And So... (Notes on the Bible and Religion)

As a New Year dawns, this podcast comes to an end. Thank you for joining me through this year. In this last podcast of "And So..." I share something a bit more personal. May God bless you and yours in the coming year.

Celebrations in the Bible: the first birthday in history, biblical festivals, and a feeding trough for domesticated beasts. Plus the "Book of Sports" of King James I of England. Merry Christmas!

A Franciscan mission, a Reformed church, priests, nuns, a crucifix, and a grotto come together in this podcast on Mary, the mother of Jesus.

Did you know that joy is coming? And you can't stop it. This week's podcast is for Joy Sunday.

The rock band Queen, the movie Highlander, and Christology come together in this podcast on why Jesus Christ is unique.

Busyness, distractions, Archibald MacLeish, and Dante Alighieri come together in this podcast on the Christmas Season as the anticipation of the re-arrival of Christ.

Do you believe in magic?The Witch of Endor, the Dark Arts, and the Bible are the focus in this week's podcast.

Halloween! All Saints Day! All Souls Day! Ghosts, Psyches, Souls, and . . . throats? What's that all about. Find out in my most recent podcast.

Psalm 23 begins, "The LORD is my shepherd...." It is a serene and pastoral psalm, but there is something quite violent in its context. It mentions a valley of the shadow of death. This podcast looks at the psalm and a Canaanite myth of the young goddess Anat, who herself waged war in a deathly valley.

IT'S THE END OF THE WORLD! Or not. Take a look at some biblical and non-biblical portents of cataclysmic events in this latest podcast.

What does Mixed Martial Arts Combat Sport and God have in common? There's a real dusting up going on in a biblical arena in this latest podcast!

Sleep and Dreams in the Bible: Recuperation, Illusion, Premonition, Revelation, Soul Travel, and the subconscious processing of our hopes and fears.

A differently abled hero, morbid obesity, poop, and sewers: the curious story of Ehud.

Tradition tells us that when a rabbi tried to rearrange the order of the Psalms he was told not to rouse that which slumbers! What is the meaning of the organization of the Psalms? Discover out one of the major views in this podcast.

Have you experienced a meaningful coincidence? Join me at the intersection of Jungian thought, some birds in the Bible, and St. Francis of Assisi.

Some kids never learn.

Texas is poised to require posting the Ten Commandments in all Texas public school classrooms. First Amendment issues aside, how can the Ten Commandments be seen as a liberating set of rules?

Labor Day approaches. What happened to a wagon train that took the Sabbath off from the long trip to Oregon? Does the Bible allow farm animals to work on the Sabbath?

Erotic Poetry and Wine! Cover the kids' ears! Or not. Nothing vulgar, here. But, yes, it is sensual. And you wouldn't believe where God shows up!

BACK-TO-SCHOOL PODCAST! Bratty kids and young adults are nothing new. Consider what the ancient biblical world has to say about young "Whippersnappers" in this Podcast.

What does it mean that only God "creates" in the Bible? What does the word actually mean? This podcast explores this curious word and some ancient Near Eastern creation myths.

What is the connection among the Egyptian Book of the Dead, Douglas Adams' A Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, and the Bible? Find out some peculiar things about the number 42 in today's podcast.

Watch your head around King David! Seriously. Watch your head!

The Jewish Bible and the Christian Old Testament are comprised of the same books--but the organizations produce different endings! What does this mean?

Millennials, Meh, and the Millennium. The Book of Revelation and the timing of Christ's return.

The Fourth of July is approaching. Independence Day. Want to know my politics? This podcast touches on the intersection of Christian Liberty, religious non-conformity, and the precariousness of our democratic republic.

What is the common bond that connects Feast Days, Thrones, Cathedrals, and Saint Peter? Find out in my latest podcast.

Next Sunday is Father's Day. Why does "Father" have something to do with treaties (covenants) in the Bible? What is fatherhood in the Bible? What is "the Father's House"? This episode looks at the topic.

What was the first food eaten on another world? You do know that a meal was eaten on another world, right?

From songs of chariot battles, to a limerick about a prostitute, to the Wedding Song of the Lamb and the Christ Hymn, remnants of ancient songs are hidden within the pages of both the Old and New Testaments.

MEMORIAL DAY APPROACHES. What does the Normandy Invasion of 1944 have in common with the story of the demoniac on the other side of the sea in Mark 5? Take a listen.

Holy water, cures, and the inevitability of death. This episode touches on some of the special waters of the Bible and in the Christian tradition that have brought about miraculous cures.

From the Garden of Eden to a Garden Tomb, there have been women who have pride of place. In honor of Mother's Day, this episode looks at some female "firsts" in the Bible.

Earth Day was a few days ago. In celebration of our precious Blue Marble, this episode relates some interesting facts about the Earth from the perspective of NASA astronauts during their Moon missions.

Did you know that Superman is a "Christ Figure"? This episode explores several of the many similarities between Jesus Christ and good old Clark Kent. What superpowers do you wish you had?

In ancient mythology, Inanna, Ishtar, Ba'al, and Demeter descended to the realm of the dead. The Apostles' Creed states that Jesus descended to Hell while his body was dead and entombed. What did he do there?

Can three days of death last only one day? As we approach Holy Week, this note explores the durations of Jesus' death.

In Matthew's account of the trial of Jesus before he is crucified, it appears that the Jews accept for themselves and their descendants the responsibility for Jesus' execution. Is this early Christian antisemitism? Or is something else taking place in the Gospel of Matthew.

The Canaanite god Baal, the "Storm God" of the Bible, and meeting God in the whirlwind and in sheer silence.

There are storms in life, and water can be chaotic. Even so, without it we thirst and die. Here's a note on water in the Bible.

James T. Kirk, biblical mentions of astrological phenomena, and the call to protect our planet.

Pink Floyd, the Book of Proverbs, and other biblical wisdom on the cosmic machine of justice.

Mythic adventures, reluctant heroes, and talking back to God.

My truth. Your truth. Truthiness. What is truth? How corrupt has the text of the Bible become after two thousand years? What does its earliest fragment say?

Is the rainbow beautiful? Is it dangerous? Wouldn't you like to know what the Bible has to say about it?

What is the significance of colors in churches? Do you know why the colors of materials on such furnishings as pulpits and communion tables change for different Church seasons?

A summary of the evolution of the English translations of the biblical text. A comparison is made of three prominent English translations: the King James Version (1611), the New Revised Standard Version (1989), and the Message (2002).

Why do we build fences around the Holy? Do the faithful characters in the Bible express anger toward God? Is is okay to do so?

Are angels "real"? Did you know that there is more than one kind of angel? Are some fiery? What are the demons afraid of?

A mouthful of Aristotle, Three Wise Men, and the end of Christmas.