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In the Comedians with Pastors Talking Bible Season 2 finale, we start with bidets and end with Bob in wedge heels. In between, comedians Harriet Riley (@harrietrileycomedy) and Cassi Bruno (@cassi_dicci) bring stories of improv, sarcasm, and church-gone-sideways as we dive into Luke 13 and a Jesus who heals on the Sabbath like a first-century chiropractor.

• Eric insults the guests (twice).
• Harriet tries to become a bishop.
• Jesus breaks social norms.

It all builds to Bob’s unforgettable youth gathering tale that ends in a full teen-movie slow clap (see the photo evidence for yourself). Along the way we wrestle with what’s proper versus what’s right, why Sabbath is about freedom not fussiness, and how comedy and faith both thrive in the unscripted moments.

Season 3 will be here after a short breather, but don’t worry — we’ve got great stuff lined up during the hiatus, including a (FREE!) live comedy showcase at the Monroeville Public Library on Wednesday, September 17 (watch for clips and full content here and on YouTube all fall), and maybe even an unexpectedly spicy sit-down with a bishop emeritus.

This Week's Reading:

Luke 13:10–17 (NRSVue)

[10] Now [Jesus] was teaching in one of the synagogues on the Sabbath. [11] And just then there appeared a woman with a spirit that had crippled her for eighteen years. She was bent over and was quite unable to stand up straight. [12] When Jesus saw her, he called her over and said, “Woman, you are set free from your ailment.” [13] When he laid his hands on her, immediately she stood up straight and began praising God. [14] But the leader of the synagogue, indignant because Jesus had cured on the Sabbath, kept saying to the crowd, “There are six days on which work ought to be done; come on those days and be cured and not on the Sabbath day.” [15] But the Lord answered him and said, “You hypocrites! Does not each of you on the Sabbath untie his ox or his donkey from the manger and lead it to water? [16] And ought not this woman, a daughter of Abraham whom Satan bound for eighteen long years, be set free from this bondage on the Sabbath day?” [17] When he said this, all his opponents were put to shame, and the entire crowd was rejoicing at all the wonderful things being done by him.

Hosted by Pastor Eric Damon and Pastor Bob Schaefer.

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Music: Trickster by Phat Sounds
Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/10864-trickster
Licensed under CC BY 4.0: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Scripture quotations are taken from the New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition. Copyright © 2021 National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

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It’s our last Short Take of the season, and Luke 12:49–56 is bringing the heat — literally. Jesus says he came to bring fire to the earth and division to households, not peace. We unpack what that means without sliding into persecution cosplay, and why this isn’t just a “Buddy Jesus” moment but a glimpse of a stressed-out, fully human Messiah.

Along the way, the conversation zigs: Strawberry Shortcake hair, Kim Possible vs. Wednesday Addams, Snickers ads for Jesus, and the cursed fig tree. Then it zigs again: Hebrew poetic parallelism meets the comedy “rule of threes,” Buddy Jesus meets the executed one, NOAA forecasts meet red skies at night.

And finally, the zag: political scenic routes, the real work of reading “the signs of the times,” and why following Jesus’ way will always create some friction. It’s absurd banter up front, deep biblical wrestling in the middle, and a few good puns at the end — classic CPTB.

This Week's Reading:

Luke 12:49–56 (NRSVue)

[49] [Jesus said,] “I have come to cast fire upon the earth, and how I wish it were already ablaze! [50] I have a baptism with which to be baptized, and what constraint I am under until it is completed! [51] Do you think that I have come to bring peace to the earth? No, I tell you, but rather division! [52] From now on five in one household will be divided, three against two and two against three; [53] they will be divided: father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law.” [54] He also said to the crowds, “When you see a cloud rising in the west, you immediately say, ‘It is going to rain,’ and so it happens. [55] And when you see the south wind blowing, you say, ‘There will be scorching heat,’ and it happens. [56] You hypocrites! You know how to interpret the appearance of earth and sky, but why do you not know how to interpret the present time?

Hosted by Pastor Eric Damon and Pastor Bob Schaefer.

