The Sacred Page Podcast with Michael Barber

"Are you saved?" Many popular Christian descriptions of "salvation" amount to little more than "fire insurance"--i.e., getting out of the fires of hell. A closer look however reveals that New Testament soteriology however is far more involved than that. Here I look at the way the New Testament describes "salvation". I also look at the role of "works" in "salvation". Listen on iTunes or click the link below. Look for more information on this podcast over at the corresponding post at TheSacredPage.com  Feel free to leave your comments below. TSP 21: What does it mean to be "saved"? What is the role of works in salvation? This week on "The Sacred Page with Michael Barber".

Now for something a little different. . . The recent Facebook IPO and other business headlines are the topic of this recent podcast. Here I discuss Catholic Social Teaching and Scripture with the guys from Solidarity With Salisbury. The blog belongs to Matthew Salisbury, a graduate of JP Catholic's MBA program. Justin Wilga and Stephen Flemings, also JP Catholic almuni, also contribute posts as guest bloggers. These guys are engaged in some very thoughtful analysis. Check out, e.g., Matt's new post on On the Cynicism and Hollywood Night Clubs. I really enjoyed having these guys on the show. Listen on iTunes or click the link below. Look for more information on this podcast over at the corresponding post at TheSacredPage.com  Feel free to leave your comments below. TSP 20: Matthew Salisbury and Co. on Catholic Social Teaching This week on "The Sacred Page with Michael Barber".

This Sunday is one of my favorite feasts of the year: Trinity Sunday. Here I go through Thomas Aquinas' exegetical arguments for the Trinity in his Summa Contra Gentiles. I'd appreciate your comments and feedback! Listen on iTunes or click the link below. Look for more information on this podcast over at the corresponding post at TheSacredPage.com  Feel free to leave your comments below. Scripture and the Trinity: The Biblical Roots of the Dogma (Podcast for Trinity Sunday 2012)(Right click to download) As always, I'd like to express my gratitude to Saint Joseph's Communications, who generously support this podcast. They are also offering our listeners a free copy of the first CD from Scott Hahn's audio set "Justification: Becoming a Child of God". Call 1-800-526-2151. (And don't forget to thank them for supporting the show!) This week on "The Sacred Page with Michael Barber".

In this Sunday's Gospel Jesus tells us what true love looks like: "Greater love has no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends (John 15:13)." Here we look at how this part of the Last Supper discourse is related to Jesus' act of washing the disciples feet (John 13) and his sacrificial death as the Suffering Servant (Isa 52-53)--something also alluded to in the second reading.  Listen on iTunes or click the link below. Look for more information on this podcast over at the corresponding post at TheSacredPage.com  Feel free to leave your comments below. Jesus, the Servant, and His Sacrificial Love in John (Podcast on the Sunday Readings: 6th Sunday of Easter) This week on "The Sacred Page with Michael Barber".

"I am the vine, you are the branches" (John 15:5). So Jesus tells us in this Sunday's Gospel.  But what does it mean? In this podcast, we take a careful look carefully at the imagery. In particular, I discuss some of the Eucharistic echoes scholars have detected in the passage.  Listen on iTunes or click the link below. Look for more information on this podcast over at the corresponding post at TheSacredPage.com  Feel free to leave your comments below. 'I am the vine': A look at John 15 and Eucharistic echoes (podcast on the Sunday readings) This week on "The Sacred Page with Michael Barber".

John Bergsma and I discuss the role of the Bible in Catholic Theology, highlighting a new document from the International Theological Commission. Listen on iTunes or click the link below. Look for more information on this podcast over at the corresponding post at TheSacredPage.com  Feel free to leave your comments below. TSP 19: John Bergsma on the Bible in Catholic Theology As always, I'd like to express my gratitude to Saint Joseph's Communications, who generously support this podcast. They are also offering our listeners a free copy of the first CD from Scott Hahn's audio set, "How to Study the Bible." Give them a call: 1-800-526-2151.This week on "The Sacred Page with Michael Barber".

Happy Easter! This post examines some of the historical issues revolving around the resurrection narratives. Listen on iTunes or click the link below. Look for more information on this podcast over at the corresponding post at TheSacredPage.com  Feel free to leave your comments below. Historical Questions About the Resurrection (Special TSP Podcast for Easter)(Right click to download) As always, I'd like to express my gratitude to Saint Joseph's Communications, who generously support this podcast. They are also offering our listeners a free copy of the first CD from Scott Hahn's audio set on Jesus' Seven Sayings from the Cross. Also, again, during this Lent as you're making your almsgiving plans, please consider calling them up and giving them a donation, 1-800-526-2151. (And don't forget to thank them for supporting the show!) I'm not sure how to get these sets via mp3 download. Just give them a call and they can help you out. (800-526-2151).This week on "The Sacred Page with Michael Barber".

