In this episode, Marcus Grodi and former Evangelical campus minister Mike Peters look at 2 Thessalonians 2:15, where St. Paul admonishes his readers to stay true to the things he has told them about the Gospel. Mike shares how the Bible translations he used in his campus ministry rendered that verse, and how understanding the original intent of Paul's writing helped him better understand the difference between the kind of tradition condemned by St. Paul, and the kind of tradition to which St. Pa...
Sep 18, 2018•33 min•Ep. 135
Marcus Grodi welcomes Dr. Leroy Huizenga from the University of Mary to the program, as they take a look at Matthew 7:21-23 and Jesus' teaching about true and false disciples. They dig into the way the Sermon on the Mount is organized, and unpack the more apocalyptic sayings of Our Lord that characterize the final section of this lengthy teaching. What does it mean when Jesus tells his audience, in haunting fashion, that at the end of time, some will hear him say, "I never knew you?"
Sep 12, 2018•32 min•Ep. 142
Recently, the Gospel reading for Mass included an important, unanticipated “interruption” in the life of Christ — actually a Russian nesting doll-like series of interruptions. Twice the Apostle John exclaimed that there were many more signs and wonders that Jesus did than could be contained in his or any of the Gospels. So why was it that Matthew, Mark, and Luke all felt that this interruption within an interruption within an interruption was so important they each included it in their short acc...
Sep 05, 2018•13 min•Ep. 85
In this episode, Marcus Grodi and Dr. Paul Thigpen discuss the concept of the Fear of God, a gift of the Holy Spirit, in the context of the clerical abuse scandals in the Church. How do we maintain a reverence and awe of the Lord that compels us to act in love and fidelity when so many influences in our lives lead us to laziness and apathy? They also look at the letter of St. Clement of Rome to the Corinthians, which was written only a short time later, to better understand how Church leaders ad...
Aug 28, 2018•33 min•Ep. 114
Jim Anderson, CHNetwork's manager of clergy converts to Catholicism, joins Marcus Grodi to discuss a perplexing set of teachings from Jesus. In Luke 9:50, Jesus says "he that is not against you is for you," but then in Luke 11:23, Jesus says "he who is not with me is against me." So which is it? Are those outside the Church to be considered adversaries, or allies, or does it all depend on the context? Jim and Marcus look at the situations Jesus is referring to in these two passages, and try to g...
Jun 12, 2018•27 min•Ep. 44
Marcus Grodi looks at the high priestly prayer of Jesus in John 17, when Jesus prays for his apostles to be consecrated in the truth. Marcus compares this prayer to the actions of St. Paul in Acts 20, as he's preparing to depart the Church at Ephesus. St. Paul's prayer and exhortation to those presbyters have many parallels to prayer Jesus offers in the Garden of Gethsemane, and Marcus unpacks some of those connections.
Jun 05, 2018•27 min•Ep. 32
Former American Baptist pastor and Catholic convert Ken Hensley joins Marcus Grodi to look at the issue of Christian unity, and what the New Testament has to say about it in the letters of St. Paul and the words of Jesus himself. Ken Hensley is online at www.kennethhensley.com
May 31, 2018•28 min•Ep. 33
Matt Swaim, Communications Coordinator of The Coming Home Network and host of the Son Rise Morning Show on EWTN Radio, joins Marcus Grodi to discuss Psalm 51, repentance, and salvation. Matt grew up in the Wesleyan tradition, which understood salvation as a matter of free will, and sanctification as the perfection of the will. Marcus, on the other hand, has a background in the "once saved, always saved" Calvinist tradition. Marcus and Matt look at the character of repentance and restoration as d...
May 22, 2018•23 min•Ep. 31
Carl Olson, Editor of Catholic World Report for Ignatius Press, joins Marcus Grodi to discuss 2 Peter 1:2-4, where St. Peter talks about the idea of becoming partakers in Jesus' divine nature. How, exactly, is this supposed to work? Are we invited to become 'gods' ourselves? Certainly Mormon theologians would argue for this perspective. Does it mean we will eventually be absorbed into the Godhead, as is taught in Buddhism? Or is something else meant by what the Church Fathers refer to as "divini...
Dec 06, 2016•42 min
Marcus Grodi welcomes Fr. Douglas Grandon, a convert to Catholicism and long time friend of The Coming Home Network, to discuss Luke 16, and Jesus' parable of the unjust steward. Tackling one of the more confusing teachings of the Bible, Marcus and Fr. Grandon try to unpack what is meant by our Lord by this cryptic story.
Nov 22, 2016•37 min
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.
Nov 21, 2016•29 min
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.
Nov 16, 2016•42 min
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 Northw...
Oct 19, 2016•29 min
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 me...
Oct 11, 2016•36 min
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 im...
Sep 07, 2016•31 min
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...
Aug 17, 2016•29 min
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.
Aug 03, 2016•32 min
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...
Jul 28, 2016•34 min
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 ...
Jun 28, 2016•31 min
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 ...
Jun 15, 2016•46 min
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.
Jun 03, 2016•47 min
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 me...
May 24, 2016•21 min
***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.) ************ Marcus welcomes former Presbyterian and dear friend Kimberly Hahn to the program to discuss a Bible verse to which it was particularly ...
May 17, 2016•31 min
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 i...
May 11, 2016•36 min
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 .
May 05, 2016•36 min
Marcus Grodi & Jim Anderson start with Psalm 62 and discuss the difficulties among Christians in understanding Biblical references to Faith and Works.
Mar 24, 2016•41 min
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 v...
Mar 18, 2016•44 min
Mar 01, 2016•36 min
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 b...
Feb 25, 2016•39 min
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?
Jan 28, 2016•36 min
