TSP 30: Herod and the Slaughter of the Innocents: The Rest of the Story

Today the Church remembers the slaughter of the innocents, Herod's savage massacre of all the children two years and younger in the region of Bethlehem after Jesus' birth. The story is recounted in Matthew 2.

Who was Herod? How did he become king? How were the Romans involved in Palestinian political affairs? Understanding the historical backdrop of first-century Judea helps us put the story in perspective. It also reveals its historical plausibility. This podcast will give you the complete run down.

I hope you enjoy it!

As always, you can listen on iTunes or click the link below and, as always, your comments are welcome in the comment box below.

TSP 30: TSP 30: Herod and the Slaughter of the Innocents: The Rest of the Story

St Stephen: Deacon, Martyr, Theological Genius (Special TSP Podcast)

Today our focus--as it should be--is on Christmas. Tomorrow we continue to celebrate the Christmas season, but, as we do that, we celebrate the Feast of St. Stephen, the first martyr of the Church.

Why is he so important that he is the follow-up to Christmas Day?

I've always had a fascination with St. Stephen. Over on the right you can see a picture of me standing at the traditional site of his burial site in Rome. So I couldn't let December 26th go by without posting some thoughts on this great figure from the Acts of the Apostles.

Learn more in this special podcast.

Listen on iTunes or click the link below.

As always, we welcome your comments below.

Merry Christmas!

St. Stephen: Deacon, Martyr, Theological Genius (Podcast for 12/26/12)

St. Stephen TSP Podcast

TSP 29: The First Christmas: The History and Theology of Jesus' Birth in Matthew and Luke

With Christmas upon us, The Sacred Page Podcast turns to look at the birth narrative of Jesus in Matthew and Luke.

Are the infancy narratives hopelessly contradictory? Were they simply invented out of whole cloth? Why are there so many hymns in Luke 1-2? Why did Luke not tell us about Magi? Why did Joseph seek to divorce Mary? Was he really suspicious of her?

Find out the answers to these and many other questions in this podcast.

For more on Joseph, see this post.

Listen on iTunes or click the link below.

Your comments are welcome as always in the comment box. 

TSP 29: The First Christmas: The History and Theology of Jesus' Birth in Matthew and Luke

"Widows, Miracles and Sacrifice" (Sunday Readings Podcast for 11/11/12)

This Sunday we turn to the story of the widow's mite. Notably, we read this story against the backdrop of a miracle worked by Elijah and the Epistle to the Hebrews. [Readings here]

Who was Elijah? Why was he important? How do the Gospels portray Jesus as a New Elijah? How does the reading from the Gospel relate to the first and second readings?

Learn about all that in more in this brief podcast.

Listen on iTunes or click the link below.

As always, we welcome your comments below.

"Widows, Miracles and Sacrifice" (Sunday Readings Podcast for 11/11/12)

"The Greatest Commandment" (Sunday Readings Podcast for 11/4/12)

This Sunday's Gospel has Jesus explain the greatest commandment.

The first reading is taken from Deuteronomy and the second is from Hebrews. Find out how they all fit together.

We also talk about how Jesus slightly alters the "greatest commandment" in Deuteronomy, emphasizing the importance of loving the Lord with all one's mind. What does this mean?

Listen on iTunes or click the link below.

As always, we welcome your comments below.

"The Greatest Commandment" (Sunday Readings Podcast for 11/4/12)

TSP 28: Ghosts and Saints in Scripture and Catholic Teaching (Halloween / All Saints Day Podcast)

The Sacred Page Podcast is back! Due to some illness in late September, I fell way behind on a number of things. Getting this podcast up was just not possible. But now we're back. . . with our spookiest podcast ever!

Halloween and All Saints Day is right around the corner. With that in mind I thought I'd cover a topic that doesn't get much attention: "ghosts" in Sacred Scripture.

Scripture in fact says that we have already come to "the spirits of just men made perfect". Where does that happen? When? How? What did Augustine, Jerome and Aquinas say about Scripture's teaching?

Listen here and you'll learn all about it.

Oh yes. . . and please tell your friends that we're back! Next week we'll also be back to our Sunday Readings Podcast.

Listen on iTunes or click the link below.

Feel free to leave your comments below.

