No Experts Allowed

When you look around the world, what do you see? There is so much to see, after all: stunning landscapes, the smiling faces of strangers, friends achieving long-hoped-for goals. There are also painful situations to see: war, community violence, and hunger. What does it look like to really see what's going on in the world, including the pain? What do we do when we want to look away? In John's Gospel, Jesus heals a man born blind (9:6-9:8), but the Pharisees, the religious leaders, are still confused about Jesus' identity; they spend the majority of the passage asking questions about Jesus and the blind man. Jonathan and Seth discuss the way we can be distracted, too, from what we can readily see right in front of us, in our communities, and on the news. We're glad you're with us! What are you seeing in the news that gives you life right now? It can be difficult to find, but we hope you can see it if you look.

Leaving Egypt, the wandering people cry out to Moses, "Why did you bring us out of Egypt, to kill us and our children and livestock with thirst?" (Exodus 17:3). What does this teach us about leaping from legitimate worries to thinking of the worst possible scenario? And how can Psalm 95 help us return to the problem at hand and also God's presence in our lives despite our worries? What does it look like to have worries and faith? Lent embraces worry while equally embracing stories about what God has done. In this way, it can prepare us for an uncertain future. We're glad you're with us! We're marching steadily toward the Great Three Days, which encompasses the evening of Maundy Thursday through Easter morning. Have you given anything up for Lent? If so, what and what's your experience been like? We're love to hear about it.

What is a nation? What is the nation of Israel in "Bible Times"™? How is it portrayed in the biblical texts? How is the modern, nation state of Israel connected or not connected to that historical group? This podcast aims to be less than half an hour, so these are obviously large questions to tackle in the time, however, Jonathan and Seth set out to do just that. They look at Genesis 12:2-3: I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and the one who curses you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed. We hope this episode helps to think more critically about modern day Israel and whether its uncritical support is justified by the the biblical text. We're glad you're with us! This episode, perhaps more than most, has the best chance to "ruffle some feathers" or upset people. Rather than jumping to conclusions, we hope you'll both listen to the end to hear our entire argument and respond in love, even if you disagree. Stay safe and warm!

Jesus is tested in the wilderness by the devil. Frankly, it strikes me (Seth) as an odd story. The devil rarely appears in the New Testament, especially not in an anthropomorphized way where he speaks and takes someone places. Instead, the New Testament authors often speak of the forces of evil or "the god of this world" (2 Cor. 4:4). What are these strange temptations by the devil, then? Jonathan and Seth discuss them as quick fixes to deep-seated problems. That's not only an ancient problem, but one especially relevant in the age of fast shipping, 5G, and streaming services. What does Jesus' refusal to take the quick fix teach us, and how can it help us this Lent? We're glad you're with us! This episode is released late because I (Seth, again) thought I set it to upload, but did not. I apologize! If you're digging out from the snow, we hope you'll give it a listen. Stay safe and warm!

Jesus, along with Peter, James, and his brother John, is on a mountain. While there, Jesus's clothes become "bright as light," and his face shines with a radiance like the sun's. This text and its setting are often used to talk about "mountain top experiences." Jonathan and Seth discuss how they've heard that term used, their own significant experiences of seemingly being in the divine presence, what it looks like to carry these experiences with us, and why we might be tempted to try to stay on the mountain. We're glad you're with us. These mountain-top experiences may seem to be opposed to the coming season of Lent; however, their transformation and the call to carry on the practices or put this new knowledge to use are fitting for this Sunday that leads into Ash Wednesday and the Lenten season.

What is the point of fasting? Jonathan and Seth discuss their experiences with fasting, different types of fasts, the potential challenges of fasting, and what "true fasting" looks like according to Isaiah 58:1-9a. In Isaiah's vision, fasting has a social component; it changes how people live, and it also alters the structure of entire societies. It involves liberation, sharing one's resources, and the deep humility that requires personal transformation. It is less about abstaining from food but rather about abstaining from injustice. This seems like a pressing word for today. We're glad you're with us! If you've listened to our episodes, we hope you know where we stand on Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). To be clear, however, we unequivocally oppose ICE, its goal, the murders it's caused, and the terror it strikes in our neighbors. We hope you'll join us in condemning it.

