No Experts Allowed

When and how do we tell difficult-to-hear truths? In this Sunday's gospel text, Jesus heals on the Sabbath. In doing so, he does what isn't expected or accepted. Speaking difficult truths can be similar. Others may expect us to "toe the line" by parroting what others in authority have said. Likewise, our truths may not be accepted or could be viewed as harsh. Jonathan and Seth discuss how this applies to the war in Gaza. It also has applications in our personal lives. As we wrestle with these, we hope it stirs questions and insights into how to break the rules, just as the water in the pool of Beth-zatha is stirred up (John 5:7). We're glad you're with us. In this episode, they reference the book One Day, Everyone Will Always Have Been Against This by Omar El Akkad. I (Seth, here) would recommend it to anyone.

The seer John watches an entire city, a new Jerusalem, descend from heaven. While cities in the ancient world were much smaller than cities today, they were still hubs of economic and civic engagement. People lived closer to one another, interacted more frequently, and likely got into more spats. What do cities offer us that suburbs do not? What are some of their challenges? Can we develop a theology of cities? And what lessons might we take from cities to apply to our lives outside of them? After all, both Jonathan and Seth live in the suburbs now. We're glad you're with us! As mentioned, cities were smaller in Jesus' time. Scholars estimated that roughly 20,000 people lived in Jerusalem. That's half the size of York City, so if you're unsure where or how large York is, you're close to understanding how small Jerusalem was then! Jerusalem's population, however, would swell for religious holidays.

Do you know that God cares about you? We hope so! We also hope that you'll reflect that care by caring for others. That's much easier said than done, however. What does that care look like? How can it be concrete? What is so enticing about online activism that keeps others at arm's length? What are a few concrete ways to care? In this episode, Jonathan and Seth discuss how we care for others "up close." We touch on all four appointed readings for this Sunday, too. We're glad you're with us! This episode was recorded in person. We hope that joy is evident in the recording. It may also mean, unfortunately, the sound quality is a little different. Thanks for bearing with us. We'd love to hear about how someone concretely cared for you or how you've decided what your caring priorities are at noexpertsallowed@gmail.com

Saul's conversion, or maybe more accurately his call, is full of power imbalances and power reversals. Jonathan and Seth look at this well known story through this lens to ask: how does God use and confuse power? What might that say about who has power today? Who should we be listening to because they have power in God's kin-don, but have been overlooked, drowned out, or outright disparaged?  Thanks for joining us! We hope your Easter season continues to be full of resurrections, an awareness of God's unconditional love for you, and the awe of Jesus rising from the dead.

The same reading follows Easter Sunday each year, the story of "Doubting Thomas" (John 20:19-31). In previous episodes, we've discussed how Thomas' reputation suffers despite being logical. When has someone risen from the dead, after all? In this episode, we explore how we might react. Do we lean into change quickly? Are we resistant to change? What makes change easier to stomach? Easter changes how we think about death, the forces of evil, and how we can live in light of them, so this episode sets the stage for the rest of this Easter Season. In this episode, Jonathan and Seth discuss the Change Adoption Continuum; it features prominently in their What Would You Do In This Particular Situation question. You can see the graphic here and read more about how to lead others through change. We hope you had a joyous Easter filled with the power of Jesus' resurrection. As always, we're glad you're with us too.

Vulnerability exists in different forms. Scholars identify physical, social, economic, and environmental as the four main types. What makes being vulnerable so tricky? Why do we feel that way when we might embarrass ourselves or not get what we want? In this episode, Jonathan and Seth talk about those feelings of vulnerability. Jonathan leads an exercise that mimics it and may help us become more accustomed to the feeling; we hope you'll participate in the exercise with us. Finally, they talk about the vulnerability surrounding the entirety of the Easter story. Since this episode releases Monday of Holy Week, we hope this mini-season is a blessing. Try to take it all in. Sit in Good Friday's pain and confusion (even if you feel vulnerable). And, we hope, you experience the joy of Easter.  We're glad you're with us.

