Bible Study: Parody and Subversion in Matthew's Gospel artwork

Bible Study: Parody and Subversion in Matthew's Gospel

115 episodes - English - Latest episode: 3 months ago -

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.

Christianity Religion & Spirituality News Politics bible gospel matthew jesus liberationist sociopolitical literature theology exegetical gospel of matthew
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Episodes

Recommending Documentary: Gaza Fights for Freedom

December 20, 2023 05:00 - 5 minutes - 4.12 MB

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=HnZSaKYmP2s It centers on  the 21 months of nonviolent demonstrations by Gazans at the border with Israel in 2018-2019.

Special Episode: Living Humanly Under Occupation

December 01, 2023 07:00 - 31 minutes - 21.9 MB

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.

Hacked! The Facebook page was hacked and then suspended by Facebook...Call for end to the genocide in Gaza!

November 16, 2023 23:00 - 12 minutes - 8.48 MB

My personal Facebook page is on the same account as the podcast page. It was hacked and then Facebook suspended it. I have alerted them to the hack and appealed the suspension, but as of this writing it is still suspended. A part of me suspects that this is just Facebook trying to silence those who speak out about the genocide in Gaza, something that I was doing extensively on my personal page. I'm probably wrong about that, but I'm taking this as an opportunity to speak out on this podcast ...

Special Episode: The Gospel Made Perfect in Weakness

October 13, 2023 14:00 - 22 minutes - 15.6 MB

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 this story about God revealed in a human Palestinian Jewish peasant. It may be an earth shattering revelation about what "God" is really like and where "God" is found.

Special Episode: The House That Love Built (Sermon)

September 18, 2023 04:00 - 20 minutes - 13.8 MB

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: Matthew 12:46-50 Mark 10:29-30 Matthew 6:19-21

Announcing the Launch of the MHCH Podcast and a quick reflection on Deut. 15:1-8

August 18, 2023 22:00 - 10 minutes - 6.96 MB

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. You can also search for "Making Housing and Community Happen" on your podcast app. You can visit the Making Housing and Community Happen website here.

Special Episode: The Centurion Revisited (Matthew 8:5-13)

June 20, 2023 02:00 - 27 minutes - 18.6 MB

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 of ancient Israel, and what form does it take in the Gospel of Matthew?

Special Episode: Jesus: A Life in Class Conflict, chapters 9-11 (A Reaction)

May 29, 2023 17:00 - 59 minutes - 41.2 MB

 Part 4 of my reaction to Jesus: A Life in Class Conflict by James Crossley and Robert Myles, chapters 9-11, plus a summary of my reaction/review. In this episode: Did Jesus really predict the destruction of the temple? How do scholars understand the resurrection historically? Was the Jesus movement a failed revolution?

Special Episode: Jesus: A Life in Class Conflict, chapters 6-8 (A Reaction)

May 20, 2023 18:00 - 57 minutes - 39.6 MB

 Part 3 of my reaction to Jesus: A Life in Class Conflict by James Crossley and Robert Myles, chapters 6-8. In these chapters the authors discuss: Was Jesus more like a playful hippy or a serious communist? Was the Jesus movement nonviolent? Was the Jesus movement obsessed with martyrdom? Did Jesus really predict his own death?

Special Episode: Jesus: A Life in Class Conflict, chapters 4-5 (A Reaction)

May 15, 2023 18:00 - 47 minutes - 33 MB

 Part 2 of my reaction to Jesus: A Life in Class Conflict by James Crossley and Robert Myles, chapters 4-5. Two Marxist historical Jesus scholars talk about the Jesus movement's mission to the rich and whether the Jesus movement actually performed healings and exorcisms.

Special Episode: Jesus: A Life in Class Conflict, chapters 1-3 (A Reaction)

May 10, 2023 05:00 - 49 minutes - 34.3 MB

Part 1 of my reaction to Jesus: A Life in Class Conflict by James Crossley and Robert Myles, chapters 1 - 3 Was the historical Jesus a revolutionary or a millenarian prophet? Is there a difference? Did he create a movement or emerge from one? What was his relationship to John the Baptist?

