On today's episode, we close out our Cover to Cover season with the books attributed to John (son of Zebedee, not the Baptist). These include 1, 2, 3 John and Revelation.

Listen in as our hosts the Rev. Rick Morley, Elliot VanHoy, and Natalee Hill discuss when these texts might have been written, how you can hear the same kinds of language and theology found in the Gospel of John, dualism, and what Revelation (singular, folks) is all about. Spoiler: it's not the end of the world.

It's that time of year to give thanks! If you're thankful for this podcast and our hosts, we'd be ever so grateful to you if you would donate to St. David's Church. You can visit our website at ⁠stdavidschurch.org/giving⁠ and write "Cross Connections" in the memo line to indicate your support.

Cross Connections is a ministry of ⁠⁠St. David’s Episcopal Church in Wayne, PA⁠⁠. Season two, Cover to Cover is hosted by the Rev. Rick Morley, Elliot VanHoy, and Natalee Hill.

A full copy list of readings for 2025 may be found on ourwebsite at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://stdavidschurch.org/crossconnections⁠⁠⁠⁠If you have questions for us, you can call us at 484.588.5656 and leave a voicemail with your name, where you’re from, and your question or comment. Please note, we may use your recorded voice in an upcoming episode of Cross Connections. You can also email us at ⁠⁠⁠crossconnections@stdavidschurch.org⁠⁠⁠.

Logo graphic design and podcast production by Natalee Hill.Stock Media Music provided by Marscott and MoodMode / ⁠⁠Pond5⁠⁠.

You are welcome to learn more about all of St. David’sworship offerings and ministries at ⁠⁠⁠https://stdavidschurch.org/⁠⁠⁠.

On today’s episode, we, your hosts the Rev. Rick Morley, Elliot VanHoy, and Natalee Hill, discuss the Pastoral epistles – so called because "Paul" provides pastoral guidance to the recipients. Why are there quotation marks around Paul? We’ll get to that. These letters include: 1 and 2 Timothy and Titus.

The episode starts with a discussion about why there is so much agreement (though not unanimity) about these letters having an author or authors other than Paul. The evidence includes the language, context, concerns, and theological differences in these three letters versus the other works which people believe Paul wrote. We define and discuss the common ancient practice of pseudepigraphy – where people wrote in the style of and under the name of a famous person.

We discuss the ways in which these texts demonstrate the organizational development of the early church, with pastoral offices named including deacon (seen in Acts), priest, and bishop. Along with new pastoral offices, these letters show that the time these letters were written in also brought new concerns including new controversies and opposition forces. We discuss the difficulty of patriarchy and slavery, how this new Christian community tries to be seen as legitimate in within their cultural context, and the other Christian communities which existed at that time.

This leads into a discussion of how “faith” is defined and used. We also discuss what scripture is and what it means to be “inspired.” We even get into a minor conversation on the criteria used by ancient church councils to decide what would eventually end up in the Bible that you hold. Throughout all of this we also wrestle with whether God and our understanding of God should be simple.

During serious conversation there are lighthearted moments about the interstitium, Dan Brown novels and conspiracies, fun facts about the Muratorian fragment, and the Good News we find even within difficult texts. Finally, while it might have seemed frivolous, we had some serious conversation about extra-terrestrial aliens, "clankers," Aslan, and Christ’s salvation for all.

It's that time of year to give thanks! If you're thankful for this podcast and our hosts, we'd be ever so grateful to you if you would donate to St. David's Church. You can visit our website at stdavidschurch.org/giving and write "Cross Connections" in the memo line to indicate your support.

Cross Connections is a ministry of ⁠⁠St. David’s Episcopal Church in Wayne, PA⁠⁠. Season two, Cover to Cover is hosted by the Rev. Rick Morley, Elliot VanHoy, and Natalee Hill.

A full copy list of readings for 2025 may be found on our website at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://stdavidschurch.org/crossconnections⁠⁠⁠ ⁠If you have questions for us, you can call us at 484.588.5656 and leave a voicemail with your name, where you’re from, and your question or comment. Please note, we may use your recorded voice in an upcoming episode of Cross Connections. You can also email us at ⁠⁠⁠crossconnections@stdavidschurch.org⁠⁠⁠.

