The amazing untold tale of how the story of the emergency circumcision that Zipporah performed on her son might have been added to the Book of Exodus. Based on Exodus 4:24-26 and especially on 1 Maccabees 1-2. Show notes have been posted at retellingthebible.wordpress.com. Media in this Episode The following music was used for this media project: "…

She was always different, and she suffered as a result. But she possessed some remarkable abilities. The people who owned her were only too happy to profit from that! Based on Acts 16:16-24 and Galatians 3:27-28. Show notes have been posted at retellingthebible.wordpress.com. Media in this Episode The following music was used for this media project…

W. Scott McAndless joins Micah, and new guests Kalie and Blue as they explore the meaning of these strange connected stories. Why does God harden Pharaoh's heart? What is this staff of the God(s)? Who is getting circumsized, who's feet (ha!) are being touched, and who is Zipporah's Bridgegroom of Blood? What does it mean for God to hear us? And whe…

A group of exiles are put to work making and firing bricks on the plain of Shinar. When they make a delivery to the worksite, they are awestruck by the massive ziggurat that is being built, but they also find reason to hope. Based on Genesis 11:1-9 and Deuteronomy 32:8-9. Show notes have been posted at retellingthebible.wordpress.com. Media in this…

For this episode you are invited at the last minute to a wedding in Cana of Galilee. You'll be amazed when you discover who the happy couple is! Based on John 1:43-2:12, with reference to Micah 4:4 and John 21:2, Show notes have been posted at retellingthebible.wordpress.com. Media in this Episode The following music was used for this media project…

A special bonus for our listeners. W Scott was a guest on The Word in Black and Red again this week for a fascinating discussion of the story of the baby in the basket. You're not going to want to miss this one. Thank you to TWIBAR for sharing this with us. Go to https://linktr.ee/twibar for more of this exceptional podcast. Warning: Do take the wa…

A very troubled man stumbles into a valley filled with bones and has a very disturbing but ultimately hopeful vision. Based on Ezekiel 37:1-14. and on 2 Kings 25:1-6. Show notes have been posted at retellingthebible.wordpress.com. Media in this Episode The following music was used for this media project: "AhDah" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Lice…

A special bonus for our listeners. W Scott was a guest on The Word in Black and Red this week for a fascinating discussion of the story of the Midwives in Egypt. You're not going to want to miss this one. Thank you to TWIBAR for sharing this with us. Go to https://linktr.ee/twibar for more of this exceptional podcast. Warning: Do take the warning a…

Happy Easter to all my listeners. He is a special little Easter egg just for you. A surprising story of a strange race that interrupts the Gospel of John's story of the resurrection. Enjoy. Based on John 20:1-10. Show notes have been posted at retellingthebible.wordpress.com. Media in this Episode The following music was used for this media project…

You know that story about the time when a woman anointed Jesus and everyone was criticizing her because of it? Which story? Based on John 12:1-8. Show notes have been posted at retellingthebible.wordpress.com. Media in this Episode The following music was used for this media project: "AhDah" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative C…

When his country is invaded by an alliance of three powerful enemies, King Jehoshaphat seems to be out of all hope and luck. But then he comes up with a rather unusual plan in response. And a one, and a two and a one, two, three... all together now! Based on 2 Chronicles 20:1-30. Show notes have been posted at retellingthebible.wordpress.com. Media…

The Prophet Jeremiah and the other refugees in Egypt have lived through the very same events. They all agree on the basic facts and events. Yet, they tell two very different stories of what has happened to them. This episode explores the duelling narratives to understand how this sort of thing happens. Based on Jeremiah 44. Show notes have been pos…

Herod Antipas, ruler of Galilee, is disturbed to hear that some rabble-rouser is feeding thousands of Galileans with bread and fish that Herod feels rightly belong to him. Won't somebody think about the poor king and how this affects his profits? Based on Mark 6:30-44. Show notes have been posted at retellingthebible.wordpress.com. Media in this Ep…

The most powerful politician in the world gives unlimited power to an immigrant who proceeds to disrupt the entire system of the whole country and the world. Sound familiar? Based on Genesis 41:37-45:15. Show notes have been posted at retellingthebible.wordpress.com. Media in this Episode The following music was used for this media project: "AhDah"…

This is the story behind the question that Jesus was asked about divorce. There was more at stake in that exchange than we usually realize! Based on Mark 10:2-12, Mark 6:17-29 and the Antiquities of the Jews by Flavius Josephus. Show notes have been posted at retellingthebible.wordpress.com. Media in this Episode The following music was used for th…

Abraham sends his most trusted servant off to obtain a wife for the son who won't speak to him. But first, he insists that the man make a bizarre oath. Based on Genesis 24. Show notes have been posted at retellingthebible.wordpress.com. Media in this Episode The following music was used for this media project: "AhDah" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com…

