The Hero's Journey is a pattern of storytelling, identified by scholar, Joseph Campbell, and popularized in film and culture in works such as Star Wars, Lord of the Rings, and Harry Potter. Although The Bible predates the identification of this pattern and technique, there remain several versions of "The Hero's Journey" in The Bible Story. This episode examines the background and components of the pattern, along with what Bible stories we will cover.

Topics Covered:

Concluding our unit of Twin Stories and Sibling Rivalries, this episode covers one of the most famous stories of all time--"The Prodigal Son".

Topics Covered:

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Continuing our study of sibling rivalries and "Twin Stories", this episode takes a look at the narrative arc of Jacob and Esau, their feud, and reconciliation.

Topics Covered:

-Framework/impact of a narrative frame

-Prophecy and patterns of prophecy

-The motif of the barren woman

-The inverted birthright

-"Dwelling in tents" v. "Roaming the wilderness"

-Jacob as "the heel grabber"

-Connections to Adam and Eve

-Isaac's role

-The effects of unhealed trauma on future generations

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Continuing in our study of Twin Stories and sibling rivalries, this episode focuses on the conception of Isaac and Ishmael, and the patterns this narrative establishes for unfolding of The Bible Story.

Topics Covered:

-Significance of "birthright".

-What is a "Child of Promise".

-The position of women in ancient Near-Eastern Cultures

-Economic opportunities for women in these cultures

-Is Abraham a good father?

-Connections to Cain and Abel

-Connections to Adam and Eve in The Garden of Eden

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Continuing our study on Twin Stories and sibling rivalries, this episode takes a nuanced look at the story of Cain and Abel from Genesis 4.

Topics Covered:

-Twins Stories, sibling rivalries review of background.

-Importance of patterns in theme.

-What is wisdom literature?

-Why did God reject Cain's sacrifice?

-Repetition as a literary technique in ancient narratives.

-The test, and human choices.

-Dichotomy of mercy and justice.

-The origins of violence.

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This episode begins a study on Twin representations within The Bible Story. Twins and sibling stories are found all throughout The Bible. This episode looks at twins through the lens of archetypes as a springboard into these four Bible Stories: Cain and Abel, Isaac and Ishmael, Jacob and Esau, and The Prodigal Sons.

Topics Covered:

-Polarties in The Bible

-The purposeful use of contrast and repetition in ancient literature

-Twins as archetypes.

-Twin stories in history and pop-culture.

-Harry Potter

-Gilgamesh

-Thor and Loki

-Tupac and Biggie as a twin archetypes

-Jesus' reinterpretation of ancient twin narratives.

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Here is the link to the background notes and other resources for this study.

The Bible is a book of books. It is a story comprised of many stories. In this introductory episode we examine some key components of Biblical history, psychology, myth, and literary techniques that will aid us in deepening our understanding in not only The Bible, but ourselves, our world, and the people around us.

Topics Covered:

-Biblical Origins

-The Jewish Bible

-The TaNaK, The Nevi'm, The Kethuvim

-The Christian Bible

-Terminology

-Carl Jung

-Joseph Campbell

-Archetypes, Motifs, Symbols

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Click here for a link to background slides and notes