One of the most obscure phrases in the Creed is the line that speaks about Jesus' "descent into hell." This podcast explores this line as we look at the meaning of the Mystery of Holy Saturday. Listen on iTunes or click the link below. Look for more information on this podcast over at the corresponding post at TheSacredPage.com  Feel free to leave your comments below. "He descended into hell" (Holy Saturday Podcast) As always, I'd like to express my gratitude to Saint Joseph's Communications, who generously support this podcast. They are also offering our listeners a free copy of the first CD from Scott Hahn's audio set on Jesus' Seven Sayings from the Cross. Also, again, during this Lent as you're making your almsgiving plans, please consider calling them up and giving them a donation, 1-800-526-2151. (And don't forget to thank them for supporting the show!) I'm not sure how to get these sets via mp3 download. Just give them a call and they can help you out. (800-526-2151).This week on "The Sacred Page with Michael Barber".

In this special Good Friday podcast I look at Jesus' death, discussing ways historical sources and archaeological discoveries shed light on crucifixion in the ancient world. I then turn to ask: Why did Jesus die this way, drawing from Thomas Aquinas who surveys the various explanations found in Scripture. Have a blessed Good Friday! (And be sure to check out all the pictures, notes and links posted over at TheSacredPage.com under the post with the same title). Listen on iTunes or click the link below. Look for more information on this podcast over at the corresponding post at TheSacredPage.com  Feel free to leave your comments below. Crucifixion: History, Archaeology, and Why Jesus Died This Way (Good Friday Podcast) As always, I'd like to express my gratitude to Saint Joseph's Communications, who generously support this podcast. They are also offering our listeners a free copy of the first CD from Scott Hahn's audio set on Jesus' Seven Sayings from the Cross. Also, again, during this Lent as you're making your almsgiving plans, please consider calling them up and giving them a donation, 1-800-526-2151. (And don't forget to thank them for supporting the show!) I'm not sure how to get these sets via mp3 download. Just give them a call and they can help you out. (800-526-2151).This week on "The Sacred Page with Michael Barber".

In this podcast I talk with Brant Pitre about the Last Supper. Specifically, we look at the chronology of Holy Week. In particular, Brant discusses an issue he has long labored over: the question of the date of the Last Supper. As many know, there appears to be a discrepancy between the Synoptic and Johannine accounts. In the Synoptics, Jesus' Last Supper is a Passover meal. In the Gospel of John, however, there are indications that Passover has not yet been celebrated. This is a topic Brant will tackle in much greater detail in a massive academic monograph he is just finishing up for Eerdmans. The book is a look at the historical Jesus and the Last Supper. This is a book he has been working for several years--as you can probably tell from this podcast. Also, be sure to check out Brant's recent book, a runaway best-seller, Jesus and the Jewish Roots of the Eucharist: Unlocking the Secrets of the Last Supper (Doubleday, 2011). I've written a detailed review of this book over at the amazon link provided. In addition, check out Brant's audio presentations on Jesus and the Eucharist here. Finally, be sure to check out previous podcasts of our show for more on the Eucharist. Have a Holy Thursday! Listen on iTunes or click the link below. Look for more information on this podcast over at the corresponding post at TheSacredPage.com  Feel free to leave your comments below. Holy Thursday Podcast: Brant Pitre on the Date of the Last Supper As always, I'd like to express my gratitude to Saint Joseph's Communications, who generously support this podcast. They are also offering our listeners a free copy of the first CD from Scott Hahn's audio set on Jesus' Seven Sayings from the Cross. Also, again, during this Lent as you're making your almsgiving plans, please consider calling them up and giving them a donation, 1-800-526-2151. (And don't forget to thank them for supporting the show!) I'm not sure how to get these sets via mp3 download. Just give them a call and they can help you out. (800-526-2151).This week on "The Sacred Page with Michael Barber".

With Palm Sunday coming up, in episode 18 of The Sacred Page I take an in-depth look at Jesus' "Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem" and Passion in the Gospel of Mark. Listen on iTunes or click the link below. Look for more information on this podcast over at the corresponding post at TheSacredPage.com  As always, I'd like to express my gratitude to Saint Joseph's Communications, who generously support this podcast. They are also offering our listeners a free copy of the first CD from Scott Hahn's audio set on Jesus' Seven Sayings from the Cross. Also, again, during this Lent as you're making your almsgiving plans, please consider calling them up and giving them a donation, 1-800-526-2151. (And don't forget to thank them for supporting the show!) I'm not sure how to get these sets via mp3 download. Just give them a call and they can help you out. (800-526-2151). Feel free to leave your comments below. TSP 18: Palm Sunday and the Passion Narrative in MarkThis week on "The Sacred Page with Michael Barber".

