BibleProject

The podcast discusses literary design patterns in the Bible, such as parallel storytelling and hidden 'hyperlinks' of repeated words and characters. It also explores the use of design patterns in Toy Story to layer different themes. The interconnectedness of biblical stories is highlighted, for example, linking David and Bathsheba to the eating of the apple in Genesis. The significance of chaotic waters and baptism in relation to salvation is also explored.

This is part 2 in our live conversation from Milpitas California! Tim and Jon continue their discussion on design patterns in the Bible. Tim outlines the layering of Adam and Eve’s story with Cain and Able’s story. In both stories, there is a change agent that tempts the humans. In the first story it is “the serpent”, in the second story it is “sin crouching at your door.” God calls out to both Adam and Eve and Cain saying “where are you?” and “what have you done?” Both of these stories mirror and reflect each other in many, many ways. The pattern that sets up in these first two stories becomes a template that other biblical stories use. Tim shares another example of Eve mapping onto Sarah. Eve shared the fruit with her husband Adam, and later God reprimanded Adam saying “because you listened to your wife.” Similarly, at Sarah’s suggestion, Abraham “listened to his wife Sarah” and slept with Sarah’s servant Hagar. Tim says these stories are meant to mirror each other as well. Abraham is struggling with the same human condition, the same inclination to sin that Adam was. Tim shares more examples of Israel at Mt Sinai and Israel at Jericho. Israel is told not to make any idols. The first story told after they are given this command is the story of the golden calf. This story is a combination of the earlier stories. Aaron listened to the people like Adam listened to Eve and Abraham listened to Sarah, Aaron shifted the blame like Adam shifted the blame. Then in a later story, when Joshua leads Israel to overthrow Jericho, Achan takes and hides a “gold tongue” after having been explicitly told not to take any of the plunder. Joshua asks Achan, “What have you done?” Why do the Biblical authors record this story? Because they want to continue to drive home the point that when humans listen to a voice that tempts them to “take” after they were explicitly told to not take, it leads to death. Q1. (56:15) In light of word repetition do you recommend a particular translation? Q2. (57:55) How would you approach reading the Bible with reluctant readers? Q3. (1:00:25) How do you talk about the humanity of the Bible while still honoring the divine? Q4. (1:05:55) How does a non Phd stay current with this topic? (Part of Tim’s answer was later recorded in studio) Q5. (1:12:10) How do you know that any patterns you find are real? And that you’re not just seeing things and reading things into the text. Show Resources: Robert Alter: The Art Of Biblical Narrative John Sailhamer: The Pentatuch as Narrative Seth Postell: Adam as Israel: Genesis 1-3 as Introduction to the Torah and Tanakh Jerome Walsh: Style and Structure in Biblical Hebrew Narrative Michael Fishbane: Text and Texture: A Literary Reading of Selected Texts Our video on Design Patterns in the Bible: https://thebibleproject.com/videos/design-patterns-biblical-narrative/ Show Music: Defender Instrumental: Rosasharn Music Produced By: Dan Gummel, Jon Collins, Matthew Halbert-Howen Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

