The Bible as Literature

Latest Episodes:

No! No! You Have to Know! Sep 21, 2021

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In this week’s discussion of Genesis, Fr. Paul recalls a personal example, reflecting on the criticality of memorization for the study of Scripture. (Episode 188)

The Bitter Pill Sep 16, 2021

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Just as human biology is inevitable, so too are human words about development and growth. We talk about building and sustaining to defend and survive, and we talk about supporting and protecting for deeply selfish reasons tied to our biology.

In Matthew, Peter’s zeal when he proclaims, “I will not deny you,” is not for God’s teaching or even his teacher’s life. All he cares for is the victory of his tribe and the defense of his city against all enemies. All he cares about is himself, defending the very community that Jesus proclaims must be broken and scattered for the remission of sins.

Richard and Fr. Marc discuss Matthew 26:30-35.

Episode 397 Matthew 26:30-35; Music:

Shaving Mirror by Kevin MacLeod

Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4344-shaving-mirror

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

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The More You Know Scripture Sep 14, 2021

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This week, Fr. Paul continues his discussion of Genesis 25. (Episode 187)

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Pink Floyd and Mr. Rogers Sep 09, 2021

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When Jesus uses the word “body” in Matthew’s gospel, unless you abandon all assumptions, transporting yourself to first-century Roman society, it is impossible to hear—let alone understand—what the Lord is saying during his Last Supper.

The disciples may be concerned with tribe and city, eager to wave their flags and pledge their allegiances, but Jesus Christ has a different mission. The difficult work he is about to do is a public matter, but it has nothing to do with their silly flags and allegiances—it pertains to the entire commonwealth—on behalf of all and for all.

In the letters of St. Paul, the Lord’s body are the people in your neighborhood, and all we are, brothers and sisters, are just bricks in the wall.

Richard and Fr. Marc discuss Matthew 26:26-29.

Episode 397 Matthew 26:26-29; Music:

Griphop by Kevin MacLeod

Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3830-griphop

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

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Another Wife Sep 07, 2021

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In today’s program, Fr. Paul begins his discussion of Genesis 25. (Episode 186)

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It’s All About You! Sep 02, 2021

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We Americans love it when it’s about us. We just love it.

Until we are sitting with Jesus in the Middle East, eating with our hands, and Jesus says, “it’s the guy sitting with me, eating with his hands.”

“Which guy, Jesus?”

Richard and Fr. Marc discuss Matthew 26:20-25.

Photo Credit:

“The Last Supper,” by Sliman Mansour

Episode 395 Matthew 26:20-25; Music:

Narcissus by Kevin MacLeod

Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4113-narcissus

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

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It Can Be Done Aug 31, 2021

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This week, Fr. Paul takes questions regarding his analysis of Genesis 24. (Episode 185)

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You Are Not Ancient Aug 26, 2021

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We imagine an historical connection between the peoples of the biblical story and the peoples living in the modern world because our premise in 2021 is our identity. Who are you? To what group do you belong? What are your beliefs? On whose side are you?

The moment you mistakenly answer these questions (almost always, using the pronoun “we” even though you are a single individual), inevitably, you refer to a modern institution or group. It has to be modern because you are talking about yourself, and you live now, today, in the present hour.

It is a present-day thing with a clearly defined identity, membership, platform, and borders. When you refer to it, you sound like a politician—like the princes and sons of men in the Bible, in whom there is no salvation. Then you tint your glasses with your present-day identity and use it to lead Bible Study. Then you are confused when everyone, including you, sees the words on the page, but no one can hear them.

On that day, it will be too late for lens wipes.

Richard and Fr. Marc discuss Matthew 26:17-19.

Episode 395 Matthew 26:17-19; Music:

Organic Grunge by Kevin MacLeod

Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4176-organic-grunge

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

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How Many Ships? Aug 24, 2021

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This week, Fr. Paul concludes his reading of Genesis 24, noting the importance of paying close attention to even the smallest detail of every verse. (Episode 184)

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Judas Iscariot Aug 19, 2021

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Tribe, nation, city, patrimony, heritage, religion, flags and bumper stickers—Judas Iscariot.

Value, opportunity, market, profit, commerce, civilization, exploitation and slavery—Judas Iscariot.

Judas Iscariot, “man of the city.”

Judas Iscariot, “tribe and city.”

Judas Iscariot, securing his future by the throwing “the ordinary man” under the bus.

Nothing changes under the sun.

Richard and Fr. Marc discuss Matthew 26:14-16.

Episode 394 Matthew 26:14-16; Music:

Protofunk by Kevin MacLeod