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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:

Your Feelings Are Immaterial Apr 23, 2015

Show notes

What do the ending of John's gospel and the first chapters of Acts teach us about the problem of human feelings? How do our assumptions about love and its relationship to emotion cripple our ability to fulfill God's instruction? Why is it destructive and idolatrous to associate the Holy Spirit with an emotional response? Don't trust your feelings; Don't follow your heart; Turn off the Disney channel and stay tuned to this podcast. You might not feel good, but we promise not to lie to you. (Episode 66; Subscribe: http://feedpress.me/the-bible-as-literature)

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Be It Known to You O King Apr 16, 2015

Show notes

What do the narratives of Exodus and Daniel have to do with the Resurrection of Jesus Christ? Why were these stories understood historically as penultimate readings during Easter week? What is the common thread that connects these texts with gospel accounts of Christ's Passion? If you've noticed that all of these stories feature oppressive kings, you're on the right track. Richard and Fr. Marc discuss the meaning of Pascha in light of Daniel 3:13-18. This week's episode is in loving memory of Ralph Sergi. (Episode 65; Subscribe: http://feedpress.me/the-bible-as-literature)

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The Truth is Your Neighbor Apr 09, 2015

Show notes

Pilate's insecurity about the trial of Jesus is often and wrongly understood as evidence that the New Testament was written to gain Rome's favor. Some have gone further, claiming that the Gospel of John is anti-Semitic. This week, Richard and Fr. Marc tackle these questions during their discussion of John 18. Once again, when John (or any biblical text) is read in light of the prophetic tradition, such claims betray a deep biblical illiteracy. (Episode 64; Subscribe: http://feedpress.me/the-bible-as-literature)

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Ignorance is Not Bliss Apr 02, 2015

Show notes

Like the other disciples in Mark 10, everyone who hears the gospel is quick to assume they understand why James and John were wrong to request positions of honor next to Jesus. Is it simply that this request is presumptuous or is something else going on? Why does Jesus insist that such an honor can only be bestowed? Were the other disciples right to upbraid James and John? What is the real sin being addressed in the story and why does everyone miss the point? In the gospel of Mark, missing the point is the point and ignorance is not bliss. (Episode 63)

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What is a Spirit? Mar 26, 2015

Show notes

How is the word spirit used in the Bible? What does it mean to be possessed by an unclean spirit? Are spirits real? What does the unclean spirit in Mark 9 tell us about the disciples of Jesus? Why is the afflicted child in Mark unable to hear or speak? Who is to blame for the boy's impairment? What does all this have to do with angels, weather forecasts, and narcissism? Trust the Lord, because on that day, if you are found under the influence of an unclean spirit, you will not be able to say, "the devil made me do it." (Episode 62)

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Spend It Before You Lose It Mar 19, 2015

Show notes

Why does Mark associate prophetic concepts of abundance with the commandment to take up the cross? In what way do popular concepts of carrying the cross, associated with hardship, fall short of the commandment's meaning? How does the crucifixion in Mark test our trust in God's generosity? This week's episode is in memory of Fr. Thomas Hopko. (Episode 61)

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Fat of the Land Mar 12, 2015

Show notes

Much of Ezekiel is spent emphasizing God's anti-locality, namely, that there is no structure or land to which the biblical God is chained. In Ezekiel, God moves freely upon the earth, outside the control of his subjects. With this in mind, the book's closing verse is a kind of literary surprise. What does Ezekiel mean when he says the name of the city shall be called "the Lord is there?" What are the implications of the last four chapters of Ezekiel for the meaning of the entire book? How does all of this illumine our understanding of the biblical writers' perspective on history? (Episode 60)

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Come and See Mar 05, 2015

Show notes

Given the Bible's persistent emphasis on the problem of idolatry, why suddenly, in John, are we confronted with the phrase, "Come and see?" This seems especially odd, since the opening verses of John deliberately limit the reader’s purview to the divine word, which begins with the inscription "in the beginning," referring to Genesis. Obviously, Philip is calling Nathaniel to go out and meet Jesus, but why the emphasis on sight? What is John inviting us to "see" when the Bible repeatedly calls us to "hear?" Is John making an about face with respect to idolatry, or is something else going on? Let’s ask John Chrysostom. (Episode 59)

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Broken Records Feb 26, 2015

Show notes

In a biblical narrative that is overwhelmingly anti-kingly, how can one make sense of Paul’s apparent endorsement of governing authorities in Romans 13? Why would Paul ask the church to submit to ruling authorities in a setting where those authorities pose a real and present danger? What implications does Paul’s admonition have for civil disobedience and non-violent resistance? Dust off that vinyl, because it’s time to play a broken record, brought to you by the Pauline School. (Episode 58)

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The Marketplace Feb 19, 2015

Show notes

How should the Bible’s addressees understand the parable of the wise and foolish virgins at the outset of Matthew 25? In what way does the metaphor of lamp oil relate to the story of the foolish stewards? How does the marketplace, first mentioned in chapter 20, frame our understanding of the final judgement and the commandment to care for the weaker neighbor? This week's discussion challenges popular interpretations of lenten piety and raises questions about the way in which Christians identify with current events. (Episode 57)

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