Mythologizing the Bible

Stories are powerful. They shape cultures, drive movements, and define how we understand the world around us. But what happens when those stories are used not just to inspire, but to manipulate? What happens when the vision we’re given for the future is less about inclusion and progress and more about control?

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 in Lent, we’re going to look beyond the traditional Christian narrative to uncover a few lessons that should resonate with all of us, regardless of our religious background… or lack thereof.

In this episode, we’re diving into the ways religious stories have been used—sometimes for good, but many times for harm—and how understanding their power can help us think more critically about leadership, influence, and the messages we accept. We’ll talk about the role of storytelling in shaping authority, the importance of having a clear and ethical vision for the future, and why effective leadership requires understanding an audience, not just preaching to them.

Because here’s the thing: the people who tell the stories set the course for what’s to come. So, the question we’re asking tonight isn’t just what do these ancient stories mean?—it’s who is shaping the stories we believe now? And more importantly, how do we make sure we’re following the right ones?

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 one of my favorite parts of these weekly presentations because it gives us a chance to dig a little deeper, connect the dots, and really challenge ourselves to think critically about what we discussed during the main episode.

In today’s main episode, we talked about resisting temptation and practicing self-discipline, which naturally leads Christians to a discussion about the devil. Because, of course, if temptation exists, then somebody has to be the one doing the tempting—at least, that’s how many people see it. The idea of Satan, the devil, or the satan (depending on which tradition you’re coming from) is one of the most widely recognized religious concepts in the world. And yet, if you ask a dozen people to describe who or what Satan actually is, you’ll probably get a dozen different answers.

And that’s our key question for this bonus episode: Where did the idea of Satan actually come from? And why do different religions—and even different groups within Christianity—view him so differently?

Framing the Discussion

Now, depending on who you ask, Satan is anything from a metaphor for human evil to a literal, supernatural being running around causing mischief like a villain in a bad TV drama. Some see him as a fallen angel, some see him as the ruler of hell, and some just see him as a convenient scapegoat for bad behavior. “The Devil made me do it!”

But here’s the thing: the way most people think of Satan today isn’t actually how he was described in the earliest religious texts. In fact, the satan—with a lowercase "s"—wasn’t even a name originally. It was more of a job title. And he didn’t start out as an evil figure at all.

So, in this episode of Afterthoughts, we’re going to explore:

* How the concept of Satan evolved over time—from a minor character in the Hebrew scriptures to the ruler of hell in Christian theology.

* The differences between Jewish and Christian understandings of Satan.

* Why so many people imagine Satan as a real, active force in the world today.

* And the big question: Does Satan even make sense within the framework of an all-knowing, all-powerful, all-loving God?

Spoiler alert: If God is all-powerful, why would He need an arch-nemesis?

So, let’s dig in and see where this whole "Prince of Darkness" thing really came from.

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Hey everybody—guess what? Lent is here—a season that’s supposed to be about self-discipline, sacrifice, and deep reflection. But let’s be honest… how many people actually use this time to grow in a meaningful way? Too often, it’s reduced to giving up chocolate, avoiding social media for a few weeks, or making a half-hearted attempt at self-improvement—only to return to business as usual when Easter rolls around. But what if we approached this season just a bit differently this year?

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 1st Sunday in Lent, we’re going to look beyond the traditional Christian narrative to uncover a few lessons that should resonate with all of us, regardless of our religious background… or lack thereof.

In this episode, we’ll be looking at the idea of resisting temptation, aligning our words and actions with our core values, and celebrating life with gratitude. Our readings touch on ancient rituals, self-discipline, and the ways that belief can either lead to real transformation or just another year of empty gestures. And here’s the big question: If Lent is supposed to make people better, why does it so often become performative rather than practical?

In other words, how do we make self-discipline something that actually benefits us—not just something we do because we think we’re supposed to do it for the next 40 days?!

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 one of my favorite parts of these weekly presentations because it gives us a chance to dig a little deeper, connect the dots, and really challenge ourselves to think critically about what we discussed during the main episode.

Today’s main episode was all about how words reveal what’s really inside us. We talked about how speech eventually exposes a person’s true intentions, how our core values shape our words and actions, and how leaders—good and bad—leave a lasting impact based on what they say and how they say it.

