The Bible as Literature

Latest Episodes:

Live Long and ṣālēaḥ Aug 17, 2021

Show notes

In today’s program, Fr. Paul explains how the term “prosper,” used in English translations of the Bible, does not reflect the meaning of the original Hebrew term, yiṣlēaḥ, which means to make thing go correctly, according to the words of instruction. (Episode 183)

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A Poverty of Instruction Aug 12, 2021

Show notes

In so far as the “daily bread” of the Lord’s prayer is the daily reading by which the disciples should be fed, in Matthew’s gospel, poverty is the consequence of refusing to receive and distribute the Lord’s heavenly bread. In the plainest and most obvious meaning of Matthew’s metaphor, if the people living in your house are poor, it’s because you are not feeding them. You have no one to blame but yourself.

You will always have poor instruction, but there is only one written gospel.

Exit Peter. Enter Timothy.

Richard and Fr. Marc discuss Matthew 26:6-13.

Episode 393 Matthew 26:6-13; Music:

With Regards by Kevin MacLeod

Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4636-with-regards

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

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Debarim Aug 10, 2021

Show notes

This week, Fr. Paul critiques the biblical priests as the first platonists who sought control by making out of the many words of God’s instruction a platonic oneness—“the teaching,” so to speak—which they refer to as “the Torah.” (Episode 182)

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An Ordinary Guy Aug 05, 2021

Show notes

Sometimes we want so desperately for Jesus to be a super hero that we willfully ignore what is written before our eyes. Faced with powerful religious chiefs and elders—men whose position and power in Israel depends on the approval of the very people they mistreat—we ourselves are blinded by titles and want to make the phrase “son of man” into a title of equal or greater value. But it’s not, because Matthew is critiquing titles and the trail of lies and abuse that follows them.

In biblical terms, son of man means “ordinary human being.” In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus stands before the supposed rulers of the people as an ordinary child of Adam, just like you and me. He has no one to impress, no need to please, and no reason to fear. His only concern is his Father’s desire, that he take every situation, including his impending death, as an opportunity to teach Scripture.

Richard and Fr. Marc discuss Matthew 26:1-.5

Episode 392 Matthew 26:1-5; Music:

Grand Dark Waltz Allegretto by Kevin MacLeod
Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/7920-grand-dark-waltz-allegretto
License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

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Abraham and Isaac Aug 03, 2021

Show notes

This week, Fr. Paul introduces his presentation of Genesis 24 touching on Isaac’s role and the significance of what he terms the prolegomena of the story. (Episode 181)

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There Will Be No Flags in the Kingdom Jul 29, 2021

Show notes

Whatever term we use to describe it, be it “worldly,” “earthly,” “materialistic,” or the more precise biblical phrase, “of the flesh,” the fact is, the way we think and speak is dominated and controlled by our fears and desires. We fear judgment, so our hands bend the commandment into a cultural bludgeon. We desire comfort, so our minds twist the written gospel into an amorphous oral tradition, accessible over a cup of coffee without disciplined study or memorization. As such, we find ourselves safe and sound inside our borders, under our flags, while others burn. The exact opposite of St. Paul in 1 Corinthians, we are comfortable and cozy while others hunger and thirst. In light of Matthew 25, it’s no wonder we believe that wrought memorization is a waste of time.

Richard and Fr. Marc discuss Matthew 25:41-46.

Episode 391 Matthew 25:41-46; Music:

Feral Angel Waltz (feat. Alexander Nakarada) by Kevin MacLeod

Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/7915-feral-angel-waltz

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

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Let’s Make it Functional Jul 28, 2021

Show notes

This week Fr. Paul takes questions and discussion on the meaning and usage of Hebrew terminology in Genesis. (Episode 180)

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Repeat These Words Jul 22, 2021

Show notes

Repetition is the foundation of knowledge. A student repeats vocabulary. An athlete repeats a physical movement. An apprentice repeats a task. A reporter repeats what someone else said so that it can be heard. Whether memorizing, practicing, recounting, drilling, or mastering, repetition is a common denominator of all forms of education. More than this, in Scripture, repetition represents an attention to detail intent on telling a story as it unfolds, literally, with no allowance for assumptions.

Scripture does not talk about a story; Scripture is the story!

Richard and Fr. Marc discuss Matthew 25:34-40.

Episode 390 Matthew 25:34-40; Music:

Beauty Flow by Kevin MacLeod
Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/5025-beauty-flow
License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

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Hebron Jul 20, 2021

Show notes

In this week’s episode, Fr. Paul explains Hebron’s significance in Genesis 23 as the place of fraternity when human beings return to the adamah. (Episode 179)

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Flash-forward, Be Afraid Jul 15, 2021

Show notes

The opening verses of the Judgment in Matthew 25 establish what the Bible repeatedly proclaims on every page, within every paragraph, and in every single verse. There is one power, one judge, and one authority in the Bible. On the precipice of the Crucifixion, Matthew reminds us that the weakling sheep whom we are about to pierce is also God’s anointed. You know, the God of Abraham, of whom Paul said, “do not be deceived, God is not mocked.” That God. Matthew thought it would be a good idea to give you a preview of his throne before his son’s execution, just in case you missed that verse.

Richard and Fr. Marc discuss Matthew 25:31-33.

Episode 389 Matthew 25:31-33; Music:

Crossing the Chasm by Kevin MacLeod
Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3562-crossing-the-chasm
License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

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