The Religious Treehouse

#83 Brother Bear (2003): A TRT Movie Review

Jodie and Matthew investigate the 2003 Disney movie “Brother Bear” and discuss the potential religious themes that it gives the audience to ponder over. Whether it be themes of family, forgiveness, love, grief, empathy, or Othering, Brother Bear provides a good starting point for discussing theological issues for children for many religious traditions. Through tangents and other topics Jodie and Matthew also discuss Totemism and other religious studies themes while touching on other important ideas such as Shrek 2. Let us know your thoughts on Brother Bear or on this episode! Matthew Rating: 3/5 Jodie Rating: 5/5 Follow our socials and reach out to us with thoughts or questions! Bluesky: @TheRELTreehouse Instagram: @TheReligiousTreehouse TikTok: @thereligioustreehouse  Facebook: TRT Email: TheReligiousTreehouse@gmail.com

#82 Elisha, 2 She-bears, and 42 Children walk into a bar…

Jodie and Matthew dive into 2 Kings 2:19-25 to discuss the infamous story of Elisha sending 2 female bears to maul 42 children. It’s your classic Bible story with all the warm fuzzy feelings you’re familiar with, right? Wrong. It’s a weird story with no meaning we can be really certain about, but it provides a great context for Jodie and Matthew to introduce the books of Kings, explore the nature of bears in the Bible, extinction studies relating to the Bible, and look at a handful of potential interpretations of what is going on in 2 Kings 2.  Works Referenced and Recommended Readings: Irwin, B. P. (2016). The curious incident of the boys and the bears: 2 Kings 2 and the prophetic authority of Elisha. Tyndale Bulletin, 67(1), 23–35. Stone, K. (2023). Reading Elisha’s She-Bears: Biblical Interpretation, Extinction Studies, and the Wildness of God. Biblical Interpretation, 31(5), 602-622. Follow our socials and reach out to us with thoughts or questions! Bluesky: @TheRELTreehouse Instagram: @TheReligiousTreehouse TikTok: @thereligioustreehouse  Facebook: TRT Email: TheReligiousTreehouse@gmail.com [TheReligiousTreehouse@gmail.com]

#81 (RE-RELEASE) Conclave: A TRT Movie Review

Originally released on April 27, 2025 in honor of the passing of Pope Francis, Jodie and Matthew discuss the Oscar award winning movie, Conclave, starring Ralph Fiennes. If you haven’t seen it yet, you definitely should, because we touch on all the spoilers, following each character and how this movie portrays catholicism in all of its beautiful and problematic forms. Take a listen and let us know what you think about Conclave! Follow our socials and reach out to us with thoughts or questions! Bluesky: @TheRELTreehouse Instagram: @TheReligiousTreehouse TikTok: @thereligioustreehouse  Facebook: TRT Email: TheReligiousTreehouse@gmail.com [TheReligiousTreehouse@gmail.com]

#80 Ezekiel and Prophetic Sign Acts

Street theater in the Bible may be more common than you think! Jodie and Matthew introduce the book of Ezekiel and then look at one of the things he is most known for: Prophetic Sign acts. Especially in Ezekeil 3-5, Ezekiel acts out the siege of Jerualem, eats a scroll, and lays on his side for over a year to mediate prophecy for those in exile with him. Is God being an abusive leader or is Ezekiel delivering prophecy to people who deserve this punishment? Let us know your thoughts on Ezekiel and these sign acts! Works Referenced and Recommended Readings: The Prophetic Body by Anathea Portier-Young Follow our socials and reach out to us with thoughts or questions! Bluesky: @TheRELTreehouse Instagram: @TheReligiousTreehouse TikTok: @thereligioustreehouse  Facebook: TRT Email: TheReligiousTreehouse@gmail.com [TheReligiousTreehouse@gmail.com]

#79 The Testament of Ann Lee (2025): A TRT Movie Review

Jodie and Matthew return to the cinema to discuss Mona Fastvold’s recent materpience: The Testament of Ann Lee (2025), starring Amanda Seyfried. This biopic explores the life of Ann Lee as she becomes the leader of the Shaker movement, an offshoot of the Quakers, started in the 1700s. The Testament of Ann Lee explores her fascinating life while also raising questions of femininity, motherhood, existing as an outsider, and religious practice while also showing beautiful choreography, music, and acting. Let us know your thoughts about the movie and any questions you have about Shakers! Matthew Rating: 4/5 Jodie Rating: 5/5 Follow our socials and reach out to us with thoughts or questions! Bluesky: @TheRELTreehouse Instagram: @TheReligiousTreehouse TikTok: @thereligioustreehouse  Facebook: TRT Email: TheReligiousTreehouse@gmail.com