I'm also including a .pdf below including some of the primary sources cited, i.e., biblical references, an excerpt from Thomas Aquinas' Summa Theologiae where he draws from Jerome and Augustine, etc. . . 

TSP 28: Ghosts and Saints in Scripture and Catholic Teaching (Halloween / All Saints Days Podcast)

Ghosts and Saints Podcasts.pdf

TSP 27: The Religious Roots of the Olympics

This week I did something a little different on The Sacred Page Podcast. Here we look at the historical and religious roots of the Olympics. The topic was discussed in a recent USA Today article.

Here we expand on this, asking, What makes the Olympics so popular?

Did you know that the Olympic motto, "citius, altius, fortius," is attributed to a Roman Catholic priest?

Did you know that Baron Pierre de Coubertin, the founder of the modern Olympics, was educated by Jesuits and said, "The first essential characteristic of the Olympics, both ancient as well as modern, is to be a religion . . . above and outside the churches."

Learn much more in this podcast.

Listen on iTunes or click the link below.

Feel free to leave your comments below.

TSP 27: The Religious Roots of the Olympics

TSP 26: The Heavenly Liturgy in Judaism, the New Testament and the Eucharistic Celebration

I'm currently teaching a graduate course on Liturgical Theology and so I've been doing a lot of work in the study of worship. Here I share some thoughts from the course.

In the first Eucharistic Prayer of the Catholic Mass, the priest makes reference to an altar in heaven: "command that these gifts be borne by the hands of your holy Angel to your altar on high."

What many do not realize is that the belief in a heavenly temple liturgy originates in the Old Testament and ancient Judaism. In fact, New Testament authors, clearly drawing on such beliefs, explain Christ's sacrifice in terms of a heavenly temple and liturgy.

In this episode we look at Jewish beliefs about liturgy and see how they form the background for the New Testament's view of Christ's sacrifice and Christian worship. For example, as we shall see, the Epistle to the Hebrews links the heavenly liturgy (leitourgia) to the ascension.

As we shall see, the New Testament reveals the surpassing ways Christ fulfills hopes regarding participation in the angelic worship of the heavenly temple.

Look for the outline with all the notes over at www.TheSacredPage.com.

Listen on iTunes or click the link below.

Feel free to leave your comments below.

TSP 26: The Heavenly Liturgy in Judaism, the New Testament and the Eucharistic Celebration

TSP 25: Jesus as Prophet, His Prophetic Signs, and the Last Supper

In this episode I look at Jesus' role as a prophet--a much overlooked aspect of his ministry. In addition, I look at the role of "prophetic acts", other first-century Jewish figures, and, for good measure, the Last Supper.

On TheSacredPage.com (here) you'll find an extensive handout.

Listen on iTunes or click the link below.

Feel free to leave your comments below.

TSP 25: Jesus as Prophet, His Prophetic Signs, and the Last Supper

TSP 24: Mike Aquilina on the Early Church "Mothers"

Best-selling author and patristics expert, Mike Aquilina, comes on the show to discuss a new book he recently co-wrote with Christopher Bailey, The Mothers of the Church: The Witness of Early Christian Women (Huntington, Ind.: Our Sunday Visitor, 2012).

This is a tremendously good book and it fills an important lacuna in books on the early Church--here we have a book that focuses on the influence of important Christian women.

• How did ancients view the role of women? How did Christianity bring about a revolution?
• Did you know one of the Capadocian fathers described a woman as "the Teacher"? 
• Who are Felicity and Perpetua? The two saints are mentioned in Eucharistic Prayer #1 and are therefore probably familiar to most Catholics--but most do not know much about them!

Mike is a great guest. . . I'm sure you'll agree!

Listen on iTunes or click the link below.

Feel free to leave your comments below.

