IMAGE SOURCE,GETTY IMAGES By Max Matza BBC News A school district in the US state of Utah has removed the Bible from elementary and middle schools for containing “vulgarity and… Read More
Follow Vicki Jacoby as she ponders anew the women of the Bible, the well known and also the little known. Women of Worth is not only a fresh look at scores of interesting biblical characters, but also a source of inspiration for daily Christian living.
Vicki's Podcast ChannelNext up: 5 Tours to Israel & Turkey.
Consider joining us for great times of learning, fellowship, and to come into personal contact with the ancient & biblical world.
The 2023 devotional series explores how Matthew's gospel sheds light on Christ in the Old Testament. These daily messages are intended to bring inspiration and insight as we appreciate the amazing sensitivity and depth shown in Matthew.
Learn MoreA podcast dedicated to sharing the audio files of Douglas Jacoby's International Teaching Ministry. Our goal is to help people think about faith.
My Podcast ChannelDouglas has been teaching Bible, writing books, recording podcasts, debating with atheists and religious leaders (Jewish, Muslim, and Christian), and speaking in universities for three decades. He has written over 30 books and leads annual tours of the biblical world.
Douglas strives to make every article, podcast, and other work here objective, relevant, and understandable. You may not agree with every point, but you will be challenged in your faith - something that is truly essential to spiritual growth.
Check out these short video messages, which take us through every book of the Bible!
Learn MoreA Cultural Tour of the Biblical World
(Focus on food, family, daily life)
21-31 May, 2025
Check out over 400 Biblical studies!
Inside you will find multiple studies from both the Old & New Testaments. Much of the content is free, but you will also find in-depth studies for premium members.
Use these insightful Bible studies for daily times with God and more.
Detailed notes (over 400 pages), covering every chapter in the New Testament, and frequently revised.
Learn MoreOver 130 lessons on interesting, inspiring, informative biblical characters (men and women)
Learn MorePremium users get access to additional in-depth studies and podcasts for just $36.50 per year. That's just 10¢ a day, or $3/month.
Find Out MoreCheck out a myriad of articles, podcasts, videos & sermons that delve into the Old Testament.
Learn MoreCheck out a myriad of articles, podcasts, videos & sermons that delve into the New Testament.
Learn MoreThe 74-lesson sequence combines various biblical studies with character podcasts.
Learn MoreGet premium access to 100s of additional studies and podcasts for just 10¢ per day!
June 3, 2023
IMAGE SOURCE,GETTY IMAGES By Max Matza BBC News A school district in the US state of Utah has removed the Bible from elementary and middle schools for containing “vulgarity and… Read More
Categories: Articles, Culture, Spiritual Life | Tags: Bible ban, State bans, Utah
June 2, 2023
On the morning of Monday, March 27, 28-year-old Audrey Hale sent an ominous Instagram message to an old elementary school friend; “One day this will make more sense. I’ve left… Read More
June 1, 2023
If you are a family of at least 5, and would like some free CLEAR guest passes (valid for 3 months), please let me know. You can email me at… Read More
Categories: Podcasts
May 31, 2023
The newsletter of IBTM 31 May 2023 Good morning from very sunny Edinburgh! We’re back from a terrific week in Spain. Our messages from Luke and Acts were well received,… Read More
May 31, 2023
Vicki and I have had many, many conversations with one another—and with many of you—about the condition of churches worldwide. We aren’t speaking for all Christians or all the Churches… Read More
Categories: Leadership, Spiritual Life | Tags: conversations
May 30, 2023
How is Numbers 24:17 a Messianic prophecy? I’m not convinced. After all, these are the words of Balaam, who led the Israelites into sin. Help me out. To begin with,… Read More
Your ministry has become a vital part of my life, and I sense God’s Spirit moving! The podcasts and notes are clear. They help fortify my spirit. Thank you for allowing the scriptures to speak to your listeners.
Ian Correa (India)
I just wanted to take a moment to thank you for the vast tome of knowledge contained in your website. I use it quite often in my personal studies. I am acutely aware of the years and years of rigorous, scholarly work that has gone into it, and I am very grateful that you have made the fruit of that work available to all of us. I always caution myself not to view anyone as the “definitive authority” on anything—least of all the Bible—but please know that I find your balanced and scholarly approach most helpful. The website serves as a great starting place for my own investigations and research. Further, as my wife and I do more and more public speaking, we have also come to appreciate your incredible stamina when it comes to world travel! I have no idea how you do it.
