In this episode, we enter Gwangju in May 1980 through Han Kang’s novel Human Acts. Reading it alongside Revelation 6 and Deuteronomy 28, we talk about grief, state violence, the soul, the dignity of the dead, and the cry of “How long, O Lord?”

Up Next: The Book of Longings by Sue Monk Kidd

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• Email: holywritpod@gmail.com
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In this episode, we enter the town of Port William through Wendell Berry’s novel *Jayber Crow.* Reading it alongside Jonah 1 and Matthew 15, we talk about place, romance, calling, love of enemies, and God’s mercy.

Up Next: *Human Acts* by Han Kang

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• Email: holywritpod@gmail.com
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• Bluesky: @holywrit.bsky.social
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In this episode, we turn to Ursula Le Guin's novel *A Wizard of Earthsea.* Reading it alongside Matthew 4 and Genesis 45, we explore how fantasy can sharpen our interpretive imaginations, the scope and significance of Jesus's temptation in the wilderness, and what it means to face—and ultimately integrate—the darkness that bears our own name.

Up Next: *Jayber Crow* by Wendell Berry

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• Email: holywritpod@gmail.com
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In this episode we discuss Cormac McCarthy’s brutally violent novel *Blood Meridian* with guest Dr. Brian Brock, Chair of Moral and Practical Theology at the University of Aberdeen, Scotland.

Among many other things, we talk about the silence and absence of God, the dark side of Christian traditions and spaces, the interrelationship of violence and deception, and paternalistic forms compassion (touching on 1 Corinthians 1, Psalm 137, 2 Thessalonians 2, and Exodus 3 along the way).

Up Next: *A Wizard of Earthsea* by Ursula K. Le Guin

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• Email: holywritpod@gmail.com
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In this episode, we turn to Trenton Lee Stewart's novel *The Mysterious Benedict Society,* a story that follows four gifted children brought together for a secret assignment. Reading it in conversation with Matthew 18 and Proverbs 7–8, we explore the meaning of childlikeness, the relationship between play and mission, and the challenge of recognizing wisdom in a world of competing voices.

Timestamps:

• 1:19 – Experiencing *The Mysterious Benedict Society*
• 29:24 – Tommy on Matthew 18
• 1:03:48 – Emily on Proverbs 7-8
• 1:35:12 – Next month’s book

Up Next: *Blood Meridian* by Cormac McCarthy with guest Dr. Brian Brock

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In this episode, we turn to Herman Melville’s infamous novel *Moby-Dick.* Reading it in conversation with Numbers 9 and Matthew 12, we reflect on how Scripture forms and directs our attention, the presence of God both in and beyond the material world, and how distorting demonic powers relate to our habits of perception.

Timestamps:

• 1:26 – Experiencing *Moby-Dick*
• 29:53 – Emily on Numbers 9
• 56:09 – Tommy on Matthew 12
• 1:31:03 – Next month’s book

Up Next: *The Mysterious Benedict Society* by Trenton Lee Stewart

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In this episode, we turn to Marilynne Robinson’s quiet, searching novel *Lila.* Reading it alongside John 20 and Hosea 14, we reflect on alternative modes of practicing theology, discuss the reach of resurrection life, and explore the problems and possibilities of divine-human marriage metaphors.

Timestamps:

• 1:20 – Experiencing *Lila*
• 31:13 – Tommy on John 20
• 1:19:00 – Emily on Hosea 14
• 2:01:47 – Next month’s book

Up Next: *Moby Dick* by Herman Melville

Connect with Us:

• Email: holywritpod@gmail.com
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In this episode, we explore Yaa Gyasi’s book *Homegoing,* a novel that follows the branching paths of a single family across continents and centuries. Reading it in conversation with Joel 2 and 1 Peter 1, we talk about biblical genealogies, Christian entanglement with the legacy of colonialism and slavery, the integrative role of prophecy, how we relate to our ancestors, and the weighty meaning of chosenness.

Timestamps:

• 1:25 – Experiencing *Homegoing*
• 55:13 – Emily on Joel 2
• 1:25:08 – Tommy on 1 Peter 1
• 1:46:53 – Next month’s book

Up Next: *Lila* by Marilynne Robinson

Connect with Us:

• Email: holywritpod@gmail.com
• Website: https://holywritpod.podbean.com/
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• YouTube: @HolyWritPodcast