The Bible as Literature

Latest Episodes:

No One Is Special Jun 28, 2022

Show notes

This week, Fr. Paul explains that the mission of Joseph was to combine Israel and the nations to the extent that his progeny was called—not the fullness of Israel—but the fullness of all the nations. (Episode 228)

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Birth Pangs Jun 23, 2022

Show notes

In the Old Testament, human patriarchy is portrayed cynically and satirically as bumbling and insecure in its competition with motherhood. Men cannot give birth. In Scripture and life, they compensate by building cities, erecting monuments, and making war. Mothers, on the other hand--not necessarily women--but the function mother can give birth. As Luke continues down the path of undermining the things that men build (the Temple) and, of course, Zacharias himself, his gospel story turns toward two women--Mary and Elizabeth--who become mothers through the direct intervention of the Most High God.

Richard and Fr. Marc discuss Luke 1:34-35.

Episode 437 Luke 1:34-35; Music:

Energetic Upbeat by WinnieTheMoog
Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/6033-energetic-upbeat
License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

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The Journey of Jacob Israel Jun 21, 2022

Show notes

In today's episode, Fr. Paul reiterates a basic premise of Scripture, that we are not to follow the example of our fathers, but of the teaching, noting the specific case of Jesus and Paul in the New Testament. (Episode 227)

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Bow to the Chair Jun 16, 2022

Show notes

The problem with all contemporary churches is that we treat the term Scripture as though it were a noun. We gossip about the Bible like a difficult relative nobody wants to visit, but everyone loves to discuss. We comfort ourselves with lullabies about its importance. We mostly ignore it unless we need a good quote to make our point. We have ideas, feelings, and opinions about it. We argue about who owns it and what good or evil it has caused. It operates as an abstraction in our mind, like a teenage crush or nemesis. We hold it up at rallies. We use it to blame each other. We do and say everything with it but the one thing necessary for it to work.

We refuse to read, hear, and study it daily until the seed does what the seed does. Scripture is not a noun; it is a verb.

The Cross, the destruction of the city, condemnation, enduring God's blessing and curse under the constant pressure of judgment--none of this is theoretical if you submit to the burden of Scriptural study. Every step in life takes on new meaning in the terrible hands of the Scriptural God.

Put that in your marketing campaign.

Richard and Fr. Marc discuss Luke 1:31-33

Episode 436 Luke 1:31-33; Music:

Unanswered Questions by Kevin MacLeod
Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4560-unanswered-questions
License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

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The Sheep Are Not a Flock Jun 14, 2022

Show notes

This week Fr. Paul stresses the critical distinction between sheep and flock in Hebrew, giving biblical and contemporary examples. (Episode 226)

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The Preacher Jun 09, 2022

Show notes

Everyone has something to say. If you operate on a human premise, this is perfectly acceptable, admirable--even a thing to be encouraged. It is the empty fuel that makes dead things look alive, an entertaining distraction that makes emptiness feel meaningful.

Not so in Scripture.

In the wilderness of God's scroll, there is only one voice. One source of life. One pedagogy set forth in letters divinely inscribed. Make that your premise, and it will silence all the voices in the room, beginning with yours. Unlike the false consolation of many voices, it will take you to lonely places where that one needful voice can be heard more clearly.

When that painful voice becomes your premise; when you truly have nothing to say; then, finally, you can teach Scripture. Then, like the Preacher in Jerusalem, you will find yourself exclaiming, "All is vanity!" Everything is vanity.

Richard and Fr. Marc discuss Luke 1:25-30

Episode 435 Luke 1:25-30; Music:

Peace of Mind by Kevin MacLeod
Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4199-peace-of-mind
License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

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Ephraim and Manasseh Jun 07, 2022

Show notes

This week, Fr. Paul touches on the literary function of Ephraim and Manasseh, who become the kernel of the northern kingdom in the story of the biblical Israel. (Episode 225)

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Anti-History, Anti-Patriarchy Jun 02, 2022

Show notes

How can Luke ensure that his addressees get the point? Wisdom does not come from you. Life does not come from you. The baby in Elizabeth's womb does not come from you.

It's not your story, Zacharias.

You still don't believe me? You still believe the child is yours? Do you still have something to say?

“Behold, days are coming,” declares the Lord God,
“When I will send a famine on the land,
Not a famine for bread or a thirst for water,
But rather for hearing the words of the Lord. (Amos 8:11)

Richard and Fr. Marc discuss Luke 1:21-24

Episode 434 Luke 1:21-24; Music:

Gothamlicious by Kevin MacLeod
Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/5741-gothamlicious
License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

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Back to Joseph May 31, 2022

Show notes

This week, Fr. Paul begins his discussion of Genesis 39, reiterating the calamity of the mistranslation of the Hebrew word masleah. (Episode 224)

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Power and Control May 26, 2022

Show notes

The Holy Spirit is not about inspiration but power and control in the Bible. The power of the story is that it exerts control expressly to silence our voice. This facet of the biblical teaching has been the most challenging of my priestly ministry. In human terms, Scripture is a recipe for failure. It's terrible news for our projects but good news in Luke because the things we succeed in creating separate us from the love of God.

Gabriel, the functional presence of Elohim to Zacharias, channeled this power and control, but Zacharias did not believe Gabriel's words. If Gabriel had conveyed the words of Zeus or Athena, Zacharias would have a point.

Zacharias does not have a point:

And behold, you shall be silent and unable to speak until the day when these things take place because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled in their proper time." (Luke 1:18-20)

Richard and Fr. Marc discuss Luke 1:18-20

Episode 433 Luke 1:18-20; Music:

Virtutes Instrumenti by Kevin MacLeod
Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4590-virtutes-instrumenti
License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

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