Mythologizing the Bible

Welcome to Afterthoughts! This is a special bonus podcast where I’ll dive a little deeper into the themes and lessons we explored during the Mythologizing the Bible episode for the 2nd Sunday in Ordinary Time (Cycle C). If the main presentation was about uncovering the wisdom in these readings, “Afterthoughts” is about pulling some of those threads a little more—sometimes with a little critique, a lot of reflection, and always with an eye toward practical action.

This week’s episode focused on the importance of using our unique talents, valuing diversity, and building strong, inclusive communities. These lessons are timeless and vital, but here’s the problem: too many Christian churches today, particularly conservative and evangelical ones, don’t practice what they preach. They claim to follow teachings about love, inclusivity, and mutual support, but their actions often alienate, exclude, and harm the very people they should be welcoming.

We’re going to take a hard look at how these churches have betrayed the lessons they claim to uphold, creating barriers instead of bridges. But this isn’t just about pointing out what’s wrong—it’s about finding a better way forward. We’ll explore why it’s okay, even necessary, for people to walk away from those toxic environments and why people should consider building new, values-driven communities instead.

And, hopefully, that’s where the CODA Project comes in. This isn’t just about leaving something behind; it’s about creating something better. My goal with the CODA Project is to work together to figure out how to live a moral, ethical, and fulfilling life without relying on outdated dogma or supernatural beliefs. So, if you’ve ever felt disillusioned with organized religion but still long for a sense of purpose and connection, you’re in the right place!

Have you ever wondered how your talents could have a bigger impact? Have you thought about how to find the balance between what you’re good at and what you love? Well, in this episode we’ll be setting aside supernatural claims and focusing on what it means to live authentically and intentionally, using our talents to build better communities and better lives.

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 Ordinary Time, we’re gonna 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 explore Isaiah’s call to action, Paul’s celebration of diversity, and a story from John’s Gospel that challenges us to step up and make a difference. The readings tonight have a lot to say about how we use our talents, how we collaborate as a community, and how we show up for each other—even when it’s not technically “our job.” We’ll go beyond the ancient words and traditions, and talk about the choices we make today: how we identify our strengths, how we align them with what brings us joy, and how we use them to strengthen the world around 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 2nd 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.

Welcome to Afterthoughts—a bonus episode of the Mythologizing the Bible podcast! This is where we go beyond the main presentation and take a deeper dive into some of the more complex and thought-provoking ideas from that episode’s discussion.

In Episode 7 of the MTB podcast, we focused on leadership, accountability, and other lessons that I found in the readings from the Baptism of the Lord (Cycle C) of the Roman Catholic Lectionary.

But what does it mean to call Jesus “the Lord”? Why does this Feast Day focus on a theological title rather than a human moment? And how does this tie into the larger picture of what Christianity has taught its followers—and continues to teach in ways that affect us today? These are big questions, and they deserve careful thought.

In this bonus episode, we’ll unpack the history and implications of the term “Lord,” explore early Christian beliefs about Jesus and his Baptism, and examine how Christianity has often leaned on indoctrination to maintain authority and obedience. But this isn’t just about critique; it’s about understanding how these ideas have shaped society and what we can do to demand fairness, transparency, and accountability in our communities today.

So, settle in, and let’s dig a little deeper into what the Baptism of the Lord—and the lessons hidden within—can teach us about leadership, faith, and the power of questioning authority!

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

Have you ever wondered how your talents could have a bigger impact? Have you thought about how to find the balance between what you’re good at and what you love? Well, in this episode we’ll be setting aside supernatural claims and focusing on what it means to live authentically and intentionally, using our talents to build better communities and better lives.

In this episode, we’ll explore Isaiah’s call to action, Paul’s celebration of diversity, and a story from John’s Gospel that challenges us to step up and make a difference. The readings tonight have a lot to say about how we use our talents, how we collaborate as a community, and how we show up for each other—even when it’s not technically “our job.” We’ll go beyond the ancient words and traditions, and talk about the choices we make today: how we identify our strengths, how we align them with what brings us joy, and how we use them to strengthen the world around us!

