Biblical Conversations
By Joel Allen
Cover art photo provided by JFL on Unsplash: unsplash.com/@wallsbyjfl
Biblical ConversationsJul 12, 2019
BC 2.16 Interview with Rabbi Pesach Wolicki: God and the Coronavirus
In this interview, Pesach and I discuss some of the unhelpful ways that certain people of faith have responded to the pandemic gripping our world. How does God want us to respond? Can we know what God is saying to us through these difficult times? Pesach critiques some of the interpretations being offered in Israel by certain rabbis there. He goes to Exod 33:21-22 to point out that Moses could only really glimpse God from the backside. In other words, while momentous events are going on, it is almost as if God's hand is before our eyes. This is not a time of understanding but faithful, humble, prayerful service. After the tragedy passes by, only then can we get a glimpse of God's will. The link to the opinion piece mentioned in Jerusalem Post is:
https://www.jpost.com/Opinion/Faith-and-arrogance-in-times-of-the-coronavirus-crisis-621213
We also discussed I Chronicles 7:13-14 which is being quoted quite a bit these days.
BC 2.15 The Bible and the Coronavirus (or "How a few folks at DWU are living out their faith")
BC 2.14 A Conversation with Betty Oldenkamp on the Bible, Refugees and the Refugee Resettlement
REL 141 Belief in God and Pascal’s Wager
BC 2.13 The story of Thomas Madut: From Lost Boy of Sudan to Marathon Runner Extraordinaire
www.openbible.info/topics/foreigners
BC 2.12 The Curious Case of SD HB 1212: Where the 1st Amendment and the Welfare of Children Collide
This podcast examines a recent experience I had advocating for South Dakota HB 1212 which would have added clergy to the list of mandatory reporters of suspected cases of child neglect and abuse. 45 states already mandate that clergy report suspected cases. Reporting suspected abuse does not mean that anyone gets in trouble. It just means that a qualified professional checks in on the child's welfare. Teachers, counselors, healthcare providers, social welfare workers and many other professions are already mandatory reporters. The Board of Ordained Ministries of the Dakota's Conference of the United Methodist Church says, "House Bill 1212 not only aids in offering protections for our most vulnerable members of society but also frees our clergy to be better disciple-makers who model the teachings of Jesus and speak up on behalf of children." You would think it would be a no-brainer, right? Enter Norman Woods of the Family Heritage Alliance - a conservative organization that "seeks to defend the values that you cherish" - namely the protection of family, faith and freedom. Norm testified against the bill claiming it was an impingement on first amendment protection of the free exercise of religion. Legislators there clearly know Norman and respect his opinion. The bill passed out of the Judiciary committee on a 9/3 vote and was voted down in the House of Representatives on a 30/35 vote. I believe if the FHA hadn't opposed it, it would have passed. I argue in this podcast that the biblical support provided on the FHA website for their work in protecting religious liberties completely misses the point of the two passages on which it is based (1 Peter 2:11-14 and Romans 13:1-3). It is a great example of reading what you want to see into the Bible and ignoring what it actually says. Secondly, the FHA didn't provide any explanation on what exactly makes HB 1212 a 1st amendment curtailment. Norman simply said it was. But there is a very clear argument otherwise (provided in the podcast). Furthermore, as far as we can tell, there has not been a single 1st amendment challenge brought against any of the 45 states where clergy are mandatory reporters. Not a single one. If we were truly dealing with a curtailment of the free exercise of religion, someone would have noticed and brought a challenge. But this is not the case. There is absolutely no good reason to say that HB 1212 threatened 1st amendment religious freedoms. I think it is clear that children are now less safe, less protected, their welfare less prioritized because of this political influence. It is hard to prioritize the welfare of children. It so often gets ignored because people don't want to disturb their church with information about sexual abuse that may occur. So it gets swept under the carpet with the claim, "The state has no business telling the church what to do." As I say in the podcast, the state cannot tell a preacher how to interpret the Bible, but it sure can tell him how fast he can drive on his way to Bible study. In the judiciary hearing, one wise representative asked an opponent of HB 1212, "Can you explain to me exactly how the practice of your faith would change if HB 1212 were passed?" That is the question and the failure to answer proved the point! Churches should place greater important on the protection of children than upon the protection of 1st amendment privilege. The FHA folks are good well-intentioned godly people. They are also unable to see how their fierce attention of protection of religious liberty is blinding them to a deeper calling. So South Dakota continues on its path of prioritizing the needs of adults over those of children in voting down of HB 1212. And it is a curious situation when the misapplication of the 1st amendment supersedes Jesus clear command that we "suffer the little children to come"
BC 2.11 The Bible and Our Environment: A Biblical Conversation with David Hollis
docs.google.com/document/d/1SnVOCKtXQ8QXokmgUxrF4NjYokOKDIyQ75bhXcQJ_ek/edit?usp=sharing
BC 2.10 The Bible and Immigration: Part Two A conversation with Vicky Vetter and Karl Kroger
We're still following what we call the STER analysis: Scripture, Tradition, Experience and Reason. This is often called the Wesleyan Quadrilateral. Its simply a way of working through theological/ethical issues asking the questions: 1) What does Scripture teach?, 2) What is the tradition of the church?, 3) What is my experience here and 4) what seems to be in accord with the common sense dictates of human reason.
