Deep in Scripture Radio

Matthew 16:18 – Jesus Changes Peter’s Name… So What’s His New Job? – Jimmy Akin

In this episode of Deep in Scripture, Catholic Answers Senior Apologist Jimmy Akin joins Marcus Grodi to discuss Jesus’ commissioning Peter as the Rock on which He would build His Church.  Catholics have an easy explanation for this, but many other Christians have a very different spin on this passage from Scripture.  Join Jimmy and Marcus as they break down one of the key Bible verses that divides Catholics and other Christians.

John 14:21 - Those Who Love God Keep His Commandments - Dan Burke

Dan Burke, Executive Director of the National Catholic Register and President of the Avila Institute joins Marcus Grodi to discuss Jesus' words in John 14:21, when he tells us that if we love him, we will follow his teachings and obey his commandments.  Marcus and Dan reflect on how following that advice has been a blessing in both of their ministries, and how it sums up what it means to be a disciple of Christ.

Colossians 2:8 - What are the "traditions of men" that Paul warns Christians against? - Dr. Jim Papandrea

One of the verses most commonly used to argue against the Catholic Church is St. Paul's admonition in his letter to the Colossians to not be led astray by "empty philosophies" and the "traditions of men." To what traditions is St. Paul referring?  And if Sacred Scripture springs forth from the tradition of its being reverenced in the liturgy, is Paul arguing against the use of the Bible itself?  Dr. Jim Papandrea, a professor of Church History at Garret-Evangelical Seminary on the Campus of Northwestern University, looks at the implications of this controversial teaching from St. Paul.

Matthew 12:36 - Will we REALLY be judged for our every careless word? - Matthew Leonard

On the latest Deep in Scripture podcast, Matthew Leonard from the St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology joins Marcus Grodi to discuss a verse that can be frightening to many of us.  Jesus tells us in Matthew 12:36 that on the day of judgment, we will be held to account for every careless word that we utter.  What implications does this verse have for the debate between predestination and free will?  Can we ever be forgiven for the things that we've said, and regret?  In a day and age where social media makes it so easy for the demons of our past to be brought back to haunt us, it's important to know what the mercy of God means in light of this verse- and what it means for us to tame our tongues.  Listen and share!

What does it mean that the Creator of the Universe took on flesh? Genesis 1 and John 1 - Rob "The Donut Man" Evans

God made the natural world, and then, as a baby in Bethlehem 2000 years ago, was introduced to that same world as a physical part of it in the person of Jesus.  If the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, what does it then mean that he promised that the bread and cup that we take at Communion would also become his flesh?  Rob Evans, who has entertained thousands of children for the past several decades as "The Donut Man," talks with Marcus about the meaning of the incarnation of Jesus, and its implications for our lives as people of the sacraments.

How do we join our sufferings to those of Jesus? Romans 8:16-17 - Bruce Sullivan - Deep in Scripture

Former Church of Christ minister Bruce Sullivan joins Marcus Grodi on this episode of Deep in Scripture to discuss Romans 8:16-17, where St. Paul talks about the Holy Spirit bearing witness with our spirit that we are heirs with Christ- which is great- but then it goes on to say that we become those heirs through being joined with Christ in his suffering so as to receive his glory.  What does it mean to suffer for Christ?  Should we seek out suffering?  What about the notion that suffering can be a result, not of our desire to identify with Christ, but rather due to our own disobedience to God?

Bruce Sullivan is the author of "Christ in His Fullness."

Jesus Heals a Paralytic - But What About the Paralytic's Friends? - Matthew 9:2-7 - Matt Swaim

On this episode of Deep in Scripture, Marcus Grodi and Matt Swaim take an in-depth look at Jesus' healing of a paralytic in Matthew 9.  It was because of faith that Jesus forgave and healed the man- but whose faith?  They also discuss the idea of Jesus' forgiveness of the man's sins as a precursor to the power to forgive sins that Jesus would one day transmit to his apostles.

Matt Swaim is the Communications Coordinator for The Coming Home Network.

"We hold that a man is justified by faith apart from works of law." Romans 3:28 - Does the Bible contradict itself regarding faith and works? - Tim Staples

Tim Staples, Director of Apologetics at Catholic Answers and former Assemblies of God youth minister, joins Marcus Grodi to tackle the question of faith and works that is a point of contention between so many Christians.  In some places, it seems the scriptures tell us that we must DO things to be saved- in other places, it seems there's nothing we can DO to be saved.  With humor and insight, Marcus and Tim work to get to the bottom of this age-old debate regarding the matter of justification.

Tim can be found online at www.catholic.com and www.timstaples.com.

“You are not to be called ‘rabbi…’ and call no man on earth ‘father?'” – Matthew 23:8-9 – Kenneth Hensley

Fuller Theological Seminary product and former Baptist pastor Kenneth Hensley joins Marcus Grodi to look at one of the main verses some Bible-only Christians use to try and prove that Catholicism is unbiblical.  Are Catholics violating a core teaching of Jesus if they call priests ‘father?’  If so, does that also mean we sin by calling anyone ‘rabbi,’ ‘teacher,’ ‘master,’ or even ‘mister?’  In our ongoing exploration of hard verses in the Bible, Marcus and Ken dig into this passage, which has long been the focus of debate in Protestant-Catholic conversations.

Ken is online at kennethhensley.com.

Headship and Submission, in the Family and in the Church - Ephesians 5:21-23 - Steve Wood

When Ephesians 5 pops up in the lectionary, every pastor knows what kind of fallout they need to be prepared for.  Does submission in a family relationship diminish the value of certain members?  What are the implications for the Church in regard to obedience to hierarchy?  Can someone who is given a Biblical mandate to lead and govern forfeit the legitimacy of their claim to authority through immoral or imprudent behavior?  Marcus Grodi and Steve Wood look at the meaning of authority and obedience in an age where rebellion and disobedience seem to be heralded as virtues.