Special Episode: Blessing the Children and Encounter with the Rich Man Revisited, Matthew 19:13-30

February 15, 2023 20:00 - 18 minutes - 13 MB

Some new research and connections in these two passages that occur together in Matthew 19:13-30.

Special Episode: Overturning Patriarchy and Re-forming Masculinity, Interview with Dr. Timothy Lewis

October 29, 2022 18:00 - 50 minutes - 34.4 MB

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 analysis of the Gospel of Matthew, Dr. Lewis has found a pattern in which the narrative consistently undermines patriarchal structures and customs, challenging men to put aside male privilege. This pattern may be a major interpretive key to understanding the story told in the Gospel of Matthew. 

My Imaginary Opening Statement in a Debate with an Atheist

October 11, 2022 04:00 - 10 minutes - 7.57 MB

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.

The Mystery of Three 14s, Matthew 1:17

September 16, 2022 16:00 - 22 minutes - 15.4 MB

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

Jesus, Jonah, and Leviathan

September 09, 2022 04:00 - 11 minutes - 7.84 MB

Revisiting the theme of Jonah in Matthew. The "big fish" ain't just a big fish!

Special Episode: Speaking to City Council Like Jesus Did

April 24, 2022 16:00 - 36 minutes - 24.9 MB

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.

Episode 67: The Resurrection and Great Commission, Matthew 27:55 - 28:20

March 13, 2022 17:00 - 22 minutes - 15.4 MB

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.

Episode 66: The Crucifixion, Matthew 27:27-54

March 06, 2022 17:00 - 29 minutes - 20.2 MB

Jesus experiences abandonment by God, but the apocalyptic signs reveal the victory of the cross.

Episode 65: Jesus Barabbas or Jesus Christ? Matthew 27:1-26

February 27, 2022 17:00 - 24 minutes - 16.8 MB

We look at two important passages, the suicide of Judas and the release of Barabbas.

Episode 64: The Trial and The Denial, Matthew 26:57-75

February 20, 2022 17:00 - 15 minutes - 11 MB

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.

Episode 63: Betrayal and Arrest, Matthew 26:30-56

February 13, 2022 17:00 - 22 minutes - 15.4 MB

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.

Episode 62: The Anointing and the Last Supper; Matthew 26:1 - 29

February 06, 2022 17:00 - 24 minutes - 16.5 MB

A woman anoints Jesus, and Jesus becomes the liberating sacrifice for the nation (and all nations or people).

Addendum to The Little Apocalypse Series: What about that election language???

January 23, 2022 04:00 - 6 minutes - 4.36 MB

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

Episode 61: The Little Apocalypse Part III, Parables of the Talents and of the Sheep and the Goats, Matthew 25:14-46

January 16, 2022 20:00 - 25 minutes - 17.4 MB

Jesus tells two parables that demonstrate what "staying awake" or "keeping watch" looks like.

Episode 60: The Little Apocalypse Part II, Matthew 24:36 - 25:13

January 09, 2022 20:00 - 24 minutes - 16.6 MB

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 of Man."

Addendum to Episode 59

January 02, 2022 21:00 - 27 minutes - 18.9 MB

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' statement, "This generation will not pass away until all these things have taken place." This is not a polished recording and was not scripted; it's just me thinking aloud.

Episode 59: The Little Apocalypse, Part I, Matthew 24:1-35

January 02, 2022 20:00 - 48 minutes - 33.3 MB

This is the first in a three part series on Matthew's "Little Apocalypse" in chapters 24-25. This first episode is considerably on the long side because there is so much imagery to unpack!

Quick note to let you know more episodes are coming...down the Rosarita Highway!

December 16, 2021 22:00 - 4 minutes - 3.05 MB

More episodes in the New Year!

Episode 58: Seven Woes and a Lament, Matthew 23

November 22, 2021 20:00 - 33 minutes - 22.8 MB

In chapter 5, Jesus gave 9 blessings. In chapter 23, he gives 7 woes.

