A respected and sought-after teacher and speaker, Dr. Byron enjoys using his gift in a variety of churches, venues, and events, outside of the seminary classroom.
Below is a list of the more popular and frequently offered talks by Dr. Byron. In addition, he is prepared to speak on a wide variety of other topics related to the New Testament, biblical studies, archaeology and the life of the Church. Please contact him to learn more and discuss. Lectures are generally offered in person, but virtual presentations and webinars are also possible.
Dr. Byron does not charge a standard fee to speak. He offers these lectures as part of his ministry to the church. Offerings and honorariums are gladly accepted. In some cases, travel and/or lodging expenses may be required.
Dr. Byron at Herodium
From the Scroll to the Book
The Bible is one of the most widely read books in the world. In North America, most homes have at least one copy of the Bible, but many probably have several. Yet, it can be easy to take our possession of the Bible for granted because we don't appreciate the long and sometimes difficult process that brought us the Bible we read today. In this lecture Dr. Byron will explain how Bible we hold in our hands evolved from scrolls and papyri written in numerous languages to the English Bible we use today.
Corruption, Conspiracy and Confusion: Can we trust the New Testament?
Over the years various arguments have been mounted against the trustworthiness of the New Testament. Scholars have noted the fragmentary nature of the earliest copies of the New Testament and concluded the evidence is too corrupt to be trusted. Conspiracy theorists, influenced by popular books and movies, claim the Emperor Constantine and church councils decided what books should be in the Bible while suppressing others. And some, observing the multiplicity of available translations, have suggested there is too much confusion and disagreement over what the Bible "really says." In this lecture Dr. Byron will demonstrate why the New Testament is reliable. He will explain how scholars reconstruct the New Testament from thousands of pieces of evidence, how the New Testament books came to be canonized and why modern translations reflect longstanding Christian heritage, rather than a source of confusion. He will conclude with some thoughts on the nature of the Bible, inspiration and the role scripture play in informing our faith.
Rewriting the Bible: Versions of Bible stories your Sunday school teacher didn't know
It is not uncommon to hear comments in the media claiming that the Bible has been changed and/or altered over time. These sound bites leave the average Bible reader wondering: Did scribes in antiquity change some of the stories in the Bible and if so why? In this lecture Dr. John Byron will look at an ancient practice of interpretation sometimes called "rewritten" Bible. Dr. Byron will provide examples of how stories were sometimes expanded and/or altered by Jewish and Christian interpreters and will explain why these scribes felt they could and should interpret the Bible this way. Dr. Byron has published a book on ways that the Cain and Abel story was reinterpreted, which will be a particular focus of the lecture.
Trusting in the Word of God: Is the Bible the center of our faith?
A significant majority of Americans own a Bible and consider it to be sacred literature. From the pews of the church to billboards along the highway, to the presidential inauguration, the Bible's influence can be observed and experienced at all levels of society. A quick scan of any bookstore will demonstrate that, for some people, the Bible is a book of answers. From theology to science to diets and finances, the Bible is viewed by some to be the source of all knowledge and understanding. Yet, if this is true, why are there so many disputes over what the Bible means? If the Bible is said to be "clear" on any number of topics, why isn't it always clear to those who are interpreting it? In his lecture, Dr. Byron will address the role of the Bible in Christian faith and what it means to trust in the Word of God. He will demonstrate that preoccupation with "what the Bible says" has sometimes caused us to focus our faith on the Bible rather than God.
The Mystery and Message of Revelation
Revelation is a mysterious book containing a mixture of images and events foreign to modern readers. Because of the unusual nature of Revelation, it is sometimes interpreted as a guide to determining how the world will end. This approach is demonstrated frequently by the numerous attempts to connect contemporary events and persons with the various images found in Revelation. But while Revelation certainly contains prophecy, its message is much more important than a roadmap to the end of the world. In this lecture Dr. Byron will discuss the setting surrounding the writing of Revelation and how the original readers would have understood it. He will demonstrate that rather than a series of predictions, the first readers would have understood it as a critique of the church and as a warning against becoming too comfortable with the Roman Empire.
Fakes, Forgeries and Frauds: Does Archaeology Prove the Bible?
