In Chapter 13, we find what Scott characterizes as one of America’s great “prop Bible verses.” St. Paul talks about respecting authority, and emphasizes that God is in control.  Nostra aetate This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.pillarcatholic.com/subscribe ..read more

St. Paul attempts to define Israel and address the issue of those in the Jewish community who have not accepted the Messiah. Scott warns that these chapters of St. Paul’s letter to the Romans have been at the root of antisemitism.  The Spirit of the Liturgy by Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.pillarcatholic.com/subscribe ..read more

We’re opening the comments for each episode of this season of Sunday School. Please, share with us any questions you may have about St. Paul and his letter to the Romans. We’ll bring a few of your questions to Scott in the final episode of this season. This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.pillarcatholic.com/subscribe ..read more

Scott continues to address JD’s questions about Romans 5:20— and the relationship between law and sin.  This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.pillarcatholic.com/subscribe ..read more

In these chapters, St. Paul continues to build his argument about God’s faithfulness, using the stories of Abraham and the Exodus. He presents Abraham as a shared father in faith— to both Jewish Christians and the Gentiles. St. Paul also writes that Jesus Christ restores our proper relationship with God, ourselves, our neighbor and creation. JD wrestles with Romans 5:20, and St. Paul’s reflection on the relationship between law and sin. - Venerable Pierre Toussaint Camp Wojtyla An Environmental Ethic for the End of the World: An Ecological Midrash on Romans 8:19-22 This is a public episode ..read more

Scott talks with JD and Kate about the first chapters of St. Paul’s letter to the Romans, in which Paul writes about the universality of sin and the wrath of God. - The Apostle Paul, c. 1657 Rembrandt Righteousness of God = God’s faithfulness to his covenant promises— not only to Abraham, Moses and Israel, but to the whole of creation Works of the Law (Works) = All the markers that, under the Mosaic covenant, designated membership in God’s covenant family (e.g, circumcision, kosher/dietary laws, Old Testament feasts, Sabbath observances) In short, the book of Deuteronomy.  ..read more

Scott begins this new season about St. Paul’s letter to the Romans at the very end— chapters 14-16. In these “so what?” chapters, St. Paul answers the question at the heart of the letter— can God be trusted?  - Reading Romans Backwards: A Gospel of Peace in the Midst of Empire by Scott McKnight This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.pillarcatholic.com/subscribe ..read more

JD Flynn and Scott Powell are back in the classroom— with special guest, Pillar producer Kate Olivera— to talk about the Book of Romans. This week, Scott talks about St. Paul and the nature of letters.  - The lives of the Twelve Caesars by Suetonius This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.pillarcatholic.com/subscribe ..read more

In this final episode of our season about the psalms, Scott and JD talk about Book V— the “Now What?” psalms. In Book V, Israel praises God and reflects on the symbols of its identity.  The symbols of Israel include land (Psalms 107-109), the Davidic king (Psalms 108-110, 118 and 138-145), the Torah (119) and the Temple (120-137).  Get full access to The Pillar at www.pillarcatholic.com/subscribe ..read more

Scott talks with JD about the dramatic imagery of the psalms, the relationship between the Kingdom of God and the kingdom of Israel and how we can approach psalms about vengeance.  - Reflections on the Psalms by C.S. Lewis Get full access to The Pillar at www.pillarcatholic.com/subscribe ..read more