Sunday School; A Pillar Bible Study

This week, Dr. Scott Powell, JD Flynn and Kate Olivera talk about the readings for the Second Sunday of Advent, Year C— more bright moments in the midst of darkness.  Already read the readings? Skip ahead to 5:10.  Reading I - Bar 5:1-9 Psalm - Ps 126: 1-6 Reading II - Phil 1: 4-6, 8-11 Gospel - Lk 3: 1-6 This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access...

It’s the start of a new season of Sunday School— and a new liturgical year! But the readings this week are not exactly celebrating. Join Dr. Scott Powell, JD Flynn and Kate Olivera as they talk about the readings we will hear at Mass for the First Sunday of Advent. Already read the readings? Skip ahead to 3:30 Reading 1 - Jer 33:14-16 Psalm - Ps 25: 4-5, 8-9, 10, 14 Reading 2 - 1 Thes 3:12—4:2 Gos...

Sunday School is back in session! This podcast will feature the same great teaching from biblical scholar Dr. Scott Powell and a brand new weekly format focused on the readings we will hear at Sunday Mass. Watch for our first episode on Wednesday, all about the First Sunday of Advent, Year C. - Sunday School is free for now, but soon it will be available only to The Pillar ’s paying subscribers. T...

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

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, v...

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. If you have a question you would rather not share publicly, please email our producer Kate Olivera at kolivera@pillarcatholic.com This is a public...

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

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...

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 Mo...

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 ep...

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/subscri...

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).  This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other...

In Book IV of the Psalms, Israel reflects on the Exodus as they continue to wrestle with the loss of the kingdom and what that loss means for God’s kingship.  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

Scott talks with JD about Book III of the Psalms. In Book III, Israel reckons with the loss of the kingdom.  - Scott suggests the following psalms of lament: 74, 77, 79, 80, 88 Scott references the Catechism of the Catholic Church, paragraph 2778 Numbers: An Introduction and Commentary by Gordon J. Wenham   This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get acces...

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 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

Scott and JD dive into Book I of the Psalms. Scott explores the themes of lament and praise, faith and hope. He also talks about the terms ‘Torah’ and ‘messiah.’ - The Red Wheelbarrow  by William Carlos Williams 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

Join JD Flynn and Scott Powell for this new season of Sunday School, all about the Book of Psalms. In this episode, Scott talks about the function of the psalms— and their place in Scripture. - Show notes: Answering God: The Psalms as Tools for Prayer by Eugene Peterson Click here for a transcript of this episode. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or ge...

Scott and JD talk about the Presentation, the Magi and the role of prophets. The readings for this episode are Luke 2: 22-40. 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

Scott and JD talk about the Visitation, the Annunciation and the circumstances of the birth of Jesus. The readings for this episode are Luke 1: 26-56 and Luke 2: 1-21. 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

Scott and JD kick off this three-episode Advent miniseries with the story of Zachariah and Elizabeth, from the Gospel of Luke. The readings for this episode are Luke 1: 5-23, 57-80. 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

Scott talks about the woman at Bethany, the Last Supper and one of the lesser known feasts in Judaism in this final episode about the Gospel of Mark. Join us in learning all about the infancy narratives in Season 2 of Sunday School, releasing this Advent! 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/sub...

Scott talks with JD about the Transfiguration, Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday and the eschatological discourse. 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

Scott talks about bread, deafness and blindness, and clean and unclean. 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

Scott takes a deep dive into Mark: 3-5 and 6: 1-30, including the parable of the sower and the seed and a reflection on Mary. 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

Scott talks with JD about the first two chapters of the Gospel of Mark, including Jesus’ baptism, the temptation in the wilderness and something called the messianic secret. 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