Cross Connections

In the Book of Esther, we’re back to one simple story, from start to finish, a bit like the Book of Ruth. Though much bloodier than Ruth, this is a story you might find in a Children’s Bible, especially if you have “Bible Storybook from The Bible App for Kids” by YouVersion and OneHope like Natalee does.

We talk about the origins of the book of Esther, where and when it was probably written, and especially discuss the novelistic sty...

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We’re in the books of Ezra and Nehemiah, which are a combined story of the return of the Judeans from Babylon under Persian rule.

We talk first about the various feasts which are brought back in these texts, including the Feast of Tabernacles, Sukkot.

Then we discuss the Aramaic language being used as the official language of the Persian empire, and how its use lasted into Jesus’ time.

We move on to the growi...

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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 Suppe...

We continue the first part of this new section of the Old Testament/Hebrew Scriptures written the Chronicler. This person (or group of persons) is responsible for first and second Chronicles and for Ezra and Nehemiah.

Today we focus mostly on the Temple, the heart to be found here in Chronicles, and a few niggling issues with some of what is here.

Are issues of the heart and pride bigger concerns for the Chronicler?

We also make note...

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We introduce a new section of the Old Testament/Hebrew Scriptures written by a new author, the Chronicler. This person (or group of persons) is responsible for first and second Chronicles and for Ezra and Nehemiah.

Since this account is a second account of the same stories we’ve heard in Samuel and Kings, it’s hard not to spend a good amount of time comparing the versions. We spend a bit of time considering ...

Congratulations on making it through the Deuteronomistic history!

Today, we’ll hear and discuss the fall of both kingdoms of Israel and Judah.

This book is an account of some very bad kings. (Mostly for not worshiping in the right way in the right places and for abuse of power.)

There were also a couple of really good kings – Hezekiah and Josiah. What do you think, was Josiah even better than David?

We discuss sin and suffering in the ...

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We discuss the Gospel of Luke!

Here how Luke, a synoptic Gospel, is both like, but also very different from Matthew and Mark which we’ve already discussed.

We go over some Christology – the theology of Jesus – even though we didn’t mean to!

And of course, we go down a few rabbit holes and mention a few spoilers – especially regarding Acts, which is likely written by the same author as Luke.

Cross Connections is...

Blessed Holy Week to you! We’re in 1 Kings – a time of, well, Kings. But also, maybe too many kings. And certainly, too many wives. And many, many prophets, sharing God’s rather unhappy word with all those kings, especially the prophet Elijah.

We’re in the beginning of the end – of the Kingdoms of Israel and Judah, and of the Deuteronomistic History. We’ve got just one more book until we get a new point of view on this period in the...

We discuss the reign of King David, the greatness of it, and how it all falls apart.

We also touch on any archaeological evidence for the existence of a “King David”, even though it really isn’t the point, but you can look up the Tel Dan Stele (or Steely Dan) as you like!

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 ...

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We discuss the second half of the Book of First Samuel. This section of scripture introduces us to David, who will become known as Israel’s greatest king. But first, he must contend with the first king of Israel, Saul.

At first close as father and son, Saul and David’s relationship quickly turns, possibly by God’s hand after his spirit departs from Saul?

We talk about David’s relationships with various people...

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We welcome a guest on the podcast, the Rev. Thomas Szczerba, associate rector at St. David’s. He joins us for the portion of the episode where we discuss the Book of Ruth.

Ruth might feel like a bit of a relief after the violence of Judges, but we talk about why it might not have been perceived that way when it was written.

We discuss how the book of Ruth is positioned differently in Christian Bibles than Jew...

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The book of Judges is not for the faint of heart. If you like “Game of Thrones” this might be the Bible book for you. We offer a content warning, noting that this book and our discussion of it is heavy material and should not be entered without caution for younger or more sensitive readers.

Today we’ll talk about what happens in leadership transition, especially when there is a leadership vacuum.

Judges isn’t...

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Today we’ll talk about Moses’ successor, Joshua…

and the Israelite community as it got established in the promised land. Could this be our least favorite book of the Bible so far? Despite that, this is one of our longer episodes!

We start off with a quick discussion of Lent (since we’re one week into it).

Then we get into Joshua itself, placing this book of the Bible in its context historically, literarily, an...

On today's episode we discuss the Gospel of Mark, the earliest-written Gospel of the Bible.

Today’s conversation starts with the circumstances surrounding the initial writing of the Gospel of Mark. Do you remember who fiddled while Rome burned?

We ponder how the earliest Christians heard and understood this Gospel, and the developing Christology that you experience as you read each Gospel of the Bible.

We imagine the ways in whic...

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We finish Deuteronomy and, therefore, the books of the Torah/Pentateuch.

We discuss strange laws from both Ancient Israel and modern day. We’ll talk about the shifts happening and the new laws God is bestowing as the nation of Israel plans to finish wandering and finally settle. We notice how justice is framed in these texts and finally, we review the transition of power from Moses to Joshua and Moses’ death...

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We get into the first section of Deuteronomy:

• Who wrote Deuteronomy and when?
• What does Deuteronomy mean?
• What is the meaning of the change in tone found here?
• We use (and define for you) big theology words like SuzeraintyTreaty and Deuteronomic History and Hermeneutics.
• and we continue to wrestle with the writings.

Ash Wednesday is next week! If you’re in our area, please feel welcome to jo...

On today's episode we tackle all the digits of Numbers:

• Why is this section called “Numbers?” What else is itcalled?
• Will the Israelites EVER stop complaining and requesting to go back to Egypt?
• Who makes it to the other side of the Jordan?
• Why is Numbers a darling of the New Testament writers, coming up in different ways in multiple later texts?

Learn more as we help you make it past the accounting of all the tribe...

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We get into the second half of Leviticus and give you aquick preview of Numbers

Today we will discuss the harder passages of Leviticus and the concept of Holiness. What holiness is presented here, and what holiness do we follow today? We also get a quick preview of Numbers, with a musical close out.

We mentioned a book in this episode, which Rick is using toread along these passages, called"The First Tes...

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We get into the first half of Leviticus and we might have found some reasons to love it...

Today we will discuss:

• When Leviticus was written
• The major themes and perspectives of Leviticus
• What’s with all the blood?
• How Leviticus influenced Jesus and the Gospels
• How do we zoom out and understand this text, which seems so foreign to us today?

We mentioned a book in this episode, which was also r...