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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About this Podcast

(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 with references

Session 50: John 4 and 5

Key Points: In Jesus’ encounter with the Samaritan woman, He did not water down his message-(v. 22 “Salvation Is from the Jews.” ) He didn’t say that the polytheistic beliefs of the Samaritans were good or equally valid. He practiced “charity with clarity.” As we find opportunities to have religious discussions with others, we seek common ground, but we never compromise our proclamation of the Fullness of Truth that was entrusted to the only Church founded by Christ; the Catholic Church. (We pray for the time, the place, the person, the method, and the words to say to share His Truth.) The Royal Official showed that he “believed” in Jesus through his ACTION. (He walked 40 miles round-trip to find Jesus.) 5:22 Jesus WILL ultimately judge our eternal destiny. (Don’t take 3:17 out of context....we as Catholics read scripture as a whole, and through the eyes of the Church. We don’t take one verse and build our whole theology on it.) 5:29 Once again, our actions will demonstrate ou

Session 42: Unique-to-Luke, Luke 16:1-9, 17:7-19, 19:1-10

Key Points: 16:1-9 The Master did not commend the steward for being dishonest; he FIRED him for that. He commended the steward for forgoing his short-term commission (which may have been a normal charge) in exchange for long-term security through better relations with the master’s clients. Moral: We must put our own long-term (eternal!!) interests above our short-term earthly interests. We must put money in it’s proper perspective relative to eternal life. 17:7-10 We cannot pay back Christ for the gift He has given us: we are servants with a job to do. We owe Him, not the other way around! 19:1-10 (Zacchaeus) Emphasis: Treatment of the poor, repentance, reconciliation, forgiveness. (What is your plan to help the needy? We are not saved by faith alone, at least not in the way Luther meant it! Faith means a relationship, which necessitates service.)

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