Notes

1. Matthew 21:33-46
2. Exodus 20:1-4, 7-9, 12-20

In this episode of the Pulpit Fiction Podcast, hosts Eric Fistler and Rob McCoy delve into the parable of the wicked tenants from Matthew 21. They explore the implications of the parable in the context of Jewish leadership and the rejection of prophets, emphasizing the need for accountability and the importance of producing good fruits in ministry. The conversation highlights the role of empathy and transformation in addressing issues of injustice and the call for churches to reflect on their impact in the community. The episode also touches on the significance of stewardship and the responsibility of congregations to care for the least of these. In this episode, Eric Fistler and Robb McCoy delve into the themes of worship, the significance of the Ten Commandments, and the relevance of the Sabbath in contemporary life. They explore the importance of benedictions in worship, the need for a holistic understanding of the commandments, and the implications of misusing God's name. The conversation emphasizes the commandments' role in fostering community and justice, while also challenging listeners to examine their priorities and the cultural relevance of these ancient laws.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to the Parable of the Wicked Tenants 02:28 Context of the Parable in Matthew 21 04:00 Jesus' Parable and Its Immediate Response 05:22 Historical and Theological Interpretations 07:38 Addressing Anti-Semitism and Misinterpretations 09:15 Justice, Injustice, and Modern Applications 12:02 Hope and New Leadership in the Parable 16:37 The Role of Empathy and Compassion 22:51 God's Response and the Rejection of Violence 24:38 Invitation to Justice and Transformation 27:43 Sanctified Art Advent Resources 31:21 Exodus 20 and the Ten Commandments 34:16 The Heart of the Commandments: Love and Rest 39:40 Living the Commandments Today 44:31 Misusing the Name of God and Justice 48:15 Universal Humanity and the Commandments 50:22 Justice in Society and Economy 52:13 Closing and Call to Reflection

Notes

1. Matthew 21:23-32
2. Exodus 17:1-7

In this episode of the Pulpit Fiction Podcast, hosts Robb McCoy and Eric Fistler delve into the Gospel of Matthew, focusing on the theme of authority as Jesus confronts the religious leaders. They explore the implications of the parable of the two sons, discussing how authority is perceived and challenged in contemporary ministry. The conversation emphasizes the importance of recognizing the voices of marginalized individuals and the transformative nature of Jesus' message. In this episode, Robb McCoy and Eric Fistler discuss the importance of conviction and truth in faith, the resources available for understanding scripture, and the lessons from Exodus about community and leadership. They emphasize the need for compassion and sustained care in addressing the basic needs of individuals, while also exploring the role of faith in fostering a supportive community.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to the Pulpit Fiction Podcast 01:00 Gospel Reading and Contextual Setup 05:00 Exploring Authority in the Gospel of Matthew 13:46 The Parable of the Two Sons and Its Implications 21:00 The Nature of Authority and Its Relevance Today 26:07 The Power of Conviction and Truth 28:14 Resources for Understanding Scripture 33:36 Exploring Exodus: Water from the Rock 49:20 Community and Leadership in Faith

Notes

1. Matthew 20:1-16
2. Exodus 16:2-15

In this episode of the Pulpit Fiction Podcast, hosts Eric Fistler and Rob McCoy delve into the parable of the Workers in the Vineyard from Matthew 20:1-16. They explore themes of fairness, grace, and the nature of the Kingdom of God, challenging traditional perceptions of work and reward. The conversation emphasizes the importance of understanding the broader context of the parable and the absurdity of grace, ultimately highlighting that in God's kingdom, everyone receives enough to meet their needs. In this episode, the hosts explore themes of generosity, community, and divine provision through the lens of Dolly Parton's legacy and biblical narratives. They discuss the importance of trusting in God's provision as illustrated in the Exodus story, the significance of the Sabbath, and the need for community engagement and support. The conversation emphasizes the idea of 'enough' and the role of generosity in fostering a caring community.