"Hosana," people cry as Jesus enters Jerusalem on a donkey. Hosana means "save us."  This reading, including the dramatic entrance and allusions to Caesar entering a city, bursts with political imagery. And politics is dominating the news again. This past weekend, potentially millions marched in the Hands Off protests. People on the opposite side of the aisle have seen Donald Trump as a sort of savior, even a quasi-religious one. So, what does it mean to cry "Hosana" today? What or who needs saving? This episode focuses primarily on the palms portion of this Sunday. Frankly, we thought there was enough passion, enough suffering in the news, enough death and destruction that an episode on that portion of the day seemed redundant. We're glad you're with us! We hope you'll turn into next week's Easter episode, too.

After Mary anointed Jesus' feet and Judas hypocritically complained about the price of the perfume not going to the poor, Jesus says, "You always have the poor with you, but you do not always have me" (Jn. 12:8). Unfortunately, this statement has been used to justify not helping those in need. Jonathan and Seth talk about that history briefly but also about spending money on what matters. It's a discussion about how our priorities are shaped by problems we did not cause yet still influence us. Seth quotes from Lucas Bessire's Running Out: In Search of Water on the High Plains. The majority of the book is Bessire and his dad driving through rural Kansas, meeting with farmers who pump aquifer water and people trying to limit that water use. The afterword is particularly compelling, however, in its connection to broader societal problems and what Bessire calls "the widdening of acceptable disregard." This episode leads directly into next week's Palm Sunday reading. John's Gospel, too, looks forward to next week's lectionary reading as if to say, "Come back next week for more."  We hope you'll do that! Until then, we're glad you're with us.

Luke 15 has been called "The Gospel in miniature." In this week's lectionary reading, the parable of the prodigal son is the appointed text (Luke 15:1-3; 11b-32). However, that parable is the third one in a row. So, Jonathan and Seth discussed these three parables alongside Paul's theology of reconciliation. What does reconciliation look like? Who has the power to reconcile? Are there times when reconciliation is not possible? This episode is particularly joyous because Jonathan and Seth recorded in person. We hope that joy comes through. We also hope the sound quality is acceptable. It's even a short episode because Jonathan and Seth had to get back to playing Mario Party! Thanks for listening. We are glad you're with us.

Who matters? That question permeates politics today. This Sunday's Gospel reading might get at the question in a roundabout way. In roughly the first half, Jesus tells a series of stories about local tragedies; in the latter half, a parable about a fig tree that a vineyard owner wants to cut down. Jonathan and Seth discuss how these stories are about "mattering," how they jettison our traditional sense of mattering because of what they produce, and offer a look into God's economy that values people over any productivity. Be sure to tune in next week for a special episode recorded in person. Jonathan and Seth rarely get to see each other face-to-face, but had the opportunity to see each other, go bowling, play Mario Party, and find time to record a podcast episode. So, we hope you'll listen next week as well. Until then, we're glad you're with us!

At least in North America, citizenship seems to be in the news lately. What do Canadians think about the United States? Who and what is coming over the borders to affect our citizens? How do tariffs impact our citizens and hurt others? And what does it mean for Paul to write, "Our citizenship is in heaven" (Phil. 3:20)? Jonathan and Seth talk about this verse, which is often used to rationalize being separated from the earthly world. Can it be a helpful lens? How might it be particularly helpful in Lent? That seems like enough questions for one podcast! We're glad you're with us. This episode is not very political, despite the political undertones. So, if you're weary from the news, we hope you'll listen nonetheless.

Lent begins with ashes, a physical sign of death's inevitability. If you're like me (Seth, here), you feel the ashes on your forehead and wipe them without thinking. They're still there but spread even wider across your brow. Lent may be filled with other physical signs, too. Lenten shrouds cover crosses; baptismal fonts may be dry. Are there any physical signs of God's love in your life? Jonathan and Seth talk about theirs, but more importantly, explore what to do with them. If you do not have something physical like this, Lent may be a time to find it, endow it with meaning, and see if it continues being meaningful post-Easter. We hope Lent is meaningful, you make it Ash Wednesday (or ashes to-go), and tune in next week as we continue marching through Lent. We're glad you're with us.

