Mythologizing the Bible

Welcome to another Bonus Edition of the MTB podcast - a segment of the weekly episode that I call Afterthoughts! This is my favorite part of these weekly presentations because it gives me a chance to dig a little deeper into something that came up during the main episode.

We’ve been talking a lot lately about the dangers of empty promises—how too many people cling to the fantasy of divine rewards instead of taking real action to make things better now. But here’s the thing: when those empty promises get tangled up with political power, it’s not just a personal problem—it really is a national, even existential, crisis.

That’s why I want to spend some time digging into something that’s been simmering beneath the surface for a while now: the attack on the separation of Church and State. All this bullsh*t about Christmas and Christianity being under attack? It’s a red herring to draw our attention away from what’s really happening. Christian Nationalists are pushing to force their narrow, dogmatic version of Christianity into our schools, into our laws, and even into our courtrooms. And they’re doing it under the guise of “restoring Christian values” to America.

But let’s get real: What happens to our freedoms—religious and otherwise—if we let them succeed? What does it mean for people who don’t believe like they do? Or who don’t believe at all? And if we let them blur the line between church and state, how long before they start deciding which version of Christianity is the “right” one? Spoiler alert: It’s probably not yours.

So, let’s spend a little time unpacking that!

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Have you ever noticed how much time some Christians spend talking about heaven, glory, and eternal rewards—while completely ignoring what they’re supposed to be doing right here and now? It’s almost as if the more supernatural the claim, the less they feel responsible for actually living their values.

Welcome to Mythologizing the Bible—where we’ll be taking a look at three readings from the Bible through the lens of “sacred myth.”.

As we reflect on the readings for the 5th Sunday of Easter, we’re taking a hard look at the tendency to replace action with empty promises, to focus on some hypothetical heaven instead of fixing what’s broken right here on earth.

In this episode, we’re asking: What happens when we strip away the mystical, the miraculous, the “someday” promises—and start focusing on the values that matter right now? Because if Christianity is supposed to be about love, compassion, and justice, then we can’t wait for a future paradise… we need to start living those values today.

Thanks for reading CODA Project! This post is public so feel free to share it.

Welcome to another Bonus Edition of the MTB podcast—a segment of the weekly episode that I call Afterthoughts! This is my favorite part of these weekly presentations because it gives me a chance to dig a little deeper into something that came up during the main episode.

But it’s not just about digging into what’s really going on beneath the surface of these ancient stories—it’s about digging beneath the surface of our lives too.

This week’s theme was all about the very human longing for comfort, safety, and support. And if you were with us for the main episode, you know we looked at how that desire gets mythologized in stories about shepherds, flocks, heavenly promises, and heroic messengers. But now, I want to zoom out a little and ask a bigger question—not just about belief, but about belonging.

Because what if the real draw of religion—especially in times like these—isn’t the theology or the miracles or even the idea of heaven? What if it’s just... not feeling alone? What if the thing people are actually craving most is community? A place where they’re seen. Where they’re accepted. A place where someone saves them a seat at the table. Even if the table also comes with a side of dogma.

That’s the premise we’re working with today: that what draws people to religion—especially in this weird cultural moment where belief is fading but religious attendance is rising a bit—what draws them to religion isn’t so much “faith in God”, but faith that someone will be there for them.

So that leads to a few honest questions: Why do religious spaces—especially the ones rooted in rigid belief—still feel so magnetic for so many people? What’s the secret sauce behind sacred rituals and symbols? And if people are leaving institutional religion but still craving ritual and community, is there a better way to meet that need?

Let’s dig into THAT!

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What if the parts of Christianity that could actually help us build a better world have been hiding in plain sight all along? Underneath the blood-soaked metaphors and fanatical devotion, there are real, human values—like compassion, courage, and care—that still resonate today.

Welcome to ‘Mythologizing the Bible’—where we’ll be taking a look at three readings from the Christian Bible through the lens of “sacred myth.”

As we reflect on the readings for the 4th Sunday of Easter, we’ll explore how ancient metaphors, coded authority claims, and dramatic storytelling can obscure the very values that once drew people in—values we still need today.

