Scripture and Tradition Bible Studies

The books of 1-2 Chronicles begin in seemingly the least engaging way imaginable, that is, with nine chapters of long genealogies! However, these lists of peoples, tribes, clans, and families teach us a lot about the theology of the author and what his main focus will be for the rest of the books . Enjoy this sample from Lesson 2, "Genealogies of Salvation History (1 Chron 1-9)" from Dr. Nick's te...

It's important to spend some time laying the foundation for a study of 1-2 Chronicles by examining the significance of the title, authorship, dating, structure, key themes that make it unique compared to the books of Samuel and Kings, and applying those themes to the New Covenant in Christ and the Church. Enjoy this sample from Lesson 1, "Introducing 1-2 Chronicles" from Dr. Nick's ten-part c...

Sirach makes a major shift in emphasis in these final chapters of the book. Up to this point, he has been praising wisdom in creation. Now he will focus on praising wisdom in the redemption of wise men's lives. The final chapter is a grand finale of Sirach's own quest for wisdom as he lived out his own advice to us, his readers. Enjoy this sample from Lesson 7, "In Praise of Wise Men (Chs. 44...

"Lesson 6: Practical Wisdom," is so called because of the numerous topics that Sirach gives in the section of the book on applying wisdom to various aspects of life including: trusting in God, pursuing true worship, discernment of wives and friends, showing gratitude for physicians, pursuing leisure to study the law, etc. Enjoy this sample from Lesson 6, "Practical Wisdom (Chs. 37:18—43:33)" from...

Chapter 24 is the center of the Book of Sirach. It is the climatic poem of Wisdom praising herself in creation as she describes her eternal origins in God and favored dwelling among God's people. When she tabernacles in Jerusalem, she restores us to Paradise, the Garden of Eden through worship of God.  Enjoy this sample from Lesson 5, "In Praise of Wisdom (Chs. 24:1—37:17)" from Dr. Nick's se...

Lesson 4 begins with our fourth  beautiful poem on Wisdom as a Mother and Bride, followed by another set of practical advice on how to avoid obstacles to seeking her. Enjoy this sample from Lesson 4, "Wisdom in Creation (Chs.14:20—23:27)" from Dr. Nick's seven-part course, "Sirach: Fear the Lord." Anyone can join our community of students and stream the entire audio lesson and full cours...

Another beautiful poem on Wisdom opens up this lesson, with incredible connections to Jesus Christ, who is Wisdom incarnate. If you submit yourself to Wisdom, and take her yoke upon you, she will give you rest, which is exactly what Jesus promises as well! Enjoy this sample from Lesson 3, "Wisdom For Life (Chs. 6:18—14:19)" from Dr. Nick's seven-part course, "Sirach: Fear the Lord." Anyone ca...

Sirach opens with a prologue that is super unique and interesting among the books of Scripture. It gives us historical details that help to pinpoint the authorship and dating. Then, the book itself begins with an incredible poem on the origins of Wisdom in the Triune God. Though wisdom comes from God, it is a gift to all those who Fear the Lord . Enjoy this sample from Lesson 2, "Wisdom Comes from...

Besides the Psalter, this book is the longest of the Wisdom Book corpus in the Old Testament. It is a treasure trove of teachings on the divine origin of Wisdom, her attributes, and her love for all those seek her. Similar to the Book of Proverbs, Sirach guides God's people along the paths of holy and virtuous living in all aspects of life. Enjoy this sample from Lesson 1, "Introducing t...

Wisdom 10-19 forms  the second half of the book, which takes a unique direction. The first half in chapters 1-9 talked about the great pursuit of  righteousness, wisdom, and immortality. Now it takes those truths and speaks of how wisdom saves the righteous and punishes the wicked throughout salvation history beginning with the creation of Adam himself throughout the deliverance of Israe...

Solomon warns kings and rulers that all authority comes from God and must be exercised to promote God's laws and holiness. If they love righteousness and seek wisdom, then they'll reign for ever in God's Kingdom. Then, he uses his own love pursuit of eternal Wisdom as an example they should follow. Enjoy this sample from Lesson 3, "Seek Wisdom (Chs. 6-9)" from Dr. Nick's four-part course, "Th...

Chapters 1-5 of Wisdom makes the argument that the two ways presented before each of us—the way of righteousness versus the way of unrighteousness—have eternal consequences, either spiritual death or immortality in God. No other book in the Old Testament develops the theology of life after death than does Wisdom. Its message is picked up and developed often in the New Testament teachings of Jesus...

