Cutting an Unusual Deal
Lectionary Date: March 17, 2019 [2nd Sunday in Lent, Year C]
A strange vision, a bloody ritual, and divine promises on the way to a profound expression of grace. Rachel leads us through this fascinating passage!
Podcast: First Reading
Deuteronomy 26:1-11
Lectionary Date: March 10, 2019 [1st Sunday in Lent, Year C]
Rachel offers a mini-episode with some literary and historical context for the text, and a preaching angle on stewardship with a surprising twist!
2 Samuel 11:1–15, with Caralie Focht
Lectionary Date: July 29, 2018 [10th Sunday after Pentecost, Year B]
This week, Rachel and Tim are joined by Caralie Focht (Emory University) to discuss the infamous story about Bathsheba and David. How can preachers address the issues of assault in this text with pastoral sensitivity toward those in their congregations who have experienced (or perpetrated) similar trauma?
2 Samuel 7, with Jacob Wright
Lectionary Date: July 22, 2018 [9th Sunday after Pentecost, Year B]
In this, First Reading’s very first episode ever, Rachel and Tim introduce the podcast and delve into King David’s plan to build a temple for God. With help from Dr. Jacob Wright (Emory University) they discuss the historical context of temple building, try to figure out why God is hesitant to let David do it, and offer a few potential angles for preaching this text.
Learn more about Dr. Jacob Wright, and check out his books: David, King of Israel, and Caleb in Biblical Memory and Rebuilding Identity: the Nehemiah Memoir and its Earliest Readers.