Ch. 27 - The New Kingdom

07/07/09 • 79 min

In this lesson, Carson first gives 12 characteristics of the Davidic Kingdom in the Old Testament. Since the New Covenant is a renewal and extension of the Davidic Covenant, we find these characteristics fulfilled by Jesus, Mary, Peter, and the Church in the New Testament. He then moves from a presentation of these 12 features to a quick examination of the whole of Matthew's Gospel. We move from chapter to chapter quickly to see how Matthew presents the New Kingdom in the pages of his Gospel narrative. This latter half of the episode is fast-paced and moves very quickly. As you listen to it, you will want to have a copy of Matthew's Gospel in front of you. The Catholic Church is the Davidic Kingdom redeemed, restored, and transformed. It primarily resides in heaven with the Church Triumphant centered upon her king: Jesus the Anointed One (Messiah/Christ). The Church on earth or "the Church Militant" is the Kingdom in transit. She is in a pilgrim state as her members are purified and as they shed their sin by the means of transforming grace. The 12 Characteristics of the Davidic Kingdom: 1. A Monarchy governed by its representative head: the King Jesus is our King, and the Church is a monarchy, not a democracy. 2. The Davidic Covenant is made with David's seed (Hebrew: zera'h) This is ultimately fulfilled in Jesus who is a direct descendant of David. 3. The King is anointed by a Levite, making him Messiah or Christ Jesus is anointed by the Holy Spirit when baptized by John the Baptist, a Levite. 4. The Son of David is the Son of God Jesus bears both of these titles throughout the Gospel narratives. 5. Jerusalem is the capital city with its own center located at Mount Zion The Redemption begins in the Upper Room on Mount Zion; the Church is the New Jerusalem 6. The Temple is the architectural symbol of the Davidic Covenant Both Jesus and his Mystical Body (the Church) are the New Temple 7. It is worldwide in scope, incorporating other nations. "Catholic" means "according to the whole" or "universal" - composed of every nationality. 8. It is everlasting in duration, according to God's promises It continues in the Church, which is the Kingdom restored: a Kingdom without end. 9. Its Law is found in the Wisdom Literature of the Old Testament The Psalms play a central role in Catholic worship 10. The King's personal representative was the Majordomo or Prime Minister Jesus establishes this office by giving Peter "the keys of the kingdom" 11. The King's own mother reigned as Queen Jesus' mother, Mary, was assumed into heaven where she reigns as Queen Mother 12. Principal sacrifice is the Todah or "Thanksgiving" sacrifice in the Temple The Eucharist (which means "Thanksgiving") fulfills this sacrificial offering.

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Ch. 28 - The Catholic Church in Scripture

In this lesson, Carson divides the lesson into four parts. First, he discusses the historical meaning of the term catholic. While it literally means "according to the whole" or "universal," when the early Christians first used this term as an identifier for the Church, they used it specifically to denote the true visible empirical Church from heretical or schismatic congregations or followings. We look at the first appearance of "catholic" in Christian literature, which is by St. Ignatius of Antioch in his Epistle to the Church in Smyrna. We also look at its usage in the Catechetical Lectures of St. Cyril of Jerusalem and two of St. Augustine's writings: The True Religion and Against the Fundamental Epistle of Manachaeus. Second, we build upon the previous discussion of Peter from prior sessions with a quick review of Peter's primacy throughout the Gospels and Acts of the Apostles. This is a fast-paced sketch of how the Gospels present Peter as the head and representative of the group of Jesus' apostolic disciples. Often, we read the Gospels without noticing just how prominent Peter is, which says something of his successors in the life of the Church: the bishops of Rome. Third, we look at the methodology by which the Church resolved a doctrinal dispute in Chapter 15 of St. Luke's Acts of the Apostles. How did the early Church handle differences in interpreting Scripture and understanding Christian doctrine? Did they allow for these divisive differences to remain unsettled... did they leave it up to the individual believer to determine by himself... or did they convene in an ecumenical council to hash it out and close the debate with a pronouncement by Peter and then accept the decision as binding upon all of the regional churches? Of course, the latter is the case, and so this is the Biblical basis for the ecumenical councils of the Catholic Church throughout history. Fourth, and finally, we discuss the seven sacraments - especially those sacraments that are distinct to Catholicism - from the pages of Scripture. We focus in on the efficacy of baptism, the need for confirmation, the reality of holy orders, the call for the anointing of the sick, and the command for auricular (that is, audible) confession. Since we have already covered marriage and the Eucharist in depth in previous episodes, they are briefly mentioned. So what are you waiting for? Listen in as we discover the Catholic Church in Scripture!

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Ch. 26 - Paul, An Apostle

In this lesson, Carson looks at the person, history, and theology of one of the greatest saints in the 2,000 year history of the Catholic Church: St. Paul the Apostle. In this episode, we read from the writing of a presbyter, a Catholic priest, who wrote around 160 A.D. In it, we discover a description of what St. Paul looked like. We read from Eusebius of Caesarea's "Church History," wherein he describes the means by which St. Paul was martyred under the persecution of the Roman emperor Nero. Before his monumental conversion to Christianity, Paul was a zealous persecutor of the Catholic Church. Why? What did he care if other Jews embraced the Christian Faith.. of what concern was that to him? Only by looking at the nature of first century Judaism and the sect of Judaism that Paul embraced - Pharisaism - we can understand why Paul was concerned about whether or not and how other Jews kept the Mosaic Law. On his way to persecute the Church in Damascus, Paul met the risen Jesus face to face, and that experience changed his life forever. Paul came to discover that his view of the Mosaic Law, his interpretation, was askew. This supernatural event turned one of the most formidable foes of the early Christians into their most powerful advocate. Finally, in this episode, we look closely at St. Paul's Epistle to the Romans and discover a look at a new way of reading this famous text. This advance in Biblical studies is known in scholarly circles as The New Perspective. Join us as we take upon ourselves the mind of first century Judaism and read Paul's words afresh.