By the Well

Download file | Play in new window | Duration: 00:26:28 | Recorded on November 11, 2021 | Revelation 1:4b-8; John 18:33-37 | Speakers: Carolyn Francis, Fran Barber

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Carolyn and Fran take a more thematic approach to this week’s readings (Revelation 1:4b-8 and John 18:33-37) on the occasion of Reign of Christ Sunday, and explore the subversive intent behind the church’s establishment of the celebration. We note the enigmatic character of the book of Revelation, but highlight the very worldly and promisory message it gives, especially to suffering peoples: the real authority over their lives is God, revealed in Christ, not fickle, earthly kings/emperors. We talk about Christ being the lens through which we understand ‘kingship’, and the nature of Christ being a mystery and puzzle to most who encounter him – as Pilate’s response to him in John 18 illustrates. We discuss ways of speaking ‘truth’: abstract, intellectual, and revealed person.

We mention the Bible Project’s Revelation Youtube clips

Ian Paul’s blog, Psephizo,  for occasional articles on Revelation, and links to his books

Carolyn and Fran explore the profound suffering and faithful persistence that Hannah embodies in 1 Samuel 1:4-20; we note the evocative language used in the passage to describe her relentless ordeal of infertility and talk about the pastoral implications of preaching on the text. We note the abundant hope and thankfulness expressed in Hannah’s song (1 Samuel 2:1-10), and that though it comes from Hannah’s experience of despair, it casts God’s power and faithfulness in communal terms, for all Israel. The passage from Mark (13:1-8) evokes birth pangs in an entirely different way: apocalyptically. We mention the pitfalls in preaching from apocalyptic texts, but note resonances in our current global situation with regard to climate change particularly.

Rachel and Fran continue exploring the beautiful but enigmatic and challenging story of Ruth, focusing on 3:1-6; 4:13-17. We note the lengths to which Naomi had to go to secure her and Ruth’s future; we highlight the euphemistic language in the text, and underline the theme of redemption that runs through the whole narrative. We question the moralistic assumptions the tradition has read into the characters, and whether such judgements distract from the theological power of the story. Mark 12: 38-44 takes up the theme of caring for widows and the hypocrisy of religious institutions; with Ruth this passage calls the community out of economic complacency. What is it to offer all of our lives?

For Pentecost 23 Rachel Kronberger and Fran delve into the book of Ruth (1:1-18), noting the word plays in the text and the larger themes of feast and famine, love and loss, emptiness and abundance that weave throughout the story. We focus on Ruth’s outsider status, and her gracious covenant with ‘bitter’ Naomi, and note connections with All Saints. We talk about the deep listening and curious respectful debate between the scribe and Jesus in Mark 12:28-34. One task for the preacher is to preach against the anti-semitic assumptions with which many approach this text.

We mention Michael Fagenblat’s essay “The Concept of Neighbour in Jewish and Christian Ethics” in The Jewish Annotated New Testament, ed. by Amy-Jill Levine and Marc Z. Brettler

Sean and Fran explore the final episode in the book of Job (42:1-6; 10-17), noting the ‘happily ever after’ narrative resolution, the pastoral minefield that this poses in preaching, and the apparent theological inconsistency that Job’s blessing represents. We emphasise the vulnerability Job displays in his story and how counter cultural that is for wealthy, powerful people. The purpose of Job’s story is to trace the transformation that encounters with God provoke; Job’s resolution is complex. In Mark 10:46-52 the theme of coming to faith and ‘seeing’ continues with the healing of Bartimaeus. We note the nuanced way in which disability needs to be talked about. The emphasis of Bartimaeus’ story is his marginalisation, his coming to faith and his following without question, as Jesus heads to Jerusalem.

We mention Willie James Jennings’ After Whiteness;

Ched Myers’ Binding the Strong Man;

Kylie Crabbe’s Terror, challenge, and reimagined community in biblical treatments of disability.

