All Episodes
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)
Prime Real Estate
As the first book of the New Testament, Matthew enjoys the distinct honor of headlining and setting the tone for all of part two of the Bible. Like a carefully placed ...
Tadmor in the Wilderness
Fr. Paul explains the significance of Tadmor, the “indomitable” city, found in 2 Chronicles 8:4. (Episode 9)
What Kind of Messiah?
In the very first verse of the New Testament, the Gospel of Matthew raises a question that looms over the entire story: Whose son is Jesus and what kind of messiah wil...
The Hellenistic Period
Fr. Paul discusses the historical background of the content of the Old Testament, the way that its stories were written, and the critical role of Semitic languages. (E...
A Time for Shade?
“The lust for comfort,” wrote Khalil Gibran, is “that stealthy thing that enters the house a guest, and then becomes a host, and then a master.” Jonah, called by the w...
Two Exiles
Fr. Paul discusses the Egyptian and Mesopotamian exiles, noting the recurrence of the former and its literary significance. (Episode 7)
Who is Wasting Whose Time?
Everyone thinks about inconvenience in terms of how it impacts their time and their personal comfort. Rare is the individual who thinks not of personal preference, but...
Ur of the Chaldeans
Fr. Paul discusses the importance of Ur of the Chaldeans and its role in the inclusion of all nations together with Abraham. (Episode 6)
How Many Times Do I Have to Ask?
Communities and individuals always overestimate their own importance and abilities. This illusion is reinforced by the self-serving narratives we create to bolster con...
The Syrian Desert
Fr. Paul discusses the importance of the geography of the Syrian Desert as the setting for the Scriptural story. (Episode 5) From this week's show: https://www.bassam....
The Word is in Control
Students of the Bible typically overstate the importance of Jonah's prayer from the belly of the whale, assuming that he was vomited onto the dry land because of repen...
Genesis 1-11
Fr. Paul reviews critical aspects of Genesis 1-11 and how this section of the Bible “controls” the broader scriptural story. (Episode 4)
Remedial Prophecy
“Obey everything [your teachers] teach you, but do not do as they do, for they do not practice what they teach.” (Matthew 23:3) Like the warning, “do not judge,” (Matt...
Saved Under the Regime
Beginning with Exodus and Esther, Fr. Paul analyzes terminology and narrative structure to explain the biblical contrast drawn between slavery to human masters and sla...