The Bible as Literature

Latest Episodes:

The Marketplace of Humanity Aug 13, 2020

Show notes

As contemporary society struggles with questions of equity and power, all of us would do well to consider the radical proposition of Scripture, which demotes everyone to the lowest level, assigns some to exercise an unequal authority for its purposes, and then demotes the latter along with everyone else, leaving them in a worse position.

“So the last shall be first, and the first last.” (Matthew 20:16)

Richard and Fr. Marc discuss Matthew 20:1-16.

Episode 341 Matthew 20:1-16; Music:

Sonatina in C Minor by Kevin MacLeod
Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4393-sonatina-in-c-minor
License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

The Big Deal with Hibdil Aug 11, 2020

Show notes

This week, Fr. Paul explains how the verb hibdil in Genesis holds one day, day two, and day four together, defining the functionality of the heavens in conjunction with the earth. (Episode 130)

★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

The First Will Be Last Aug 06, 2020

Show notes

When Peter approaches Jesus to ask, “what then will there be for us,” (Matthew 19:27) his question betrays two sins: first, his belief that he has done the right thing, and, second, his expectation that he deserves a reward for his actions.

In his response, Jesus tests both Peter and the addressee of Matthew’s Gospel: is it a reward to be seated in power?

“But many who are first will be last; and the last, first.” (Matthew 19:30)

Richard and Fr. Marc discuss Matthew 19:27-30.

Episode 340 Matthew 19:27-30; Music:
Pilot Error by Kevin MacLeod
Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4216-pilot-error
License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Darkness and Waters Aug 04, 2020

Show notes

In today’s program, Fr. Paul explains the “organic and not emotionally poetic oneness of the heavens and the earth” noting that the second creation narrative begins again with the mention of the waters. (Episode 129)

★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

No Good Thing Jul 30, 2020

Show notes

Among the disastrous consequences of the Synoptic thesis of the gospels is the erasure of each individual author’s intent. Is there a generalized parable of the Rich Man that happens to appear in Matthew, or is there a teaching of Matthew that retools the parable to say something different than the other gospels? If we assume a generalized parable, we blind ourselves, and shut our ears to Matthew’s account of the teaching of Jesus Christ. God forbid!

Richard and Fr. Marc discuss Matthew 19:16-23.

Episode 339 Matthew 19:16-23; Music:

Enter the Party by Kevin MacLeod
Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3713-enter-the-party
License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

The Heavens and the Earth Jul 28, 2020

Show notes

This week, Fr. Paul highlights the function of the heavens’ priority within the purview of the author, reminding us that the pairing of the heavens and the earth signifies an encompassing reality, a totality.(Episode 128)

★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Mic Drop Jul 23, 2020

Show notes

Then the word of the Lord came to Zechariah saying, “Thus has the Lord of hosts said, ‘Dispense true justice and practice kindness and compassion each to his brother; and do not oppress the widow or the orphan, the stranger or the poor; and do not devise evil in your hearts against one another.’ But they refused to pay attention and turned a stubborn shoulder and stopped their ears from hearing. They made their hearts like flint so that they could not hear the law and the words which the Lord of hosts had sent by his Spirit through the former prophets; therefore great wrath came from the Lord of hosts. And just as He called and they would not listen, so they called and I would not listen,” says the Lord of hosts.(Zechariah 7:8–13)

And after hearing all that Jesus said in Matthew 18, the disciples scolded the little children and told them to go away.

Richard and Fr. Marc discuss Matthew 19:13–15.

Episode 338 Matthew 19:13–15; Music:

Virtutes Instrumenti by Kevin MacLeod
Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4590-virtutes-instrumenti
License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Part of the Whole Jul 21, 2020

Show notes

In today’s program, Fr. Paul explains that Genesis, like all other books of the Bible, is part of a whole, and cannot be understood until all the pieces are brought together. (Episode 127)

★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Mission Priority Jul 16, 2020

Show notes

Nothing irritates a person of responsibility more than someone or something that distracts from the issue at hand. Faced with distraction, a wise manager acts quickly to get the team back on track. Whatever the disturbance, the manager’s goal is to settle the matter soon so that the team can stay on task to complete the mission. That’s what St. Paul does in 1 Corinthians 7, and that’s exactly what Matthew picks up on in chapter 19 of his gospel.

Richard and Fr. Marc discuss Matthew 19:10-12.

Episode 337 Matthew 19:10-12; Music:

Lamentation by Kevin MacLeod

Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3965-lamentation

License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Is That for Real? Jul 14, 2020

Show notes

This week, Fr. Paul conintues his discussion of functionality and the meaning of words revisiting the biblical verb bara. (Episode 126)

★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★