Lesson 1 lays the foundation for this incredible book. We'll review it's place in the Wisdom Literature corpus, it's theological connections to the other Solomonic books, it's authorship and dating, the trifold structure, the most important themes and theology, and finally it's inclusion in the disputed "deuterocanonical books". Enjoy this sample from Lesson 1, "Introducing the Book of Wisdom...

The Song of Songs allegorically expresses the soul's longing for intimacy many times, but the strange thing is that such intimacy doesn't occur, not even at the end. Instead, the bride cries out again, "Make haste my beloved," because she wants to be with him. This finale is crucial for understanding the Church's longing for Christ when she says, "Come, Lord Jesus!" (Rev 22:20). Enjoy this sample...

This lesson examines  the first half of the book according to the predominate interpretive views  of the groom representing God/Messiah and the bride representing Israel/Church, and by extension each human soul. Such a take  makes sense of all the various images and language used throughout the book leading us to proclaim along with the bride, "I will seek him whom my soul loves." E...

The Song of Songs, or Song of Solomon, is an incredibly powerful book. At first glance, one might conclude it's exclusively about the love between a husband and wife. However, the book is concerned with a much more powerful intimacy, that between God and his people. This book has shaped the spiritual writings of some of the greatest saints in Catholic Tradition. Learn to read it as they did, and y...

The second half of Ecclesiastes develops the various observations of the first half of the book by shifting to analyze the various mysteries of life that we all experience. He challenges the dictates of cultural wisdom, such as the retribution doctrine, and concludes that though life is mysterious, everything is in the hand of God, whom we should trust and fear. Enjoy this sample from Lesson 3, "T...

Ecclesiastes opens  with the author's most famous, and often repeated, thesis: "Vanity of vanities! All is vanity!"  What's more, the book argues that there  is nothing to be gained for all man's toil under the sun. Lesson 1 examines  the author's many examinations and  demonstrations to prove his point, especially in the context of the fall of humanity in Genesis 3. Enjoy...

The first lesson is an important step for laying the foundation of this incredibly philosophical book. It will briefly examine Wisdom Literature in general, the important literary and theological meaning of it's title, authorship, structure, key themes and typology. Enjoy this sample from Lesson 1, "Introducing the Book of Ecclesiastes" from Dr. Nick's course, "Ecclesiastes: A Life of De...

After embracing Lady Wisdom, it's time to listen to her teaching. Proverbs has so much to say about living a virtuous life according to the fear of the Lord. This lesson will review  select verses for 10 different topics including  marriage, parenting, friendship, discernment, diligence, wealth, pride and humility, anger, controlling the tongue, and temperance. Enjoy this sample from Les...

Proverbs centers around  one of the Bible's super key themes—"The Two Ways"—in an extremely unique manner. The Way of Righteousness is personified by Lady Wisdom, and the Way of Unrighteousness is personified by Lady Folly. We are called to make a choice between these two women; the former brings joy and happiness in the Fear of the Lord, the latter brings misery and death. Let us embrace Lad...

The Book of Proverbs within the Wisdom Literature Collection of the Old Testament is understandably beloved by many for its short, pithy, yet memorable wise sayings for navigating all aspects of life. Let's define what "wisdom" is first, and to whom it is addressed, then breakdown important topics about the book itself for a better appreciation of its message. Enjoy this s...

Job's three friends have proven worthless and unwise indeed. So, after proclaiming an incredible hymn of wisdom and its origin in God, Job demands that God answer him in powerful courtroom language that God will answer in ways that Job couldn't quite anticipate. Enjoy this sample from Lesson 4, "God Meets Job in Court (Job 28-42)," from Dr. Nick's course, "Job: Steadfast in Suffering." Anyone can...

After seven days of silence, Job finally opens his mouth to speak. He doesn't curse God, as Satan said he would, but he does curse his own life and the day of his birth. This begins a series of dialogues in which Job's three friends try to find answers to his suffering. Enjoy this sample from Lesson 3, "Seeking Answers to Suffering (Job 3-27)," from Dr. Nick's course, "Job: Steadfast in Suffering....

Job 1-2 is called is prologue for the books and it forms the crucial backstory to why Job suffers as he does. Job is described as one of the  wealthiest, but also most righteous people, living. He is truly a role model of virtuous non-Israelites.  Enjoy this sample from Lesson 2, "Satan's Accusations and Assaults," from Dr. Nick's course, "Job: Steadfast in Suffering." Anyone can join ou...