Holy Writ

Emily Cash and Tommy Givens
  • 5.0 (7)
  • CHRISTIANITY
  • UPDATED MONTHLY

We love the Bible, and we love good books. Holy Writ draws these loves together by generating dialogue between specific works of literature and Scripture. Each episode explores how a novel can refresh and deepen our interpretation of the Bible, so that it can inspire us to wonder, to question, and above all to love.

  1. FEB 3

    Episode 13 - The Book Thief

    In this episode, we turn to Markus Zusak’s The Book Thief, a novel that bears witness to the life of a young girl in Nazi Germany as she navigates profound loss, unexpected connection, and life-giving friendship—all told from the vantage point of Death itself.   Reading it in conversation with Esther 3 and 9 and Mark 13, we discuss the power of words to shape the world, the difficult work of discerning God’s presence, and the intimate relationship between the heavens and the earth.   Timestamps: 1:27 – Experiencing *The Book Thief* 43:57 – Emily on Esther 3&9 1:26:21 – Tommy on Mark 13 1:59:98 – Next month’s book    Up Next: *Homegoing* by Yaa Gyasi   Connect with Us: Email: holywritpod@gmail.com  Website: https://holywritpod.podbean.com/  Instagram: @holywritpodcast TikTok: @holywritpodcast  YouTube: @HolyWritPodcast

    2h 2m

  2. JAN 6

    Episode 12 - LaRose

    In this episode, we explore Louise Erdrich’s novel *LaRose,* a story that resists simple answers in the wake of tragedy. Reading it alongside Leviticus 24 and Ephesians 2, we reflect on justice, atonement, and what redemption truly is—and what it is not.   Timestamps: 1:31 – Experiencing *LaRose* 1:02:51 – Emily on Leviticus 24 1:29:12 – Tommy on Ephesians 2 2:00:53 – Next month’s book    Up Next: *The Book Thief* by Markus Zusak   Connect with Us: Email: holywritpod@gmail.com  Website: https://holywritpod.podbean.com/  Instagram: @holywritpodcast TikTok: @holywritpodcast  YouTube: @HolyWritPodcast

    2h 3m

  3. 12/02/2025

    Episode 11 - Time of the Child

    In this episode, we step into the dreary beauty of Niall Williams’ *Time of the Child,* a tender, luminous novel that lingers over birth, hope, and the quiet rearranging of a family and community. Reading it alongside Matthew 1 and Psalm 8, we reflect on the scandalous miracle of Christ’s coming to us as an infant, the relationship between law and promise, and what it means for divine strength to arrive not as domination, but in nearness and vulnerability.   Timestamps: 1:36 – Experiencing *Time of the Child* 48:18 – Tommy on Matthew 1 1:21:37 – Emily on Psalm 8 1:53:00 – Next month’s book   References: The Poet’s Bible, David Rosenberg Isaac Villegas on Advent   Up Next: *LaRose* by Louise Erdrich   Connect with Us: Email: holywritpod@gmail.com  Website: https://holywritpod.podbean.com/  Instagram: @holywritpodcast Bluesky: @holywrit.bsky.social TikTok: @holywritpodcast

    1h 55m

  4. 11/04/2025

    Episode 10 - Parable of the Sower with Tamisha Tyler

    In this episode, we discuss Octavia Butler’s *Parable of the Sower*—a prophetic work of speculative fiction that reimagines God, community, and survival amidst societal collapse. Reading it alongside Genesis 18–19 and 1 John 4, we explore the idea of God as Change, and the power of embodied experience in shaping how we interpret scripture and the world around us. We’re joined by Dr. Tamisha Tyler, Visiting Assistant Professor of Theology and Culture, and Theopoetics at Bethany Theological Seminary. Tamisha also serves as Theologian in Residence at the Center for Restorative Justice in Pasadena, and is part of the Level Ground Artist Collective in Los Angeles. Her current research explores religion in the literary world of Octavia Butler. Timestamps: 1:46 – Experiencing *Parable of the Sower* 35:47 – Emily on Genesis 18-19 1:16:18 – Tommy on 1 John 4 1:50:34 – Next month’s book   Up Next: *Time of the Child* by Niall Williams   Connect with Us: Email: holywritpod@gmail.com  Website: https://holywritpod.podbean.com/  Instagram: @holywritpodcast Bluesky: @holywrit.bsky.social TikTok: @holywritpodcast

