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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:

Whose wife or whose son? Sep 25, 2014

Show notes

A parable, like a short story, has a beginning, a plot, a set of characters, a complete thought, and an ending. With such a clear, simple structure, its tempting to take these stories on their own, outside the context of the broader story. To help illustrate this point, in this week's podcast, Richard and Fr. Marc explore how their understanding of the parable of the wedding feast (from last week's episode) holds up against the broader context of Matthew 22. The discussion illuminates the continuity of the chapter and brings together key themes from Genesis. It also leads to a Star Wars reference. This was bound to happen, sooner or later. (Episode 36)

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Happily Ever After? Sep 18, 2014

Show notes

In this week's episode, Richard and Fr. Marc reflect on the parable of the wedding feast in the gospel of Matthew. When the host's invitations are rejected by his would be guests--some of whom went so far as to mistreat and then murder his servants--it seems obvious why some are chosen and others are cast out. You'd think the host would be happy to call those who come to the feast his friends. You might also imagine that those who who accepted the invitation are better off than those who acted out of selfishness and spite. Unfortunately for all of us, a friend in Matthew is not a friend, the good and the bad are both on the guest list, and the dinner jacket you need is not in your closet. (Episode 35)

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Out of Egypt Sep 11, 2014

Show notes

What does the nation Egypt represent in the Bible? When Scripture mentions Egypt, Assyria, or any country, is it talking about historical empires, or is something more going on? What happens when we understand the nations mentioned in the Bible as characters in a story? Is Egypt a good or a bad character? What is the significance of Hosea's proclamation, "Out of Egypt have I called my son"? (Hosea 11:1) Working through these questions, Richard and Fr. Marc consider the many ways that Christians today continue to betray the Lord, turning away from him to seek the favor of empires long gone, but still very real. (Episode 34)

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Are You Rich? Sep 04, 2014

Show notes

This week, Fr. Marc and Richard reflect on the story of the rich young man in Matthew 19. Why was it wrong for the young man to call Jesus "good?" Beyond the obvious problem of greed, what does the young man's wealth reveal about the aims of false religion? Why wasn't Jesus pleased to hear that the young followed the commandments? Can the story's admonition against wealth be applied to everyone, including the poor and working class? Can the rich enter the Kingdom of God? Do you really think it's possible to squeeze an impressively large animal through a very small opening? This is not a trick question. (Episode 33)

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Live from St. Cloud Aug 28, 2014

Show notes

In this week's episode, Fr. Marc and Richard discuss the way in which St. Paul uses the categories "weak" and "strong" to undermine human judgment in 1 Corinthians. This sets the stage for God to shame the church in Roman Corinth with the foolishness of Paul's weakness. It also set the stage for a lecture Fr. Marc presented later that evening on the Israeli-Palestinian crisis. This week's podcast was recorded at Holy Myrrh-bearers Orthodox Church, in St. Cloud, MN, in front of a live, inter-faith audience. (Episode 32)

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Not Before the Time Aug 21, 2014

Show notes

What is the biblical response to poverty, violence and suffering in the world? How does the biblical commandment to love the neighbor differ from progressive ideas of social justice? In this week's episode, Fr. Marc and Richard explore St. Paul's teaching in 1 Corinthians 4 and the way in which the Bible undermines human paradigms of "right and wrong," "good and evil," and "victim and oppressor." (Episode 31) View our trailer: http://youtu.be/rYgeXJh1xKM

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Stay as You Are Aug 14, 2014

Show notes

In this week’s episode, Fr. Marc and Richard discuss the painful but critical role that slavery and hierarchy play in St. Paul’s epistles. Reflecting on the same teaching in Older Testament, they explore how the freedom proposed by the Pauline articulation of the Cross differs from popular concepts of social freedom. While the gospel seeks to aggressively undermine human tyranny, it does so in a way that places as much pressure on the downtrodden as it does the oppressor—hardly the stuff of Hollywood legends. (Episode 30) View our trailer: http://youtu.be/rYgeXJh1xKM

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(#29 Republished) Our Daily Bread Aug 12, 2014

Show notes

Fr. Marc interviews Richard about a sermon he recently presented on Matthew 14:14-22 and 1 Corinthians 1:10-18. Richard explains how in both readings, the American obsession with “being special,” is undermined by the Bible’s critique of the natural but deceptive human impulse to seek differentiation either through personal achievement or affiliation. (Episode 29) View our trailer: http://youtu.be/rYgeXJh1xKM

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(#28 Republished) Jesus Goes to High School Aug 12, 2014

Show notes

According to a 2014 study published by the National Education Association, approximately 160,000 teens skip school every day because of bullying. In many cases, the experience of cruelty or isolation in American schools has led young people to commit suicide or worse. What are the implications of the New Testament for American high schools? How can church school teachers equip their students to confront high school life with the wisdom of Scripture? Guest speaker Thomas Drenen talks with Richard and Fr. Marc about Roman paganism, its parallels with the culture of modern high school, and the pressure that the story of Jesus Christ places on both. We encourage parents to share this week’s podcast with their teenagers. (Episode 28) View our trailer: http://youtu.be/rYgeXJh1xKM

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Our Daily Bread Aug 07, 2014

Show notes

Fr. Marc interviews Richard about a sermon he recently presented on Matthew 14:14-22 and 1 Corinthians 1:10-18. Richard explains how in both readings, the American obsession with "being special," is undermined by the Bible's critique of the natural but deceptive human impulse to seek differentiation either through personal achievement or affiliation. (Episode 29) View our trailer: http://youtu.be/rYgeXJh1xKM

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