After receiving the Ten Commandments, Moses comes down the mountain and his face shines (Ex. 34:30). It's like he's been to a rejuvenating spa. Likewise, when Jesus prays at the Transfiguration, "the appearance of his face changed, and his clothes became as bright as a flash of lightning" (Lk. 9.29). Being in God's presence enacts noticeable change. What might that change look like? How can we tell if someone has been spending time in God's presence? What about when two people, each claiming to spend time with God, come away with radically differing conclusions about God and how to live in the world? Jonathan and Seth talk about a lot in this episode; this topic deserves all our attention (and probably future episodes too). We're glad you're with us! Reach out for support when needed, feel your emotions fully, drink water, and pray. If not for yourself, please do it for us. We care about you and we want you around!

I hope most Christians see forgiveness as part of our main story. Jesus talks about it repeatedly. On the cross, he asks for forgiveness for those who put him up there. Forgiveness is difficult. Forgiveness involves power dynamics. Forgiveness never completely returns the relationship to how it was before. Abusers may use Jesus' command to forgive to perpetuate harm. Jonathan and Seth try to wade through these many issues about forgiveness. How do we take it seriously without it becoming another tool for those in power? When was the last time we forgave someone? What's God's role in forgiveness? There's too much to talk about for one episode, but we try! We're glad you're with us! Lent is coming, but until then, let's enjoy ordinary time during extraordinary times.

Luke's narration of the beatitudes is more down to earth, more concrete. It also includes “woes” for the rich, satiated, and praised. Are Luke's words harder for us to hear? What difference does it make that Jesus “stood on a level place” (Lk. 6:17)? Jonathan and Seth talk about how Jesus' word can provide hope that's similarly concrete. It's flows naturally from the previous episode, but listening to that is not a prerequisite. Each can stand on their own. We're even happier you're with us than we are with an Eagles Super Bowl victory. 

Hope takes the long view. It's not merely living in expectation of the following day but for an indeterminate time some distance away. The psalmist knows about this extended hope, declaring, "The LORD will fulfill his purpose for me; your steadfast love, O LORD, endures forever" (138.8). For me (Seth, here), hope is in short supply. The news is as depressing as it's been. A bishop is attacked for asking for mercy. ICE raids took place in my hometown. January was a year long. What does it look like to have hope for the future? What does hope look like that is longer than 4 years? And how can we support each other so no one has to manufacture their hope alone? I hope you have more hope than I do right now. Either way, we're so glad you're with us. Feel free to email us about what is giving you hope at: noexpertsallowed@gmail.com

This week we talk about… math? Seth describes the distributive property when Jonathan asks about the transitive property. Jonathan gently corrects him. The transitive property allows for substitutions and that opens new ways of reading 1 Corinthians 13, the classic “love text.” What can it tell us about God's character? What aspects are often underemphasized? And what can we hear anew thanks to the transitive property? You won't need a calculator for this episode; we promise! We're glad you're with us! Because Easter is relatively late this year, the time after Epiphany stretches, so we're hearing texts we do not often get in the lectionary. We hope you're enjoying them as much as we are.

Ezra reads the law. It seems simple enough. But what if there was a little more to it? Nehemiah notes that "they read from the book, from the law of God, with interpretation. They gave the sense, so that the people understood the reading" (8:8, NRSV). It's not merely recitation, but explanation. Ezra and Nehemiah attempt to make it accessible to those listening. What does that look like today? What are some ways to empower people to read the Bible? How might this podcast be part of that mission? What are some of the factors that keep people from reading Scripture or reading it in ways that might be harmful? This episode strikes the heart of what we're trying to do with No Experts Allowed. We're glad you're with us! It's snowy and cold in Pennsylvania, for Seth, and still very cold in Virginia for Jonathan. We hope the weather is more pleasant wherever you are.  

There is a controversial book When Helping Hurts: Alleviating Poverty Without Hurting the Poor... and Yourself. Written by Steve Corbett and Brian Fikkert, it argues that providing relief and rehabilitation for others can create an unhealthy dependency. I (Seth, here) think these claims are overblown. However, helping can sometimes do more harm than good; I agree with that premise. Jonathan and Seth discuss that. What happens when someone accuses us of hurting when we think we're helping? How do we feel? What do we do next? Who do we listen to? And, if our gifts are "for the common good" (1 Cor. 12:7), how do we ensure they're not self-serving? Thanks for listening! We hope you're settling into 2025 and your resolutions are going strong. If someone told you they thought you were hurting when you thought you were helping, we'd love to hear about it at: noexpertsallowed@gmail.com.