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Music: Trickster by Phat Sounds
Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/10864-trickster
Licensed under CC BY 4.0: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Scripture quotations are taken from the New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition. Copyright © 2021 National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

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This week, our sacred text is drawn from Luke’s Gospel—an invitation to stay awake, gird one's loins, sell one’s possessions, and fear not. But when Bob insists on reading it in the King James Version, all theological decorum unravels. Eric breaks. Cassi drowns in a sea of “comeths.” Harriet, ever the Anglican, remains composed for nearly three verses.

What follows is an hour of exorcisms, sheep-based theology, bribed sacraments, purse allegories, and one shockingly tender meditation on where Jesus keeps his treasure. (Spoiler: it might be you.)

Our guests—comedians Harriet Riley (@harrietrileycomedy) and Cassi Bruno (@cassi_dicci)—bring impeccable chemistry, mischievous insight, and just the right amount of blasphemous glee. Between them:

• A childhood of mumble-singing in the Church of England
• A Roman Catholic confirmation funded via Nonna
• And a shared improviser’s instinct to play with the unexpected.

Bob confesses his shift from Drew Barrymore to Demogorgon crushes. Eric holds the line on foot-washing Christology. And together, we try (with some success) to answer the question: What’s the good news here, really?

This Week's Reading:

Luke 12:32–40 (NRSVue)

[32] “Do not be afraid, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom. [33] Sell your possessions and give alms. Make purses for yourselves that do not wear out, an unfailing treasure in heaven, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. [34] For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. [35] “Be dressed for action and have your lamps lit; [36] be like those who are waiting for their master to return from the wedding banquet, so that they may open the door for him as soon as he comes and knocks. [37] Blessed are those slaves whom the master finds alert when he comes; truly I tell you, he will fasten his belt and have them sit down to eat, and he will come and serve them. [38] If he comes during the middle of the night or near dawn and finds them so, blessed are those slaves. [39] “But know this: if the owner of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have let his house be broken into. [40] You also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.”

Hosted by Pastor Eric Damon and Pastor Bob Schaefer.

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Music: Trickster by Phat Sounds
Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/10864-trickster
Licensed under CC BY 4.0: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Scripture quotations are taken from the New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition. Copyright © 2021 National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

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This week on Comedians with Pastors Talking Bible: Short Take, our resident comic theologians Abby Evans and Erick Williams join Bob and Eric to face down one of Jesus’ sharpest parables—and things get weird fast. We’re talking Luke 12, where a man tries to rope Jesus into a family inheritance dispute and instead gets a barn-burning sermon on greed, mortality, and the dangers of talking to your soul like it’s your pet.

Erick goes full spice mode with riffs on socialist God, Bill Maher impressions, and ergot poisoning conspiracies. Abby brings it back to earth with thoughtful insight (and a college roommate story). Bob reframes the parable’s economics with a sharp eye for what Jesus is really condemning. And Eric—well, Eric gives us his sorry face. (Don't miss the video.)

Along the way:

• What is your soul’s name?
• Can greed wear a collar and talk about microphones?
• And does Jesus ever just not want to parent your sibling fight?

Whether you come for the theology or stay for the absurdity, this one’s full of good grain and better laughs. Just don’t forget whose barn it’s in.

Plus: Abby’s upcoming shows, Erick’s close call with pastoral ministry, and the biblical origins of “Eat, drink, and be merry”—spoiler: you’ve been quoting the bad guy.

This Week's Reading:

Luke 12:13–21 (NRSVue)

[13] Someone in the crowd said to [Jesus], “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the family inheritance with me.” [14] But he said to him, “Friend, who set me to be a judge or arbitrator over you?” [15] And he said to them, “Take care! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of possessions.” [16] Then he told them a parable: “The land of a rich man produced abundantly. [17] And he thought to himself, ‘What should I do, for I have no place to store my crops?’ [18] Then he said, ‘I will do this: I will pull down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. [19] And I will say to my soul, Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry.’ [20] But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life is being demanded of you. And the things you have prepared, whose will they be?’ [21] So it is with those who store up treasures for themselves but are not rich toward God.”

