No Experts Allowed

Twentieth Sunday after Pentecost (Year B) - 10/6/24

CW: discussions of abuse, painful marriages, and scripture that people have used to trap women in harmful situations

While our episodes often touch on serious topics, this one deserves the content warning above. We mention these potentially triggering topics, but they're not most of the episode. Instead of trying to wrestle with texts about marriage's permanency, Jonathan and Seth zoom out. They discuss friendships, what makes healthy ones, and what sparked theirs and sustains it. And what pitfalls they sometimes fall into. The hope is that this discussion on friendship can illuminate the texts on marriage in healthier and more applicable ways.

We're glad you're with us. Please skip this episode if the content warning stirs fear or dread in you. It's why we provided it, after all! We'll be back next week with another episode.

Nineteenth Sunday after Pentecost (Year B) - 9/29/24

Lately, there has been a lot of coverage in the news about political factions. But factions appear more than just in the political sphere. Churches, of course, can develop them too. They're equally insidious and difficult to deal with in civic, and public life. So, Jonathan and Seth talk about how these divisions take place. They start small this week; they don't try to tackle the United State's political problems like they sometimes do.

We're glad you're with us! For whatever reason, our last episode took off. So, if you're joining us again, we're thrilled you returned. We'd love to hear from you about church divisions and how we can spread out leadership to take some of the burden off of individuals (as Moses does in this week's reading) at noexpertsallowed@gmail.com

Eighteenth Sunday after Pentecost (Year B) - 9/22/24

One of the defining characteristics of the Psalms is that they have little historical context. Dating them is incredibly tricky. Scholars often rely on how language develops as much as they do historical artifacts. Because of this limited historical data, they're endlessly applicable; it's why they resonate today. Jonathan and Seth discuss Psalm 1, which could be read as an introduction to the entire book. They disagree about its application. They read the psalm differently, emphasize different parts, and maybe, see the current situation differently. If one has to "read the world" alongside reading texts, this opens up many areas of disagreement. But I (Seth), think we managed the disagreement respectfully and hope it can be a model. It also makes for a classic episode of No Experts Allowed.

We're glad you're with us, regardless of if you always agree with our conclusions. Listeners bring us much joy and push us to improve our podcast. So, a heartfelt thank you.

Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost (Year B) - 9/15/24

We use our tongues a lot. We use them to swallow, speak, and help us chew food. They're the strongest muscle in the human body relative to its size. It likewise, has an outsized impact on our lives. The words it forms can edify or eviscerate. So, Jonathan and Seth discuss words and speech this week based on James' comment that "the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great exploits" (3:5). What makes speech so powerful? How can we use it to benefit others? How does human speech mirror God's speech? There are too many questions to answer in one podcast episode, but we tried nonetheless.

We're thrilled you're with us! As the lectionary moves to the end of Year B, the texts become more apocalyptic, so stay tuned for some wild stories and discussions about the other appointed texts (as we try to skirt talking about the end times week after week).

Sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost (Year B) - 9/8/24

Everyone has a name. One can change their name, use a nickname, like or dislike it, but they have a name. What does it mean to have a "good name"? And how do we develop one or protect it? Jonathan and Seth discuss names and reputations this week. They talk about how creating a lasting reputation may take a long time. And what do names have to do with God? What does this passage tell us about God's name and how God's reputation is meant to be protected? All this and a lot of laughter on this week's episode of NEA.

We're so glad you're with us. We hope you like this episode as much or more than you like your name!

Fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost (Year B) - 9/1/24

What is purity? What makes someone pure? How is it maintained and how is it restored? In this week's Gospel text, Jesus is confronted by the Pharisees asking questions about the practice of ritual handwashing that they do to ensure purity. Jesus responds that "nothing outside a person that by going in can defile, but the things that come out are what defile" (Mk. 7:15). In James, however, true religion and the idea of purity seem much more active. It's about helping orphans and widows and keeping the outside influences at arm's length. So, again, what is purity? Jonathan and Seth try to figure it out this week.

We're so thankful you're with us. We'd love to hear your thoughts on purity and whether it is relevant to our modern world. Shoot us an email with your thoughts or say "hello" at noexpertsallowed@gmail.com.

Fourteenth Sunday After Pentecost (Year B) - 8/25/24

Families often shape one's faith. Frankly, that can be both positive and negative. Families can pass down unhelpful, harmful theologies. They can also spur someone to ask questions. As a mom recently told Seth, her son asked, "If Jesus breathing on someone can give them the Holy Spirit, can he also fart on them?" On a more serious note, Jonathan and Seth discuss who in their family had an unyielding dedication to God, what we can learn from them, and how we wish to sit and talk with them now. We hope this episode raises those questions about your birth or chosen family, too.

We're so glad you're with us. The weather seems to be turning where we are; we hope it's also getting more comfortable for you and that this podcast provides you comfort in challenging times.

Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost (Year B) - 8/18/24

The Bible is packed with "wisdom literature." It's most often associated with books from the Hebrew Bible, but some scholars have argued that James and portions of Ephesians fall under the umbrella of "wisdom literature" too. So, what is it? Does Jesus produce wisdom literature? What happens if we apply the lens we ordinarily use for wisdom literature to Jesus' words? Jonathan and Seth discuss how to get wisdom, where we need wisdom, and how wisdom is more than mere knowledge.

As always, we're thankful you're with us. We know we need more wisdom, so to think that people are listening to us anyway brings us great joy. We hope No Experts Allowed brings you joy too!

Twelfth Sunday After Pentecost (Year B) - 8/11/24

One of Seth's life rules is that we should always be wary when people want fewer ethics. Codes of ethics are also in the news, as President Biden proposes a binding code of ethics for the Supreme Court. In Ephesians, Paul lays out some rules for the community to follow. Could this be a source of ethics in the modern world? Could it, at least, be a start? And what happens when we don't follow them? Are there whispers of grace in this short passage? In this episode, Jonathan and Seth discuss these questions and get sentimental about the joys of recording this podcast.

We're thrilled you're with us. And we hope this podcast is a source of refreshment for you, as it is for us.

Eleventh Sunday After Pentecost (Year B) - 8/4/24

This episode's text immediately follows last week's text about David raping Bathsheba. Because of that, this episode may also be triggering for some. Like last week, feel free to skip this episode and join us next week when we return to discussing the appointed gospel text.

David is now forced to live with the consequences of his actions. Even his power cannot insulate him from Nathan's rebuke. What can Nathan's prophetic role tell us about participating in systems and critiquing them? How does one both hold power and use it to critique power? Jonathan and Seth attempt to answer these questions, wrestle with how to use their power, and pray for God's help transforming systems that seem almost unchangeable.

We're so glad you're with us as always. A shout-out to Jonathan this week for his flexibility with recording, editing on a tight schedule, and being graceful about it while Seth was away in Maine for vacation.