"Love" gets thrown around all the time. "I love ice cream," says Seth. We've talked many times on this podcast about God's love. 1 John, again, emphasizes love this week. So, too, does the appointed Acts reading that narrates the Ethiopian eunuch's baptism. Jonathan and Seth ask: What does this story tell us about God's limitless love? Who are the …

Christian communities have read John’s account of Jesus identifying as the good shepherd for over 1,000 years. Unlike most Sundays, even the psalm relates to the gospel reading (rather than the first reading). So, true to form, Jonathan and Seth ask a lot of questions about shepherds: who are like modern shepherds? Can one identify an uncommitted h…

Jesus’ followers are startled, confused, and scared. The one they’ve been following was killed like a common criminal, laid in a tomb, and now lives again - not as a ghost, but someone who really lives, laughs, and lunches. So, what now? Jonathan and Seth discuss this “what now.” What happens after you make a seemingly life-altering mistake? What h…

Each year, the Gospel reading for the Sunday after Easter is the story of “doubting Thomas.” The other readings, however, emphasize living in a community. Jonathan and Seth discuss why living in community can be so formative, why communities matter, and what the contemporary church might learn from the early Jesus-following movement. They discuss a…

He is risen! He is risen, indeed! On Palm Sunday, we talked about what it looks like to experience joy, about momentarily putting our pains, perils, and problems in the backseat. On Good Friday, we talked about leaning into our pain and that of others. What does it look like to integrate them? How does it look for the disciples in the aftermath of …

Another short and sweet episode, Jonathan and Seth talk about what it looks like to sit in suffering as the disciples. How do we make room for suffering when we're unsure when or if it ends? Again, we're praying your Holy Week is a blessing.No Experts Allowed による

As promised, this episode is short and sweet. It's primarily a long, beautifully written prayer by Jonathan aimed at helping us move into Holy Week and see Jesus' humble service as a paradigm for our own. We hope you have a blessed Holy Week.No Experts Allowed による

Palm Sunday has to do a lot of heavy lifting. To help, most services are divided into the liturgy of the palms and the liturgy of the passion. This isn't true historically, however. Now, most people cannot (or will not) come to church on Good Friday, Palm Sunday has to link Jesus' triumphal entry with his crucifixion and lead into Easter. Luckily f…

"What happens when it breaks?" asks Jonathan. In this Sunday's readings, covenants break and Jesus' Spirit seems broken too. Jonathan and Seth discuss how God responds to brokenness, why a theology of brokenness matters today, and what the Gospel has to say to those of us whose hearts may be broken. These passages, perhaps more than any other Lente…

The contrast between light and darkness often appears in Scripture, particularly in the appointed passages for Lent 4. These texts and this theme, however, have been used historically to praise whiteness and to denigrate those with dark skin. Jonathan and Seth discuss that pitfall, how it encourages binary thinking, how darkness can be seen as posi…

The Old Testament reading for this Sunday is the 10 Commandments. The appointed Psalm extolls the God's law. In the Gospel reading, Jesus sees money changers and sellers using the temple-goers as profit-makers. Upset, Jesus drives them out of the temple. Jonathan and Seth discuss the law, and why Jesus might be so upset at this longstanding temple …

In this quick episode, Jonathan and Seth discuss the classic question: When is it appropriate to tell someone to take up their cross? Who should be encouraged to suffer on behalf of tier faith? And do these lectionary texts have a common thread? This episode airs Monday (2/19) and is about the following Sunday (2/25). We hope to use that format mov…

There’s water everywhere in this Sunday’s texts: the flood, to 1 Peter describing baptism, and, finally, to Jesus’ baptism in the Jordan River. Jonathan and Seth discuss this theme, but also how these texts evidence God’s gracious love for us and why that’s particularly important during our Lenten journey. Look for another episode next Monday (2/19…

Ash Wednesday, of course, falls on Valentine’s Day this year. The celebration of love coincides with the reminder that “you are dust and to dust you shall return.” Jonathan and Seth give an overview of the appointed lectionary texts for the day. They discuss how the Gospel’s admonition not to flaunt one’s piety might fit with the practice of puttin…

Jonathan and Seth reboot with a new format, new episodes, and new questions. Starting Ash Wednesday, and continuing every Sunday, they’ll discuss the appointed lectionary texts and raise questions that someone could address in a sermon or a Bible study or may want to meditate on. The new format should be shorter and more relevant for those in minis…

Resurrection has an impact on the entire universe. It will involve Jesus, human beings, and all of creation. What will the future of creation look like? What small but visible resurrections are taking place in nature right now? Jonathan and Seth discuss these issues. Jonathan fails the final quiz of our series, possibly for the first time in his li…

Hanging on the cross, Jesus cries out the opening line of Psalm 22. The poem starts with deep pain, punctuated by statements of trust in God's presence. A savior who utters these words offers a helpline to those suffering too, who feel abandoned, but are never alone. Jonathan and Seth explore how this psalm - and Jesus' use of it - affects how we c…

