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Vacation Bible School Podcast

Vacation Bible School Podcast

By Jason Kirk, Emily Kirk

Jason Kirk, Emily Kirk, and friends are finding the Bible is so much better and weirder than we were taught as church kids.

Story by story, we're having fun learning history, religion, literature, mythology, and the amazingly weird stuff. All are welcome! Perfect five-star rating on Apple Podcasts!

Contact us at vacationbibleschoolpodcast@gmail.com, if you like! (Sure, it's long! Copy and paste like Matthew did the Gospel of Mark!)
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Currently playing episode

SOLOMON, the fake-deep pharaoh (with Wes Howard-Brook)

Vacation Bible School PodcastMar 12, 2024

00:00
01:12:40
SOLOMON, the fake-deep pharaoh (with Wes Howard-Brook)

SOLOMON, the fake-deep pharaoh (with Wes Howard-Brook)

We are so freaking back. We're joined by Seattle University professor emeritus Wes Howard-Brook, author of works like Come Out My People: God's Call Out of Empire in the Bible and Beyond, to discuss:

  • King Solomon wasn't actually all that wise ...
  • ... and the cutting-a-baby story isn't about what a great guy he was.
  • In fact, the Bible's authors meant for us to view Solomon as just another Exodus pharaoh!
  • How the David-Solomon story is The Godfather.
  • And a whole bunch of other stuff about the Bible's overarching theme of love vs. imperialism.

Thank you for listening! Support this show by GIVING US A REVIEW ON YOUR PODCAST APP PLEASE OH PLEASE, joining our Patreon (where we post monthly episodes, usually on "fun" stuff), and following our Instagram, Twitter, and Bluesky accounts. Also, here's where to get Jason's novel.

Mar 12, 202401:12:40
DAVID & BATHSHEBA: The discourse (with April Ajoy)

DAVID & BATHSHEBA: The discourse (with April Ajoy)

Hello! Let's sprint through a big (but action-packed) portion of the Book of Samuel and then focus on the story of King David and Bathsheba.

Intro song: k.d. lang's cover of "Hallelujah"

Thank you for listening! Support this show by GIVING US A REVIEW ON YOUR PODCAST APP PLEASE OH PLEASE, joining our Patreon (where we post monthly episodes, usually on "fun" stuff), and following our Instagram, Twitter, and Bluesky accounts.

Jul 13, 202301:27:52
DAVID & JONATHAN: Biased toward love (with Mason Mennenga)

DAVID & JONATHAN: Biased toward love (with Mason Mennenga)

We're back in the Book of Samuel, starting in chapter 18, where giant-killer David meets Israel's other war hero, Prince Jonathan. To quote Taylor Swift, sparks fly. Platonic sparks, your Sunday school teacher assures you.

Pre-intro: "The More I Seek You" as performed by Maple City Worship

Apr 10, 202301:38:29
DAVID VS GOLIATH: Are we the baddies? (with Andrew Whitehead)

DAVID VS GOLIATH: Are we the baddies? (with Andrew Whitehead)

Samuel chapter 17!

As always, thank you for listening! You can support us on Patreon for bonus episodes and stuff, and follow us on Twitter and Instagram!

Dec 20, 202201:37:56
KING SAUL: Himbo Boss Baby vs. Dungeon Master Dick Cheney
Sep 12, 202256:51
SAMUEL: "The Messiah" and the golden hemorrhoid rats
May 30, 202248:00
JUDGES: Righteous invasion of Ehud (with Jon Bois)

JUDGES: Righteous invasion of Ehud (with Jon Bois)

It's time to bring on the internet's beloved Jon Bois to discuss:

  • The Bible's best story book so far, if you have the non-exploding stomach for it: Judges.
  • Meet Ehud, the left-handed sphincter-bursting assassin!
  • Homeschool middle school during the end of the world!
  • Christian culture stuff like Carman, MxPx, Five Iron Frenzy, James Dobson, Amy Grant, Creed, DC Talk, and comic Bibles!
  • Plus Samson, Delilah, Gideon, Deborah, and more Judges stories that get mangled in Sunday school!
  • Intro song: "Don't Save Me" by Haim. 

