Catholic Saints Podcast: Episode Summary – St. Elijah

Released on July 20, 2025 by Augustine Institute

Introduction

In this episode of Catholic Saints, host Mary engages in a profound discussion with Dr. James Prothero, a scripture scholar from the Augustine Institute, focusing on St. Elijah. The conversation delves into Elijah's biblical presence, his role as a prophet, his sainthood, and the enduring lessons his life offers to contemporary believers.

Elijah in Scripture

Mary opens the dialogue by inquiring about Elijah’s biblical origins.

Mary [00:19]:

"So St. Elijah, Dr. Prothero, is found where? In Scripture?"

Dr. Prothero [00:37]:

"Elijah is mentioned a few times in the New Testament. His story especially is in the Old Testament in the book of First Kings, starting in chapter 17, and then that's really where it starts, and it ends at the beginning of the Book of Second Kings."

Dr. Prothero clarifies that Elijah's narrative is primarily rooted in the Old Testament, with significant mentions in the New Testament, particularly during the event of the Transfiguration of Jesus, where Elijah appears alongside Moses.

Is Elijah a Saint?

Mary raises a pertinent question about Elijah's status as a saint, given his Old Testament origins.

Mary [00:58]:

"Is it okay to call an Old Testament character a saint?"

Dr. Prothero [01:03]:

"With Elijah, if we think of the word saint just meaning, like, a confirmed holy person, then there's a lot of people in both testaments we could refer to as saints... Elijah kind of fits the bill because the way that his life ends is that he's actually assumed into heaven on a fiery chariot."

Dr. Prothero emphasizes that while many Old Testament figures could be deemed saints based on their holiness, Elijah distinctly meets the church’s criteria for sainthood. His miraculous assumption into heaven solidifies his status, allowing for veneration and the seeking of his intercession.

Elijah’s Ministry and Context

The conversation shifts to the historical and spiritual context of Elijah’s ministry.

Mary [03:21]:

"Okay, well, what's Elijah's story? What do we know about him in Scripture?"

Dr. Prothero [03:28]:

"He was a great prophet... He was called by God to work, especially in the time of King Ahab. Ahab's wife was Jezebel. Both of them... encouraged people toward idol worship and discouraged faithfulness to the Lord."

Elijah emerges as a formidable prophet during a tumultuous period marked by King Ahab and Queen Jezebel’s promotion of idol worship. His confrontations with them highlight his unwavering commitment to God's commandments, including performing miracles and delivering divine messages to power.

Elijah as a Type of Christ

Mary probes deeper into Elijah’s role as a prefiguration of Jesus Christ.

Mary [05:23]:

"Why do you think God sent this prophet at this time?"

Dr. Prothero [05:44]:

"God brings Elijah up... a kind of prefiguring of the coming of the new kingdom, right? So John the Baptist, Jesus says, was Elijah to come because he came, he rebuked people, he purified them, he was getting them ready."

Elijah serves as a prophetic precursor to Jesus, embodying characteristics that Jesus would fully realize. His actions—such as challenging corruption, performing miracles, and seeking repentance—mirror the foundational aspects of Christ’s mission. Dr. Prothero draws parallels between Elijah’s miracles and those of Jesus, positioning Elijah as a symbolic forerunner in the divine plan of salvation.

Prophets After Jesus

The discussion extends to the role of prophets in the New Testament era.

Mary [09:20]:

"Do we have then prophets after Jesus?"

Dr. Prothero [09:46]:

"We meet different people in the New Testament who are called prophets... but we don't have anything that tells us that God will never do the same thing again."

While acknowledging the existence of prophetic voices in the New Testament, Dr. Prothero notes that the function and necessity of prophets have evolved. Unlike the Old Testament prophets who brought new revelations essential to salvation, contemporary prophets often serve as moral guides or cautionary voices without altering the foundational Gospel truths.

The Holy Spirit: Elijah vs. Believers Today

Mary encourages Dr. Prothero to elaborate on the differences in the Holy Spirit's work between Elijah's time and today.

Mary [11:41]:

"Can you lean in on how does having the indwelling of the Holy Spirit after Jesus differ from what level Elijah had access to of the Holy Spirit?"

Dr. Prothero [11:59]:

"In the New Testament, they talk about the gift of the Holy Spirit being in you and dwelling in you... That's a new thing with Pentecost, right."

Dr. Prothero explains that while the Holy Spirit interacted with individuals in the Old Testament by empowering them for specific tasks, the New Covenant bestows a more intimate indwelling of the Spirit. This personal indwelling equips believers with a broader range of spiritual gifts aimed at building up the Church, contrasting with the more mission-specific empowerment seen in Elijah’s era.

Lessons from Elijah

The conversation culminates in extracting practical lessons from Elijah’s life for modern Christians.

Dr. Prothero [15:34]:

"James is saying, think about Elijah and the drought. When you want to think about prayer and its urgency and its power, we can look at Elijah as an example of strong faith in God against evil around us."

Elijah exemplifies fervent prayer, unwavering faith, and resilience in the face of adversity. His moments of weariness, as depicted in 1 Kings 19, humanize him, making his spiritual struggles relatable. Dr. Prothero underscores the importance of perseverance in prayer and maintaining one's mission despite discouragement—lessons pertinent to today's faithful.

Conclusion

In wrapping up, Dr. Prothero encourages listeners to engage directly with the scriptures to fully appreciate Elijah's character and legacy.

Dr. Prothero [19:53]:

"Go and read 1 Kings 17 up through the end of Elijah's story at the beginning of Second Kings. And don't just read the stuff that happens, but think about his personality and ways that he is like you and ways that you could be like him."

Mary and Dr. Prothero conclude by highlighting the enduring relevance of Elijah’s story, inviting listeners to draw personal inspiration from his life. They emphasize that Elijah’s humanity, coupled with his divine mission, offers a blueprint for contemporary believers striving to live out their faith authentically.

Notable Quotes:

• Dr. Prothero [01:03]:

  "Elijah kind of fits the bill because the way that his life ends is that he's actually assumed into heaven on a fiery chariot."

• Dr. Prothero [05:44]:

  "God brings Elijah up to a kind of prefiguring of the coming of the new kingdom."

• Dr. Prothero [11:59]:

  "That's a new thing with Pentecost, right. That God's presence and person through the Son and the Spirit is actually within you."

• Dr. Prothero [15:34]:

  "Elijah is an example of strong faith in God against evil around us."

This comprehensive discussion not only sheds light on St. Elijah’s historical and spiritual significance but also provides actionable insights for believers seeking to emulate his steadfast faith and dedication to God.