The Spirit & The Bride

Spirit in Isaiah and the Psalms

Dr. Schreck explores how the spirit is an attribute of the servant of God in the messianic texts of the prophet Isaiah, where people can even "grieve" the spirit by rejecting his work.  The Psalms also speak of the work of God's spirit and appeal to God not to hide his face nor remove his spirit but to send forth the spirit to "renew the face of the earth" (Ps. 104) and to restore "the joy of...salvation" (Ps. 51).

Spirit in the Old Testament: Purifying and Life-Giving

Dr. Schreck introduces the ethical and moral work of the Spirit of God in the Old Testament, purifying or cleansing God's people of sin in the images of fire and water.  After this purification, the restorative, life-giving action of the Spirit follows.

The Spirit and Leadership in the Old Testament

God raised up leaders for the Hebrew people who were equipped and empowered for this task through an outpouring or anointing of God’s spirit.  Dr. Schreck talks about the prophet Isaiah and how he foresaw the Messiah, the greatest ruler who would possess the full charisms of leadership: the spirit of wisdom, understanding, counsel, knowledge, fortitude, piety, and fear of the Lord.

The Spirit and Prophecy in the Old Testament

To restore the broken relationship between God and humanity, God selected individuals from among the Chosen People to speak and act through his spirit.  Dr. Schreck introduces these Old Testament prophets and highlights the importance of what they did and said through the spirit of God. 

Spirit as the Breath of Life

Dr. Schreck discusses Genesis chapter 2 and the second creation account where God breathes life into the first human.  The Old Testament reveals how God gives humanity both natural life and spiritual life.

Spirit in the Old Testament

Dr. Schreck starts a new season focused on the Holy Spirit.  Although the reality of God as the Blessed Trinity is not yet fully revealed in the Old Testament, Dr. Schreck looks at references to God's "spirit" in the very beginning of the Bible, the Book of Genesis.

New Season Intro: The Holy Spirit

Dr. Alan Schreck welcomes listeners to a new weekly podcast series on the Holy Spirit. Why learn about the Holy Spirit? Because he is God, the third person of the Blessed Trinity, and we hope to spend eternity with him. Jesus also reveals the Holy Spirit as the "gift of God" and "the promise of the Father."

The Lasting Significance of the Second Vatican Council

Pope St. John Paul II called the Second Vatican Council "the great grace God bestowed on the Church in the twentieth century" and "a sure compass to guide us in the century now beginning." Pope Benedict XVI reaffirmed this view, and Pope Francis continued to carry it out. This episode focuses on three themes: the Council's mission to promote a three-fold unity (unity within the Church, with other Christians, and among all people), gratitude to God for the Council as a great gift to the Church, and the authority of the Council as the Holy Spirit's word to the Church for our times.
 
This concludes our journey through the documents of the Second Vatican Council.  Stay with us as we begin the next series on the Holy Spirit, coming soon!

Vatican II's Declaration on Religious Liberty

Dr. Schreck talks about one of the Second Vatican Council's landmark documents: Declaration on Religious Liberty, or Dignitatis Humanae. This document upholds the Gospel principle that faith in religious matters, either by individuals or groups, cannot be coerced and that public practice of worship and acts motivated by religious beliefs should be permitted, as long as "just requirements of the public order" are not violated. 

Vatican II's Decree on Eastern Catholic Churches and Declaration on Christian Education

Dr. Schreck talks about two brief documents from the Second Vatican Council. First, Orientalium Ecclesiarum explores the rites and churches that emerged in the East and how these liturgical and spiritual traditions show the richness of the Catholic Church. Then, Gravissimum Educationis illuminates how Christian education helps each person reach his or her full potential—and, ultimately, eternal fulfillment and joy with God in heaven.