Episode 245: Michael Pahl

In this conversation, we dive into how Jesus read and engaged with scripture - and how that should inform how we, as his followers, approach the Bible today. It’s not something I’ve thought about explicitly. This is a much needed conversation. My guest is Michael Pahl, author of the book "The Word Fulfilled," and he brings a really thoughtful, nuanced perspective on this topic. One of the key things that emerges is how Jesus didn't just see scripture as a flat, equal text, but rather prioritized certain passages - like the book of Isaiah - that spoke to his core mission of bringing God's love and justice to the world. Jesus didn't just memorize scripture, but read it through the lens of loving God and loving your neighbor as yourself. And that has huge implications for how we should approach the Bible. Rather than just looking for rules or proof-texts, we need to ask how the scriptures are calling us to a deeper ethic of compassion and concern for the marginalized. It's not about winning arguments, but about being transformed by the radical love that Jesus embodied. Pahl also gets into the challenges of actually living out that kind of non-violent, self-giving love in the face of a culture that often prizes power and retaliation. But he points to inspiring examples, like the civil rights movement, of how that way of Jesus can actually bring about profound social change. It's a rich, thought-provoking conversation that I think will really challenge us to rethink how we engage with the Bible. So join us.

Michael Pahl is executive minister of Mennonite Church Manitoba. He has a PhD in biblical studies from the University of Birmingham in the UK. His professional journey has moved between academic teaching and congregational ministry. He previously served as lead pastor of Morden Mennonite Church and has published and edited multiple books, including The Beginning and the End: Rereading Genesis’s Stories and Revelation’s Visions. He lives in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, with his wife Larissa, their two dogs and cat, and occasionally one or more of their four adult children.

Michael's Book:
The Word Fulfilled

Michael's Recommendation:
Faithful Presence