An exploration of the Narrative Lectionary and the 21st Century Church with Rev. Aaron and Louise. <br/><br/><a href="https://talesoffaith.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast">talesoffaith.substack.com</a>
Tales of Faith Podcast
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An exploration of the Narrative Lectionary and the 21st Century Church with Rev. Aaron and Louise. <br/><br/><a href="https://talesoffaith.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast">talesoffaith.substack.com</a>
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Recent Episodes
April 30, 2026
NL 443: Live, Move, Be
<p><a target="_blank" href="https://docs.google.com/document/d/1UZJnE4PZT-Lut1CZMED8pCbhIgD6gYmw2HKQ48NhKac/edit?tab=t.0#heading=h.7e2poeca1gbd"><strong>Intro (00:00:00)</strong></a></p><p><a target="_blank" href="https://docs.google.com/document/d/1UZJnE4PZT-Lut1CZMED8pCbhIgD6gYmw2HKQ48NhKac/edit?tab=t.0#heading=h.4y3kbm61uks"><strong>Context is Key (00:00:55)</strong></a></p><p><a target="_blank" href="https://docs.google.com/document/d/1UZJnE4PZT-Lut1CZMED8pCbhIgD6gYmw2HKQ48NhKac/edit?tab=t.0#heading=h.n9yhsapdolg9">Overall Context</a></p><p><a target="_blank" href="https://docs.google.com/document/d/1UZJnE4PZT-Lut1CZMED8pCbhIgD6gYmw2HKQ48NhKac/edit?tab=t.0#heading=h.glyte4h0qton">‘Ad’ Break (00:0</a></p><p><a target="_blank" href="https://docs.google.com/document/d/1UZJnE4PZT-Lut1CZMED8pCbhIgD6gYmw2HKQ48NhKac/edit?tab=t.0#heading=h.6ssldnc63oey"><strong>Text Me (00:0</strong></a></p><p><a target="_blank" href="https://docs.google.com/document/d/1UZJnE4PZT-Lut1CZMED8pCbhIgD6gYmw2HKQ48NhKac/edit?tab=t.0#heading=h.327utyw660ik"><strong>Section 1: Acts 17:16-21 “Lets Find Something to Do While We’re Waiting”</strong></a></p><p><a target="_blank" href="https://docs.google.com/document/d/1UZJnE4PZT-Lut1CZMED8pCbhIgD6gYmw2HKQ48NhKac/edit?tab=t.0#heading=h.4olyym91gvy6">Section 2: Acts 17: “In Him we Live and Move and Have our Being” (00:</a></p><p><a target="_blank" href="https://docs.google.com/document/d/1UZJnE4PZT-Lut1CZMED8pCbhIgD6gYmw2HKQ48NhKac/edit?tab=t.0#heading=h.tstpr995hotk">Addendum 1: Acts 17:32-34 Mixed Reviews” (00:</a></p><p><a target="_blank" href="https://docs.google.com/document/d/1UZJnE4PZT-Lut1CZMED8pCbhIgD6gYmw2HKQ48NhKac/edit?tab=t.0#heading=h.ybox0bsna7q5">Foreshadowing: Next Week on Tales of Faith (Philippians 1)</a></p><p><a target="_blank" href="https://docs.google.com/document/d/1UZJnE4PZT-Lut1CZMED8pCbhIgD6gYmw2HKQ48NhKac/edit?tab=t.0#heading=h.w2oo98fggk2q"><strong>That’ll Preach (00:</strong></a></p><p><a target="_blank" href="https://docs.google.com/document/d/1UZJnE4PZT-Lut1CZMED8pCbhIgD6gYmw2HKQ48NhKac/edit?tab=t.0#heading=h.jfxv971muoit">Sermon Thoughts</a></p><p><a target="_blank" href="https://docs.google.com/document/d/1UZJnE4PZT-Lut1CZMED8pCbhIgD6gYmw2HKQ48NhKac/edit?tab=t.0#heading=h.28p1ho3c53mb">Teaching Children</a></p><p>Intro (00:00:00)</p><p>L: Greetings, and welcome back to Tales of Faith, a podcast on the Narrative Lectionary. I am n.</p><p>A: And I am n. This is episode 443 for Fifth Sunday of Easter on May 3, 2026, though we are recording on April 27, so if something major has happened between when we record and when you listen, then we won’t be able to comment on it.</p><p>L: Today we are talking about Acts 17:16-31, Paul’s Sermon in Athens, and will be using the New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition. So let’s get started with the Context:</p><p>Context is Key (00:00:55)</p><p>Overall Context</p><p>* Athens the center of philosophical thought for the ancient word in a way that continues to influence Western thought down to today.</p><p>* <strong>Socrates, 5th Century BCE</strong></p><p>* ‘Socratic Method,’ asking questions to get to deeper meaning (or exposing logical fallacies) </p><p>* no one desires what is bad, and so if anyone does something that truly is bad, it must be unwillingly or out of ignorance</p><p>* all virtue is knowledge</p><p>* <strong>Plato, Generation after Socrates</strong></p><p>* Student of Socrates</p><p>* Wrote in dialogues, much of our knowledge of Socrates comes through Plato</p><p>* Metaphysical understanding, Realm of Forms; realm of ideas with more reality than the material world</p><p>* immutability of the human soul, also reincarnation</p><p>* Allegory of the Cave</p><p>* Established the Academy</p><p>* <strong>Aristotle, 4th Century BCE</strong></p><p>* Enrolled as a student in Plato’s Academy, became the tutor for Alexander the Great, and then returned to Athens to establish the Lyceum.