Bible Love: A Scripture Podcast

Bible Love Podcast
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  • CHRISTIANITY
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Bible Love is a conversation about scripture between Mary Balfour Van Zandt (priest at Church of the Epiphany in Guntersville, Ala.) and Alan Bentrup (priest at St. Martin-in-the-Fields in Keller, Texas).

  1. 4D AGO

    The Plot to Kill Jesus

    Today we talk about the plot to kill Jesus in Mt 26.1-5, 14-16; Mk 14.1-2, 10-11; Lk 22.1-6. The Passion has begun, and Jesus isn't even in the room. This week's readings are short but loaded. The chief priests are plotting, Judas is making a deal, and the machinery of the crucifixion is quietly starting to turn. We look at how all three synoptic writers frame this opening moment of the Passion and why the differences between them matter. Mark gives you the bare bones. Matthew adds thirty pieces of silver and the shadow of Zechariah. Luke does something neither of them does: he tells you Satan entered Judas, and if you remember where Luke left Satan at the end of the temptation narrative in chapter 4, you know that line has been waiting twenty chapters to land. We also spend some time with the Greek word behind "betray," paradidomi, to hand over, and why it turns out to be one of the most theologically freighted words in the entire Passion story. And we sit with the Judas question honestly: free agent, cosmic pawn, or something the gospels refuse to resolve cleanly on purpose? The Passover feast is days away. The authorities wanted to wait until after it. It will not go according to plan. Readings for next week: Mt 26.6-13; Mk 14.3-9; Jn 12.1-11 Links mentioned in this episode: - Entering the Passion of Jesus: A Beginner's Guide to Holy Week (https://a.co/d/89u4GX8) - Christ Chronological Bible (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/143364603X) - Check us out on YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/@biblelovepodcast)

    25 min

  2. MAR 26

    We Are Living In The End Times

    Today we talk about wars, rumors of wars, and how we should live when we know we’re gonna die in Mt 24.1-51; Mk 13.1-37; Lk 21.5-38. Jesus leaves the temple for the last time, and his disciples point out the impressive stonework. His response stops them cold: not one stone will be left on another. From the Mount of Olives, they ask the obvious follow-up question, and Jesus answers with what scholars call the Olivet Discourse, sometimes the Little Apocalypse. This week we slow down in one of the most misread sections of the Gospels. All three synoptic writers include this material, but they're not doing the same thing with it. Mark writes with urgency and immediacy for a community in or near crisis. Luke adds specificity that looks a lot like the Roman siege of Jerusalem in 70 CE. Matthew expands the whole discourse and frames it explicitly around the return of Christ. Along the way we talk about what "one taken and one left" actually means in context (the answer may surprise you), why Jesus saying "even the Son does not know the day or the hour" is one of the most remarkable and most ignored lines in the Gospels, and what "this generation will not pass away" is almost certainly referring to. The Olivet Discourse is not a timetable. It is formation literature for people under pressure. The repeated command across all three versions is simple: watch, stay awake, do not be led astray. That turns out to be a word for every generation, not just the one that watched the temple fall. Readings for next week: Mt 26.1-5, 14-16; Mk 14.1-2, 10-11; Lk 22.1-6 Links mentioned in this episode: - The Feast of Harriet Monsell (https://livingchurch.org/church-life/march-26-harriet-monsell-monastic-1883/) - Entering the Passion of Jesus: A Beginner's Guide to Holy Week (https://a.co/d/89u4GX8) - Christ Chronological Bible (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/143364603X)- Check us out on YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/@biblelovepodcast)

    18 min

  3. MAR 19

    Woe to the Pharisees (and Us)

    Today we talk about dark humor, angry Jesus, and how we’re all a little bit of a Pharisee in Mt 22.41-23.36; Mk 12.35-40; Lk 20.41-47. And a bonus sermon on St. Joseph for his feast day! Readings for next week: Mt 24.1-51; Mk 13.1-37; Lk 21.5-38 Links mentioned in this episode: - Church of St. Joseph in Nazareth (https://www.liturgicalartsjournal.com/2024/01/romanesque-revival-in-holy-land-church.html) - Entering the Passion of Jesus: A Beginner's Guide to Holy Week (https://a.co/d/89u4GX8) - Christ Chronological Bible (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/143364603X) - Check us out on YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/@biblelovepodcast)