Episode 57: Roman Taxes, Resurrection, and David's Legacy, Matthew 22:15-46

November 08, 2021 02:00 - 23 minutes - 16.3 MB

The Pharisees join forces with the Herodians and Sadducees to try to stop Jesus from plundering the house. They engage him in public debate...but that never ends well for them.

Episode 56: Jesus Plunders the House, Matthew 21:23-22:14

October 28, 2021 16:00 - 37 minutes - 25.7 MB

In chapter 12, Jesus talked about binding the strong man and plundering his house. In this episode, Jesus does that. Please consider making a donation to the Immigrant Worker Safety Net Fund.

Special Episode: Sermon by Susan Cameron on Mark's Divorce Text, Mark 10:2-16

October 20, 2021 16:00 - 24 minutes - 16.9 MB

My good friend, Susan Cameron, who is a lawyer as well as a seminary graduate, gives us insights into the divorce text in Mark, which is different from but similar enough to the two divorce texts in Matthew that her work gives greater depth to the work that I did on the Matthew passages.

Episode 55: The Fig Tree, The Mountain, and The Sea; Matthew 21:18-22

October 14, 2021 02:00 - 19 minutes - 13.2 MB

Please consider making a donation to Christian Peacemaker Teams for the work in the West Bank, in Hebron/al- Khalil in Palestine. You can read more about their work and make a donation at https://www.cpt.org/.

Episode 54: What's in a ritual? Driving the Devil out of the Temple, Matthew 21:12-17

September 22, 2021 05:00 - 24 minutes - 16.9 MB

Why did Jesus drive the money changers and people selling animals out of the temple? Also, ancient people had their sacrificial rituals, but do we? What are the rituals of modern capitalism, and do we even know that we are performing them?

Episode 53: Palm Sunday, Making an Ass Out of Rome, Matthew 21:1-11

September 13, 2021 21:00 - 28 minutes - 19.6 MB

Part of the title for this episode, "Making and Ass Out of Rome," is borrowed from Warren Carter, who entitled the section on this passage in his commentary with those words. In this episode, I mention The Yes Men, modern tricksters who expose some of the more absurd and cruel aspects of capitalism. To find out more about them and see them in action, go to https://theyesmen.org/. 

Episode 52: The Crucible of Equality, Matthew 20:17-34

August 31, 2021 23:00 - 35 minutes - 24.5 MB

Equality is extremely difficult; there are always people who want to put themselves in positions of power and authority over others. Different accounts of the conquest of Jerusalem by David, Joshua, and Judah: https://www.thetorah.com/article/the-israelite-conquest-of-jerusalem-in-the-bible-when-and-who 

Episode 51: Parable of the Vineyard Workers, Matthew 20:1-16

August 16, 2021 15:00 - 39 minutes - 27.5 MB

Jesus warns against meritocracy in this often overlooked parable. A couple of resources mentioned in the podcast are: Clifton Mark's article, "A Belief in Meritocracy is Not Only False, It's Bad for You," can be found here. The PBS video about Paul Piff and his experiments about wealth and meritocracy can be found here.

Episode 50: Matthew 19:13-30

July 27, 2021 17:00 - 28 minutes - 19.5 MB

The rich young man man comes to Jesus. He's more sympathetic to the movement for a new society than we might think.

Episode 49: Divorce (again), Eunuchs, and Patriarchal Household Structures, Matthew 19:1-12

July 18, 2021 20:00 - 28 minutes - 19.8 MB

Jesus finally leaves Galilee, on his way to Jerusalem, and enters Judea. Pharisees ask him about divorce, and Jesus ends up talking about eunuchs. Good stuff!

Special Episode: Interview with Pastor Marcos Canales

July 13, 2021 18:00 - 53 minutes - 36.7 MB

This interview is focused on hearing the Gospel in today's context. I interview a local pastor of a bilingual Spanish-English congregation, Pastor Marcos Canales. Pastor Canales hears the Gospel as one who has lived the effects of colonization as Jesus did. Also, his congregation just finished a study of the Gospel of Mark, a major source for Matthew, so we get his insights from that study. Marcos Canales is the pastor of La Fuente Ministries at PazNaz (Pasadena Church of the Nazarene). Y...