Almost yearly someone announces a sensational archaeological discovery that will either prove or disprove the Bible. Some of the more recent "discoveries" have included the nails from Jesus' cross, the Jesus family tomb, the James ossuary, and the gospel of Jesus' wife. In many cases, however, neither the artifact nor the claims made about it stand up to scrutiny. In this lecture Dr. Byron outlines why many experts are skeptical of these claims and provides an overview of what archaeology can and cannot tell us about the Bible. He also highlights some authentic discoveries that have contributed to our knowledge of the Bible.
Resurrection: The Christian Hope for the World
Christians believe that Jesus was raised from the dead. But skeptics in the past and present have often questioned this claim. In this lecture Dr. Byron looks at the evidence pointing to Jesus' resurrection. He will also examine why Christian hope after death is not heaven, but resurrection.
Who is the Real Jesus and why are we looking for him?
Do the gospels provide accurate information about Jesus? Did the early church distort the message of Jesus? Do secret gospels reveal the truth about Jesus? Did Jesus really exist? Provocative questions like these surface regularly in newscasts, television specials, books and magazines. Underlying many of these questions is an assumption that the New Testament provides unreliable information about Jesus thus forcing us to search for the "real Jesus." In this lecture Dr. Byron will discuss why some scholars are skeptical of the New Testament claims about Jesus and will provide an overview of the evidence we do have for him as well as what history can and cannot tell us about Jesus.
Who Killed Jesus?
This lecture examines the last week of Jesus' life in the context of its first century historical, social and political framework. Using archaeology, the New Testament and other primary sources, Dr. Byron explains how the office of the High Priest in the Second Temple period became a source of both power and income for those who filled it. The evolution of the priesthood into a political office, its corruption and subsequent monopoly all played an important role in the crucifixion of Jesus. Additional topics that will be addressed include: (1) the role of Pilate and the Romans in Jesus' death; (2) the identity of the crowd demanding Jesus' crucifixion; and (3) claims that the New Testament is Anti-Semitic.
The Burial of Jesus
Easter is a time when Christians celebrate the death and resurrection of Jesus. But in between those two important events is the burial of Jesus. Although we celebrate the empty tomb, we sometimes forget that this where Jesus' body was laid, even if for just a short time. Dr. Byron will explore the burial practices in vogue in the New Testament period, explain how they can help us better understand the gospels and discuss whether or not we can identify a location for the tomb of Jesus.
The Archaeology of Paul the Apostle
In this lecture, Dr. Byron provides an overview of the major cities which Paul visited and wrote letters to. Using archaeology as a guide, the audience will be able to "explore" these sites with Dr. Byron and learn how the physical settings of the cities help us understand Paul's letters better. Come enjoy this virtual tour of Greece and Turkey!
Being the Church in the 21st Century
Many today feel like the church is being marginalized by the world around them. In this 3-lecture series, Dr. Byron outlines how the theme of exile in scriptures provides a paradigm for how the church should live out its faith. The titles of the lectures are: Being the Church in Exile; Being the Church in the Story of God, Being the Church to my Neighbor.
How to Read and Interpret Scripture for Yourself (Basic)
This presentation provides an overview of the basics for reading, understanding, and interpreting the Bible. Dr. Byron discusses the nature of Scripture, how to choose a translation, and the basics of reading, interpreting, and applying the Bible. This presentation would be suitable for adults and youth desiring an introduction to the nature and interpretation of Scripture.
How to Read and Interpret Scripture for Yourself (Advanced)
This full day seminar covers a variety of topics including the nature of Scripture, how to choose a translation, and the basics of reading, interpreting, and applying the Bible. Participants will be introduced to the inductive Bible study method and the skills and attitudes necessary to handle Scripture responsibly. Originally developed for training lay leaders, this presentation would be suitable for those preparing to be elders/deacons, those teaching Scripture to adults and youth, and anyone interested in taking their personal Bible study to the next level.
Loving God while Loving our Work
One experience shared by most people is the necessity of employment. Some will find a chosen career that rewarding and fulfilling, while others will consider their job a necessity for economic survival. In this presentation, Dr. Byron demonstrates how work is a gift from God that, beyond economic benefits, provides us a context for loving God and our neighbor. Through the lens Paul’s letters to the Thessalonians, Dr. Byron examines the social and economic context of first century Christians and how Paul encourages them to love God and their neighbor while loving their work.
New Testament Book Studies
In addition to offering talks on particular topics, Dr. Byron is prepared to offer studies/series on individual and/or groupings of New Testament books (e.g. Gospels, Letters of Paul). Depending on the needs and desire of the audience, these talks can provide a general overview of one or more books or an in-depth study of a particular book.