Matt, Derek, and Alastair discuss the passage in the gospels that depict Jesus’s encounter with the Syrophoenician woman. At first, and perhaps even at a second, glance, this complicated passage appears to incriminate Jesus of some sort of racial prejudice. But is this the right reading of the text?
Timestamps:
Introduction and reading of the passage [0:00 – 3:50]
The problem of the passage; does this passage prove that Jesus had racial prejudices? [3:50 – 7:35]
The context and situation of the passage [7:35 – 12:48]
Problems with the “Jesus had racial prejudices” arguments [12:48 – 15:15]
The exclusivity of Israel [15:15 – 22:25]
Alastair’s take on Jesus’s use of “dog” in reference to the Syrophoenician woman [22:25 – 25:50]
The test and veneer that leads to blessing [25:50 – 27:15]
The holes in the reading that says “Jesus wasn’t sinful, but he was racially prejudiced” [27:15 – 30:00]
The obstacles that our faith can overcome [34:00 – 38:30]
Resources mentioned:
Exclusion and Embrace: A Theological Exploration of Identity, Otherness, and Reconciliation, by Miroslav Volf
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