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 Woman Caught in Adultery, Part 3: Stoop, Stand, Speak, Repeat
Have you noticed Jesus' moves yet? He shows them off with the Pharisees and Teachers of the Law first. Then he repeats them for the accused woman. Individual results vary, but Jesus makes his point, and it's all about justice.
The Woman Caught in Adultery, Part 1: What a Terrible Title
The story’s title has made the woman caught in adultery the infamous star of the show. But when we do a little grammatical analysis, we see she functions far more like a prop for the Pharisees than a leading lady. How then, has she become the title character?
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 Gospels are Raining Men, Part 1: But One is Missing
The Samaritan Woman at the Well reports that her privileged male counterpart has gone missing. Could it be the Pharisee, Nicodemus? Investigate John's use of juxtaposition through characterization, plot, and mood to find her foil.
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?