The translation of the Lord's Prayer remains contentious due to its deep integration into cultural memory, particularly influenced by the King James Version. Altering its wording invokes strong reactions, suggesting that any modifications are viewed as disrespectful. While it's possible to argue for the inclusion of variations, any absence is hard to justify, indicating a need for caution in changing established texts. The structure of the Lord's Prayer is also significant, comprising 12 lines organized into six pairs, which highlights its rhythmic and thematic divisions, reinforcing the importance of preserving its original form.
Sermon on the Mount E20 – We are now halfway through studying Jesus' most famous sermon, which brings us to the Lord’s Prayer. What’s the significance of a prayer being right here at the center? And what’s the purpose of regularly reciting a short prayer like this one? In this episode, Jon, Tim, and others kick off a five-part series on the Lord’s Prayer, exploring its structure, core ideas, and historical background. For more information about writing and sharing your own Lord's Prayer song, visit our website here.
View more resources on our website →
Timestamps
- Chapter 1: A Story of the Lord’s Prayer in Jerusalem (00:00-6:23)
- Chapter 2: The Epicenter of the Sermon on the Mount (6:23-10:52)
- Chapter 3: Reading the Prayer (10:52-18:50)
- Chapter 4: The Structure of the Lord’s Prayer (18:50-22:02)
- Chapter 5: The Core Ideas of the Lord’s Prayer (22:02-25:30)
- Chapter 6: Interview About Liturgies With James K. A. Smith (25:30-36:49)
- Chapter 7: Historical and Cultural Background of the Lord’s Prayer (36:49-50:17)
- Chapter 8: How the Lord’s Prayer Shaped Jesus (50:17-52:04)
- Chapter 9: Writing a New Lord’s Prayer Song (52:04-59:12)
Referenced Resources
Show Music
- Original Sermon on the Mount music by Richie Kohen
- BibleProject theme song by TENTS
- “Open Wings” by Liron Meyuhas
- “From Srinager” by Guy Buttery
Show Credits
Stephanie Tam is the lead producer for today’s show. Production of today’s episode is by Lindsey Ponder, producer; Cooper Peltz, managing producer; and Colin Wilson, producer. Tyler Bailey is our audio engineer and editor, and he also provided our sound design and mix. JB Witty does our show notes, and Hannah Woo provides the annotations for our app. Special thanks to James K.A. Smith, Brian Hall, Liz Vice, and the BibleProject scholar team, and to Dan Gummel who commissioned and supported the production of this episode. Today’s hosts are Jon Collins and Michelle Jones, and Tim Mackie is our lead scholar.
Powered and distributed by Simplecast.