TSP 24: Mike Aquilina on the Early Church "Mothers"

Here's a bit more about our guest from the St. Paul Center website:

Mike Aquilina, Executive Vice President and Trustee of The St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology, is a widely recognized Catholic author and lecturer. Aquilina’s books include the best-selling, The Fathers of the Church: An Introduction to the First Christian Teachers (2nd ed 2006); Living the Mysteries: A Guide for Unfinished Christians (2003) co-written with Dr. Scott Hahn; The Mass of the Early Christians (2001); What Catholics Believe: A Pocket Catechism (2000); The How-To Book of Catholic Devotions (2000); and A Pocket Catechism for Kids (2001). He is also the author of Praying in the Presence of Our Lord with St. Thomas Aquinas (2002), The Way of the Fathers: Praying with the Early Christians (2000), Love in the Little Things: Tales of Family Life (2007), Signs and Mysteries (2008) and is co-author of Weapons of the Spirit: Selected Writings of Father John Hugo, along with St. Paul Center colleague, David Scott. His most recent book is Take 5: On the Job Meditations With St. Ignatius (2008). All of Aquilina’s books are published by Our Sunday Visitor Books. 

His ongoing research is concerned with early Christian community and worship. He is past Associate Editor of Scripture Matters, the bulletin of The Institute of Applied Biblical Studies and past Editor of New Covenant, a Catholic spirituality magazine, and The Pittsburgh Catholic, the official newspaper of the Diocese of Pittsburgh. His reviews, essays and journalism have appeared in First Things, Touchstone, Crisis, National Catholic Register, Child and Family and elsewhere. 

Aquilina has also co-hosted, along with Dr. Hahn, several popular series on scripture and theology airing on the Eternal Word Television Network. He and his wife Terri live in the Pittsburgh area with their six children.

TSP 23: John the Baptist: In the Spirit and Power of Elijah

This Sunday we celebrate the Solemnity of John the Baptist. Why was he so important? Here we talk about his role in the New Testament.

A full write up with all of the primary sources cited here can be found over at The Sacred Page blog here.

Listen on iTunes or click the link below. 

Feel free to leave your comments below.





TSP 23: John the Baptist: In the Spirit and Power of Elijah

TSP 22: Origen and His Influence on Christian Theology

With the big discovery of some of his lost homilies on the Psalms in the news, I decided to focus on Origen in this week's episode of The Sacred Page Podcast.

Below is a .pdf containing an outline and notes of this presentation, with references to primary sources cited.

Listen on iTunes or click the link below. Look for more information on this podcast over at the corresponding post at TheSacredPage.com.

Feel free to leave your comments below.





TSP 22: Origen and His Influence on Christian Theology

The Sacred Page Podcast on Origen

TSP 21: What does it mean to be "saved"? What is the role of works in salvation?

"Are you saved?"

Many popular Christian descriptions of "salvation" amount to little more than "fire insurance"--i.e., getting out of the fires of hell. A closer look however reveals that New Testament soteriology however is far more involved than that. Here I look at the way the New Testament describes "salvation". I also look at the role of "works" in "salvation".

Listen on iTunes or click the link below. Look for more information on this podcast over at the corresponding post at TheSacredPage.com 

Feel free to leave your comments below.





TSP 21: What does it mean to be "saved"? What is the role of works in salvation?

TSP 20: Matthew Salisbury and Co. on Catholic Social Teaching

Now for something a little different. . .

The recent Facebook IPO and other business headlines are the topic of this recent podcast. Here I discuss Catholic Social Teaching and Scripture with the guys from Solidarity With Salisbury. The blog belongs to Matthew Salisbury, a graduate of JP Catholic's MBA program. Justin Wilga and Stephen Flemings, also JP Catholic almuni, also contribute posts as guest bloggers.

These guys are engaged in some very thoughtful analysis. Check out, e.g., Matt's new post on On the Cynicism and Hollywood Night Clubs. I really enjoyed having these guys on the show.

Listen on iTunes or click the link below. Look for more information on this podcast over at the corresponding post at TheSacredPage.com 

Feel free to leave your comments below.





TSP 20: Matthew Salisbury and Co. on Catholic Social Teaching

Scripture and the Trinity: The Biblical Roots of the Dogma (Podcast for Trinity Sunday 2012)

This Sunday is one of my favorite feasts of the year: Trinity Sunday. Here I go through Thomas Aquinas' exegetical arguments for the Trinity in his Summa Contra Gentiles. I'd appreciate your comments and feedback!

Listen on iTunes or click the link below. Look for more information on this podcast over at the corresponding post at TheSacredPage.com 

Feel free to leave your comments below.