At Jesus's baptism, a voice from heaven declared him “beloved.” In Isaiah, God calls Israel “precious.” These special designations about the value of God's people occur throughout scripture. So, Jonathan and Seth discuss what's precious to them. They also talk about seeing others as precious and specific, concrete ways to help do that. This theme of preciousness will continue to pop up throughout Epiphany too. We're glad you're with us, as always. We hope life has settled a little from the Christmas season. And we'd be thankful if you'd write us a review or send this podcast to someone you know. It really does help us grow. 

Many people go home for Christmas. Home may look different, but it's home nonetheless. Hence, the Christmas classic "(There's No Place Like) Home for the Holidays." The prophet Jeremiah also describes a homecoming. The scattered, exiled remnant of Israel will return to the land where their descendants lived, cultivated farmland, raised animals, and built homes. Jonathan and Seth discuss homecomings. What is their appeal? How does a promised homecoming give us hope for the future? What does going home look like today? We hope your Christmas was what you needed it to be, whether you went home or not. And, as always, we're glad you're with us. We know this season is often busy, so if you skipped a few episodes, we're thrilled you're back, too!

If you've ever wondered about Jonathan and Seth's favorite Christmas memories, whether they got a gift they still cherish, or if they gave a gift that landed poorly, tune in to find out! We hope this episode gives you a glimpse into Jonathan and Seth's lives, humanizes them, and makes you nostalgic for your own Christmas memories, too. As always, we're glad you're with us. Email us your favorite Christmas memories; we'd love to read them. Jesus Christ is with us and will be forever!

Jesus is lost; his parents take three days to notice and find him. He's in "His Father's house," as if to say, "Where else would I be?!" This snippet of Jesus as a child forms what little we know about Jesus' childhood. Matthew records Jesus' birth, but not the period between his birth and ministry. (Admittedly, some scholars have argued that the Magi reach Jesus when he is older and no longer a newborn.) Mark starts his story later in Jesus' life as well. John, as always, is doing his own "thing" and begins his at the beginning of time. We're left with just this story about Jesus as a child. Why would Luke include it? What can we learn from it? What does it tell us about listening and asking questions and, generally, having a childlike faith? Jonathan and Seth dig up these questions from well-known stories for Advent. We're glad you're with us! A special Christmas episode will soon appear on your feed. We hope it brings you joy.

As we've declared on the podcast before, Mary knows. But how is she feeling? What is going through her mind? What does she think about herself when she hears the wonderful news of giving birth to Jesus Christ, the son of God? The text tells us little about Mary's internal dialogue, which is common in ancient texts. What is Elizabeth's role? And what might it tell us about community? Jonathan and Seth discuss Mary, a little about her song, and what Mary might teach us as we, too, wait expectantly for the coming of Christ into the world. Be on the lookout for a special Christmas episode. We hope you'll listen to that one, too. And, as always, thanks for listening! Please consider leaving us a review; it helps others find us.

The "pink" Sunday of Advent has readings that are thematically different than the rest of the season. The Old Testament, response, and New Testament readings are joyful. In his letter to the Phillippians, Paul uses "rejoice" almost as a refrain. The Gospel reading, however, fits the theme of the rest of Advent: preparing for Jesus' coming. How do these readings connect? What does preparing for Jesus' coming look like when it is peppered with praise? What do we have to rejoice about? How can Advent be a balm in a turbulent season? Jonathan and Seth have a wide-ranging discussion this week about Advent that they hope gets you thinking too. We're glad you're with us. Christmas is obviously coming (That's what Advent prepares us for, after all!). We hope you're experiencing some rest right now, find time to rejoice, and that this season is also a meaningful preparation time for Christmas and the New Year.

