It Means What It Means

Episode 96: The Story of Codex H with Garrick Allen & Kimberley Fowler

Garrick Allen and Kimberly Fowler delve into the fascinating world of biblical manuscripts, focusing on Codex H and its significance in biblical studies. They explore the intricacies of textual criticism, the role of individual manuscripts in understanding early Christianity, and the collaborative process behind their recent article. The conversation highlights the importance of manuscript terminology, the treatment of sacred texts in different cultures, and the rich history of manuscript preservation and restoration. Resources recommended in this episode include The Living Texts of the Gospels; To Cast the First Stone: The Transmission of a Gospel Story; Words Are Not Enough: Paratexts, Manuscripts, and the Real New Testament; and Working with Manuscripts: A Guide for Textual Scholars. Garrick and Kim also recommend Ernest Hemingway and JRR Tolkien for leisure reading. Garrick and Kim’s article is available for free here.
 
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Episode 95: Philo's Embassy to Gaius with Tommy Woodward

Tommy Woodward discusses his Journal of Biblical Literature article “Theorizing Laughter and Ethnicity in Philo’s Embassy to Gaius.” He delves into how Philo uses laughter as a tool for social commentary and critique, particularly against the Egyptian population, while also addressing the complexities of ethnic identity in the ancient world. Tommy shares insights from his academic journey, including his methodology and the creation of a database to track instances of laughter in ancient texts, highlighting the nuanced interpretations of laughter in Hellenistic Judaism. Resources mentioned in this episode include the work of Denise Kimber Buell and Stanley Fish, New World A-Coming: Black Religion and Racial Identity during the Great Migration, Laughter in Ancient Rome: On Joking, Tickling, and Cracking Up, Greek Laughter: A Study of Cultural Psychology from Homer to Early Christianity, Hundreds of Beavers, Moby Dick, Buffalo Hunter Hunter, and Small Gods by Terry Pratchett. Additionally, Jared mentioned a joke form the sitcom 30 Rock.
 
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 94: Ancient Slavery and Its New Testament Contexts IV: Metaphors of Enslavement with Marianne Bjelland Kartzow

Marianne Bjelland Kartzow discusses her chapter “Metaphors of Enslavement” in the book Ancient Slavery and Its New Testament Contexts. Her research focuses on the significance of slavery in ancient texts and its implications for understanding figures like Mary and Paul. She explores the complexities of consent in slavery, the metaphorical use of slavery in biblical texts, and how these concepts resonate with contemporary discussions about human dignity and societal structures. The conversation concludes with recommendations for further reading and a call for curiosity and action regarding social issues. Marianne recommends that listeners use libraries as much as possible. To that end, check out this global directory of libraries or this resource for locating sources. Online resources for research also include JSTOR and Google Scholar. She also mentioned her appreciation for the poet Edith Södergran.  
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 93: Is Hosea Also among the Traumatized? with Brad Kelle

Brad Kelle discusses his Journal of Biblical Literature article “Is Hosea Also among the Traumatized? The Book of Hosea and Trauma Hermeneutics.” He explores how trauma hermeneutics has evolved, emphasizing the shift from individual to communal trauma interpretations. Kelle highlights the complexity of prophetic literature, the layers of meaning within texts, and the importance of understanding the cultural and historical contexts of these writings. He encourages readers to engage with biblical texts as living documents that can provide insight into personal and communal trauma, while also recommending further reading on the subject. Recommendations in this episode include (friends of the podcast) Alexiana Fry, Sarah Emanuel, and Tod Linafelt as well as Göran Eidevall’s forthcoming Hosea Commentary, Juliana Claassens, Naomi Novick’s Scholomance Series, David Janzen, Jeremiah: Pain and Promise, The Trauma Healing Institute, Bible Through the Lens of Trauma, Holy Resilience: The Bible’s Traumatic Origins, You Are My People: An Introduction to Prophetic Literature, and the television series Andor. Previewed in this episode is my conversation with Marianne Bjelland Kartzow on her chapter “Metaphors of Enslavement,” in the book Ancient Slavery and Its New Testament Contexts.
 
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 92: The Jurisprudential Significance of אשר with Ryan Chester

Ryan Chester discusses his Journal of Biblical Literature article “The Jurisprudential Significance of אשר: A Case Study in Leviticus 10:1–3.” He delves into the significance of Leviticus 10:1-3, exploring the concept of “ashér” and its implications in biblical law and jurisprudence. The discussion highlights the nuances of translation, particularly the role of punctuation, and the importance of understanding atonement in the context of sacrificial practices. Chester emphasizes the need to grasp the philosophical underpinnings of law as opposed to merely its textual aspects, providing a comprehensive view of biblical jurisprudence. Resources recommended in this conversation include Ancient Near Eastern Thought and the Old Testament: Introducing the Conceptual World of the Hebrew Bible, Jewish Women in Greco-Roman Palestine: An Inquiry into Image and Status, From Hew Cradle to Hew Grave: The Role of Religion in the Life of the Israelite and the Babylonian Woman, Anthropology of the Old Testament, Deuteronomy and the Material Transmission of Tradition, and the novels of Louis L’Amour.
 