Scripture and the Trinity: The Biblical Roots of the Dogma (Podcast for Trinity Sunday 2012)(Right click to download)

As always, I'd like to express my gratitude to Saint Joseph's Communications, who generously support this podcast. They are also offering our listeners a free copy of the first CD from Scott Hahn's audio set "Justification: Becoming a Child of God". Call 1-800-526-2151. (And don't forget to thank them for supporting the show!) 

Jesus, the Servant, and His Sacrificial Love in John (Podcast on the Sunday Readings: 6th Sunday of Easter)

In this Sunday's Gospel Jesus tells us what true love looks like: "Greater love has no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends (John 15:13)."

Here we look at how this part of the Last Supper discourse is related to Jesus' act of washing the disciples feet (John 13) and his sacrificial death as the Suffering Servant (Isa 52-53)--something also alluded to in the second reading. 

Listen on iTunes or click the link below. Look for more information on this podcast over at the corresponding post at TheSacredPage.com 

Feel free to leave your comments below.

Jesus, the Servant, and His Sacrificial Love in John (Podcast on the Sunday Readings: 6th Sunday of Easter)

'I am the vine': A look at John 15 and Eucharistic echoes (podcast on the Sunday readings)

"I am the vine, you are the branches" (John 15:5). So Jesus tells us in this Sunday's Gospel. 

But what does it mean? In this podcast, we take a careful look carefully at the imagery. In particular, I discuss some of the Eucharistic echoes scholars have detected in the passage. 

Listen on iTunes or click the link below. Look for more information on this podcast over at the corresponding post at TheSacredPage.com 

Feel free to leave your comments below.

'I am the vine': A look at John 15 and Eucharistic echoes (podcast on the Sunday readings)

TSP 19: John Bergsma on the Bible in Catholic Theology

John Bergsma and I discuss the role of the Bible in Catholic Theology, highlighting a new document from the International Theological Commission.

Listen on iTunes or click the link below. Look for more information on this podcast over at the corresponding post at TheSacredPage.com 

Feel free to leave your comments below.





TSP 19: John Bergsma on the Bible in Catholic Theology

As always, I'd like to express my gratitude to Saint Joseph's Communications, who generously support this podcast. They are also offering our listeners a free copy of the first CD from Scott Hahn's audio set, "How to Study the Bible." Give them a call: 1-800-526-2151.

Historical Questions About the Resurrection (Special TSP Podcast for Easter)

Happy Easter! This post examines some of the historical issues revolving around the resurrection narratives.

Listen on iTunes or click the link below. Look for more information on this podcast over at the corresponding post at TheSacredPage.com 

Feel free to leave your comments below.





Historical Questions About the Resurrection (Special TSP Podcast for Easter)(Right click to download)

As always, I'd like to express my gratitude to Saint Joseph's Communications, who generously support this podcast. They are also offering our listeners a free copy of the first CD from Scott Hahn's audio set on Jesus' Seven Sayings from the Cross. Also, again, during this Lent as you're making your almsgiving plans, please consider calling them up and giving them a donation, 1-800-526-2151. (And don't forget to thank them for supporting the show!) I'm not sure how to get these sets via mp3 download. Just give them a call and they can help you out. (800-526-2151).

"He descended into hell" (Special TSP Holy Saturday Podcast)

One of the most obscure phrases in the Creed is the line that speaks about Jesus' "descent into hell." This podcast explores this line as we look at the meaning of the Mystery of Holy Saturday.

Listen on iTunes or click the link below. Look for more information on this podcast over at the corresponding post at TheSacredPage.com 

Feel free to leave your comments below.





"He descended into hell" (Holy Saturday Podcast)

As always, I'd like to express my gratitude to Saint Joseph's Communications, who generously support this podcast. They are also offering our listeners a free copy of the first CD from Scott Hahn's audio set on Jesus' Seven Sayings from the Cross. Also, again, during this Lent as you're making your almsgiving plans, please consider calling them up and giving them a donation, 1-800-526-2151. (And don't forget to thank them for supporting the show!) I'm not sure how to get these sets via mp3 download. Just give them a call and they can help you out. (800-526-2151).