A year or so ago, I explored the trauma that Isaac suffered when his father tried to sacrifice him on Mount Morah. In this episode, I tell the story of the tragic aftermath of that harrowing event. Based on the story that is told in Genesis 22:19-Genesis 24:67. The story of Hagar's encounter with El Roi is told in Genesis 16. Show notes have been p…

When Herod called in the chief priests and scribe to tell him where the Messiah was to be born, did you ever wonder if we could know who showed up? Because we can and there is quite a story there! Based on Matthew 2:1-18. Show notes have been posted at retellingthebible.wordpress.com. Media in this Episode The following music was used for this medi…

When Luke starts his Gospel by writing "In the Days of King Herod," is he setting the date for Jesus' birth? No, he is doing much more than that. He's telling a story. This is that story. Based on Luke 1:5-25. Show notes have been posted at retellingthebible.wordpress.com. Media in this Episode The following music was used for this media project: "…

In this special extra episode, John Borthwick of the Ministry Forum interviews W. Scott about his life journey and why he does this podcast.By W Scott McAndless

When a family goes up to Shiloh to sacrifice, all of the dysfunction and animosity simmering under the surface comes out as they sit down to eat their meal. Based on 1 Samuel 1. Show notes have been posted at retellingthebible.wordpress.com. Media in this Episode The following music was used for this media project: "AhDah" Kevin MacLeod (incompetec…

Two very forgettable characters in the Book of Ruth have rather odd names. And their story has a lot to teach us about what is going on in the world today! Based on Ruth 1:1-18. Show notes have been posted at retellingthebible.wordpress.com. Media in this Episode The following music was used for this media project: "AhDah" Kevin MacLeod (incompetec…

A special Halloween Episode! What do with do with the Gospel of Matthew's account of an apparent Zombie invasion of Jerusalem around the time of Jesus? Based on Matthew 27:51-53. Show notes and further reflections on the resurrection have been posted at retellingthebible.wordpress.com. Media in this Episode The following audio was used for this med…

What was the super magical ingredient that Elisha added to the stew to make it delicious and not utterly toxic? Based on 2 Kings 4:38-41. Show notes (and an actual recipe!) have been posted at retellingthebible.wordpress.com. Media in this Episode The following music was used for this media project: "AhDah" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed …

There is a part of the story of the Book of Esther that we are not supposed to read (at least, not according to the Revised Common Lectionary). But maybe we do need to know this story -- the story of a massacre of the enemies of Esther and Mordecai. Here is that story together with some reflections on how and why it was told. Based on Esther 7-9. S…

Isaac and Rebekah head down to Gerar amid a famine and all kinds of hijinks (and a few plot holes) ensue in this third installment of a trilogy of stories. Based on Genesis 26:1-16. Show notes have been posted at retellingthebible.wordpress.com. Media in this Episode The following music was used for this media project: "AhDah" Kevin MacLeod (incomp…

This is the tragic story of a half-Israelite half-Egyptian man who left Egypt with Moses' Exodus. It is told with added insight from the great Jewish Interpreter, Rashi (Rabbi Shlomo Yitzchaki). Many people miss this important story because it is buried in the Book of Leviticus, which is not generally an easy read. Hear it now with some fresh insig…

This is the amazing multi-generational saga of two verses that don't quite belong in Paul's First Letter to the Corinthians and how they came to be there anyway. Based on the contents of 1 Corinthians 14. Show notes have been posted at retellingthebible.wordpress.com. Media in this Episode The following music was used for this media project: "AhDah…

What does it mean when it says that God sent Nathan to David? What led him to confront the king in the way that he did? Based on 2 Samuel 11:1-12:15. Show notes have been posted at retellingthebible.wordpress.com. Media in this Episode The following music was used for this media project: "AhDah" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creati…

This extra special episode is a discussion with the author, Jeanne Blasberg, about her new novel, Daughter of a Promise, which is based on a biblical story that should be familiar to my listeners. For more about Ms. Blasberg and the book, go to my show notes at retellingthebible.wordpress.com. Media in this Episode The following music was used for …

Ahimaaz the son of Zadok really wants to be the one to take the news of victory to King David, but there seems to be one big problem! Perhaps this young man is not as bright as his status suggests. Based on 2 Samuel 18:19-33. Show notes have been posted at retellingthebible.wordpress.com. Media in this Episode The following music was used for this …

A special extra episode! I'm excited to share this series of stories about the young Michal, daughter of Saul, that was written by one of my listeners, Mat Meyer. Stick around afterwards to hear our discussion about the tales. Show notes have been posted at retellingthebible.wordpress.com. Mat's website, which we discuss is at The Church of the Aff…

Here is a special Olympic summer edition of Retelling the Bible -- telling a story related to an Olympic event. This story is about the Javelin Throw. Absalom hangs by his hair in an oak tree awaiting his fate. This gives him a lot of time to think about what has brought him to such a state. Based on 2 Samuel 13-18. Show notes have been posted at r…

