The Bible & the English Major
All Articles & Episodes
Maren's articles marry her love of stories and her fascination with living connected to a God who loves us. The Bible and the English Major examines Bible stories the way an English major would, through multiple methods of interpretation presented in fun, accessible bites.
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The Gospels are Raining Men, Part 3: So What?
Of the privileged men in the Gospels, Jairus is one we can learn from. We're circling back to Mark's sandwich story of Jairus and the hemorrhaging woman because the theological meat in this story is not only faith but privilege. Who knew the Bible talked about such scandalous stuff?
Seeking Justice: Jairus & The Bleeding Woman with Pastor Bobby Harrison
We conclude our series on Mark 5 with a conversation with Pastor Bobby Harrison from The Church We Hope For. He shares the story of his dismantling journey toward advocating for justice and equity in the church, tells a great story about his son as a framework for seeking God wholeheartedly, and explains how he relates to Jairus. Then he turns the tables on Maren to find out why she's doing all of this, anyway.
Radical Inclusivity: Jesus, Jairus & the Bleeding Woman
With even more artistry, the writer of the Gospel of Mark uses juxtaposition, symbolism, merism, and a 6-foot party sub to make a very big point about Jesus' renewal of Israel and the faith lying at its heart. And you thought we'd discovered everything.
The Bleeding Woman & Jairus: Risk & Sacrifice
How do we best understand the Pharisees and scribes in the Gospel of Mark from a literary point of view? And what does the juxtaposition of one of their own with a desperate, bleeding woman tell us about taking risks, faith, and healing?
The Bleeding Woman & The Genius of Mark's Sandwich
Mark, the best cook among the Gospel writers, turns Mark 5:21-43 into a yummy literary sandwich full of plot twists, juxtaposition, and faith. Come taste the beauty of a Markan Sandwich and consider: Can art reveal things that science cannot?