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The Bible as Literature — Education
The Bible as Literature

Each week, Fr. Marc Boulos discusses the content of the Bible as literature. On Tuesdays, Fr. Paul Tarazi presents an in-depth analysis of the biblical text in the original languages.

Latest Episodes:

Only the Dead are Perfect Nov 19, 2015

Show notes

What is the purpose of the Law in Galatians and how does it relate to Abraham’s faith in God’s instruction? What is the connection between the Law of Moses and the Crucifixion of Jesus? How and why does the Torah illustrate Abraham’s wickedness while also insisting on his centrality? Does the Law contradict faith? If the works of the Law cannot attain righteousness before God, what is the point of the Law? Richard and Fr. Marc discuss Galatians 3. (Episode 96; Subscribe: http://feedpress.me/the-bible-as-literature)

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Broken for the Sake of the Poor Nov 12, 2015

Show notes

Why does St. Paul specify that he was away from Jerusalem for an interval of fourteen years? Does the length of time have any significance? Why did he insist on meeting privately with Peter and James during his visit? Why are Peter, James and John referred to as the Pillars? Why is the death of Jesus considered a victory and how do Paul’s opponents jeopardize this victory? Richard and Fr. Marc continue their discussion of Galatians with a review of chapter 2. (Episode 95; Subscribe: http://feedpress.me/the-bible-as-literature)

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God is My Judge Nov 05, 2015

Show notes

What does St. Paul mean when he explains that no one, not even an "angel from heaven," can contradict the gospel that was preached in Galatia? To what does Paul appeal in making the claim that his authority comes directly from God and not from men? How do the norms of civil law shed light on Paul's opening argument in Galatians 1? Why do fascists and dictators, who control every aspect of civil society, still seek legitimacy from their respective constitutions? What does all of this have to do with a dead guy names Hammurabi? Richard and Fr. Marc discuss St. Paul's letter to the Galatians. (Episode 94; Subscribe: http://feedpress.me/the-bible-as-literature)

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No Oxygen Allowed Oct 29, 2015

Show notes

Rationalize (verb): to attempt to explain or justify (one's own or another's behavior or attitude) with logical, plausible reasons, even if these are not true or appropriate. Synonyms: justify, explain, explain away, account for, defend, vindicate, or excuse, as in, "he tried to rationalize his behavior." Thanks, Google Dictionary, for providing such a lucid description of how we twist the Bible to get ourselves off the hook. Put your seat-belts on! This week, Richard and Fr. Marc revisit Lazarus and the Rich Man in the Gospel of Luke. (Episode 93; Subscribe: http://feedpress.me/the-bible-as-literature)

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Bless Thine Inheritance Oct 22, 2015

Show notes

What if someone wrote a book that imposed patriarchal authority at the expense of patriarchs, redeemed inheritance at the expense of wealth, upheld a patronymic without blessing the name, linked patrimony and childbirth to each other and to God’s teaching while emphasizing the commandment to care for the widow, the orphan and the foreigner, rubbed in the fact that God blesses couples, households and communities that by all rights should not be blessed, and finally, presented a vision of some future kingdom that will include the very people that everyone is trying to avoid. You don’t have to ask "what if?" We have the book in hand and will cover it’s final chapter today. Richard and Fr. Marc discuss Ruth 4. (Episode 92; Subscribe: http://feedpress.me/the-bible-as-literature)

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Hear, O Daughter Oct 15, 2015

Show notes

At your right hand stood the Queen in vesture of gold; Hear, O daughter, and see, and incline your ear! The rich among the people shall entreat your favor and the King shall greatly desire your beauty; For he is your Lord and you shall worship him. Richard and Fr. Marc discuss Ruth 3. (Episode 91; Subscribe: http://feedpress.me/the-bible-as-literature)

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Waking Ned Devine Oct 08, 2015

Show notes

How is the content of Ruth reflected in the teaching of St. Paul and in the gospel narratives? Why, in Ruth, does it matter who is whose relative and who is connected to whom? Why do Richard and Fr. Marc make such a big deal out of biblical names? Why does Ruth prostrate herself in front of a man? Isn’t she the one making all the big sacrifices to support Naomi? Shouldn’t everyone bow to her? Who is this mighty Boaz, anyway? Is power always evil? Only for those whose mind can’t get past the person to see God’s function in operation. Richard and Fr. Marc discuss Ruth 2. (Episode 90; Subscribe: http://feedpress.me/the-bible-as-literature)

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Dialogue is the Problem Oct 01, 2015

Show notes

Why do discussions about race in the United States always seem to widen the gap between neighbors? How do our assumptions about race cripple our ability to recognize oppression in unfamiliar places? Is racism the main issue, or is it symptomatic of a deeper human dysfunction? In the first episode of a four part series, Richard and Fr. Marc examine the problem of identity in the Book of Ruth. As is to be expected, the Bible's wisdom on this subject will embarrass folks on both sides of the aisle. (Episode 89; Subscribe: http://feedpress.me/the-bible-as-literature)

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Their Confusion is at Hand Sep 24, 2015

Show notes

Why would Jesus, who warns against the sword in Matthew 26 threaten to use one in Matthew 10? Why would Jesus set a man against his father and a daughter against her mother, when in the Torah God commands that parents are to be honored? In Luke, the gospel heralds the coming of Jesus with the proclamation "peace on earth." Why, then, in Matthew, does Jesus say, "I did not come to bring peace?" If you are looking for a simple answer along the lines of "for" or "against," then turn off this podcast and watch cable news. If you hope to use Matthew 10 to support your just war theory, at best, you are being lazy. Yes, the Bible does bring a sword and it is connected to the real violence we experience in the world. The question is, on which end of the sword are the followers of Jesus expected to find themselves? (Episode 88; Subscribe: http://feedpress.me/the-bible-as-literature)

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Grant Victory Against Me Sep 17, 2015

Show notes

The Passion narrative in John 19 is unequivocal: the life of Jesus ended in humiliation, abuse, abject betrayal, subjugation and utter failure. You might try to comfort yourself by arguing that Jesus was treated unfairly, however, in truth, the outcome of his life was a direct result of his Father’s teaching. In other words, in the gospel story, following God’s Torah leads to absolute defeat; a fact, St. Paul explains, that confounds religious people and attracts scorn from rational thinkers. With this in mind, it comes as no surprise that from the beginning, Christians themselves have failed to embrace the gospel. That this failure is obvious, to be expected, and nothing new does not make it less painful. (Episode 87; Subscribe: http://feedpress.me/the-bible-as-literature)

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