</p><p>* Countered Plato’s metaphysics, giving greater weight to empirical observation and practical concerns</p><p>* Life is valuable, resources should be allocated to reduce poverty/death</p><p>* <strong>Epicurianism, 3-2nd Centuries BCE</strong></p><p>* Atomism</p><p>* “the pursuit of pleasure and the avoidance of pain” (though not quite hedonism</p><p>* <strong>Stoicism, 3rd Century BCE</strong></p><p>* applied the concept of apatheia (indifference) to personal circumstances rather than social norms</p><p>* Materialism</p><p>* Living in accordance with nature</p><p>* Place of power- Agora (marketplace)</p><p>Context for Acts</p><p>* After getting run out of Philippi, Paul and Silas are run out of Thessalonica</p><p>* Went to Borea, had a decent reception, but then a mob from Thessalonica came and stirred up trouble.</p><p>* Sent Paul to the coast while Silas and Timothy remained in Borea to finish setting up the church there.</p><p>* Paul is meeting up with them in Athens</p><p>‘Ad’ Break (00:0</p><p>L: Today’s episode is brought to you today by Pascalism.</p><p>A: Are you pretty sure that you follow the correct religious teaching, but that little bit of you wonders? Do you generally reject any non-materialistic view of the universe, but wouldn’t mind making a side-bet on the spiritual (without all of the messy ethical implications). Why not try Pascalism, just in case. We will add you to our list so that you have an eternal back-up plan.</p><p>L: Named after 17th Century French Philosopher, Blaise (Blaze) Pascal; who suggested that it is logically beneficial to wager on the existence of God.</p><p>A: Oh wait, not Pedro Pascal?</p><p>L: No, Blaise Pascal.</p><p>A: This is not the way.</p><p>L: Anyways, cover all of your bases with Pascalism.</p><p>Text Me (00:0</p><p><strong>Section 1: Acts 17:16-21 “Lets Find Something to Do While We’re Waiting”</strong></p><p>L</p><p><strong>16 </strong>While Paul was waiting for them in Athens, he was deeply distressed to see that the city was full of idols. <strong>17 </strong>So he argued in the synagogue with the Jews and the devout persons and also in the marketplace[<a target="_blank" href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts%2017&version=NRSVUE#fen-NRSVUE-27528d">d</a>] every day with those who happened to be there. <strong>18 </strong>Also some Epicurean and Stoic philosophers debated with him. Some said, “What does this pretentious babbler want to say?” Others said, “He seems to be a proclaimer of foreign divinities.” (This was because he was telling the good news about Jesus and the resurrection.) <strong>19 </strong>So they took him and brought him to the Areopagus and asked him, “May we know what this new teaching is that you are presenting? <strong>20 </strong>It sounds rather strange to us, so we would like to know what it means.” <strong>21 </strong>Now all the Athenians and the foreigners living there would spend their time in nothing but telling or hearing something new.</p><p>d. 17.17 Or civic center</p><p><strong>Section 2: Acts 17: “In Him we Live and Move and Have our Being” (00:</strong></p><p><strong>A</strong></p><p><strong>22 </strong>Then Paul stood in front of the Areopagus and said, “Athenians, I see how extremely spiritual you are in every way. <strong>23 </strong>For as I went through the city and looked carefully at the objects of your worship, I found among them an altar with the inscription, ‘To an unknown god.’ What therefore you worship as unknown, this I proclaim to you. <strong>24 </strong>The God who made the world and everything in it, he who is Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in shrines made by human hands, <strong>25 </strong>nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mortals life and breath and all things. <strong>26 </strong>From one ancestor[<a target="_blank" href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts%2017&version=NRSVUE#fen-NRSVUE-27537e">e</a>] he made all peoples to inhabit the whole earth, and he allotted the times of their existence and the boundaries of the places where they would live, <strong>27 </strong>so that they would search for God[<a target="_blank" href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts%2017&version=NRSVUE#fen-NRSVUE-27538f">f</a>] and perhaps fumble about for him and find him—though indeed he is not far from each one of us. <strong>28 </strong>For ‘In him we live and move and have our being’; as even some of your own poets have said,</p><p>‘For we, too, are his offspring.’