But let’s take this a step further. Because words don’t just reveal the truth—they can also be used to hide it. And that’s where things get tricky.

We all know that words have power. They can inspire people to do great things, bring communities together, and shape entire movements. But they can also be twisted to mislead, confuse, and manipulate. So here’s the big question: How do we recognize when words are being used as a tool for control instead of truth?

Think about it—how many times have you heard a politician say something that sounds completely contradictory, only for their supporters to insist, “That’s not what they meant”? Or a religious leader makes a vague, feel-good statement that somehow justifies some wildly unethical behavior? Yeah. That’s not an accident. That’s manipulation.

So today, we’re going to explore some of the most common ways that religious leaders, politicians, and other authority figures use language to manipulate people. And more importantly, we’re going to talk about how to fight back—not with more deception, but with clarity, awareness, and some good old-fashioned critical thinking. Because if we can understand how words are used against us, we can stop them from working. And that’s a power worth having!

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

We’ve all heard the saying, “Actions speak louder than words.” But what if words actually reveal more than we think? This week’s readings challenge us to look closely at the power of words—how they reflect what’s inside us, how they shape the world around us, and how they expose the true nature of those in positions of leadership.

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 8th Sunday in Ordinary Time, we’re going to look beyond the traditional Christian narrative to uncover a few lessons that should resonate with all of us, regardless of our religious background… or lack thereof.

In this episode, we’ll get a reminder that what people say, over time, will eventually reveal what’s in their hearts. We’ll see that when we hold onto our values, no external force can take them from us. But we need to beware of hypocrisy—because let’s be honest, it’s easier to call out the faults of others than to take a hard look at ourselves.

If our words reveal who we truly are, then what are we saying about ourselves? And just as importantly, what are the people in power revealing about themselves with every speech, every promise, every lie, and every excuse? If we want to lead—whether in big ways or small—we need to make sure we’re leading with integrity!

Welcome to another Bonus Edition of the MTB podcast - a segment of the weekly episode that I call Afterthoughts! This is one of my favorite parts of these weekly presentations because it gives us a chance to dig a little deeper, connect the dots, and really challenge ourselves to think critically about what we discussed during the main episode.

In the main presentation, we talked about separating people from their actions—how we can recognize someone’s humanity without excusing their worst choices. We talked about being careful in choosing role models because no one—no one—is perfect. And we talked about striving for compassion and forgiveness, even when it feels like that’s the hardest thing to do.

And yet… here we are, watching people who claim to follow Jesus throw their support behind someone whose behavior is the exact opposite of what they say they believe in. How do we even begin to make sense of that? How can people who were raised on values like honesty, humility, and kindness suddenly justify corruption, cruelty, and authoritarianism?

Now, I know it’s tempting to just shake our heads in disgust and write them off as brainwashed or hypocritical or racist or just hateful and ignorant. But that doesn’t actually help us understand what’s going on. And if we don’t understand it, we can’t effectively push back against it.

That’s why, in this Afterthoughts episode, I’m going to try not to just vent my frustrations. Instead, I’m going to break this down—psychologically, socially, and even historically—to figure out why people justify supporting leaders who contradict their values, and more importantly, how we can respond in ways that might actually make a difference.

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

How do we hold people accountable while still recognizing their humanity? Can we admire someone’s actions without turning them into an idol? And when we’re confronted with anger, injustice, or even outright cruelty, how do we respond in a way that aligns with our values—without becoming the very thing we oppose?

These are tough questions, but they’re not new ones. This week’s readings wrestle with the tension between justice and mercy, between respecting leadership and rejecting corruption, and between holding onto our convictions while still embracing compassion. But as we’ll see, many who claim to follow these scriptures fail to live by them. The loudest voices in modern Christianity often demand obedience, judgment, and division—while completely ignoring the calls for love, mercy, and self-reflection that their own sacred texts emphasize.

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 7th Sunday in Ordinary Time, we’re going to look beyond the traditional Christian narrative to uncover a few lessons that should resonate with all of us, regardless of our religious background… or lack thereof.

