The Bible as Literature

Latest Episodes:

A Plan in Motion Sep 17, 2020

Show notes

In battle, the US Marine Corps trains their soldiers to “adapt, improvise, and overcome” in carrying out the mission. Leading up to Matthew 21, Jesus has been making plans to carry out his mission with little help from his followers. Only now, on the eve of battle, does he find two able recruits—two blind men—willing to listen. So Jesus adapts and improvises. In place of James and John, he sends two scruffy blind militia ahead to scout the terrain. As to whether or not Jesus overcomes, you may have to re-read St. Paul’s letters a few hundred times before you can hear Matthew’s answer. He who has ears to hear, let him hear!

Richard and Fr. Marc discuss Matthew 21:1-5.

Episode 346 Matthew 21:1-5; Music:

Darkling by Kevin MacLeod
Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3616-darkling
License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

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ḥorbah, ḥarabah, yabbašah Sep 15, 2020

Show notes

In today’s program, Fr. Paul explains that in Scripture, the same item or reality can be either life-giving or disastrous, according to the will of God. (Episode 135)

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What Do You Will? Sep 10, 2020

Show notes

In Matthew, the question of faith or “trust” in the Lord is not a matter of confession, but action. In chapter 9, two blind men proclaimed their trust in Jesus only to disobey him. In chapter 20, we find the same template—two bling men; but now, with Jerusalem just around the corner, the stakes are much higher. Instead of questioning their trust, Jesus cuts directly to the chase, asking whether or not they submit their will to the will of his Father. Where James and John failed, can two blind beggars fill-in?

Richard and Fr. Marc discuss Matthew 20:29-34.

Episode 345 Matthew 20:29-34; Music:

The Second Coming Instrumental by Kevin MacLeod
Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4507-the-second-coming-instrumental
License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

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The Sea Animals Sep 08, 2020

Show notes

This week, Fr. Paul explains that in Genesis, with respect to their behavior, human beings must follow the lead of the sea animals. (Episode 134)

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To Serve as a Slave Sep 03, 2020

Show notes

Unlike human philosophy, which re-imagines the world in its image, imposing the ruthless and violent ego of liberal and conservative idealism, Scripture takes the world as it is—with unparalleled attention to facts on the ground—co-opting social structures to serve its agenda. The first produces violence against the other side; the latter calls all of us to crucifixion for our enemies' sake.

Richard and Fr. Marc discuss Matthew 20:24-28.

Episode 344 Matthew 20:24-28; Music:

Eighties Action by Kevin MacLeod
Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3703-eighties-action
License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

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Instruments of God’s Will Sep 01, 2020

Show notes

This week, Fr. Paul explains that in Genesis, the sun and the moon are emasculated by the author and the heavens—looked upon as the realm of the of the gods—are brought down to the level of the earth. (Episode 133)

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Not Mine to Give Aug 27, 2020

Show notes

The difficulty for Christians who aspire to positions of influence and power, is that the top person within the framework they inhabit became the lowest person in the eyes of the world. What can a Christian aspire to if the crown of their leader’s ministry is failure and defeat? What does the mother of the sons of Zebedee expect Jesus to offer her sons, beyond the Cross?

Richard and Fr. Marc discuss Matthew 20:20-23.

Episode 343 Matthew 20:20-23; Music:

Iron Bacon by Kevin MacLeod
Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3925-iron-bacon
License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

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The Dry One Aug 25, 2020

Show notes

This week, Fr. Paul explains that, according to the text, the heavenly waters and the earthly waters are one element that had to be separated into two functional entities. (Episode 132)

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The Anti-Imperial Throne Aug 20, 2020

Show notes

As Jesus was about to go up to Jerusalem, he took the twelve disciples aside by themselves, and on the way he said to them, “Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem; and the Son of Man will be delivered to the chief priests and scribes, and they will condemn him to death, and will hand him over to the Gentiles to mock and scourge and crucify him, and on the third day he will be raised up.

Richard and Fr. Marc discuss Matthew 20:17-19.

Episode 342 Matthew 20:17-19; Music:

Opium by Kevin MacLeod
Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4172-opium
License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

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The Day is Defined by God Aug 18, 2020

Show notes

In this week’s episode, Fr. Paul refers to 1 Thessalonians 5 to help illustrate the reality of Genesis 1, in which darkness and the waters function negatively. (Episode 131)

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