The Bible as Literature

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**The Bible as Literature**

Each week, Fr. Marc Boulos discusses the content of the Bible as literature. On Tuesdays, Fr. Paul Tarazi presents an in-depth analysis of the biblical text in the original languages.

Latest Episodes:

The People of the Land Jul 13, 2021

Show notes

In today’s episode Fr. Paul continues his discussion of Genesis 23. (Episode 178)

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Wisdom Jul 08, 2021

Show notes

The human being approaches every situation with the satanic question, “What’s in it for me?” From there, we establish goals, define measurements, and declare success when we hit our numbers. This works great in the boardroom but hasn’t helped much with school shootings and truly, has no place in the Kingdom of the Heavens.

In the parable of the talents, the Master’s investment is measured, not in mammon, but as wisdom. In this sense, it can’t be counted like a membership roll or photographed like a tomb of stone—sorry—did I say tomb, I meant building project. Whether you have one person or one thousand in church on Sunday, there is only one Judge who can assess whether or not his investment has paid off, and it has nothing to with numbers or stones.

Richard and Fr. Marc discuss Matthew 25:28-30.

Episode 388 Matthew 25:28-30; Music:

Evening Fall (Harp) by Kevin MacLeod
Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3720-evening-fall-harp-
License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

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Non-Owners Jul 06, 2021

Show notes

In this week’s episode, Fr. Paul begins his discussion of Genesis 23. (Episode 177)

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Not Our Mercy Jul 01, 2021

Show notes

To modern students of the Bible, it seems unfair that the least capable servant—to whom the least was given—was treated the most harshly by the Lord. Fortunately, for those in need, the Lord’s mercy is not our mercy. Truly, from the twisted perspective of our backward understanding of mercy and justice, the Lord is definitely unfair.

Richard and Fr. Marc discuss Matthew 25:24-27.

Episode 387 Matthew 25:24-27; Music:

Burn The World Waltz by Kevin MacLeod
Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/7912-burn-the-world-waltz
License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

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The Blessing Jun 29, 2021

Show notes

This week, Fr. Paul wraps up and extended Q and A session following his reading of Genesis 22. (Episode 176)

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The Merchant Class? Jun 24, 2021

Show notes

The parable of the Talents must be heard in the context of Matthew’s storyline. Jerusalem is about to fall. Jesus has repeatedly warned everyone to make ready for the end. In American terms, the market is about to crash forever. The makers of widgets and the economy that supports them are doomed. In this context, only a fool (or someone who has not read Matthew—is that a tautology?) would take the Parable of the Talents as advice on how to engage people to build a better marketing plan.

Quite the opposite, Matthew’s story is a cautionary tale against trusting in mammon, which is of little use in light of chapter 24. So why do we repeatedly blaspheme Matthew’s teaching by using his parable to talk about material things like stewardship and building programs? For the same reason our society belittles teachers and worships the merchant class: because given a choice between God and mammon, we choose mammon.

Richard and Fr. Marc discuss Matthew 25:19-23.

Episode 386 Matthew 25:19-23; Music:

A Successful Company by MusicLFiles
Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/7966-a-successful-company
License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

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It’s a Big Deal Jun 22, 2021

Show notes

In Scripture, Fr. Paul explains, when a word can be removed without being missed, it’s usually an indication of the term’s significance in the broader storyline. (Episode 175)

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Take It and Work It Jun 17, 2021

Show notes

The Parable of the Talents is a story about work assignments. How much work can each person do? How will each person—from the least to the greatest—be judged for the results of their work? Everyone is accountable for doing this work. What is the work assignment in Matthew? Obviously (for those who have ears to hear), to do the will of the Father of Jesus. In the Parable of the Talents, to work God’s field with the heavy investment of his ordinances until he returns. Not to bury it, but to work it and expand it to all nations and the four corners of the earth.

Richard and Fr. Marc work Matthew 25:16-18.

Episode 385 Matthew 25:16-18; Music:

Round Drums by Kevin MacLeod
Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4308-round-drums
License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

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Interlocked Jun 15, 2021

Show notes

In today's program, Fr. Paul notes the unmissable parallel between Genesis 22 and 26. As always, it's only unmissable, he explains, when you hear Genesis in the original Hebrew. (Episode 174)

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In the Fear of God Jun 10, 2021

Show notes

No parable is more widely abused than the Parable of the Talents. On the heels of a series of Matthean stories that warn of destruction and judgment, the Master assigns a duty to each of his slaves in anticipation, yet again, of the coming judgment. He does not want their money. He has no interest in their stewardship plans or building programs. Nowhere is their talk of parish growth or volunteer sign-up sheets. Lastly, and most importantly, when Matthew uses the word “talents,” he is not talking about our special, unique gifts from God. He is talking about the content of St. Paul’s teaching.

Richard and Fr. Marc discuss Matthew 25:14-15.

Episode 384 Matthew 25:14-15; Music:

As I Figure by Kevin MacLeod
Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3383-as-i-figure
License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

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