Deconstructing the Bible

Advent Hope | What we can learn in the dark

The first Sunday of Advent is the week of HOPE. And instead of starting in the gospels, we often are called back to the prophets. Why? What can the prophets teach us about Hope.Advent also starts in the dark. We don't have all the bells and carols and ornaments just yet. First we slow down and move into darkness. Why? What do we learn when we embrace the darkness?In this episode we hear some quotes from Walter Brueggemann's book The Prophetic Imagination. You can find this book here: https://www.amazon.com/Prophetic-Imagination-2nd-Walter-Brueggemann/dp/0800632877Inspiration for this episode was also drawn from conversations between Alexander Shia and Rob Bell. You can find one such conversation here: https://robbell.podbean.com/e/episode-60-the-christmas-radiance-at-night-with-alexander-shaia/ Thanks!

Persistence is Frustrating! | The Parable of the Persistent Widow

Welcome to the final episode of season 2. We are looking at the parable of The Persistent Widow from Luke 18. There are lessons to learn...but there is also some frustration about the slowness of justice. Why doesn't it happen immediately? Why isn't it more sweeping?How does hope factor in?Thanks for joining us on this season.Next week will start our first week of Advent! Stay tuned for more.

How Can We Talk About Wealth | The Parable of the Rich Fool

In Episode 8 of Season 2, we unpack the parable of The Rich Fool from Luke 12.It seems fairly straight-forward. But is it? How do we unpack how we deal with wealth and power in a society that seems to put a premium on those things? What does it mean to have a rich relationship with God?

The Unpardonable Sin | The Parable of the Divided Kingdom

What does it mean to blaspheme the Holy Spirit? This verse has haunted me forever. But what is Jesus saying in Mark 3?In Episode 7 of Season 2, we explore this challenging text with the help of scholar Bob Stein, who's commentary on Mark was not only influential in understanding this text, but he personally helped model what Jesus was all about.What does it mean to hold space for someone? How do we build a world where love and forgiveness and grace are more prevalent than vengeance and threats and systems of oppression?

Gaining Flexibility, Compassion, and Grace | The Parable of New Wineskins

The Old vs. The New. It's always been presented as a competition...but is it?What if Jesus isn't telling people to throw out the old patterns and the old practices, but instead is inviting the old to respect and recognize that God's Spirit is still up to something?What if Jesus isn't telling the people who are enraptured by the new move of God's Spirit to disregard and throw out the traditions, but to see the beauty and the hope and the important form that those have taken for the betterment of the world?Episode 6 of Season 2 is about old wineskins and new wineskins. Jesus is helping us see that there is a better way forward. Matthew 9:14-17.

This One Is Complicated | The Parable of the Workers in the Field

The Parable of the Workers in the Field from Matthew 20:1-16 is the focus of Episode 5 of Season 2 of Deconstructing the Bible.It could be a parable about God's grace...this always present gift of hope and love and belonging. No matter when we turn to it, no matter when we return to the good, it's there.It could be a parable about scarcity and abundance...how some people operate like there might not be enough in the world to go around, but really God is about abundance and plenty.It could be a parable about the exploitation of the poor and how the rich elite of the world keep people in a lower social class in order to maintain power and position.It's a complicated parable.How do you read it?!

Jesus Isn’t Messing Around - Are you all talk and no action? | The Parable of the Two Sons

In Episode 4 of Season 2, we explore the parable of the Two Sons.Jesus is challenging the authority of the political and religious leaders. They have missed the announcement and the invitation to participate in God's Kingdom. Instead, they are actively dismissing those who have been transformed and sustaining a broken system that continually marginalizes those who need grace and love the most.Where are we all talk and no action?Where are we sustaining and propping up broken systems?Where are we unable to see what new is being birthed in the world?

The Battle Is Not Against Flesh And Blood | The Parable of the Good Samaritan

In episode 3 of season 2, Jason dives into the parable of the Good Samaritan. To set it up, we explore a passage of the Apostle Paul about how our battle is not against flesh and blood, other people, but against the principalities and the powers. What could this mean?We also dive into Ephesians 2, how Christ removes the wall of hostility and invites us to the reconciling work of the Spirit.It's a Scripture heavy week...but an encouraging week.

What If You Get What You Want | The Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus

Welcome to Episode 2 of Season 2. In this season we are looking at the Parables of Jesus...breaking them down to see how they disrupt the status quo and point us towards the upside-down Kingdom of God.In this episode we look at the parable of The Rich Man and Lazarus from Luke 16.

Mustard Seeds And Leaven | The Parables of Jesus are Subverting the Status Quo

Welcome back to Deconstructing the Bible. This is episode 1 of season 2! In this season we are exploring the parables of Jesus from the gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke.In this episode we set the stage by talking about what IS a parable and HOW that impacts what we can learn from it. We then dive into two short parables from Matthew 13: 31-33...the parables of the Mustard Seed and the Leaven in Bread.