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.
Visit “The Bible and the English Major” page to learn more about specific seasons, guests, and what people are saying.
Woman at the Well, Part 2: Naming God
God sees and honors Hagar, a woman used and abused by Abraham and Sarah. This episode is in honor of those we refuse to see.
Woman at the Well, Part 1: Biblical Banter
Jesus and the Samaritan woman at the well have a blast trading names, theology, and Messianic revelation. She's filled with Living Water, Jesus is filled with satisfaction, and as usual, the disciples are filled with confusion.
Woman at the Well, Introduction: Hey! God Likes You!
Welcome to this new series! This mini-episode is a personal introduction to the story of The Samaritan Woman at the Well. I love this story because of its joyful tone and the connection between Jesus and the Woman. It's so fun to be liked, isn't it?
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?
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?