Dr. Michael Shapiro, Psychologist
When you preach your teaching, it always challenges my mind and heart. I love your sermons, like yesterday’s 'How’s Your Biblical Stamina?'. Thanks for all the preparation, and your travel, which not only encourage the saints, but give you an authentic perspective on Christianity without borders.
Jim Long Atlanta, GA
I will always love and respect you and your family. I thank God that you are His servant. So many of us are benefiting from your faith, knowledge and understanding of God at work in the world past and in the present. The Bible is received with so much more respect because of your leadership in this area of the ministry. Keep learning, and keep teaching and motivating others under your guidance and God’s mercy to be better witnesses for Him.
E.C. (Los Angeles)
Douglas provides such helpful and practical insight in short and digestible chunks! I love this podcast!
-ekkreider
What a great writer. I love your style, broad-mindedness, level-headedness & sensitivity to the more “simple-minded" believers (regular people) you encounter. It’s clear, from the Q&As at your site, that you have the gift of educating while spurring people to think for themselves. You are succinct, and help us to "connect the dots” without being overbearing. All this — and humor, too. I love it all.
S.A.
We regard Douglas Jacoby as one of the bright lights in the field of apologetics in the twenty-first century. Heaven and Hell is an excellent, well-written book. We recommend it very highly.
John Clayton (of Does God Exist?), on What’s the Truth About Heaven and Hell?
I have rejoiced to hear…of the teaching ministry to which God has called you and of your concern for the church in the developing world.
John Stott, London, Easter '06
Thanks for your website and especially for your podcasts. I bought the subscription for my husband’s birthday, and he loves it! It's provided a tremendous amount of teaching and encouragement for him. Also, your lessons helped me to have constant time with God when I completed my degree — as a working mom, Christian wife, and active church member. So thanks for the support you have provided to help keep us in our Bible.
Lisa Moore, on website membership
Thank you for the [January 2021] Isaiah series. One of your best, in my opinion! Every year I appreciate the kickoff study series you produce for the new year.
-- R.F.
Going on your website is like going to the grocery store for a bottle of milk and then coming out with a cart full of groceries. I just came to look at one thing, and ended up spending the day there!
Thanks for taking care of us.
C. C.
The information at your website has saved me from numerous contentious discussions… I look forward to leveraging your site for all it is worth. I have found your books to be very clear, concise and informative—great tools for my walk with Christ!
José Gonzalez, on douglasjacoby.com
It was a privilege to attend your classes in Seattle. My wife and I appreciate your genuine reverence and responsible handling of God's word. We thank you for your courage and willingness to stand on your convictions. We feel honored that you have persevered in your relationship with our fellowship, as there are very few voices in our church today that carry the authority of love and truth, knowledge and experience, that yours does. Thanks for gently and humbly pushing us to repent of biblical ignorance. Jesus is clearly Lord of your life…
Shane and Micajah Jenkins (on the inaugural session, Northwest School of Ministry)
I appreciate your careful, measured approach to the scriptures, and I'm grateful for your ability to articulate your points. You do a great job of supporting your views through scripture, while providing enough historical background and context to bring it together cohesively. I recently ordered a copy of your book, Informed, and I'm looking forward to reading it. — B. Gatewood
I have just read your "hell book" and it is superbly balanced. I love all of the references. Your strength is that you do a very thorough job of covering the topic, but make it accessible to us "laymen." I was surprised to find that you consider yourself a "layman.” I'd consider you more of a "field scholar." We have a good number of "ivory tower" scholars. We need more field scholars such as yourself. Thanks for all that you do, Douglas!
Pedro Figueroa
Thank you for posting in podcast form. Just listened to lesson on Abraham and loved the lessons on faith. Inspiring and challenging! Love your website as well.
- Anne from CA
Thrive! Is a simple but stimulating read. I love your opening challenge (perfect for older Christians)… Many are simply surviving, not thriving. The book is so practical; I am already preaching and teaching from it. Thanks again for your example of faith and diligence. During the "dark ages” in our fellowship of churches, when little teaching was being done, you were lighting torches. And you continue to “trailblaze" in many ways.