</p><p><strong>29 </strong>“Since we are God’s offspring, we ought not to think that the deity is like gold or silver or stone, an image formed by the art and imagination of mortals. <strong>30 </strong>While God has overlooked the times of human ignorance, now he commands all people everywhere to repent, <strong>31 </strong>because he has fixed a day on which he will have the world judged in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed, and of this he has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead.”</p><p>e. <a target="_blank" href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts%2017&version=NRSVUE#en-NRSVUE-27537">17.26</a> Gk From one; other ancient authorities read From one blood</p><p>f.<a target="_blank" href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts%2017&version=NRSVUE#en-NRSVUE-27538">17.27</a> Other ancient authorities read the Lord</p><p>“For in him we live and move and have our being” (ἐν αὐτῷ γὰρ ζῶμεν καὶ κινούμεθα καὶ ἐσμέν [En autō gar zōmen kai kinoumetha kai esmen]) and “For we are indeed his offspring” (Τοῦ γὰρ καὶ γένος ἐσμέν [Tou gar kai genos esmen]).</p><p>The first is likely drawn from Epimenides of Crete a semi-mythical 6th-century BCE Cretan philosopher, poet, and prophet. He is known for his mystical insights and association with Greek religious reforms and is credited with a famous “Liar Paradox” statement about Cretans (see below).</p><p>The biblical phrase originates from a hymn to Zeus who was the chief deity in the Greek pantheon. Here is the whole fragment of the quotation:</p><p>“Ζεὺς ἄρχει· Ζεὺς δ’ ἔσχατος, Ζεὺς κεφαλή, Ζεὺς μέσσα, πάντα δὲ Ζεύς· ἐν τῷ γὰρ ζῶμεν, κινούμεθα καὶ ἐσμέν.”“Zeus is the beginning, Zeus is the end, Zeus is the head, Zeus is the center; all things are Zeus. For in him we live and move and have our being.”</p><p>The hymn emphasizes Zeus’s omnipresence, creative power, and sustaining role in the universe. Paul takes the concept originally applied to Zeus and applies it to the God of Israel, the creator, and sustainer of life (Psalm 104:29-30; Colossians 1:17). While Zeus in the Greek hymn is part of creation, Paul emphasizes that the true God is distinct from His creation but also intimately involved in it as a sustainer (Acts 17:25) and personal God (Acts 17:27).</p><p>The second is likely drawn from Aratus (Phaenomena, c. 315–240 BCE), though some attribute it to Cleanthes (Hymn to Zeus). Phaenomena by Aratus of Soli is a didactic poem describing constellations and weather patterns rooted in Stoic cosmology. Paul’s quotation of τοῦ γὰρ καὶ γένος ἐσμέν is located right at the beginning, praising Zeus as the divine principle governing the universe. Humans are described as Zeus’s “offspring” because of their dependence on him as the source of life and order in the universe.</p><p>The other possible source of the quotation is Cleanthes, a Stoic philosopher who wrote Hymn to Zeus. Although, the form of the quotation is ἐκ σοῦ γὰρ γένος ἐσμέν, which is a bit different, Cleanthes echos similar themes of divine immanence and governance, writing of humanity’s connection to Zeus and their responsibility to live in harmony with the divine order.</p><p>For Aratus and Cleanthes, “offspring” (γένος [genos]) denotes a shared essence with Zeus as the divine principle. In this sense, humans are rational beings who participate in the universal logos (principle, reason). Paul reframes “offspring” (γένος [genos]) to emphasize humanity’s relationship to the Creator, not as beings sharing divinity but as creatures made in God’s image (Genesis 1:27). He uses this idea to critique idolatry (Acts 17:29).</p><p>In both cases, the original context refers to humanity’s relationship to Zeus. Paul is repurposing the sense to refer to the God of Israel presenting Him as the one true creator.</p><p>Source: <a target="_blank" href="https://ginoskos.com/paul-s-direct-quotations-of-greco-roman-philosophers-and-poets">https://ginoskos.com/paul-s-direct-quotations-of-greco-roman-philosophers-and-poets</a></p><p><strong>Addendum 1: Acts 17:32-34 Mixed Reviews” (00:</strong></p><p><strong>L</strong></p><p><strong>32 </strong>When they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some scoffed, but others said, “We will hear you again about this.” <strong>33 </strong>At that point Paul left them. <strong>34 </strong>But some of them joined him and became believers, including Dionysius the Areopagite and a woman named Damaris and others with them.</p> <br/><br/>Get full access to Tales of Faith at <a href="https://talesoffaith.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4">talesoffaith.substack.com/subscribe</a>
