Mythologizing the Bible

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’ve been discussing.

In this bonus episode, I’m going to explore the history behind how the Bible was written and compiled—it’s something that most Christians never even think about, even though they claim to believe that the Bible is the ultimate source of truth. As always, we’ll approach this with a secular, mythological perspective, while recognizing that these stories are sacred to many people. However, the historical importance of the Bible—for better and, often, for worse—doesn’t change the fact that it was clearly shaped by human hands, cultural contexts, and theological motives.

During the main episode for the 5th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Cycle C), we talked about leadership and credibility—how real authority isn’t just claimed, it’s earned. We discussed how leaders who rely on vague supernatural justification should raise red flags, and how people should demonstrate their worth through real-world proof, not divine declarations. But that leads to a much bigger question: What happens when we turn that same scrutiny toward the Bible itself?

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

When someone claims to have authority, what makes us believe them? Is it their confidence? Their charisma? Or is it because they say exactly what we want to hear? History is full of people who gained followers not by proving their credibility, but by making big, unverifiable claims—whether it was divine visions, miraculous signs, or promises of power and salvation.

As we reflect on the readings for the 5th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Cycle C), we'll be taking a close look at what it means to earn trust. From Isaiah’s vision of divine selection, to Paul’s circular reasoning about Jesus’ resurrection, to the moment Jesus recruits his first disciples, we see a pattern: credibility, in these stories, often rests on the supernatural. But in the real world, that’s not enough.

So how do we decide who is actually worth following? How do we recognize real leadership, the kind that stands up to scrutiny? And how do we make sure we’re not just accepting claims at face value, whether they come from the pulpit, the political stage, or the latest viral influencer? In this episode, we’ll explore why true credibility is built on actions, integrity, and evidence—not just on words.

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

When someone claims to have authority, what makes us believe them? Is it their confidence? Their charisma? Or is it because they say exactly what we want to hear? History is full of people who gained followers not by proving their credibility, but by making big, unverifiable claims—whether it was divine visions, miraculous signs, or promises of power and salvation.

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 5th 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 be taking a close look at what it means to earn trust. From Isaiah’s vision of divine selection, to Paul’s circular reasoning about Jesus’ resurrection, to the moment Jesus recruits his first disciples, we see a pattern: credibility, in these stories, often rests on the supernatural. But in the real world, that’s not enough.

So how do we decide who is actually worth following? How do we recognize real leadership, the kind that stands up to scrutiny? And how do we make sure we’re not just accepting claims at face value, whether they come from the pulpit, the political stage, or the latest viral influencer? Tonight, we’ll explore why true credibility is built on actions, integrity, and evidence—not just on words.

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 5th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Cycle C) of the Roman Catholic Lectionary.

CODA Project is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

We are in an extraordinarily difficult moment. The federal government is rapidly dismantling safeguards, targeting marginalized communities, and consolidating power in ways that point toward autocracy. Many of us feel trapped between wanting to fight back and needing to protect ourselves and our families.

In this special episode of the MTB podcast, we’re exploring what courage actually looks like in this moment. How can we resist in ways that are effective without making ourselves vulnerable to retaliation? How do we prepare for what may be an even darker future, while staying engaged and active right now?

When I say “courage,” I’m not just talking about the bold, public acts of defiance that we often associate with bravery. Instead, I’m talking about the quiet, strategic, and deeply personal ways we can stand firm in our values without recklessly endangering ourselves or our livelihoods.

This is not about easy answers—but it is about helping each other face our fears, build resilience, and take meaningful action in ways that align with our individual risks and responsibilities. I hope you enjoy this Masterclass on Courage in a Time of Fear!

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’ve been discussing.

In this bonus episode, we’ll explore the contradictions in the Gospel accounts of Jesus’ infancy—the Infancy Narratives, as they’re called—particularly the Presentation at the Temple. I’ll spend some time examining the historical and literary reasons for these inconsistencies. We’ll approach this with a secular, mythological perspective, recognizing that while these stories are sacred to many people, they are also works of literature that have been clearly shaped by human hands, cultural contexts, and theological motives.

Our discussion in the main episode was about the readings for the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord, and we pulled out some universal, humanist messages—things like refining ourselves, recognizing the potential in others, and making the most of the time we have. But I think it’s important to take a little detour!