What would a world radically shaped by God's vision look like? How would people behave? What would they prioritize? While the lectionary texts are designed to go together, this Sunday's readings seem particularly linked. This week, Jonathan and Seth read all of them, including the Beatitudes and Micah 6:8, and discuss how they connect. They talk about how they offer a different vision than what we see in the wider world, especially in politics right now. In a reversal of Michelle Obama's statement about going high when they go low, we might think of this episode about living as God's people as: "When they aim for high positions of power, we aim for lowly positions of service, humility, and love." We're glad you're with us! Jonathan and Seth are snowed in as this episode goes live. If you are, too, we hope you're safe and warm. If your weather is nicer than ours, then we're jealous!

So much of the Bible is poetry. Obviously, the Psalms, but also the vast majority of Job, and the prophets. There are songs like those Moses and Miriam sing in Exodus 15. Paul quotes what might be early Christian hymns in his letters. Is there something peculiar to poetry that makes it the preferred medium for expressing suffering? Is it made for emotion? What can poetry, and writing poetry ourselves, help us to discover about the biblical texts? Jonathan and Seth discuss poetry in this episode. We hope it inspires you to write some of your own, too. We're glad you're with us! This book did not come up in our conversation, but Robert Alter wrote a well-known book in biblical studies called The Art of Biblical Poetry. I (Seth) would recommend it if this episode really resonates with you. And feel free to email us poems that have stuck with you. We would love to read them.

What's in a name? How did you get your name? And what's in a name like Israel? And what baggage do we bring from our Bible reading to the modern nation-state of Israel? When we see the word Israel, do we conflate the two? Jonathan and Seth discuss how to separate these two identities. This separation (or its conflation) has real repercussions for how we view Israel today. We're glad you're with us! While this episode talks about one specific name, Israel. We'd love to hear how you got your name or how you named your pet(s). Email us with the story. W'd love to hear from our listeners.

Have you ever had an epiphany? Suddenly, you've realized something that was not obvious before. This is one use of the word "epiphany," but the Church has historically used it more technically: to describe the revelation of Jesus Christ into the world when the magi arrive to see Jesus. They talk a little about the "wise men." But mostly Jonathan and Seth discuss these different uses of the word, why, and how epiphany differs from Christmas, and why it matters. Epiphany is January 6th, 12 days after Christmas. We transferred it to the following Sunday, however, as some churches do. We're glad you're with us! Feel free to reach out and tell us your epiphanies, whether they're religious or not.

John's Gospel starts at a different scale than Matthew's and Luke's (Mark's just sort of starts with no nativity or infancy narrative). John starts at the beginning of creation with "He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being" (1:2-3). While Matthew and Luke "zoom in" on Jesus and the Holy Family, John "zooms out." What can we make of this difference? What does it mean to have, as some scholars have called it, a cosmic Christ? And, maybe most centrally to the Jesus movement, what does it mean that this Cosmic Christ lived among us in our very flesh and blood? Christmas is almost over, but the questions it raises are not. So, join Jonathan and Seth as they talk about them together. Thanks for being with us! We hope the joy of Christmas carries with you throughout the year. Although we know that Christmas brings with it lots of complicated emotions, we hope joy is the lasting one.

A short, fun episode, Jonathan and Seth pray and reveal the gifts they got each other. In an attempt not to spoil the surprise, here are links to Jonathan's gift to Seth and to Seth's gifts to Jonathan. Merry Christmas from the both of us!

Jesus and his family become refugees in Egypt. The peaceful mangers we set up at home, or the almost-life-sized ones set up at the large church in our area, look so calm. But this text reminds us that there is a political dimension to Jesus' birth that enrages Herod. Jonathan and Seth discuss how it also is also an affront to the empires and the powerful today. They talk about why we don't hear this story more often, why Jesus' stint in Egypt might be glossed over by hymn sings, and why this newborn is political - like refugees, children, and the displaced today. We're glad you're with us! This episode hits your feed at a strange time because it is about the Sunday after Christmas, but is uploaded before Christmas. No matter when you listen, we hope your Christmas was/is joyful! And we will have another, shorter Christmas episode to listen to on Christmas Eve.