Hosted by Pastor Eric Damon and Pastor Bob Schaefer.

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Music: Trickster by Phat Sounds
Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/10864-trickster
Licensed under CC BY 4.0: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Scripture quotations are taken from the New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition. Copyright © 2021 National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

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This week on CPTB, we're joined once again by chaos chemists Tim Ross and Alex Stypula—because once clearly wasn’t enough. We talk Lego addiction, the linguistic challenges of translating the Bible into Klingon, and what prayer is actually for (besides soothing Tim’s persecution complex).

Plus: Alex dreams of a Catholic Dune reboot, Eric accidentally makes a serious theological point, and Bob tries to keep the podcast from collapsing into a milk-fueled singularity.

This Week's Reading:

11 [Jesus] was praying in a certain place, and after he had finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, as John taught his disciples.” 2 So he said to them, “When you pray, say: Father, may your name be revered as holy. May your kingdom come. 3 Give us each day our daily bread. 4 And forgive us our sins, for we ourselves forgive everyone indebted to us. And do not bring us to the time of trial.”, Perseverance in Prayer 5 And he said to them, “Suppose one of you has a friend, and you go to him at midnight and say to him, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves of bread, 6 for a friend of mine has arrived, and I have nothing to set before him.’ 7 And he answers from within, ‘Do not bother me; the door has already been locked, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot get up and give you anything.’ 8 I tell you, even though he will not get up and give him anything out of friendship, at least because of his persistence he will get up and give him whatever he needs. 9 “So I say to you, Ask, and it will be given to you; search, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened for you. 10 For everyone who asks receives, and everyone who searches finds, and for everyone who knocks, the door will be opened. 11 Is there anyone among you who, if your child asked for a fish, would give a snake instead of a fish? 12 Or if the child asked for an egg, would give a scorpion? 13 If you, then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”

Hosted by Pastor Eric Damon and Pastor Bob Schaefer.

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Music: Trickster by Phat Sounds
Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/10864-trickster
Licensed under CC BY 4.0: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Scripture quotations are taken from the New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition. Copyright © 2021 National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

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Jesus stops by for dinner, and suddenly everyone’s got opinions. This week, Bob, Eric, Abby, and Erick dive into Luke 10:38–42 (the classic Mary and Martha showdown) and explore what hospitality really means—spiritually, socially, and awkwardly.

Expect:

• A spicy takedown (and redemption) of performative hosting
• A surprising theological defense of love languages
• Jazz riffs on Jesus, chores, and whether Martha just needed a podcast

Also featuring: plastic-covered furniture, Lazarus Lincoln, sacramental sarcasm, and possibly too much kombucha.

Pull up a chair (not the nice one), and let’s talk Bible.

This Week's Reading:

Luke 10:38–42 (NRSVue)

[38] Now as they went on their way, he entered a certain village where a woman named Martha welcomed him. [39] She had a sister named Mary, who sat at Jesus’s feet and listened to what he was saying. [40] But Martha was distracted by her many tasks, so she came to him and asked, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to do all the work by myself? Tell her, then, to help me.” [41] But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and distracted by many things, [42] but few things are needed—indeed only one. Mary has chosen the better part, which will not be taken away from her.”

Hosted by Pastor Eric Damon and Pastor Bob Schaefer.

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Music: Trickster by Phat Sounds
Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/10864-trickster
Licensed under CC BY 4.0: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Scripture quotations are taken from the New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition. Copyright © 2021 National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

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This week, we welcome Alex Stypula and Tim Ross, the chaos chemists behind the Milks of the World podcast, for an episode that may or may not be sanctioned by NATO. Come for the theological hot takes, stay for the GI Joe lore, Gettysburg hippies, and Tim’s relentless persecution complex.

We dig into Luke 10:25–37 (The Good Samaritan)—a parable so familiar it’s practically a bumper sticker. But how do you preach—or even hear—this story when it’s lost its teeth? Eric invokes princess theology to remind us that God loves the dragons, Bob takes issue with the Lawyer’s question, and our guests explore what it means to see someone with compassion… even if they’re dressed like a bootleg action figure and holding a working-class beer.

