Sept. 12, 2025

The Butcher, the Book, and the Bloody Good Theology - Episode 144

The Butcher, the Book, and the Bloody Good Theology - Episode 144
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The Butcher, the Book, and the Bloody Good Theology - Episode 144

In this episode of Genesis Marks the Spot, Carey sits down with Phil Bray—author of Leviticus on the Butcher’s Block and creator of the YouTube channel Leviticus is Fun—for a wide-ranging conversation on sacrifice, atonement, and the surprising beauty of Leviticus.

They explore:

  • How Leviticus reframes atonement away from wrath and toward restoration

  • Why sacrifice isn’t about death, but about life and communion

  • What Phil learned from being both a butcher and a Bible nerd

  • How Leviticus helps us understand Hebrews, Jesus, and the Lord’s Supper

  • Whether the sacrificial system was an accommodation… and if so, what kind

  • Why blood and water both purify—and how Jesus’ life transforms both

  • Why Passover and atonement aren't the same, and why that matters for communion

  • The deeper frames behind the word “substitution”

Carey and Phil also dive into the contagious holiness of Jesus, purification rituals, and why Christians must learn to disambiguate muddy theological terms like “atonement” and “substitution.”

This episode is part of our Atonement monthly theme over at the On This Rock biblical theology community. Join us to discuss the many frames of substitution, atonement, and covenant—and be sure to check out Phil’s channel and book!  

Links & Resources:

On This Rock Biblical Theology Community:  https://on-this-rock.com/  

Website: genesismarksthespot.com   

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/GenesisMarkstheSpot   

Music credit: "Marble Machine" by Wintergatan

Link to Wintergatan’s website: https://wintergatan.net/  

Link to the original Marble Machine video by Wintergatan: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IvUU8joBb1Q&ab_channel=Wintergatan 

00:00 - Intro & Guest Welcome

02:00 - From Butcher to Bible Nerd

04:32 - Echo Chambers & Reading the Bible for Yourself

08:14 - Making Leviticus Fun

14:09 - Was Leviticus an Accommodation?

18:07 - Life, Not Death, Is the Goal

20:53 - Fellowship Meal and...Purification??

25:04 - Passover and Blood on the Doorframe

27:45 - Was Passover a Sacrifice?

29:52 - The Blood is for Covenant

33:28 - Leviticus and Christian Communion

36:45 - Water & Blood: The Life Connection

41:21 - Contagious Holiness

46:12 - What If We Didn’t Have the Word Atonement?

50:01 - Restoring Creation, Not Just Covering Sin

52:46 - Phil’s Channel & Upcoming Projects

55:51 - Leviticus Helps Us Read Hebrews

57:43 - Frames of Substitution: A Project is Born

01:01:31 - Leviticus on the Butcher's Block

01:05:56 - An Immersive Experience