This is a special episode in our podcast series on “How To Read The Bible”. Tim and Jon went on the road to do this podcast live before an audience in Milpitas, California! Tim and Jon discuss literature design patterns in the Bible and answer questions from the audience. The guys do a brief recap of the How to Read The Bible series. There are key elements to reading the Bible well. Understanding plot, character, setting and biblical narrative style. (We have videos on each of these, you can see the links below in the show notes.) In this episode, the guys combine all of these elements to talk about “patterns and design elements” in the Bible. Tim and Jon use the “hyperlink” analogy, saying that all the stories in the Bible link to each other in subtle and creative ways. People can learn to see these links and see the stories layering on top of each other by understanding key design patterns and techniques. Below are timestamps of questions and examples: (36:16) Jon asks the question, "Is understanding design patterns in the Bible an “elite” way to read the Bible?" Isn’t the Bible supposed to be user friendly? It seems like studying to understand the historical context of the ancient Hebrew biblical literature is a time consuming task that some people might not be able to do. (40:38) A gentleman asks a question about the city of Joppa being mentioned in both the book of Jonah and in Acts. Is this intentional and a reference to a hidden theme in the Bible? (42:25) A gentleman asks a question about the creation of stories in the Bible. What’s the role of historical accuracy, retelling and condensing of events in the writing of the Bible? (49:58) A gentleman asks a question: If the Bible is a magnificent piece of timeless art and literature, How do you explain the Bible to people who value brevity and directness, not artful literature and analogy? (52:40) Tim gives an example of word plays and repetition in the Bible. The hebrew word “Tov” means good. Tov/Good is used in the creation story as a key repeating word. It develops first to describe creation. Then it describes humans (very good). Then it describes the “tree of the knowledge of good and not good/evil.” This theme culminates when the woman “sees that the tree is good” when the serpent tempts her, she has effectively switched places with God. God was the original one who “saw things as good”. (1:03:05) Tim gives another example in Luke. The baptism of Jesus culminates with God speaking from heaven declaring Jesus is his son. Then the next story is not a story, it’s a genealogy that works its way backward to Adam being declared “the son of God”. Then Jesus is tempted, with the devil asking him if he “really is the son of God”. Then Jesus goes to his first town and people ask “Who’s son is this?” Then Jesus casts out a demon who declares that Jesus is “the son of God”. Luke uses repetition to make a point to the reader, that Jesus is indeed who he has been declared to be, he is the Son of God. (1:07:10) Tim gives an example of the selection of Saul to be the king of Israel. The hidden word in the story is “see or seeing.” At the start of the story, we are told Saul is tall. This is a strange detail. Most Bible characters have no physical attributes described about them, but here, Saul is tall, which is later used as a symbol in the story. Saul looks for a “seer” or a “prophet” when searching for his father’s donkeys. Why would the word “seer” be used in the story? Because it is a hidden key word in the story. Samuel “sees” Saul. Samuel tells Israel to look upon Saul and “see” their king. Samuel and Israel “see” Saul and they are impressed by his height. But Saul is not a good king and God rejects him. God sends Samuel to anoint a new king. God says he has “seen a new king.” Samuel “sees” Jesse’s son Eliab and thinks one of these is to be the new king. But God speaks to Samuel and says “God doesn’t ‘see’ as humans ‘see’, humans ‘see’ with their eyes, God ‘sees’ the heart.” This line is the climax of a whole trail of breadcrumbs that started at the introduction of Saul. Show Resources: Robert Alter: The Art Of Biblical Narrative Our How To Read The Bible Video Series: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ak06MSETeo4&list=PLH0Szn1yYNedn4FbBMMtOlGN-BPLQ54IH Show Music: Defender Instrumental - Rosasharn Music Produced By: Dan Gummel, Jon Collins, Matthew Halbert-Howen Thank you to all our supporters! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The podcast explores the importance of understanding settings in Bible stories. They discuss how locations and directions hold symbolic meaning and how timing is used to pace narratives. They also delve into the significance of towns visited by biblical characters and the use of numbers and letters in the Hebrew Bible.

Topics discussed include caring for the environment and the concept of new creation, the importance of tribe identity in post-exile Israel, exile as a transformative experience, the role of repentance in the theme of exile, the connection between exile and death/resurrection in Ezekiel's vision, and the parable of the prodigal son as a form of self-imposed exile.

In this podcast, Tim and Jon discuss the concepts of home and exile. They explore the idea that human longings point to a future reality, and how ancient Israel looked to their past kings for vocabulary. They also emphasize that Christians are exiles in this age, loyal to God's kingdom. The ultimate story of the cross is God's willingness to take the consequences of humanity's creation of 'babylon.' The podcast ends with a discussion on the wisdom warrior's ethic and the hope of God recreating the physical world as a 'Home' for all.

In this podcast, Tim and Jon discuss the theme of Exile in the story of Jesus and the New Testament. They explore the historical context of Jesus' time under Roman occupation and his role as a wisdom warrior. They also discuss the ethic of nonviolence and the concept of living in Babylon with subversion and loyalty. Additionally, they examine the ideas of complicity in societal systems and the power dynamics between loyalty and ideologies. The podcast also delves into the concept of exile and the Garden of Eden, emphasizing the merging of heaven and earth.

Guest John the Baptist, symbolically rebooted the return from exile through baptism. Tim explains that baptism represents a symbolic rebooting from exile to a new way of life. The concept of exile continues in the New Testament, with believers referred to as 'immigrants and exiles in Babylon'. The Hebrews' exile resulted in spreading and blessing the nations. The book of Jeremiah emphasizes working for and doing good on behalf of the place of exile. The podcast explores the theme of exile in the Bible and its impact on the human story, along with the concept of exile and identity in Peter's letter. It also delves into the symbolism of Ezekiel bread and explores non-violent resistance in the book of Daniel.

In this podcast, Tim and Jon discuss the biblical theme of exile and its connection to the story of the Garden of Eden. They explore the symbolism of the garden as humanity's true home and the concept of a cosmic mountain. They also discuss the peace and abundance in the garden and the role of humans in cultivating it. They delve into the concept of a new creation and the harmony between humans and animals. They further explore the concept of exile in the Bible, particularly in Genesis, and its connection to later exiles. Overall, the podcast provides fascinating insights into the theme of exile and its significance in biblical stories.

The podcast explores the concepts of exile and home in the Bible, discussing how it applies to everyone's story. They delve into the idea of feeling displaced in life and the mystery of feeling alone in the world. The hosts explain that the solution to humanity's exile problem is a king who will reunite heaven and earth. They also discuss the origins of evil and the battle Christians face against spiritual and human evil. The chapter emphasizes the divinity of a Jewish man who combated evil through his death and resurrection.