Context Matters

What can we learn from the foundation of an Israelite house? And is the faith system for normal people in normal villages excitedly like what we read in the Bible? Archaeology has something to say about the real life of real people. This week I continue the conversation with Cynthia Shafer Elliott. She draws us into the value of archaeology and the spiritual practices of the majority of Israelites who are not the primary characters in the biblical text. We talk about the difference between finding an artifact and interpreting the function of the artifact.

For more information:

Click HERE to read more about Cynthia Shafer Elliott

Link to books:

The Five-Minute Archaeologist Book

Food in Ancient Judah Book

Link to figurines:

https://www.imj.org.il/en/collections/198066

Have you ever wondered what it is like to be an archaeologist? Or what actually happens to an artifact from when it is discovered in the dirt to when it ends up in a museum?  Well this week I talk with Cynthia Shaffer Elliot, an archaeologist who specializes in domestic archaeology with a focus on economics, food preparation and consumption, religion, and the roles and relationships of the family.

Click HERE to read more about Cynthia Shafer Elliott

Link to books:

The Five-Minute Archaeologist Book

Food in Ancient Judah Book

Here is the link to Israel Museum's picture of the shrine: 

https://www.imj.org.il/en/collections/372506

Cooking pot images from the Museums in Israel website:

https://museums.gov.il/en/items/Pages/ItemCard.aspx?IdItem=ICMS_IMJ_371398

https://museums.gov.il/en/items/Pages/ItemCard.aspx?IdItem=ICMS-MPC-91-543

Link to figurines:

https://www.imj.org.il/en/collections/198066

Lawson talks about his growing up years and how he ended up studying the Bible in college. Lawson also went to Kenya, which became a great context for learning about the cultural context of the Bible. We also talk about how going to Israel/Palestine and exploring the land of the Bible transformed his academic career.

Learn more about Lawson’s writing here

Click HERE if you are interested in finding out more about great opportunities to volunteer at an archaeological site.

Click HERE if you want to learn more about Jerusalem University College and amazing opportunities to study how geography impacts biblical stories.

I have heard from many of you how impressed you were with Craig’s stories. This week we continue the conversation, and Craig jumps into questions such as: How does being a pastor of a church in which 80% of the congregants are experiencing homelessness change the way you preach? Why should we invest in social issues that are way too big to solve in this lifetime? Craig also shares how we can challenge our assumptions about those experiencing homelessness. 

To read about Charles and his transformed life, click HERE

Explore Craig’s foundation and watch the Effie Award winning short film HERE

Find out more about what Craig is doing in India

To find out more about the Bowery Mission

Craig Mayes is the Chief Spiritual and Community Life Officer at the Bowery Mission in New York City.  The Bowery Mission has served homeless and hungry New Yorkers since the 1870’s, when its neighborhood came to define the term “skid row.” Craig tells stories of his challenging seminary education and what motivated his move from a megachurch in Michigan to a homeless shelter in NYC.

Explore Craig’s foundation and watch the Effie Award winning short film here: http://makethemvisible.com

Find out more about what Craig is doing in India: http://impactindia360.org/about/

To find out more about the Bowery Mission: https://www.bowery.org

This is the second half of my conversation with Rabbi Nancy. We start with the affects of 9/11 on her multi-faith conversations. Then we move to the way such conversations have influence her career. And we finally talk about the Muslims, Jews, and Christians interpret the Sarah and Hagar narratives in Genesis.

Listen—Enjoy—and send me an email!

To find out more:

Reconstructionist Rabbinical College, Philadelphia, PA

Rabbi Nancy’s book Strangers, Neighbors, Friends

In this episode, we talk about multi-faith conversations and what the benefit is to speaking with people who have different religious beliefs than your own. Rabbi Nancy shares several personal stories about how she ended up in multi-faith conversations.

To find out more:

Reconstructionist Rabbinical College, Philadelphia, PA

Rabbi Nancy’s book Strangers, Neighbors, Friends

Lisa and I discuss what effect cultural diversity has on her art. We also talk about how essential art is within a church context, which makes me consider the value of using concepts of beauty to explore the Genesis narratives.

See a few of her pieces here, but I highly recommend going to her website (https://www.abayaworks.com/permanenceoflight)) to see a video of how light changes her art from moment to moment.

You can also find her on Instagram @smokeandflame.

 Lisa Abaya is a Philadelphia artist  seeking ways to integrate matters of spirituality into her work. We discuss the influence of geography on her art and also how she explores mysterious concepts of the Holy Spirit through the use of reflective materials.

See a few of her pieces here, but I highly recommend going to her website (https://www.abayaworks.com/permanenceoflight)) to see a video of how light changes her art from moment to moment.

You can also find her on Instagram @smokeandflame.

I invite Keri Jenkins to the podcasting table to discuss how context helps us understand one another. Keri gives an example of how biblical context helped her understand a tricky passage in the Bible. We conclude with how seeing the physical land where biblical events happened influence how we read the text.

Visit narrativeofplace.com for more!