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

What does it really mean to prepare ourselves for something greater? And why do so many religious traditions emphasize refining, purifying, or proving ourselves—often for some future reward? It begs the question: What if self-improvement isn’t about preparing for the next life, but about making the most of this one?

As we reflect on the readings for the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord (Cycle C), we’re going to look at how the Bible has been used to reinforce traditional Christian beliefs, we’ll challenge the idea that we need some external authority to tell us when we’re “ready” or “worthy,” and we’ll explore how real growth comes from within.

If you’ve ever wondered whether life is about waiting for something divine or whether the real work is happening right here, right now, then 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 Feast of the Presentation of the Lord, Cycle C of the Roman Catholic Lectionary.

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

What does it really mean to prepare ourselves for something greater? And why do so many religious traditions emphasize refining, purifying, or proving ourselves—often for some future reward? It begs the question: What if self-improvement isn’t about preparing for the next life, but about making the most of this one?

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 Feast of the Presentation of the Lord, 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 look at how the Bible has been used to reinforce traditional Christian beliefs, we’ll challenge the idea that we need some external authority to tell us when we’re “ready” or “worthy,” and we’ll explore how real growth comes from within. So, if you’ve ever wondered whether life is about waiting for something divine or whether the real work is happening right here, right now…

…then 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 Feast of the Presentation of the Lord, Cycle C of the Roman Catholic Lectionary.

CODA Project is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

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’ve been discussing.

So, let’s recap the central message from this week’s episode, where we took a look at the readings for the 3rd Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle C of the Roman Catholic lectionary. We focused on the importance of understanding many of the things that shape our lives. Whether we’re talking about laws, religious texts, or societal norms, the key takeaway was that we need to engage with these frameworks responsibly. When we abdicate that responsibility—whether by blindly trusting others to interpret for us or by using these writings to manipulate others—we risk undermining not just our communities, but our own integrity.

In this episode of Afterthoughts, we’re going to explore how the Bible’s role in history has been both a source of progress and, unfortunately, a tool for harm. We’ll look at how the availability of the Bible shifted power dynamics in history, how practices like proof texting have turned Scripture into a weapon rather than a guide, and how all of this impacts our ability to build a just and informed society today.

Here’s the heart of it: The way Scripture has been interpreted—and misinterpreted—over time is not just an interesting but abstract issue. It’s something that has impacted all of Western culture—it affects the way we think and speak, the way we engage with one another, and even the way we address the challenges facing our world. So tonight, we’re taking a deeper look at how these shifts have shaped us and what we can do to move forward responsibly… with reason, honesty, and a commitment to justice!

What does it mean to truly understand the rules and laws that shape our lives? How do we ensure that every member of our community is valued and included? And most importantly, how do we guard against the temptation to twist those rules for personal gain or power? The readings I review in this episode call us to reflect on how communities are built—and how they can be broken.

As we reflect on the readings for the 3rd Sunday in Ordinary Time, we’re diving into some fascinating readings that challenge us to think about our roles in the communities we belong to—whether we’ve chosen them or not. Along the way, we’ll explore the risks of manipulation and exclusion, and we’ll discover how humility, engagement, and integrity can transform not just our communities, but the world at large.

My friends, this isn’t just a conversation about ancient stories. It’s a challenge to think about what kind of world we’re building today. Are we using our knowledge and talents to create fairness and unity? Or are we letting division and self-interest guide the way? These are big questions, but the answers start with us!

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

What does it mean to truly understand the rules and laws that shape our lives? How do we ensure that every member of our community is valued and included? And most importantly, how do we guard against the temptation to twist those rules for personal gain or power? The readings we’ll review tonight call us to reflect on how communities are built—and how they can be broken.

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 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 diving into some fascinating readings that challenge us to think about our roles in the communities we belong to—whether we’ve chosen them or not. Along the way, we’ll explore the risks of manipulation and exclusion, and we’ll discover how humility, engagement, and integrity can transform not just our communities, but the world at large.

My friends, this isn’t just a conversation about ancient stories. It’s a challenge to think about what kind of world we’re building today. Are we using our knowledge and talents to create fairness and unity? Or are we letting division and self-interest guide the way? These are big questions, but the answers start with us!

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 3rd Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle C of the Roman Catholic Lectionary.

CODA Project is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.