Ratings and reviews on Apple Podcasts are highly appreciated, and you can follow us on Twitter and Instagram. We also have a Patreon with bonus episodes, a Discord, and stuff, plus a $1 support option.

Mar 01, 202202:03:17
JOSHUA: Jericho was an inside job
Feb 03, 202257:42
DEUUUTERONOMY: Actually super important and mostly really good??
Nov 30, 202101:25:05
NUMBERS: Maybe the Bible's worst book!
Sep 13, 202101:02:06
Q&A: Heresy reviews, salvation fear, and animal souls
Jul 12, 202101:26:01
LEVITICUS: Fight fundie with fundie
May 17, 202159:54
TABERNACLE: I feel God in this Minecraft tailgate (with Rev. Chris Lee)
Mar 10, 202151:10
GOLDEN CALF: God's marshmallow test (with Jane Coaston)
Jan 25, 202101:04:41
TEN COMMANDMENTS: Wife Guy Moses and God's TOS page

TEN COMMANDMENTS: Wife Guy Moses and God's TOS page

  • Exodus 20! How many of these Ten do we agree to keep today? They all seem pretty simple, obvious, or outdated, right? Well!! 
  • Tried something new: recorded a Zoom with a few of our Patreon Associate Pastors, plus Interfaith Council guests: Michael Elkon (@BravesAndBirds) and Hasan Masood (@hasmas)! 
  • Let's hear it for idols! 
  • Now Lord, when you say "murder," what do you mean by that? 
  • Youth pastors turn every commandment into a rule against making out!  
  • The 10th commandment sees what you're plotting and urges you to consider otherwise! 
  • Also, bonus Fellowship Q&A episode from this recording on the Patreon Early Service feed!
Nov 25, 202056:38
SINAI: What's the Bible about? (with Richard Elliott Friedman)

SINAI: What's the Bible about? (with Richard Elliott Friedman)

Nov 02, 202001:10:27
Q&A: Our stories, Christian punk rock, and Baptist spaceships

Q&A: Our stories, Christian punk rock, and Baptist spaceships

Support for this program occurs at patreon.com/vbspodcast, where we have stickers, mugs, a Discord, hats (for now), early episode access, and so forth!

- Taking a break from the main storyline, where we're making hilariously little progress (but having fun anyway), to talk whatever y'all wanted.

- Oh family, it's testimony time! 

- Christian punk rock bands, ranked! 

- Why were Cain's veggies bad, if most of the dietary laws were about regulating dangerous meat?

- Sunday school teachers, youth pastors, and finding God in s e c u l a r culture 

- What's the Bible say about refugees?

- The terrible Baptist hymn about spaceships is ... on the right track!

-  Follow us on Twitter, Instagram, and newsletter town 

- And if you like, give this podcast a lil ole rating and review on your listening app!

Oct 01, 202001:03:06
THE RED SEA: First of all, it wasn't the Red Sea

THE RED SEA: First of all, it wasn't the Red Sea

Exodus 13-18, one of the most Google Maps portions Something similar to the story could've happened!  But there's no way to know! And that's ok!  Let's discuss the Indiana Jones of Bible scammers, Jurassic Jesus Park in Kentucky, and ladies being prophets Tips appreciated at supportvbs.com. Gonna send VBS stickers to monthly donors, for starters Follow @VBSpodcast on Twitter & Instagram  Bonus newsletter at jasonkirk.substack.com Review on your podcast app, and may waters part marshily before you
Sep 07, 202054:44
PASSOVER: From Destroyer to Matzo Hunt (with Charlotte Wilder, Bobby Big Wheel, & Alex Kirshner)

PASSOVER: From Destroyer to Matzo Hunt (with Charlotte Wilder, Bobby Big Wheel, & Alex Kirshner)

