The Bible as Literature

Latest Episodes:

Please Don’t Find Yourself Feb 03, 2022

Show notes

We modern folk like to think we invented confusion, but human beings have always been easily confused. We hear and see whatever we want, ignoring everything only to marvel at a phantom we mistake for our reflection.

In Matthew 27, this behavior exposes the characters’ folly in the story. The bystanders are listening for something other than the content of what is preached from the cross. Like us, they find what they are listening for and miss everything. You might say it’s a Matthean critique of pre-modern post-modernism. Or maybe they’re just confused.

Richard and Fr. Marc discuss Matthew 27:47-50.

Episode 416 Matthew 27:47-50; Music:

Dirt Rhodes by Kevin MacLeod

Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3650-dirt-rhodes

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

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Jacob’s Sons Feb 01, 2022

Show notes

In today’s program Fr. Paul begins his discussion of Genesis 30. (Episode 207)

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No Confusion Jan 27, 2022

Show notes

Self-appointed apologists are quick to explain that God may allow “bad things” to happen, but he in no way causes them. So the apologist assesses God’s will from a human point of view and then decides that it is wrong, concluding that God obviously could not have meant what he said and did in the story. This way of thinking not only sidelines God in Scripture but stretches the “self” in self-appointed to encompass the bald-faced idolatry of self-referentiality. “Does the clay ask the potter, ‘What are you making?’” (Isaiah 45:9) On what basis can any human being question God’s judgment?

Richard and Fr. Marc discuss Matthew 27:45-46.

Episode 417 Matthew 27:45-46; Music:

Sweeter Vermouth by Kevin MacLeod

Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4450-sweeter-vermouth

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

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With the Lord Jan 25, 2022

Show notes

This week, Fr. Paul continues his discussion of Genesis 29, touching on the significance of Rachel’s barrenness. (Episode 206)

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Sticking it to the Man Jan 20, 2022

Show notes

Everybody loves to quote Scripture—I’m not sure why—because no matter the text, the minute you open your mouth to pronounce what it says, it condemns you. Sometimes in obvious ways, but more often in subtle ways that betray the depth of your ignorance—like the chief priests in Matthew’s gospel.

My advice, skip the Bible memes on your profile and avoid empty words about how much you love your personal god because all of it will count against you on that day. You are better off hearing it, reciting it, and doing it, but please, don’t quote it.

Richard and Fr. Marc discuss Matthew 27:41-44.

Episode 416 Matthew 27:41-44; Music:

Circus Of Freaks by Kevin MacLeod

Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/5740-circus-of-freaks

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

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Not Your Connections Jan 18, 2022

Show notes

In today’s program Fr. Paul stresses that it is the text itself, not the person hearing it, that makes connections within the story. (Episode 205)

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Thou Shalt Not Speak for Jesus Jan 13, 2022

Show notes

There is no such thing as an oral tradition. By its very definition, “the rule” of the Gospel is written down. It’s called a rule because God issued and inscribed a ruling, shared publicly as an objective reference and standard for all to follow. The Gospel of Matthew itself demonstrates the importance of this mechanism by showing us what happens when religious and political authorities ignore this rule and instead speak on behalf of Jesus. Inevitably, they put words in his mouth that serve their agenda at his expense.

Sound familiar?

Richard and Fr. Marc discuss Matthew 27:38-40.

Episode 415 Matthew 27:38-40; Music:

Volatile Reaction by Kevin MacLeod

Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/5014-volatile-reaction

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

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Against the Temple Jan 11, 2022

Show notes

This week, Fr. Paul concludes his discussion of Genesis 28 with an excerpt from Acts 7. (Episode 204)

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A King Like Stalin? Jan 06, 2022

Show notes

We like to pretend that giving people a choice is essential. Mostly, we use the American ideology of choice to extract profit, to distract from what’s really going on, or worst of all, to avoid personal accountability. How often have we passively watched another person suffer because they did not ask for help? In Scripture, the action of love is not controlled by an individual’s call for help. On the contrary, it is God’s commandment that illuminates the need—and the need itself demands the action assigned by God. Neither the one who gives nor the one who receives has a choice in the matter. The baptized do not ask if help is needed, but hear Scripture and take action without hesitation, like conscripted soldiers, “pressed into service.”

Richard and Fr. Marc discuss Matthew 27:32-37.

Episode 414 Matthew 27:32-37; Music:

Laid Back Guitars by Kevin MacLeod

Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3964-laid-back-guitars

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

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Matstsebah Jan 04, 2022

Show notes

This week, Fr. Paul reminds us that we cannot understand the meaning of a word until we hear how that word is used throughout the entire story. (Episode 203)

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