It Means What It Means

Episode 106: In the Wilderness with Peter Altmann & Caio Peres

Peter Altmann and Caio Peres discuss their commentary on the Book of Numbers from the Tyndale Old Testament Commentaries. They explore the significance of biblical commentaries, the diverse perspectives brought by authors from different cultural backgrounds, and the importance of understanding the complexities of biblical texts. The conversation delves into themes such as the relevance of Numbers for contemporary faith communities, the nature of atonement and ritual, and the challenges of interpreting scripture within various cultural contexts. The guests emphasize the need for a nuanced approach to biblical interpretation that acknowledges the richness of the text and its implications for identity and community. Resources mentioned or recommended in this episode include torah.com, Timothy Ashley’s commentary on Numbers, Mitchel Modine’s commentary on Numbers, David Stubbs’ commentary on Numbers, Dennis Olson’s commentary on Numbers, Calvin’s commentaries on the Pentateuch, Rashi, Marilynne Robinson’s Home, the poetry of Wendell Berry, the poetry of Pablo Neruda, and Tooth & Nail Records.
 
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Episode 105: The Fourth Synoptic Gospel with Mark Goodacre

Mark Goodacre discusses his expertise in New Testament studies, focusing on the synoptic gospels and their interrelations. He challenges common misconceptions about the term 'synoptic' and emphasizes the importance of literary production over oral tradition in understanding the gospels. Goodacre argues for Markan priority and explores the unique theological perspectives and literary styles of each gospel writer. He also delves into the chronology of the gospels' production and their dissemination in early Christian communities. The discussion concludes with recommendations for further reading and insights into Goodacre's personal interests. Check out Mark’s book The Fourth Gospel: John’s Knowledge of Matthew, Mark, and Luke! Other resources and recommendations from this episode include Kenneth Bailey, Theodore Weeden, Writing and Rewriting the Gospels: John and the Synoptics, The Gospel of John: A New History, Introduction to the New Testament, Biblical Time Machine, scholar Bart Ehrman, New Testament Review, Apocalypse Here, author W Somerset Maugham, Doctor Who, Star Trek, rock band Wolf Alice, and rock band The Beaches (with their song Did I Say Too Much).
 
Follow the podcast on Apple, Spotify, Amazon/Audible, iHeartRadio, Player FM, Listen Notes, Podchaser, Boomplay. Please reach out with guest suggestions and/or feedback at itmeanswhatitmeans@gmail.com. If you would like to support the podcast financially, you can hear episodes a week early for $5 a month on Patreon. You can also get updates and promotional clips if you follow us on YouTube, Facebook, TikTok, Instagram, Bluesky, Spoutible, Twitter, Threads, Wordpress, and Tumblr.

Episode 104: Celebrating Hanukkah with Stacia Deutsch

Stacia Deutsch, a children's book author and rabbi, shares her insights on Hanukkah, exploring its history, traditions, and significance in Jewish culture. She discusses the origins of Hanukkah, the miracle of the oil, and how the holiday has evolved into a time of celebration and community. Stacia also highlights the importance of charity during Hanukkah and the various cultural practices associated with the holiday. The conversation delves into the role of Jewish identity and the communal aspects of celebrating Hanukkah, making it a rich and informative discussion for listeners. Stacia’s book is titled Celebrating Hanukkah: History, Traditions, and Activities: A Holiday Book for Kids. Other resources and recommendations from the conversation include Leah’s Perfect Gift, Hanukkah on Rye, A Rugrats Chanukah, and Thursday Murder Club.
 
Follow the podcast on Apple, Spotify, Amazon/Audible, iHeartRadio, Player FM, Listen Notes, Podchaser, Boomplay. Please reach out with guest suggestions and/or feedback at itmeanswhatitmeans@gmail.com. If you would like to support the podcast financially, you can hear episodes a week early for $5 a month on Patreon. You can also get updates and promotional clips if you follow us on YouTube, Facebook, TikTok, Instagram, Bluesky, Spoutible, Twitter, Threads, Wordpress, and Tumblr.
 
Here is the recipe for Potato latkes that Stacia includes in the book:
Yield: 20 latkes
Prep time: 20 minutes
Cook time: 1 hour
 
Ingredients:
1lb Yukon gold potatoes
1 small yellow onion
1 large egg
2 Tbsp flour
½ cup canola oil
Applesauce, for serving
Sour cream, for serving
Preparation steps
Peel the potatoes and the onion. Shred them using a food processor or a hand grater.
Using a cheesecloth or paper towel, squeeze out and remove as much liquid as possible from the potatoes and onion.
Put the potatoes and onion in a large mixing bowl. Add the egg and flour. Mix well until it thickens.
Heat the oil in a large pan over medium-high heat. When the oil is hot, place a quarter cup of the potato mixture in the pan. Press the mixture with the back of spatula to gently flatten it.
Cook the latke in the oil for 31/2 minutes per side, until crispy and brown.
Place the cooked latke on a plate and cover it with a paper towel. You can also keep latkes warm by placing them on a baking sheet and transferring them to an oven set at 250°F.
Repeat steps 4 to 6 until you have used all the mixture.
Serve the latkes warm with applesauce and sour cream.