April 24, 2026
NL 442: Paul and Silas Go to Prison
<p><a target="_blank" href="https://docs.google.com/document/d/1gDPNJ-u_dM2V--skFPkmocP0UadXI6NDseC2ZMfhefw/edit?tab=t.0#heading=h.7e2poeca1gbd"><strong>Intro (00:00:00)</strong></a></p><p><a target="_blank" href="https://docs.google.com/document/d/1gDPNJ-u_dM2V--skFPkmocP0UadXI6NDseC2ZMfhefw/edit?tab=t.0#heading=h.4y3kbm61uks"><strong>Context is Key (00:0</strong></a></p><p><a target="_blank" href="https://docs.google.com/document/d/1gDPNJ-u_dM2V--skFPkmocP0UadXI6NDseC2ZMfhefw/edit?tab=t.0#heading=h.n9yhsapdolg9">Overall Context</a></p><p><a target="_blank" href="https://docs.google.com/document/d/1gDPNJ-u_dM2V--skFPkmocP0UadXI6NDseC2ZMfhefw/edit?tab=t.0#heading=h.glyte4h0qton">‘Ad’ Break (00:0</a></p><p><a target="_blank" href="https://docs.google.com/document/d/1gDPNJ-u_dM2V--skFPkmocP0UadXI6NDseC2ZMfhefw/edit?tab=t.0#heading=h.6ssldnc63oey"><strong>Text Me (00:0</strong></a></p><p><a target="_blank" href="https://docs.google.com/document/d/1gDPNJ-u_dM2V--skFPkmocP0UadXI6NDseC2ZMfhefw/edit?tab=t.0#heading=h.327utyw660ik"><strong>Section 1: Acts 16:16-18 “You Are Super Annoying, Be healed”</strong></a></p><p><a target="_blank" href="https://docs.google.com/document/d/1gDPNJ-u_dM2V--skFPkmocP0UadXI6NDseC2ZMfhefw/edit?tab=t.0#heading=h.4olyym91gvy6">Section 2: Acts 16:19-24 “You Broke Her” (00:</a></p><p><a target="_blank" href="https://docs.google.com/document/d/1gDPNJ-u_dM2V--skFPkmocP0UadXI6NDseC2ZMfhefw/edit?tab=t.0#heading=h.uws85ubjrhb6">Section 3: Acts 16:25-34 “Prison Not-Break” (00:</a></p><p><a target="_blank" href="https://docs.google.com/document/d/1gDPNJ-u_dM2V--skFPkmocP0UadXI6NDseC2ZMfhefw/edit?tab=t.0#heading=h.tstpr995hotk">Addendum 1: Acts 16:35-40 “Habeas Corpus” (00:</a></p><p><a target="_blank" href="https://docs.google.com/document/d/1gDPNJ-u_dM2V--skFPkmocP0UadXI6NDseC2ZMfhefw/edit?tab=t.0#heading=h.ybox0bsna7q5">Foreshadowing: Next Week on Tales of Faith (Acts 17, Paul in Athens)</a></p><p><a target="_blank" href="https://docs.google.com/document/d/1gDPNJ-u_dM2V--skFPkmocP0UadXI6NDseC2ZMfhefw/edit?tab=t.0#heading=h.w2oo98fggk2q"><strong>That’ll Preach (00:</strong></a></p><p><a target="_blank" href="https://docs.google.com/document/d/1gDPNJ-u_dM2V--skFPkmocP0UadXI6NDseC2ZMfhefw/edit?tab=t.0#heading=h.jfxv971muoit">Sermon Thoughts</a></p><p><a target="_blank" href="https://docs.google.com/document/d/1gDPNJ-u_dM2V--skFPkmocP0UadXI6NDseC2ZMfhefw/edit?tab=t.0#heading=h.28p1ho3c53mb">Teaching Children</a></p><p>Intro (00:00:00)</p><p>A: Greetings, and welcome back to Tales of Faith, a podcast on the Narrative Lectionary. I am n.</p><p>L: And I am n. This is episode 442 for Fourth Sunday of Easter on April 26, 2026, though we are recording on April 21, so if something major has happened between when we record and when you listen, then we won’t be able to comment on it.</p><p>A: Today we are talking about Acts 6:16-34, Paul and Silas in Prison, and will be using the New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition. So let’s get started with the Context:</p><p>Context is Key (00:0</p><p>Overall Context</p><p>* Early church serving as witnesses to Jesus, and making disciples.</p><p>* Saul, now known more by his Greek name, Paul, has been setting up churches in predominantly Gentile (non-Jewish) areas along side of Barnabus (Son of Encouragement).</p><p>* Council of Jerusalem has ‘decided’ that Gentiles will not be expected to conform to Torah observance.</p><p>* after the council, Paul and Barnabus split because Barnabus wanted to bring John Mark, but Paul held a grudge over John Mark abandoning them in Pamphilia.</p><p>* Barnabus and John Mark go to Cyprus</p><p>* Paul hooks up with Silas, and they head back to Lystra and Darbe, where they also take on Timothy.</p><p>* Paul receives a vision of a man from Massadonia (not to be confused with the Man of La Mancha) urging him to bring the gospel there.</p><p>* They are now in Philippi staying at the ‘house of Lydia’ which may or may not be a brothel.