The Bible as Literature

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Inscribed on Your Brain Mar 11, 2021

Show notes

It’s tempting to think that the study of literature—the discipline of hearing and understanding the written word—is more accessible than the so-called “hard sciences.” Our collective laziness bolsters this ill-conceived but commonly held view. Unlike Semitic languages, anyone can pronounce English words correctly without analyzing grammar or syntax. This basic fact enables an army of post-modern charlatans to ramble endlessly about “what the Bible means to them.”

A written text in any language says what it says. In the Bible’s case, the text was written before us and existed without us for millennia. To the extent we factor ourselves into its meaning, we are incapable of hearing what the author presented to another audience long before we were born.

Don’t be misled, Jesus warns. You can’t read the signs until the Bible rewrites you.

Richard and Fr. Marc discuss Matthew 24:4-8

Episode 371 Matthew 24:4-8; Music:

Hitman by Kevin MacLeod
Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3880-hitman
License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

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Broken Hearts Mar 09, 2021

Show notes

In this week’s episode Fr. Paul begins his reading of Genesis 18. (Episode 160)

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A Whirling Graveyard Mar 04, 2021

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It is practically impossible for human beings to consider any question without worrying about what’s in it for them. Unfortunately (or fortunately) for us, the Lord’s teaching in Matthew disallows this question. Jesus blows past the many anxious and self-involved human questions to posit the post-apocalyptic, divine premise of Genesis: everything created is already returning to the dust. Based on this premise, there is only one question: is there anything that does not pass away?

Richard and Fr. Marc discuss Matthew 24:1-3.

Episode 370 Matthew 24:1-3; Music:

Darkest Child by Kevin MacLeod
Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3615-darkest-child
License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

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The Scriptural Canaan Mar 02, 2021

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This week, Fr. Paul concludes his discussion of Genesis 17. (Episode 159)

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A Desolate House Feb 25, 2021

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Heralding his Father’s Kingdom, Jesus bookends the conquest of Jerusalem in Matthew with the same words that announced his entrance: “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.” Ending this section with a warning: “from now on you will not see me until you say” Matthew’s gospel extends God’s mercy to Jerusalem one last time. All of us have one final chance to confess our unrighteousness; One last opportunity to seek shelter under God’s wings instead of security wrought by the work of our own hands.

Richard and Fr. Marc discuss Matthew 23:37-39.

Episode 369 Matthew 23:37-39; Music:

Big Drumming by Kevin MacLeod
Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/7524-big-drumming
License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

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Inclusive, Not Exclusive Feb 23, 2021

Show notes

In today’s program, Fr. Paul explains that circumcision was given to undermine Hellenistic culture. (Episode 158)

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The Avenger Feb 18, 2021

Show notes

Whether fighting for your values or fighting for justice, Matthew’s gospel begs the question: who are you fighting? In human narratives—egotistical by nature—you are the good guy, fighting your enemy. This compelling personal narrative, born of ego and shaped by your experience, is a rejection of God. In Scripture, you, yourself, are the Lord’s enemy.

Instead of trying to bring the Bible to your life—to make it relevant for today—so that you can judge your neighbor, you must transport yourself into the Bible’s world, where you are judged, where you are the hypocrite of Matthew 23.

To borrow a line from Brian Morton: “We’d all be better readers if we realized that it isn’t the writer who’s the time traveler. It’s the reader.”

Richard and Fr. Marc discuss Matthew 23:33-36.

Episode 368 Matthew 23:33-36; Music:

Heroic Age by Kevin MacLeod
Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3870-heroic-age
License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

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Circumcision of the Heart Feb 16, 2021

Show notes

This week, Fr. Paul begins his discussion of Genesis 17, noting the significance of name changes in the Bible. (Episode 157)

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A Light to the Nations Feb 11, 2021

Show notes

Ancestor worship is as old as dirt. Whether we lift up our ancestors or condemn them, our true concern is how others see us and what our children will think of us. We pontificate about being on “the right side of history” because we want to be right, even as the Prophets announce the condemnation of history and the Law proclaims that all of us are wrong.

In Matthew, Jesus exposes the whole conversation as a big scam. The question is not which ancestor was right. On the contrary, the point is that all humans are unrighteous and no better than those who went before us.

Richard and Fr. Marc discuss Matthew 23:29-32.

Episode 367 Matthew 23:29-32; Music:

Trouble With Tribals by Kevin MacLeod
Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/6427-trouble-with-tribals
License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

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Beer-lahai-roi Feb 09, 2021

Show notes

In this weeks episode, Fr. Paul concludes his discussion of Genesis 16, noting the appearance and subsequent itinerary of Beer-lahai-roi. (Episode 156)

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