In this episode, we’ll consider how the early message of mutual care and shared responsibility can inspire us to resist fanaticism and reject control-based religion. Because if Christianity has anything left to offer the modern world, it’s in the way it can still spark ethical action—without needing supernatural justification.

Thanks for reading CODA Project! This post is public so feel free to share it.

This BONUS edition of the MTB Afterthoughts was inspired by an article from Wonkette, which offers “filthy, hilarious, liberal news.” Don’t forget to check it out!

In this BONUS edition of Afterthoughts, we’re diving into a topic that’s equal parts fascinating, frustrating, and completely infuriating: the strange but very real willingness of MAGA loyalists to make personal sacrifices... just not for the reasons you might expect.

You may have seen the recent headlines about Trump suggesting that American kids might need to settle for three dolls instead of thirty. Predictably, some people thought that would be the tipping point—“Aha! They’ll never stand for this!”

But the awesome folks over at the Wonkette independent news site shared a recent article titled “Trumpists Are A Lot Happier To Put Up With Economic 'Sacrifice' Than We Give Them Credit For.” Basically, assuming that diehard MAGA folks won’t be willing to make personal sacrifices misunderstands something fundamental: MAGA folks will sacrifice. They’re already sacrificing. The trick is that Trump asking them to sacrifice seems to work when it reinforces their identity (or sticks it to the people who they fear and hate).

In other words, many MAGAts are happy to make sacrifices for their Orange King!

If this all sounds eerily like certain religious dynamics, that’s because it is. We’re not just talking about politics—we’re talking about a cultural mindset that’s steeped in the dangerous theology of “redemptive suffering.” It’s the belief that pain now means reward later, that obedience in the face of injustice is a virtue, and that “faithfulness” is proven by how much you're willing to endure without question. And let’s be real: that’s not exclusive to MAGA, by any means. In fact, that’s Christianity 101.

So today, we’re asking the hard question: How the f**k did we get here? And more importantly—what can we do about it?

Thanks for reading CODA Project! This post is public so feel free to share it.

Welcome to another Bonus Edition of the MTB podcast—a segment of the weekly episode that I call Afterthoughts! This is my favorite part of these weekly presentations because it gives me a chance to dig a little deeper into something that came up during the main episode.

So, this week’s theme has centered around one simple but powerful idea: community. Not just the word we toss around in mission statements or church bulletins—but real, tangible, roll-up-your-sleeves-and-show-up-for-each-other kind of community. The kind that shares food, shares burdens, and maybe even shares a decent bottle of wine.

And yet, when we look at the history of Christianity—and honestly, most organized religion—it doesn’t matter where you start, it always seems to end the same way: someone’s in charge, someone’s at the bottom, and a whole bunch of people are somewhere in the middle trying to figure out if their voice matters. Catholic, Protestant, Evangelical, Non-denominational—pick your flavor, and at some point, you’ll find someone declaring they speak for God… and a whole lot of people just nodding along.

So that’s what we’re unpacking today. Why does every grassroots movement—even the ones that begin with a group of friends and a shared loaf of bread—so often morph into top-down power structures? Is it inevitable? Is that just human nature? And if it is human nature… is there something intentional that we can do instead?

Because maybe the answer isn’t to fight for power within these old structures. Maybe the answer is to stop playing their game altogether. Maybe we can stop trying to grow the next big thing and instead learn how to spread something small and good and meaningful.

Thanks for reading CODA Project! This post is public so feel free to share it.

Have you ever noticed how often religious stories are used to justify who gets to be in charge—and who doesn’t? Sometimes it’s wrapped in language about divine purpose or eternal reward, but underneath it all, it’s often just about power: who has it, who wants it, and who’s willing to suffer—or make others suffer—to get it.

Welcome to ‘Mythologizing the Bible’—where we’ll be taking a look at three readings from the Christian Bible through the lens of “sacred myth.”

As we reflect on the readings for the 3rd Sunday of Easter, we’ll explore the contrast between real community and top-down control, between the grassroots movement that early Christianity may have been and the institutional power structure it eventually became.

In this episode, we’re asking an honest question: What would it look like if we stripped away the divine claims and focused on the values underneath? Because if Christianity is going to be a force for good in the world, it has to start looking more like a shared meal and less like a throne room.