</p><p>‘Ad’ Break (00:0</p><p>L: Are you being dragged before the local magistrates for disturbing the peace, when all you did was cast out a demon? Are you charged with proclaiming false gods and foreign customs? Have you been beaten and arrested even though you are a Roman citizen? Do you need someone to fight for you?</p><p>A: Call Lucretius Sergius Veridicus and Herminius Blandus Iustitia, right now! Our team of lawyers and orators are the finest in all of southern Macedonia, and we will fight for you!</p><p>L: (Personal testimony) My favorite goat was gored by a wild oxen, but Veridicus got me 10 dinarius and a new goat, plus I got to light the pyre for the oxen!</p><p>A: Yes, call Veridicus and Iustitia at VII VII VII - IX V III - IX I IX I. Call today!</p><p>Text Me (00:0</p><p><strong>Section 1: Acts 16:16-18 “You Are Super Annoying, Be healed”</strong></p><p>L</p><p><strong>16 </strong>One day as we were going to the place of prayer, we met a female slave who had a spirit of divination and brought her owners a great deal of money by fortune-telling. <strong>17 </strong>While she followed Paul and us, she would cry out, “These men are slaves of the Most High God, who proclaim to you[<a target="_blank" href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts%2016&version=NRSVUE#fen-NRSVUE-27488d">d</a>] the way of salvation.” <strong>18 </strong>She kept doing this for many days. But Paul, very much annoyed, turned and said to the spirit, “I order you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her.” And it came out that very hour.</p><p>d. <a target="_blank" href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts%2016&version=NRSVUE#en-NRSVUE-27488">16.17</a> Other ancient authorities read to us</p><p><strong>Section 2: Acts 16:19-24 “You Broke Her” (00:</strong></p><p><strong>A</strong></p><p><strong>19 </strong>But when her owners saw that their hope of making money was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them into the marketplace before the authorities. <strong>20 </strong>When they had brought them before the magistrates, they said, “These men, these Jews, are disturbing our city <strong>21 </strong>and are advocating customs that are not lawful for us, being Romans, to adopt or observe.” <strong>22 </strong>The crowd joined in attacking them, and the magistrates had them stripped of their clothing and ordered them to be beaten with rods. <strong>23 </strong>After they had given them a severe flogging, they threw them into prison and ordered the jailer to keep them securely. <strong>24 </strong>Following these instructions, he put them in the innermost cell and fastened their feet in the stocks.</p><p><strong>Section 3: Acts 16:25-34 “Prison Not-Break” (00:</strong></p><p><strong>L</strong></p><p><strong>25 </strong>About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them. <strong>26 </strong>Suddenly there was an earthquake so violent that the foundations of the prison were shaken, and immediately all the doors were opened and everyone’s chains were unfastened. <strong>27 </strong>When the jailer woke up and saw the prison doors wide open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself, since he supposed that the prisoners had escaped. <strong>28 </strong>But Paul shouted in a loud voice, “Do not harm yourself, for we are all here.” <strong>29 </strong>The jailer[<a target="_blank" href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts%2016&version=NRSVUE#fen-NRSVUE-27500e">e</a>] called for lights, and rushing in, he fell down trembling before Paul and Silas. <strong>30 </strong>Then he brought them outside and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” <strong>31 </strong>They answered, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.” <strong>32 </strong>They spoke the word of the Lord[<a target="_blank" href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts%2016&version=NRSVUE#fen-NRSVUE-27503f">f</a>] to him and to all who were in his house. <strong>33 </strong>At the same hour of the night he took them and washed their wounds; then he and his entire family were baptized without delay. <strong>34 </strong>He brought them up into the house and set food before them, and he and his entire household rejoiced that he had become a believer in God.