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

What does it mean to be a true leader? How do we, as a community, choose leaders with admirable qualities and ensure they serve everyone fairly? And perhaps most importantly, how do we hold those leaders to the higher standard they should meet—not out of punishment, but as a reflection of the trust we place in them?

In this episode, we’ll explore a moment traditionally celebrated as the start of Jesus’ mission, looking at what these stories tell us about leadership, responsibility, and accountability. Whether in our communities, workplaces, or governments, the lessons in these readings challenge us to think about the kind of leaders we need and how we can help shape a more just and inclusive world!

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

What does it mean to be a true leader? How do we, as a community, choose leaders with admirable qualities and ensure they serve everyone fairly? And perhaps most importantly, how do we hold those leaders to the higher standard they should meet—not out of punishment, but as a reflection of the trust we place in them?

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 Baptism of the Lord, we’re gonna 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 explore a moment traditionally celebrated as the start of Jesus’ mission, looking at what these stories tell us about leadership, responsibility, and accountability. Whether in our communities, workplaces, or governments, the lessons in these readings challenge us to think about the kind of leaders we need and how we can help shape a more just and inclusive world!

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 Baptism 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.

For Christians, the Feast of the Epiphany is a celebration of discovery and revelation. But instead of focusing on stars and supernatural claims, I’ll be asking you one simple question: What’s your guiding light?

Whether your guiding light is kindness, fairness, or the pursuit of truth, this episode will challenge you to find it, follow it, and share it in ways that inspire others. So, if you’ve ever wondered how small, intentional actions can create a ripple effect that touches lives far beyond your own, you’re in the right place!

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 Epiphany, we’re gonna 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 explore how the light in Isaiah represents the power of justice and hope, how Paul’s message in Ephesians challenges us to embrace inclusivity, and how the story of the Magi invites us to reflect on the values and goals that lead us through life. These readings aren’t just ancient stories—they’re invitations to think deeply about how we can live with authenticity, purpose, and courage.

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 Feast of the Epiphany, 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.

For Christians, the Feast of the Epiphany is a celebration of discovery and revelation. But instead of focusing on stars and supernatural claims, I’ll be asking you one simple question: What’s your guiding light?

Whether your guiding light is kindness, fairness, or the pursuit of truth, this episode will challenge you to find it, follow it, and share it in ways that inspire others. So, if you’ve ever wondered how small, intentional actions can create a ripple effect that touches lives far beyond your own, you’re in the right place!

In this episode, we’ll explore how the light in Isaiah represents the power of justice and hope, how Paul’s message in Ephesians challenges us to embrace inclusivity, and how the fictional story of the Magi invites us to reflect on the values and goals that lead us through life. These readings aren’t just ancient stories—they’re invitations to think deeply about how we can live with authenticity, purpose, and courage.

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

Family is often described as the foundation of our lives, but what really holds that foundation together? It’s not obligation or tradition—it’s the values we live by every day. What does it mean to truly care for our loved ones? How can we teach and live by values that unite rather than divide? And why does humility have the power to keep us grounded even in the most challenging relationships?

In this episode, we’ll unpack how values like respect, humility, and kindness aren’t just abstract ideals but practical tools for building stronger families and more meaningful connections. We’ll challenge the notion that these values need divine justification to be valid, exploring instead how they stand on their own merit as powerful, transformative forces in our lives!

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

Family is often described as the foundation of our lives, but what really holds that foundation together? It’s not obligation or tradition—it’s the values we live by every day. What does it mean to truly care for our loved ones? How can we teach and live by values that unite rather than divide? And why does humility have the power to keep us grounded even in the most challenging relationships?

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 Holy Family, we’re gonna 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 unpack how values like respect, humility, and kindness aren’t just abstract ideals but practical tools for building stronger families and more meaningful connections. We’ll challenge the notion that these values need divine justification to be valid, exploring instead how they stand on their own merit as powerful, transformative forces in our lives!

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 Feast of the Holy Family, 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.