Episode 103: Touring the Torah with Evan Vossman

Evan Vossman, a scholar of ancient Jewish texts, shares insights into the Hebrew Bible, the Torah, and the complexities of biblical interpretation. He discusses the importance of understanding the historical and cultural contexts of these texts, the challenges of reading them through a modern lens, and the significance of interfaith dialogue. Vossman also delves into the documentary hypothesis, the role of ideology in biblical texts, and how to engage with scripture in a meaningful way. You can access his zine, Tour of the Torah, here. Other resources mentioned or recommended in this episode include E Theodore Mullen, RN Whybray, The SBL Study Bible, David M Carr, Peter Enns, Yonatan Adler, Yair Furstenburg, Rober Alter, Meier Sternberg, Adele Berlin, Joel Baden, Jeffrey Stackert, John Van Seters, Phillip Davies, Niels Peter Lemche, Diana Edelman, Biblical minimalism (Copenhagen school), David Aaron, Jesus and the Law of Moses, Jesus and the Jewish Law Podcast, Why the Bible Began, and Nature’s God.
 
Follow the podcast on Apple, Spotify, Amazon/Audible, iHeartRadio, Player FM, Listen Notes, Podchaser, Boomplay. Please reach out with guest suggestions and/or feedback at itmeanswhatitmeans@gmail.com. If you would like to support the podcast financially, you can hear episodes a week early for $5 a month on Patreon. You can also get updates and promotional clips if you follow us on YouTube, Facebook, TikTok, Instagram, Bluesky, Spoutible, Twitter, Threads, Wordpress, and Tumblr.

Episode 102: Under Her Wings with Jennifer Houston McNeel

Jennifer Houston McNeel sit down with Jared to talk about her book Under Her Wings: Mothers and Motherhood in the New Testament. She explores the use of maternal language, the cultural context of Greco-Roman family values, and the significance of women in biblical genealogies. The discussion also touches on the theological implications of motherhood and the role of Mary in the incarnation, highlighting how these themes resonate with contemporary understandings of motherhood. Resources mentioned or recommended in this episode include Andrew Peterson’s Behold the Lamb of God; Blessed Among Women? Mothers and Motherhood in the New Testament; Women in the Bible; Women Remembered: Jesus’ Female Disciples; What Jesus Learned from Women; Women and the Gender of God; Finding Phoebe: What New Testament Women Were Really Like; Chief Inspector Gamache Series; and Lord of the Rings.
 
Follow the podcast on Apple, Spotify, Amazon/Audible, iHeartRadio, Player FM, Listen Notes, Podchaser, Boomplay. Please reach out with guest suggestions and/or feedback at itmeanswhatitmeans@gmail.com. If you would like to support the podcast financially, you can hear episodes a week early for $5 a month on Patreon. You can also get updates and promotional clips if you follow us on YouTube, Facebook, TikTok, Instagram, Bluesky, Spoutible, Twitter, Threads, Wordpress, and Tumblr.

Episode 101: Rereading Revelation with Greg Carey

Greg Carey, a New Testament scholar, discusses his book Rereading Revelation: Theology, Ethics, and Resistance. He brings his unique insights on the book of Revelation, its apocalyptic nature, and its implications for understanding Jesus and early Christian communities. He emphasizes the importance of reading Revelation as a Jewish text, the symbolism of the Lamb versus the Lion, and the ethical challenges posed by its violent imagery. Carey also explores the relevance of Revelation in contemporary contexts, particularly regarding issues of loyalty, resistance, and the call for nonviolent action against oppression. Resources mentioned or recommended in this conversation include Comfort and Protest: The Apocalypse of John from a South African Perspective; scholar Anna Bowden, Buckley: The Life and the Revolution That Changed America; Revelation for Normal People: A Guide to the Strangest and Most Dangerous Book in the Bible; Discovering Revelation: Content, Interpretation, Reception; Reading Revelation Responsibly: Uncivil Worship and Witness: Following the Lamb into the New Creation; Annette Yoshiko Reed; Breaking the Code: Understanding the Book of Revelation; Can I Get a Witness? Reading Revelation through African American Culture; James Baldwin; Flannery O’Connor; John Kennedy Toole; Kurt Vonnegut; and Demon Copperhead.
 
Follow the podcast on Apple, Spotify, Amazon/Audible, iHeartRadio, Player FM, Listen Notes, Podchaser, Boomplay. Please reach out with guest suggestions and/or feedback at itmeanswhatitmeans@gmail.com. If you would like to support the podcast financially, you can hear episodes a week early for $5 a month on Patreon. You can also get updates and promotional clips if you follow us on YouTube, Facebook, TikTok, Instagram, Bluesky, Spoutible, Twitter, Threads, Wordpress, and Tumblr.

