The Bible as Literature

Latest Episodes:

Ingenious, Indeed Jun 09, 2020

Show notes

This week, Fr. Paul revisits the biblical author’s use of toledot, noting that Genesis 1:1 and 2:4 form a diptych, the first part as the title for the entirety of scripture and the second as the first section of the Bible dealing with the whole of creation. (Episode 121)

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One of These Things Is Not like the Other Jun 04, 2020

Show notes

The word scandal or stumbling block frequently occurs in Matthew—it’s as important for his book as the word “immediately” is in the Gospel of Mark. In light of the prohibition against causing others to stumble in chapter 18, those not following the original Greek text often assume that “to scandalize” is taboo. But throughout the story, Jesus himself repeatedly causes scandal. So what’s a good scandal? How can you tell it apart from the kind of scandal Jesus condemns in chapter 18?

Richard and Fr. Marc discuss Matthew 18:7-10.

Episode 331 Matthew 18:7-10; Music:

Danger Storm by Kevin MacLeod

Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4985-danger-storm

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

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Period, Comma? Jun 02, 2020

Show notes

In this week's program, Fr. Paul explains that the biblical author intended Genesis 1:1-2:4 as a totality on its own and an expansion of Genesis 1:1. (Episode 120)

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Turn Like a Child May 28, 2020

Show notes

In the original Greek text of Matthew, when Jesus warns his disciples “unless you are converted and become like children,” his statement calls to mind the Lord’s desire in Ezekiel, “that the wicked [man] turn from his path and live.” (Ezekiel 33:11) In Ezekiel and Matthew, the Lord, who takes “no pleasure in the death of the wicked,” wants his disciples to “turn back” from their evil path. In Matthew, specifically, the evil path is any action that asserts power over others or causes harm, in any way, to the weaker brother. So “turn” Jesus exclaims, and become powerless “like children.”

Richard and Fr. Marc discuss Matthew 18:1-6.

Episode 330 Matthew 18:1-6; Music: Adding The Sun by Kevin MacLeod

Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/5708-adding-the-sun

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

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A New Thesis May 26, 2020

Show notes

This week, Fr. Paul introduces a new thesis that the scriptural story's entire message is coded in the first creation account in Genesis 1:1-2:4. (Episode 119)

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The Law of Love May 21, 2020

Show notes

In Romans 13, St. Paul dismantles the authority of Caesar by reframing Caesar’s value. Caesar is not important because of his station or the might of Rome. He is useful, however, because his station can be used by God to further the cause of the gospel. In other words, Caesar is God’s pawn. So when Christians are confronted by a tyrant, they must assume that they are dealing, not with the tyrant himself, but with the one who is using the tyrant. So, when faced with taxation under the boot of Caesar, in Matthew 17, Peter need only ask one question: how can I use the opportunity of this tax to further the cause of the gospel?

Richard and Fr. Marc discuss Matthew 17:24-27.

Episode 328 Matthew 17:24-27; Music: Five Armies by Kevin MacLeod

Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3762-five-armies

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

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By Their Families May 19, 2020

Show notes

This week, Fr. Paul explains that, in the Bible, Israel is chosen by the flip of a coin, demonstrating that it is no different than the other nations. The story shows that any one of the nations, like Israel, would have made the same mistakes. (Episode 118)

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The Will to Teach May 14, 2020

Show notes

God’s teaching is his will, and his will is the content of his teaching. The speaking and the carrying out of this will has the power to correct our steps, imprinting itself on our heart and replacing human thoughts with, you guessed it, God’s will. For several chapters in Matthew, Jesus himself has repeated his Father’s will that the disciples share the same with those in need: “The harvest is plentiful,” he laments, “but the workers are few.” (Matthew 9:37)

One can only imagine his frustration when Jesus receives the complaint: I brought a sick person to your disciples, “and they could not cure him.” (Matthew 17:16)

All that was asked of the disciples was to do what Jesus repeatedly taught them to say. Even just a tiny bit.

Richard and Fr. Marc discuss Matthew 17:14-22.

Episode 328 Matthew 17:14-22; Music: Faster Does It by Kevin MacLeod

Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3741-faster-does-it

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

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The First Three Letters May 12, 2020

Show notes

In today’s program, Fr. Paul explains the importance of not only hearing but seeing consonantal Hebrew roots and their interconnection in the original text. (Episode 117)

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Son of Man May 07, 2020

Show notes

The title “Son of Man” is a literal translation of the Hebrew phrase ben-adam. In Hebrew, the name Adam means “man.” As such, the biblical expression, son of man, like the modern phrase, human being, applies to anyone and everyone. C.S. Lewis captures this beautifully in the Chronicles of Narnia, where he refers to human beings as the sons of Adam and the daughters of Eve.

But if everyone is an ordinary son of Adam, why does Matthew elevate “Son of Man” as a unique title for Jesus?

The answer lies in examining biblical parallels that are part and parcel with Matthew’s proclamation of the Kingdom: the elevation of the title “shepherd” to a kingly status, of weakness to a sign of God’s might, and the crucifixion to a symbol of victory.

Richard and Fr. Marc discuss Matthew 17:9-13.

Episode 327 Matthew 17:9-13; Music: Pilot Error by Kevin MacLeod

Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4216-pilot-error

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

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