Addendum to Episode 48

July 06, 2021 20:00 - 15 minutes - 10.4 MB

One of our listeners gives a brilliant modern-day analogy to help us understand and interpret "The Parable of the Tyrant King and the Unforgiving Servant." Also, Time magazine came out with an article on air conditioning, and one place in Canada recorded 121 degrees Fahrenheit!

Episode 48: Parable of the Tyrant King and Unforgiving Slave, Matthew 18:21-35

June 29, 2021 19:00 - 35 minutes - 24.5 MB

The parable at the end of chapter 18 of Matthew is usually called "The Parable of the Unforgiving Slave" because it is understood to be about the behavior of one character in the parable. But a closer examination of the parable in its historical context reveals that it is not just about one person's behavior but also about systemic and structural injustice.

Episode 47: An Alternative Crimininal Justice System; Matthew 18:15-20

June 21, 2021 17:00 - 20 minutes - 14 MB

In this episode, I make the case that what normally has been understood as a passage about "church discipline" is actually about an alternative criminal justice system. The language used is language of ancient judicial proceedings in both Judea and the wider Greco-Roman world. So those who are today talking about abolishing the current criminal justice system and replacing it with something more democratic and community-based seem to be thinking with the mind of Christ.

Episode 46: The Greatest in the New Society, Matthew 18:1-14

June 14, 2021 04:00 - 16 minutes - 11.2 MB

This episode starts a new section of Matthew, chapters 18-20, in which Jesus talks about the structure of the New Society, specifically how power, honor, and authority are distributed.

Special Episode: Ancient Palestine, Modern Israel, Matthew, Jesus, the Pharisees, and Us

June 07, 2021 04:00 - 27 minutes - 18.6 MB

The Gospel story has been used as a pretext for horrible persecution of Jewish people in the West. This persecution led to the modern state of Israel, perceived, for good reason, by many Jews as the only way to escape this persecution. The result has been the dispossession of the Palestinian people. In this episode, I try to grapple with this history and also tell of my experience of visiting the West Bank 20 years ago. For further resources on the current situation in Israel, visit B'tsel...

Episode 45: Interpretations, Moonstruck People, Temples, Drachmas, and Fish, Matthew 17:9-27

May 30, 2021 04:00 - 27 minutes - 18.6 MB

Fresh off the mountain of the transfiguration, Jesus counters the interpretation of the temple establishment, casts out a Roman demon, and cleverly undermines the authority of the temple system of the empire.

Episode 45: Interpretations, Moonstruck people, Temples, Drachmas, and Fish, Matthew 17:9-27

May 30, 2021 04:00 - 27 minutes - 18.6 MB

Fresh off the mountain of the transfiguration, Jesus counters the interpretation of the temple establishment, casts out a Roman demon, and cleverly undermines the authority of the temple system of the empire. Support the show (https://paypal.me/ParodySubversion?locale.x=en_US)

Episode 44: The Transfiguration, Matthew 17:1-8

May 24, 2021 01:00 - 25 minutes - 17.2 MB

The Transfiguration has baffled commentators for centuries. What is the point? How does it fit into the story? I think that I have a good answer for that. If we think of this gospel as a "hero story," what happens in that sort of story when the hero finally decides to take the gloves off and go on the offensive, no longer avoiding conflict but running towards it? I suggest, in this episode, that the answer to that question provides the key to understanding this pivotal scene in the Gospel of...

Episode 43: The Turn Toward Jerusalem, Matthew 16:21-28

May 17, 2021 03:00 - 24 minutes - 16.5 MB

We finally come to the halfway point in the story, where it takes a turn toward Jerusalem. Geography in this story is not always exact, in fact the author takes literary license with the geographical facts, but it is always pregnant with meaning.