Welcome to another Bonus Edition of the MTB podcast—a segment of the weekly episode that I call “Afterthoughts.” This is one of my favorite parts of these weekly presentations because it gives us a chance to dig a little deeper, connect the dots, and really challenge ourselves to think critically about what we’ve been discussing.
In this bonus episode, we’ll explore the contradictions in the Gospel accounts of Jesus’ infancy—the Infancy Narratives, as they’re called—particularly the Presentation at the Temple. I’ll spend some time examining the historical and literary reasons for these inconsistencies. We’ll approach this with a secular, mythological perspective, recognizing that while these stories are sacred to many people, they are also works of literature that have been clearly shaped by human hands, cultural contexts, and theological motives.
Our discussion in the main episode was about the readings for the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord, and we pulled out some universal, humanist messages—things like refining ourselves, recognizing the potential in others, and making the most of the time we have. But I think it’s important to take a little detour!
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