarrassment
5:56 Theological Tension: Why Does Jesus Need Baptism?
6:38 Mark’s Account of the Baptism (Mark 1)
8:08 Visions, Voices, and Psalm 2
10:05 Isaiah, Servant Songs, and Messianic Imagery
13:05 Isaiah 11, Jesse, and “Nazarene”
14:53 Matthew’s Account: Fixing the Problem (Matthew 3)
17:04 “Fulfilling All Righteousness”
18:06 Public Declaration vs. Private Vision
19:25 Luke’s Account and Narrative Oddities (Luke 3)
20:23 The Dove Becomes Physical
22:23 Baptism, Adoption, and Paul’s Letters
25:49 John’s Gospel: Baptism Reimagined (John 1)
27:11 Identifying the Messiah Rather Than Cleansing
28:12 “He Was Before Me”: Logos and Pre-Existence
31:02 Jesus as the “Grab-bag” Messiah
32:03 John the Baptist Handing Over the Keys
33:26 Baptism as Coronation and Divinization
34:19 Wrap-Up, Patrons, and Credits
____________________________________________
#podcast #oldtestament #bible #biblestudy #biblestories #biblereading #bibleteaching #religion #Jesus #jesuschrist #god #adonai #athiest #athiesm #faith #faithjourney #podcasting #podcastclips #podcastlife #podcasters #podcastshow #skeptic #skepticism #judaism #hebrew #hebrewbible #christianbible #christianity #newtestament #christian #christianity #christianityexplained #holybible #doubt #believe #believer #belief #utah #saltlakecity #lds #mormon #scholar #middleeast #israel #religious #church #baptism
