Afleveringen
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The destruction of the temple seems to be blended here with the end of time, and things are not super clear.
This chapter is almost entirely a sustained speech by Jesus, which is prompted by some observations about the impermanence of the temple. Some of it seems quite specifically about the temple in Jerusalem, and this makes the most sense of some of the details. Other sections sound a lot like the apocalypse, which is how the Adventist church usually reads it. We discuss wars, famines, and rumours-of-wars - but can't help comparing the weighty topics of this chapter against the way Jesus points out a generous widow in the preceding verses.
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A number of challenging statements are made in this chapter of Mark.
We focus on the story of Jesus cursing a fig tree, which seems somewhat unfair given that it was not the season for figs. There's something interesting here because when the disciples ask about it Jesus answers with comments about prayer. We find a few connections, but are unable to fully resolve our questions about this passage. Helpfully there are plenty of other passages that make the important things clear - even in this part of Mark.
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Zijn er afleveringen die ontbreken?
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Is it possible that Jesus enhances the gift by allowing Bartimaeus agency in choosing it?
At first it seems almost strange for a proven healer to ask a blind man what he wants, and yet that is the conversation between Jesus and Bartimaeus. We explore this story and some others with similar phrases to ponder the depth of choice and agency that God seems to want embedded in His creation.
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A lot happens for the disciples once Peter declares Jesus to be the Messiah.
It is fascinating to connect this conversation Jesus has with his disciples with the story of the Transfiguration which happens soon afterwards. The preceding healing of a blind man is the only recorded time that Jesus has to touch twice to heal, and it could be a masterful teaching technique. The disciples are confused by their inability to cast an evil spirit out from a young boy, and the explanation Jesus provides is not all that clarifying!
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In an encounter that sounds provocative we learn some deep truths about the Mission of Christ.
We can't fully understand why Jesus responded to the Syrophoenician woman as he did, but her response teaches us as well as His disciples. She understood the vast power of God (thus her request was for mere crumbs), and she reminds us that there were crumbs below the table precisely because the children had dropped dropped and rejected them. There's a challenge for all of us who want to be the Children of God.
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The strong emphasis on the authority of Jesus continues through a number of stories.
We briefly discuss Jesus calming the storm at the end of Mark 4, and then spend some time examining the demon-possessed man in Mark 5. The second half of this chapter tells of a woman healed and a girl resurrected, but we can't add to the stimulating comments way back in episode 8 of season 2 of this podcast! We get a bit deep in the geography of the Gerasenes, Gennesaret, and the Decapolis - but find our way back to an important reflection on what these stories are trying to tell us about Jesus.
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Mark 4 presents a number of seed stories, and we go looking at even more.
It is interesting to see how useful the agricultural analogy of seeds are for Jesus and other biblical writers. We explore a few examples growing out of this chapter, and end up somewhat sympathetic to the disciples who later "asked him what the parables meant".
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Mark's rapid story-telling presents a healing and a confrontation with religious leaders.
The paralysed man being lowered through the roof is a well-known story, but has plenty to discuss. The four faithful friends are one of the best examples of the power of intercession, and it is interesting to honestly examine whether we might be inclined to an attitude similar to "the teachers of religious law."
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It's interesting that the first "healing" in Mark is casting out an evil spirit.
This is a short episode recorded in somewhat adverse circumstances, and we notice the emphasis on Jesus' authority and authenticity. We look forward to exploring these themes as we progress through Mark.
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We're looking forward to a season exploring the Gospel of Mark.
One of the interesting themes in this opening chapter is time.
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How do we keep our awe and attention on the Love of God as the story ends?
The Adventist church has various more-or-less clear pictures it regularly tells about the closing stages of the Great Controversy. It is certainly not unique in its fascination with the apocalypse and transition to a restored resurrected eternity. We discuss a few details which seem not to mesh all that well with the loving revelation of God in the life and ministry of Jesus, and conclude with a resounding endorsement of focussing on His love.
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In the great controversy, what is Truth opposing?
The lesson this week states it is a battle between "truth and error", but quotes from John 8 where Satan is called the "father of lies". It doesn't seem that error means exactly the same thing as lies, and so we explore this passage in John to see what might be the opposite of Truth. We strongly suspect the issue at hand might go deeper than erroneous intellectual ideas.
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We look honestly at the world in light of "the upcoming conflict" between God and Satan.
The lesson this week takes a deliberate focus on the Catholic church and the pope, but we can't help looking broader for the Beastly powers mentioned in Revelation's description of end times. Our lived social experience no longer resounds to the great dichotomy between catholic and protestant - indeed there's a variety of societal divides which seem far more entrenched. Illicit drugs and family violence are deeply destructive of human society and does not seem any exaggeration to call them beastly tools of the devil. We don't have all the answers, but feel drawn to reflect on the primary importance of true worship in the care for poor and widows and orphans.
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Deception is a key theme when discussing spiritual conflict and controversy.
The topic for this week is satanic deception, which the Adventist lesson guide identifies quite specifically with spiritualism. 2 Thessalonians 2 has a lot to say about a "man of lawlessness" instigating grand deceptions, but we find some of the details are not straightforward to understand. We are drawn to a question from the lesson that has broader relevance beyond its context: "what kind of deceptions will people face in the last days?"
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How does God's law reveal His character?
We explore how God's Law (and the Sabbath) impact our picture of who God is. Are they the only way (or even a good way) of understanding God's character?
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Imagery from the Old Testament sanctuary pervades the Bible.
A listener comment points us towards Zechariah 4, which mirrors many elements from Rev 11 that we discussed recently. It also speaks of the sanctuary both literally (foundations being laid) and figuratively (lampstand metaphor). The New Testament seems to take this temple idea and radically apply it to the community of Christ.
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Hope is an incredibly powerful motivator.
Prophets are fascinating and unsettling in an incredible variety of ways throughout the Bible, but one consistent theme is anticipation of the future. We look at Joseph's teenage dreams and explore how things don't turn out the way he probably expected. It seems one important role of prophecy is to remind us of hope.
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There's definitely controversy described in Revelation 11, and there could also be about this chapter!
The lesson this week makes quite a strong statement about this chapter pointing to the French Revolution. We discuss a few cautions about confirmation bias, and don't see this connection particularly vividly in the text itself. Rather than try to reach a definitive interpretation, we explore some details in this passage and meditate on the power of God despite the observation of suffering and oppression.
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Reformers exhibit faith against all odds, but we recognise this more easily in hindsight.
The bible has numerous accounts of "reformations", where followers of God either re-found truths of old or expanded into new truth. We mention a few examples before looking a bit more closely at Ezra. There is much to admire in this reformation story, but some details are troubling. Reformation seems to be needed in an ongoing or repeating manner, and it is challenging to consider the idea that we could be the odds against which valuable reformation might fight.
[edit: audio fixed to remove silent section part way through]
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Standing for the Truth is vital, but what if our "truth" needs tweaking?
History is full of people who passionately defended what they felt was true, but which seems more questionable to us in retrospect. This problem is not new - exactly the same thing occurred in Biblical times. Throughout the Gospels people struggle to accept the Truth in Jesus because of their passion for defending truth they inherited or developed. John 9 tells a fascinating story all about knowledge, which highlights the way that conversations about truth are often motivated by working out who is in and who is out. We take comfort in Jesus being "the way the truth and the life", and it seems that standing on the truth still allows room for growth and even uncertainty.
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