It Means What It Means

Episode 34: John and "the Synagogue" with Wally V Cirafesi

In this conversation, Wally Cirafesi discusses his article on rethinking the portrayal of the synagogue in the Gospel of John. He challenges the assumption that the expulsion of Christ believers from the synagogue represents a break between Judaism and Christianity. Cirafesi argues that synagogues in the ancient world were diverse and multifunctional public institutions, rather than monolithic religious spaces. He emphasizes the need to read the New Testament within its Jewish context and appreciate the Jewishness of the text. The conversation highlights the importance of understanding the historical and social context of synagogues in order to interpret the Gospel of John accurately. In this conversation, Wally Cirafesi discusses the issue of antisemitism in biblical interpretation, particularly in relation to the Gospel of John. He highlights the importance of being aware of the historical context and the potential for embedded antisemitic ideas in Christian readings of the New Testament. Wally recommends resources and scholars that provide a more nuanced understanding of the text and its Jewish context. He also shares his personal interests, including playing the ukulele.

Episode 33: Improvisation and the Drama of Ethics with Samuel Wells

Samuel Wells discusses his book Improvisation: The Drama of Christian Ethics and explores the concept of improvisation in Christian ethics. He introduces the metaphor of the Five Act Play, which includes creation, covenant, Christ, church, and consummation. Wells emphasizes the importance of ecclesial ethics and the formation of character within the church. He explains the concept of accepting and over-accepting offers in improvisation and how it relates to ethical decision-making. Wells also discusses the challenges of prisons and the need for a change in culture. He explores the dimensions of improvisation and provides contemporary examples of over-accepting in society. Finally, he highlights the subversive nature of stories in challenging dominant narratives. In this conversation, Sam Wells discusses the significance of story in ethics and leadership. He emphasizes the importance of locating ourselves in the larger narrative and using storytelling to guide and inspire others. Wells also explores the concept of reincorporation in storytelling, where neglected elements are brought back into the narrative. He highlights the power that individuals possess and often overlook, urging them to recognize and use their power for positive change. Wells concludes by recommending further reading in the areas of Christian social engagement and the application of improvisation in various contexts.

Episode 32: Remarriage in Early Christianity with A Andrew Das

In this conversation, Andrew Das discusses his book Remarriage in Early Christianity. He shares how his interest in the subject began and the various influences that shaped his research. Das explores the Greco-Roman and Jewish contexts of the time, highlighting the widespread acceptance of divorce and remarriage. However, he notes that Jesus' teachings on divorce and remarriage were radical and went against the prevailing cultural norms. Das examines the passages in the Gospels where Jesus addresses this topic and emphasizes the importance of understanding the historical and cultural context. He also discusses Paul's views on marriage and celibacy and the ascetic elements within early Christianity.

Episode 31: Asian American Hermeneutics with Gale A Yee

The conversation explores the themes of biblical hermeneutics, the hermeneutics of suspicion, and the intersectionality of race and gender in biblical interpretation. The guest, Gail Yee, discusses her book on Asian-American biblical hermeneutics and the importance of understanding the historical and cultural context of biblical texts. They also touch on the abuse of the Bible in Christian nationalism and the need for a critical and nuanced reading of the text. In this conversation, Dr. Gail Yee discusses her approach to biblical hermeneutics and the importance of considering historical and cultural contexts when interpreting biblical texts. She emphasizes the need to challenge traditional interpretations that perpetuate harmful stereotypes and marginalize certain groups. Dr. Yee also explores the themes of power dynamics, gender, and race in biblical narratives, using examples from the stories of Jezebel, David, and Ruth. She encourages readers to engage with study Bibles and other resources that provide historical and contextual information to deepen their understanding of the biblical texts.

Episode 30: Sargon of Akkad and Nimrod with Christopher W Jones

In this conversation, Christopher W. Jones discusses his article on the literary historical memory of Sargon of Akkad and its connection to the figure of Nimrod in Genesis 10. He explains the concept of literary historical memory and provides background information on Sargon of Akkad. Jones explores the subversive nature of the Nimrod narrative and its critique of empire. He also discusses the dating of the Nimrod story and previous attempts to identify Nimrod. Jones recommends works by David Carr, Ust-Din-Nai-O-Dead, and Peter Machinist for further reading. In this conversation, Christopher Jones discusses his favorite children's books and shares his excitement for the upcoming podcast. He also expresses his appreciation for being a part of the podcast and acknowledges the impressive lineup of guests.

