The Bible as Literature

Latest Episodes:

The Voice of One Crying in the Wilderness Apr 14, 2022

Show notes

The power of Semitic poetry stems, literally, from the functionality of its consonantal roots. With but three consonants, a long series of words, used in a specific way, set in a specific pattern, according to an ordained order and rhythm, can be carefully arranged so that even the sound of the words can be manipulated to conform to the author's design. Classical Arabic and Hebrew poets have so much power to create this kind of literary structure, that the structure itself conveys meaning.

Once you understand Semitic functionality, the only obvious question is, "why wouldn't the arrangement of biblical books work the same way?"

We struggle with this because we are Hellenists. Someone asks our opinion and we start talking about the words we form in our mind, which are based on other words in our mind. We converse with ourselves about our own philosophical abstractions and marvel at the imaginary connections we invent within our artificial systems. We make stuff up. The fancy word for that in academia is "interpretation." If you really want to sound smart at coffee hour, call it, "hermeneutics."

That's why we are all naturally dubious about the significance of the order of books. Because everybody knows that interpretation is dubious. But functionality is not interpretation. What a functional element means can be discussed and debated, but the consonants and the structure itself are right there, alongside the earth mammals and the vegetation. No interpretation required.

Richard and Fr. Marc revisit Mark 1.

Episode 428 Mark 1; Music:

Tiki Bar Mixer by Kevin MacLeod
Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/6836-tiki-bar-mixer
License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

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A Tree, a Garden, and an Oasis Apr 12, 2022

Show notes

With a bit of common knowledge and an uncommon familiarity with the original text of the Bible Fr. Paul reminds us why scholarship isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. Could someone please pass the almonds? (Episode 217)

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The Kingdom Under the Heavens Apr 07, 2022

Show notes

When Christians talk about evangelization, they do so along the lines of the historical King Herod, who twisted biblical circumcision into a trademark of the temple cult, a stigma with which to brand people living outside of Judea as Jews, in order to extract wealth from them in the name of scripture—you guessed it—to build his temple.

But Matthew ends outside of Jerusalem in the green pastures of Galilee, with the destruction of Herod’s enterprise, under the blue skies of the heavens. In Matthew’s proposition, the families of the earth roam together, guided by the Shepherd’s voice in the wilderness, under the broad and generous expense of the heavens.

And “[Jesus] opened His mouth and began to teach them, saying, ‘Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.’” (Matthew 5:2-3)

Richard and Fr. Marc discuss Matthew 28:16-20.

Episode 427 Matthew 28:16-20; Music:

To the Ends by Kevin MacLeod

Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4532-to-the-ends

License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

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The City of False Religion Apr 05, 2022

Show notes

This week, Fr. Paul notes that the story of Jacob and his sons in the Bible continued through the story of the scriptural Jacob or Israel. (Episode 216)

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It’s Ok to Laugh Mar 31, 2022

Show notes

The behavior of the chief priests after the resurrection of Jesus in Matthew 28 is so cynical, so unredeemable, and so pathetic that the only bearable quality of the story is that in the victory of Jesus, the author gives us a little space to laugh.

But here’s the rub, if you’ve been listening carefully, especially those of you who are like me—a priest and a religious leader—you should take care to laugh heartily because the joke is on you.

Richard and Fr. Marc discuss Matthew 28:12-15.

Episode 426 Matthew 28:12-15; Music:

Evil Plan by Kevin MacLeod

Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3725-evil-plan

License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

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The Spirit of the Animal Mar 29, 2022

Show notes

This week Fr. Paul explains how the names Shechem and Bethel function against the will of God. (Episode 215)

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Break it Up Mar 24, 2022

Show notes

In Genesis, God is interested in the oneness of humans in the land, so much so that from a modern perspective, you might say that the Scriptural God is not only anti-institution but anti-family values.

Not only Jerusalem, not only the Temple, not only Religious leaders and government, but even Jesus’ family is broken up in the hope of the coming Kingdom, wherein all the families of the earth will dwell together. In that new situation, the brothers of Jesus are any human beings who hear the words of his Father and keep them.

Richard and Fr. Marc discuss Matthew 28:12-15.

Episode 425 Matthew 28:12-15; Music:

Devonshire Waltz Moderato by Kevin MacLeod

Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/7916-devonshire-waltz-moderato

License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

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Mark This Verse Mar 22, 2022

Show notes

This week, Fr. Paul explains that the book of Genesis is so complete that once you’ve finished it, technically, you don’t need to hear the rest of the Bible, except for points of clarification. (Episode 214)

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Jesus Has Left the Building Mar 17, 2022

Show notes

Human institutions operate under the assumption that they are justified. I was going to say human communities, but let’s be honest, we no longer have communities. We have institutions. Thanks to Plato (and the US Supreme court), there is even such a thing as “corporate personhood.” So, according to American law, institutions are people too.

Listening to the biblical writers ridicule cities filled with artificial and lifeless statues—an old version of modern cynicism about cheap plastic products—it's hard not to shudder at the idea of assigning a personality to the gods that men fashion with their own hands:

They have mouths, but they do not speak;
They have eyes, but they do not see;

They have ears, but they do not hear,
Nor is there any breath at all in their mouths.

Those who make them will become like them,
Yes, everyone who trusts in them.

(Psalm 135:16-18)

Thankfully, in Matthew, Jesus has left the building.

Richard and Fr. Marc discuss Matthew 28:9-11.

Episode 424 Matthew 28:9-11; Music:

SCP-x6x (Hopes) by Kevin MacLeod

Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/6736-scp-x6x-hopes-

License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

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Against Bethel Mar 15, 2022

Show notes

This week, Fr. Paul reminds us that the scriptural God is a judge who decides to behave as a loving father, but is not essentially “father”. (Episode 213)

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