The Bible as Literature

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They Still Don’t Get It Nov 26, 2020

Show notes

In a parable seemingly written for our present historical moment, this week’s reading from Matthew dynamites any and all claims made by any and all people on social, moral, economic, civic, legal, or cultural dominance. Pharisees and Herodians—the would-be government of Jerusalem—want to take control away from Caesar's sitting government, itself a religion organized around a self-proclaimed “Son of God.” Each party wants control of the Temple-Palace complex. That last bit is critical. The Temple and the Palace were a single institution in the ancient world. That’s why the Pharisees dragged the Herodians into the debate. In Matthew, this debate is not between church and state, as is often and cheaply claimed, but between two human religious factions, Jews and Gentiles, each self-organized around the lust for power.

Richard and Fr. Marc discuss Matthew 22:15-22.

May the Lord bless your Thanksgiving table with gratitude for his bounty, heaped generously upon our unkindness toward one another, and may he have mercy upon us.

Episode 356 Matthew 22:15-22; Music:

I Feel You by Kevin MacLeod
Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3894-i-feel-you
License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

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The Oaks Nov 24, 2020

Show notes

In today’s program, Fr. Paul reminds us that the Bible is a totality, with all its stories written together, in tandem. (Episode 145)

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Jesus Doesn’t Need Friends Nov 19, 2020

Show notes

In the year of our Lord 2020, Matthew’s warning that we are not to judge our neighbor draws a scowl from those who hear it, even as Christians themselves dismiss it. No sooner do we give lip service to this teaching than we scramble to find self-justifying theories that separate us from others. We want to know that we are right; that we are safe; that we can protect and control what we have: we want assurances that God has chosen us.

We want to be called his friends.

Friend, in Matthew’s gospel, that is not good news.

Richard and Fr. Marc discuss Matthew 22:8-14.

Episode 355 Matthew 22:8-14; Music:

Longing and Concern by Kevin MacLeod
Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3999-longing-and-concern
License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

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The Story of Abram Nov 17, 2020

Show notes

In today’s program Fr. Paul touches on the importance of God’s blessings and curses at the beginning of Genesis 12. (Episode 144)

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We Are All Guests Nov 12, 2020

Show notes

In Matthew’s gospel, the notion of a guest is a useful metaphor. A guest owns nothing, controls nothing, provides nothing, and can do nothing when the host asks them to leave. If you hate being at the mercy of another, the best way to deal with their invitation is to throw it in the trash.

Unfortunately for those who shun God’s invite in Matthew, the Lord is not from Minnesota, and, as such, his aggression against them is definitely not passive.

Richard and Fr. Marc discuss Matthew 22:1-7.

Episode 354 Matthew 22:1-7; Music:

Stormfront by Kevin MacLeod
Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4421-stormfront
License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

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Nahor Nov 10, 2020

Show notes

In today’s program, Fr. Paul returns to his general commentary on the book of Genesis with a discussion of the literary hinge or turning point at the end of Genesis 11, which serves as a jumping off point to the so called “scriptural story” of Abraham. (Episode 143)

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Hope in Destruction Nov 05, 2020

Show notes

When human beings seek security and safety, they base their defense on brick and mortar buttressed by a fierce criticism of those they deem unrighteous. What to do when that criticism bounces back like a missile, and your only defense is the stone of instruction, which you rejected?

21:25 women are going to have children

Richard and Fr. Marc discuss Matthew 21:40-45.

Episode 353 Matthew 21:40-45; Music:

Poofy Reel by Kevin MacLeod
Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4228-poofy-reel
License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

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He Does Whatever He Pleases Nov 03, 2020

Show notes

This week, Fr. Paul concludes his series on the Itinerant word in Genesis 1-11 noting the centrality of divine judgment and the folly of human ethics. (Episode 142)

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Running Out of Chances Oct 29, 2020

Show notes

When Matthew—or any other gospel—applies a text from the Old Testament, that’s exactly what it is: an application of something old to a new situation. The original teaching itself is static, but the way it is used depends on the new situation presented by the author. In the case of Isaiah 5, we know that the Lord is frustrated with worseless fruit, something Matthew addressed earlier in the curse of the fig tree, so why does Matthew bring up the parable of the vineyard?

Richard and Fr. Marc discuss Matthew 21:33-39.

Episode 352 Matthew 21:33-39; Music:

Trio for Piano, Cello, and Clarinet by Kevin MacLeod
Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4547-trio-for-piano-cello-and-clarinet
License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

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Decoding Genesis 1-11 Oct 27, 2020

Show notes

Exactly fifty years ago on Monday, October 26 1970, Fr. Paul gave his first lecture at Balamand Seminary in Lebanon, marking the beginning of his incredible academic career. This week, on Monday, October 26, 2020, OCAB Press announced the publication of his latest book, Decoding Genesis 1-11. Touching on themes from this book, in today’s program Fr. Paul explains that Psalms 7, 8 and 9 are meant to be heard together as a trilogy. (Episode 141)

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