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Category: The Bible as Literature

Birth Pangs

Posted on June 23, 2022June 23, 2022

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…

Bow to the Chair

Posted on June 16, 2022June 16, 2022

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…

The Preacher

Posted on June 9, 2022June 9, 2022

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…

Anti-History, Anti-Patriarchy

Posted on June 2, 2022June 2, 2022

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 beleive the child is yours? Do you still have something to…

Power and Control

Posted on May 26, 2022May 26, 2022

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…

Nobody Else But You

Posted on May 19, 2022May 19, 2022

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…

Nothing Good Comes From Us

Posted on May 12, 2022May 12, 2022

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…

The Jerusalem Above Is Free

Posted on May 5, 2022May 5, 2022

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…

You Are Not Doing Anything

Posted on April 28, 2022April 28, 2022

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…

The Voice of One Crying in the Wilderness

Posted on April 14, 2022April 14, 2022

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…

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The Bible as Literature

The Way

Vexed

Teach Me Thy Statues

Tewahido Bible Study

Tell Me the Story

Doulos

Ears to Hear

Podcast edition coming soon.
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