Rolan Monje, Evangelist & Teacher (Philippines)
I have been listening to the podcasts daily for many weeks, and really feel I've grown closer to God. I've learned how to think biblically about the principles of God's word, and not just accept prevailing views, even from my own church culture. Thanks for sharing your own struggles as you teach these principles, and may God continue to bless your work around the globe as you help many to deepen their understanding of God and his word.
Rachel Bloom, on the podcasts
Thank you for putting in words what I've felt for years, for broadening my perspective and challenging us all to think deeper.
Tomislav Zrinski (Croatia), on The Problem of Human Suffering
I just wanted to say how much Shining Like Stars (revised and reprinted as Till the Nets are Full in 2017) has meant to me. I’ve been encouraged and amazed by the depth of information, good organization, and pertinence to all of our needs as disciples. This is a great resource! Why re-invent the wheel? I wish everyone would read this practical book.
Lapatic Francis (Orlando), on the evangelism book Shining Like Stars (1987)
I’ve been reading through your book on Psalms, Thrive!, combining it with my personal study of Psalms. Each chapter is cutting deeper. Thrive! is really leveraging God's word. The two together are reawakening a dull heart. Thank you!
T.K., on Douglas’ book Thrive!
Your books are certainly very helpful. Yet the most valuable thing I have learned from you has been to think critically on another level. I have learned to ask questions, to have great dialogue with people of other faiths, and to be confident to reach out to people who would normally seem intimidating. Keep up the great work.
Kyle Eastman, Campus Minister, University of Florida
What a privilege to have you here with us in Switzerland, teaching us and our friends. Thank you for loving God’s Word, always digging deeper to discover the spiritual worth and truth of Scripture, whether in your books or in person. It’s inspiring to see how you let God use you in such a great way, traveling from city to city, church to church, teaching and preaching. Do come back!
A.G. (Gemeinde Christi Zürich)
The biblical training course you taught in London proved to be a crucial turning point in the development of my faith, and subsequent service in Christian ministry. This opened my eyes to the richness, breadth, depth and heights of God's word -- for which I'm extremely (eternally) grateful!
Clare Wilshaw (AIM Graduate, United Kingdom), on the AIM program
Keep up the great work!
Josh McDowell, on Jacoby's international teaching ministry
The heart, it has been well said, cannot rejoice in what the mind rejects. With a professor’s mind and a pastor’s heart, Douglas Jacoby works tirelessly to help Christians to think more deeply about their faith. His books, videos, podcasts, and debates exhibit the best kind of Christian scholarship – informed, reverent, and reasonable. I wish we had a thousand more like him.
Timothy McGrew, Professor of Philosophy, Western Michigan University
I loved your talk on Cultural Apologetics at the Denver chapter of Reasonable Faith. By far the best I've heard on postmodernism and culture.
Jon McCray Ratio Christi, Denver
Thank you for putting together such a great trip (2013 tour to Athens, Patmos, Ephesus). It was well-organized, and rich in locations & lessons. I truly appreciated all the research. The collection of people from so many different countries (15) is a testimony to the effect of your ministry. Thank you for your continued efforts to preach the word and to build the faith of so many around the world. My prayers for your strength and continued success in building your international ministry.
M.G.
I just want to say thank you so much for your excellent work. The 30 days of podcasts on Christ Through the Ages was so helpful. It was an eye-opener. I was convicted about how I'd become complacent in knowing about the narrow gate yet lacking zeal in sharing with non-believers. I will certainly repent and refocus.
Alem Bayyan
As an engineer and Christian for more than 20 years, I've read, watched, and listened to your resources all along the way. Your collection of newsletters, online content, debates, sermons, and articles has brought greater faith and great motivation to teach others. Douglas, you’ve really have helped the "thinker" in me to believe and the "believer" in me to think!
G.G.
Douglas, you have challenged me to always be willing to embrace truth, no matter where it leads. Through your writing you have been a key person in my spiritual formation (and continue to be so). I am grateful for the times you have responded to my emails with great patience and grace. Finally, thanks for being a role model for me.