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 91: The Time It Takes with Troy Troftgruben

Troy Troftgruben discusses his Journal of Biblical Literature article “The Time It Takes: Prolonged Pace in Luke’s Travel Narrative (9:51-19:44).” He brings a wealth of valuable insights on the Gospel of Luke, particularly focusing on the travel narrative from chapters 9 to 19. He explores the significance of time and pacing in the narrative, the multifaceted nature of salvation in the canonical Gospels, and the central theme of discipleship. Troftgruben also emphasizes the unique language of journey in Luke, the key features of the travel narrative, and the theological motivations behind Luke's narrative structure and highlights the artistic craft of Luke's writing, suggesting that the journey itself is as important as the destination. Resources mentioned or recommended in this episode include Friederich Schleiermacher, J Leonard Hug, Rubicon, Loveday Alexander, Joel Green, Callirhoe, Xenophon, The Lord of the Rings, Andy Weir, and Adrian Tchaikovsky.
 
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 90: Trauma Theory, Trauma Story with Sarah Emanuel

Sarah Emanuel discusses her book Trauma Theory, Trauma Story: A Narration of Biblical Studies and the World of Trauma. She explores the intersection of various disciplines such as psychology, sociology, and literary studies in understanding trauma and its effects on narratives. Emanuel emphasizes the importance of narrative in trauma recovery and how modern interpretive frameworks can enhance our understanding of ancient texts. The discussion also touches on the communal aspects of trauma and the impact of unrecognized trauma on storytelling and the intricate relationship between trauma and food, exploring how trauma affects individuals' eating habits and emotional responses. Resources mentioned in this conversation include Alexiana Fry, Trauma and Recovery: The Aftermath of Violence – From Domestic Abuse to Political Terror, The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body In the Healing of Trauma, sociologist Jeffrey Alexander, Elizabeth Boase, Daniel Smith-Christopher, Nancy Bowen, Women Who Went Before Podcast, The Hunger Games Series, 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.

Episode 89: The Anti-Eschatological Elijah with David DeJong

David DeJong discusses his research on the reception history of the Hebrew Bible, particularly focusing on the Day of Adonai and the role of Elijah in eschatological thought. He introduces the concept of the 'anti-eschatological Elijah,' arguing that this figure serves to defer the Day of the Lord by establishing prerequisites for its arrival. The discussion also explores the diverse messianic expectations in Second Temple Judaism, the interpretive role of scribes, and the differences between the Hebrew text and the Septuagint. DeJong emphasizes the dynamic interplay between sociological and scriptural interpretations in ancient Judaism and early Christianity, particularly regarding the delay of eschatological expectations. Books and authors mentioned or recommended in this episode include The Reformation: A History, Seconding Sinai: The Development of Mosaic Discourse in Second Temple Judaism, Paul D Hanson, Otto Plöger, John J Collins, Anathea Portier-Young, James C VanderKam, James F McGrath, Joel Marcus, Rivka Nir, Jeremy Ott, Jocelyn McWhirter, Wolf Hall, Patrick Rothfuss, and Brandon Sanderson.
 
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 88: Ancient Slavery and Its New Testament Contexts III: Enslavement in the Roman World with Javal Coleman

Javal Coleman discusses his chapter, “Enslavement in the Roman World,” from the book Ancient Slavery and Its New Testament Contexts. He highlights the story of Acte, an enslaved woman, to illustrate the nuances of manumission and the societal perceptions of enslaved people. The discussion also delves into the concept of citizenship in antiquity, the dehumanizing aspects of slavery, and the ongoing relevance of these themes in contemporary scholarship. Resources mentioned and recommended in this episode include author Saidiya Hartman, Finding Phoebe, Greek Slave Systems in the Eastern Mediterranean Context, Slavery in the Roman World, Freed Slaves and Roman Imperial Culture, Slavery and Social Death, Greek and Roman Slaves, Soul by Soul: Life Inside the Antebellum Slave Market, River of Dark Dreams: Slavery and Empire in the Cotton Kingdom, The Lord of the Rings, Fourth Wing, Sinners, Red Dead Redemption 2, and Hogwarts Legacy.
 
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 87: The Tyrant Philosophers with Adrian Tchaikovsky

Science fiction and fantasy writer Adrian Tchaikovsky discusses his series The Tyrant Philosophers, exploring themes of colonialism, morality, and the lives of ordinary people amidst grand historical events. He delves into character development, particularly focusing on the character Yasnic, who embodies passive resistance and moral integrity. Tchaikovsky also shares insights on world-building, the consequences of healing magic, and the complexities of power and corruption within his narratives. Other works and authors recommended or mentioned in this episode include The Revolutions Podcast, The Raven Tower, NK Jemisin, Joe Abercrombie, Small Gods, Brandon Sanderson, Babel, Piranesi, The Starless Sea, Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell, The Night Circus, Dominion of the Fallen, City of Stairs, Semiosis, Dark Eden Series, Gogmagog, Perdido Street Station, Jonathan L Howard, and Lives of Bitter Rain.
 
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.