Thanks for reading CODA Project! This post is public so feel free to share it.

Welcome to another Bonus Edition of the MTB podcast—a segment of the weekly episode that I call Afterthoughts! This is my favorite part of these weekly presentations because it gives me a chance to dig a little deeper into something that came up during the main episode.

So, tonight we’re going to lean into something that ties directly to the theme of this week’s episode: ethical messaging and the power of words. We’ve talked a lot lately about how a truly ethical movement invites questions, speaks clearly, and doesn’t hide behind vagueness or manipulation. So I want to dig into one of the most emotionally charged slogans of our time: “Make America Great Again.”

Now, before anyone starts clutching their pearls or getting defensive—this is not about attacking anyone personally. We’re not here to fight—not this time anyway—we’re here to think. Really think. Because this phrase (MAGA, as it’s come to be known) might be simple and catchy, but it’s also incredibly vague. What does “great” actually mean? And “again”? When exactly are we trying to get back to? And who was America “great” for during that time?

Those are the questions we’re going to explore—not necessarily to tear anyone down, but to start asking better questions than the ones we’ve been handed. Because when we get lazy with our language, or worse, when we let others define it for us, we stop thinking critically. And once that happens? We’re not in control of the story anymore.

So let’s take a breath, set aside the outrage or the loyalty, and look at this together with curiosity, clarity, and… maybe just a little bit of humor.

Thanks for reading CODA Project! This post is public so feel free to share it.

Let’s talk about control—and how it often hides behind charisma, poetry, and even holy-sounding words. This week’s readings are packed with drama: magical healing, apocalyptic visions, and a resurrection story that shames the one guy who asked for evidence. It might sound inspiring at first glance, but when you dig a little deeper, there’s something more troubling going on. Because when people are told not to question, not to think critically, and not to demand clarity... that’s not faith—it’s manipulation.

Welcome to ‘Mythologizing the Bible’—where we’ll be taking a look at three readings from the Christian Bible through the lens of “sacred myth.”

As we reflect on the readings for the 2nd Sunday of Easter, we’ll set aside the supernatural claims and examine what these texts reveal about human nature, ethical leadership, and the power of plain language.

In this episode, we’re exploring why it’s so important for ethical movements to communicate clearly and honestly. We’ll look at how movements—religious or political—often gain traction by resonating emotionally, even when their messaging is confusing or vague. And we’ll talk about why real truth doesn’t fear hard questions.

So let’s pull back the curtain, reexamine these stories, and challenge the idea that “belief without evidence” is somehow virtuous. Because a better world won’t be built on silence and slogans—it’ll be built on clarity, compassion, and conversation.

Thanks for reading CODA Project! This post is public so feel free to share it.

Welcome to another Bonus Edition of the MTB podcast—a segment of the weekly episode that I call Afterthoughts! This is my favorite part of these weekly presentations because it gives me a chance to dig a little deeper into something that came up during the main episode.

So, in this week’s main presentation, we talked a lot about how symbols can shape what we believe—sometimes before we’ve even had a chance to think about it. From empty tombs to crosses on steeples, the Christian tradition is filled with strong emotional images. But when we peel back the layers and actually ask, “Where did this symbol come from?” things get interesting. And sometimes a little awkward.

So, let’s start with a question most people never even think to ask: Why is the cross the symbol of Christianity?

Seriously—Jesus’ followers didn’t run around wearing little gold crosses on chains. For the earliest believers, the cross wasn’t a symbol of hope or redemption. It was an execution device. It would’ve been like using a noose or an electric chair to represent your faith community. Kind of a hard sell at the farmers market.

So how did we go from a community that quietly shared a fish symbol to one that proudly displays crosses everywhere—from churches to coffee mugs to bumper stickers?

That’s what we’re exploring in this episode of Afterthoughts. This isn’t just trivia—it’s a case study. A way to understand how movements evolve, how their symbols change, and how those changes reflect the priorities, the power structures, and the values of the people involved. And if we want to build better stories, healthier communities, and a more thoughtful world, then this kind of symbolic archaeology is exactly where we need to start.

Thanks for reading CODA Project! This post is public so feel free to share it.