James Gitre (Texas)
I am truly grateful for the AIM team. Your desire to explore and teach the depths of God's word has changed my life and shown me a path to draw closer to God. I wish I could repay you in some form for the treasure you have taught me to find. I love our God, Jesus, Spirit and His word like never before and more with each passing day. Through application of what I learn I have been used to change other lives and baptize some. I am in awe of God seeing the ripple of his love spread across the world through people and their changed lives. It was your teaching, laughter, and stories in AIM (and all the emails) that fanned my small spark of faith into a flame. I am forever grateful.
David Anderson Honolulu
Professor Jacoby, after a dozen graduate-level courses at my university, yours was the first course that made me cry! The unit on Morality & Suffering was so personal and practical. It deeply stirred me, compelling me to engage in some much-needed soul-searching. Thank you!
A graduate student at Lincoln Christian University, where Douglas serves as Adjunct Professor
I am very thankful for your ministry. It opened my eyes to a whole new world!
J.P.
This is the book I wish I had walking into college!
Denis O. Lamoureux Associate Professor of Science & Religion, University of Alberta, on Jacoby’s 'Campus Core'
You examine issues thoroughly, and from all sides, while your own positions are documented in a compelling—yet compassionate—manner… I am humbled by the way you constantly point the reader to God. The quote, 'If our God is small enough for us to understand, he isn't big enough for us to worship' sums this up well.
Matthew FitzGibbon, on What's the Truth about Heaven and Hell?
Douglas hits the right level for intelligent seekers. I appreciate the balance he strikes on many points, and I appreciate his tone of dialogue. Douglas has the heart of an evangelist, someone who reaches out to people who don’t know Christ.
Dr. Craig S. Keener, professor of New Testament at Asbury Theological Seminary, commenting on Compelling Evidence
International speaker, debater and Christian apologist Dr. Douglas Jacoby has provided a valuable tool for laypeople with this introduction to reading the Bible. Students of the Bible understand that a historical background to biblical times is necessary for one to understand the Bible accurately. And Dr. Jacoby delivers the goods in an easily accessible format, serving the reader as a warm and interesting tour guide into the past. I wish I had this book as a college student!
Michael R. Licona, Ph.D., author of The Resurrection of Jesus: A New Historiographical Approach, commenting on A Quick Overview of the Bible
Thank you for your openness to Christian truth, wherever it may be found. Specifically, I'd like to thank you for the class you gave on campus in São Paulo. The content was great. You taught with wisdom and humility. But what really caught my attention was your willingness to dialogue with the students. You listened to them with kindness, considering their thoughts and answering in gentleness and love. Your example was a great lesson for me. Thanks for letting God use your whole life—with all the gifts He gave you.
E. M.
This book truly helps identify the responsible culprits involved in producing the condition of human suffering and disarms the accusations we can so easily be tempted to throw on God. - David W.
The iFaith lessons have been a perfect resource for our online men's group. They provide a good Bible lesson and facilitate discussion. Thanks for those lessons!
C.C.
The tour "From Athens to Ephesus" was a dream come true. It was so excellently organized -- watching you lead was an absolute inspiration to me to become equally disciplined, so that I can do great things for God. In Corinth, Patmos, Laodicea, and all other other ancient sites, the Bible came alive like never before. This was a taste of heaven on earth, and created memories and friendships that will last a lifetime. In short, words fail me.
Gilbert Kimeng (Lagos, Nigeria), on the 2013 Biblical Study Tour
I am writing to thank you and your AIM teachers for opening my eyes to a whole new world. I must admit, it’s sometimes scary to be a part of that world, but ultimately I am much more free and learning to be dependent on God instead of on church culture. As your website says: “Think About Faith.” I’m grateful for the journey I’m currently on, and it’s strangely comforting and very refreshing to be “out of the box.” Thank you for being courageous enough to teach on the unpopular, and make us question what we are doing.
John Porter
Your website has been a great resource for our small group! We have found so many interesting things to discuss, not to mention the helpful books and DVDs. It also really educates me as I learn how to reach out to people with varying religious beliefs and backgrounds, including my friends who are hardcore skeptics. I am truly grateful that God is enabling me to touch some of my friends who otherwise greatly shy away from church and religion. After 20 years, it is encouraging to feel useful and re-energized in my faith and evangelism.
Lisa W.
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Each issue contains valuable material for your knowledge of God’s word and outreach to a skeptical world.