All Episodes
A New Branch
When a person's behavior improves, we naturally speak of how they have grown or changed, when, what has changed is not the person, but the instruction that controls th...
It's Not a Fortune Cookie
Modern students of Scripture dumb down the power of the New Testament by dealing with the Old Testament as a kind of antiquated fortune cookie. They see a connection b...
The Liberation of Egypt
In secular ideology, we tend to depict everything as a struggle between bad actors and (so-called) good actors; between victims and oppressors. Thankfully, this self-r...
In Christ Jesus
Fr. Paul unpacks the literary function of the expression ἐν Χριστῷ Ἰησοῦ. (Episode 21)
Rejoice, O Unwedded Bride
The most difficult part of following the Bible is accepting the factuality of our powerlessness. Human beings repeatedly invent ways to sustain the illusion of control...
And You, Bethlehem
Everyone emphasizes Jerusalem. It's the big city, the important city, and the object of David's kingly ambitions—but it's not the city from which (or to which) David w...
Raised
Fr. Paul discusses the usage and meaning of the term raised in the biblical canon. (Episode 19)
The People’s Hero
People read religious and philosophical symbols into the Bible all the time. They study other traditions or the symbols of ancient mythologies and jump to conclusions,...
Not From Men
When we talk about children, spouses, siblings, parents, family, or even friends, we can't help but refer to them as our posession: “My” son, “my” wife, “my” family—we...
The Last Generation
In the book of Leviticus, the Jubilee year is a time when everyone—even slaves—are restored to their families, their land, and their original homes. With this in mind,...
Denial of Cultural Superiority
Fr. Paul reviews the Bible's systematic critique of cultural superiorty. (Episode 16)
God Will Establish
In the first section of the genealogy in Matthew, the story behind the names helps readers piece together the puzzle of the book's teaching; but what about the last se...
The Septuagint
Fr. Paul explains the importance of the Septuagint translation of the Bible. (Episode 15)
Perpetual Decline
When human beings discuss society and culture, we do so with an unstated premise: that there is such a thing as a correct society and that such a society is attainable...
The Language of the Biblical God
Fr. Paul discusses the scriptural language of the scriptural story. (Episode 14)
The Intent of Man's Heart
When a person does something questionable, almost always, defenders step forward to say, “he's a good man,” or “she has good intentions,” as if either statement can er...
Biblical Mashal
Fr. Paul expounds on the term mashal (Hebrew: משל) and its centrality for Scripture. (Episode 13)
Solomon the Wise?
In a tradition that mocks Greek philosophy and human wisdom, it goes without saying that the wisdom afforded Solomon in the Old Testament is central to the Bible's cri...
The Anti-Homeric Epic
Fr. Paul explains the how the biblical school undermines classical Greek literature and philosophy. (Episode 12)
The City of David?
In a typical Disney movie, the writers present a protagonist-coming-of-age who faces adversity (usually an identity crisis, an injustice, or both) discovers who they a...
The Imposition of Greek
Fr. Paul explains the use of language by Alexander the Great and the reaction of the biblical school. (Episode 11)
Breaching the High Wall
In the ancient world, kingly genealogies, like kingly cities, were constructed to establish a monarch's credibility, divinity, authenticity, and permanence. It should ...
Cyrus, His Anointed
Fr. Paul explains anti-ethnicity in the Bible and the significance of the Lord's favor towards Cyrus of Persia. (Episode 10)