    20 min

  4. MAR 12

    The Greatest Commandment(s)

    Today we’re joined by Dr. Tony, as we talk about Jesus’ greatest commandments in Mt 22.34-40; Mk 12.28-34. The recording cut off a bit in the beginning, but it’s easy to catch up with what we are discussing! Questions for reflection: - Where have you encountered God this week? Readings for next week: Mt 22.41-23.36; Mk 12.35-40; Lk 20.41-47 Links mentioned in this episode: - Dr. Tony’s notes (https://www.stmartininthefields.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/The-Greatest-Commandments.pdf) - Entering the Passion of Jesus: A Beginner's Guide to Holy Week (https://a.co/d/89u4GX8) - Christ Chronological Bible (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/143364603X) - Check us out on YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/@biblelovepodcast)

    22 min

  5. MAR 5

    Death and Taxes

    Today we’re joined by the Rev. Eric Holloway, Associate Rector of St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in San Antonio, Texas. We talk about Jesus, death, and taxes in Mt 22.15-33; Mk 12.13-27; Lk 20.20-40. Questions for reflection: - Where have you encountered God this week? Readings for next week: Mt 22.34-40; Mk 12.28-34 Links mentioned in this episode: - St. Luke’s, San Antonio (https://www.slecsa.org/clergy-staff/) - Entering the Passion of Jesus: A Beginner's Guide to Holy Week (https://a.co/d/89u4GX8) - Christ Chronological Bible (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/143364603X) - Check us out on YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/@biblelovepodcast)

    25 min

  6. FEB 26

    The Rejected Stone and the Vineyard of God

    Today we talk about vineyards, prophets, and not being afraid to die. We look at the Parable of the Vineyard Owner in Mt 21.33-46; Mk 12.1-12; Lk 20.9-19. Questions for reflection: - Where have you encountered God this week? Readings for next week: Mt 22.15-33; Mk 12.13-27; Lk 20.20-40 Links mentioned in this episode: - Entering the Passion of Jesus: A Beginner's Guide to Holy Week (https://a.co/d/89u4GX8) - Christ Chronological Bible (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/143364603X) - Check us out on YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/@biblelovepodcast)

    23 min

  7. FEB 19

    Respect My Authority

    Today we are joined by the Rev. Marion Sprott, Canon for Transition Ministry in the Episcopal Diocese of North Carolina. Today we talk about baptism, authority, and Jesus’ presence in Mt 21.23-27; Mk 11.27-33; Lk 20.1-8 Questions for reflection: - Where have you encountered God this week? Readings for next week: Mt 21.33-46; Mk 12.1-12; Lk 20.9-19 Links mentioned in this episode: - The Rev. Marion Sprott (https://www.episdionc.org/blog/diocese-announces-the-rev-marion-sprott-as-new-transition-ministry-officer/) - Entering the Passion of Jesus: A Beginner's Guide to Holy Week (https://a.co/d/89u4GX8) - Christ Chronological Bible (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/143364603X) - Check us out on YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/@biblelovepodcast)

    24 min

  8. FEB 12

    Jesus is Hangry

    Today we talk about fig trees, prophets, and real faith in Mt 21.18-22; Mk 11.1214, 20-26 Questions for reflection: - Where have you encountered God this week? Readings for next week: Mt 21.23-27; Mk 11.27-33; Lk 20.1-8 Links mentioned in this episode: - Theodora, Empress (https://prayer.forwardmovement.org/calendar/theodora) - Entering the Passion of Jesus: A Beginner's Guide to Holy Week (https://a.co/d/89u4GX8) - Christ Chronological Bible (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/143364603X) - Check us out on YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/@biblelovepodcast)

    23 min
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Bible Love is a conversation about scripture between Mary Balfour Van Zandt (priest at Church of the Epiphany in Guntersville, Ala.) and Alan Bentrup (priest at St. Martin-in-the-Fields in Keller, Texas).

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