John's Gospel uses "love" more than the synoptic Gospels combined; Maundy Thursday commemorates Jesus' commandment to love one another. What does it look like to also love the natural world? What would it look like to regard the natural world as we love other people? Jonathan and Seth explore those seemingly simple questions in this short, Holy Wee…

The valley of dry bones that Ezekiel sees resembles a modern landfill. Discarded, wasted, and loose parts are strewn about. God tells Ezekiel, however, that the bones can live and recombine into bodies. It's similar to recycling programs, which use discarded, wasted, loose plastic to create new products. Sadly, very little plastic is recycled. What…

Both Jesus and the Samaritan woman at the well are thirsty; they go the well at noon, the hottest time off the day. The history of Interpretation, however, has mostly focused on “living water.” What would it look like to focus on their need for refreshing, drinkable, “regular water”? Jonathan and Seth do just that in this episode that focuses on wa…

Tempted in the desert, Jesus refutes the Devil's offers with quips from scripture. This story has often been used to tell Christians to defeat temptations similarly. Is that a helpful paradigm? What does it look like to read this story through a wider ecological lens? Jonathan and Seth discuss how a more expansive view of this story sees Jesus' roo…

We're back for 40 days + Sundays. Look for new episodes every other Sunday focused on ecologically-minded readings of Lenten texts. We'll think about environmental degradation, repentance in the context of ransacked natural habitats, and how we can reorient our lives to love Creator and creation. We're glad you're joining us.…

King Herod hears about a newborn King of the Jews. And like all despots, he wants to squash anyone who could be his political rival. This leads Jonathan and Seth to discuss contemporary politicians and their deep desire to remain in power. They discuss what this looks like when taken to the extreme and the way Jesus offers a different view of power…

Shepherds hear about the newborn, infant Christ. People who were dirty, spent their time with bleating sheep, and were social nobodies, hear about God in flesh first. Unlike Christian Nationalism that desires proximity to power, Jesus starts his life and continues his ministry alongside the powerless. It’s good news for all of us. We wish you a Mer…

When he learns that Mary is pregnant, Joseph considers leaving her. But an angel appears to him saying that the words of the prophet are true: a virgin will give birth to a son, whose name will be Emmanuel. Emmanuel means "God with us;" Jonathan and Seth explore this phrase in particular. It can be coopted and used to create enemies, but it can als…

John the Baptist is a wild man. He's spending time in the wild, he's eating insects in the wild, and he's wild about service to Jesus Christ. In the first installment of our Advent/Christmas season, Jonathan and Seth discuss how the wild and unexpected are antithetical to Christian nationalism. God often acts unexpectedly by flipping the norms of s…

Since last May, when No Experts Allowed stopped, Jesus has not returned. But the podcast has; we're elated to be back. With its return comes a few changes: We're moving to a more serial format. Rather than episodes every Saturday, we'll produce a few episodes for each particular church season that explore a different topic. Episodes will air on Sun…

It is finished. After 109 episodes, exploring texts from across the Bible, answering strange questions, laughing, and occasionally crying, Jonathan and Seth sign off with a special episode. They discuss some of their favorite moments and “take aways.” They read one last text together (for the podcast, at least) and pray. Thank you, listeners, for b…

Jesus promises the Advocate, The Holy Spirit, to accompany the disciples when he returns to the Father. The Holy Spirit will empower them in Jesus' physical absence, teaching them to live as Jesus-followers until Jesus returns. So, Jonathan and Seth discuss the central theological question: How do Christians live in the period between Jesus' ascens…

“The Way,” as the early Church was called, was exclusive to Jews, but Peter has a vision that opens the Jesus-followers to eating foods that were previously thought unclean and to accepting Gentiles into their movement. Jonathan and Seth talk about the ways grace extends to people they may not want it to extend to. This episode asks: who do we thin…

Jesus' opponents want to know if he is the Messiah. "Tell us plainly," they demand (Jn 10:24). They've seen his works but want assurance. So, Jonathan and Seth discuss doubt. They disagree, discuss it, and conclude that Seth may have been too "down" on doubt. We may be unable to accompany people experiencing uncertainty if we try to avoid it. Inter…

“Do you love me?” asks Jesus. Just as Peter denied Jesus three times, Jesus asks Peter whether he loves him three times. In English, the questions seem repetitive, but the Greek forms of “love” help clarify Jesus’ questions. Jonathan and Seth discuss this passage as great storytelling and a profound narrative about grace. It’s one of Jonathan’s fav…

Revelation can be scary. But, like the whole Bible, it doesn't have to be. Looking for Jesus, knowing that Revelation addresses a particular time and place, and embracing the unknown help tame it. Since this is the podcast's first dive into Revelation, Jonathan and Seth give a short primer to the book. They discuss how Revelation can encourage peop…

No one rises from the dead. That's why many of Jesus' disciples did not believe the news that the stone sealing the tomb moved and that it was empty, except for Jesus' folded clothes. Thomas receives the worst treatment for his unbelief. He's "doubting Thomas" for almost 2,000 years. Mary, however, encounters Jesus in the garden and believes. Jonat…

