From a small, strange rural church called The Farmhouse, this is a scholarly yet accessible guide to the Bible and Theology.
Whether you’re a beginner or a skeptic, exhausted with modern Christianity or wanting to explore the text more fully — this podcast aims to challenge poor interpretations and Biblical illiteracy so as to untangle and clarify what the Bible actually says.
Consider this an audio library to cover an extensive, encompassing breakdown of the books in the Bible and the main theological concepts of Christianity.
Hopefully, though we’re a bit unordinary, we can offer an approach to recover an informed version of Biblical content, discover a meaningful version of Christianity, and share a free education for anyone wanting to know more about the text.
Genesis 14 takes us into the ancient near east and the tribal world while also offering a strange picture of a character who seems to transcend the tribes. Chapter 14 also sets up the context of who the God of the covenant is and who Abram of the covenant is.
Genesis 15 gives a deep dive into the covenant and a strange ritual contract ceremony.
Read MoreWe meet Abram and follow the progression of the covenant; which doesn’t always include very good things from Abram and other finite mortals. This episode covers the nature of the Patriarchal history in Genesis and the specific stories of Genesis 12-13: The covenant blessing, the journey to Egypt, the separating of Abram and Lot, and so much more. We even talk a bit about transcendent will, determinism, and human agency.
Read MoreThe mythic history section of Genesis comes to an end in the culminating depiction of the world’s ills. This also seems to be the final setup for the covenant. We look at the Tower of Babel and what it means for how the ancient Jewish people believed the world isn’t supposed to work.
Read MoreA sensory process to engage with Ash Wednesday and the start of Lent in a tactile way. This experience is not only meant to help you understand Ash Wednesday, but also encounter the process of Ash Wednesday in a meaningful way.
This can be done at home (instructions are included in the PDF and in the audio).
Read MoreThe covenant takes shape after "The Flood” (aka, the second creation). How will humanity continue? What will be different from the first creation? And what is that weird story about Canaan and Ham and the nakedness of the father?
Read MorePopularly called “The Flood,” we look at the part of Genesis where a restart of creation happens. Details on the Nephilim, Noah, and the specific components we ought to pay attention to if we see how and why this part of the story was composed.
Read MoreThe first etiological story post-Eden. Cain and Abel, the first cultures, and the genealogy that might be the most skipped chapter in the Bible. There’s plenty of gems to be discovered in these two chapters.
Read MoreThe second rendition of creation according to the Jewish tradition which also brings up the tenuous chapter of the whole thing with the tree. We break down the details of the second creation narrative and cover some of the issues with the notorious chapter of Genesis 3.
Read MoreBeyond all the theological and doctrinal language, how did the first Christians articulate Eucharist? We look at the first written witness to the Sacrament of Eucharist and what the letter means in terms of “Discerning the Body” as the standard for Eucharist’s role in the life of a church.
Read MoreOne approach to Eucharist that most have never heard, one that folks have heard too much, and one that is so familiar that we might have lost its depth. Epiclesis comes from the Eastern Orthodox Church and forces us to root the experience of Eucharist in the action of God. Mass may be best understood as “Mission for the Kingdom” and communion, well, deals with everything.
Read MoreTwo of the most common references to Eucharist, what do they mean? The Great Thanksgiving is often the title for Eucharist liturgy and the Lord’s Supper is one of the most common title in the Western Church. But how do they help us understand what this sacrament is and how do they help shape how we live?
Read MoreWhat all is covered in the sacramental ritual called Eucharist? Is it just about penitence? Or does it cover everything?
We explore the concept of food rituals and how Eucharist is intended to be a vast exercise in theological and ethical understanding.
Read MoreWhat is a sacrament? And how does Eucharist accomplish the goal of being a sacrament?
We explore the difference between “sacrament” and “Sacrament” and how this ritual should fit into the theological and ethical life of Christianity.
Read MoreHow to suffer well based on an ancient book of poems.
So far, Lamentations has been a bit disruptive. Is the practical assistance toward healing at the expense of God’s character? Or do we need to re-approach how we understand the immanence of the transcendent? When we find God in Lamentations, it compels healing in a beautifully meaningful way.
Read MoreHow to suffer well based on an ancient book of poems.
Lamentations might just show us the tactile, pragmatic practices we need to heal from suffering. Through complex imagery, voice and seeing are revealed as the catalysts to suffering well.
Read MoreHow to suffer well based on an ancient book of poems.
Lamentations is one of the most difficult books in the Bible. It is also one of the most helpful pictures for responding to suffering. Why is it so avoided? What’s going on? What is a Qinah? And what does this book have to say to us today?
Read MoreWe’ve deconstructed theodicy, but we now must reconstruct something in its place if we are going to properly respond to suffering. How should we understand suffering and God? This episode sets up our journey to the book of Lamentations with an alternative theodicy - The Guiding Parent:
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