No Experts Allowed

Luke 3:7-18

After 84 episodes, Jonathan and Seth record their first episode in person. John the Baptist proclaims a coming Messiah greater than him, but the crowd questions "whether he might be the Messiah” (3:15). Jonathan and Seth discuss how we can tell messengers from the Messiah, who we follow as political messiahs, and how leaders can ensure that people do not mistake them for the One coming after.

Since we recorded this episode in person, the audio quality may be inferior. We hope, however, that our excitement comes through nonetheless.

Malachi 3:1-4

Malachi addresses people post-exile who remember an extravagant, vibrant Jerusalem. They also anticipate a coming messenger. They live in an interim time. So, following last week's episode, Jonathan and Seth discuss the technical terms "anamnesis" (a holy remembering) and "prolepsis" (looking forward). The pair discusses what worship practices help us remember, help us look forward, and how those intertwine in Advent.

This episode relates to last week's, but listening to that episode is not necessary. Each can stand on its own too.

Luke 21:25-36

The beginning of the Church year starts with a passage about the end times. Advent is apocalyptic because, while it looks back at the historical birth of Jesus Christ, it also anticipates Jesus' return. Apocalyptic texts present some challenges, however. Most notably, what to do with them? Jonathan and Seth discuss this passage as people living in the interim period, like Luke's audience, who are waiting for Jesus' return and asking questions about what that waiting looks like in the meantime.

They mention a video called Gandhi II, which one can view here.

2 Samuel 23:1-7

Humphrey Bogart's final words were, "I should have never switched from Scotch to martinis." In this week's episode, we have David's last words. Like Bogart's, however, the reports may not be accurate; nonetheless, they are true. Memories of last words and memories themselves are tricky; a gap always exists between the memory and the historical event. Jonathan and Seth discuss the effect of memory-making, why this gap matters, and how it influences our interpretations.

1 Samuel 1:4-20

As is often a biblical theme, Hannah is unable to have a child but wants one deeply. In the temple, she prays silently for a son, which makes Eli presume she's drunk. But God has heard her. Jonathan and Seth discuss the effect of hearing, how it can ease anxieties, and reassure us that we're safe. Each of them shares a story about being heard. Because these stories involve emotional distress, they may be triggering for some. In that case, we hear you; please stay tuned for our next episode, which will air next week! 

Psalm 146

The psalmist exclaims, "Don’t trust leaders; / don’t trust any human beings— / there’s no saving help with them!" (v. 3). This past Tuesday, however, was election day across the United States. Can Christians engage with political institutions? If so, how do they do so? What about institutions that are not political but are businesses? Jonathan and Seth take on this broad topic, talk about engaging with institutions faithfully, and why one should never blindly obey any institution.

John 8:31-36

The ecumenical Revised Common Lectionary offers an optional reading for Reformation Sunday. Always used by Lutherans, but never used by Catholics, the text is the same every year. Jonathan and Seth use this passage as a springboard to talk about being “free” and the baggage that accompanies freedom for Christians living in America.

Like last episode, this one follows the new format. Because of that, it’s shorter since we haven’t perfected our timing. Let us know, however, how the new format works and leave us a review on whatever podcast platform you use.

Mark 10:46-52

A blind beggar named Bartimaeus yells loudly to get Jesus' attention. Jesus stops to heal his eyesight, causing the man to follow Jesus. The crowd, however, was less welcoming to Bartimaeus, telling him to "shush." Jonathan and Seth talk about who they connect with in the text. They also discuss how society ordinarily treats beggars at a roadside. They talk about the connections between this text and last week's (which immediately precedes it in Mark), but listening to last week's episode is not required.

This episode debuts a slightly revised format; please let us know your thoughts and leave us a review.

Mark 10:35-45

James and John want to sit at Jesus' right and left hands. After they ask Jesus for this privilege, he radically redefines greatness. The disciples are asking the wrong question at the wrong time. They're, however, not alone. Jonathan and Seth discuss how questions create the opportunity to re-examine what we believe and rebuild. Rethinking happens for Jesus' disciples; it can happens for Jesus-followers two millennia later. They also talk about some resources that significantly shaped their theologies and the importance of "deconstructing" with others.

Jonathan mentions the book When Momma Speaks: The Bible and Motherhood from a Womanist Perspective, which is available here.

Hebrews 4:12-16

The writer of Hebrews makes many connections and allusions to the Jewish Scriptures and sees Jesus as the culmination of Israel's high priests. If Jesus is the high priest, mediator, and Word of God, where does that leave the Bible? Jonathan and Seth tackle this question head-on. Seth talks about Luther; Jonathan about the topic at hand. They also discuss how to interpret the Bible and how their thinking shapes this very podcast.

They give a shout-out to The Inverse Podcast hosted by Jarrod McKenna and Drew Hart, who recently interviewed Dr. Wilda Gafney about a similar topic. You can find that episode here.