Episode 29: Criminalization in Acts of the Apostles with Jeremy L Williams

In this conversation, Dr. Jeremy L. Williams discusses his research on criminalization in the book of Acts and its relevance to contemporary issues of power and justice. He explores the concept of criminalization as a cultural artifact and the ways in which it is influenced by socio-political location. Dr. Williams also examines the terminology of missionary and evangelism, highlighting the subversive nature of gospel proclamation. He emphasizes the need to challenge power structures and reevaluate perspectives in order to create a more just world. Dr. Jeremy L. Williams discusses his book and the importance of using antiquity to understand mass incarceration. He emphasizes the need to be faithful to Christian origins and to approach scripture with a hermeneutic of ignorance. Dr. Williams also explores the role of imagination in reimagining systems and linking criminalized peoples across time. He recommends reading Afrofuturist literature for fun and shares his thoughts on doom scrolling and dreaming better dreams.

Episode 28: Envy and Jealousy in the Hebrew Bible with Anthony Ellis

In this conversation, Anthony Ellis discusses the concept of kina (envy/jealousy) in the Hebrew Bible. He explores the different interpretations and implications of kina, both in human relationships and in the context of divine jealousy. Ellis highlights the story of Joseph and his brothers as an example of envy among siblings and the moral lessons it conveys. He also delves into the theological significance of divine jealousy and its association with monotheism. Additionally, Ellis examines the concept of vicarious jealousy, where individuals feel jealousy on behalf of others, particularly in relation to God's jealousy for his people. This conversation explores the concept of divine jealousy in the Hebrew Bible and its linguistic nuances. The discussion delves into the prophetic vision of divine jealousy, the sticking point in the latest tradition, and the complexity of relationships and communication. It also highlights the long durée of Bible scriptures and the incredible variety in language. The importance of academic work on biblical texts and the history of jealousy and envy are also discussed. Recommended readings and resources are provided for further exploration.
Further Reading
On Envy and Jealousy:
Ben-Ze’ev, A. 2000. The Subtlety of Emotions. Cambridge, MA.
D’Arms, J. 2017. ‘Envy’, in E. N. Zalta (ed.) The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy (Spring 2017 Edition), https://plato.stanford.edu/archives/spr2017/entries/envy/ (accessed 15 March 2022).
Ellis, B. A. 2023 ‘Envy, Jealousy and Class Conflict in Classical Athens: Φθόνος and the Manipulation of Unacceptable Emotions’, Transactions of the American Philological Association 153.1: 43–83.
Hart, S. L., Legerstee, M. 2010. Handbook of Jealousy. Theory, Research, and Multidisciplinary Approaches. Malden, MA.
Hupka, R. B. 1981. ‘Cultural Determinants of Jealousy’, Alternative Lifestyles 4: 310–56.
Konstan, D. and Rutter, N. K. (eds) 2003. Envy, Spite, and Jealousy: The Rivalrous Emotions in Ancient Greece. Edinburgh.
Protasi, S. 2021. The Philosophy of Envy. Cambridge.
Salovey, P. (ed.) 1991. The Psychology of Jealousy and Envy. New York.
Sanders, E. 2014. Envy and Jealousy in Classical Athens. A Socio-Psychological Approach. Oxford.
Sissa, G. 2017. Jealousy: A Forbidden Passion. Cambridge.
Smith, R. H. (ed.) 2008. Envy: Theory and Research. New York.
Toohey, P. 2014. Jealousy. New Haven, CT.
On Envy and Jealousy in the Bible, Judaism, and Christianity:
Adkin, N. 1984. ‘Pride or Envy? Some Notes on the Reason the Fathers Give for the Devil’s Fall’, Augustiniana 34: 349–51.
Brongers, H. A. 1963. ‘Der Eifer des Herrn Zebaoth’, Vetus Testamentum 13: 269–84.
De Riva, R. 2021. ‘Jealousy in Akkadian Love Literature: Zarpanītu in the Divine Love Lyrics’, in S.-W. Hsu and J. Llop-Raduà S.-W (eds), The Expression of Emotions in Ancient Egypt and Mesapotamia. Leiden – Boston, 306–34.
Elliott, J. H. 2007. ‘Envy, Jealousy, and Zeal in the Bible: Sorting Out the Social Differences and Theological Implications – No Envy for YHWH’, in R. B. Coote (ed.), To Break Every Yoke: Essays in Honor of Marvin L. Chaney. Sheffield, 344–64.
Ellis, B. A. 2023 ‘The Rot of the Bones: קנאה (Jealousy/Envy) in the Hebrew Bible’, Journal of Biblical Literature 142.3: 385–408.
Lang, B. 2011. ‘Le Dieu de l’Ancien Testament est-il un Dieu jaloux? Essai de réponse’, in H. Rouillard-Bonraisin (ed.), 159–71.
Renaud, B. 1963. Je suis un Dieu jaloux: Évolution sémantique et signification théologique de qine'ah. Paris.
Reuter, E. 1990. ‘qn’ ’, in Theologisches Wörterbuch zum Alten Testament vii: 51–62.
Villareal, Erin. 2022. Jealousy in Context: The Social Implications of Emotions in the Hebrew Bible. Eisenbaum.