Logo graphic design and podcast production by Natalee Hill. Stock Media Music provided by Marscott and MoodMode / ⁠⁠Pond5⁠⁠.

You are welcome to learn more about all of St. David’s worship offerings and ministries at ⁠⁠⁠https://stdavidschurch.org/⁠⁠⁠.

There’s a lot packed in to this episode on Paul’s letters (minus Romans and Galatians, which we’ve already covered). Rick and Elliot focus on what scholars generally agree that Paul actually wrote and the questions these letters raise for us today. We go through each letter in the order we find themin our Bibles today, reviewing the context in which Paul was writing—his communities were diverse, facing internal conflicts, and navigating life as early Christians in a complicated world.

We spend time unpacking some of the themes in specific letters, including his thoughts on community, love, and practical guidance for daily life. We hear about how Paul’s thoughts on Christ’s return shift from earlier letters to later ones – and how this impacts his advice to the churches. Elliot and Rick discuss examples from the letters where Paul addresses disagreements between believers, how he encourages mutual respect, and his advice on living faithfully amid challenges.

Key Discussion Points:Context of Paul’s letters: The communities he wrote to were diverse, sometimes conflicted, and navigating life as early Christians. Rick and Elliot explore how this context shapes Paul’s advice in each letter.

Themes in the letters:

• Community and mutual respect across differences of Paul’s time.
• Love as an actionable practice in daily life
• Handling disagreements and conflicts between believers

Role of church leaders: The letters outline expectations for leaders, including guidance for elders, deacons, and other ministry figures, emphasizing character, teaching ability, and moral integrity. Rick and Elliot begin to discuss how leadership structures emerge in Paul’s letters, but we’ll talk about that more in our next episode.

Problematic content: Some letters reflect cultural assumptions of Paul’s time that are challenging today, including gender roles, slavery, and social hierarchies. The hosts unpack these passages carefully, discussing historical context without excusing them. They also review again the sections that are Paul and the sections that are the “opposition voice,” as we discussed in our episode on Romans.

Relevance today: The hosts reflect on how the letters’ guidance on community, conflict resolution, and faithfulness can still speak to modern listeners.

Throughout the episode, Rick and Elliot unpack phrases and passages to reveal both practical advice and theological insights. They invite listeners to consider how these centuries-old letters might inform their own sense of community, leadership, and faith.

Want to hear Rick’s sermon on Philemon? You can find it here:https://youtu.be/3aDcu9FTYvo?si=OYR8ihwsAIjsYI_q

Cross Connections is a ministry of ⁠⁠St. David’s Episcopal Church in Wayne, PA⁠⁠. Season two, Cover to Cover is hosted by the Rev. Rick Morley, Elliot VanHoy, and Natalee Hill.

A full copy list of readings for 2025 may be found on ourwebsite at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://stdavidschurch.org/crossconnections⁠⁠⁠⁠If you have questions for us, you can call us at 484.588.5656 and leave a voicemail with your name, where you’re from, and your question or comment. Please note, we may use your recorded voice in an upcoming episode of Cross Connections. You can also email us at ⁠⁠⁠crossconnections@stdavidschurch.org⁠⁠⁠.

Logo graphic design and podcast production by Natalee Hill.Stock Media Music provided by Marscott and MoodMode / ⁠⁠Pond5⁠⁠.

You are welcome to learn more about all of St. David’sworship offerings and ministries at ⁠⁠⁠https://stdavidschurch.org/⁠⁠⁠.

In this episode of Cross Connections Podcast, we are thrilled to have with us Pauline Scholar and Author, Douglas Campbell. You can find his translation of Romans on his blog here.

Douglas was born in London but raised a New Zealander. He did his undergraduate degree in Political Philosophy at the University of Otago in New Zealand, and his graduate degrees in Religious Studies at the University of Toronto in Canada, where he was supported by a Commonwealth Scholarship. He wrote his thesis on Romans 3:21-26 under the direction of Richard Longenecker. His first academic post was in Religious Studies at his alma mater, the University of Otago (1989-96). After seven years he went to teach in Theology and Religious Studies at King's College London (1996-2003), and after another seven years was hired into his current teaching position at Duke Divinity School, where he is now a Professor of New Testament and directs the Prison Studies program. Since arriving at Duke in 2003 he has published four books on the apostle Paul, and the fifth, reasonably large, book was published in November 2019. Douglas has two adult children, and is a keen supporter of the arts, as his wife, Rachel, is a painter. He loves the warm weather of North Carolina, and currently lives in downtown Durham with a cat, a dog, and his wife's chickens. Despite qualms in terms of a Christian virtue ethic, he remains passionate about international politics and international rugby.