Crucifixion: History, Archaeology, and Why Jesus Died This Way (Good Friday Podcast)

In this special Good Friday podcast I look at Jesus' death, discussing ways historical sources and archaeological discoveries shed light on crucifixion in the ancient world. I then turn to ask: Why did Jesus die this way, drawing from Thomas Aquinas who surveys the various explanations found in Scripture.

Have a blessed Good Friday! (And be sure to check out all the pictures, notes and links posted over at TheSacredPage.com under the post with the same title).

Listen on iTunes or click the link below. Look for more information on this podcast over at the corresponding post at TheSacredPage.com 

Feel free to leave your comments below.





Crucifixion: History, Archaeology, and Why Jesus Died This Way (Good Friday Podcast)

As always, I'd like to express my gratitude to Saint Joseph's Communications, who generously support this podcast. They are also offering our listeners a free copy of the first CD from Scott Hahn's audio set on Jesus' Seven Sayings from the Cross. Also, again, during this Lent as you're making your almsgiving plans, please consider calling them up and giving them a donation, 1-800-526-2151. (And don't forget to thank them for supporting the show!) I'm not sure how to get these sets via mp3 download. Just give them a call and they can help you out. (800-526-2151).

Brant Pitre on the Date of the Last Supper (Special TSP Holy Thursday Podcast)

In this podcast I talk with Brant Pitre about the Last Supper. Specifically, we look at the chronology of Holy Week. In particular, Brant discusses an issue he has long labored over: the question of the date of the Last Supper.

As many know, there appears to be a discrepancy between the Synoptic and Johannine accounts. In the Synoptics, Jesus' Last Supper is a Passover meal. In the Gospel of John, however, there are indications that Passover has not yet been celebrated.

This is a topic Brant will tackle in much greater detail in a massive academic monograph he is just finishing up for Eerdmans. The book is a look at the historical Jesus and the Last Supper. This is a book he has been working for several years--as you can probably tell from this podcast.

Also, be sure to check out Brant's recent book, a runaway best-seller, Jesus and the Jewish Roots of the Eucharist: Unlocking the Secrets of the Last Supper (Doubleday, 2011). I've written a detailed review of this book over at the amazon link provided. In addition, check out Brant's audio presentations on Jesus and the Eucharist here.

Finally, be sure to check out previous podcasts of our show for more on the Eucharist.

Have a Holy Thursday!

Listen on iTunes or click the link below. Look for more information on this podcast over at the corresponding post at TheSacredPage.com 

Feel free to leave your comments below.





Holy Thursday Podcast: Brant Pitre on the Date of the Last Supper

As always, I'd like to express my gratitude to Saint Joseph's Communications, who generously support this podcast. They are also offering our listeners a free copy of the first CD from Scott Hahn's audio set on Jesus' Seven Sayings from the Cross. Also, again, during this Lent as you're making your almsgiving plans, please consider calling them up and giving them a donation, 1-800-526-2151. (And don't forget to thank them for supporting the show!) I'm not sure how to get these sets via mp3 download. Just give them a call and they can help you out. (800-526-2151).

TSP 18: Palm Sunday and the Passion Narrative in Mark

With Palm Sunday coming up, in episode 18 of The Sacred Page I take an in-depth look at Jesus' "Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem" and Passion in the Gospel of Mark.

Listen on iTunes or click the link below. Look for more information on this podcast over at the corresponding post at TheSacredPage.com 

As always, I'd like to express my gratitude to Saint Joseph's Communications, who generously support this podcast. They are also offering our listeners a free copy of the first CD from Scott Hahn's audio set on Jesus' Seven Sayings from the Cross. Also, again, during this Lent as you're making your almsgiving plans, please consider calling them up and giving them a donation, 1-800-526-2151. (And don't forget to thank them for supporting the show!) I'm not sure how to get these sets via mp3 download. Just give them a call and they can help you out. (800-526-2151).

Feel free to leave your comments below.





TSP 18: Palm Sunday and the Passion Narrative in Mark

Mark's Passion Narrative & the Apocalyptic Discourse: Podcast for Passion Sunday

This is a short podcast on the Passion Narrative in Mark. There will also be an extended podcast giving an broader overview of the Passion Narrative in Mark.

