This podcast series explores the Gospel of Matthew as literature, as a story. I make the argument that the story is one of a nonviolent revolutionary peasant leader named Jesus or Joshua (depending on whether you transliterate from the Greek or the Hebrew). The story, therefore, is sociopolitically subversive. Not only is the story subversive in its content, it is also subversive in its form. It parodies an ancient genre of literature common among the upper classes.I will make the argument that the author of this gospel was a defector from the upper classes (probably the retainer class) who expressed his solidarity with a peasant movement by writing out a version of the story of its foremost champion.The music used in this series comes from several sources. The intro and exit music is a composition entitled "Oaks of Madison" by my good friend Bob Nolty. Much of the interlude music beginning in episode 2 was composed specifically for this series by my friend and brother-in-law, David Martyn. In episode 1, most of the interlude music is royalty free music by various artists who will be credited on the Subversive Wisdom website, once that site gets up and running.The icon art work is by David Martyn.
The Bible Study: Parody and Subversion in Matthew's Gospel podcast offers a refreshing and enlightening perspective on the Christian story. This podcast delves deep into the historical, political, and cultural context of Jesus' time, uncovering the radical and beautiful movement that lies at the origins of Christianity. It challenges common narratives that have been co-opted by empire, providing an original analysis of Matthew that reveals Jesus as a social justice advocate in ways that may not have been recognized before.
One of the best aspects of this podcast is its well-researched and thought-provoking analysis of Matthew. The host, Bert Newton, provides a scholarly yet accessible exploration of the Gospel, shedding new light on its meaning and relevance for today. By placing the Gospels in their important historical context, listeners gain a deeper understanding of how to apply these teachings to their daily lives. This podcast truly enhances one's contemporary sense of using the gospel as a guide for social justice and personal growth.
Another highlight is how this series expands appreciation for Jesus beyond personal piety towards recognizing his profound implications for society. It addresses long-standing issues within Christianity with newfound significance. For example, it uncovers why Jesus is called the Son of God and how his claim challenged the Roman emperors who also claimed this title. Similarly, it explores Jesus' ability to forgive sins as a challenge to oppressive powers. The podcast presents these insights with clarity and depth, making them highly valuable for anyone seeking a more nuanced understanding of their faith.
A potential downside to this podcast is that it is only available in audio format. Some listeners may prefer having access to written material or transcripts for reference purposes or as study tools. While taking notes during episodes can be beneficial, having additional resources like a book or transcript would greatly enhance the learning experience.
In conclusion, The Bible Study: Parody and Subversion in Matthew's Gospel podcast offers a groundbreaking exploration of Christianity's origins. It challenges the co-opted narratives of empire and presents a fresh perspective on Jesus as a social justice advocate. Bert Newton's scholarly, witty, and relevant approach makes this podcast engaging and thought-provoking. While it would benefit from additional study materials, the sheer depth and insight provided in each episode make this podcast highly recommended for anyone seeking a deeper understanding of their faith and how to apply it to the world around them.
Send us a textIn this special episode, I interview Ched Myers about his new book, Healing Affluenza and Resisting Plutocracy; Luke's Jesus and Sabbath Economics.To order the book, go to Bookshop.org and search for Ched Myers. Through the end of July 2025, the promo code SOJO20 will reduce the price by 20%.You can also use this link:https://bookshop.org/beta-search?keywords=Ched+MyersDescription from Bookshop.org:Myers brings a well-honed interpretive eye to a thematic study of Luke's Gospel. He reads synoptically the crisis of socioeconomic disparity in Jesus's world and ours, and proposes powerful analogies that can build social imagination and animate personal and political practices for systemic change and justiceamong communities of faith today.There has been a revival of interest over the last half century in the Third Gospel's focus on issues of poverty and wealth. However, most exegetical or homiletic work by scholars and preachers of the Global North has been constrained by middle-class social assumptions, which inevitably domesticate Jesus's radical teaching and practice. To counter this, Myers argues that Luke's literary arc and individual representations are best interpreted through the lens of ""Sabbath Economics"" in the Hebrew Bible. He then brings socio-literary analysis and engaged commentary to bear on Luke's wise oldstories, correlating his narrative structures and symbols to systemic political and economic issues then and now.Luke's unique material, and how he redacts Mark and Q, reveals his unequivocal critique of socioeconomic disparity. Myers closely examines footprints and ""demonstration projects"" of Sabbath Economics in the first half of Luke, then considers archetypal characters, somatic representations, and socially contrasting scenarios of rich and poor in the second half. His approach deploys sociological exegesis, literary analysis, and liberation hermeneutics to recover Luke's story of Jesus in its historical context and its relevance to ours.
Send us a textThis is a sermon that I preached with a friend who is from Gaza.The text that was read before the sermon is Psalm 22:"My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?..."
Send us a textThis is a replay of Episode 31 with a brief new intro. Jesus tells a parable about a demon exorcism which results in a situation worse than the original demon possession. Those who read the Bible at surface level (and somehow don't seem to notice all the problems that presents) tend to read this passage literally, but Jesus is clearly speaking parabolically. This parable can be applied to any situation in which a problem has been dealt with in a way that does not deal with the root cause and only kicks the can down the road. I didn't change anything in the original episode; I'm just suggesting that it is worth another hearing because it can be applied to our current situation.