Notes

1. Matthew 18:21-35
2. Exodus 14:19-31

In this episode of the Pulpit Fiction Podcast, hosts Robb McCoy and Eric Fistler delve into the theme of forgiveness as presented in the Gospel of Matthew. They explore the parable of the unforgiving servant, emphasizing the importance of mercy and the interconnectedness of community. The discussion highlights the complexities of forgiveness, the role of debt in the Lord's Prayer, and the challenges posed by rising Christian nationalism. The episode also touches on the church's mission to embody forgiveness and the resources available for sermon preparation. In this conversation, Eric Fistler and Robb McCoy explore various themes related to worship, children's engagement, and the biblical narrative of the parting of the Red Sea. They discuss resources for children's worship, the significance of the Red Sea story as a defining moment for the Israelites, and the dual narratives of liberation and destruction present in the biblical accounts. The conversation culminates in a reflection on the importance of choosing life and well-being for all, emphasizing the need for reconciliation and community affirmation in faith practices.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and overview of the week's texts 04:28 Matthew 18: The call to forgive endlessly 06:28 The parable of the unforgiving servant explained 09:20 The theological meaning of forgiveness and grace 12:21 Economic and social dimensions of debt and forgiveness 17:37 Biblical foundations of forgiveness and community 22:21 The story of the Red Sea crossing as liberation 30:31 The significance of the Red Sea in biblical theology 36:58 Different biblical accounts of the Red Sea story 44:37 Remembering and living out the story of liberation

Notes

1. Matthew 18:15-20
2. Exodus 12:1-14

In this episode of the Pulpit Fiction Podcast, hosts Eric Fistler and Rob McCoy explore the themes of conflict resolution, community, and reconciliation as presented in the Gospel of Matthew. They reflect on the legacy of Dolly Parton and the importance of direct communication in resolving conflicts. The conversation emphasizes the challenges of addressing systemic sin within communities and the complexities of forgiveness. Through personal anecdotes and theological insights, the hosts encourage listeners to engage in difficult conversations and to approach relationships with love and grace. In this conversation, Robb McCoy and Eric Fistler delve into the complexities of forgiveness, reconciliation, and the significance of the Passover narrative. They explore the challenges of understanding biblical texts, particularly those that involve violence and suffering, while emphasizing the importance of community and liberation. The discussion transitions into the meaning of communion as a 'moving meal' that invites participants to engage actively in their faith and community.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Matthew 18 and conflict resolution 02:01 The importance of face-to-face reconciliation 04:01 Humility and vulnerability in community 05:59 The systemic nature of sin and justice 07:59 Loving enemies and outsiders 09:49 The moving meal and community identity 12:01 Dealing with high conflict and high emotion 14:08 The role of systemic sin and collective responsibility 15:56 The invitation to soften hearts and change 18:13 The ongoing work of reconciliation and love

In this episode of the Pulpit Fiction Podcast, hosts Robb McCoy and Eric Fistler discuss the lectionary texts for Proper 17, focusing on Matthew 16:21-28, where Jesus predicts his suffering and challenges his disciples to understand the true nature of discipleship. They explore the implications of following a Christ who leads to the cross, the cost of discipleship, and the importance of inviting transformation within the church community. The conversation also touches on contemporary issues such as climate change and the responsibilities of faith leaders. In this episode, Eric Fistler and Robb McCoy explore themes of calling, community service, and the significance of curiosity in faith. They discuss the challenges of volunteerism in church, the resources provided by Sanctified Art for worship, and delve into the biblical narrative of Moses and the burning bush. The conversation emphasizes the importance of curiosity in encountering the divine and the complexities of Moses' reluctant response to God's call, ultimately highlighting the relational aspect of faith and the call to serve others.

Notes

1. Matthew 16:21-28
2. Exodus 3:1-15

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and episode overview 01:55 Climate change and community updates 06:05 Good news from Matthew 16: Jesus predicts his suffering 12:10 Peter's declaration and Jesus' rebuke: from rock to stumbling block 19:46 The call to follow Jesus and take up the cross 32:12 Moses' encounter with the burning bush 40:02 The ordinariness of Moses' life and divine curiosity 49:59 God's call and Moses' reluctance 52:05 The significance of God's name 'I Am' and divine presence

8/23/2026 REBROADCAST

555: Proper 16A (August 27, 2023)

Hello and welcome to the Pulpit Fiction Podcast, the lectionary podcast for preachers, seekers and Bible geeks. This is episode 555 for Sunday, August 27, 2023, Proper 16, Ordinary 21, Year A.