Advent and Lent have many similarities. Both are seasons of expectation and anticipation, balancing despair with hope. In some churches that use paraments (the ornamental hangings and the funky church attire), purple symbolizes both Lent and Advent. Each season is also characterized by preparation and refining. What does that look like in the context of Advent? Unlike last week's episode, Jonathan and Seth talk a little about the election and how living in a post-election might look different for them. They challenge each other to be as specific as possible and hope it also challenges you to ask how you might have an Advent state of mind each day. We're glad you're with us during this expectant season. Are you doing anything special for Advent? Do you have a cool Advent calendar? Did you watch Josh Allen run, throw, and catch for a touchdown on Sunday? If so, we'd love to hear about it!

Although it's the Church's New Year, the lectionary texts focus on Jesus' return at "the end time." They're about Jesus' expected coming and what it looks like to be ready. In 1 Thessalonians, Paul is praying for his letter's recipients. In Luke, Jesus talks about reading the signs of his return. What would it look like to pray for others as Paul does? And how could thinking about the end times help us to pray appropriately for others? Jonathan and Seth discuss these questions and how Martin Luther and Charles Wesley answered questions about their end-time actions in this New Year Episode. We're glad you're with us. Advent is full of an expectant joy that we hope seeps into your life; it is already starting to do its work on me (Seth, here). We'd love to hear about meaningful Advent practices or your thoughts about the election, which we frankly avoided in this episode, at noexpertsallowed@gmail.com.

While this episode was recorded before the 2024 United States Presidential Election on November 6th, the question of who will ultimately be in charge remains relevant. Frankly, it feels even more relevant to me (Seth, here) because the election of Donald Trump to a second, nonconsecutive term means the potential removal of many protections for vulnerable people. Jonathan and Seth, however, find hope in God, who will reign forever, who isn't swayed by changing political winds, who never has to worry about having "a mandate," who cares for the vulnerable's plight. We hope this episode is ultimately hopeful.  We're glad you're with us! No matter who the president is, we will continue producing podcasts because Christ still reigns. There are more theological questions to be asked. And there is more love needed in the world.

Hannah and her husband, Elkanah, have one of the few healthy marriages described in the Hebrew Bible. When she mourns her inability to have children, he asks, "Am I not more to you than ten sons?" (1 Sam. 1:8). No, unfortunately. In the following verse, Hannah goes to the temple to pray for a child. While children are infrequently named in the biblical text, the desire for a child occurs often. So, Jonathan and Seth talk about children in the ancient world and whether this desire for children extends to today. They talk about whether they want to have children, the different ways of being a parent, and the pressure sometimes put on young people to have a child. We're glad you're with us! You may skip this episode if having a child is an emotional topic; we will not be offended and encourage you to care for yourself. Next week, there will be another episode on Reign of Christ Sunday.

In this week's Gospel reading, a widow puts everything she has into the temple's treasury. In contrast, the rich put in large sums that amount to small portions of their total wealth. Jonathan and Seth think more about the widow, considering what else she might be going through beyond how much money she has donated. How old is she? What grief does she carry? What source of income might she have? What compels her to give so much of herself when she has so little? And, finally, what can we learn from that? We're glad you're with us! Please take extra care of yourself this week. Drink water. Get adequate sleep. Reach out to friends who may be nervous or can help calm your election anxiety. No matter what, we'll be back next week with another episode.

While Revelation contains many passages that, on the surface, seem terrifying, toward the end, John narrates a calming, almost safe story of a New Jerusalem descending from heaven. It's a relatively well-known passage often referenced when considering what the end times may be like. So, Jonathan and Seth try to hear it anew. Despite their best efforts, they uncover some political implications in the text. After all, the election is nearing, and tensions are high. So, what kind of vision does John have for us? Can it teach us about political discourse? Can we imagine a positive vision for our world and move past mere critiques? As the election nears, we hope you're taking care of yourself. At the risk of stating the obvious: try not to let the news consume you, drink water, and prioritize self-care practices that work best for you. We can make it through this. As always, we're glad you're with us!