    1h 53m

  5. 10/07/2025

    Episode 9 - Misery

    In this episode, we uneasily enter Stephen King’s novel *Misery*—a brutal and brilliant meditation on captivity, creation, and control. Reading it alongside Psalm 88 and 2 Corinthians 3, we wrestle with scriptural images of God as an abusive caregiver, consider the limitations of written words, and reflect on the strange clarity that horror can offer to faith. Timestamps: 1:35 – Experiencing *Misery* 20:28 – Emily on Psalm 88 54:16 – Tommy on 2 Corinthians 3 1:39:48 – Next month’s book   Up Next: *Parable of the Sower* by Octavia Butler, with guest Dr. Tasmisha Tyler   Connect with Us: Email: holywritpod@gmail.com Website: https://holywritpod.podbean.com/ Instagram: @holywritpodcast Bluesky: @holywrit.bsky.social TikTok: @holywritpodcast

    1h 44m

  6. 09/02/2025

    Episode 8 - East of Eden

    In this episode, we delve into John Steinbeck’s sprawling masterpiece *East of Eden,* a novel that reimagines the story of Cain and Abel across generations of rivalry, love and longing. Reading it in conversation with 1 Samuel 15 and Romans 9, we explore the power of names, thinking together about how naming expresses human vocation, God’s calling, and the gift of moral agency.   Timestamps: 1:28 – Experiencing *East of Eden* 27:53 – Emily on 1 Samuel 15 1:00:53 – Tommy on Romans 9 1:50:01 – Next month’s book, *Misery* by Stephen King   Connect with Us: Email: holywritpod@gmail.com Website: https://holywritpod.podbean.com/ Instagram: @holywritpodcast Bluesky: @holywrit.bsky.social Tiktok: @holywritpodcast

    1h 52m

  7. 08/05/2025

    Episode 7 - The Buried Giant

    In this episode, we descend into the mist of Kazuo Ishiguro’s haunting novel, *The Buried Giant.* Reading it alongside Luke 22 and Nehemiah 2, we talk about the meaning and power of memory, specifically in relationship to violence, betrayal, death, the practice of the Eucharist, and the discipleship of children.   Timestamps: 1:28 – Experiencing *The Buried Giant* 32:25 – Tommy on Luke 22 1:05:03 – Emily on Nehemiah 2 1:42:48 – Next month’s book   Up Next: *East of Eden* by John Steinbeck   Connect with Us: Email: holywritpod@gmail.com Instagram: @holywritpodcast Bluesky: @holywrit.bsky.social Website: https://holywritpod.podbean.com/

    1h 47m

  8. 07/01/2025

    Episode 6 - Giovanni's Room

    In this episode, we wade into the waters of *Giovanni’s Room,* James Baldwin’s desperately beautiful and exposing novel of desire, dislocation and self-repression. Reckoning with this story alongside Genesis 9 and 1 Corinthians 13, we discuss gender and sexuality, human responses to the existential terror of vulnerability, and the importance of embracing our bodily existence as the incarnation of mystery.   Timestamps: 1:36 – Experiencing *Giovanni’s Room* 37:27 – Emily on Genesis 9 1:19:32 – Tommy on 1 Corinthians 13 1:49:12 – Next month’s book   Up Next: *The Buried Giant* by Kazuo Ishiguro    Connect with Us: Email: holywritpod@gmail.com Instagram: @holywritpodcast Bluesky: @holywrit.bsky.social Website: https://holywritpod.podbean.com/

    1h 51m
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
7 Ratings

About

We love the Bible, and we love good books. Holy Writ draws these loves together by generating dialogue between specific works of literature and Scripture. Each episode explores how a novel can refresh and deepen our interpretation of the Bible, so that it can inspire us to wonder, to question, and above all to love.

Information

  • Creator
    Emily Cash and Tommy Givens
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    13
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2025 All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    Holy Writ