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In this episode, my guest, Donna Marie Todd, treats us to the wonderful art form of storytelling. Donna Marie calls herself a singer of stories. Stories are one of the most ancient forms of entertainment, education, and insight. The International Storytelling Festival held in Jonesboro, Tennessee each year celebrates this art form.

In this episode, Donna Marie introduces us to a particular kind of storytelling called Biblical storytelling. Jewish and Christian scripture, referred to by Christians as the Bible, is full of stories and the overall arch of Jewish and Christian scripture is that of story. Christian hymns such as ‘I Love to Tell the Story,’ ‘Tell Me the Story of Jesus,’ and ‘I Will Sing the Wondrous Story’ make reference to that overarching story.

Jewish Rabbis use story extensively as commentary on the Torah and as a tool for moral instruction. Rabbi Jesus followed that tradition in his use of parables.

In Biblical storytelling, the storyteller uses a passage of scripture as the basis for the story. Sometimes the passage is quoted verbatim with vocal and bodily dramatic emphases. Sometimes the scripture passage is blended with creative additions or paraphrased in creative ways. In all of its forms, Biblical storytelling brings insight out of the passage that causes ‘Ah!’ and ‘A-ha!’ moments.

In this episode, Donna Marie tells us the story of David, Bathsheba, and Uriah.

You can learn more about Donna Marie on her website at donnamarietodd.com

Donna Marie is also the editor of The Biblical Storyteller.

You can learn more about Network of Biblical Storytellers International and get a subscription to The Biblical Storyteller on their website: nbsint.org 

The music from this episode comes from the CD, Faith of Our Fathers: An Acoustic Celebration of Old Hymns which Donna Marie made in partnership with Will Straughan and Chris Rosser, and is used by permission.

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In this episode I explain why I am doing this show and the ideas and experiences that are shaping my thinking and approach. I describe the cultural, political, and theological contexts that motivate me.

The music for the episode is the anthem, ‘A Place at the Table,’ words by Shirley Erena Murray, music by Mary McDonald, published by Hope Publishing Company and is used by permission.

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This episode is a continuation of the discussion on racial reconciliation. My guest for this episode is Dr. Michael Hawn who is University Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Church Music and Adjunct Professor and Director of the Doctor of Pastoral Music Program in the Perkins School of Theology at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, TX. Dr. Hawn discusses cross-cultural worship and especially the use of music as a valence or combining and binding medium for facilitating racial reconciliation through cross-cultural worship. He establishes the practice of cross-cultural worship in the event of the first Christian disciples at Pentecost, which was a boundary-crossing experience. Dr. Hawn discusses many of the concepts and practices developed in his book, One Bread, One Body: Exploring Cultural Diversity in Worship.

The music for the episode is the anthem, ‘A Place at the Table,’ words by Shirley Erena Murray, music by Mary McDonald, published by Hope Publishing Company and is used by permission.