No Experts Allowed

John 6:1-21

Instead of using the term "miracle," John's Gospel refers to these supernatural occurrences as "signs." When Jesus feeds 5,000 people and walks on water, John combines the two events into a single sign. Jonathan and Seth discuss how these two stories connect, how to understand Jesus' miraculous multiplication of loaves, as well as how we think about scarcity or a lack thereof.

Psalm 23

We return from a hiatus to what may be the most well-known Psalm from the most popular translation of the English Bible. Jonathan leads the discussion on Psalm 23, prompting them to think about the difference between comfort and consolation. As they both (but mostly Seth) returned to the rhythm of podcasting, some technical hiccups occurred in this episode. We hope none spoil the content.

Best Of Year 1: Mark 11:1-11

No Experts Allowed returns with a new episode next Saturday, July 17th. Until then, Seth and Jonathan are practicing self-care, traveling, and reading. They each selected their favorite episodes of the first year to highlight:

Claiming that "Jesus Christ is Lord" denies lordship to Caesar. The differences between the two, however, contrast with Jesus' entry into Jerusalem. Caesar rides the finest horses; Jesus borrows a colt. Caesar enters with an entourage; Jesus enters with a small group of disciples without armor or weapons. The counter-cultural and empire-critical reading confronts the powerful today, including Amazon CEO Jeff Bezo.

Best Of Year 1: Isaiah 40:21-31

No Experts Allowed returns with a new episode on July 17th. Until then, Seth and Jonathan are practicing self-care, traveling, and reading. They each selected their favorite episodes of the first year to highlight:

Isaiah writes to the exiles in Babylon about a God who never tires. God has been there since earth's founding and will continue to be present, thereby empowering the exiles to persevere too. This episode is quintessential No Experts Allowed: A discussion of the text and its context coupled with a lively talk about how Jonathan and Seth hear it and how might the ancient audience receive it too.

Best Of Year 1: Matthew 25:31-46

No Experts Allowed returns with a new episode on July 17th. Until then, Seth and Jonathan are practicing self-care, traveling, and reading. They each selected their favorite episodes of the first year to highlight:

Jesus' "parable" of the Sheep and the Goats is not a parable at all. It does not start with the formulaic phrase, "The kingdom of God is like." Instead, it acts as a roadmap to finding Jesus in the present: he's with people who are thirsty, hungry, naked, imprisoned, ill, addicted to substances, living under the effects of environmental degradation. The parable is both political and not political, which is worth rehearing.

Best Of Year 1: Philippians 4:1-9

No Experts Allowed returns with a new episode on July 17th. Until then, Seth and Jonathan are practicing self-care, traveling, and reading. They each selected their favorite episodes of the first year to highlight:

Rejoicing during a pandemic, even one that appears to be slowing, creates difficulties. The Philippians -and Paul himself- are in difficult circumstances too. Paul is in prison. Yet, he cajoles the recipients to rejoice and focus on "whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable" (Phil. 4:8). This joy in the face of distress is worth revisiting.

Best Of Year 1: Matthew 5:1-12

No Experts Allowed returns with a new episode on July 17th. Until then, Seth and Jonathan are practicing self-care, traveling, and reading. They each selected their favorite episodes of the first year to highlight:

In their first episode, Jonathan and Seth discussed the beatitudes as a calling. They hope to reframe these well-known verses and overcome their on-air jitters. This episode is timeless in its content while showing how the show has improved and grown over time.

Mark 3:20-35

As is Mark's custom, a lot happens in this short section: Jesus goes home but is too busy to eat (Mk. 3:20), scribes accuse Jesus of being possessed by Beelzebul (3:22), Jesus warns about an unforgivable sin (3:29), and Jesus redefines his family (3:35). Jonathan and Seth touch briefly on each topic and engage in-depth the new family that Jesus-followers have and experience in communion.

Romans 8:12-17

The Common English Bible (CEB) translates Paul's idea of "liv[ing] according to the flesh" as "liv[ing] on the basis of selfishness" (Rom. 8:12). This small shift prevents people from thinking about the flesh and the spirit as opposites; it also clarifies that Paul is against living for oneself, but wants the Romans to be oriented outward to others. Jonathan and Seth discuss this outward orientation and how it mirrors Christ's ministry.

Acts 2:1-12

Pentecost is God’s “yes” to diversity. Visitors to Jerusalem from all different backgrounds hear about God’s deeds of power in their mother tongue. Like Jonathan and Seth, they ask, “What does this mean?” This episode discusses diversity in the Church at large and how that is reflected in local congregations.