Holy Writ

Ep. 14 - Homegoing

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
 
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Episode 13 - The Book Thief

In this episode, we turn to Markus Zusak’s The Book Thief, a novel that bears witness to the life of a young girl in Nazi Germany as she navigates profound loss, unexpected connection, and life-giving friendship—all told from the vantage point of Death itself.
 
Reading it in conversation with Esther 3 and 9 and Mark 13, we discuss the power of words to shape the world, the difficult work of discerning God’s presence, and the intimate relationship between the heavens and the earth.
 
Timestamps:
1:27 – Experiencing *The Book Thief*
43:57 – Emily on Esther 3&9
1:26:21 – Tommy on Mark 13
1:59:98 – Next month’s book
  
Up Next: *Homegoing* by Yaa Gyasi
 
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Episode 12 - LaRose

In this episode, we explore Louise Erdrich’s novel *LaRose,* a story that resists simple answers in the wake of tragedy. Reading it alongside Leviticus 24 and Ephesians 2, we reflect on justice, atonement, and what redemption truly is—and what it is not.
 
Timestamps:
1:31 – Experiencing *LaRose*
1:02:51 – Emily on Leviticus 24
1:29:12 – Tommy on Ephesians 2
2:00:53 – Next month’s book
  
Up Next: *The Book Thief* by Markus Zusak
 
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Instagram: @holywritpodcast
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Episode 11 - Time of the Child

In this episode, we step into the dreary beauty of Niall Williams’ *Time of the Child,* a tender, luminous novel that lingers over birth, hope, and the quiet rearranging of a family and community. Reading it alongside Matthew 1 and Psalm 8, we reflect on the scandalous miracle of Christ’s coming to us as an infant, the relationship between law and promise, and what it means for divine strength to arrive not as domination, but in nearness and vulnerability.
 
Timestamps:
1:36 – Experiencing *Time of the Child*
48:18 – Tommy on Matthew 1
1:21:37 – Emily on Psalm 8
1:53:00 – Next month’s book
 
References:
The Poet’s Bible, David Rosenberg
Isaac Villegas on Advent
 
Up Next: *LaRose* by Louise Erdrich
 
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Episode 10 - Parable of the Sower with Tamisha Tyler

In this episode, we discuss Octavia Butler’s *Parable of the Sower*—a prophetic work of speculative fiction that reimagines God, community, and survival amidst societal collapse. Reading it alongside Genesis 18–19 and 1 John 4, we explore the idea of God as Change, and the power of embodied experience in shaping how we interpret scripture and the world around us.
We’re joined by Dr. Tamisha Tyler, Visiting Assistant Professor of Theology and Culture, and Theopoetics at Bethany Theological Seminary. Tamisha also serves as Theologian in Residence at the Center for Restorative Justice in Pasadena, and is part of the Level Ground Artist Collective in Los Angeles. Her current research explores religion in the literary world of Octavia Butler.
Timestamps:
1:46 – Experiencing *Parable of the Sower*
35:47 – Emily on Genesis 18-19
1:16:18 – Tommy on 1 John 4
1:50:34 – Next month’s book
 
Up Next: *Time of the Child* by Niall Williams
 
Connect with Us:
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Bluesky: @holywrit.bsky.social
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Episode 9 - Misery

In this episode, we uneasily enter Stephen King’s novel *Misery*—a brutal and brilliant meditation on captivity, creation, and control. Reading it alongside Psalm 88 and 2 Corinthians 3, we wrestle with scriptural images of God as an abusive caregiver, consider the limitations of written words, and reflect on the strange clarity that horror can offer to faith.
Timestamps:
1:35 – Experiencing *Misery*
20:28 – Emily on Psalm 88
54:16 – Tommy on 2 Corinthians 3
1:39:48 – Next month’s book
 
Up Next: *Parable of the Sower* by Octavia Butler, with guest Dr. Tasmisha Tyler
 
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Episode 8 - East of Eden

In this episode, we delve into John Steinbeck’s sprawling masterpiece *East of Eden,* a novel that reimagines the story of Cain and Abel across generations of rivalry, love and longing. Reading it in conversation with 1 Samuel 15 and Romans 9, we explore the power of names, thinking together about how naming expresses human vocation, God’s calling, and the gift of moral agency.
 
Timestamps:
1:28 – Experiencing *East of Eden*
27:53 – Emily on 1 Samuel 15
1:00:53 – Tommy on Romans 9
1:50:01 – Next month’s book, *Misery* by Stephen King
 
Connect with Us:
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Episode 7 - The Buried Giant

In this episode, we descend into the mist of Kazuo Ishiguro’s haunting novel, *The Buried Giant.* Reading it alongside Luke 22 and Nehemiah 2, we talk about the meaning and power of memory, specifically in relationship to violence, betrayal, death, the practice of the Eucharist, and the discipleship of children.
 
Timestamps:
1:28 – Experiencing *The Buried Giant*
32:25 – Tommy on Luke 22
1:05:03 – Emily on Nehemiah 2
1:42:48 – Next month’s book
 
Up Next: *East of Eden* by John Steinbeck
 
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Episode 6 - Giovanni's Room

In this episode, we wade into the waters of *Giovanni’s Room,* James Baldwin’s desperately beautiful and exposing novel of desire, dislocation and self-repression. Reckoning with this story alongside Genesis 9 and 1 Corinthians 13, we discuss gender and sexuality, human responses to the existential terror of vulnerability, and the importance of embracing our bodily existence as the incarnation of mystery.
 
Timestamps:
1:36 – Experiencing *Giovanni’s Room*
37:27 – Emily on Genesis 9
1:19:32 – Tommy on 1 Corinthians 13
1:49:12 – Next month’s book
 
Up Next: *The Buried Giant* by Kazuo Ishiguro 
 
Connect with Us:
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Bluesky: @holywrit.bsky.social
Website: https://holywritpod.podbean.com/

Episode 5 - Sunrise on the Reaping

In this episode, we enter the deadly arena of *Sunrise on the Reaping,* the latest installment in Suzanne Collins’ Hunger Games saga. Reading this prequel alongside Exodus 1, Matthew 27, and Colossians 2, we discuss politics of spectacle, transgressive art, patient resistance to empire, and the vulnerable power of sacred language.
 
Timestamps:
1:32 – Experiencing *Sunrise on the Reaping*
31:20 – Emily on Exodus 1
1:03:44 – Tommy on Matthew 27 and Colossians 2
1:44:38 – Next month’s book
 
References: Wendell Berry poem entitled “1993: IV” (from *A Timbered Choir: The Sabbath Poems 1979-1997*)
 
Up Next: *Giovanni’s Room* by James Baldwin
 
Connect with Us:
Email: holywritpod@gmail.com 
Instagram: @holywritpodcast
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Website: https://holywritpod.podbean.com/