The theme of exile runs throughout the Hebrew Bible. While it's sometimes more explicit than others, scholars have argued that even when exile does not prominently appear, it was the lens ancient readers used to interpret the text. So, Jonathan and Seth talk about exile. They discuss its effect on ordinary people's lives, the deep longing it causes, and the joyous hope of being back together again. If we were not following the lectionary, this episode could (and maybe should) have been the first episode we produced. We're thrilled you're with us! Have you had an experience of exile? Has that pain healed at all? Did you have a homecoming afterward? We'd love to hear about it; email us at noexpertsallowed@gmail.com

Hurricanes have been in the news lately. The cleanup will take months, and a sense of normalcy in some places may take years if it is possible at all. Meanwhile, the psalmist declares that the natural world is so stunning and masterfully designed that it points toward God. How do we make sense of these claims in light of these recent natural disasters? Do they tell us anything about God? Do they tell people "on the ground" something about God that we, sitting in our safe homes, can't comprehend? And what does a God concerned about justice have to do with these communities that were so significantly impacted? We try to unpack these theological questions and wrestle with the beauty we've seen in nature alongside the destruction in Florida and the western Carolinas. If you're like us, the images of Hurricane Helene's flooding struck you deeply. And, therefore, we think they're worth some theological reflection. We're so glad you're with us. Please join us in praying for those affected by natural disasters and also those in Gaza, who have shown tremendous support for the hurting, despite their physical distance.

We have a lot of stuff. Compared to most of the world, those capable of listening to podcasts are doing quite well. We often, however, do not think of ourselves as wealthy. After all, some are much more affluent than us. We don't have private planes, yachts, or entourages. So, how do we read Jesus' remark, "Go, sell what you own, and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me" (Mark 10:21)? Jonathan and Seth discuss the difficulties with this text. They consider how they've heard it interpreted to make it more palatable. They end by praying for help living into this teaching as people with a lot of stuff. We're thrilled you're with us! This week's episode raises a lot of questions. I'll pose a few more here: how can one know they have many possessions? How does someone earnestly trim what they have? What do we own that helps us follow Jesus? How do we decide what to buy next? This text raises innumerable questions; we've only scratched the surface in the episode, but hope you'll continue asking them even after the episode ends.

CW: discussions of abuse, painful marriages, and scripture that people have used to trap women in harmful situations While our episodes often touch on serious topics, this one deserves the content warning above. We mention these potentially triggering topics, but they're not most of the episode. Instead of trying to wrestle with texts about marriage's permanency, Jonathan and Seth zoom out. They discuss friendships, what makes healthy ones, and what sparked theirs and sustains it. And what pitfalls they sometimes fall into. The hope is that this discussion on friendship can illuminate the texts on marriage in healthier and more applicable ways. We're glad you're with us. Please skip this episode if the content warning stirs fear or dread in you. It's why we provided it, after all! We'll be back next week with another episode.

Lately, there has been a lot of coverage in the news about political factions. But factions appear more than just in the political sphere. Churches, of course, can develop them too. They're equally insidious and difficult to deal with in civic, and public life. So, Jonathan and Seth talk about how these divisions take place. They start small this week; they don't try to tackle the United State's political problems like they sometimes do. We're glad you're with us! For whatever reason, our last episode took off. So, if you're joining us again, we're thrilled you returned. We'd love to hear from you about church divisions and how we can spread out leadership to take some of the burden off of individuals (as Moses does in this week's reading) at noexpertsallowed@gmail.com

One of the defining characteristics of the Psalms is that they have little historical context. Dating them is incredibly tricky. Scholars often rely on how language develops as much as they do historical artifacts. Because of this limited historical data, they're endlessly applicable; it's why they resonate today. Jonathan and Seth discuss Psalm 1, which could be read as an introduction to the entire book. They disagree about its application. They read the psalm differently, emphasize different parts, and maybe, see the current situation differently. If one has to "read the world" alongside reading texts, this opens up many areas of disagreement. But I (Seth), think we managed the disagreement respectfully and hope it can be a model. It also makes for a classic episode of No Experts Allowed. We're glad you're with us, regardless of if you always agree with our conclusions. Listeners bring us much joy and push us to improve our podcast. So, a heartfelt thank you.