Send us a textFor many modern Christians, especially in the West, the miracles of the Bible are such an uncomfortable subject that we often pretend that they are not even there in the text. We ignore them. But they are key to understanding the message of the Gospel.
Send us a textWhat is the intersection between the "hidden things" and "secrets" of Matthew 13 and the recent conspiracy theories that have played significant role in U.S. politics?If you need to review Matthew 13, click here.
Could the Gospel of Matthew have been written to address the aftermath of a genocide, much like the one happening in Gaza right now?
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 at the border with Israel in 2018-2019.
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.
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 and urge everyone to do whatever you can to stop the genocide in Gaza. What Hamas did was horrid, but it was not unprovoked. It was proceeded by more than 75 years of displacement, dispossession, and a slow ethnic cleaning of the Palestinian people. All people of faith and conscience need to join together to call for an end to the violence and an end to occupation!
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.
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 12:46-50Mark 10:29-30Matthew 6:19-21
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.
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?Support the show
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?Support the show
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?Support the show
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.Support the show
Part 1 of my reaction to Jesus: A Life in Class Conflict by James Crossley and Robert Myles, chapters 1 - 3Was 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?Support the show
Some new research and connections in these two passages that occur together in Matthew 19:13-30.Support the show
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 or 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. Support the show
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.Support the show
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/id1398795694Support the show
Revisiting the theme of Jonah in Matthew. The "big fish" ain't just a big fish!Support the show
We are launching a beta video version of this podcast, so I need your feedback, mostly on the sound and video quality. It's only on the Facebook page which you can find here. It's low budget and simple, but we think it works.You can message me feedback on Facebook or send feedback to subversivewisdom@gmail.com.Support the show
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.Support the show (https://paypal.me/ParodySubversion?locale.x=en_US)
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.Support the show (https://paypal.me/ParodySubversion?locale.x=en_US)
Jesus experiences abandonment by God, but the apocalyptic signs reveal the victory of the cross.Support the show (https://paypal.me/ParodySubversion?locale.x=en_US)
We look at two important passages, the suicide of Judas and the release of Barabbas.Support the show (https://paypal.me/ParodySubversion?locale.x=en_US)
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.Support the show (https://paypal.me/ParodySubversion?locale.x=en_US)
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.Support the show (https://paypal.me/ParodySubversion?locale.x=en_US)
A woman anoints Jesus, and Jesus becomes the liberating sacrifice for the nation (and all nations or people).Support the show (https://paypal.me/ParodySubversion?locale.x=en_US)
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 matterSupport the show (https://paypal.me/ParodySubversion?locale.x=en_US)
Jesus tells two parables that demonstrate what "staying awake" or "keeping watch" looks like.Support the show (https://paypal.me/ParodySubversion?locale.x=en_US)
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."Support the show (https://paypal.me/ParodySubversion?locale.x=en_US)
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.Support the show (https://paypal.me/ParodySubversion?locale.x=en_US)
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!Support the show (https://paypal.me/ParodySubversion?locale.x=en_US)
More episodes in the New Year!Support the show (https://paypal.me/ParodySubversion?locale.x=en_US)
In chapter 5, Jesus gave 9 blessings. In chapter 23, he gives 7 woes.Support the show (https://paypal.me/ParodySubversion?locale.x=en_US)
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.Support the show (https://paypal.me/ParodySubversion?locale.x=en_US)
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.Support the show (https://paypal.me/ParodySubversion?locale.x=en_US)
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.Support the show (https://paypal.me/ParodySubversion?locale.x=en_US)
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/.Support the show (https://paypal.me/ParodySubversion?locale.x=en_US)
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?Support the show (https://paypal.me/ParodySubversion?locale.x=en_US)
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/. Support the show (https://paypal.me/ParodySubversion?locale.x=en_US)
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 Support the show (https://paypal.me/ParodySubversion?locale.x=en_US)
Whew! Finally getting this one out! I worked hard on this episode, and I think you will like it...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 at https://aeon.co/ideas/a-belief-in-meritocracy-is-not-only-false-its-bad-for-you. The PBS video about Paul Piff and his experiments about wealth and meritocracy can be found at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IuqGrz-Y_LcSupport the show (https://paypal.me/ParodySubversion?locale.x=en_US)
The rich young man man comes to Jesus. He's more sympathetic to the movement for a new society than we might think.Support the show (https://paypal.me/ParodySubversion?locale.x=en_US)
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!Support the show (https://paypal.me/ParodySubversion?locale.x=en_US)
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). You can tune into their worship services on Youtube here.Support the show (https://paypal.me/ParodySubversion?locale.x=en_US)
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!Support the show (https://paypal.me/ParodySubversion?locale.x=en_US)
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.Support the show (https://paypal.me/ParodySubversion?locale.x=en_US)
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.Support the show (https://paypal.me/ParodySubversion?locale.x=en_US)
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