The four Gospels are foundational to Christianity. Yet Christian readers are often puzzled by the differences between the Gospels, preferring to harmonize the four into a single narrative. Now, this 24-part lecture course invites you to understand each Gospel's distinctive message. Along the way, you will examine theories about how the three Synoptic Gospels are related. You will also learn why the evangelists are symbolized by four living creatures: the man or angel, the lion, the ox, and the eagle.

Most scholars agree that the Gospel according to Mark is the earliest of the four canonical gospels. It is also the shortest, with swift dramatic turns throughout its fast-paced narrative. Because of its brevity, Mark's Gospel leaves many questions unanswered, and it has often been overlooked in the history of Christianity. As you will discover, though, Mark's Gospel is compelling in its combination of simplicity and sophistication. This audio course guides you through Mark's Gospel sequentially, offering you fresh insights and a deeper understanding of its overall shape.

From the time of the early Christians, the book of Revelation has fascinated and puzzled its readers in equal measure. Now you can join one of the world’s leading experts in exploring this important - and often misunderstood - biblical book.

In this special series by Jesuit scholar and gifted teacher Fr. Thomas Stegman, you will encounter Paul the pastor as never before. Whether you are seeking new insights into church history and the Bible or simply wish to deepen your faith, you will find this course invaluable. By learning about Christianity's most famous pastor, you will gain new insights into the church today.

St. John of the Cross is one of the most inspiring figures in the history of Christianity: a saint of profound faith, a compelling mystic, and an immensely gifted poet. Now, you can explore the life, teachings, writings, and reflections of St. John of the Cross.

More than any other Gospel, Matthew reflects Christianity’s Jewish roots. As the first book of the New Testament, it provides a fitting transition from the Old Testament. Revered as the “Church’s Gospel”, Matthew draws on Jewish Law while anticipating a Church “of all nations”. Now, Fr. Donald Senior, a leading expert on Matthew, helps you discover anew the evangelist’s profound themes and literary features.

Every week, Catholics profess their faith in a “world without end” and “the resurrection of the body.” How can eschatology - the study of the Last Things - strengthen your hope in these beliefs? Filled with fresh and fascinating perspectives, Eschatology: The Theology of Ultimate Hope gives you the tools to understand the Last Things. Your guide, veteran Boston College professor Father Harvey Egan, will change the way you think about existence, both in this life and beyond it.

The Gospel of Luke and Acts of the Apostles are two parts of a single triumphant work. Each an epic work in its own right, together they proclaim the gospel message and narrate the gripping story of the Church’s early days. Using the metaphor of a double helix, Fr. William Burton asks you to imagine Luke’s gospel and Acts as a single account with many parallels or rungs connecting the two sides of the twisted ladder.

You will love this fascinating and exceptionally well-taught course. What really happened at the Council of Trent? After Luther, Calvin, and Henry VIII, the Council of Trent is one of the most frequently invoked names regarding the Reformation. Even so, few know much about it. As renowned historian Fr. John O'Malley demonstrates, the reality of Trent differs radically from how you probably conceive of it.

No other institution, except possibly the papacy, has more greatly influenced the church and the larger history of the Western world than the ecumenical council. Most of us, however, know little about it. This course is designed to take you through the fascinating history of the ecumenical (church-wide) council, from its first appearance in Nicaea (325) through Vatican Council II (1962-1965). This 12-part audio series explores the deep issues of faith and the sometimes curious issues of clerical behavior with which the councils dealt.

Join Fr. John R. Donahue, S.J., one of Catholicism's leading Mark experts, in exploring the Gospel of Action. Christianity was at a crossroads. The great apostles Peter and Paul had died. Members of the original Christian communities had passed. Jesus' word might also soon be buried and forgotten. But it was Mark's good news - not Matthew's - that saved the faith.

Great Saint Teresa, the Spanish Carmelite of the 16th century, captured the imagination of those seeking God in her own time and beyond. It’s no surprise that she was quickly canonized and, in 1970, became the first woman Doctor of the Church. In this edifying 12-lecture audio course, you’ll understand why her teachings remain transformational today.

The Trinity is the foundation of Christian faith, the lifeblood of its liturgy. In this remarkable course, you will come to understand the Trinitarian theology and history as never before. Your professor is Fr. David Vincent Meconi, SJ (DPhil, the University of Oxford), an expert on early Church history and an award-winning theology professor at Saint Louis University. The idea of one God as three persons cannot be understood through human reason alone. Indeed, the doctrine of the Trinity was not something that early Christians fully grasped.

Through a study of the Church Fathers, Father David Meconi, SJ explores the early stages of the Catholic Church. Uncover the theology which lead to the doctrinal development of the Theotokos, the Incarnation, and the Trinity. Discover the wisdom and influence of saints Cyril, Pope Leo, and Augustine. Embrace the rich heritage of the Catholic Faith.

In this 18-lecture course, Fr. Just explores the structure and contents of the Lectionary, examines its history and development, and suggests ways you can use it more fully. The content will be valuable not only for people already involved in liturgical ministries but also for anyone who wishes to become more familiar with the Lectionary and the liturgical year. Fr. Just will address all your questions about the Lectionary, including What is the Lectionary for Mass? How was it developed? How is it related to the Bible?