The Bible and the English Major

Maren Jo Schneider

The Bible is packed with dang good drama, bizarre ancient context, and surprisingly creative artistry, but that can all be hard to notice in a quick read. That’s where I, an enthusiastic English Major, come in. Taking a different angle every 2 weeks, we’ll approach a single relevant Bible story through a series of accessible 20-minute episodes. Then, because the best part of any good story is getting to talk about it with friends, I’ll invite a guest to come and chat about it. If you’re looking for a fresh take on stories you think you know, or you’re curious about how Biblical authors used things like irony, symbolism, and even humor to make a point, join the conversation!

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If you would like to learn more about Maren, invite Maren to speak, or read the article versions of The Bible and the English Major visit https://marenjo.com.

Support The Bible and the English Major

To financially support The Bible and the English Major, please visit Maren’s Patreon page.

https://www.patreon.com/marenjoschneider

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Mark 5, Part 0: Emptying the Nest

Mark 5, Part 0: Emptying the Nest

Welcome to this new series! This mini-episode is a personal introduction to one of the bravest women in the Bible: the hemorrhaging woman found in the Gospel of Mark. Why not start with blood and suffering? Join the Conversation Learn MoreIf you would like to learn more about Maren, invite Maren to speak, or read the article versions of The Bible and the English Major visit SupportTo financially support The Bible and the English Major, please visit Maren’s Patreon page.

Mark 5, Part 0: Emptying the Nest

Mark 5, Part 0: Emptying the Nest

Welcome to this new series! This mini-episode is a personal introduction to one of the bravest women in the Bible: the hemorrhaging woman found in the Gospel of Mark. Why not start with blood and suffering? Join the Conversation Learn MoreIf you would like to learn more about Maren, invite Maren to speak, or read the article versions of The Bible and the English Major visit SupportTo financially support The Bible and the English Major, please visit Maren’s Patreon page.

Mark 5, Part 1: Driving Dogs Mad

Mark 5, Part 1: Driving Dogs Mad

What could women in the Bible have to say to the ancient historian Pliny the Elder? Probably quite a lot, as long as they aren't bleeding. Here's some historical context to help us understand the immense faith required of a desperate woman who must ask the question, "What do I do when my religion is killing me?" Join the Conversation Learn MoreIf you would like to learn more about Maren, invite Maren to speak, or read the article versions of The Bible and the English Major visit SupportTo financially support The Bible and the English Major, please visit Maren’s Patreon page.

Mark 5, Part 2: Mark Likes Sandwiches

Mark 5, Part 2: Mark Likes Sandwiches

We begin to see the author of the Gospel of Mark is quite a genius. He makes Mark 5:21-43 into a yummy literary sandwich full of plot twists, juxtaposition, and faith. We'll also touch on biblical interpretation, the inerrancy of the Bible, and whether art can show us things science cannot. Join the Conversation Learn MoreIf you would like to learn more about Maren, invite Maren to speak, or read the article versions of The Bible and the English Major visit SupportTo financially support The Bible and the English Major, please visit Maren’s Patreon page.

Mark 5, Part 3: Did They Even Have Beer?

Mark 5, Part 3: Did They Even Have Beer?

How do we best understand the Pharisees and scribes in the Gospel of Mark from a literary point of view? And what does the juxtaposition of one of their own with a desperate, bleeding woman tell us about taking risks, faith, and healing? Join the Conversation Learn MoreIf you would like to learn more about Maren, invite Maren to speak, or read the article versions of The Bible and the English Major visit SupportTo financially support The Bible and the English Major, please visit Maren’s Patreon page.

Mark 5, Part 4: Hook, Line, and Sinker

Mark 5, Part 4: Hook, Line, and Sinker

With even more artistry, the writer of the Gospel of Mark uses juxtaposition, symbolism, merism, and a 6-foot party sub to make a very big point about Jesus' renewal of Israel and the faith lying at its heart. And you thought we'd discovered everything. Join the Conversation Learn MoreIf you would like to learn more about Maren, invite Maren to speak, or read the article versions of The Bible and the English Major visit SupportTo financially support The Bible and the English Major, please visit Maren’s Patreon page.