Episode 100: Literary Constructions and Stereotypes of Slavery with William Owens

William Owens discusses his chapter “Literary Constructions and Stereotypes of Slavery” from the book Ancient Slavery and Its New Testament Contexts. He also discusses his academic journey and insights into the literary constructions of slavery in ancient texts. He emphasizes the importance of reading against the grain to uncover the voices of the enslaved and critiques the stereotypes and power dynamics present in these narratives. The discussion also explores the role of tenant farmers versus enslaved individuals, cultural reflections on slavery in modern media, and the complexities of enslaved characters in literature. Owens concludes with recommendations for further reading including Slavery and Society at Rome, Slave Theater in the Roman Republic: Plautus and Popular Comedy, and the works of author Robert Harris.
 
Follow the podcast on Apple, Spotify, Amazon/Audible, iHeartRadio, Player FM, Listen Notes, Podchaser, Boomplay. Please reach out with guest suggestions and/or feedback at itmeanswhatitmeans@gmail.com. If you would like to support the podcast financially, you can hear episodes a week early for $5 a month on Patreon. You can also get updates and promotional clips if you follow us on YouTube, Facebook, TikTok, Instagram, Bluesky, Spoutible, Twitter, Threads, Wordpress, and Tumblr.

Episode 99: Passion, Politics, and Power with Samuel Wells

Samuel Wells is back to discuss his book Power and Passion: Six Characters in Search of Resurrection! The book in an exploration of the intertwining themes of power, passion, and resurrection through the lens of biblical characters. Wells emphasizes the importance of community engagement and the methodology of Lectio Divina in understanding scripture. The discussion also delves into the political implications of these themes in contemporary society, urging listeners to reflect on their own relationships and responsibilities. Resources mentioned in this episode include The Passion of Political Love, Six Characters in Search of an Author, and support to World Central Kitchen.
 
Follow the podcast on Apple, Spotify, Amazon/Audible, iHeartRadio, Player FM, Listen Notes, Podchaser, Boomplay. Please reach out with guest suggestions and/or feedback at itmeanswhatitmeans@gmail.com. If you would like to support the podcast financially, you can hear episodes a week early for $5 a month on Patreon. You can also get updates and promotional clips if you follow us on YouTube, Facebook, TikTok, Instagram, Bluesky, Spoutible, Twitter, Threads, Wordpress, and Tumblr.

Episode 98: Zorastrian Echoes in Yahwistic Sources with Gad Barnea

Gad Barnea discusses his research on Achaemenid Zoroastrianism and its connections to early Yahwism. He explores the historical context of Zoroastrianism, its cultic practices, and the assimilation of deities in ancient religions. Barnea also highlights significant artifacts, such as ostraca, that provide insights into the religious practices of the time. The discussion emphasizes the importance of understanding these ancient belief systems and their influence on one another, as well as recommendations for further reading on the subject. Recommendations mentioned in this podcast include Yahwism Under the Achaemenid Empire and The Origins of Judaism.
 
Follow the podcast on Apple, Spotify, Amazon/Audible, iHeartRadio, Player FM, Listen Notes, Podchaser, Boomplay. Please reach out with guest suggestions and/or feedback at itmeanswhatitmeans@gmail.com. If you would like to support the podcast financially, you can hear episodes a week early for $5 a month on Patreon. You can also get updates and promotional clips if you follow us on YouTube, Facebook, TikTok, Instagram, Bluesky, Spoutible, Twitter, Threads, Wordpress, and Tumblr.

Episode 97: A Human God? with Ellen De Doncker

Ellen De Doncker discusses her PhD dissertation A Human God?: A Comparative Analysis of Anthropomorphisms in the Hebrew and Greek Pentateuch. She outlines her research objectives, including a comparative analysis of anthropomorphic language in both texts, the challenges of defining anthropomorphism, and the role of translators in shaping the meaning of biblical texts. Ellen emphasizes the importance of cultural context and the theological implications of the Septuagint, while also addressing the complexities of qualitative versus quantitative analysis in translation. Resources recommended or mentioned in this episode include Multiple Authorship of the Septuagint Pentateuch: The Original Translators of the Pentateuch; God: An Anatomy; The Ani-Anthropomorphism in the Greek Pentateuch; the work of her doctoral promoter Has Ausloos on anthropomorphism; Toward a Theology of the Septuagint: Stellenbosch Congress on the Septuagint, 2018; Il Barone Rampante; and The Scholomance Series.
 
Follow the podcast on Apple, Spotify, Amazon/Audible, iHeartRadio, Player FM, Listen Notes, Podchaser, Boomplay. Please reach out with guest suggestions and/or feedback at itmeanswhatitmeans@gmail.com. If you would like to support the podcast financially, you can hear episodes a week early for $5 a month on Patreon. You can also get updates and promotional clips if you follow us on YouTube, Facebook, TikTok, Instagram, Bluesky, Spoutible, Twitter, Threads, Wordpress, and Tumblr.