Reuben, Jacob's oldest son, does a very bad thing after his mother's sister dies -- very, very bad! Warning: Episode makes a reference to rape. Based on Genesis 35:16-22. Show notes have been posted at retellingthebible.wordpress.com. Media in this Episode The following music was used for this media project: "AhDah" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) …

When King Saul goes into a cave to "cover his feet," the tension is palpable because his enemy David and a few hundred men are hiding further inside the cave! Based on 1 Samuel 24. Show notes have been posted at retellingthebible.wordpress.com. The following music was used for this media project: "AhDah" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed und…

This is the story of a king who had a little problem! Based on Genesis 20, this episode was written and recorded in response to a challenge on an episode of the podcast The Word in Black and Red. Read the show notes at retellingthebible.wordpress.com. Also includes the cultural references made in the story. Media in this Episode The following music…

Did you ever wonder what happened to the guy who didn't get chosen to be the replacement for Judas Iscariot in the twelve? Well, have I got a story for you! The episode is based on Acts 1:15-26. Show notes have been posted at retellingthebible.wordpress.com. Media in this Episode The following music was used for this media project: "AhDah" Kevin Ma…

Join Micah, Ell, Mat, Joshua Maria Garcia, and W. Scott McAndless as they continue to discuss Genesis 47:13-26. How does Joseph centralize power? How does Joseph's power grab affect his family? And can a good person change things from the inside, or is corruption inevitable? Hear some answers to these questions and more on this first part of a two-…

Join Micah, Ell, Mat, Joshua Maria Garcia, and W. Scott McAndless as they discuss Genesis 47:13-26. How does Joseph centralize power? How does Joseph's power grab affect his family? And can a good person change things from the inside, or is corruption inevitable? Hear some answers to these questions and more on this first part of a two part episode…

What was an Ethiopian eunuch doing travelling down a desert road from Jerusalem to Gaza anyway? Based on Acts 8:26-40. Show notes have been posted at retellingthebible.wordpress.com. Media in this Episode The following music was used for this media project: "AhDah" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 …

In this bonus episode, W. Scott McAndless has a wide-ranging and very important discussion about the story told in Genesis 45:1-47:12 with Micah Belong the Wise Old Llama Enby, host of "The Word in Black and Red." I'm pleased to be able to share this with my followers. What does Joseph's weeping have to teach us about the redemptive process? How ca…

Abram makes his way down to Egypt to survive a famine and decides to use his smoking-hot wife to make himself a fortune! Based on Genesis 12:10-20. Show notes have been posted at retellingthebible.wordpress.com. Media in this Episode The following music was used for this media project: "AhDah" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative…

As far as we can tell, the original manuscript of the Gospel of Mark ended strangely and abruptly at chapter 16, verse 8. This is the story of how the author (lets call him Mark) decided to end his gospel in what seems like such a surprising way to us. Based on Mark 16:1-8 with reference to Mark 3:20-35, Mark 15:6-15 and 1 Corinthians 15:5-7. Show …

The Gospel of Mark includes an odd little incident, mentioned in none of the other gospels, in which Jesus is arrested in the Garden of Gethsemane. Today's episode is a narrative exploration of the story of the young man who ran away naked in the garden. Based on Mark 14:51-52. Show notes have been posted at retellingthebible.wordpress.com. Media i…

In this extra special episode, W. Scott engages in a wide-range discussion about the amazing story of Tamar with the good folks at "The Word in Black and Red." Sex, prostitution, masturbation, this discussion touches on all of it! And, yes, the language is explicit and sometimes crude so be advised!By W Scott McAndless

This is finally it, the dramatic story of how the Ark of the Covenant of Yahweh murdered Uzzah! Or is that really what happened? Based on 1 Samuel 6:19-7:2 and 2 Samuel 6:1-11. Show notes have been posted at retellingthebible.wordpress.com. Media in this Episode The following music was used for this media project: "AhDah" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech…

How the Hebrew people's story of the flood was changed by their encounter with the Babylonian story. And how the story ought to change today. Based on Genesis 6:1-9:17 and the Epic of Gilgamesh, Tablet XI. Show notes have been posted at retellingthebible.wordpress.com. Media in this Episode The following music was used for this media project: "AhDa…

Two brothers vow to take revenge on the young prophet who has prophesized their doom, but they didn't reckon on being betrayed by an object of power! Based on 1 Samuel 4. Show notes have been posted at retellingthebible.wordpress.com. Media in this Episode The following music was used for this media project: "AhDah" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) …

The young boy Samuel finds that his dreams are troubled by a strange box that he shares his bedroom with at the temple in Shiloh. Based on 1 Samuel 3:1-4:1. Show notes have been posted at retellingthebible.wordpress.com. Media in this Episode The following music was used for this media project: "AhDah" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under…

This is a special extra episode of the podcast. W. Scott McAndless is in conversation with the host of The Word in Black and Red about the story of Jacob and his wives in Genesis. Show notes have been posted at retellingthebible.wordpress.com.By W Scott McAndless