1. Matthew 16:13-20 Who do you say that I am?
2. Exodus 1:8-2:10 Shiphrah, Puah, and Miriam
3. Romans 12:1-8 Living sacrifice with Robin Lovett-Owen

Notes

• Matthew 15:(10-20) 21-28
• Genesis 45:1-15

This episode explores the complex and transformative stories of Jesus' interactions with the Canaanite woman and the story of Joseph, highlighting themes of growth, forgiveness, and social justice.

(00:00) Episode intro and the lectionary texts for Proper 15A

(01:35) Listener emails, including Mabel Laird's insight on Matthew 21

(05:57) Matthew 15 begins: what contaminates a person and the Canaanite woman

(08:24) Why verses 10 to 20 matter for the meaning of the story

(10:54) Jesus as one who is challenged and changed

(13:54) The theological risk of saying Jesus grew here

(15:49) The feeding of the 4,000 and the meaning of the leftovers

(17:00) The Canaanite woman will not be silenced

(19:09) Why this reading matters politically now

(20:28) Jesus' deeper debate about purity, harm, and righteousness

(22:17) Feasting on the Word quote on radical hospitality

(23:41) Strength in changing after losing the argument

(24:06) Pharisees, Jewish debate, and internal theological conflict

(26:47) Why the feeding of the 5,000 sets up the conflict

(28:16) Face to face encounter versus abstract condemnation

(30:55) Genesis 45: Joseph reveals himself to his brothers

(33:01) Why verse 8 is the hardest line in the Joseph story

(35:11) Forgiveness, race, and the pressure placed on the wounded

(38:30) The danger of romanticizing forgiveness without truth

(40:33) Privilege and the ability to ignore suffering

(42:23) Joseph's forgiveness is his prerogative, not everyone's

(44:19) God working for good without justifying evil

(47:15) Modern parallels, including fear, power, and replacement anxieties

(48:37) Closing announcements and support information

Notes

1. Matthew 14:22-33
2. Genesis 37:1-4, 12-28

In this episode, we explore the profound lessons from the story of Peter walking on water, emphasizing the importance of faith, self-trust, and the need for self-care in ministry. We discuss how these biblical insights can inspire and guide contemporary faith practices.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to the episode and main themes 01:53 Jesus walking on water and the disciples' fear 05:07 Peter's bold request to walk on water 08:06 The significance of faith and doubt in the story 11:55 Jesus' encouragement and the meaning of 'little faith' 16:03 The importance of self-care and taking time for prayer 20:07 Lessons on failure, trying, and trusting in God 24:04 The paradox of boldness and humility in faith 27:50 Application to ministry and personal life 32:12 The story of Joseph and family cycles of favoritism 38:09 The brutal reality of family dysfunction and systemic injustice 43:52 The importance of honest storytelling and historical awareness 50:09 Hope, resilience, and the journey toward wholeness

Notes

1. Matthew 14:13-21
2. Genesis 32:22-31

Join us as we explore the rich biblical stories of the feeding of the five thousand and Jacob's wrestling with God, delving into themes of abundance, compassion, and faith's struggles. This episode offers deep insights into scripture's relevance for faith and life today.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to the episode and biblical context 05:13 The feeding of the five thousand: story and significance 07:22 Reframing communion through the miracle of abundance 11:29 Contrast of banquets: violence vs. compassion 16:19 Psalm 23 and the Good Shepherd imagery 20:33 Temptations and the kingdom of God 22:12 Jesus' ministry of feeding and inclusion 33:25 Jacob's wrestling with God: story and symbolism 34:35 Jacob's encounter and transformation 40:31 Jacob's complex character and faith journey 42:04 God's naming of Jacob and the wrestling with identity 46:32 The importance of wrestling with faith and faults 48:52 Reflections on faith, forgiveness, and humility

7/26/2026 REBROADCAST

551: Proper 12A (July 30, 2023)

Welcome to the Pulpit Fiction Podcast, the lectionary podcast for preachers, seekers and Bible geeks. This is episode 551 for Sunday, July 30, 2023, Proper 12, Ordinary 17, Year A.

• Romans 8:26-39 Nothing Can Separate Us - No voice in the wilderness - checkout previous show.

• Matthew 13:31-33, 44-52 Mustard Seed, Yeast, Pearls and the Kingdom of God

• Genesis 29:15-28 Jacob's Sister Wives

Robb hosting a men's retreat in Wheatland. Go to chmiowa.org, go to News and Events, select Prairie Calendar, then find his "Big Steppers" retreat.