Episode 27: Trauma Remembrance and Healing with Rebecca W Poe Hays

Rebecca Poe Hays, an assistant professor at Truett Seminary, discusses the intersection of trauma, remembrance, and healing in Psalm 78. She explores the genre of Hebrew poetry and how stories are conveyed in the Psalms. Hays highlights the importance of historical Psalms and their connection to the wisdom tradition. She draws parallels between trauma treatment methods and the structure of Psalm 78, emphasizing the significance of storytelling in trauma healing. Hays also discusses the role of the Psalms in building resilience and fostering a sense of community. In this conversation, Rebecca Poe Hays discusses the influence of scripture on the world and the importance of studying it. She emphasizes the complexity of scripture and the need to pay attention to its various genres. Rebecca also explores the use of scripture in addressing trauma and highlights the importance of honesty and humility in reading and interpreting ancient texts. She recommends books on trauma and biblical studies, as well as different translations and commentaries on the Psalms. Finally, Rebecca shares her reading preferences and recommends a variety of genres.

Episode 26: Travel Anxiety in Early Judaism with Elisa Uusimäki

Elisa Uusimäki discusses the topic of travel and anxiety in early Jewish literature. She shares her background and research interests, including her focus on the figure of the wise person and the intersection of wisdom and travel. She explains how she defines and approaches anxiety in her article, drawing on psychological and affect studies. She discusses the texts she analyzes, including Tobit and the writings of Philo of Alexandria, and how they depict travel-related anxiety. Elisa also explores the societal and personal dimensions of travel in the ancient world and its relevance today. The conversation explores the motivation for the journey in Tobit and the gendered representation of anxiety and delves into the different ways Tobit and his wife manage their anxiety and the role of blessings and proactive actions. It then examines Philo's understanding of travel and the experiences of diaspora communities.

Episode 25: Christmaker: A life of John the Baptist with James F McGrath

James McGrath is a religious studies professor and author of the book Christmaker: A Life of John the Baptist. In this conversation, McGrath explains how his interest in John the Baptist was sparked by his previous work on the Gospel of John and the Mandaeans, a group that emerged from followers of John the Baptist. He also challenges common misconceptions about John's appearance and lifestyle, highlighting the complexity of his family background and his role as a charismatic figure challenging the religious establishment. The conversation explores the foundational tradition of John the Baptist and his role in challenging the existing religious practices of his time. It delves into the connection between John and Jesus, the influence of the prophetic tradition, and the significance of baptism. The conversation also highlights the importance of understanding John the Baptist in order to gain a deeper understanding of Jesus and Christian origins. Recommended resources for further study are provided, along with a discussion on the author's approach to writing and the connection between his work and his personal interests.