Teach Me Thy Statutes

In discussing James, we are confronted with a teaching that some believe contradicts Paul's teaching on salvation. In highlighting a comprehensive biblical understand of grace and faith, we show how James and Paul's teachings are actually complementary.

For the feast of the Dormition of the Mother of God, the Orthodox Church appoints a reading from Luke that references a different Mary. Why does the Church choose that reading? What does the reading mean? And what is the significance of Mary's witness to Christ?

The parable of the wheat and tares (or as it is translated in our reading, the weeds) is a key parable that corresponds to the parable of the seed. We discuss its importance in today's episode.

We begin today by discussing the half-shekel tax the Pharisees wanted Jesus to pay, and the significance of Jesus interaction with His disciples around this episode. We concluded by discussing the implications of becoming like a child.

Today we examine Matthew 5 and compare it to Matthew 6, discussing the apparent contradiction. Specifically, in Matthew 5, Jesus tells His disciples to let their light shine before men so that they may see their good deeds. Yet, just one chapter later Jesus tells them to pray, fast, and give alms in secret. What are we to make of this? We reconcile these seeming contradictions in today's episode.