Around 1700, a Catholic priest in Peru created a service commemorating Jesus’ three hours on the cross and his final words. Traditionally, it runs for 3 hours. Jonathan and Seth adapt this service for this Good Friday episode and condense it to roughly 10 minutes. They encourage you, however, to pause and reflect on Jesus’ sayings. The next episode…

Entering Jerusalem, Jesus emanates peace. He knows what will happen there and has alluded to it frequently to the disciples. More importantly, Jesus knows who he is. Jonathan and Seth discuss how we achieve this peace in our daily lives. It looks similar to Jesus': knowing whose we are, neither overinflating our ego nor belittling ourselves. Inner …

After one hundred episodes (counting only a handful of re-airs), Jonathan puts Seth’s Bible knowledge to the test against two longtime friends. See how Seth fairs and whether he can continue hosting No Experts Allowed. We’ll return next week with an episode related to Palm Sunday. Until then, thank you to all our listeners, whether you’ve listened …

Reconciliation involves power dynamics. The two parties are rarely equal. This inequality applies to God who “reconciled us to himself through Christ” (2 Cor. 5:18) and, in turn, gives people the task of reconciling too. Jonathan and Seth, however, discuss how people may force reconciliation or use it to maintain the status quo. They discuss how re…

If you're like us, you're familiar with the phrase: "My plans aren’t your plans, / nor are your ways my ways, says the Lord" (Jer. 55:8). It often loses its context; it stands alone. Jonathan and Seth discuss how they've heard this verse cited. They also discuss Israel's situation in exile as the background for Isaiah's pronouncement. This context …

Abram "cuts" a covenant with God. But this covenant requires children; Abram's heir is enslaved, who Abram does not want to receive the inheritance. Later in Israel's history, being enslaved in Egypt will become central to their identity. Jonathan and Seth use this reversal to discuss how what bothers us about ourselves may also bother us when we s…

Declarations that “Jesus is Lord” (Rom. 10:9) inevitably also declares that others are not lords. Caesar was not in antiquity, neither are contemporary despots, nor employers, or partners. But how does one decide what and who to support? Jonathan and Seth tackle that question and apply it to the conflict in Ukraine. With the late Thomas Merton we p…

Jesus’ transfiguration is communal. Peter, James, and John accompany Jesus up the mountain; Moses and Elijah appear. Just like “no one lights a lamp and then covers it with a bowl or puts it under a bed” (Luke 8:16), Jesus’ glistening and glorious face shines onto the disciples. So, Jonathan and Seth discuss its communal element. Jesus’ glory conti…

Jonathan's break was looking up: he moved, started a new job, and was approved for ordination. Seth's break was rockier: he had emergency surgery after losing vision in his left eye. They each note that these felt like rewards or punishments. So, they discuss how "getting what you deserve" embeds itself in our theologies. While one may resist lovin…

Theologians have produced many theories to explain suffering, but sometimes it seems to simply happen with no reason and with no long term gain. The reality of suffering seems as relevant as ever. Communally, more than 2,000 people die of the coronavirus daily in the United States alone. Personally, Seth’s retina detached in his left eye, leaving h…

Robert Alter calls the book of Esther "Carnivalesque." He notes that no competent empire would have irreversible decrees. The king is portrayed as a buffoon, incapable of making decisions. The book serves as the origin of the Jewish festival of Purim. Jonathan and Seth discuss Pirium, which commemorates the day Jews were to be killed, and how we re…

In a few verses, the crowd switches from praising Jesus to attempting to throw him off of a cliff. They are irate because Jesus tells them he will not perform the same miracles for them as he did in Capernaum. His mission is broader than that, and he cites two texts from the Hebrew Scriptures to prove that God's plan has always been that way. Jonat…

Bodies have a complicated history for many. Some people like theirs; others feel uncomfortable in theirs. Peoples' feelings about their bodies and their bodies themselves change over time. Paul's words, however, remain unchanged, except for translation changes. Jonathan and Seth use this as an opportunity to read from The Message, talk about how th…

Paul lists the gifts of the Spirit and emphasizes that they are varied, but all from God and all beneficial. It corrects to the Jesus followers in Corinth who were prizing speaking in tongues over God’s other gifts. Jonathan and Seth fall into the same trap, focusing initially on speaking in tongues to the detriment of the other gifts. They end up …

John’s Gospel starts unlike the Synoptics. Rather than beginning “zoomed in” on a family or a young, soon-to-be pregnant girl, John starts his narrative at the beginning of time and space. Jonathan and Seth explore why this narrative differs so much from the other gospel openings, what are the implications, and whether these discrepancies should di…

The Christ Hymn, Philippians 2:6-11, often loses its literary and historical context. Theologians latch onto Christ's kenosis, Christ's self-emptying, and spin that word into entire theological systems. Paul, however, places this early Christian hymn in a letter to the Philippians as a model for their behavior. Jonathan and Seth try to read this te…