We use our tongues a lot. We use them to swallow, speak, and help us chew food. They're the strongest muscle in the human body relative to its size. It likewise, has an outsized impact on our lives. The words it forms can edify or eviscerate. So, Jonathan and Seth discuss words and speech this week based on James' comment that "the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great exploits" (3:5). What makes speech so powerful? How can we use it to benefit others? How does human speech mirror God's speech? There are too many questions to answer in one podcast episode, but we tried nonetheless. We're thrilled you're with us! As the lectionary moves to the end of Year B, the texts become more apocalyptic, so stay tuned for some wild stories and discussions about the other appointed texts (as we try to skirt talking about the end times week after week).

Everyone has a name. One can change their name, use a nickname, like or dislike it, but they have a name. What does it mean to have a "good name"? And how do we develop one or protect it? Jonathan and Seth discuss names and reputations this week. They talk about how creating a lasting reputation may take a long time. And what do names have to do with God? What does this passage tell us about God's name and how God's reputation is meant to be protected? All this and a lot of laughter on this week's episode of NEA. We're so glad you're with us. We hope you like this episode as much or more than you like your name!

What is purity? What makes someone pure? How is it maintained and how is it restored? In this week's Gospel text, Jesus is confronted by the Pharisees asking questions about the practice of ritual handwashing that they do to ensure purity. Jesus responds that "nothing outside a person that by going in can defile, but the things that come out are what defile" (Mk. 7:15). In James, however, true religion and the idea of purity seem much more active. It's about helping orphans and widows and keeping the outside influences at arm's length. So, again, what is purity? Jonathan and Seth try to figure it out this week. We're so thankful you're with us. We'd love to hear your thoughts on purity and whether it is relevant to our modern world. Shoot us an email with your thoughts or say "hello" at noexpertsallowed@gmail.com.

Families often shape one's faith. Frankly, that can be both positive and negative. Families can pass down unhelpful, harmful theologies. They can also spur someone to ask questions. As a mom recently told Seth, her son asked, "If Jesus breathing on someone can give them the Holy Spirit, can he also fart on them?" On a more serious note, Jonathan and Seth discuss who in their family had an unyielding dedication to God, what we can learn from them, and how we wish to sit and talk with them now. We hope this episode raises those questions about your birth or chosen family, too. We're so glad you're with us. The weather seems to be turning where we are; we hope it's also getting more comfortable for you and that this podcast provides you comfort in challenging times.

The Bible is packed with "wisdom literature." It's most often associated with books from the Hebrew Bible, but some scholars have argued that James and portions of Ephesians fall under the umbrella of "wisdom literature" too. So, what is it? Does Jesus produce wisdom literature? What happens if we apply the lens we ordinarily use for wisdom literature to Jesus' words? Jonathan and Seth discuss how to get wisdom, where we need wisdom, and how wisdom is more than mere knowledge. As always, we're thankful you're with us. We know we need more wisdom, so to think that people are listening to us anyway brings us great joy. We hope No Experts Allowed brings you joy too!

One of Seth's life rules is that we should always be wary when people want fewer ethics. Codes of ethics are also in the news, as President Biden proposes a binding code of ethics for the Supreme Court. In Ephesians, Paul lays out some rules for the community to follow. Could this be a source of ethics in the modern world? Could it, at least, be a start? And what happens when we don't follow them? Are there whispers of grace in this short passage? In this episode, Jonathan and Seth discuss these questions and get sentimental about the joys of recording this podcast. We're thrilled you're with us. And we hope this podcast is a source of refreshment for you, as it is for us.

This episode's text immediately follows last week's text about David raping Bathsheba. Because of that, this episode may also be triggering for some. Like last week, feel free to skip this episode and join us next week when we return to discussing the appointed gospel text. David is now forced to live with the consequences of his actions. Even his power cannot insulate him from Nathan's rebuke. What can Nathan's prophetic role tell us about participating in systems and critiquing them? How does one both hold power and use it to critique power? Jonathan and Seth attempt to answer these questions, wrestle with how to use their power, and pray for God's help transforming systems that seem almost unchangeable. We're so glad you're with us as always. A shout-out to Jonathan this week for his flexibility with recording, editing on a tight schedule, and being graceful about it while Seth was away in Maine for vacation.

