Scripture and Tradition Bible Studies

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...

Job is one of the greatest works in the Bible, and in world literature. This first lesson covers such important introductory topics to the Book of Job such as title, biographical details of Job's person, authorship, dating, structure, key themes and typology. Job is such an important book that it's worthwhile laying the foundation for the work that lies ahead in our study. Enjoy this sample f...

This final lesson ends with a  tremendous, celebratory shout of joy and praise ! After all the ups and downs, victories and defeats, as well as blessings and curses for Israel during these past five books, the Psalter calls upon everything that breaths to "praise the Lord"! That is the perfect way to end our journey through the Psalms!    Enjoy this sample from Lesson 16, "Psalms 13...

Psalms 120-136 form the 2nd Cycle of the 5th Book of the Psalter. Within this collection is the very special "Psalms of Ascent" that pilgrims would sing as they enter  the Holy City of Jerusalem. These psalms are extremely typological of our own earthly pilgrimage to the Heavenly Jerusalem. Enjoy this sample from Lesson 15, "Psalms 120-136," from Dr. Nick's course, "Psalms: Lift Up Your Heart...

Psalms 113-119 form what is called the Egyptian Hallel Psalms, or the Passover Collection. They were sung by Christ himself at the Last Supper before he fulfilled ea ch of them so powerfully in the Passion. Enjoy this sample from Lesson 14, "Psalms 113-119," from Dr. Nick's course, "Psalms: Lift Up Your Hearts." Anyone can join our community of students and stream the entire audio lesson and full...

Book 5 is the final section of the psalter. It's the longest, but happiest of all five books. Psalm 107 serves as the "overture" of  the remaining psalms that focus on the restoration of Israel from exile in a New Exodus. God has redeemed his people from all sorts of adversities, thus they give thanks for his merciful love and offer thanksgiving  sacrifices.  Enjoy this sample...

God will assuredly have mercy on Israel in exile and restore Zion, but repentance must come first. In Psalm 101, David leads his people towards repentance with a statement of intent to purge his house of evil and pursue righteousness in all things. Enjoy this sample from Lesson 12, "Psalms 101-106," from Dr. Nick's course, "Psalms: Lift Up Your Hearts." Anyone can join our community of students an...

Book 4 begins with Psalm 90, the only psalm attributed to Moses. Now that King David is gone, and the people are in exile, it's time for Israel to look back farther into history for advice on how to manage their crisis. His advice is to repent, turn to God in praise, and make the best of a short life.   Enjoy this sample from Lesson 11, "Psalms 90-100," from Dr. Nick's course, "Psalms: Lift U...

Psalm 82 speak of how God sits in judgement against the corrupt leaders of Israel, who are called "gods" because they receive God's own authority to rule the people justly and righteously. Because they abuse such divine authority they will be judged and die like any other man. Enjoy this sample from Lesson 10, "Psalms 82-89," from Dr. Nick's course, "Psalms: Lift Up Your Hearts." Anyone can join o...

Book 3 of the Psalter begins with Psalm 73. These are the darkest psalms of the psalter as the Davidic kingdom, Jerusalem, and the Temple have been destroyed and the people lament to God asking how long his anger will continue. Enjoy this sample from Lesson 9, "Psalms 73-81," from Dr. Nick's course, "Psalms: Lift Up Your Hearts." Anyone can join our community of students and stream the entire audi...

To call God "Rock" means more than just stating metaphorically that he is sturdy and secure. There are Exodus and Temple images behind this description that Psalms 62-64 allude to, making this title even more beautiful. Enjoy this sample from Lesson 8, "Psalms 62-72," from Dr. Nick's course, "Psalms: Lift Up Your Hearts." Anyone can join our community of students and stream the entire audio lesson...

Psalm 50 teaches that the todah/thanksgiving sacrifice is superior to all others and God calls us to offer it up regularly to him with sincere  hearts. That is the context in which Psalm 51, the greatest of the penitential psalms, is to be read. David is the model worshipper, truly repentant of his sins. Enjoy this sample from Lesson 7, "Psalms 50-61," from Dr. Nick's course, "Psalms: Lift Up...