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Bob and Eric are joined by resident comic theologians Abby Evans and Eric Williams for a Short Take on Matthew 20's Parable of the Workers in the Vineyard — the one where the guy who worked one hour gets paid the same as the guy who worked all day, and everybody in the pews secretly thinks Jesus is wrong.

This week: why a "fair" wage and a "generous" wage might be the same denarius wearing different hats, how this parable doubles as an anti–prosperity-gospel and student-loan-forgiveness allegory, and a genuinely divided debate over whether public figures who seem to be changing their tune deserve the benefit of the doubt — or just a longer memory.

Also featuring: the Holy Spirit as a farmer's last stand against a tornado, the theological limits of stand-your-ground, and an update on Abby's sourdough starter, Dophilia, who is definitely still alive.

Abby Evans will be roasting Stephen King (as Annie Wilkes) at Mr. Small's Fun House on Friday, October 23rd — follow her @itsabbye for details. Follow Eric Williams @comicalleadubs.

Follow the show @CPTBpod.

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Matthew 20:1–16 (NRSVue)

[1] “For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire laborers for his vineyard. [2] After agreeing with the laborers for a denarius for the day, he sent them into his vineyard. [3] When he went out about nine o’clock, he saw others standing idle in the marketplace, [4] and he said to them, ‘You also go into the vineyard, and I will pay you whatever is right.’ So they went. [5] When he went out again about noon and about three o’clock, he did the same. [6] And about five o’clock he went out and found others standing around, and he said to them, ‘Why are you standing here idle all day?’ [7] They said to him, ‘Because no one has hired us.’ He said to them, ‘You also go into the vineyard.’ [8] When evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his manager, ‘Call the laborers and give them their pay, beginning with the last and then going to the first.’ [9] When those hired about five o’clock came, each of them received a denarius. [10] Now when the first came, they thought they would receive more; but each of them also received a denarius. [11] And when they received it, they grumbled against the landowner, [12] saying, ‘These last worked only one hour, and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden of the day and the scorching heat.’ [13] But he replied to one of them, ‘Friend, I am doing you no wrong; did you not agree with me for a denarius? [14] Take what belongs to you and go; I choose to give to this last the same as I give to you. [15] Am I not allowed to do what I choose with what belongs to me? Or are you envious because I am generous?’ [16] So the last will be first, and the first will be last.”

Hosted by Pastor Eric Damon and Pastor Bob Schaefer.

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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.