The Bible as Literature

Latest Episodes:

Anti-History, Anti-Romulus Nov 17, 2022

Show notes

When a character from Roman history appears in Luke, the worst thing any of us could ever do is go back to accounts of Roman history to try to piece together a timeline or historical framework against which we read the gospel text. On the contrary, when a familiar character appears, you can be sure Luke is using the character's backstory to turn Roman history on its head. Was the character well known to the original addresses? In what region or territory did the character live? What did he do, and how does it connect with the agenda of the author? Does his name have a functional value? Here, it's worth mentioning that Quirinus was the name of an ancient Roman god of war associated with Romulus.

When Luke picks a fight with Roman history, he does not hold back.

Richard and Fr. Marc discuss Luke 2:2
Episode 457; Luke 2:2

The following music was used for this media project:
Music: Hard Metal Intro by WinnieTheMoog
Free download: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/6598-hard-metal-intro
License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license
Artist website: https://linktr.ee/taigasoundprod

★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

The Ten Plagues Nov 15, 2022

Show notes

This week, Fr. Paul notes the significance of the term blood in the symbolism of the ten plagues in the story of Exodus. (Episode 248)

★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Grudge Match Nov 10, 2022

Show notes

At the beginning of Luke 2, the author sets up an artificial parallel between the Lukan “things accomplished among us” and Caesar’s “decree that a census be taken.” Insofar as both attempts at setting the record straight take place under the authorship of the evangelist himself, far from an account of Roman history, the census set forth by Augustus is part of Luke’s clever anti-history of the Roman Empire.

Sadly, centuries later, it’s hard to believe that the Kings James Bible’s translators captured this irony since errors in their translation continue to betray a severe bias for their human master, who bears a striking resemblance to Luke’s villain.

Richard and Fr. Marc discuss Luke 2:81
Episode 456; Luke 2:81

The following music was used for this media project:
Music: Spectrum by Alexander Nakarada
Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/10022-spectrum
License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license
Artist website: https://www.serpentsoundstudios.com/

★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Let My People Go Nov 08, 2022

Show notes

This week, Fr. Paul explains that the turning of the Nile into blood in Exodus is figurative, denoting destruction. (Episode 247)

★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Which Spirit? Nov 03, 2022

Show notes

When biblical interpreters decide on capitalization when translating Greek or Hebrew to a modern language, they impose two layers of subjectivity. First, they impose their assumption about a word’s elevated or discounted importance, shutting readers out of the text and preventing them from hearing the author’s voice. Second, they create a distinction between words that does not exist in the original text. If there is a difference between the words “spirit,” “spirit,” and “spirit” as they appear in Luke 1, the original text did not use our modern system of capitalization to differentiate between them.

Syntax, context, and function are crucial to unlocking a biblical term. In Luke 1:80, an interesting functional connection to the Book of Acts helps shed some light on the importance of John the Baptist and the spirit in which he grows.

Richard and Fr. Marc discuss Luke 1:80
Episode 455; Luke 1:80

The following music was used for this media project:
Music: Better Times Ahead by Phat Sounds
Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/10021-better-times-ahead
License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license
Artist on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PhatSounds74

★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Listen, Don’t Read Nov 01, 2022

Show notes

This week, Fr. Paul observes that the best audience for the book of Exodus is made up of children, because they appreciate and are able to follow a good story. (Episode 246)

★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Tender Mercies Oct 27, 2022

Show notes

What do you get when you combine a cloud service provider outage, one co-host recovering from illness, and the other recording from a parked car somewhere with only two bars on a mobile device? Not only a perfect setting for a discussion of tender mercies in Luke 1, but an excellent commercial for a return to shepherd life—not just for our sake, but as Zacharias proclaims with the sunrise, for the sake of the land.

Richard and Fr. Marc discuss Luke 1:78-79
Episode 454; Luke 1:78-79

The following music was used for this media project:
Music: Little Trolls by Frank Schroeter
Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/8104-little-trolls
License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license
Artist on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/frank.schroeter.52

★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Speak My Word Oct 25, 2022

Show notes

This week, Fr. Paul explains the irresistibility of the Scriptural God, who executes his will despite the stand of Pharaoh, unlike the other gods, who disappear with the crumbling of their statues. (Episode 245)

★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Amnesty and Accountability Oct 20, 2022

Show notes

In the Gospel of Luke, the news of the forgiveness of sins is the knowledge that John the Baptist was born and commissioned to share with absolute urgency. It is the declaration of the King, meant to be circulated as widely as possible for anyone willing to listen. The news of this forgiveness, contained within the teaching of Scripture, is a spectacular victory in the ears of those it reaches. Still, for those who follow the storyline of Scripture, it's also a warning and call to accountability. In the Bible, forgiveness may be given free of charge, but always with a charge.

Richard and Fr. Marc discuss Luke 1:76-77
Episode 452; Luke 1:76-77

The following music was used for this media project:
Music: Smooth Criminal by John Bartmann
Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/9483-smooth-criminal
License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license
Artist website: https://johnbartmann.com/

★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

God From God Oct 18, 2022

Show notes

This week, Fr. Paul reminds us, once again, that unless you hear the original consonantal text, you are hearing not Scripture but your own narrative. (Episode 244)

★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected