The Bible as Literature

Latest Episodes:

East of the Garden Jun 25, 2019

Show notes

This week Fr. Paul concludes his discussion of Genesis 3 with the expulsion of Adam from the garden, away from the Tree of Life. As always, he highlights critical connections in the Hebrew, in this case, technical terms that pertain to the keeping of God’s Law. (Episode 72)

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Fear Wisdom Jun 20, 2019

Show notes

People claim to be members of God’s household—to be followers of his teaching—but in the Roman Empire, your master determines your household, and in the Bible, your fears reveal your true master.

Insofar as our fears control us, the Matthean metaphor of the Roman household contextualizes this dynamic perfectly, as a kind of slavery. If human beings are controlled by their fears, why not transfer this power to a Master who truly cares for us—not a Roman patrician, but a teacher—the one who gives us wisdom for the sake of the common good.

Richard and Fr. Marc discuss Matthew 10:24-31.

Episode Matthew 10:24-31 Subscribe: feedpress.me/the-bible-as-literature; Music from https://filmmusic.io: “Tyrant” by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) License: CC BY (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)

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The Curse Jun 18, 2019

Show notes

In today’s program, Fr. Paul explains how the dust of the ground is the curse, and uncovers a parallel in the text between Adam in the story and the kings that oppress God’s city city, a reading that hinges on the versatility of the Hebrew word marshal.(Episode 71)

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Daniel Anthony del Castillo Jun 15, 2019

Show notes

This homily was delivered on June 8, 2019 at St. Mary’s Greek Orthodox Church in Minneapolis, Minnesota, in loving memory of Daniel Anthony del Castillo. May his memory be eternal.

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How the Gospel Uses Fear Jun 13, 2019

Show notes

Critics of the Bible often complain about its violent stories. How could the Bible be considered sacred, they ask, when it is full of so much cruelty and abuse? The answer—of course—is that it is human civilization that is overflowing with cruelty and violence, and the Bible holds this fact up to our face. Almost always, those who cringe at its stories are those who can’t face the truth about themselves. But the Bible does more than present the reality of our ugliness; its stories coopt human cruelty, transforming it into something beautiful.

Richard and Fr. Marc discuss Matthew 10:21-23.

Episode 282 Matthew 10:21-23 Subscribe: feedpress.me/the-bible-as-literature; Music from https://filmmusic.io: “Urban Gauntlet” by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) License: CC BY (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)

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Nahash Jun 11, 2019

Show notes

This week, Fr. Paul continues his discussion of Genesis 3, highlighting the functional connection between nahash and idolatry, and concluding with a review of the Bible’s critique of Plato. (Episode 70)

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Are You Worthy? Jun 06, 2019

Show notes

So often, we hear Scripture in translation and assume a meaning for its words based on how we use those words in our modern language. When we do this, we make three mistakes. First, we forget that the way words are used can change over time; second, we disregard the problem of translation; third, and most importantly, we ignore the author's use of the term, which may part ways even with the way that word is understood in his historical context.

In Scripture, to understand a word, you have to look at its usage throughout the text. Fortunately, in the case of the term, "worthy," Matthew leaves plenty of breadcrumbs.

Richard and Fr. Marc discuss Matthew 10:11-20.

Episode 281 Matthew 10:11-20. Subscribe: feedpress.me/the-bible-as-literature; “Darkling” Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License http:// creativecommons .org/ licenses /by/3.0/

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The Serpent Jun 04, 2019

Show notes

This week, Fr. Paul explains the Hebrew word play in Genesis 3, underscoring, as always, the criticality of the original languages. While he has often emphasized that Genesis 1-4 contains the entire message of the Bible, he is quick to point out that this message is found in the hearing of the original Hebrew words, which reappear later in the biblical canon, and not in the understandings in our minds. (Episode 69)

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Do Not Muzzle the Ox May 30, 2019

Show notes

The famous Negro Spiritual, “Keep Your Eyes on the Prize,” captures the spirit of Matthew 10. The hymn calls to mind an array of Scriptural passages to encourage and enjoin the faithful to run the race set before them.

In its famous verse: “Keep your hand on the Gospel plow; Won't take nothing for my journey now;” the hymn’s anonymous authors understand that in the work the Bible demands of us, we are fed only by the commandment that sends us.

“For Scripture says, ‘Do not muzzle the ox while it is treading out the grain.’ and ‘The worker deserves his wages.’”(1 Timothy 5:18)

Richard and Fr. Marc discuss Matthew 10:5-10.

Episode 280 Matthew 10:5-10. Subscribe: feedpress.me/the-bible-as-literature; “Fearless First” Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License http:// creativecommons .org/ licenses /by/3.0/

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Man and Woman May 28, 2019

Show notes

This week, Fr. Paul expands on his discussion of the creation of woman, noting the introduction of two new words to define ha adam—ish and ishah—terms that twist the original intention of God in the story. (Episode 68)

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