In this episode, we’re cutting through the contradictions to find real, human-centered lessons—lessons about leadership, role models, and how to navigate a broken world with integrity. Because if we want to build something better, we need more than just outrage; we need wisdom, perspective, and a commitment to taking the high road—even when it’s the harder road!

Welcome to another Bonus Edition of the MTB podcast—a segment of the weekly episode that I call Afterthoughts! This is one of my favorite parts of these weekly presentations because it gives us a chance to dig a little deeper, connect the dots, and really challenge ourselves to think critically about what we discussed during the main episode.

In this bonus episode, we’re looking at the Sermon on the Plain—Luke’s version of what many people know as the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew. Traditionally, Christians interpret these blessings and ‘woes’ as promises of reward for the faithful and cautions to those who might be living outside of God’s ideal plan. But in our conversation today, we’re going to step away from that lens and ask ourselves: What do these teachings look like if we remove the supernatural framework and focus on how they can guide us in everyday life?

So, my goal here is to take each statement—like ‘Blessed are the poor’ or ‘Woe to the rich’—and reimagine it through a humanistic perspective. We’ll talk about empathy, community support, and ethical living as real-life, here-and-now values instead of purely religious directives. Essentially, I wanted to see if these ideas can stand on their own merits, especially in a world where people rely on each other more than on any outside authority or higher power.

To do that, we’ll basically go line by line, pairing each blessing with its corresponding woe, then see how it might apply to modern social issues: from economic inequality and food insecurity to the ways we treat people who disagree with us. Hopefully, by the end, we’ll find a new way to look at these ancient words—but one that resonates whether you’re religious, spiritual-but-not-religious, or just someone who wants to live in a more caring society.”

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

Spoilers below…

The Humanistic Beatitudes

“Those who struggle financially are part of our common humanity—when we uplift them, everyone thrives. But if we hoard wealth and ignore the vulnerable, we create a society on shaky ground.”

“When we acknowledge and strive to meet each other’s basic needs, we strengthen our common bonds. But turning a blind eye to the hunger of others can erode compassion and community.”

“Empathy for those in sorrow helps create deeper human connections. If we celebrate without acknowledging others’ pain, we risk being shallow and disconnected.”

“Standing up for what’s right—even if it goes against the crowd—reflects genuine integrity. Chasing popularity above all else can lead to moral compromise.”

What if “blessings” aren’t about earning a reward in some afterlife, but about how we lift each other up in the here and now? And why do so many religious teachings rely on future promises—or threats—to motivate us toward living well? It raises a critical question: Do we really need supernatural incentives to be decent people, or can we find better reasons to come together and support one another right now?

As we reflect on the readings for the 6th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Cycle C), we’re going to look beyond the traditional Christian narrative to uncover a few lessons that should resonate with all of us, regardless of our religious background… or lack thereof.

In this episode, we’ll challenge the idea that a cosmic reward is the only reason to do good. We’ll examine how these scriptures have been used to reinforce certain religious traditions, yet also reveal something deeper about human community and compassion. If you’ve ever wondered whether doing the right thing should depend on a heavenly payout—or if it’s more about creating a better world for all of us, right now—this conversation is for you.

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

What if “blessings” aren’t about earning a reward in some afterlife, but about how we lift each other up in the here and now? And why do so many religious teachings rely on future promises—or threats—to motivate us toward living well? It raises a critical question: Do we really need supernatural incentives to be decent people, or can we find better reasons to come together and support one another right now?

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 6th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Cycle C), we’re going to look beyond the traditional Christian narrative to uncover a few lessons that should resonate with all of us, regardless of our religious background… or lack thereof.

In this episode, we’ll challenge the idea that a cosmic reward is the only reason to do good. We’ll examine how these scriptures have been used to reinforce certain religious traditions, yet also reveal something deeper about human community and compassion. If you’ve ever wondered whether doing the right thing should depend on a heavenly payout—or if it’s more about creating a better world for all of us, right now—this conversation is for you.

So, grab a comfy seat, a glass of your favorite beverage, and let’s look at some ancient stories together in this edition of Mythologizing the Bible, where we’ll be exploring the readings for the 6th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Cycle C) of the Roman Catholic Lectionary.

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