Here's an overview.
Apocalyptic Discourse & Passion Narrative

Listen on iTunes or click the link below. Look for more information on this podcast over at the corresponding post at TheSacredPage.com 

As always, I'd like to express my gratitude to Saint Joseph's Communications, who generously support this podcast. They are also offering our listeners a free copy of the first CD from Scott Hahn's audio set on Jesus' Seven Sayings from the Cross. Also, again, during this Lent as you're making your almsgiving plans, please consider calling them up and giving them a donation, 1-800-526-2151. (And don't forget to thank them for supporting the show!) I'm not sure how to get these sets via mp3 download. Just give them a call and they can help you out. (800-526-2151).

Feel free to leave your comments below.





Mark's Passion Narrative & the Apocalyptic Discourse: Podcast for Passion Sunday

Jeremiah's New Covenant Prophecy and the Coming of Jesus' Sacrificial Hour: Podcast on the Sunday Readings for the Fifth Sunday of Lent (3/25/12)

This podcast is devoted to the readings for the Fifth Week of Lent. I was honored to be joined in this podcast by John Bergsma. John is also the guest for the soon to be released next extended podcast in which we talk about the role of Scripture in Catholic Theology.

The readings this Sunday take us through Jeremiah 31, one of the most important prophecies in the Old Testament. The Gospel is taken from John 12.

During the podcast I talk a bit about the motif of the hour in John. Here I drew a bit from Scott Hahn's fine work.

On the Hour in John

1. Linked with his death (John 7:30; 8:20)
2. Further spiritual associations
1. Linked with giving miraculous wine (John 2:3–4)
2. Worship in Spirit and Truth (John 4:21–24)
3. The dead hear the voice of the Son of God and will live (John 5:25–29)
4. Jesus is lifted up and draws all men, grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies (John 12:20–24)
3. Eucharistic spirituality
1. New wine
2. Christian worship in the Spirit
3. Hear the voice of the Son and live
4. Jesus is lifted up as sacrificial Lamb of God
5. Jesus as grain of wheat: Eucharistic bread
6. Draws all to himself—Jews and Greeks

See Scott Hahn, Scripture Matters: Essays on Reading the Bible from the Heart of the Church (Steubenville: Emmaus Road, 2003), 105–118.

As always, you can listen on iTunes or click the link below.

Feel free to leave your comments below.





"Jeremiah's New Covenant Prophecy and the Coming of Jesus' Sacrificial Hour: Podcast on the Sunday Readings for the Fifth Sunday of Lent (3/25/12)"

TSP 17: Leroy Huizenga on the Fourth Gospel

This week's episode of The Sacred Page Podcast features New Testament scholar, Leroy Huizenga. Dr. Huizenga teaches Scripture at the University of St. Mary in Bismarck, North Dakota. He is also the Director of the Christian Leadership Center. 

Of course, in this cycle of the lectionary we begin to hear a number of Gospel readings from the Fourth Gospel. Here Dr. Huizenga provides us with an overview of the Gospel according to John, offering reflections on its major themes. As Leroy explains, the Gospel gives us much to meditate on during this Lenten season: God's relationship to the world, the Person of Jesus Christ and the Incarnation, the sacraments, etc. 

During the interview we frequently make mention of Leroy's excellent article, "Preaching John," which is posted over at Christian Leadership Center's website.

Listen on iTunes or click the link below. Look for more information on this podcast over at the corresponding post at TheSacredPage.com 

Finally, a huge amount of thanks to Saint Joseph's Communications, who support this podcast. They are also offering our listeners a free copy of Archbishop Fulton Sheen's CD on Easter. Also, again, during this Lent as you're making your almsgiving plans, please consider calling them up and giving them a donation, 1-800-526-2151. (And don't forget to thank them for supporting the show!)

Feel free to leave your comments below.





TSP 17: "Leroy Huizenga on the Fourth Gospel"

John 3:16 and the Love of God (with Leroy Huizenga): Podcast on the Sunday Readings (3/18/12)

Here is the podcast on the Sunday readings for the Fourth Week of Lent. This week I'm joined by a special guest, noted New Testament scholar, Dr. Leroy Huizenga. Dr. Huizenga is Professor of Scripture at the University of St. Mary in Bismarck, North Dakota, where he also serves as the Director of the Christian Leadership Center. He will also be the guest on the next extended podcast (which should be available Monday of next week). We're so glad to have him on the show!