Joseph is not Jesus' biological father, or "biodad" as is growing in popularity on TikTok. But he does seem to be committed to Mary and, subsequently, to the baby Jesus. As Luke writes, "Joseph, being a righteous man and unwilling to expose [Mary] to public disgrace, planned to divorce her quietly" (1:9). What can we learn about commitment and calling from him? Are these different? This story clearly fits into the larger narrative of Jesus' birth, but how does Joseph fit into Advent? We're glad you're with us! We hope that your Advent is expectant, your Christmas preparations are underway, and that you are tender with yourself as this season brings with it its many emotions.

What makes you feel impatient? What are life's small annoyances that you dislike waiting for? Unfortunately, waiting is part of life, and especially the Christian life. The Advent season emphasizes waiting and the joy that can be found in it. In this episode, Jonathan and Seth discuss whether they're patient wait-ers, how Advent can be a balm for the impatient among us, and even ways to be better wait-ers. While we're not sure it will help us be better servers at a restaurant, it may help us better serve those around us. We're glad you're with us! Do you share some of our annoyances? If so, we'd love to hear from you. In the meantime, keep waiting - Christ will come again!

Advent texts, particularly the Old Testament readings, often offer a glimpse into joy, peace, and justice God’s second coming will bring. In this week’s texts, Isaiah describes unlikely animals living in peace with each other. They’re neither dominated by their prey drive or fear. What unlikely pairings might be possible today? Who can we befriend for the betterment of the world God loves? What holds us back from these relationships? In other words, what does God’s shalom look like now, as we anticipate it coming in its fullness? We’re glad you’re with us for this new liturgical year! I (Seth) forget how much I love Advent until it rolls around again. Then I’m always thankful for its themes; I hope you experience the same.

Are you a "prep-er"? Are you prepared for anything, running through scenarios and 'what-ifs' at work, in life, with friendships, and everything in between? To start the new liturgical year, Paul wants us to wake up and be ready. Jonathan, as someone who is ever-prepared, and Seth, someone who is moderately prepared, talk about what that looks like in the life of faith. They discuss being ready as a state of being and how we can live in light of the expected return of Christ, which will bring with it unexpected joy, reversals, and new life. We're glad you're with us! This is the 3rd recording of this episode because the sound was not cooperating for Seth. Thank you for your patience; we know our episodes usually release on Mondays, but this one wasn't ready (See what I did there?).

Reign of Christ Sunday, or sometimes called Christ the King Sunday, ends the liturgical year. It asks who is ultimately in charge and worth worshipping. But to know that God is in charge and to act like it is much easier said than done. Jonathan and Seth discuss the challenge of the phrase, "Be still, and know that I am God!"  (Psalm 46:10) and what a faithful stillness might look like in our hurried, news-flooded world. Since this Sunday closes the liturgical year, the discussion seems like a fitting recap of much of their discussion this year. We're glad you're with us! We hope you'll join us for liturgical year A that takes us to Matthew.

Recorded on election day, November 4th, politics was in the air. In Virginia, the gubernatorial election dominated advertisements. In Pennsylvania, the option to retain state Supreme Court justices was on the ballot. All of this was happening during a government shutdown that was affecting the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). And the author of 2 Thessalonians - who may or may not be Paul - writes, "anyone unwilling to work should not eat" (3:10). To say there is a lot to talk about is an understatement! Jonahtn and Seth discuss this verse, which they've heard in the news lately, but also talk about the wider role of tradition when Christianity seems muddled. We're glad you're with us! Votes are counted, but this episode is still relevant. We'd love to hear how you've heard the phrase, "anyone unwilling to work should not eat." Feel free to email us.

What does a theology look like that has "good bones?" What does a theology rooted in care and concern for people look like? What are its hallmarks? How is it lived? In this week's lectionary text, the Sadducees ask questions about the resurrection. Jesus, however, speaks about resurrection as a way of life so that their question about multiple husbands is moot. Jonathan and Seth discuss this idea of a resurrection faith that takes seriously questions about heaven, but then tries to bring that ideal down to earth. They attempt to find the "good bones" in the Sadducees quiz. We're glad you're with us! Be on the lookout for a backlog of episodes that are going to post this week. We understand life's busy, and you might not have time to listen to them all, but we wanted to make them available. And they'll be here for years, so you can always listen next time Year C rolls around!