Fran and Sean continue the conversation on Job for Pentecost 21, namely on Job 38:1-7 (34-41) when God recounts the wonders of her creation to Job. God reminds Job of his creatureliness. We discuss the comfort amidst suffering that might be derived for Job, and us, to be reminded of God’s care at every juncture of creation. Hebrews 5:1-10 outlines the priestliness of Christ as distinct from priests who have come before him, being both the subject and object of sacrifice. We note some parallels with Mark 10:35-45 as both texts occur in the context of pilgrimage and journey for Jesus’ followers. Jesus, ‘the one subject to weakness’ goes before us. The Mark passage lays out cross shaped leadership, and we talk about the challenges to worldly notions of leadership.

We mention Jesper Svartvik’s article The New Testament’s Most Dangerous Book for Jews

For Pentecost 20 Fran and Sean focus on Job’s profound sense of God’s absence in Job 23:1-9; 16-17. We note that Job has loudly rejected the theology  of his friends, who all assert that Job’s suffering is the result of his sin. Job’s is a bold and courageous stance is to defy them, and to continue to seek, approach, even rebel against God despite his ongoing despair. Psalm 22;1-15 is an echo of Job’s suffering and also, of course, the Psalm from which Jesus’ cry of dereliction comes. Both the Psalmist and Job somehow remain faithful when all the evidence asks them to do otherwise. Mark 10:17-31 outlines the hard call of discipleship for the rich man. We talk about the radical deconstruction of economic and power structures required when following Jesus ‘on the way’, and note the emotional and existential shock – the disruption – that the call to follow elicits in Jesus’ followers – including us!

We mention Jesper Svartvik’s The New Testament’s most dangerous book for Jews.

Ched Myers et al’s Say to This Mountain: Mark’s Story of Discipleship

Sally and Fran talk about the particular character of wisdom literature in Job (1:1; 2:1-10) and the urgent, pastoral and cosmic questions it asks about human suffering and theodicy. We touch on preaching against bad theology, and the way Job disrupts our human judgements. We invite a look at the Hebrews reading (Hebrews 1:1-4:2:5-12) for the radical way in which God in Christ speaks to the suffering of the world. We note Jesus disrupting male privilege when he answers the Pharisees’ question about divorce in Mark 10:2-16, but also the way he diverts their question to talk about t the real focus: our posture as “little ones” towards God in the kingdom.

Sally Douglas continues in the co-host chair this week, Pentecost 18. She and Fran talk about the enigmatic and troubling story of Esther (7:1-6, 9-10). We note the dynamics of diaspora; the role of human ingenuity and faithfulness in the face of appalling oppression, and name the challenges and possibilities of preaching from Esther. James 5:13-20 focuses on the communal character and many manifestations of prayer. We touch on the pastoral implication regarding answered and unanswered prayer. With Mark 9:38-50 we draw out the radical centrality of the ‘little ones’ – children – in the faith community; and the confronting statement that we are all salted with fire.

We mention: the Bible Project’s Youtube clip on Esther;

the Brazos Commentary on Esther and Daniel by Sam Wells and George Sumner;

Rudolf Vrba’s I Escaped from Auschwitz.

Ched Myer’s Binding the Strong Man: A Political Reading of Mark’s Story of Jesus

Sally Douglas’ The Church As Salt: Becoming the Community Jesus Speaks About

This week Sean Winter and Sally Douglas continue to explore texts from Proverbs, James, and Mark. Proverbs 31:10–31 invites reflections on the ways that a portrayal of the ideal wife might point the reader to the figure of Lady Wisdom, and the character of God. James 3:13–4:3, 7–8a offers practical advice as to what wisdom looks like in the life of a community, and how the community is invited to reflect a Christ-like wisdom. Finally, Jesus action of bringing a child into the centre of the discipleship community (Mark 9:30–37) reminds us of the ways that Jesus prompts a reassessment of greatness, value and worth.