Word & Table

What do Anglicans mean when they cite Holy Tradition? How is it connected with scripture and where do we gain our ultimate authority?Support us on Patreon:Email usMusic by Richard Proulx and the Cathedral Singers from Sublime Chant. Copyright GIA Publications

Jesus's baptism has a great deal of significance we often miss. It tells us a lot about Jesus's unique power and authority, and it's also an event looked forward to since the beginning of the Old Testament.Support us on Patreon:Email usMusic by Richard Proulx and the Cathedral Singers from Sublime Chant. Copyright GIA Publications

The Church in the 200s faced its greatest trial and won its greatest victory as a dying empire went from persecuting to endorsing the Faith.Support us on Patreon:Email usMusic by Richard Proulx and the Cathedral Singers from Sublime Chant. Copyright GIA Publications

In the Second Century, the Church won skilled and educated defenders, but persecutions increased.Support us on Patreon:Email usMusic by Richard Proulx and the Cathedral Singers from Sublime Chant. Copyright GIA Publications

The first hundred years of Christianity saw the spread of the gospel at a wild pace. What were the conditions for this strong start and how did God orchestrate the beginnings of his Church?Support us on Patreon:Email usMusic by Richard Proulx and the Cathedral Singers from Sublime Chant. Copyright GIA Publications

St. John Chrysostom is one of the best recognized Church Fathers and with good reason! We address his life, works, his social vision and why he is so widely read even today.Support us on Patreon:Email usMusic by Richard Proulx and the Cathedral Singers from Sublime Chant. Copyright GIA Publications

Who was Mary of Magdala? Why do there seem to be so many different versions of her identity and past? What was her significance to the Lord and her example for the Christian faith?Support us on Patreon:Email usMusic by Richard Proulx and the Cathedral Singers from Sublime Chant. Copyright GIA Publications

We unpack the parable of the Good Samaritan, the best interpretation of it, and why asking "who is my neighbor?" is not a bad question.Support us on Patreon:Email usMusic by Richard Proulx and the Cathedral Singers from Sublime Chant. Copyright GIA Publications

The great linguist and conversationalist Saint Jerome and his indispensable contribution to the history of Bible translation and the canon of scripture. Support us on Patreon: Email us Music by Richard Proulx and the Cathedral Singers from Sublime Chant. Copyright GIA Publications

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We talk about the singular book of Acts, its themes, priceless history, and how it connects to God's work in the Old Testament. Support us on Patreon: Email the show Music by Richard Proulx and the Cathedral Singers from Sublime Chant. Copyright GIA Publications

We discuss the Greek Father Gregory of Nyssa and his contributions to Trinitarian and Ascetical theology, and along the way discuss the difference between a Father's accepted teaching and opinion and how the church distinguishes between the two. Support us on Patreon: Email the show Music by Richard Proulx and the Cathedral Singers from Sublime Chant. Copyright GIA Publications

What are best practices for going to confession? What are we supposed to be thinking, feeling, or resolving to do? And why is it good to make formal confession to a priest again? Support us on Patreon: Email the show Music by Richard Proulx and the Cathedral Singers from Sublime Chant. Copyright GIA Publications

What does Paul mean when he says the Church ought to hand someone over to Satan? How should Christians understand how to keep the Church healthy and free from sin while still praying for and loving sinners? Support us on Patreon: Email the show Music by Richard Proulx and the Cathedral Singers from Sublime Chant. Copyright GIA Publications

What is the point of understanding the Trinity correctly? Is it only to get our theology straight and impress people? Or is there some other benefit for our spiritual lives? Support us on Patreon: Email the show Music by Richard Proulx and the Cathedral Singers from Sublime Chant. Copyright GIA Publications

Did Jesus really require that every Christian be an evangelist? How do we practically evangelize in the modern world? How do we maintain loving connections with nonbelievers all the while? Support us on Patreon: Email the show Music by Richard Proulx and the Cathedral Singers from Sublime Chant. Copyright GIA Publications

Where does the tradition of anointing with oil come from? Which oils are used for which functions and what is the significance of oil as a sacramental symbol? Support us on Patreon: Email the show Music by Richard Proulx and the Cathedral Singers from Sublime Chant. Copyright GIA Publications

Support us on Patreon: Email the show Music by Richard Proulx and the Cathedral Singers from Sublime Chant. Copyright GIA Publications

What is "the Sign of Jonah" that Jesus refers to in the gospels? Is it only a picture of Jesus's death and resurrection, or is there something more there for our walk as Christians? Support us on Patreon: Email the show Music by Richard Proulx and the Cathedral Singers from Sublime Chant. Copyright GIA Publications

