Vexed

In today's episode, Andrea highlights the episode content that she is working on for 2022.

The nativity scene is perhaps the best known visual depiction of the birth of Jesus. It is the emblem of the Christmas season. But it is not in the seeing of this scene that we understand its meaning, but rather, in the hearing of the biblical story. It is from the gospel books Luke and Matthew that we know about the birth of Jesus. In today's episode, Andrea takes a close look at Luke's text - chapter 2 verses 1-20. And she shares the work of 15th century Seinese Renaissance man, Francesco di Giorgio Martini. His Adoration by the Shepherds is a unique portrait of the nativity that conveys Luke's subversive message. In this piece, Rome is laid low.

In traditional religious practice, the person who leads the community is addressed by a title. Why?Titles are special names; marks of distinction whose meaning comes from their source text. Today, Andrea explores two titles common in Christian traditions: pastor & father. She explains how these two words, employed as titles, express biblical wisdom. Titles, she argues, express function not ontology. They are about doing not being.

When we are in church, we hear selections from the Bible read to us. In today's episode, Andrea explains the purpose of these readings.When a priest, pastor or rabbi reads selections from the Bible to their congregation, they function as ambassadors, speaking at the behest of their king. And it is neither they nor the gathered who matter, it is the king.  In the 1995 movie Braveheart, William Wallace is brought before King Edward's magistrates and put in his place.  The scene is a powerful demonstration of the thesis of this week's episode.  Braveheart, the movie

In celebration of Thanksgiving, Andrea tells the story of the perilous beginnings of Plymouth Plantation from the diary of its 2nd governor, William Bradford. Bradford was among the 102 passengers who crossed the Atlantic on the Mayflower. It is from Governor Bradford's diary – Of Plymouth Plantation – that we know about that small group of daring believers who are known to us as “the pilgrims”. He sees his experience through the lens of the biblical story and the story serves as a kind of mental template on which he writes the story of Plymouth Plantation. Andrea argues that this is an example of the way the Bible imprints on its hearers.

Today's episode is a rebroadcast of episode 3, “the 10 Points” prepared for the 2021 OCABS Symposium. The Orthodox Center for the Advancement of Biblical Studies (OCABS) was established in 1999 to develop, promote & publish research in biblical studies. They hold an annual symposium at which members present their work. At this year's online gathering, papers were presented on topics such as covenant in the Bible & first century Christianity. The books of Galatians & Hosea were featured. Andrea shared her revised episode 3, “10 Points: What do we mean by “the Bible as Literature?”" A transcript of the episode is here included.

In today's episode, Andrea addresses the question: "How do I read the Bible?" In this part two of a two-episode discussion, Andrea offers a list of suggestions for how to read the Bible.*How to read the Bible*List of do's1) Hear 2) Memorize 3) Repeat, repeat, repeat

In today's episode, Andrea addresses the question: "How do I read the Bible?" In this part one of a two-episode discussion, Andrea offers a list of suggestions for how NOT to read the Bible. *How NOT to read the Bible*List of don'ts1)  Don't read it2)  Don't think3)  Don't jump to application

Andrea interviews Bethany Saros about her new book, “A Light in the Darkness: Bible Study for Children and Teens.”Links to Bethany's book and the resources she recommends for parents. A Light in the Darkness: Bible Study for Children and Teens by Bethany Saros Know and Tell: The Art of Narration by Karen Glass Books by Charlotte Mason

In today's episode, Andrea argues that the Hebrew toast "L'Chaim" is sourced from the Bible. It is a short but powerful expression of Biblical wisdom.The 1971 movie, "Fiddler on the Roof" is a classic of cinema. It is a story beautifully told.  In it, we find a scene of hearty celebration as the village toasts "L'Chaim".  This scene expresses a major biblical theme. In the Bible, God commands that life - not our life - but all life, continue. Fiddler on the Roof - the movie 

In today's episode, Andrea reads and discusses Paul's first letter to the Corinthians chapter 11, verses 20-26. Andrea explores the work of the late Anthony Bourdain.  World traveler & explorer of food and culture, Bourdain knew what it meant to break bread: to sit at another's table and receive their hospitality. He understood instinctively what the Corinthians in Paul's letters failed to understand: that the Lord's table is not about eating. Medium Raw by Anthony Bourdain

In the Bible, there is a distinction between the senior and the junior. They are not equals. The senior -- the elder -- is above the other people in the story in wisdom and authority. The senior wields his authority for the good of the junior. In today's episode, Andrea explains that the 1984 movie, “The Karate Kid,” demonstrates this difference between senior and junior and can help us understand how biblical wisdom functions.Karate Kid, the movie

In today's episode, Andrea tells the story of the discovery of the Codex Sinaiticus & highlights features of the manuscript.The Codex Sinaiticus is one of the world's oldest Bibles. This ancient treasure was discovered & made known to the world in 1859 by German scholar Constantin von Tischendorf. Dated to the 4th century AD, the Codex Sinaiticus is the ancestor of the book form of Bible we have today. Follow along as Andrea tells the story of its discovery and highlights its features.

In today's episode, Andrea reviews the history of the ancient scroll - its origins & evolution - culminating in the ancestor of our book: the codex.History of the Scroll*Origins*Scribes & scribal culture*Technology: materials, crafting & uses*Biblical scroll: oldest & most complete*Codex*Ancestor: Clay tablet

In today's episode, Andrea discusses the earliest form of the Bible: the scroll.It is well known that form & function are closely related. Andrea asserts that the form & function of the scroll reveal its purpose, which is: instruction. Follow along as she explores the Isaiah Scroll from the Dead Sea Scrolls collection as an exemplar of the ancient scroll.

In today's episode, Andrea explains the distinction between eisegesis and exegesis.Your point of view – the place from which you stand to view something – affects what you see. The student of the Bible must decide on their point of view before they begin reading. Follow along as Andrea explains two different ways to approach the biblical story.The Princess Bride, the movie

On the Ephesus School Network, when we use the term "the Bible as Literature”, what do we mean? In episode 3, Andrea explores this question. Follow along as she presents 10 points – assumptions – that form the foundation for this approach.10 points: "the Bible as Literature"1. Written2. Says what IT wants to say3. From a tradition of classical literature4. Literary mimesis5. Perceived & prized as a work of classical literature6. LONG story7. Hearer submits to the story8. A unity9. Literary context10. Instruction

Who is St. John Chrysostom? In episode 2, Andrea speaks about St. John Chrysostom & his Paschal homily. She explains what he is trying to say in the homily & how we are meant to hear it.St. John Chrysostom Paschal Homily in EnglishSt. John Chrysostom Paschal Homily in GreekIn the above English translation of St. John Chrysostom's Paschal Homily, "epikranthi" is translated as "troubled" and "uproar".  Neither of these words capture the meaning of "epikranthi" quite the way that "vexed" does. Words matter. It is a difficult task to capture the spirit of the original meaning of words. When it comes to the Bible, we must make the effort - as Chrysostom did. 

In the inaugural episode of Vexed, Andrea explains the meaning of the program's title.