Sean Winter joins us this week to continue our focus on 1 Peter, specifically 1 Peter 1:17-23 set for Easter 3. We talk about the nature of holiness as Peter conceives it; the way holiness refers not to individual moral perfection, but to a community’s identity as a consequence of what God has done for us. We discuss exile, and the particular way it is used in 1 Peter, as distinct from Isaiah. In these trying times of isolation, 1 Peter draws us back to see that the Scripture points to that which is enduring: the love of Christ, and the love we are called to give to one another.
Robyn and Fran discuss Jeremiah 23:1-6; Colossians 1:11-20 and Luke 23:33-43, and bid farewell for now, as By the Well pauses.
Kylie Crabbe welcomes Prof Brendan Byrne SJ, Jesuit Priest and renowned scholar of the New Testament as guest to the podcast. We discuss the Habakkuk and 2 Thessalonians readings more briefly before turning to discussion of the reading about Zacchaeus in Luke. Themes across the episode include: finding hope in turbulent political times, eschatology, conversion of communities (not just individuals), salvation that comes to Zacchaeus, meals, “Lukan triangles”—whereby episodes in Luke show a contrast or challenge in how two different people or groups respond to the good news or an interaction with Jesus, and more! Listeners might also be especially interested in Brendan’s wonderful (and highly accessible) commentary on Luke’s Gospel: The Hospitality of God: A Reading of Luke’s Gospel.
Kylie Crabbe and guest Rev Rachel Kronberger discuss Joel 2.23–32 and Luke 18.9–14. Themes include: hope after suffering, communal repentance, insiders and outsiders, portrayals of the Pharisees in the Gospels (and responsible interpretation), tax collectors in first-century Roman setting, reversal or restoration to relationship. Resources include: Amy-Jill Levine's Jewish Annotated New Testament, Brendan Byrne's The Hospitality of God, Howard Wallace's Lectionary Resources blog, Speaking of the Pharisees event by The Enoch Seminar.
Rev Sandy Brodine and Rev Brendan Byrne discuss Lamentations 1:1-6, 2 Timothy 1:1-14 and Luke 17:5-10. We refer to resources on intergen.org.au
Sandy and Adrian discuss Jeremiah 4:11-12,22-28; Psalm 14 and Luke 15:1-10.
This week Rachel and Sally explore the readings for Sunday August 31, Pentecost 12. Focusing on Jeremiah 2.4-13, Hebrews 13.1-8, 15-16, and Luke 14 1. 7-14, they discuss the hospitality of God and the challenge to think about where we seek our nourishment and who we offer hospitality to. In a world obsessed with status and wealth the way of Jesus disrupts expectations.
Robyn is joined by special guest, Rev. Dr Kristel Clayville, to discuss the readings for the 9th week of Pentecost - Isaiah 1:1, 1-20, Hebrews 11:1-3, 8-16 and Luke 12:32-40. We explore themes of relationship / covenant, promise, transformation, and hope.
Sally and Monica reflect on Amos 8:1-12; Psalm 52; Colossians 1:15-28 and Luke 10:38-42. We explore the prophetic indictment against misuse of power and wealth for personal gain and against the wellbeing of the community; early NT texts and the Nicene creed and the discipleship of women followers.
Monica and Robyn dicsuss the Naaman story in 2 Kings 5:1-14, the cry of the Psalmist in Psalm 30, and Jesus' commissioning of the 70 (72) in Luke 10:1-11, 16-20. We mention an article by Jione Havea on 2 Kings 5, which you can find here.
Robyn and Brendan discuss 2 Kings 2:1-2, 6-14; Galatians 5:1, 13-25, and Luke 9:51-62. We discuss the echoes of the Elijah / Elisha tradition in the gospels, the tension between prophetic glory and suffering, transitions, change, and the demands of following Jesus.
Fran and Sally discuss 1 Kings 19.1-15, Psalm 42, Galatians 3.23-29, Luke 8.26-39. They explore the place of silence, langauge and imagery for God, and the problem of evil (among other things).
Sally and Fran discuss Proverbs 8:1-4;22-31; Romans 5:1-5; John 16:12-15 We mention Sally's book Jesus Sophia: Returning to Woman Wisdom in the Bible; the Nomad podcast interview with Sally; Martin Scott's Sophia and the Johanine Jesus Ben Myers Tweeting the trinity: because heresy is meh
Robyn Whitaker is joined by theologian, Daniel Sihombing, to talk about the Spirit and Pentecost. We look at the various snapshots of the Holy Spirit in all the readings this week - Acts 2:1-21, Genesis 11:1-9, Psalm 104:24-35, Romans 8:14-17, and John 14:8-17 - discussing the range of activities of the Spirit and the centrality of her for Christian life.
Fran and Robyn discuss John 17:20-26, Revelation 22:12-14, 16-17, 20-21, and Acts 16:16-34 with brief mention of Psalm 97. We mentioned Willy James Jennings' Acts Commentary and Dorothy Lee's The Gospels Speak.
Robyn is joined by Rev. Brendan Byrne to discuss John 5:1-9, John 14:23-29 and Revelation 21:10, 22-22:5, with a brief mention of Psalm 67. We talk about the social justice dimensions of the healing in John 5 and the way Jesus' healing undermines moral assessments. We also noted the way John 14 and Revelation 22 talk about the movement of God towards God's people and creation to recreate a vision of an end where all the nations stream to God and God's dwelling place is with us. Those wanting to preach about Lydia in Acts 16 can tune in to our episode from 2022.
"A man may share in his prayer his concern for peace in the world and yet, in his own little world, be unwiliing to change his private attitude of antagoism or prejudice towards his fellows" Howard Thurman, Meditations of the Heart. In this episode Sally and Robyn discuss the "new commandment" to love one another (John 13:31-35) as a mark of Christian community. We also look at the visions of God's expansive kingdom in Revelation 21:1-6, Acts 11:1-18, and the way the whole cosmos praises God in Psalm 148. We mention Willie Jennings' Acts Commentary.
This Sunday is Good Shepherd Sunday in some traditions and Dorothy Lee and Robyn Whitaker explore images of both lamb and shepherd for Jesus in John 10:22-30, Psalm 23, and Revelation 7:9-17. Acts 9:36-43 continues the story of God's activity in the early church, this time through the resurrection of Tabitha, a female disciple of Jesus. You can read more about Tabitha and the background to Acts 9 at Marg Mowczko's blog. We also mention CS Lewis's The Last Battle.
Dorothy Lee and Robyn Whitaker discuss John 21:1-19, Psalm 30, Acts 9:1-20, and Revelation 5:11-14 (or 1-14). We explore themes of call / recall, transformation, and commissioning into resurrection life.