John the Baptist lived a life that reflected both Jesus and the Old Testament prophets. What did his life mean and why is he so significant in the gospels? Music from Sublime Chant. Copyright GIA Support us on Patreon: Email the show Music by Richard Proulx and the Cathedral Singers from Sublime Chant. Copyright GIA Publications

Can you sin without doing something wrong? What is the concept of scandal in moral theology and the 1 Corinthians? How do we care for each other's consciences and still seek the truth? Support us on Patreon: patreon.com/wordandtable Email the show Music by Richard Proulx and the Cathedral Singers from Sublime Chant. Copyright GIA Publications

Why did Paul write to the Corinthian Church so many times? What was the controversy going on in the background that occasioned his letters and how can it remind us of the heart of evangelism and church ministry today? Support us on Patreon: patreon.com/wordandtable Email the show Music by Richard Proulx and the Cathedral Singers from Sublime Chant. Copyright GIA Publications

How does the Church put on a good showing in its liturgy? How does thoughtful liturgical style and presentation contribute to the symbols on display and the truths being communicated? Finally what's the point of liturgy anyway? Is it meant to teach us something, or help us do something else? Support us on Patreon: patreon.com/wordandtable Email the show Music: Gloria and Ite from Sublime Chant. Copyright GIA Publications

For our Valentine's Day (or should we say 'Valentinian') special we talk about heresies and the heretics who love them. What is the difference between heresy and error? How do we know what isn't heresy? Do we need to be worried about being heretics just because we make theological mistakes? Support us on Patreon: patreon.com/wordandtable Email the show Music by Richard Proulx and the Cathedral Singers from Sublime Chant. Copyright GIA Publications

We talk about the three great creeds of the Church: the Apostles Creed, the Nicene Creed, and the little known Athanasian Creed. Where did they come from, what do they mean, and what do they have to do with the Bible? Support us on Patreon: patreon.com/wordandtable Email the show Music: Sanctus and Ite, Missa Est from Sublime Chant. Copyright GIA Publications

Father Stephen talks through the parts of the great Eucharistic Prayer and why it's all one seamless garment. Support us on Patreon: patreon.com/wordandtable Email the show Music: Sanctus and Ite, Missa Est from Sublime Chant. Copyright GIA Publications

O Come O Come Emmanuel has some of the most beautiful lyrics of all church music, and it turns out that they run deeper than your average carol. Father Stephen explains the history of the O Antiphons and how celebrating Christmas is incomprehensible without Easter. Music: "O Come O Come Emmanuel" arr. by Jocelyn Hagen performed by The Singers in Shout the Glad Tidings. Purchase here.

How does the Church interpret scripture together? What are the guiding principles that help us understand the message and meaning of the Bible? Email your question! Support Word & Table Music from Sublime Chant by Richard Proulx and the Cathedral Singers. Copyright GIA Publications.

There is a short letter wedged into most collections of the Apostolic Fathers. We don't know who wrote it and it certainly wasn't from the generation after the Apostles, so what's it doing there and why is it worth reading? Email the show Support the show

We've talked about Priests, Deacons, and Bishops, but what about everybody else? Are we all just supposed to "pay, pray, and obey?" Hardly. Lay-ministry is where all the action is. Father Stephen breaks down the duties of all the People of God and why ordinary members living holy lives is essential to the Church's mission. Email your question! Support Word & Table Music from Sublime Chant by Richard Proulx and the Cathedral Singers. Copyright GIA Publications.

On the much discussed doctrine of predestination: how God always initiates our salvation, and desires that all be saved (though some are not) and how that all works together for the good and comfort of those called according to his purpose. Email your question! Support Word & Table Music from Sublime Chant by Richard Proulx and the Cathedral Singers. Copyright GIA Publications.

How do Anglicans view Christians of other traditions and how can we all come together as mere Christians? Email your question! Support Word & Table Music from Sublime Chant by Richard Proulx and the Cathedral Singers. Copyright GIA Publications.

Continuing our series on Christ in the Old Testament: where do we find Jesus in the Book of Genesis? Email your question! Support Word & Table Music from Sublime Chant by Richard Proulx and the Cathedral Singers. Copyright GIA Publications.

