Deep in Scripture Radio

"He who does not love does not know God; for God is love." - I John 4:8 - How do we know if we really love God?

In a world where your feelings toward your spouse, your car, your job, and your favorite food can all be described with the word "love," what are we supposed to make of God's call to love our neighbor as ourself?  Marcus Grodi and Jim Anderson take an in-depth look at the implications of God's greatest commandment- to love Him, and secondly, to love one another as He loves us.

"Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ loved the church... cleansing her by the bath of water with the word"; Ephesians 5:25-26 - What is the meaning of that bath of cleansing?

One of the more controversial chapters in the Bible for pastors to preach on is Ephesians 5, because of Paul's statement about wives submitting to their husbands.  Deacon Alex Jones addresses another challenging portion of the same chapter- when Paul says a husband should lay down his life for his wife, "cleansing her by the bath of water with the word."  In his Pentecostal days, Deacon Alex saw salvation through receiving the word of God as primary, and the washing of water through Baptism as merely a later affirmation of what had happened when the word was received.  He and Marcus discuss the historical teaching of the Church in regard to this passage from St. Paul's letter to the Ephesians.

Contraception & the Church: “Do not conform yourselves to this age” with Kimberly Hahn

***The Devil tried to stop us, but this episode was just TOO GOOD not to share! (The first several minutes of this program contain some technical difficulties, but it is worth pushing through. Please “offer up” the slight inconvenience with the intention that Mrs. Hahn’s testimony may bear fruit in the lives of listeners struggling with this topic.)

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Marcus welcomes former Presbyterian and dear friend Kimberly Hahn to the program to discuss a Bible verse to which it was particularly hard for her to submit her will when considering the teachings of the Catholic Church.

In this episode, Marcus and Kimberly discuss Romans 12: 1-2, in which all Christians are called to submit both body and mind to the Lord, and issues including life, contraception, and discernment within marriage and family.

Scripture verses: Romans 12:1-2 — “I urge you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God, your spiritual worship. Do not conform yourselves to this age but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and pleasing and perfect.”

Resources mentioned:

• ScottHahn.com
• Psalm 31 Bible Study, Beloved and Blessed
• Scott and Kimberly Hahn’s Journey Home episode; Kimberly’s Journey Home episode 2 and Kimberly’s Open Line Q&A episode
• Scott and Kimberly’s written conversion testimony, Rome Sweet Home
• Kimberly’s Deep in History conference talks “The Authority of Scripture in Marriage & Family Life” and “The Reformation’s Effect on the Family”

"I am filling up what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ on behalf of his body, which is the church."; Colossians 1:24- What could be lacking from Christ's sacrifice?

In Paul's letter to the Colossians, he tells them a number of astonishing things.  Not only does he rejoice in his sufferings, but he sees them as a way to identify with, and even supplement, the sufferings of Jesus.  Former non-denominational pastor Jeff Cavins joins Marcus Grodi to talk about the mystery of suffering, and how we can make sense of it, through a personal relationship with Christ.

Order Jeff's book, "When You Suffer," here.

Jeff's talk on redemptive suffering is part of the Deep in Christ conference set, "The Catholic Paul?"  Order it in the CHN store.

“In every place incense is offered to my name, and a pure offering…”; Malachi 1:11- What sacrifice would one day be offered in places all over the world?

Patristics expert Mike Aquilina talks with Marcus Grodi about the reverence that the Fathers of the Church had for the prophecy books of the Old Testament, how the Mass took the offering of a pure sacrifice outside the temple walls into every community that celebrated the Eucharist.

Find links to dozens of books by Mike through his website: fathersofthechurch.com.

"For you repay each man according to his deeds." Psalm 62:13, More on Faith & Works

Marcus Grodi & Jim Anderson start with Psalm 62 and discuss the difficulties among Christians in understanding Biblical references to Faith and Works.

“We love because he first loved us.” – 1 John 4:19, Steve Wood’s Hard Verses

Steve discusses how in a variety of Christian circles, both Protestant and Catholic, it is difficult to really grapple with what it means for God to have “first loved us.” For this reason so much of the Catholic Catechism focuses on teaching about who God is. In this episode of Deep in Scripture, Marcus & Steve reflect on how they approached this verse from their respective Christian backgrounds and how other scriptures and the guidance of the Church have clarified their thought.

Scripture verse: 1 John 4:19

Marcus Grodi & Jim Anderson Look At Some More Hard Verses

"Hard Verses" with David Currie, Worshiping on Sunday, Zachariah 14:20-21

Marcus Grodi invites good friend Davie Currie, former Fundamentalist Baptist seminarian and son of a pastor, to discuss a “Hard Verse” from the Book of Zechariah and how this verse opened his eyes to the continuity between the Old Testament and the teachings of the Catholic Church. Marcus and David also discuss briefly David's new book Loving Baby Louie about helping children understand miscarriage and the loss of a baby.

Scripture verse: Zechariah 14: 20-21

Resources mentioned:

• David Currie's books: Born Fundamentalist, Born Again Catholic | Rapture: The End-Times Error That Leaves the Bible Behind | What Jesus Really Said about the End of the World | Loving Baby Louie: Hope in the Midst of Grief
• Thomas Howard's Evangelical is Not Enough: Worship of God in Liturgy and Sacrament
• David Currie's written conversion story
• David Currie's Journey Home episodes  primary episode | open line Q&A | open line Q&A, too | 4 | 5
• David Currie's Deep in Scripture episodes "Making Decisions as a Christian, 2 Thessalonians 3: 13 & Daniel 1:8" | "The End Times, 2 Thessalonians 2:1-12" | "Matthew 24:36-42 & 25"

“Hard Verses” — Jephthah & Christian responsibility

Jim Anderson, Coming Home Network's Manager of Clergy Members and former Lutheran seminarian, joins Marcus Grodi to discuss some “Hard Verses” from Scripture. Jim chose the Old Testament story of Jephthah, which left him scratching his head! Marcus chose a New Testament verse regarding “decency,” asking the question who defines “decency” and such standards?