</p><p>e. <a target="_blank" href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts%2016&version=NRSVUE#en-NRSVUE-27488">16.17</a> Other ancient authorities read to us</p><p>f. <a target="_blank" href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts%2016&version=NRSVUE#en-NRSVUE-27500">16.29</a> Gk He</p><p><strong>Addendum 1: Acts 16:35-40 “Habeas Corpus” (00:</strong></p><p><strong>A</strong></p><p><strong>35 </strong>When morning came, the magistrates sent the police, saying, “Let those men go.” <strong>36 </strong>And the jailer reported the message to Paul, saying, “The magistrates sent word to let you go; therefore come out now and go in peace.” <strong>37 </strong>But Paul replied, “They have beaten us in public, uncondemned, men who are Romans, and have thrown us into prison, and now are they going to discharge us in secret? Certainly not! Let them come and take us out themselves.” <strong>38 </strong>The police reported these words to the magistrates, and they were afraid when they heard that they were Romans, <strong>39 </strong>so they came and apologized to them. And they took them out and asked them to leave the city. <strong>40 </strong>After leaving the prison they went to Lydia’s home, and when they had seen and encouraged the brothers and sisters there, they departed.</p><p>Foreshadowing: Next Week on Tales of Faith (Acts 17, Paul in Athens)</p><p>That’ll Preach (00:</p><p>Sermon Thoughts</p><p>Teaching Children</p> <br/><br/>Get full access to Tales of Faith at <a href="https://talesoffaith.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4">talesoffaith.substack.com/subscribe</a>
April 16, 2026
NL 441: A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to Damascus
<p>NL 441- A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to Damascus</p><p><a target="_blank" href="https://docs.google.com/document/d/11vhIQFlp_wGGvsWsZoTnoFpOjUbIfHwu72nN5fuZW4A/edit?tab=t.0#heading=h.7e2poeca1gbd"><strong>Intro (00:00:00)</strong></a></p><p><a target="_blank" href="https://docs.google.com/document/d/11vhIQFlp_wGGvsWsZoTnoFpOjUbIfHwu72nN5fuZW4A/edit?tab=t.0#heading=h.4y3kbm61uks"><strong>Context is Key (00:01:00)</strong></a></p><p><a target="_blank" href="https://docs.google.com/document/d/11vhIQFlp_wGGvsWsZoTnoFpOjUbIfHwu72nN5fuZW4A/edit?tab=t.0#heading=h.n9yhsapdolg9">Overall Context</a></p><p><a target="_blank" href="https://docs.google.com/document/d/11vhIQFlp_wGGvsWsZoTnoFpOjUbIfHwu72nN5fuZW4A/edit?tab=t.0#heading=h.glyte4h0qton">‘Ad’ Break (00:05:29)</a></p><p><a target="_blank" href="https://docs.google.com/document/d/11vhIQFlp_wGGvsWsZoTnoFpOjUbIfHwu72nN5fuZW4A/edit?tab=t.0#heading=h.6ssldnc63oey"><strong>Text Me (00:06:45)</strong></a></p><p><a target="_blank" href="https://docs.google.com/document/d/11vhIQFlp_wGGvsWsZoTnoFpOjUbIfHwu72nN5fuZW4A/edit?tab=t.0#heading=h.327utyw660ik"><strong>Section 1: Acts 9:1-9 “A Funny thing happened on the way to Damascus”</strong></a></p><p><a target="_blank" href="https://docs.google.com/document/d/11vhIQFlp_wGGvsWsZoTnoFpOjUbIfHwu72nN5fuZW4A/edit?tab=t.0#heading=h.4olyym91gvy6">Section 2: Acts 9:10-18a “Do What Now?” (00:19:20</a></p><p><a target="_blank" href="https://docs.google.com/document/d/11vhIQFlp_wGGvsWsZoTnoFpOjUbIfHwu72nN5fuZW4A/edit?tab=t.0#heading=h.hy7xj54yl5hb">Addendum 1: Galatians 1: “Paul’s Side” (00:31:12)</a></p><p><a target="_blank" href="https://docs.google.com/document/d/11vhIQFlp_wGGvsWsZoTnoFpOjUbIfHwu72nN5fuZW4A/edit?tab=t.0#heading=h.ybox0bsna7q5">Foreshadowing: Next Week on Tales of Faith (Acts 16, Paul and Silas go to Prison) (0</a></p><p><a target="_blank" href="https://docs.google.com/document/d/11vhIQFlp_wGGvsWsZoTnoFpOjUbIfHwu72nN5fuZW4A/edit?tab=t.0#heading=h.w2oo98fggk2q"><strong>That’ll Preach (01:00:30)</strong></a></p><p><a target="_blank" href="https://docs.google.com/document/d/11vhIQFlp_wGGvsWsZoTnoFpOjUbIfHwu72nN5fuZW4A/edit?tab=t.0#heading=h.jfxv971muoit">Sermon Thoughts</a></p><p><a target="_blank" href="https://docs.google.com/document/d/11vhIQFlp_wGGvsWsZoTnoFpOjUbIfHwu72nN5fuZW4A/edit?tab=t.0#heading=h.28p1ho3c53mb">Teaching Children</a></p><p>Intro (00:00:00)</p><p>L: Greetings, and welcome back to Tales of Faith, a podcast on the Narrative Lectionary. I am n.</p><p>A: And I am n. This is episode 441 for the Third Sunday of Easter Sunday on April 19, 2026, though we are recording on April 14th, so if something major has happened between when we record and when you listen, then we won’t be able to comment on it.