This Sunday the lectionary has us reading from the Fourth Gospel.  This Sunday we look at John 3, specifically, the famous passage in John 3:16. We also touch on the end of 2 Chronicles (the first reading) as well as Ephesians 2 (the second reading.

In fact, more readings from the Fourth Gospel follow in the lectionary. In light of that, I will be talking with Dr. Huizenga on "Preaching on John" in the upcoming extended podcast. Although we'll talk about it more then, I can mention in advance that he has a fantastic piece up, "Preaching John," on the Christian Leadership Center's website.

As always, you can listen on iTunes or click the link below.

Feel free to leave your comments below.





"John 3:16 and the Love of God (with Leroy Huizenga): Podcast on the Sunday Readings (3/18/12)"

TSP 16: "Where Did We Get the Bible? The Story of the Development of the Canon"

In this podcast I cover the story of how we got the Bible--specifically, we look at way the Canon of Scripture was formed? Below you'll find the pdf of notes and outline for the material covered. You can follow along here if you'd like.

Which books were "Scripture" for the Jews in Jesus' day? Why are there seven extra books in Catholic Bibles? Did the Catholic Church add these books? What about the "Lost Gospels"? Why aren't they accepted as Scripture?

Here we begin to answer all of these questions. I hope you enjoy it.

Listen on iTunes or click the link below. Look for more information on this podcast over at the corresponding post at TheSacredPage.com 

Finally, a huge amount of thanks to Saint Joseph's Communications, who support this podcast. They are also offering our listeners a free copy of the CD Overcoming Religious Liberty, which has Fr. Joseph Fessio, Fr. Bill Casey, Steve Ray and Jesse Romero talking about the latest HHS contraception (read: abortifacient) mandate. Also, during this Lent as you're making your almsgiving plans, please consider calling them up and giving them a donation, 1-800-526-2151.

Feel free to leave your comments below.





TSP 16: "Where Did We Get the Bible? The Story of the Development of the Canon"

Where We Got the Bible (Podcast Outline)

Abraham, Isaac and the Transfiguration: Podcast on the Sunday Readings (3/4/12)

For about the past month I've been struggling with a cold. With all the teaching and speaking I do, I've had a hard time maintaining my voice. Because of that I've put the podcasts on hold. Anyways, thankfully, I am now back.

This Sunday we have two rich readings to look at: (1) Abraham's "sacrifice" of Isaac and (2) the Transfiguration.

Here are my thoughts.

Please tell your friends that The Sacred Page Podcast is back to its usual regular schedule.

Listen on iTunes or click the link below. Look for more information on this podcast over at the corresponding post at TheSacredPage.com 

Feel free to leave your comments below.





"Abraham, Isaac and the Transfiguration: Podcast on the Sunday Readings (3/4/12)

"Fishers of Men": Podcast on the Sunday Readings (1/22/12)

This Sunday Jesus calls the disciples to be "fishers of men". Where does this imagery come from? Here we look at the Old Testament prophecy that seems to provide the background.

We also look at Jonah: why did he really want to want to avoid going to Nineveh? what similarity is there between Jonah's mission to Nineveh and the apostolic mission?

Listen on iTunes or click the link below. Look for more information on this podcast over at the corresponding post at TheSacredPage.com 

Feel free to leave your comments below.





"Fishers of Men": Podcast on the Sunday Readings (1/22/12)

TSP 15: "Why Jesus was Baptized and Tempted?" with John Bergsma

In this episode of The Sacred Page Podcast John Bergsma joins me to discuss why Jesus was baptized and tempted in the wilderness? Here we talk about Creation imagery, Exodus motifs, and Davidic typology in the Gospel accounts--and  how they are all tied together!

You can download the show from iTunes here. Don't forget to subscribe to the show and to rate it over at iTunes (if you like it!).

Get more of John Bergsma's CDs at www.JohnBergsma.com.

Also, don't forget to call Saint Joseph's Communications to get this week's free give-away, the first part of the audio book of Archbishop Fulton Sheen's now classic Life of Christ: 800:526-2151 or email johnny[at]saintjoe[dot]com.





TSP 15: "Why Was Jesus Baptized and Tempted?" with John Bergsma