The Spirit & The Bride

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. Alan 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.
 
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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. Alan 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.
 
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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. Alan Schreck also focuses on the mission of all believers to witness to Jesus Christ and how to do this effectively.
 
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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.
 
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Original Sin: Its Meaning, Effects, and God's Response

Dr. Alan 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.
 
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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.

Creation: A Sign and Fruit of God's Love

Dr. Alan Schreck explores the meaning and purpose of all that exists apart from God—creation—which is a sign and fruit of God’s goodness and love.
He discusses what God reveals about creation, beginning with the visible, material order as presented in Genesis and the highest intelligent immaterial beings—the angels.
Listen to more The Spirit and The Bride episodes and discover other Catholic podcasts, videos, and resources at Faith and Reason.

The Revelation and Mystery of the Blessed Trinity and God as Love

Dr. Alan Schreck explores what the Catholic Church teaches about the central mystery of our faith: the Blessed Trinity. What does it mean that God is one, and yet “three” or triune?
He also discusses the most important, central attribute or perfection of God: that “God is love” (1 Jn 4:8).
 
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The Creeds Express the Church's Faith: "I Believe in God, the Father Almighty..."

Faith is a personal response to God and God’s revelation. The creeds, which are part of Sacred Tradition, present a necessary summary of what we believe, or the faith of the Church.
The first article speaks of God, who is One and Spirit. But he is also a personal God who Jesus addressed—and taught us to know and address—as “Father.”
Listen to more episodes of The Spirit and the Bride here.

God's Revelation as a Tripod of Truth, and Faith as Our Response

Dr. Schreck describes the relationship of Scripture, Tradition, and the Church’s Magisterium and how each is essential to receive the truths God has revealed. Our only adequate response to this revelation is faith, so he also discusses the nature of faith and how we can grow in faith in God and his revealed truth.
Listen to more episodes of The Spirit and the Bride here.