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Context Matters

Latest episodes

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Apr 3, 2025 • 30min

Presumption of Canaanite Guilt: Valid or Unjust?

In Part 2 of the conversation with Dr. Justin Reed about his new book The Injustice of Noah's Curse, we focus on the "presumption of Canaanite guilt" and what kind of influence that has on interpreters. How can we learn to ask better questions of the text? This is yet another example of why it is so important to study the Bible with people who bring different lenses to their study! Dr. Reed helps us explore the broader implications of these interpretations for understanding compassion, justice, and morality in ancient texts, highlighting the dynamic and often ironic narratives within Genesis.Read more about Dr. Justin Reed HEREExplore many of his online resources HEREContact Cyndi Parker through Narrative of Place.Join Cyndi Parker's  Patreon Team!
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Mar 27, 2025 • 26min

What Curse of Noah?

Dr. Justin Reed teaches at Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary and is here to talk about his new book The Injustice of Noah's Curse. Dr. Reed starts by introducing us to his context growing up and the influence of his mother and father on his faith and academic work. Then we dive into the strange text of Genesis 9. The timing is strange, the absence and presence of characters is strange, and the curse uttered against Canaan is very perplexing. Read the story, listen to the episode, and bring your ideas with you to the podcasting table!Read more about Dr. Justin Reed HEREExplore many of his online resources HEREContact Cyndi Parker through Narrative of Place.Join Cyndi Parker's  Patreon Team!
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Mar 20, 2025 • 28min

The Preacher of Hebrews Teaches Us Today

Dr. Dana Harris joins us for part 2 of our conversation about preaching and the book of Hebrews. We explore the book's theology and its profound connection to the Old Testament (equally dispelling misconceptions that the book is anti-Semitic). The preacher of Hebrews uses Midrash to use weave scripture into a meaningful narrative for the contemporary audience. How can we learn from the audience of Hebrews about developing a stronger sense of biblical narrative by immersing ourselves in the Bible?Find out more about Dr. Harris HEREContact Cyndi Parker through Narrative of Place.Join Cyndi Parker's  Patreon Team!
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Mar 13, 2025 • 31min

Preaching with the Epistle of Hebrews

Dr. Dana Harris joins us to talk about the profound experiences that shaped her outlook on teaching and faith. We discuss God's presence in nature and the importance of theological education. Dr. Harris specializes in the book of Hebrews, so we dive into the riddle of that book. Is it a  transcript of a sermon? Is it an epistle? Who is the author, and who are the Hebrews to whom this is addressed? Most of all, what can we learn about teaching scripture from this writing? You may want to go read Psalm 95 and think of its use of Numbers 14, 20, and Exodus 17. Find out more about Dr. Harris HEREContact Cyndi Parker through Narrative of Place.Join Cyndi Parker's  Patreon Team!
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Mar 6, 2025 • 24min

Show Me Your Glory, Part 2

This is part 2 of the conversation with Dr. Rebecca Idestrom about her book Show Me Your Glory. Today Dr. Idestrom discusses God's glory in the Temple. This leads us to a conversation of the visions of God's glory in the book of Ezekiel and how they relate the God's divine kingship and the hopeful restoration promised at the end of the book. Find out more about Rebecca Idestrom HEREExplore the book Show Me Your Glory HEREContact Cyndi Parker through Narrative of Place.Join Cyndi Parker's  Patreon Team!
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Feb 27, 2025 • 27min

Show Me Your Glory, Part 1

We sit with Dr. Rebecca Idestrom to discuss the themes of her latest book, Show Me Your Glory, which explores the concept of God's glory throughout the Old Testament. Dr. Idestrom explains how the notion of "glory" is multifaceted and context-dependent, involving both tangible and intangible elements of God's presence and character. We also talk about how Israel's perception of God's glory evolved across different historical and physical contexts. Find out more about Rebecca Idestrom HEREExplore the book Show Me Your Glory HEREContact Cyndi Parker through Narrative of Place.Join Cyndi Parker's  Patreon Team!
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Dec 19, 2024 • 25min

The Mary to Remember

We start today's episode talking about all the different Marys in the gospels and how that influences the way people interpret Mary Magdalene. Dr. McNutt also untangles how the Gospels describe Mary Magdalene and then  offers insights into her significance, not just as a follower, but as a pivotal figure financially supporting Jesus's ministry. Read more about Jennifer Powell McNutt HERERead more about her book HERERead about McNuttshell Ministries HEREContact Cyndi Parker through Narrative of Place.Join Cyndi Parker's  Patreon Team!
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Dec 12, 2024 • 23min

Her Faithful Witness: Unveiling Mary's True Story

Rev. Dr. Jennifer Powell McNutt talks about her new book called The Mary We Forgot: What the apostle to the apostles teaches the church today. To be honest, Mary Magdalene's story is rarely told well in churches, which leads  us to dismiss her as a teacher for people in the church. Her portrayal in popular media like The Da Vinchi Code or Jesus Christ Superstar tantalizingly focuses on her sex appeal and possible love interest of Jesus. Others highlight her deviant behavior. Is any of this true? If not, why do we think it is? Read more about Jennifer Powell McNutt HERERead more about her book HERERead about McNuttshell Ministries HEREContact Cyndi Parker through Narrative of Place.Join Cyndi Parker's  Patreon Team!
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Dec 5, 2024 • 43min

Deuteronomy and Advent

Today's episode flips the tables and places me in the hot seat. Wesley Arning and Ryan Presley interviewed me about the book of Deuteronomy for their podcast called The Wayside Podcast. So I am rebroadcasting it for you here to help us think about storytelling and transformation as we enter this Advent season.Listen to more of the Wayside Podcast HEREContact Cyndi Parker through Narrative of Place.Join Cyndi Parker's  Patreon Team!
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Nov 28, 2024 • 31min

The Dead Sea Scrolls and Textual Criticism

When scholars examine the writing, copying, and editing of biblical text, they can discern a complexity in the Hebrew Bible. There is scribal activity at the copying AND editing levels. What does this tell us about the development of Scripture? And what do we do with Dead Sea scrolls like Jeremiah that show us a complexity within the Jewish communities through the complexity of the scrolls themselves? Our guide through this is Dr. Karl Kutz who is a recently retired professor of biblical languages and Bible at Multnomah University and also a voracious explorer of the biblical text. If you feel nervous about these conversations, join us at the end of the episode to talk about why this is a valuable field of study instead of one that criticizes the Bible. Find out more about Karl Kutz HEREContact Cyndi Parker through Narrative of Place.Join Cyndi Parker's  Patreon Team!

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