Plus: an unexpected parable remix, a deeply chaotic gospel moment, and the argument for milk as the true ecumenical language.

This Week's Reading:

Luke 10:25–37 (NRSVue)

[25] An expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. “Teacher,” he said, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?” [26] He said to him, “What is written in the law? What do you read there?” [27] He answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind and your neighbor as yourself.” [28] And he said to him, “You have given the right answer; do this, and you will live.” [29] But wanting to vindicate himself, he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” [30] Jesus replied, “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho and fell into the hands of robbers, who stripped him, beat him, and took off, leaving him half dead. [31] Now by chance a priest was going down that road, and when he saw him he passed by on the other side. [32] So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. [33] But a Samaritan while traveling came upon him, and when he saw him he was moved with compassion. [34] He went to him and bandaged his wounds, treating them with oil and wine. Then he put him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him. [35] The next day he took out two denarii, gave them to the innkeeper, and said, ‘Take care of him, and when I come back I will repay you whatever more you spend.’ [36] Which of these three, do you think, was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of the robbers?” [37] He said, “The one who showed him mercy.” Jesus said to him, “Go and do likewise.”

Hosted by Pastor Eric Damon and Pastor Bob Schaefer.

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Music: Trickster by Phat Sounds
Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/10864-trickster
Licensed under CC BY 4.0: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Scripture quotations are taken from the New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition. Copyright © 2021 National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

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In this Fourth of July weekend Short Take, Bob, Eric, Abby, and Erick dig into Luke 10 and the radical, communal vision of mission Jesus lays out—no purses, no sandals, just go and be present. Along the way, the crew explores what the lectionary conveniently skips (spoiler: fire and brimstone), the heresy of Americanism, and the difference between John Wayne Jesus and real-deal discipleship. Also: lasagna theology, vampire communion, a surprising endorsement of paid labor by Jesus himself, and an actual comedy gig where clothes are optional. It’s all here. Even pants. Probably.

This Week's Reading:

Luke 10:1–20 (NRSV)

[1] After this the Lord appointed seventy others and sent them on ahead of him in pairs to every town and place where he himself intended to go. [2] He said to them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore ask the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest. [3] Go on your way. See, I am sending you out like lambs into the midst of wolves. [4] Carry no purse, no bag, no sandals; and greet no one on the road. [5] Whatever house you enter, first say, ‘Peace to this house!’ [6] And if anyone is there who shares in peace, your peace will rest on that person; but if not, it will return to you. [7] Remain in the same house, eating and drinking whatever they provide, for the laborer deserves to be paid. Do not move about from house to house. [8] Whenever you enter a town and its people welcome you, eat what is set before you; [9] cure the sick who are there, and say to them, ‘The kingdom of God has come near to you.’[10] But whenever you enter a town and they do not welcome you, go out into its streets and say, [11] ‘Even the dust of your town that clings to our feet, we wipe off in protest against you. Yet know this: the kingdom of God has come near.’

[12] I tell you, on that day it will be more tolerable for Sodom than for that town. [13] “Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the deeds of power done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago, sitting in sackcloth and ashes. [14] But at the judgment it will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon than for you. [15] And you, Capernaum, will you be exalted to heaven? No, you will be brought down to Hades.

[16] “Whoever listens to you listens to me, and whoever rejects you rejects me, and whoever rejects me rejects the one who sent me.” [17] The seventy returned with joy, saying, “Lord, in your name even the demons submit to us!” [18] He said to them, “I watched Satan fall from heaven like a flash of lightning. [19] See, I have given you authority to tread on snakes and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy; and nothing will hurt you. [20] Nevertheless, do not rejoice at this, that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.”

Hosted by Pastor Eric Damon and Pastor Bob Schaefer.

Join the community!
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Music: Trickster by Phat Sounds
Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/10864-trickster
Licensed under CC BY 4.0: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Scripture quotations are taken from the New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition. Copyright © 2021 National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.