By the Well is a weekly lectionary-based podcast for preachers. Each week we take a deep dive into some of the texts from the Revised Common Lectionary, exploring their ancient setting and how we might preach them today. We aim to take the Bible seriously, but not literally, bringing the best biblical scholarship into conversation with lived experience, pastoral need, and theology.
Our name, By the Well, is a nod to the Samaritan woman in John 4. In many ways she is an ordinary woman, perhaps on the margins of her community. When she encounters Jesus during her daily task of drawing water at the well, it transforms her and her faith. In discovering the “living water” that is Christ, she becomes a preacher and evangelist for her community, bringing them to encounter the good news of God for themselves.
- Fran and Robyn (co-founders)
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By the Well is a weekly lectionary-based podcast for preachers. Each week we take a deep dive into some of the texts from the Revised Common Lectionary, exploring their ancient setting and how we might preach them today. We aim to take the Bible seriously, but not literally, bringing the best biblical scholarship into conversation with lived experience, pastoral need, and theology.
Our name, By the Well, is a nod to the Samaritan woman in John 4. In many ways she is an ordinary woman, perhaps on the margins of her community. When she encounters Jesus during her daily task of drawing water at the well, it transforms her and her faith. In discovering the “living water” that is Christ, she becomes a preacher and evangelist for her community, bringing them to encounter the good news of God for themselves.
- Fran and Robyn (co-founders)
Kylie Crabbe welcomes Prof Brendan Byrne SJ, Jesuit Priest and renowned scholar of the New Testament as guest to the podcast. We discuss the Habakkuk and 2 Thessalonians readings more briefly before turning to discussion of the reading about Zacchaeus in Luke. Themes across the episode include: finding hope in turbulent political times, eschatology, conversion of communities (not just individuals), salvation that comes to Zacchaeus, meals, “Lukan triangles”—whereby episodes in Luke show a contrast or challenge in how two different people or groups respond to the good news or an interaction with Jesus, and more! Listeners might also be especially interested in Brendan’s wonderful (and highly accessible) commentary on Luke’s Gospel: The Hospitality of God: A Reading of Luke’s Gospel.
Kylie Crabbe and guest Rev Rachel Kronberger discuss Joel 2.23–32 and Luke 18.9–14. Themes include: hope after suffering, communal repentance, insiders and outsiders, portrayals of the Pharisees in the Gospels (and responsible interpretation), tax collectors in first-century Roman setting, reversal or restoration to relationship.
Resources include: Amy-Jill Levine's Jewish Annotated New Testament, Brendan Byrne's The Hospitality of God, Howard Wallace's Lectionary Resources blog, Speaking of the Pharisees event by The Enoch Seminar.
Howard Wallace and Sally Douglas discuss Jeremiah 8:18-9:1, Psalm 79:1-9, 1 Tim 2:1-7, and Luke 16:1-13. They discuss the balance between truth and love, praying for leaders and issues of wealth.
This week Rachel and Sally explore the readings for Sunday August 31, Pentecost 12. Focusing on Jeremiah 2.4-13, Hebrews 13.1-8, 15-16, and Luke 14 1. 7-14, they discuss the hospitality of God and the challenge to think about where we seek our nourishment and who we offer hospitality to. In a world obsessed with status and wealth the way of Jesus disrupts expectations.
Sally and Monica reflect on Isaiah 5:1-7; Psalm 80:1-2 and 8-19; Hebrews11:29-12:2; Luke12:49-56. God's desire for justice, the need to deform in order to form or reform, the place of conflict and division are some of the issues discussed against what is happening in Gaza as a backdrop. they bring attention the the recent Central Committe of the World Council of Churches statement
Robyn is joined by special guest, Rev. Dr Kristel Clayville, to discuss the readings for the 9th week of Pentecost - Isaiah 1:1, 1-20, Hebrews 11:1-3, 8-16 and Luke 12:32-40.
We explore themes of relationship / covenant, promise, transformation, and hope.
Howard and Sally does Hosea 11.1-11, Psalm 107.1-9, 43, Colossians 3.1-11(12), Luke 12.13-21. They explore the imagery of God as parent in Hosea, new life in Christ in Colossians and the parable of the rich fool in Luke.
Howard and Adrian explore Hosea 1:2-10; Psalm 85; Colossians 2:6-15; and Luke 11:1-13.
Listeners may be interested in the upcoming Northey Lecture at Pilgrim Theological College "Dei Ex Machina: The Images of God in Our Conceptions of AI" on 29 July.
Sally and Monica reflect on Amos 8:1-12; Psalm 52; Colossians 1:15-28 and Luke 10:38-42. We explore the prophetic indictment against misuse of power and wealth for personal gain and against the wellbeing of the community; early NT texts and the Nicene creed and the discipleship of women followers.
Fran and Howard discuss the readings for the fifth week after Pentecost, focussing on Amos 7:7-17, Psalm 82 and Luke 10:25-37
We mention Bruce Barber's sermon on Luke 10 in Lanterns at Dusk
Monica and Robyn dicsuss the Naaman story in 2 Kings 5:1-14, the cry of the Psalmist in Psalm 30, and Jesus' commissioning of the 70 (72) in Luke 10:1-11, 16-20.
We mention an article by Jione Havea on 2 Kings 5, which you can find here.
Robyn and Brendan discuss 2 Kings 2:1-2, 6-14; Galatians 5:1, 13-25, and Luke 9:51-62. We discuss the echoes of the Elijah / Elisha tradition in the gospels, the tension between prophetic glory and suffering, transitions, change, and the demands of following Jesus.
Fran and Sally discuss 1 Kings 19.1-15, Psalm 42, Galatians 3.23-29, Luke 8.26-39. They explore the place of silence, langauge and imagery for God, and the problem of evil (among other things).
Sally and Fran discuss Proverbs 8:1-4;22-31; Romans 5:1-5; John 16:12-15
We mention Sally's book Jesus Sophia: Returning to Woman Wisdom in the Bible;
the Nomad podcast interview with Sally;
Martin Scott's Sophia and the Johanine Jesus
Ben Myers Tweeting the trinity: because heresy is meh
By the Well is a weekly lectionary-based podcast for preachers. Each week we take a deep dive into some of the texts from the Revised Common Lectionary, exploring their ancient setting and how we might preach them today. We aim to take the Bible seriously, but not literally, bringing the best biblical scholarship into conversation with lived experience, pastoral need, and theology.
Our name, By the Well, is a nod to the Samaritan woman in John 4. In many ways she is an ordinary woman, perhaps on the margins of her community. When she encounters Jesus during her daily task of drawing water at the well, it transforms her and her faith. In discovering the “living water” that is Christ, she becomes a preacher and evangelist for her community, bringing them to encounter the good news of God for themselves.
- Fran and Robyn (co-founders)