Content Warning: This episode discusses David raping Bathsheba. We understand that may be triggering and we hope you'll tune in next week. King David has a lot of power. He's “the guy” to lead Israel. His military conquests are legendary. His kingdom is as big as Israel will ever be. He uses that power, however, to control and rape Bathsheba. In this episode, Jonathan and Seth discuss power. How do people acquire power? How do we know someone has power? How can we use it appropriately? We're glad you're with us. It gives us the power to keep recording (see what we did there?). 

Some of the most important jobs are dirty, tiring, and overlooked. Such was the life of a shepherd in first-century Palestine. With countless sheep to watch and threats to assess, there were no showers or Dr. Scholl's orthotics for support during long days on their feet. In this episode, Jonathan and Seth revisit the concept of shepherds, drawing parallels to modern-day teachers. They ask what lessons we can learn from shepherds, how we have been shepherded, and what it means for Jesus to be frequently compared to a shepherd. This episode was recorded before the assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump. That event and last week's gospel text (Mark 6:14-29) evidence the messiness and violence of humanity. The world was messy in Jesus' time; it's messy today. But it's this sordid world that God wants to be in. God loves this chaotic, complex world and we continue to pray for it too. So, we're glad you're with us, as always.

The Church and secular governments have a storied history, occasionally acting as coconspirators in plans to concentrate power among a few and sometimes being deeply adversarial. There's also the enduring challenge of untangling the Church from the government after they become "roommates". To make it more complex, opposite trends have simultaneously occurred in different places. Can they learn from each other, however? Can the lessons be positive? Jonathan and Seth explore these questions in this week's episode, which might - true to form - ask more questions than it answers. A podcast without listeners is like a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. If we probe the depths of theology and speak prophetically against those intent on hurting others, but we do not have listeners, we have nothing. So, we're glad you're here!

Boasting can make both friends and enemies. With the right amount of boasting, one can bolster other's opinions of them. Too much, the boast-er is seen as arrogant, rude, or haughty. Paul, rather, "boast[s] all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me" (2 Cor.  12.9). What does boating in weakness look like? What does boasting look like when one has been trained to embody humility? Should Christians boast? Paul does, after all. Jonathan and Seth discuss a theology of boasting in this week's episode. We're glad you're here - as always. This week, Jonathan went through a struggle to get this episode out. The recordings sounded like robots took over the episode. We're also thankful he powered through and we could bring this episode to you!

There is much to lament if one looks around; there are also many reasons for hope. How are our laments and our hopes intertwined? Are both necessary? How does trust in God influence how we cry out, dream, despair, or get to work? Jonathan and Seth discuss these questions based on the only joyous section of Lamentations. And while this episode touches briefly on the Gospel reading (Mark 5:21-43), the interplay of despair and hope continues there too. We're glad you're with us wherever you are on the continuum of deep despair and radical contentment. And we hope this episode resonates with you. If you're enjoying our podcast, a review helps others find us.

Do you have any unexpected relationships? Ones that make you think, "I don't know how this happened" or that you believe are misunderstood or misconstrued from the outside? In this week's episode, David and Jonathan seem to have an unexpected relationship. David is, at first, an outsider to the royal family and Saul is overtly antagonistic to him. Jonathan seems like he should be David's competitor, not his friend! What might their relationship tell us? How might it help us live in an increasingly antagonistic and divisive society? Can it offer us any hope as election season ramps into gear? We're so glad you listen. And if this podcast has been meaningful for you, we'd appreciate it if you'd tell others about it, share it on social media, or write us a review. All of that helps spread the word - about this podcast and God's overflowing love.

"What's good?" can be more than a greeting, but a way of thinking. In this Sunday's appointed lectionary text, Jesus tells short parables about seeds. In the first, someone scatters seed on the ground; it grows, and the sower harvests it. Next, Jesus compares the Kingdom of God to the tiny mustard seed that grows into a large shrub. Jonathan and Seth discuss seemingly small, positive actions happening today. What's good around the world that isn't getting enough attention? What's good that has the potential for a large impact? What's good and worth highlighting? What's good in your life? We hope our podcast is part of that answer, but we're glad you listen wherever we rank in life's pleasures.