Observations from the Word by The Barking Fox

Understanding Paul

Do we think of Paul as a Christian theologian, or a Jewish Torah scholar? The answer to that question reveals the way we read - or misread - Paul's letters. 
Leviticus 26:3-27:34; Jeremiah 16:19-17:14; John 10:22-29; Acts 15:12-21; Romans 11:25-29; 2 Peter 3:14-18
Click here to download a transcript of this podcast: Understanding Paul
Music: "Return,” Solomon O. Lopez, The Born At Home Collections, The Hebraism Project 2014. To hear more of Solomon’s music, visit The Hebraism Project on YouTube.
Illustration: Saint Paul, by El Greco (Domenikos Theotokopoulos) and workshop, Toledo, Spain, 1608-1614 (Museo del Prado, Madrid).

Let's Make A Deal

All the real estate transactions recorded in the Bible emphasize that God awarded the land of Israel to the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Why do we have trouble understanding how that Divine decree still applies to the Jewish people today?
Leviticus 25:1-26:2; Jeremiah 32:6-27; Genesis 11:1-11; Psalm 24:1-10; Luke 18:1-8; Acts 17-16-31
Click here to download a transcript of this podcast: Let's Make A Deal
Music: "After You,” Dan Lebowitz, YouTube Audio Library, April, 2020. Listen to the complete audio on Youtube at https://youtu.be/vcz8ClAoMX4?si=GRwp2weSYS8Ef2HV.
Photo: “Let's Make A Deal in Calgary.” Photo of Conversation, sculpture by William Hodd McElcheran. Photo by Suburban Tourist, March 16, 2011, via Flickr.

A Lesson In Resurrection

Holiness is a matter of life and death. That can be a difficult concept to understand if we don't know what holiness is. Let's start with the premise that life itself is holy. That's why our holy God offers resurrection as the means of transcending the corruption of death.
Leviticus 21:1-24:23; Ezekiel 44:15-31; Matthew 22:23-33, 26:59-68; Ephesians 6:2
Click here to download a transcript of this podcast: A Lesson In Resurrection
Music: "Yonder Hill and Dale,” Aaron Kenny, YouTube Audio Library, February, 2018. Listen to the complete audio on Youtube at https://youtu.be/M_AcKq_a9BE?si=48aIC8c_jQbtpG87.
Photo by Wordshore, Stockholm, July 4, 2008, via Fickr.

One Heart At A Time

We Christians don't think much about the Torah. If we've even heard the word, we probably think of it as the old Law of Moses that doesn't apply to us. That's why we're surprised to learn that Jesus taught the Law of Moses, and expected His followers to use it as a guide for their lives. 
Leviticus 16:1-20:27; Amos 9:7-15; Matthew 5:21-22; Mark 12:28-34; Hebrews 8:8-12; 1 John 3:4-9
Click here to download a transcript of this podcast: One Heart At A Time
Music: "Create in Me,” Solomon O. Lopez, The Born At Home Collections, The Hebraism Project 2014. To hear more of Solomon’s music, visit The Hebraism Project on YouTube.
Photo: Jerod D, May 25, 2009, via Flickr.

DIY Redemption?

God is the Creator and Redeemer of humanity. That's what we read in the Bible and sing about in worship services, but what do we really think about it? If we could redeem ourselves, would we? And if we could, would we really be all that different?
Leviticus 16:1-18:30; Ezekiel 22:1-6; Exodus 2:11-15; Psalm 35:3; Joel 2:32; Acts 2:14-21, 4:8-12; Romans 10:12-13; Hebrews 9:11-14
Click here to download a transcript of this podcast: DIY Redemption?
Music: "Overture (feat. Eben Mann),” Solomon O. Lopez, The Born At Home Collections, The Hebraism Project 2014. To hear more of Solomon’s music, visit The Hebraism Project on YouTube.
Photo: Pascal Böhme, Rome, February 16, 2014, via Flickr.

The Cure for Death

We all want to live forever - or do we? Maybe what we really want is relief from the suffering of this life. That's what we expect in the life to come, but what if this life is preparation for responsibilities we will carry in the next life?
Leviticus 12:1-13:59; 2 Kings 4:42-5:19; Exodus 29:19-21; Numbers 19:5; John 8:44, 12:24-26; Romans 6:5-7; Galatians 2:19-20; Hebrews 9:27-28, 13:7-16
Click here to download a transcript of this podcast: The Cure for Death
Music: "All My Tears,” Cody Ryan Cribbs, Exodus Road Band, Prodigal Son, Exodus Road Records 2022. This song and others by Exodus Road Band are available at https://www.exodusroadband.com/.
Photo: Queens Cemetery. Photo by Scott Bateman, December 10, 2008, via Flickr.

What Is A Woman?

Everyone should know what a woman is, just like everyone should know what a man is. When asked, though, could we provide a concise definition? This isn't a political question; it's an existential question.
Leviticus 12:1-13:59; 2 Kings 4:42-5:19; Genesis 1:26-28, 2:18-24; Matthew 19:3-9, 22:23-32; Hebrews 11:6; James 2:18-26; 1 John 1:5-12
Click here to download a transcript of this podcast: What Is A Woman
Music: "English Country Garden,” Aaron Kenny, YouTube Audio Library, January 2018. Listen to the complete audio on Youtube at https://youtu.be/vDA19CRK3NQ?si=Pab7lt2liK6kPuAD.
Photo: Colombian Dentist Liliana Patricia Gutierrez Freyle and Darfurian cleaner Hawa Awadallah. (Photo: UNAMID - Albert Gonzalez Farran, El Fasher, Darfur, Sudan February 4, 2010, via Flickr.)

When the Show Must Go On

Life doesn't stop when bad things happen. Sometimes it's better not to ask why, but instead try to help each other get through the hard times.
Leviticus 9:1-11:47, 2 Samuel 6:1-7-7:17; Malachi 3:1-6; Luke 12:54-13: 5; Hebrews 12:1-2, 13:8; 1 Peter 1:13-16
Click here to download a transcript of this podcast: When the Show Must Go On
Music: "Putting On the Ritz,” Freedom Trail Studio, YouTube Audio Library, March 6, 2024. Listen to the complete audio on YouTube at https://youtu.be/oTM8NdJ2QSE?si=iOzoLmNUeYCYACtf.
Photo: Bud Abbott and Lou Costello in the NBC radio studios, May 13, 1942. NBC Radio, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.