Did Jesus have all knowledge in the universe as a human being? What did Jesus already know as divine and what did he have to learn as a human being? Music: "Only Begotten Word of God Eternal" from Sublime Chant by Richard Proulx and the Cathedral Singers. Copyright GIA Publications Email your question! Support Word & Table

All about the Eastern tradition of icons, why the Church distinguished between images and idols, and how to read the puzzling style of Eastern icons. Click here for icon images Music from Sublime Chant by Richard Proulx and the Cathedral Singers. Copyright GIA Publications. Email your question! Support Word & Table

Fr. Stephen addresses some of the odd details in the gospel stories and why they're put there. Music: "Only Begotten Word of God Eternal" and "Alma Redemtoris Mater" from Sublime Chant by Richard Proulx and the Cathedral Singers. Copyright GIA Publications Email your question! Support Word & Table

How do we know what is true and false doctrine? A 5th Century French Father of the Church, Vincent of Lerins, laid down a helpful rule that became popular both with Catholics and Protestants around the time of the Reformation. Needless to say that makes him especially endearing to Anglicans. Email your question! Support Word & Table Music: Corde Natus ex Parentis by Richard Proulx and the Cathedral Singers. Copyright GIA Publications

Great questions from our listeners! Does Confirmation mean "becoming Anglican?" - Micah Thompson How does the church handle sacramental marriages that end up abusive? - Alyssa Keysor What would it take to reunite our Anglican churches with Roman Catholicism or other evangelical protestant denominations? - Seth Hedman Email your question! Support Word & Table Music: Veni Creator Spiritus by Richard Proulx and the Cathedral Singers. Copyright GIA Publications

In which Father Stephen summarizes every one of the 39 Articles of Religion in 35 minutes. That's less than a minute per article! Plus a short introduction explaining what the Articles are and are not. Email the show Support the show Music: "Ubi Caritas et Amor" by Richard Proulx and the Cathedral Singers. Copyright GIA Publications.

How do we pray "in Jesus' name?" What does the common ending actually mean and how does the liturgy help us address God directly? Email the show Support the show Music: "Pater Noster" and "Blessing and Amen" by Richard Proulx and the Cathedral Singers from "More Sublime Chant." Copyright GIA Publications.

What did Jesus really say about marriage and divorce? How has the church upheld such a difficult teaching? Email the show Support the show Music: "Invitatory and Night Hymn" by Richard Proulx and the Cathedral Singers. Copyright GIA Publications.

Think the Ten Commandments is just a list of "don'ts?" Father Stephen and Alex dig into the "dos" behind the "don'ts" to show how the Ten Commandments truly is a holistic moral vision for human flourishing. Got a question? Email the show Like the show? Support the show Music "Alleluia Pascha Nostrum" and "Panis Angelicus" from More Sublime Chant by Richard Proulx and the Cathedral Singers. Copyright GIA Publications.

If the whole Bible is about Jesus, then where do we find him in the Old Testament? What's the difference between exegesis (getting something out of a text) and "eisegesis" (reading something into the text). And what's the difference between interpreting the Bible and any other book?

Sometimes you want to be inspired by the words of Jesus but you just cannot figure what he's talking about! Alex asks Father Stephen about several difficult passages in the gospels and learns how to interpret them. Give to the show Email the show Music: "Gloria in Excelsis" by Richard Proulx and the Cathedral Singers from Sublime Chant copyright GIA Publications.

Father Stephen and Alex talk about another Church Doctor, Basil the Great and what he did to clarify the teaching of Christ's nature, the Holy Spirit and also his work on the liturgy and monaticism. Email the show Support the show Music: Alma Redemptoris Mater by Richard Proulx and the Cathedral Singers from More Sublime Chant. Copyright GIA Publications

Have you ever been tempted to sin? We're willing to bet you have. Father Stephen and Alex talk about temptation, how it is different from sin and God's purpose behind allowing us to be tempted. Email the show Give to the show Music: Agnus Dei from Missa Simplex and Missa de Angelis from Sublime Chant by Richard Proulx and the Cathedral Singers. Copyright GIA Publications

Cyprian of Carthage was a 3rd Century Bishop who lived as he wrote: dedicated entirely to the unity of the Church. Father Stephen introduces us to the life and writings of this beloved Father of the Church. Music: O Benedicamus Domino by Richard Proulx and the Cathedral Singers. Copyright GIA Publications.

A listener writes in with a very good question! Father Stephen responds in a special mini-episode.

Father Stephen focuses on the Pharisees in the gospels. Who were they, what was it about them that Jesus objected to, and what can we learn from them today? Email the show. Support the show. Music: "Agnus Dei" and "Ubi Caritas et Amor" by Richard Proulx and the Cathedral Singers from More Sublime Chant and Sublime Chant, respectively. Copyright GIA Publications.

We talk about another early Church Father, Irenaeus of Lyons, his life, writings and theology. His encounter with early gnosticism occasioned some of the Church's first dogmatic and apologetic writings. You can read Book 3 of Irenaeus's "Against Heresies" here. Email the show. Give to the show. Music: "Sanctus (Ambrosian)" and "Only Begotten Word of God Eternal" by Richard Proulx and the Cathedral Singers from More Sublime Chant. Copyright GIA Publications.