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?
The Gospels are Raining Men, Part 2: But Why?
Jairus, Nicodemus, and an unnamed lawyer all take their places in the Gospels to show us how blinding privilege can be. Wanna see Jesus? Look where he's looking: at the pain of the marginalized ones. For their own reasons, Mark, Luke, and John use the men to help us focus on the fringes.
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?
The Bleeding Woman: Rebel with a Cause
What could women in the Bible have to say to the ancient historian Pliny the Elder? Probably quite a lot, as long as they aren't bleeding. Here's some historical context on Mark 5:21-34 to help us understand the immense faith required of a desperate woman who must ask the question, 'What do I do when my religion is killing me?’
Walking with the Bleeding Woman: A Personal Connection
Welcome to this new series on Mark 5:21-34! This mini-episode is a personal introduction to one of the bravest women in the Bible: the bleeding woman found in the Gospel of Mark. Why not start with blood and suffering?