Mark 5, Part 5: Conversations With a Friend: Bobby Harrison

Mark 5, Part 5: Conversations With a Friend: Bobby Harrison

We conclude our series on Mark 5 with a conversation with Pastor Bobby Harrison from The Church We Hope For. He shares the story of his dismantling journey toward advocating for justice and equity in the church, tells a great story about his son as a framework for seeking God wholeheartedly, and explains how he relates to Jairus. Then he turns the tables on Maren to find out why she's doing all of this, anyway. Join the Conversation Learn More If you would like to learn more about Maren, invite Maren to speak, or read the article versions of The Bible and the English Major visit To learn more about Bobby Harrison and The Church We Hope For, visit them on the web at Support To financially support The Bible and the English Major, please visit Maren’s Patreon page.

Well Women, Part 0: Elementary, My Dear

Well Women, Part 0: Elementary, My Dear

Welcome to this new series! This mini-episode is a personal introduction to the first story in a series on two of the Bible's well-women. These stories have a lot to say both to each other, and to us even though they were written hundreds of years apart! Please "Follow" The Bible and the English MajorFollowing The Bible and the English Major in your podcast app allows Maren to spend more time on content and tells the podcast apps you are interested in future episodes.Learn MoreTo learn more about Maren, visit Maren's website EpisodesTo discuss episodes with others, join Maren on social media: Article Versions & CitationsIf you want to read the article versions of The Bible and the English Major, visit RequestsIf you would like to invite Maren to speak, visit SupportTo financially support The Bible and the English Major, please visit Maren’s Patreon page.

Well Women, Part 1: Why God Invented Emojis

Well Women, Part 1: Why God Invented Emojis

Jesus and the Samaritan woman at the well have a blast trading names, theology, and Messianic revelation. She's filled with Living Water, Jesus is filled with satisfaction, and as usual, the disciples are filled with confusion. Please "Follow" The Bible and the English MajorFollowing The Bible and the English Major in your podcast app allows Maren to spend more time on content and tells the podcast apps you are interested in future episodes.Learn MoreTo learn more about Maren, visit Maren's website EpisodesTo discuss episodes with others, join Maren on social media: Article Versions & CitationsIf you want to read the article versions of The Bible and the English Major, visit RequestsIf you would like to invite Maren to speak, visit SupportTo financially support The Bible and the English Major, please visit Maren’s Patreon page.

Well Women, Part 2: Tricks are for Kids

Well Women, Part 2: Tricks are for Kids

Only one person in the Hebrew Bible names God, and it's not who you'd expect. Meet allusion, the snooty cousin of the inside joke, and see how John uses it to introduce Hagar, the theologian. Please "Follow" The Bible and the English MajorFollowing The Bible and the English Major in your podcast app allows Maren to spend more time on content and tells the podcast apps you are interested in future episodes.Learn MoreTo learn more about Maren, visit Maren's website EpisodesTo discuss episodes with others, join Maren on social media: Article Versions & CitationsIf you want to read the article versions of The Bible and the English Major, visit RequestsIf you would like to invite Maren to speak, visit SupportTo financially support The Bible and the English Major, please visit Maren’s Patreon page.

Well Women, Part 3: Now That's a Pyramid!

Well Women, Part 3: Now That's a Pyramid!

Hagar and the Samaritan woman talk theology at a watering hole and discover they share intriguing similarities. To find out why, we'll eavesdrop on their conversation, inspect John's motives for writing, and even uncover an ancient (chiastic) pyramid. Get ready to dig. Please "Follow" The Bible and the English MajorFollowing The Bible and the English Major in your podcast app allows Maren to spend more time on content and tells the podcast apps you are interested in future episodes.Learn MoreTo learn more about Maren, visit Maren's website EpisodesTo discuss episodes with others, join Maren on social media: Article Versions & CitationsIf you want to read the article versions of The Bible and the English Major, visit RequestsIf you would like to invite Maren to speak, visit SupportTo financially support The Bible and the English Major, please visit Maren’s Patreon page.

Well Women, Part 4: I Love My Clunker

Well Women, Part 4: I Love My Clunker

Gospel writer John knows a thing or two about romance. His Woman at the Well story contains the same juicy narrative elements as Rachel and Jacob's betrothal in Genesis 29. Scandalous, you say? Just like the extravagant love of God. Please ""Follow"" The Bible and the English MajorFollowing The Bible and the English Major in your podcast app allows Maren to spend more time on content and tells the podcast apps you are interested in future episodes.Learn MoreTo learn more about Maren, visit Maren's website EpisodesTo discuss episodes with others, join Maren on social media: Article Versions & CitationsIf you want to read the article versions of The Bible and the English Major, visit RequestsIf you would like to invite Maren to speak, visit SupportTo financially support The Bible and the English Major, please visit Maren’s Patreon page.