The Bible in Fewer Words Carole and Steve Wells

In the gospel of Mark, Jesus cured two people with his spit: A blind man by spitting in his eyes, and a man who couldn't speak by rubbing his spit on the man's tongue (Episode 252).

But in this episode, Jesus does something even more impressive. He cures a blind man by making mud out of his spit and then rubbing it in the blind man's eyes.

Why don't the faith healers do this anymore?

The text and notes for this episode can be found here: https://skepticsannotatedbible.com/fewer-words/265.html (change for episode)

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In chapter 6, Jesus tells his disciples that they must eat his flesh and drink his blood or they won't have any life in them. That was just too much for many of them. So many his disciples left him.

In the next chapter we learn that Jesus's brothers didn't believe in him and the people accuse Jesus of having a devil. Jesus says that living waters will flow out of his followers bellies.

Chapter 8 has the best story in the gospel of John - the woman accused of adultery. Jesus says that whoever is without sin should throw the first stone.

Now that's a nice story! But it wasn't in the gospel of John. It was a later addition.

The text and notes for this episode can be found here: https://skepticsannotatedbible.com/fewer-words/264.html.

If you enjoy these podcasts, consider supporting us at https://patreon.com/BFW

If you've heard only one verse in the Bible, it's likely this one: "For God so loved the world that he gave his only son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." John 3:16

And it sounds kind of nice, until you read John 3:18, which clarifies its meaning: "He that believeth on him [Jesus] is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already."

Then a bit later in the same chapter, John the Baptist explains it all for us, by saying, "he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him." John 3:36

This is the message of the gospel of John - Believe or be damned.

The text and notes for this episode can be found here: https://skepticsannotatedbible.com/fewer-words/263.html

If you enjoy these podcasts, consider supporting us at https://patreon.com/BFW

The gospel of John begins where Genesis began - in the beginning. God, it turns out, wasn't alone when he created things. He had the word with him. Or the word was him. Or something like that.

We are, of course, supposed to know what John is saying here, without him actually saying it. Jesus is God. Or the son of God. Or something like that.

The text and notes for this episode can be found here: https://skepticsannotatedbible.com/fewer-words/262.html

If you enjoy these podcasts, consider supporting us at https://patreon.com/BFW

Chapters 19-23 repeat many of the stories that were covered in previous episodes: the last supper, Jesus's arrest, trial, and crucifixion. But the last chapter, chapter 24, has some fun stories that are told nowhere else: Jesus's mysterious appearance on the road to Emmaus, his ghost-like appearance to his apostles, and his final meal (boiled fish and honeycomb) before going to heaven.

The text and notes for this episode can be found here: https://skepticsannotatedbible.com/fewer-words/261.html

If you enjoy these podcasts, consider supporting us at https://patreon.com/BFW

Jesus says some strange things in this episode.
In the parable of the wise, dishonest steward, he says we should make friends with unrighteous wealthy people so that they will provide us with an eternal home. He says that whatever people value most is an abomination to God. He says we are God's worthless slaves and that God will treat us as badly as we treat our own slaves. He says that God will grant our prayers, no matter how cruel or unkind they may be, if we just keep pestering him with them.

And then there is the parable of the rich man and Lazarus, which explains who is going to heaven and who is going to hell.

The text and notes for this episode can be found here: https://skepticsannotatedbible.com/fewer-words/260.html

If you enjoy these podcasts, consider supporting us at https://patreon.com/BFW