The Bible as Literature

Latest Episodes:

Ideology is Idolatry Jul 25, 2019

Show notes

When we choose an ideological framework, we employ a system of ideas and ideals to bolster our self-styled morality. We want so desperately to have power over others that we create a false reality in which we are always right, always the victim, always justified, and always able to find the culprit. Instead of child abuse at the border, we see criminals getting what they deserve; if a lie suits us, we call it true; if a person challenges us, we argue, on the basis of self-styled ideals, that they are evil. Up is down, black is white, John the Baptist has a demon and Jesus is a drunkard—we say whatever we want based on whatever we believe because we worship our owns thoughts. There’s a word for that in the Bible. It’s called idolatry and the Gospel of Matthew was written to smash it.

Richard and Fr. Marc discuss the Matthew 11:11-19.

A quick shout out to Fr. Dustin Lyon, a regular listener who suggested that “a reed shaken in the wind” (11:7) from last week’s episode, may refer to a symbol printed on Herodian coins. A point, Fr. Lyon explains, which may enhance our reading of the text.

Episode 288 Matthew 11:11-19 Subscribe: feedpress.me/the-bible-as-literature; Music from https://filmmusic.io: “Scheming Weasel” by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) License: CC BY (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)

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What He Undertakes Jul 23, 2019

Show notes

In today’s program, Fr. Paul explores the functionality of biblical names in the genealogy presented in Genesis 4. (Episode 76)

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More Than a Prophet Jul 18, 2019

Show notes

When we look at the world, intuitively, we betray Matthew’s admonition against judgment, assessing and interpreting people and texts based on our presuppositions. Instead of seeing everything through the lens of God’s teaching, we trust the lamp of our human eyes, which presents the world to us in darkness.

Thankfully, the preaching of John the Baptist—made up entirely of God’s words—can’t be seen. So no matter how flawed your vision, as long as you open your ears, there is hope. In this sense, the Lord’s refrain, “what did you go out to see,” is ominous: you were called to hear, why do you still trust your eyes?

Richard and Fr. Marc discuss Matthew 11:7-10

Episode 287 Matthew 11:7-10 Subscribe: feedpress.me/the-bible-as-literature; Music from https://filmmusic.io: “Fuzzball Parade” by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) License: CC BY (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)

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Name and Function Jul 16, 2019

Show notes

This week, Fr. Paul notes the significance of Cain’s construction and subsequent naming of a city after his son, Enoch, the significance of the name Lamech as a metathesis of Melek, and the problem of civilization connected with the city as the production of man. (Episode 75)

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Immigration Letter Jul 13, 2019

Show notes

“The line separating good and evil passes not through states, nor between classes, nor between political parties either—but right through every human heart.” —Alexander Solzhenitsyn

The letter read in today’s program quotes the following article in the last paragraph: Sonia Nazario, “How to Secure the Border,” Los Angeles Times, April 23, 2017.

Music performed by the West Side Riverview Choir, St. Paul, Minnesota.

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The Kingdom of the Heavens Jul 11, 2019

Show notes

In Matthew 11, we discover that John the Baptist, who earlier preached the Kingdom of God in the wilderness, is now imprisoned. At this point in story, we do not know how John ended up in prison. All we know is that he preached the Kingdom.

Looking a few verses ahead, we learn from Jesus that this very Kingdom “suffers violence” at the hands of violent men. (Matthew 11:12) It is Caesar, the antichrist, and Herod, the traitor—a false king who pertains to his Roman master—who, in Matthew, struggle to take the Kingdom of God by force. Later, in chapter 14, we learn of Herod’s petty role in John’s imprisonment.

All the same, hearing news of the works of Jesus Christ, an imprisoned John found hope, against hope, and sent word to his rightful King, who proclaimed:

“The blind receive sight and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached to them. And blessed is he who does not take offense at me.” (Matthew 11:5-6)

Richard and Fr. Marc discuss Matthew 11:1-6

Episode 286 Matthew 1:1-6 Subscribe: feedpress.me/the-bible-as-literature; Music from https://filmmusic.io: “Dark Times” by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) License: CC BY (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)

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The Only Avenger Jul 09, 2019

Show notes

This week Fr. Paul explains that in murdering Abel, Cain is responsible for his own sin and may not blame his forefather. Individual responsibility for sin, Fr. Paul explains, is a main feature of the chapter. The fact that Cain ends up in the same situation as Adam (ha adam) cannot obscure this point, which is unmissable in the original Hebrew. (Episode 74)

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To These Little Ones Jul 04, 2019

Show notes

Today is July 4, a holiday in the United States. As is the custom of our church, over the centuries, many such holidays have been coopted to serve the Gospel of Jesus Christ. In this spirit, on this day, we at The Bible as Literature remember all those in peril—the many refugees fleeing poverty and violence and their fallen brothers and sisters. We implore God on their behalf to grant them shelter and refuge through his teaching, in fulfillment of his promise, that, “whoever in the name of a disciple gives to one of these little ones even a cup of cold water to drink, truly I say to you, he shall not lose his reward.” (Matthew 10:42)

Richard and Fr. Marc discuss Matthew 10:40-42

Episode 285 Matthew 10:40-42 Subscribe: feedpress.me/the-bible-as-literature; Music from https://filmmusic.io: “Sardana” by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) License: CC BY (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)

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Cain and Abel Jul 02, 2019

Show notes

In today’s program, Fr. Paul begins his discussion of Cain and Abel, explaining the famous phrase, “sin is couching at the door.” He also reiterates the importance of the Hebrew word, yalad, noting that it can only be used in conjunction with the woman—an important point lost in translation. (Episode 73)

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Bringer of the Sword Jun 27, 2019

Show notes

Bewitched by the lie of acquisition and consumerism, we have become of society of people whose actions proclaim the vulgar creed, “me first.” With supposed possessions in hand, we emerge as a nation of cowards, so terrified of losing what we think we have that we elevate our cravenness with ugly platitudes: family first, religion first, and nation first.

But in our cowardice, we run afoul of the Lord warning in Matthew: “He who has found his life will lose it, and he who has lost his life for my sake will find it.” (Matthew 10:39)

Richard and Fr. Marc discuss Matthew 10:32-39.

Episode 284 Matthew 10:32-39 Subscribe: feedpress.me/the-bible-as-literature; Music from https://filmmusic.io: “Funkorama” by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) License: CC BY (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)

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