56 - Ritual and Leviticus with Dru Johnson

The Learning Laborers hosts a conversation about Leviticus with Dr. Dru Johnson. Dru frames Leviticus as forming God’s people through embodied, communal practices that keep God’s presence among them and train them for justice and righteousness. In other words, it is not simply a “tech manual” for carrying out sacrifices and other rituals unfamiliar to us today. Rather, it continues to speak to thoughtful Christians through its beautiful structure and visceral imagery.

If you have questions about why Leviticus matters, how we should read it today, and how it helps us understand Jesus' life and death, then tune in! Welcome to the wonderful world of ritual!

Resources:

• Understanding Biblical Law by Dru Johnson
• A Journey through the World of Leviticus by Mark Scarlata
• Leviticus by Jay Sklar
• The Sacrifice of Jesus by Christian Eberhart

00:00 What Leviticus Is About00:39 Podcast Welcome01:35 Meet Dru Johnson06:27 Why Study Leviticus13:26 Big Idea of Leviticus21:19 Purity and Sacrifice29:11 Atonement and Mystery38:11 God Wants Communion39:56 Slaves and Beloved40:59 Skin in the Game43:03 Beauty of Leviticus46:03 Jesus and Torah47:21 Bootcamp Rituals54:16 Ritual Worldview59:40 Jesus and Sacrifice01:05:56 Priests and Accountability01:13:01 Resources and Wrap Up