</p><p>L: Today we are talking about Acts 9:1-19a, the conversion of Paul, and will be using the New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition. So let’s get started with the Context:</p><p>Context is Key (00:01:00)</p><p>Overall Context</p><p>* Book of ‘Acts’ or the Acts of the Apostles’</p><p>* Part of the Luke/Acts Cinematic Universe</p><p>* Acts’ view of the Early church</p><p>* Received HS on Pentecost, which then sent them out</p><p>* Tight-knit commune in which everyone’s needs were met, Peter is one of the most prominent leaders</p><p>* Recently a Deacon, named Stephen was the first Jesus-follower to be martyred</p><p>* This began a persecution of ‘the Way’ by the Jewish authorities, led by a Pharisee named Saul.</p><p>* Saul will be eventually known as the Apostle Paul, and the second half of Acts will primarily follow his missionary journey.</p><p>* Paul Cynamatic Universe</p><p>* By the time the book of Acts was written, the writings of Paul had been widely distributed.</p><p>* He does make reference to persecuting the church and being trained as a pharisee (Galatians 1)</p><p>* Makes no mention of blindness.</p><p>* History</p><p>* We know there were early struggles over dominance of the christian movement.</p><p>* James (the brother of Jesus, and/or the Elder)</p><p>* Mary Magdalene</p><p>* Paul the Apostle</p><p>* Peter the Rock (aka. Simon, Cephas)</p><p>* The early institutional church saw Peter as the victor, and treated him as such.</p><p>‘Ad’ Break (00:05:29)</p><p>L: Today’s episode is brought to you by GPS™, The Godly Positioning System. Have you ever wondered if you were on the right track, if you were doing what God wanted you to do?</p><p>A: Do you ever wish that there was a clear sign to know if you were going the wrong way, well be careful what you wish for.</p><p>L: With GPS’s patented redirection system, you will get a clear sign from the Living God if you are outside of God’s will. Signs may include: loud noises, visions of Jesus, whirlwinds, plagues, and more. With these clear signs, you can get back on track, and on with your day. Try GPS right now!</p><p>A: Warning: not all people react to GPS in the same way, discrepancies may arise from those nearby as to what was seen or heard; GPS may cause you to do something that you really, really, really don’t want to do; may cause temporary blindness; use with caution, and always make sure that instructions are in line with the breadth of scripture and not a psychotic break. Use only as directed.</p><p>L: Use GPS, because killing in the name of God is always wrong, even when it aligns with your political ideology.</p><p>Text Me (00:06:45)</p><p>Section 1: Acts 9:1-9 “A Funny thing happened on the way to Damascus”</p><p>L</p><p><strong>9 </strong>Meanwhile Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest <strong>2 </strong>and asked him for letters to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any who belonged to the Way, men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. <strong>3 </strong>Now as he was going along and approaching Damascus, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. <strong>4 </strong>He fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?” <strong>5 </strong>He asked, “Who are you, Lord?” The reply came, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. <strong>6 </strong>But get up and enter the city, and you will be told what you are to do.” <strong>7 </strong>The men who were traveling with him stood speechless because they heard the voice but saw no one. <strong>8 </strong>Saul got up from the ground, and though his eyes were open, he could see nothing;[<a target="_blank" href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts%209%3A1-19a&version=NRSVUE#fen-NRSVUE-27213a">a</a>] so they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus. <strong>9 </strong>For three days he was without sight and neither ate nor drank.