My daughter asked me a great question... "So... why don't they all do it?" Okay, we need some background. My daughter was watching a Youtube video by a creator named "Saberspark." The Title is, "What Ruined Veggietales: The Tragic Fall of Bob and Larry." The Youtuber, if I remember right, has described himself as being …
Continue reading Why Does Christian Evangelistic Media Suck?
The term "Myth" is very hard to define because so many people have investment in the term. It is used in anthropology, it is used in religious studies, it is used storytelling and literature. It is used by the scholar and the layman alike. But the meanings often differ. I teach in a seminary and …
I recently been reading Robert Alter's book, "The Art of Biblical Narrative" (Basic Books, 1981). A few years ago, I wrote a book, "Theo-storying: Reflections on God, Narrative, and Culture." A friend of mine, who has since passed away suggested that I might benefit from Robert Alter's work on narrative in the Hebrew Bible. I …
One day Jesus was invited to the house of a woman named Martha, along with a number of his disciples. The disciples sat on the floor in the main room, and Jesus began his instruction. Martha and her sister were not rich. They could not pass on the duties of preparation to the servants--- servants …
I finally got around to revising Theo-Storying: Reflections on God, Narrative and Culture. I expanded one chapter, and added an entirely new chapter. The new chapter is on the use of stories for theological reflection. I also fixed a number of little errors from the earlier edition. Curiously, I was able to keep it the …
I wrote a story, a midrash of sorts based on II Kings 2:23-25 --- the story of Elisha and the bears. He was a man among men– gone now or so they say. Some said he was sucked up in a gust of wind some said he was taken off by horses into the clouds. …
Some would talk and some wouldn't. Mr. James, however, would always have something to say. As I did my rounds, I knocked discreetly before entering. "I didn't do it!" he stated emphatically as soon as both of my feet were inside the door. "They think I did it. But I would NEVER do it. …
Jesus was traveling with his core disciples to Jerusalem for the final time. As was his practice, he traveled through Samaria rather than avoiding it. Having to stay overnight in that region, he sent a couple of His disciples ahead to prepare a place for them to stay. As these two arrived at the village …
She stayed when others ran away. She stayed while others mocked and derided. She stayed while others (filled with shame perhaps?) stayed on the periphery and then snuck off. A man hung above her... and he was not alone. Her son did no wrong. He died because of the sins of others. He died because …
The following might be considered a "midrash aggadah." While these can vary, they are often stories built on a Biblical narrative. Sometimes they essentially serve as a running commentary. Other times, they can be quite speculative, leading hopefully to interesting discussions. <Note: I originally had called this story "Solomon's 2nd Dream" until I realized that …