We begin the new year, in 2022, with a close reading of the story of the midwives in Exodus 1: 15-21. Liam offers us an invitation to recognize Shifrah and Puah as revolutionary resistors and so much more: namely, co-creators with G-d, The Potter of earthen vessels. Along the way, Liam and Don offer, for our consideration, the idea that we are all potentially midwives of a sort. Even, perhaps, revolutionaries. Following their discussion of the story - including thoughts about changing diapers, and digging up mud for throwing clay - Don offers another text.
Bible Bash Podcast
In each episode of Bible Bash Podcast, Peterson and co-host, Liam Michael Hooper, a Trans Bible scholar, take turns presenting the text. They then discuss. In addition, each episode they present another text, a non-Biblical text of note--religious or secular--that may or may not correspond to the Bible text.
Bible Bash Podcast is a project of Ministries Beyond Welcome and a part of the Rock Candy Network.
To share your questions, comments, requests for passages to be discussed, or suggestions for guests who can talk about texts, email Liam and Peterson: ministriesbeyondwelcome@gmail.com.
Jesus and the Glory Seekers: Mark 10: 35-45
For his December Bash, Don takes a close and insightful look at Mark’s gospel and Jesus’ interactions with James and John, who wish to be seated at Jesus’ side and share in his glory. Or, so they say when they ask Jesus to do something for them.
In his reading, Don peels back the layers of this story to expose what appears to be a first-century, discipleship power-grab. And, of course, Don has some thoughts about this, as well as Jesus’ revealing response to James and John.
Foot-Washing Mary Foils Purse-Snatching Judas–John 12
n this Bible Bash episode, Don invites us into a closer look at what is going on with Judas when he rails at Mary for wasting expensive perfume on washing Jesus’ feet. In other gospel versions of the story, the woman who washes Jesus’ feet is unknown to us, but in John’s version of events, it is Mary, sister to Lazarus, who performs the intimate act of foot washing. And it is Judas, Jesus’ eventual betrayer, who complains.
Poet, Maya Williams: Judas and Suicide
In mid-August, Liam and Don were joined by Portland Maine’s Poet Laureate, Maya Williams. Maya is not only a creative, gifted spoken word artist and poet, they are also a suicide survivor, theological thinker, and utterly enchanting person.
Isaiah, Immigrants, and Eunuchs–Isaiah 56
In this month’s episode of the Bible Bash podcast, new co-host Don Durham leads us through a deep dive into the layered messages gleaned from Isaiah 56 - the classic text where the prophet proclaims God’s favor for foreigners and eunuchs.
Genesis 3 Clothing Our Disappointment Adam, Eve, and God in the Garden
From his continued curiosity about how we develop theologies that sustain us during periods of disappointment, Liam takes a look at Genesis 3.
Regular listeners may recall the Drawing Near episode when Liam shared the story of a Rabbi, at his conversion, asking him, Do you have a theology of disappointment to sustain you when the institution of Judaism and your fellow Jews disappoint you?
Mark 11: 15-19 Turning Over Tables
Have you heard the story of Jesus’ hissy fit in the temple, turning over tables and ranting about the house of God being a house of prayer for all the peoples? Have you ever wondered what that apparent temper tantrum was all about? In this episode, Don offers his thoughts about the tale as we find in the Gospel of Mark. In his discussion, Don poses the possibility that Jesus was saying the quiet part out loud - really loud, in fact. Give a listen as Don and Liam take a closer look at the story.
Matthew 20: 1-16 –Wandering with Jesus: Children, Laborers, and Justice
In this month’s episode, Liam and Don take a look at Jesus’ teaching on the laborers in the vineyard through the larger story of Jesus engaging with the people. Liam explores the tendency to isolate Jesus’ teachings and parables from their story-based, literary contexts.
Biblical Bottoms--A LIVE Bible Bash Event
For the first ever LIVE Bible Bash, Peterson, Liam, and guests, take on the topic of Biblical Bottoms. Who is a bottom in the Bible and what does that even mean?? We talk bottoms, tops, subs, doms, power bottoms, agency, consent, and much more. Hear about Jonah, Hagar, Samson, Delilah, and others. It is a fun, informative, and insightful conversation.
Ancient Gay Lovers -- Luke 7
Liam Hooper takes on the "gayest" passage in the Christian Bible, the story of the Roman Centurion and the healing of his personal servant. Does this text condone gay sex? Gay relationships? Slavery?
Liam deepens the significance of the passage by connecting it to the narrative that comes immediately afterwards: Jesus raising a widow's only son from the dead.