Session 38: Luke 2: 1-38 - Timing controversies, the dignity of the poor, and the universality of the Gospel.

Key Points:

Ch.2 v. 1- Skeptics would say Caesar Augustus never ordered an empire-wide census. (Censuses were typically recorded for purposes of taxation.) This census may have been to, instead, register that subjects swore allegiance to the emperor. v.2 Skeptics would say Quirinius was not the governor of Syria until years after Christ was thought to be born. Answer: perhaps he was like a “lieutenant governor” at the time, so he was involved in “governing”, perhaps in charge of a smaller area. “First-born” was a legal term, and did not mean that there was necessarily a “second-born.” (Regarding Mary’s perpetual virginity.) The value of the poor in Luke’s birth-of-Jesus account: Shepherds- the lowest of the low. Manger (feeding trough for animals.) Mary’s sacrifice at temple of 2 birds was that required of the poor, per Lev. 12:8. Simeon proclaims Jesus will be “revelation to the GENTILES”, another of Luke’s themes.

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(Note: This blog is a supplement to the "Catholic Doctrine Bible Study" Podcast. The podcase is available for both iOS and Android) All Christians should want a closer relationship with God. Toward that end, all Christians should read the Bible! But there are so many conflicting interpretations that Bible study can be confusing if not disheartening. Which church, if any, has the God-given authority to interpret the Bible? (Listen to Session 1, if no other, to see why there can only be one answer to that question.) In this study, you will see the doctrines of the Catholic Church come alive as we go through each book of the entire Bible from a uniquely Catholic perspective. As we come across passages where there are differences in interpretation between the Catholic Church and other groups, we will point them out, and show why the Catholic Church, the one Church founded by Christ, is the one you can rely on for the Fullness of Truth. The sessions are filled w...

Session 32: Matthew 26:31-68 - Peter’s Denial Foretold, Jesus’ Agony, Judas’ Betrayal, Jesus’ Arrest and Night Trial

Key Points: We ALL deny Jesus, just as Peter did, every time we sin. Yet, we too can seek and be given forgiveness. We ALL have our own “Gethsemane Moments” in this life....we can choose to become BITTER or BETTER (our relationship to God) through them. Jesus was no mere rabbi. (Teacher) Only three possibilities: He was the biggest liar ever, He was the craziest man ever, or He was the only begotten Son of God.

Session 45: John 1 v 6-18 Belief defined & Word Became Flesh controversy

Key Points: What does it mean to “believe” to the Catholic Church? Why do the heresies spawned by the phrase “Word became flesh” point to the need for the Catholic Church?” “Belief” is much more than an intellectual assent. It is giving one’s self over in trust and action. (“Wheelbarrow” story.) Three heresies were spawned by three consecutive words in John 1:14. We needed the Church (the only Church Christ started, gave the power to “bind and loose” to, gave the Holy Spirit to guide it into all truth) to eliminate the confusion as to who Christ is....and the confusion that still exists today. (See 2Peter1:20 regarding personal interpretation of Scripture. We must read Scripture through the eyes of the Church.)

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