Bible Study: Parody and Subversion in Matthew's Gospel
This podcast takes a journey through the Gospel of Matthew, unpacking its story of Jesus as a peasant leader of a nonviolent movement for a new society that he calls “The Kingdom of Heaven.” Each episode explores literary, cultural and historical context, passage by passage.
Episodes
93 episodes
The Martyrdom of Jesus, Israel, and Palestine
Could the Gospel of Matthew have been written to address the aftermath of a genocide, much like the one happening in Gaza right now?
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23:05
Recommending Documentary: Gaza Fights for Freedom
I recommend to my listeners the amazing documentary, Gaza Fights for Freedom. You can find it free on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HnZSaKYmP2sIt centers on the 21 months of nonviolent demonstrations by Gazans ...
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5:57
Special Episode: Living Humanly Under Occupation
The story of my short sojourn in Palestine 22 years ago and what I learned from the Palestinians. This is a slightly revised sermon that I delivered at Pasadena Mennonite Church in August of 2001.
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31:47
Special Episode: The Gospel Made Perfect in Weakness
The Gospel overturns not just the order of society but our conception of God as well. When Jesus cries out, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" we should be shocked. We should not just gloss over the implications of such a statement in ...
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22:43
Special Episode: The House That Love Built (Sermon)
This episode is a sermon that I delivered at Pasadena Mennonite Church on September 17, 2023. In this sermon I connect the dots between U.S. military and economic aggression abroad with domestic housing justice. The passages cited are:<...
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20:02
Announcing the Launch of the MHCH Podcast and a quick reflection on Deut. 15:1-8
The Making Housing and Community Happen (MHCH) Podcast has launched, telling stories of social transformation and housing justice!You can listen to the first episode here<...
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10:05
Special Episode: The Centurion Revisited (Matthew 8:5-13)
In this episode I revisit the text about Jesus' interaction with the centurion to focus more than I did in episode 16 on the "banquet" (NRSV) that Jesus refers to. What is this "banquet" of which Jesus speaks? How does it evolve in the writings...
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27:02
Special Episode: Blessing the Children and Encounter with the Rich Man Revisited, Matthew 19:13-30
Some new research and connections in these two passages that occur together in Matthew 19:13-30.
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18:52
Special Episode: Overturning Patriarchy and Re-forming Masculinity, Interview with Dr. Timothy Lewis
In this special episode, I interview Dr. Timothy Lewis, creator of the Podcast Matthewlinity, and author of the upcoming book, The Poetics of Matthew One. Through poetic/literary analysi...
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50:01
My Imaginary Opening Statement in a Debate with an Atheist
I've often thought about what I would say were I to be invited to participate in an on stage "debate" with an atheist. Well, here is my opening statement.
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10:59
The Mystery of Three 14s, Matthew 1:17
Why does Matthew divide up the genealogy into 3 sets of 14 generations? What does this signify?Link to Dr. Timothy Lewis' podcast, Matthewlinity: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/matthewlinity/id1398795694
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22:20
Jesus, Jonah, and Leviathan
Revisiting the theme of Jonah in Matthew. The "big fish" ain't just a big fish!
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11:22
Special Episode: Speaking to City Council Like Jesus Did
The text is Matthew 4:23-25. This special episode is mostly a recording of me, Bert, doing a workshop (as the sermon!) at Pasadena Mennonite Church, but I added a 10 minute introduction.
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36:14
Episode 67: The Resurrection and Great Commission, Matthew 27:55 - 28:20
Jesus' resurrection brings the victory of the future into the present, and Jesus gives his disciples a nonviolent commission to counter the imperial violent domination of the powers and authorities of this present age.
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22:27
Episode 66: The Crucifixion, Matthew 27:27-54
Jesus experiences abandonment by God, but the apocalyptic signs reveal the victory of the cross.
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29:25
Episode 65: Jesus Barabbas or Jesus Christ? Matthew 27:1-26
We look at two important passages, the suicide of Judas and the release of Barabbas.
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24:23
Episode 64: The Trial and The Denial, Matthew 26:57-75
Jesus goes on trial before the Sanhedrin, but who is really on trial? Those with eyes to see can see as through the vision of Daniel 7.
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15:55
Episode 63: Betrayal and Arrest, Matthew 26:30-56
In these passages, Jesus is more human than we have seen him; he is afraid and doesn't want to go to the cross, yet he still rejects violent resistance, even by angels.
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22:20
Episode 62: The Anointing and the Last Supper; Matthew 26:1 - 29
A woman anoints Jesus, and Jesus becomes the liberating sacrifice for the nation (and all nations or people).
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24:00
Addendum to The Little Apocalypse Series: What about that election language???
I did the whole series on The Little Apocalypse in Matthew and did not comment on the use of the term "the elect." So I did this little addendum to give my thoughts on the matter
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6:18
Episode 61: The Little Apocalypse Part III, Parables of the Talents and of the Sheep and the Goats, Matthew 25:14-46
Jesus tells two parables that demonstrate what "staying awake" or "keeping watch" looks like.
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25:19
Episode 60: The Little Apocalypse Part II, Matthew 24:36 - 25:13
In this second section of Matthew's "Little Apocalypse," Jesus starts talking parabolically, calling for his audience to "Stay Awake" for the "Coming of the Son of Man." But what does he mean by "Stay Awake," and what is the "Coming of the Son ...
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24:09
Addendum to Episode 59
I thought I'd address an issue that might come up for some listeners regarding the accuracy of the prediction of the destruction of the temple/Jerusalem, and also express some additional thoughts I had, after recording the episode, about Jesus'...
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27:33