Exodus 12! God's bug-out bag & Mean Tooth Fairy! From mythology to religion, from polytheism to ... ? Jewish friends explain one of their favorite holidays! Follow @TheWilderThings, @BobbyBigWheel, & @Alex_Kirshner Thanks to Mike Altman, Brad Haggard, Scott Alan Johnson, & Ben McCloskey 8-bit "Awesome God" by TECHNO FUN Tips appreciated at supportvbs.com! Follow @VBSpodcast on Twitter & Instagram  Bonus newsletter inbound at jasonkirk.substack.com
Aug 10, 202001:13:03
MOSES: Secret battles of the Mega Man gods

MOSES: Secret battles of the Mega Man gods

Exodus 1-11! The Bible's Luke/Obi-Wan duo! Made it to Book 2! REALLY important book! Moses rises, falls, rises into one of the world's biggest heroes Plagues are more metal than you've ever realized! Weird circumcision stuff? Yes always Let's talk the movie Prince of Egypt  Tips appreciated at supportvbs.com! (Plus maybe merch and/or donor bonuses at that link by the time you see this) Follow @VBSpodcast on Twitter & Instagram!  Bonus newsletter on the Torah's defiant women at jasonkirk.substack.c
Jul 24, 202001:08:59
JOSEPH: Coat is a lie! Genesis recap! Children like Veggie Tales!

JOSEPH: Coat is a lie! Genesis recap! Children like Veggie Tales!

Genesis 37-50! It doesn't feel like every third verse is missing!  You can do ANYTHING with Joseph. See: Veggie Tales & Technicolor Dreamcoat  Finished Genesis! It's about lady spies, Babylon allegory, and everything else!  Tips appreciated at supportvbs.com! (Plus maybe merch and/or donor bonuses at that link by the time you see this) Follow @VBSpodcast on Twitter & Instagram!  Bonus newsletter on ... well, this one ended up being about football. It's at jasonkirk.substack.c
Jun 21, 202001:07:45
ABRAHAM: Daddy issues (with Rodger Sherman and Shaker Samman)

ABRAHAM: Daddy issues (with Rodger Sherman and Shaker Samman)

Genesis 12-35! God's putting together a crew! Faaatherrr Aaabraham, Mother of Dragons  Growing up Jewish! Growing up Muslim!  Quran is pretty cool, btw  So much weird sex stuff???  "The Nature Boy" Jacob "The Snake-ob"  #TeamEsau Follow guests @rodger & @shakersamman Tips appreciated at supportvbs.com! (Plus maybe merch and/or donor bonuses at that link by the time you see this) Follow @VBSpodcast on Twitter & Instagram!  Bonus newsletter on WRESTLING GOD at jasonkirk.substack.com
May 31, 202001:21:13
NOAH: Ecoterrorist Russell Crowe (with Ryan Nanni and Michael Felder)

NOAH: Ecoterrorist Russell Crowe (with Ryan Nanni and Michael Felder)

Genesis 6-11! Happy animals with Cap'n Noah (while 99.9% of life drowns)! Catholic-Protestant multiverses NES bootlegs for the Lord Aronofsky's most biblical horror movie, reviewed Please be patient, God ain't finished with God yet! Follow guests @celebrityhottub & @inthebleachers Tips appreciated at supportvbs.com! (Plus maybe merch and/or donor bonuses at that link by the time you see this) Follow @VBSpodcast on Twitter & Instagram! Newsletter on ACTUAL best flood myth at jasonkirk.substack.com
May 15, 202001:20:06
CREATION: Dirtbag Adam vs. Rookie God

CREATION: Dirtbag Adam vs. Rookie God

Genesis 1-5! Release the Sea Monster Cut!
Please bear with God, it's His first day on the job!
Wait, how many Gods are here?
Someone please put Eve in charge
Please stop pooping on Cain's rutabagas
Snake might not be Satan btw
Extended Universe lore from John Milton
Tips appreciated at supportvbs.com! (Plus maybe merch and/or donor bonuses at that link by the time you see this)
Follow at @VBSpodcast on Twitter and Instagram
Bonus newsletter on Cain at jasonkirk.substack.com!
May 04, 202001:13:41