Geocaching Scripture

I once was blind, but now I see! Let's talk about John 9, in which Jesus cures a blind man by making mud and putting it on his eyes and also upsets the Pharisee authorities at the same time. What was the importance of this miracle? Why were the ruling powers so upset? We jump into it, and we also talk briefly about great white sharks off the coast of California. Josh also comes up with the lamest name for Christian rap since ever.

I saw you under the fig tree! Fig tree imagery is woven throughout the bible, from the impromptu clothing of Adam and Eve to the tree where Jesus sees Nathanael. This is one of those long-running symbols the gospel writers pick up and "geocache" in the details to tell a story within a story. Josh and Dan investigate and eat "VBS-grade" generic Fig Newtons. 

Welcome to season two!! I am joined by my new co-host Dan Hintz, who will become a welcome fixture around here. We open season two with a talk about "agnostic openness." We know the rich young man "went away sad," but do we really know if he never follows Jesus? Can we judge him? Or is it one of Mark's cliffhangers? What does Jesus teach us here about approaching people in our centrifuged, rhetoric-riddled, news-junkie world??

This week our exclusive, hard-to-find, A+ list guest is my wife, Heather McDonald, artist and art therapist. She talks with us about Bezalel from Exodus 31, the second person who is ever empowered by the Holy Spirit in scripture. He was an artisan and artist, who designed the Ark of the Covenant, and showed us that worship is not just singing and teaching but artistry, expression, craftsmanship and all of life. 

Peep this Heather McD orig episode art...

The iconic scene of Jesus cleansing the temple. Geocaches are pretty much tumbling out of this highly symbolic act. What was going on? Why was he so upset? We'll also talk a little about Dr. Who's appearance in Wisconsin. 

John 1, the Logos. This concept blended Hebrew and Greek thought beautifully and yet is confusing to a lot of modern readers. Also there's some stuff in here about a flooded mine in Finland. 

Guest geocacher, pastor, scholar, one of my BFFs, and also my dad joins us to talk through Psalm 23. Green pastures, sitting down, rods and staffs, and tables at the enemy's house all make an appearance in this line-by-line meditation. 

The story of Pilate freeing Barabbas is so familiar at Easter we probably don't even read it. But, as usual, there's more than meets the eye, especially in the name the gospel writers give this shadowy character.

Judas Iscariot is, tragically, one of the most famous disciples. We don't know much about this shadowy figure, and there's more than one theory. What were his motivations? What was he after? Where did he come from? Let's see what we can find out. 

Pastor Shawn joins us to talk through the prodigal son story, Luke 15:11-32. He tells us what "hired worker" meant in those days, and how the son tried to qualify his own return. Right in the middle, some homeless folks knock on the door of the church and Shawn stops to help them out – the kingdom waits for no podcasts!