This is a short podcast on the Passion Narrative in Mark. There will also be an extended podcast giving an broader overview of the Passion Narrative in Mark. Here's an overview. Apocalyptic Discourse & Passion Narrative Listen on iTunes or click the link below. Look for more information on this podcast over at the corresponding post at TheSacredPage.com  As always, I'd like to express my gratitude to Saint Joseph's Communications, who generously support this podcast. They are also offering our listeners a free copy of the first CD from Scott Hahn's audio set on Jesus' Seven Sayings from the Cross. Also, again, during this Lent as you're making your almsgiving plans, please consider calling them up and giving them a donation, 1-800-526-2151. (And don't forget to thank them for supporting the show!) I'm not sure how to get these sets via mp3 download. Just give them a call and they can help you out. (800-526-2151). Feel free to leave your comments below. Mark's Passion Narrative & the Apocalyptic Discourse: Podcast for Passion SundayThis week on "The Sacred Page with Michael Barber".

This podcast is devoted to the readings for the Fifth Week of Lent. I was honored to be joined in this podcast by John Bergsma. John is also the guest for the soon to be released next extended podcast in which we talk about the role of Scripture in Catholic Theology. The readings this Sunday take us through Jeremiah 31, one of the most important prophecies in the Old Testament. The Gospel is taken from John 12. During the podcast I talk a bit about the motif of the hour in John. Here I drew a bit from Scott Hahn's fine work. On the Hour in John Linked with his death (John 7:30; 8:20)Further spiritual associationsLinked with giving miraculous wine (John 2:3–4)Worship in Spirit and Truth (John 4:21–24)The dead hear the voice of the Son of God and will live (John 5:25–29)Jesus is lifted up and draws all men, grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies (John 12:20–24)Eucharistic spiritualityNew wineChristian worship in the SpiritHear the voice of the Son and liveJesus is lifted up as sacrificial Lamb of GodJesus as grain of wheat: Eucharistic breadDraws all to himself—Jews and GreeksSee Scott Hahn, Scripture Matters: Essays on Reading the Bible from the Heart of the Church (Steubenville: Emmaus Road, 2003), 105–118. As always, you can listen on iTunes or click the link below. Feel free to leave your comments below. "Jeremiah's New Covenant Prophecy and the Coming of Jesus' Sacrificial Hour: Podcast on the Sunday Readings for the Fifth Sunday of Lent (3/25/12)"This week on "The Sacred Page with Michael Barber".

This week's episode of The Sacred Page Podcast features New Testament scholar, Leroy Huizenga. Dr. Huizenga teaches Scripture at the University of St. Mary in Bismarck, North Dakota. He is also the Director of the Christian Leadership Center.  Of course, in this cycle of the lectionary we begin to hear a number of Gospel readings from the Fourth Gospel. Here Dr. Huizenga provides us with an overview of the Gospel according to John, offering reflections on its major themes. As Leroy explains, the Gospel gives us much to meditate on during this Lenten season: God's relationship to the world, the Person of Jesus Christ and the Incarnation, the sacraments, etc.  During the interview we frequently make mention of Leroy's excellent article, "Preaching John," which is posted over at Christian Leadership Center's website. Listen on iTunes or click the link below. Look for more information on this podcast over at the corresponding post at TheSacredPage.com  Finally, a huge amount of thanks to Saint Joseph's Communications, who support this podcast. They are also offering our listeners a free copy of Archbishop Fulton Sheen's CD on Easter. Also, again, during this Lent as you're making your almsgiving plans, please consider calling them up and giving them a donation, 1-800-526-2151. (And don't forget to thank them for supporting the show!) Feel free to leave your comments below. TSP 17: "Leroy Huizenga on the Fourth Gospel"This week on "The Sacred Page with Michael Barber".

Here is the podcast on the Sunday readings for the Fourth Week of Lent. This week I'm joined by a special guest, noted New Testament scholar, Dr. Leroy Huizenga. Dr. Huizenga is Professor of Scripture at the University of St. Mary in Bismarck, North Dakota, where he also serves as the Director of the Christian Leadership Center. He will also be the guest on the next extended podcast (which should be available Monday of next week). We're so glad to have him on the show! This Sunday the lectionary has us reading from the Fourth Gospel.  This Sunday we look at John 3, specifically, the famous passage in John 3:16. We also touch on the end of 2 Chronicles (the first reading) as well as Ephesians 2 (the second reading. In fact, more readings from the Fourth Gospel follow in the lectionary. In light of that, I will be talking with Dr. Huizenga on "Preaching on John" in the upcoming extended podcast. Although we'll talk about it more then, I can mention in advance that he has a fantastic piece up, "Preaching John," on the Christian Leadership Center's website. As always, you can listen on iTunes or click the link below. Feel free to leave your comments below. "John 3:16 and the Love of God (with Leroy Huizenga): Podcast on the Sunday Readings (3/18/12)"This week on "The Sacred Page with Michael Barber".