Today, the Rev. Tanya Regli returns as we venture into Second and Third Isaiah. Written down 100 to 150 years after the first section of Isaiah, these parts refer more to the Babylonian exile, and even hint at the return to Jerusalem after that exile.

We’ll give you a reminder of the context for this writing and that while we (modern Christians) see Jesus in all of these, that’s not what was thought of them originally, and we have to respect both views. You’ll find Isaiah used by the New Testament writers and Christian theologians to point to Jesus and we note how impressive is it that the New Testament writers knew this literature so well.

We comment on the power of metaphor throughout Isaiah, including a particular fondness for maternal language metaphor.

Tanya introduces us to the Servant Songs in Isaiah – they are the call given to “the servant” to follow God. We find in them that God is extending the promises beyond Israel to all the nations – “A light to the nations.”

Cyrus of Persia makes an appearance – shockingly referred to as the Lord’s anointed, meaning messiah, a title elsewhere reserved for Israelites. Tensions continue in our scriptures about the balance between being a people distinct from others around and the inclusion of other nations into God’s covenant. We refer to our episodes on Ezra and Nehemiah for contrasting content. In the scriptures and today, we’re constantly reviewing what it means to follow God – what does God require of us? We see in Isaiah a move from God’s ritual requirements (ritual cleanliness) to God’s justice requirements (ethical cleanliness).

Elliot introduces us to eschatology – a fancy word meaning to talk about the last things. We bring up the end of Isaiah and its vision of a new heaven and a new earth and compare that to what is written of John’s vision in Revelation.

We discuss the misconception that the God of the Old Testament and the God of the New Testament are different Gods. You can really see the full divine redemptive mission even here.

We talk about how to identify a false prophet or an idol based on some of the language in chapter 58 – the kind of fasting I have chosen….We talk about how we’re called to be people of justice, healing the world around us as part of our worship – not just to offer thanks and praise, but to act in ways that bring peace and justice. And that we cannot do it solo – we must do it with one another and with God. We also note that God will not do this God’s self; we are asked to actively take a part in it as covenantal relationship. We get into how that turns our call into being repairers of the breach – those who heal up the wounds of the world, break down walls, and build bridges. Elliot mentions an organization of that same name, founded in 2015 by the Rev. Dr. William J. Barber II.

We close reminded of the call we’re given, the mercy God extends, and the life we keep trying to live into.

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 Natalee Hill.

A full copy list of readings for 2025 may be found on our website at ⁠⁠https://stdavidschurch.org/crossconnections⁠⁠

If you have questions for us, you can call us at 484.588.5656 and leave a voicemail with your name, where you’re from, and your question or comment. Please note, we may use your recorded voice in an upcoming episode of Cross Connections. You can also email us at crossconnections@stdavidschurch.org.

Logo graphic design and podcast production by Natalee Hill. Stock Media Music provided by Marscott and MoodMode / ⁠⁠Pond5⁠⁠.

You are welcome to learn more about all of St. David’s worship offerings and ministries at ⁠⁠ https://stdavidschurch.org/.

On today's episode...

We jump into the Prophets, the final section of the Hebrew Scriptures in our Bible, beginning with Isaiah.

Our guest this week is the Rev. Tanya Regli, associate rector at St. David’s. After a brief introduction to Tanya, we talk about this section of the Bible, including a reminder of the function of prophets in our scripture. We’ll cover the historical framework of Isaiah itself, the three sections scholars break it into, and the context of when it was written.

We talk about the major themes in Isaiah, especially the two important words in Hebrew: mishpat (justice) and tsedaqah/tzedakah (righteousness) which we understand together today to refer to social justice.

We discuss how the audience for Isaiah’s writing is mostly the people in power, but also to some degree all the people of Israel. We also discuss that the blessings God offers through Isaiah’s words is open to all nations, not just Israel. We’ll also spend some time on Isaiah’s call to be a prophet, and what is unique about it. (Don’t forget to do your own search of “Biblically accurate angels” images.)

You’ll find much of Isaiah quoted in the New Testament, and many passages will sound familiar to you. Notice, but don’t get too caught up in them because 1) we want to appreciate the original context and 2) you might get stuck in Isaiah for a long time. Also, if you’d like to hear a better version of “The Messiah” than Natalee’s attempt, check out St. David’s Choir singing it at the Messiah concert in December 2024.

Don’t forget to refer back to some of our previous podcast episodes which relate to today’s: 1 + 2 Samuel, 1 + 2 Kings, 1 + 2 Chronicles, and Matthew episodes.

At the end, during our speed round of questions for Tanya she named (one of) her favorite book(s): “Things Fall Apart” by Chinua Achebe.

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 Natalee Hill.

A full copy list of readings for 2025 may be found on our website at ⁠⁠https://stdavidschurch.org/crossconnections⁠⁠

If you have questions for us, you can call us at 484.588.5656 and leave a voicemail with your name, where you’re from, and your question or comment. Please note, we may use your recorded voice in an upcoming episode of Cross Connections. You can also email us at crossconnections@stdavidschurch.org.

Logo graphic design and podcast production by Natalee Hill. Stock Media Music provided by Marscott and MoodMode / ⁠⁠Pond5⁠⁠.

You are welcome to learn more about all of St. David’s worship offerings and ministries at ⁠⁠ https://stdavidschurch.org/.

On today's episode...

We discuss the Bible’s steamiest book, which was apparently a controversial inclusion in our scriptures (along with Proverbs and Ecclesiastes).

How are we supposed to understand this very erotic literature as a part of our scriptures?

Is this story just about Solomon and a lover he particularly adored, or is this possibly an allegory for our relationship with God? We also talk briefly about how we in the modern, western, American world can be a little prudish. We wonder whether the ancient peoples for whom this was first written would have been as squeamish around this text. We don’t come to a solid conclusion, so hear the arguments and we leave it to you to consider further.

Elliot points us to some knowledge from Ellen Davis’s, “Getting Involved with God” – a book we’ve mentioned in previous weeks – indicating that desire used only twice in the Bible: In Genesis and then here in Song of Solomon. How is it used in each instance? Could the turning of Genesis on its head, a move that creates equality, be the real controversy?

We talk about the ways in which the people in this story not only experience mutuality, but that each indicates their own self-worth. Could Song of Solomon be a resource for a healthy romantic sexual ethic?

Those of us in The Episcopal Church often still have difficulty talking about intimate relationships and sexuality. Elliot brings up a great resource on the history of the church and sexual ethics and morals that he found on The Episcopal Church website. Specifically, he reads to us General Convention Resolution GC 2000-D039 from the 73rd General Convention in 2000.

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 Natalee Hill.

A full copy list of readings for 2025 may be found on our website at ⁠⁠https://stdavidschurch.org/crossconnections⁠⁠

If you have questions for us, you can call us at 484.588.5656 and leave a voicemail with your name, where you’re from, and your question or comment. Please note, we may use your recorded voice in an upcoming episode of Cross Connections. You can also email us at crossconnections@stdavidschurch.org.

Logo graphic design and podcast production by Natalee Hill. Stock Media Music provided by Marscott and MoodMode / ⁠⁠Pond5⁠⁠.

You are welcome to learn more about all of St. David’s worship offerings and ministries at ⁠⁠ https://stdavidschurch.org/.