</p><p>* <a target="_blank" href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts%209%3A1-19a&version=NRSVUE#en-NRSVUE-27213">9.8</a> Other ancient authorities read no one</p><p>Section 2: Acts 9:10-18a “Do What Now?” (00:19:20</p><p><strong>A</strong></p><p><strong>10 </strong>Now there was a disciple in Damascus named Ananias. The Lord said to him in a vision, “Ananias.” He answered, “Here I am, Lord.” <strong>11 </strong>The Lord said to him, “Get up and go to the street called Straight, and at the house of Judas look for a man of Tarsus named Saul. At this moment he is praying, <strong>12 </strong>and he has seen in a vision[<a target="_blank" href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts%209%3A1-19a&version=NRSVUE#fen-NRSVUE-27217b">b</a>] a man named Ananias come in and lay his hands on him so that he might regain his sight.” <strong>13 </strong>But Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much evil he has done to your saints in Jerusalem, <strong>14 </strong>and here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who invoke your name.” <strong>15 </strong>But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is an instrument whom I have chosen to bring my name before gentiles and kings and before the people of Israel; <strong>16 </strong>I myself will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name.” <strong>17 </strong>So Ananias went and entered the house. He laid his hands on Saul[<a target="_blank" href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts%209%3A1-19a&version=NRSVUE#fen-NRSVUE-27222c">c</a>] and said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on your way here, has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” <strong>18 </strong>And immediately something like scales fell from his eyes, and his sight was restored. Then he got up and was baptized, <strong>19 </strong>and after taking some food, he regained his strength.</p><p>b. <a target="_blank" href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts%209%3A1-19a&version=NRSVUE#en-NRSVUE-27217">9.12</a> Other ancient authorities lack in a vision</p><p>c. <a target="_blank" href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts%209%3A1-19a&version=NRSVUE#en-NRSVUE-27222">9.17</a> Gk him</p><p>Addendum 1: Galatians 1: “Paul’s Side” (00:31:12)</p><p>L</p><p><strong>11 </strong>For I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that the gospel that was proclaimed by me is not of human origin, <strong>12 </strong>for I did not receive it from a human source, nor was I taught it, but I received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ.</p><p><strong>13 </strong>You have heard, no doubt, of my earlier life in Judaism. I was violently persecuting the church of God and was trying to destroy it. <strong>14 </strong>I advanced in Judaism beyond many among my people of the same age, for I was far more zealous for the traditions of my ancestors. <strong>15 </strong>But when the one[<a target="_blank" href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Galatians%201&version=NRSVUE#fen-NRSVUE-29056b">b</a>] who had set me apart before I was born and called me through his grace was pleased <strong>16 </strong>to reveal his Son to me,[<a target="_blank" href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Galatians%201&version=NRSVUE#fen-NRSVUE-29057c">c</a>] so that I might proclaim him among the gentiles, I did not confer with any human, <strong>17 </strong>nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were already apostles before me, but I went away at once into Arabia, and afterward I returned to Damascus.</p><p><strong>18 </strong>Then after three years I did go up to Jerusalem to visit Cephas and stayed with him fifteen days, <strong>19 </strong>but I did not see any other apostle except James the Lord’s brother. <strong>20 </strong>In what I am writing to you, before God, I do not lie! <strong>21 </strong>Then I went into the regions of Syria and Cilicia, <strong>22 </strong>and I was still unknown by sight to the churches of Judea that are in Christ; <strong>23 </strong>they only heard it said, “The one who formerly was persecuting us is now proclaiming the faith he once tried to destroy.” <strong>24 </strong>And they glorified God because of me.</p><p>b. <a target="_blank" href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Galatians%201&version=NRSVUE#en-NRSVUE-29056">1.15</a> Other ancient authorities read God</p><p>c. <a target="_blank" href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Galatians%201&version=NRSVUE#en-NRSVUE-29057">1.16</a> Gk in me</p><p>Foreshadowing: Next Week on Tales of Faith (Acts 16, Paul and Silas go to Prison) (0</p><p>That’ll Preach (01:00:30)</p><p>Sermon Thoughts</p><p>Teaching Children</p> <br/><br/>Get full access to Tales of Faith at <a href="https://talesoffaith.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4">talesoffaith.substack.com/subscribe</a>
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