The Ephesus School

When Jesus crosses the Roman sea in Matthew, he brings the good news of the Matthean genology—of the liberation of God’s people from captivity—to the gentiles living under the control of Caesar. The Gadarene exorcism consolidates a pattern in Matthew: those whom we assume to be wrong are the very ones who obey the command of the Master.

Richard and Fr. Marc discuss Matthew 8:28-34.

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Episode 270 Matthew 8:28-34; Subscribe: http://feedpress.me/the-bible-as-literature; “Nightdreams” Kevin MacLeod (http://incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License http:// creativecommons .org/ licenses /by/3.0/

In the face of situational chaos, all of us appreciate strong leadership. We value the clear and confident voice of the one who knows what to do—we value their knowledge—and we listen to what they say. Leadership provides clarity, order, and the pressure necessary to help all of us do what must be done. But there are plenty of examples where placing this kind of trust in a human leader has led to disaster. That’s why the Gospel of Matthew won’t ascribe such authority to anyone, not even Jesus. It is the teaching that Jesus carries—the word that he speaks—to which we look for direction. This word was handed down from above as the immutable will of God our Father, the Patrician of all, whose authority brings order to the household of the nations.

Richard and Fr. Marc discuss Matthew 8:23-27.

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Listen: https://tracking.feedpress.it/link/15937/11153659/tbal%20episode%20269.m4a

Episode 269 Matthew 8:23-27; Subscribe: http://feedpress.me/the-bible-as-literature; “The Show Must Be Go” Kevin MacLeod (http://incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License http:// creativecommons .org/ licenses /by/3.0/

At the start of the New Testament, the Matthean Geneology remedies an incorrect understanding of Abraham’s line by belittling of the kings of Judah, highlighting the failure of tribal lines. Thus, Matthew reorients his readers to the original intent of Abraham’s household as a mechanism of adoption into the Lord’s fold, through his teaching. To claim Abraham as a tribal or national banner is to diminish the Lord’s promise, making Abraham’s seed just like any other human line.

In Matthew, as in Genesis, the Lord is forced to intervene to ensure that the folly of David’s seed does not jeopardize God’s promise of life to Abraham and his descendants. All human lines are dust to dust. Thus, the Matthean Jesus challenges loyalty to tribe and clan with a stern warning: ”Leave the dead to bury their dead.”

Richard and Fr. Marc discuss Matthew 8:18-22.

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Episode 268 Matthew 8:18-22; Subscribe: http://feedpress.me/the-bible-as-literature; “Cold Sober” Kevin MacLeod (http://incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License http:// creativecommons .org/ licenses /by/3.0/

The head of the household, in biblical terms, is the one responsible for leading with the teaching of Scripture. Where civil characterizations of this role emphasize the acquisition of wealth, the Bible stresses obedience to God’s instruction as the chief duty of both the Biblical Patriarch and the Roman Patrician. A true parent is the one who provides instruction along with bread and shelter. That is why in the Orthodox and Catholic traditions, the one responsible for teaching is called, “Father.” But what happens when the head of the household is himself disobedient? What if that person, who is responsible for the wellbeing of everyone, allows a member of his family to suffer because of a failure to teach?

Richard and Fr. Marc discuss Matthew 8:14-17.

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Episode 267 Matthew 8:14-17; Subscribe: feedpress.me/the-bible-as-literature; “Onion Capers” Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License http:// creativecommons .org/ licenses /by/3.0/

Too often, students of Scripture dismiss difficult texts by separating the culture of the biblical era from what they consider the real ”message” of the biblical story—but this is a fallacy. Empirically, the text—the letters and words inscribed on the page—are the message. The rule of Matthew precludes the addition or subtraction of anything from this inscription.

If the message in your head does not recount every letter of Hebrew and Greek in the entire Bible, it’s not the biblical message. So when Scripture deals with Roman culture, like it or not, Roman culture is part of the package. When we attempt to sift it out, the Gospel becomes unintelligible.

Richard and Fr. Marc discuss Matthew 8:5-13.

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Episode 266 Matthew 8:5-13; Subscribe: http://feedpress.me/the-bible-as-literature; “Crusade – Heavy Industry” Kevin MacLeod (http://incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License http:// creativecommons .org/ licenses /by/3.0/