Our democracy is threatened. We just escaped an attempted coup and another is on the way. Republican legislators, emboldened by the "Big Lie," are passing laws restricting people's right to vote. This episode offers a biblical and spiritual reflection on race and voting rights.  To Support Bible Study for Progressives

Bible Study for Progressives with Rich Procida

Racism, Democracy, and the Spirits of the World (Ephesians 2:11-22)

Ever wonder about that parable about the children playing games in the marketplace? Bert Newton will unpack this parable and the lesson of the light and easy yoke from the second half of chapter 11 of the Gospel of Matthew. As we will see, Jesus is the broker of God's wisdom to the people, wisdom for a new society that is not oppressive.

The Wisdom of Jesus and the Foolishness of the Elite (Matthew 11:16-30)

Matthew has been showing how Jesus and his movement fulfill the visions of the prophets. In chapter 11, the fulfillment theme gets stated so forcefully that it becomes evident that Jesus does not merely fulfill the visions of the prophets but reinterprets them. This reinterpretation is part of a larger program of reinterpreting the world in a way that will change it for all who partake in this reinterpretation. To Support Bible Study for Progressives

Interpretation is Everything: Jesus and the New Society

Tell your story about why you believe in and are willing to fight for democracy, the Constitution, and the For the People Act. We will review the For the People Act. Then I and Elly Levi, an attorney, and immigrant from Israel will tell our democracy stories. Then we will teach you how to craft your own democracy story from our own authentic voice to use in advocating for democracy. The lesson is divided into three parts with a short musical interlude between them. You can use these moments to pause the recording and work on the assignment or just listen straight through to the end. #democracy #Democrats #VotingRights   To Support Bible Study for Progressives

Democracy Activist Training: Our Democracy Story

What does Jesus mean when he says that his disciples will not finish their mission of going through the towns of Israel "before the Son of Man comes"? Listen to this episode to find out. Support Parody and Subversion in Matthew (https://paypal.me/ParodySubversion?locale.x=en_US) Support Bible Study or Progressives

Breaking the Back of Empire and the Model of Martyrdom (Matthew 10:16-23)

On Tuesday, June 29th, we expect the Senate to vote on the For the People Act. This act establishes basic commons sense standards for federal elections. In this episode, we will learn why the For the People Act is so important and what we must do to pass it. To support Rich Procida and Bible Study for Progressives

Our Sacred Right to Vote and the For the People Act

We need a pro-democracy movement in America. To that end, I will be conducting a virtual Democracy Activist Training on June 27th. For Jesus, this included an army of healers to heal the nation of Israel. To support Bible Study for Progressives. 

A Pro-Democracy Movement and An Army of Healers (Matthew 9:35-10:15)

Israel's recent incursion into Gaza provoked the typical Hamas response which Israel always uses to justify bombing a largely defenseless civilian population. Israel now wants the United States to resupply them with weapons. Meanwhile, Palestinian Children and families suffer. I discuss this issue with Richard Sariyd and Lynne Mystic Healer. To support Bible Study for Progressives

US Weapons Kill Children and Civilians in Gaza

Jesus has to explain to his allies why he is partying with the sinners rather than fasting with revolutionaries. Then, after having gathered in the lost - the tax/toll collectors and "sinners" - he suddenly gets called to a high-status household, but on the way heals a marginalized woman suffering from menstrual bleeding. Chapters 8 and 9 have Jesus entering the worlds and lives of people who are very separate from each other: a leper, gentiles, women and men, social outcasts, low and high-status people; in all of these situations, he brings healing, both social and physical. And finally, he heals two blind men and casts out the demon from a mute man, punctuating this section of the story with images of liberation from Isaiah. To Support Bible Study for Progressives

Feasting, Fasting, and Resisting the Empire (Matthew 9:14-34)

Abraham Lincoln, citing the Gospel of Mark, said that “a house divided against itself cannot stand” (Mark 3:25). In this time of disinformation and division, we should take these words of Jesus seriously. May we seek to resolve our differences rather than fight over them. Call your Senator and demand a Bipartisan January 6th Commission to examine the causes of the insurrection and to ensure that it never happens again.  To Support Rich Procida and Bible Study for Progressives

A Divided America Needs a Truth Commission

I held a press conference as a part of the National John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Day of Action on May 8th, 2021, in Whittier, California. The speakers include Rich Procida, Maggie Moe of the Whittier Voter Coalition, Lolleta Barrett of the Whittier First Friends Church, Whittier City Council Member Henry Bouchot, and Civil Rights, Attorney Miguel Garcia.  To support Bible Study for Progressives

John Lewis Voting Rights Day of Action Press Conference

In celebration of the National John Lewis Voting Right Advancement Day of Action, we look at the state of voting rights and the need to protect our vote. 

Democracy is Still Under Attack

Bert Newton will read Matthew Chapter 9 verses 1 through 8 and then verses 9 to 13 and discuss how Jesus’ healing of a paralytic and the calling of Matthew, the disciple, are both social and political ways of healing the nation, granting people the right to speak for God in order to heal and rule themselves. Please support Bible Study for Progressives

Healing the Nation and the Right to Speak for God (Matthew 9:1-13)

The story of Noah's Ark provides rich symbolism. As part of the Noahic Covenant, God promises to never again destroy the world by a flood, but God will require a reckoning for every life humans take. All life is sacred, and the taking of human life is especially abhorrent to God. By establishing the death penalty for anyone who takes human life unjustly, God establishes a governing authority to deal with human violence and corruption.  On this show, we read Genesis 9:1-17 and then offer commentary and discussion. Joining Rich Procida is the author and ordained Menninite Minister Bert Newton, Seminarian Susan Cameron, and Founder of Worldwide Friends Dicksie Mathison.  To support Bible Study for Progressives

The Noahic Covenant: God Establishes Government (Genesis 9:1-17)

Were the murders in Atlanta about misogyny or racism? First, we hear from the press conference soon after the murders in Atlanta of multiple Asian women who worked in massage parlors. Then we do an analysis and commentary followed by a discussion. 

Were the Atlanta Murders More Misogyny than Racism?

Bible Study for Progressives is a show where moderates, liberals and leftists of all faiths and ideologies come together to discuss scripture, spirituality, and politics.

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Bible Study for Progressives with Rich Procida

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