In this episode, Karl talks about his experiences with immigrants and refugees and helps us think through ways we might be able to either advocate for and being involved with these issues.
If you haven't listened to the previous episode, you'll really need to back up and do that. This episode is completely dependent on that one. There we discussed Scripture, tradition and Vicky's experience with immigrants in the Bismarck area. In this episode, Karl will discuss his experience and lead us in a conversation about helpful ways forward.
Again, The Bible and Immigration Part Two: A Conversation with Vicky Vetter and Karl Kroger.
BC 2.9 The Bible and the Immigrant: Conversation with Vicky Vetter and Karl Kroger
BC 2.8 Abortion: A New Way Forward? A discussion with Alisha Vincent and Jeff Pospisil
BC 2.7 The Josiah Enigma and the Art of Changing your Mind
So the Bible itself has changed its mind (if we can say it that way). Within the Bible, we have a clear shift of opinions: sometimes the righteous suffer and the wicked prosper. The world is much more mysterious and ambiguous than you would believe reading the Old Testament. So, let's talk about changing your mind. Let's learn to do it well. Some people, when they decide to change their mind, completely reject everything they believed before. A better process might be to determine exactly what isn't working and what is (the old baby and bathwater idea).
Let me offer a few words of advice on changing your mind (its going to happen because we're human and don't know lots of things).
Do it in conversation with others - a community of faith.
Do it in conversation with scripture - What is revealed by scripture?
Do it with an awareness of the traditions of our church - What is illuminated by tradition? “Does the Book of Discipline or the Social Principles of our church address the topic?”
Be clear as to exactly your reasons - What is confirmed by reason?
Identify what, in your experience? - What is verified by my experience?
Be clear exactly what you’re leaving and what you’re hanging on it.
You’ll find Christ walking beside you every step of the way.
BC 2.6 Three Christmas Surprises
BC 2.5 Messiah Prophecies in Isaiah 11 and 60
In this episode, Drs. Belanger and Redder, colleagues of mine here at Dakota Wesleyan University, discuss the prophecies of Isaiah 11 and 60. Also, Jeff Pospicil and I discussed Isaiah 60 - the second part of a previous conversation.
BC 2.4 Advent Study: Prophecies of the Messiah
BC 2.3 Advent Study: Yahweh’s Kingship in the Psalms
BC 2.2 An Advent Study: Yahweh and the King: From Gideon to Golgotha Episode 2 in the series
In this episode, we examine various attitudes about kingship in ancient Israel starting with the book of Judges (the theme mentioned four times toward the end that “In those days, there was no king in Israel” - clearly indicating that Israel needed a King to straighten out the mess of the Judges period) and ending with Jeremiah (ch 7 - clear indication of a conditional understanding of the covenant). We spend time looking at God’s promise to David about building him a royal house (II Sam 7 - an unconditional understanding of covenant).
BC 2.1 An Advent Study: Yahweh and the King: From Gideon to Golgotha
This episode analyzes the developing understanding of kingship in ancient Israel - from Gideon’s rejection of kingship altogether (Yahweh is our King! We don’t need another!) to Christ our Messianic King, we survey biblical kingship and the competing understandings. We examine Gen 35 which foretells of Israelite kings who would come from the loins of the patriarchs of old. Then we'll take a look at the restrictive code of kings in Deut 17. On the other side of the coin, we find Gideon’s rejection of kingship altogether (although he did create an idolatrous ephod (a very confusing idea but that's what it says). Gideon's son Abimelek has no difficulty claiming kingship. His tragic pursuit of kingly glory led to the murder of his family except for his brother. Jotham's celebrated fable conveys deep suspicion concerning kings! Only a scoundrel would accept such a position and the position itself provides nothing of value.
BC Bonus: Ecclesiastes and Edgy Spirituality
BC1: Biblical Conversations: The New Deal
I’ve made some alterations to my first episode and I’m republishing it in this downtime before Season 2 begins (Dec. 4). I’ve added a new opening segment which I recently recorded to say again what I want in this podcast. Let me know what you think! I'm excited about Season Two and I already have the first few episodes pretty much ready to roll. BC is still about an analysis of biblical disagreements to understand them from the vantage point of deepened faith and enriched discipleship to Christ.
Season Two is all about the development of the concept of "Kingship" in ancient Israel. This is appropriate for the Advent season when we welcome Christ as our Messiah/King. Please contact me on Facebook or Twitter or email me at joallen@dwu.edu.
BC 19 The Rabbi and the Bible (on Godliness and the Good life)
BC 22 “As the Deer” or “Exercise for Soul Strength”
BC 21: The Question of Wisdom: Interview with Brandon Vetter
BC 20 The Rabbi and the Bible: Part 2
BC 18: Odds and Ends (for those willing to brave the deeps)
BC 17 David Hollis on Satan and Scripture
BC 16: Is America a Christian Nation? Remarks prepared for Constitution Day 2019 at Dakota Wesleyan
BC 15c The First Four Words
BC 15b Have no other God’s but God
BC 15a The Four Commandments
BC 14 The Devil and the Bible: What is Biblical Authority and How does it work?
BC 13: Godliness and the Good Life D: Interview with Andrew DeVaney
“the economic sphere is like a thermometer that reveals both the temperature of the theological relationship between God and Israel (angle A), and also the extent to which Israel was conforming to the social shape required of them in consistency with their status as God’s redeemed people (angle B).”