By the Well

How do you preach a text of terror? In this episode we discuss the possibilities and problems of preaching about the Slaughter of the Innocents, the challenges this text presents to us in a world with more refugees than ever before, and how religion and politics relate when we stand in the pulpit. In this episode we are joined by Adrian Jackson, eLearning Facilitator in the Uniting Church (VicTas) and theology student in the University of Divinity.

Theologian Geoff Thompson joins Robyn and Fran to talk about preaching at Christmas and how we communicate the profound mystery of the incarnation in a way that connects. In this episode we refer to William Willimon’s “Christmas parable”, Les Murray’s poem “The Barranong Angel Case”, an ancient text known as the Physiologus that describes Jesus as a unicorn, and David Ford’s The Future of Christianity. 

Rev. Rachel Kronberger joins Fran and Robyn to discuss miraculous births, barren women, and why Mary’s virginity matters (theologically, not gynaecologically!).  Fran references Ben Myer’s book The Apostles’ Creed: A Guide to the Ancient Catechism.

You can find out more at bythewell.com.au Follow us on Twitter: @bythewellpod

Kylie Crabbe joins Fran and Robyn to discuss hope, repentance, and anticipation in Isaiah 35:1-10 and Matt 11:2-11. Kylie issues a “health warning” and we discuss how disability studies might inform how we interpret and preach passages about the blind, lame, or deaf being healed. 

You can find out more at bythewell.com.au

Follow us on Twitter: @bythewellpod

By the Well is supported by Pilgrim Theological College and the equipping Leadership for Mission unit of the Uniting Church in Australia.

Sean Winter joins Fran and Robyn to discuss the shoot that springs from the “stump of Jesse” passage in Isaiah 11:1-10. Isaiah here offers a vision of a promised, righteous king from the Davidic line; a passage that would be later be applied to Jesus. We discuss the use of Isaiah’s arboreal images as picked up in Matthew 3:1-12. In this podcast we refer to Robert Alter’s 2018 translation of the Hebrew Bible (Old Testament).

Associate Professor Sean Winter’s publications can be found here. You can find him on twitter @seanfwinter 

You can find out more at bythewell.com.au Follow us on Twitter: @bythewellpod

By the Well is supported by Pilgrim Theological College and the equipping Leadership for Mission unit of the Uniting Church in Australia.

Fran Barber and Robyn Whitaker discuss the meaning of Advent, Jesus’ second coming, and how we live as Christians who believe in the visions of hope Isaiah offers.

Robyn tweets @robynjwhitaker. You can read more about her research here.

We refer to this commentary on Isaiah by Patricia Tull.

You can find out more at bythewell.com.au Follow us on Twitter: @bythewellpod

By the Well is supported by Pilgrim Theological College and the equipping Leadership for Mission unit of the Uniting Church in Australia.