Connecting the Dots

Connecting the Dots brings the world of the Bible back into view – its geography, archaeology, ancient documents, political tensions, and cultural realities – so Scripture can be understood the way its first hearers would have experienced it.Hosted by Dr. Tom Zelt with colleagues Phil and Cara, this podcast explores how biblical events, places, and themes intersect across centuries. Rather than treating stories as isolated episodes, we trace the connections: how the Bronze Age collapse informs Judges, how the Assyrian battle imagery shapes Isaiah, how Temple geography intensifies Holy Week, how Jewish legal traditions illuminate John’s Gospel, and how archaeology and ancient sources speak into questions surrounding Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection.Each episode engages Scripture seriously while interacting with historical sources such as the Dead Sea Scrolls, the Talmud, inscriptions, and material remains from the land of Israel. We also explore overlooked biblical locations, practical insights for Israel study tours, and how understanding the setting transforms familiar passages into vivid, coherent narratives.If you want to see how the Bible’s history, land, language, and literature connect, this podcast is for you. Because when you understand the setting, you see the story more clearly. When you see the story clearly, you see God’s work more fully.