On this episode we discuss why we need biblical scholarship, as opposed to each person sitting and reading the Bible to themselves and “figuring it out.” We talk about Galatians and about Douglas’s "Translation for Pagans" of Romans. We talk about how Paul’s letters are difficult to understand, and seem contradictory, without knowing how letters were written and conveyed in ancient times. This leads into explaining why his translation includes stage directions and the role of speech in character within Romans.

Rick leads us into discussion of "justification" in scholarship. We ask Douglas why it matters that we get this right and why he opts for "deliverance" in his translation. We discuss Paul’s “opponents” and his relationship to Judaism, Messianic Jews, pagans, and the “Christians” – so named in Antioch. We finally talk about what Paul’s radical inclusion means for us today, and the heresies we run into if we misunderstand Paul.

Where to find more Douglas Campbell:

His website: https://www.douglascampbell.me/

Open Table Conference: https://www.opentableconference.com/letters-of-paul-class-2

Cross Connections is a ministry of ⁠⁠St. David’s Episcopal Church in Wayne, PA⁠⁠. Season two, Cover to Cover is hosted by the Rev. Rick Morley, Elliot VanHoy, and Natalee Hill.

A full copy list of readings for 2025 may be found on ourwebsite at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://stdavidschurch.org/crossconnections⁠⁠⁠⁠If you have questions for us, you can call us at 484.588.5656 and leave a voicemail with your name, where you’re from, and your question or comment. Please note, we may use your recorded voice in an upcoming episode of Cross Connections. You can also email us at ⁠⁠⁠crossconnections@stdavidschurch.org⁠⁠⁠.

Logo graphic design and podcast production by Natalee Hill.Stock Media Music provided by Marscott and MoodMode / ⁠⁠Pond5⁠⁠.

You are welcome to learn more about all of St. David’sworship offerings and ministries at ⁠⁠⁠https://stdavidschurch.org/.

On today's episode...

In this episode of Cross Connections Podcast, we step into Paul’s letters beginning with this six-chapter letter to the Galatians. Our hosts note that this is the first instance of this specific style of writing and talk about the difficulties of understanding letters.

Who is Paul? What do we know about Paul from Acts vs. how Paul describes himself.

Galatians is a very polemical book. We discuss what was so upsetting to Paul about what was happening in Galatia.

We discuss faith, responses to God’s love, and participation. We talked about Paul’s righteous anger. We also talk about how letters were composed and shared in ancient times.

Finally, we discuss what is so radical in Paul’s writing and how it still applies to us today.

Today, the following books were recommended:

“Paul among Jews and Gentiles” by Krister Stendahl

“Paul and Palestinian Judaism” by E. P. Sanders

“Our Mother Saint Paul” by Beverly Roberts Gaventa

Cross Connections is a ministry of ⁠⁠St. David’s Episcopal Church in Wayne, PA⁠⁠. Season two, Cover to Cover is hosted by the Rev. Rick Morley, Elliot VanHoy, and Natalee Hill.

A full copy list of readings for 2025 may be found on our website at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://stdavidschurch.org/crossconnections⁠⁠⁠ ⁠If you have questions for us, you can call us at 484.588.5656 and leave a voicemail with your name, where you’re from, and your question or comment. Please note, we may use your recorded voice in an upcoming episode of Cross Connections. You can also email us at ⁠⁠⁠crossconnections@stdavidschurch.org⁠⁠⁠.

Logo graphic design and podcast production by Natalee Hill. Stock Media Music provided by Marscott and MoodMode / ⁠⁠Pond5⁠⁠.

You are welcome to learn more about all of St. David’s worship offerings and ministries at ⁠⁠⁠https://stdavidschurch.org/⁠⁠⁠.

On today's episode...

In this episode of Cross Connections Podcast, we delve into the Book of Acts. We will explore the multifaceted conflicts within the early Christian community, including the tension between Jewish and Gentile followers of Jesus. We hear of the various interactions between Peter, Stephen, Philip, James, Paul, and others as they begin to share the Gospel, first within Jerusalem and then moving outward. This book is also the first place when the new community gets two new names.

