The Bible as Literature

When Scripture deals with the question of healing, it’s tempting to think of modern medicine, which places its focus on the wellbeing of an individual body. But the very nature of the physical body is what makes it so useful for making the Bible’s point: just as a human body is made up of several parts that all work together, so too is a human community; moreover, just as a physical body is restor...

In today’s episode, Fr. Paul explains how the assumptions we make about the meaning of words obscures the author’s intent. (Episode 107) ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Some people have to work two jobs or more to make ends meet. They can’t afford childcare or healthcare. Each day, they battle the same frustrations and emotions that each of us carry inside, with the added misery of poverty and disadvantage.  The working poor live among us, hidden in plain sight. Yet, those of us who have time to read the New York Times, to browse the web, or listen to podcasts—th...

This week, Fr. Paul explains how the first three words of the Bible are practically unintelligible without a working knowledge of the Hebrew text of the Old Testament.  (Episode 106) ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

The way students are formed in the contemporary West makes it difficult for our minds to accept the empirical truth of functionality. There are many reasons for this, none more insidious than our desire to control the world through our assessment of it. In doing so, we can’t but enshrine something wicked as our good thing, good tradition, good person, or worst of all, good ruler. Why? Because in t...

This week, Fr. Paul continues his discussion of itinerant words with a review of the particulars of Hebrew. (Episode 105) ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

When the scribes and the Pharisees complain that the Lord’s disciples do not wash their hands, even if they are referring to Exodus 30, their understanding of the washing of hands is rooted in ignorance and fundamentalism.  When the Lord deals with the question of clean and unclean in the Bible, do we really think he’s talking about hygiene? Is that what God’s teaching is telling us? Please wash u...

This week, Fr. Paul begins a second reading of Genesis 1-11.  (Episode 104) ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

There is nothing—nothing—that justifies disobedience or disregard for the commandments of God. Nothing. In Galatians, St. Paul exclaims that no one, none of the other apostles, not even an angel from heaven—no one—can contradict the teaching of God. In the Gospel of Matthew, no human words can even be presented as though they are a teaching. It is only the written words of God that can be our true...

In today’s episode, Fr. Paul concludes his reading of Genesis 11, continuing his discussion of the Toledot of Terah, noting the importance of the name Nahor.  Fr. Paul illuminates his reading of chapter 11 by taking time to review examples of equestrian imagery from the Book of Job and Psalms. Over the past one hundred or so episodes, Fr. Paul has repeatedly emphasized the importance, first, of Ge...

People doubt the Bible. They make excuses for difficult verses and express concern about biblical metaphors that fall out of step with cultural norms. Instead of placing trust in the teaching, maybe they trust in their own words about the teaching.  Maybe they co-opt the Bible to serve their political ideology or their religion, placing trust—not in God—but in princes and sons of men.   We say we...

This week, Fr. Paul continues his discussion of the Toledot of Shem, noting that Abraham does not have a Toledot in Scripture but is instead placed within the Toledot of Terah. (Episode 102) ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

When Jesus commissioned his disciples in Matthew 10, he admonished them, saying: “Do not acquire gold, or silver, or copper for your money belts, or a bag for your journey, or even two coats, or sandals, or a staff; for the worker is worthy of his support.” (Matthew 10:9-10) In giving this order, Jesus reflected his Father’s instruction in Deuteronomy: “The word is very near you, in your mouth and...

In this week’s program, Fr. Paul continues his discussion of Genesis 11, turning to the toledot of Shem. (Episode 101) ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

It’s hard to believe, but, yes, it’s possible. There can be an argument in which all points of view are categorically wrong. There can be a situation in which everyone is absolutely certain, and at the same time, have absolutely no idea what they are doing. It’s not only possible, but typical of human power structures.  The King is blind. His mistress is blind. Her daughter is blind. The mob, who...

Today marks the 100th episode of Tarazi Tuesdays on the Bible as Literature. Three years ago, Fr. Paul, Richard, and I began a journey, gathering online for early morning recording sessions on themes carefully selected from Fr. Paul's opus, The Rise of Scripture. A year later, on February 13, 2018, we released the first episode to the public,  appropriately titled, The Rise of Scripture.  Since th...

The classic tension between king and prophet in the Bible can only be understood in light of a third, malevolent character.  Like the king, this character stands in opposition to God, even when it proclaims its love for the prophet. The mob, as we’ve said for weeks, has a part to play in human tyranny.  In Matthew 14, Herod’s fear of this third party leads him into direct conflict with God’s law. ...

This week, Fr. Paul begins his discussion of Genesis 11 by explaining the significance in the story of the peoples of the earth speaking the “same language.”  He notes that the story of the Tower of Babel, like Scripture itself, is anti-imperial.  (Episode 99) ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Christmas greetings from the Bible as Literature.  ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

This week, Richard follows-up Fr. Paul’s discussion of chapter 10 with a question about the significance of Eber and the children of Eber as they relate to Shem. (Episode 98) ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

When Dr. King famously proclaimed “content of character” over skin color, his words were a reflection of the teaching of the Bible, which proclaims its content at the expense of our identity. The Bible strips us of identity and agency, so that its content may be shared without inhibition or limitation, by anyone in any situation at any anytime to anyone who is willing to hear.  If the person speak...

This week, Fr. Paul explains how Scripture defines its own terminology in the way that words are used and when they are used in the text. If you hear Genesis 10 in context of the previous chapter, the first appearance of the Hebrew word for families, mishpahhot, emphasizes the human being as one of the many mammals spread upon the earth. In this way, Fr. Paul argues, social life in the Bible does...

Christians—who should be concerned with following God’s commandments—are more often preoccupied with explaining why their church or denomination is the “true pearl.”  At a time when our country is itself devolving into tribal factions, the consequence of this hubris is keenly felt.  Fortunately, in the parables of the Kingdom found in Matthew’s gospel, the one who presumes that he is from the “rig...

This week, Fr. Paul discusses the meaning of the names Shem, Ham, and Japheth, explaining that the verb “to dwell” in Hebrew pertains specifically to tent dwelling—another notable breadcrumb reflecting his broader thesis about shepherdism in the Bible. He concludes by taking our questions on the first appearance of the word covenant in the Bible, and the link between the nakedness of the progenito...

We live in a society whose standard of value has created broken communities, a generational increase in mid-life suicides, and a steady supply of ideological violence.  Yes. The love of money is indeed the root of all evils and we Americans are living proof. And please, no platitudes about how money is fine if you don’t love it. Show me someone who does not love money. Even the great hermits and s...