The Spirit & The Bride

Jesus' Public Ministry Begins: The Kingdom of God Proclaimed

Jesus' "hidden life" ends and his public ministry begins with his baptism in the Jordan River by John.  Jesus' proclamation that "the kingdom (or reign) of God is at hand" is the key to his mission and ministry.  But what is this kingdom, and how does Jesus bring it about?

What the Gospels Say About Jesus' Identity and His Infancy

As author C.S. Lewis noted, Jesus as he's revealed in the Gospels is either God, a lunatic, or a liar. Jesus differs from all other religious founders in that he is God Incarnate, revealing God as love and reconciling the human race with God by his passion and death. Dr. Schreck talks about the Gospels' narrative of Jesus' life, starting with his infancy and "hidden life" in Nazareth.

Jesus as One Divine Person in Two Natures: His Knowledge, Will, and Sacred Heart

The Council of Chalcedon clarified that Jesus was one person in two natures, divine and human. Dr. Schreck explores this mystery and how it relates to Jesus' knowledge and his will. He also reflects on Jesus' Sacred Heart as a reflection and expression of God's love.

The Mysteries of Christ's Life: The Incarnation

Some recognize Jesus as a great teacher but don't accept the Gospel accounts of Jesus' mighty works or miracles. Dr. Schreck explains how all the central Christian beliefs about Jesus are miraculous, and their purpose is to reveal God and bring about the redemption of the human race and communion with God.  The first miracle or mystery of Christ's life is the Incarnation—Jesus as one divine person in two natures: fully God and fully human.

Jesus' Titles in the Creed, and the Purpose of the Incarnation

In the Apostles' Creed, Christians profess their belief in "Jesus Christ, his [God the Father's] only Son, our Lord." Dr. Schreck explains the significance of these titles—"Christ," "Only- Begotten Son," and "Lord"—which reveal essential truths about Jesus. He also discusses the reasons why the Son of God assumed our humanity and the purpose of his Incarnation.

The Name of Jesus

The Compendium of the Catechism of the Catholic Church begins its teaching about Jesus with the meaning and importance of his name: "There is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved" (Acts 4:12). Referring to the Acts of the Apostles and the Gospel of John, Dr. Schreck reflects on the power of Jesus' name and the need to speak of his name to enable others to encounter Jesus and become his disciples.

Jesus as the Heart of the Good News, and Our Witness to Him

Jesus Christ is the primary subject of the creeds and the heart of the Good News of Christianity. The Catechism of the Catholic Church states, "From the loving knowledge of Christ there springs up in the believer the desire to evangelize and catechize, that is, to reveal in the Person of Christ the entire design of God and to put humanity in communion with him" (art. 80). Dr. Schreck also focuses on the mission of all believers to witness to Jesus Christ and how to do this effectively.

Understanding Evil in Light of God's Providence and Plan of Salvation

After the original sin of Adam and Eve, God initiated, in his providence, a loving plan to overcome the evil caused by sin and restore the human race. Through Noah, Abraham, Moses, David, and many others, God initiated covenants with the Hebrew people in preparation for the final and unsurpassed saving act and covenant offered to all people in Jesus Christ.

Original Sin: Its Meaning, Effects, and God's Response

Dr. Schreck continues to unfold the Catholic understanding of God's revelation in the Book of Genesis, focusing on the original sin of Adam and Eve and its effects. This includes how God reveals hope for the restoration of the human race, which is foreshadowed in Genesis.

The Origin of Evil in the Fall of the Angels, and Creation of Man and Woman

Dr. Schreck asks why, if God is all good and all powerful, does evil exist? This begins with sin of Lucifer and the angels who followed his example in rebellion against God. The summit of God's creation in the material order is the human person, bearing God's "image and likeness" and created for communion with God and others. He also unpacks what the Church learns about the human person and God's revealed plan for the human race from the Book of Genesis.
Listen to more The Spirit and The Bride episodes and discover other Catholic podcasts, videos, and resources at Faith and Reason.