We'll examine Paul's complex identity as a Jewish Pharisee and a Roman citizen, and how this dual identity influenced his mission. The episode also questions the historical accuracy of Acts and its portrayal of Paul.

Highlighting the revolutionary role of the Holy Spirit, we discuss how Acts demonstrates a new way of interpreting Jewish scriptures and who will receive the promised Spirit and power. Significant themes include the emergence of the first deacons, Stephen’s martyrdom, Peter’s vision, and Paul’s dramatic conversion. The discussion also covers Acts' depiction of urban ministry and the nuanced relationship between early Christians and the Roman Empire.

Lastly, the episode emphasizes Acts’ guidance for contemporary issues by showing how early Christians discerned the active work of the Holy Spirit.

Cross Connections is a ministry of ⁠⁠St. David’s Episcopal Church in Wayne, PA⁠⁠. Season two, Cover to Cover is hosted by the Rev. Rick Morley, Elliot VanHoy, and Natalee Hill.

A full copy list of readings for 2025 may be found on our website at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://stdavidschurch.org/crossconnections⁠⁠⁠ ⁠If you have questions for us, you can call us at 484.588.5656 and leave a voicemail with your name, where you’re from, and your question or comment. Please note, we may use your recorded voice in an upcoming episode of Cross Connections. You can also email us at ⁠⁠⁠crossconnections@stdavidschurch.org⁠⁠⁠.

Logo graphic design and podcast production by Natalee Hill. Stock Media Music provided by Marscott and MoodMode / ⁠⁠Pond5⁠⁠.

You are welcome to learn more about all of St. David’s worship offerings and ministries at⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠https://stdavidschurch.org/⁠⁠⁠.

As we're about to head into the New Testament with our episode on the Acts of the Apostles, we want to re-share with you the episodes that we recorded earlier this year of the four gospels. Over the past three days we re-released the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke. Today we have for you the Gospel of John and on Wednesday, on schedule you’ll get our Acts episode. We’re doing this so that all the Gospels are at the top of your feed before we get to the Acts of the Apostles.

We especially hope that you listened to yesterday’s episode on the Gospel of Luke, since, as you’ll hear in both that episode and the Acts one, they’re by the same author. For today, here is the Gospel of John from May 14, 2025. Enjoy this back track!

On today's episode...

We’re in the fourth and final of the Gospels, the Gospel of John. What’s clear here is that (in a sing-song voice) “one of these things is not like the other ones.”

John is missing parables and miracles are reframed as “signs.” His focus is strongly on belief, but why is that exactly?

Recorded during Holy Week 2025, on Maundy Thursday, we noted that John’s Gospel is missing the institution of The Lord’s Supper, the Holy Eucharist.

We also discussed the phrase “eternal life” and what it probably means to John.

We wrestled a bit with the history of how the Gospel of John, and many of our Gospels have been used throughout Christianity, for better or worse.

Finally, we ranked our Gospels in order of favorite to least favorite. Call in to tell us your own!

Does our podcast need groupie names? Let us know.

And if you didn’t recognize “Signs” by Five Man Electrical Band either, you can listen to it here: https://youtu.be/CxrsVV5N06I?si=AIy-661pil_C38Xe

Cross Connections is a ministry of ⁠⁠St. David’s Episcopal Church in Wayne, PA⁠⁠. Season two, Cover to Cover is hosted by the Rev. Rick Morley, Elliot VanHoy, and Natalee Hill.

A full copy list of readings for 2025 may be found on our website at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://stdavidschurch.org/crossconnections⁠⁠⁠ ⁠If you have questions for us, you can call us at 484.588.5656 and leave a voicemail with your name, where you’re from, and your question or comment. Please note, we may use your recorded voice in an upcoming episode of Cross Connections. You can also email us at ⁠⁠⁠crossconnections@stdavidschurch.org⁠⁠⁠.

Logo graphic design and podcast production by Natalee Hill. Stock Media Music provided by Marscott and MoodMode / ⁠⁠Pond5⁠⁠.

You are welcome to learn more about all of St. David’s worship offerings and ministries at⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠https://stdavidschurch.org/⁠⁠⁠.