Context Matters

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!

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!

Textual criticism is about. offering a critique about what the best reading of the biblical text is, because before you can translate it, you need to know that you've got the best reading possible. And to engage in textual criticism, you need to have a fascination with biblical languages and biblical culture and biblical history. If it sounds complicated, it sort of is. But we have a great guide to walk us through what textual criticism is and why it matters. Dr. Karl Kutz is a recently retired professor of biblical languages and Bible at Multnomah University, and he is a voracious explorer of the biblical text. Find out more about Karl Kutz HEREContact Cyndi Parker through Narrative of Place.Join Cyndi Parker's  Patreon Team!

In today's episode with the Rev. Dr. George Athas, we pick up the historic overview of what is incorrectly called the 400 years of silence. We dive into the significant historical influence of Greek culture and thought on Jewish society, especially during the Hellenistic period. In the Hasmonean period, we find the rise of anti-Dividic position of silencing the prophetic voice. What does that mean for the way we understand who Jesus is? Find out more about Dr. Athas HERERead more about his book HERESee his many other writings HEREContact Cyndi Parker through Narrative of Place.Join Cyndi Parker's  Patreon Team!

We casually talk about 400 years of silence between the Old and New Testaments, but why do we say that? Who was the first to coin that phrase? What if that is an anti-Messianic statement? Then shouldn't we be more aware of the history and the development of Jewish thought to develop better vocabulary to talk about this time period? The short answer is, "Yes!", and the Rev. Dr. George Athas can help. His excellent new book Bridging the Testaments is a treasure trove of historic details. Today he joins us to talk about vocabulary. What is the difference between "Intertestamental" and "Second Temple"? What are the big picture historical periods included in this time that we need to be aware of? Find out more about Dr. Athas HERERead more about his book HERESee his many other writings HEREContact Cyndi Parker through Narrative of Place.Join Cyndi Parker's  Patreon Team!

Dr. Heath Thomas is back to talk more about his book The Minor Prophets: A Theological Introduction. Often the prophets are not addressing the individual's sin but the whole community's sin. So what does it mean to live as a distinctive community that represents a distinctive God? How do the writings of the prophets create expectations for the coming Messiah? How can these writings instruct the church today?Read more about Dr. Heath Thomas HEREFind the book HEREContact Cyndi Parker through Narrative of Place.Join Cyndi Parker's  Patreon Team!

Dr. Heath Thomas grow up as a pastor's kid, thought he'd be an English teacher but ended up  specializing in Hebrew Poetry. He is now the president of Oklahoma Baptist University and somehow found time to co-write a book with Craig Bartholomew titled the Minor Prophets: A Theological Introduction.  We talk about what the role of the prophet is, the content of their messages, and why they seem so angry all  of the time. Read more about Dr. Heath Thomas HEREFind the book HEREContact Cyndi Parker through Narrative of Place.Join Cyndi Parker's  Patreon Team!

Although cherubim in European art are cute, small, and angelic, the ancient world thought of them as terrifying protectors. In today's conversation, Dr. Gray continues to describe what we can learn about the ancient world by looking at their art. What did these people believe about hybrid creatures like the cherubim, seraphim, and sea serpents play? What role do these creatures play in the Bible?Find out more about Dr. Gray HERESee depictions of cherubim HERESee depictions of seraphim HERESee the sea serpent on Kudurru boundary stones HEREContact Cyndi Parker through Narrative of Place.Join Cyndi Parker's  Patreon Team!

Dr. Taylor Gray, an assistant research professor specializing in the ancient Mediterranean world, delves into the fascinating intersection of art and spirituality. He reveals how ancient iconography reflects cultural beliefs about the divine, exploring everything from biblical narratives to everyday artifacts. Gray contrasts the artistic representations of deities in ancient cultures with the complexities of biblical interpretations, shedding light on the role of visual art in shaping spiritual understanding and cultural consciousness.

Today we continue our conversation about Dr. Lanta Davis' new book called Becoming by Beholding. We begin with "bestiaries" - what they are and what their purpose was in early Christian art. We also talked about art and architecture. Does the shape and design of a church building indicate how worship is practiced inside? And how can ancient depictions of historic figures in the church reveal who significant leaders were? And what if they were women?You can find Lanta Davis' book HERESee examples of Bestiaries HERERead more about Dr. Davis HERERead Dr. Davis' article "The Witness of Women Written on the Walls" HEREContact Cyndi Parker through Narrative of Place.Join Cyndi Parker's  Patreon Team!