The Bible as Literature

Normally, people don’t say much about the role of the Holy Spirit in the birth of John the Baptist—mainly because contemporary Mariology blinds them to the actual content of Luke’s gospel. But even for those who pay close attention, few people notice the discrepancy between the first visit of the Spirit to Jerusalem, pertaining specifically to John the Baptist (himself a reference to the Apostle P...

In today’s program, Fr. Paul reminds us of the Bible’s painful and relentless campaign against the human ego. (Episode 229) ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

When we read a text in translation, we imagine we hear what the author wrote because we believe that meaning can be taken separately from the words on the page. But if you can conceive of meaning, it needs must be part and parcel with a series of words. If not the words of the original text, then the alternative words of a translation, or worse, the self-referential words in your head. There is no...

This week, Fr. Paul explains that the mission of Joseph was to combine Israel and the nations to the extent that his progeny was called—not the fullness of Israel—but the fullness of all the nations. (Episode 228) ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

In the Old Testament, human patriarchy is portrayed cynically and satirically as bumbling and insecure in its competition with motherhood. Men cannot give birth. In Scripture and life, they compensate by building cities, erecting monuments, and making war. Mothers, on the other hand--not necessarily women--but the function mother can give birth. As Luke continues down the path of undermining the t...

In today's episode, Fr. Paul reiterates a basic premise of Scripture, that we are not to follow the example of our fathers, but of the teaching, noting the specific case of Jesus and Paul in the New Testament. (Episode 227) ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

The problem with all contemporary churches is that we treat the term Scripture as though it were a noun. We gossip about the Bible like a difficult relative nobody wants to visit, but everyone loves to discuss. We comfort ourselves with lullabies about its importance. We mostly ignore it unless we need a good quote to make our point. We have ideas, feelings, and opinions about it. We argue about w...

This week Fr. Paul stresses the critical distinction between sheep and  flock in Hebrew, giving biblical and contemporary examples. (Episode 226) ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Everyone has something to say. If you operate on a human premise, this is perfectly acceptable, admirable--even a thing to be encouraged. It is the empty fuel that makes dead things look alive, an entertaining distraction that makes emptiness feel meaningful.  Not so in Scripture.  In the wilderness of God's scroll, there is only one voice. One source of life. One pedagogy set forth in letters div...

This week, Fr. Paul touches on the literary function of Ephraim and Manasseh, who become the kernel of the northern kingdom in the story of the biblical Israel. (Episode 225) ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

How can Luke ensure that his addressees get the point? Wisdom does not come from you. Life does not come from you. The baby in Elizabeth's womb does not come from you.  It's not your story, Zacharias. You still don't believe me? You still believe the child is yours? Do you still have something to say?  “Behold, days are coming,” declares the Lord God, “When I will send a famine on the land, Not a...

This week, Fr. Paul begins his discussion of Genesis 39, reiterating the calamity of the mistranslation of the Hebrew word masleah. (Episode 224) ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

The Holy Spirit is not about inspiration but power and control in the Bible. The power of the story is that it exerts control expressly to silence our voice. This facet of the biblical teaching has been the most challenging of my priestly ministry. In human terms, Scripture is a recipe for failure. It's terrible news for our projects but good news in Luke because the things we succeed in creating...

This week, Fr. Paul reminds us of the harlotry of the children of Jacob who used the covenant of circumcision--a covenant of brotherhood--to kill their brothers. (Episode 223) ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

When Scripture deconstructs a human proposition by forcing an opposing position (which we have repeatedly described as functional judgment, meaning Scripture has no stake in the argument itself, only in opposing the human being), it is only natural to argue for or against the point in question. Do you agree or disagree? Be careful. It's a trick question. After all these years, do really you think...

This week, Fr. Paul reminds us that the term person is the translation of persona which is mask in Latin which is the translation of prosopon in Greek, which also means mask, in both cases, the mask worn by actors in the theater. (Episode222) ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

What does the destruction of the Temple mean? What does it mean not to be anything? Not to have an identity? Not to be a part of anything? Not to believe in anything?  No bumper stickers.  No slogans.  No rousing speeches.  There is no applause--no trust in anything or anyone other than what Luke has written out in consecutive order.  Why I ask you, would Luke begin his gospel by trying to convinc...

This week, Fr. Paul highlights the importance of Joseph's story: he and his kin were Hebrews and shepherds in the epitome of civilization, the land of the pharaohs and the pyramids, where, as a Hebrew slave, Joseph wound up saving Egypt from famine. (Episode 221) ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Time and again, we have explained the tension in Scripture between the things human beings construct, which cannot create life, and a mother's natural womb--the grammatical and factual expression of God's life-giving mercy in the Bible. Now, in the opening verses of Luke, we find Herod's building project in Jerusalem totally defunct and sterilizing, even for those who follow God's teaching. What c...

This week, Fr. Paul explains that the story of Jacob is in the story of his children, noting, in his words, "the silliness" of individualism. (Episode 220) ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

The novelty of Scripture lies in its multi-faceted handling of anthropocentrism. It deconstructs and breaks apart our institutions and smashes our egos, re-positing us as individuals set free to hear and do the commandments of God. In no uncertain terms, the Apostle Paul proclaims:  “It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore, keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of...

In this week's episode, Fr. Paul reminds us that the hope in Scripture is not for us but for the following generations. (Episode 219) ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

This week Fr. Paul explains what theology does not want to accept: that God is one and he is the judge. He is neither good nor bad; he is the just judge. (Episode 218) ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

The power of Semitic poetry stems, literally, from the functionality of its consonantal roots. With but three consonants, a long series of words, used in a specific way, set in a specific pattern, according to an ordained order and rhythm, can be carefully arranged so that even the sound of the words can be manipulated to conform to the author's design. Classical Arabic and Hebrew poets have so mu...

With a bit of common knowledge and an uncommon familiarity with the original text of the Bible Fr. Paul reminds us why scholarship isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. Could someone please pass the almonds? (Episode 217) ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★