The Spirit & The Bride

God's Revelation in Sacred Tradition and the Magisterium's Role

God's revelation was handed on by Jesus and his apostles through Sacred Scripture (the Bible) and Sacred Tradition. But what is this Tradition, and how does it come to us? Dr. Schreck explores that question, highlighting the role of the teaching office of the Church—the Magisterium—in handing on, safeguarding, and authoritatively interpreting God's revealed truth in Sacred Scripture and Tradition.

How God Reveals Himself

Dr. Schreck reviews how God has revealed himself through the material order (or "natural revelation") and how God as creator has been confirmed by scientific discoveries in the past 100 years.  He also talks about God's direct revelation in history (or "divine revelation")—from God's manifestation in word and deed to the Hebrew people to his entering into history in fullness in Jesus, the climax of God's self-revelation.

The Foundations of Catholic Belief: God, Revelation, and Faith

Dr. Schreck starts to unfold the riches of the Catholic faith with the opening sections of his Essential Catholic Catechism.  The story of God's saving plan of love and redemption of the human race begins with these foundational truths: There is a God.  This God reveals himself first in all he has created.  And the only suitable human response is faith—believing in God who is real and who cannot deceive, as he is truth and goodness.

Introducing Catechism Alive!

Dr. Alan Schreck introduces his new podcast series, based on his popular and acclaimed Essential Catholic Catechism published by TAN Books.
This catechism, fully referenced to The Catechism of the Catholic Church, was reviewed and recommended by Christoph Cardinal Schoenborn, the general editor of the CCC. Through this podcast series, Dr. Schreck will highlight the beauty and power of the Catholic Church's understanding of the Gospel of Jesus as faithfully preserved and proclaimed by the Church. This life-giving truth will invite all to a deeper, richer, and livelier faith!
 
Listen to more The Spirit and The Bride episodes and discover other Catholic podcasts, videos, and resources at Faith and Reason.

The Holy Spirit in the Letters of St. John and Book of Revelation

While John’s Gospel is the summit of the revelation of the Holy Spirit in the New Testament, the letters of St. John also provide valuable insight into the work of the Holy Spirit.
Also, Revelation, the last book of the Bible, is an apocalyptic work that focuses on the prophetic inspiration of its author and ends with the symbolism of the Spirit as the river of life-giving water in the heavenly Jerusalem. The epilogue of the Apocalypse declares: “The Spirit and the Bride say ‘Come’… And let him who is thirsty come, let all who desires take the water of life without price” (Rev 22:17).
 
Listen to more The Spirit and The Bride episodes and discover other Catholic podcasts, videos, and resources at Faith and Reason.

The Holy Spirit in Hebrews, James, Jude, and 1 and 2 Peter

Although there are not any "new" revelations of the Holy Spirit in these New Testament epistles, they are significant because the Holy Spirit is spoken of in various ways. Especially in the letters of St. Peter, we see echoes of revelations of the Holy Spirit's work from the writings of St. Paul and the Gospels.
 
Listen to more The Spirit and The Bride episodes and discover other Catholic podcasts, videos, and resources at Faith and Reason.

St. Paul's Teaching on the Holy Spirit and Unity, with Reflections from Pope St. John Paul II

The Holy Spirit is the ultimate source of unity in the Church and in the world, being the love within the Trinity and the source of love that binds people together and overcomes sinful divisions.  St. Paul emphasizes the Spirit is the “love of God poured into our hearts” (Rom. 5:5).
He urges all in the Church to “be eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace” (Eph. 4:3). Also highlighted are a 1990 and 1993 catechesis of Pope St. John Paul II on the Holy Spirit and unity, and Vatican II’s teaching on the Holy Spirit and the quest for the unity of Christians, or ecumenism.
 
Listen to more The Spirit and The Bride episodes and discover other Catholic podcasts, videos, and resources at Faith and Reason.

The Charisms in St. Paul's Writings (Part 2) and in Vatican II

Dr. Alan Schreck explores the gifts of the Holy Spirit, or charisms, in chapter 14 of St. Paul’s First Letter to the Corinthians and in his letters to the Romans (Chapter 12) and Ephesians (Chapter 4).
A reading from St. Hilary of Poitiers reveals the presence and importance of charisms in the 4th century, and teachings from the Second Vatican Council show their importance in the life of the Church today.
Listen to part 1 on the charisms here.
You can also find more The Spirit and The Bride episodes here and discover other Catholic podcasts, videos, and resources at Faith and Reason.

The Charisms: Gifts of the Holy Spirit in St. Paul's Writings (Part 1)

St. Paul’s image of the Church as the “Body of Christ” provides context for his teaching on the “gifts of the Holy Spirit,” or charisms. Every member of the Body of Christ is given these charisms to build up or edify the Church and to serve with love its mission in the world.
Dr. Schreck talks about St. Paul and his First Letter to the Corinthians, listing some of these charisms, describing their importance, and how they are to be exercised.
Listen to part 2 on the charisms here.
You can also find more The Spirit and The Bride episodes here and discover other Catholic podcasts, videos, and resources at Faith and Reason.

The Spirit of Holiness in the Letters of St. Paul

After reviewing the work of the Holy Spirit to convict us of sin and to confer God's forgiveness, Dr. Alan Schreck focuses on how, through dwelling in us and in the Church, the Holy Spirit frees us from "the law of sin and death," empowering us to overcome sin and be transformed into new creations in Jesus Christ.
The outward manifestation of this spirit of holiness is living a life of love and service, exhibiting the "fruit of the Spirit" (Gal. 5:22,23).
Listen to more The Spirit and The Bride episodes and discover other Catholic podcasts, videos, and resources at Faith and Reason.