The Faith Explained with Cale Clarke - Learning the Catholic Faith

Are the gospels historically reliable or do they contain contradictions that just can't be overcome? Cale looks at the question of the census at Jesus' birth. Was that historical? Cale explains this and more on this episode of The Faith Explained.

Cale dips back into the listener mailbag. He looks at the question - "Why are there Differences in the Gospels? Does this mean they are not historical?" Cale explains this and more on this episode of the Faith Explained on Relevant Radio and the Relevant Radio App.

Cale goes to the mailbag to tackle a question about the gospels and why there are only four in the bible. What does the Da Vinci Code say about the gospels? Could there really be 80 different gospels? Cale explains how the Da Vinci Code is fictional, and It feeds the idea of wanting a loophole from the teachings of Jesus Christ.

Does Matthew 24 have anything to do with a 'rapture'? Cale looks at myths about the theological idea called the rapture, which is popularly portrayed in the Left Behind books.

Will heaven have "pearly gates and streets of gold"? Sorry to disappoint you, but, no. It's a major biblical misinterpretation!

Cale looks at Genesis 3:1-12 and discusses the concept of sin, the deception of the serpent, and the salvation God provides. Book: “In the Beginning… A Catholic Understanding of the Story of Creation and the Fall” by Joseph Ratzinger (Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI):  https://www.amazon.com/Beginning-Catholic-Understanding-Ressourcement-Retrieval/dp/0802841066

Is work a punishment for sin? Cale explains why this is not the case, and the sanctity that can come from work – any type of work. What does a priest do? And what is the significance of the priestly garments in the Old Testament? There are some amazing connections between the structure of the Temple in Jerusalem and Jesus’s death on the cross.

What was it like to be human before sin entered the world? Drawing on St. John Paul II’s insights in the “Theology of the Body”, Cale discusses the relationship between Adam and Eve ‘in the beginning’. Topics include: original solitude original unity original nakedness the meaning of life love

What is the tree of life referred to in Genesis 2? What’s the connection to wisdom? Cale addresses these questions, as well as the importance of Adam having a wife.

Cale looks at 2 Maccabees and the inspiring story of a martyred mother and her seven sons. In her speeches to encourage her sons to be faithful, she mentions the resurrection and God the Creator. Cale unpacks the significance of her testimony and how we can apply it to our lives today.

What was the abomination of desolation? Cale looks at the terrible deeds of Antiochus IV Epiphanes and the courageous men and women who stood up for their faith in the midst of trial.

Cale gives an overview of the books of the Maccabees, looking at their significance in the timeline of salvation history. The books of the Maccabees help set the stage for the public ministry of Jesus recorded in the four Gospels.

Is praying to Mary biblical? Is the rosary just vain repetition, the kind of prayer that Jesus criticizes in Matthew 6:7-8? In this episode of TFE, Cale gives an in-depth analysis on Catholic devotion to Mary, rooted in the Bible and in history.

What does the name ‘Gabriel’ mean? Cale looks at two annunciations in the Gospel of Luke in which the angel Gabriel appears to Zechariah and Mary. Why was Zechariah rebuked for his response but Mary’s response was okay? Weren’t they both doubting?

What does the Bible say about St. Michael the Archangel? Cale looks at the books of Daniel, Jude, and Revelation, in which we find St. Michael the Archangel mentioned.

Where does St. Raphael the Archangel appear in the Bible? Where does the word “archangel” come from? What are the nine choirs of angels? Cale looks at the Book of Tobit and what the marriage between Tobias and Sarah means for you today.

Why are we responsible for Adam and Eve’s sin? What is original sin? Why can’t angels repent? Is evolution compatible with Catholicism? Why do Catholics baptize infants?

Cale looks at Colossians 2:6-15. How did ancient pagans view the world vs. the Christian view of the world? What is St. Paul’s letter to the Colossians all about? What is the Christus Victor theory? Listener Question: If a marriage is not blessed by God, are you committing a sin by remaining married?

Why did God not institute the covenant of circumcision for females also? What made Israel different from other nations that also practiced circumcision? Has baptism replaced circumcision?

Why do Catholics have so many icons and images? Do Catholics worship statues? What does the Bible say about creating images? Cale looks at the difference between images and idols.

Why do Catholics and Protestants have different versions of the 10 Commandments? What does it mean to not take the Lord’s name in vain? Should it instead be translated you shall not “carry” the Lord’s name in vain?

“Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” Matthew 5:11-12 Cale talks about this Scripture passage, and how the command to “rejoice” is actually the tenth beatitude.

Cale continues to unpack the meaning of the beatitudes found in Matthew’s Gospel. What does it mean to be pure in spirit? Plus, the Old Testament background that illuminates the meaning of the beatitudes.

Did you know that there are 10 beatitudes? Cale unpacks the ten beatitudes found in Matthew 5, explaining what they mean and how to live them out.

Cale looks at what Jesus had to say about Jonah from Luke 11:29-32. Cale also talks about Jesus and Exorcisms and discusses the deeper meaning behind the miracles of Jesus.