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Faith Across Borders

Nederlands - Vlaams Bijbelgenootschap

Faith Across Borders is a podcast series by the Bible Society for the Netherlands and Flanders in which Bible passages around different themes take center stage. Guests from diverse cultural backgrounds explore how these texts are read, interpreted, and lived out in their own contexts. In this way, the series reveals how the Bible speaks across boundaries of language, nation, and culture—and how different perspectives can deepen and enrich your own reading.

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  • 4 episodes
  • Avg 29 min
  • English

Episodes 4

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  • S1 · E4
    August 20 · 26 min

    🌱One Faith, Many Generations: The Bible as a Bridge Between Generations

    In this episode, host Samuel Ekpo is joined by Javier Salcido and Angela Latuheru to explore how the Bible can build bridges between generations and help faith grow from one generation to the next. What does Scripture teach us about the relationship between young and old? Why is intergenerational connection so important in today’s rapidly changing world? And how can families and churches create space for meaningful conversations, shared stories and mutual encouragement? Together, Samuel, Javier and Angela also reflect on the unique role grandparents and older generations can play through their wisdom, prayers, encouragement and lived experience. With Deuteronomy 6:4–9 as the starting point, this conversation explores how God’s Word can connect generations and help create a lasting legacy of faith. Faith Across Borders is a podcast by the Netherlands-Flanders Bible Society. In each episode, we explore how the Bible speaks across cultures, communities and lived experiences. Enjoyed this conversation? Follow the podcast, share this episode, and join us as we discover how Scripture connects people across borders.

    • Transcript
  • S1 · E3
    June 25 · 27 min

    🗣️“Shout it aloud, do not hold back” | Worship in Many Colors

    What does it mean to shout aloud and sing for joy — especially when joy looks and sounds different across cultures? In this episode of Faith Across Borders, Samuel explores Isaiah 12:6 together with pastor Shirene Augustine Straker and pastor Paulus Schellevis. From Curaçao and Surinamese church contexts to Dutch Reformed traditions and intercultural communities in the Netherlands, they reflect on how worship can be both deeply personal and beautifully diverse. Together, they discuss the difference between joy and happiness, the tension between structure and spontaneity, and how churches can create space for expressive worship without losing order or focus. Is joyful worship about volume, movement and emotion? Or is it about something deeper? At the heart of the conversation is one shared conviction: Jesus remains at the center. Whether worship is expressed through silence, organ music, raised hands, gospel songs, dancing, or singing in different languages — the joy begins with knowing who God is and experiencing his salvation. A rich conversation about culture, faith, freedom, and learning from one another in the worldwide body of Christ. In this episode: Isaiah 12:6 and the call to shout for joy Worship in Dutch and migrant church contexts Joy as more than a feeling Creating space for different cultural expressions Balancing freedom, order and mission Why authentic worship can become a powerful witness Buy our new devotionals Living the Word Hope for Every Season Faith and Culture Faith Across Borders is a podcast by the Netherlands-Flanders Bible Society. In each episode, we explore how the Bible speaks across cultures, communities and lived experiences. Enjoyed this conversation? Follow the podcast, share this episode, and join us as we discover how Scripture connects people across borders.

    • Transcript
  • S1 · E2
    June 24 · 31 min

    🐉“Behold, A Great Red Dragon,…” | How Cultures Interpret the Dragon

    What do we see when we read about the great red dragon in Revelation 12? In this episode of Faith Across Borders, Samuel explores one of the Bible’s most vivid and mysterious images: the dragon. Together with Rev. Fulco Timmers and Rev. Dr. Larry Dorkenoo. Two people from different cultural and theological background. They reflect on how Revelation 12 is understood across contexts — from African experiences of spiritual reality and evil to Dutch and Western approaches that often look for nuance, symbolism and social meaning. Is the dragon a spiritual being, a symbol of evil, or a force that works through political, social and economic systems? And why does a text like Revelation, often seen as difficult or distant, still matter for our lives today? The conversation moves between personal experience, biblical interpretation, spiritual warfare, empire, culture, technology and the hope at the heart of Revelation: evil is real, but it does not have the final word. Believers overcome “by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony.” A rich and honest conversation about fear, faith, symbolism and the power of reading the Bible through different cultural lenses. In this episode: Revelation 12 and the image of the dragon How different cultures understand evil and spiritual warfare Why Revelation can feel difficult or distant The dragon as symbol, spiritual reality and social force African and Dutch/Western perspectives on spiritual reality The hope of overcoming through the Lamb Listen and discover how one biblical image can open up very different worlds — and deepen the way we read Scripture together. Faith Across Borders is a podcast by the Netherlands-Flanders Bible Society. In each episode, we explore how the Bible speaks across cultures, communities and lived experiences. Enjoyed this conversation? Follow the podcast, share this episode, and join us as we discover how Scripture connects people across borders.

    • Transcript
  • S1 · E1
    April 15 · 31 min

    🐍“If Your Son Asks for Bread…” | How Culture Shapes Bible Reading

    “If your son asks for bread, you will not give him a snake.” For many of us, this sounds obvious. But in some cultures, snake is considered a delicacy. So what does this example really communicate? In this episode of Faith Across Borders, two pastors one from Ghana and one from China explore how cultural background shapes the way we read and understand the Bible. What seems clear in one culture may feel completely different in another. And that changes how we hear Jesus’ words. Discover how reading the Bible across cultures can deepen your understanding of Scripture. Liever in het Nederlands? Lees hier het Nederlandse transcript. Faith Across Borders is a podcast by the Netherlands-Flanders Bible Society. In each episode, we explore how the Bible speaks across cultures, communities and lived experiences. Enjoyed this conversation? Follow the podcast, share this episode, and join us as we discover how Scripture connects people across borders.

    • Transcript
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