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In the third season of The Spirit & The Bride, Dr. Alan Schreck explores his popular and acclaimed Essential Catholic Catechism published by TAN Books. Through this podcast series, Dr. Schreck will highlight the beauty and power of the Catholic Church's understanding of the Gospel of Jesus as faithfully preserved and proclaimed by the Church. This life-giving truth will invite all to a deeper, richer, and livelier faith!

Dr. Alan Schreck begins by summarizing why it was necessary for Jesus to undergo his passion and death. He explains the meaning and centrality of "the Resurrection of Jesus...the crowning truth of our faith..." (Compendium, 126); "...the fulcrum on which all of Christian faith turns..." (Bishop Robert Barron, What Christians Believe, p.71). Listen to more The Spirit and The Bride episodes and discover other Catholic podcasts, videos, and resources at Faith and Reason.

How does the death of one person more than 2,000 years ago atone for sins the whole human race and reconcile us with God? Dr. Alan Schreck explains four ways Catholic theology has sought to understand this mystery of Christ's saving work, as well as the burial of Jesus and what he accomplished when he "descended into hell." Listen to more The Spirit and The Bride episodes and discover other Catholic podcasts, videos, and resources at Faith and Reason.

The Compendium of the Catechism of the Catholic Church states, “The Paschal Mystery of Jesus… stands at the center of the Christian faith because God’s saving plan was accomplished once for all by the redemptive death of his Son Jesus Christ” (112). Dr. Alan Schreck describes the first stages of this event, from the beginning of Holy Week to Jesus’ Agony in the Garden on Holy Thursday. Listen to more The Spirit and The Bride episodes and discover other Catholic podcasts, videos, and resources at Faith and Reason.

What does God “look like”? Jesus says simply: “Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father… I am in the Father and the Father is in me” (Jn. 14: 9–10). Jesus is one with the Father (Jn. 10:30), and he is also the way to the Father. That way is discipleship. Dr. Alan Schreck discusses what it means to be a disciple of Jesus: its necessity, its joy, and the sacrifice and suffering—the cross—it requires. Listen to more The Spirit and The Bride episodes and discover other Catholic podcasts, videos, and resources at Faith and Reason.

Jesus' "hidden life" ends and his public ministry begins with his baptism in the Jordan River by John. Jesus' proclamation that "the kingdom (or reign) of God is at hand" is the key to his mission and ministry. But what is this kingdom, and how does Jesus bring it about? Listen to more The Spirit and The Bride episodes and discover other Catholic podcasts, videos, and resources at Faith and Reason.

As author C. S. Lewis noted, Jesus as he’s revealed in the Gospels is either God, a lunatic, or a liar. Jesus differs from all other religious founders in that he is God Incarnate, revealing God as love and reconciling the human race with God by his passion and death. Dr. Alan Schreck talks about the Gospels’ narrative of Jesus’ life, starting with his infancy and “hidden life” in Nazareth. Listen to more The Spirit and The Bride episodes and discover other Catholic podcasts, videos, and resources at Faith and Reason.

The Council of Chalcedon clarified that Jesus was one person in two natures, divine and human. Dr. Alan Schreck explores this mystery and how it relates to Jesus’ knowledge and his will. He also reflects on Jesus’ Sacred Heart as a reflection and expression of God’s love. Listen to more The Spirit and The Bride episodes and discover other Catholic podcasts, videos, and resources at Faith and Reason.

Some recognize Jesus as a great teacher but don’t accept the Gospel accounts of Jesus’ mighty works or miracles. Dr. Alan Schreck explains how all the central Christian beliefs about Jesus are miraculous, and their purpose is to reveal God and bring about the redemption of the human race and communion with God. The first miracle or mystery of Christ’s life is the Incarnation—Jesus as one divine person in two natures: fully God and fully human. Listen to more The Spirit and The Bride episodes and discover other Catholic podcasts, videos, and resources at Faith and Reason.

In the Apostles’ Creed, Christians profess their belief in “Jesus Christ, his [God the Father’s] only Son, our Lord.” Dr. Alan Schreck explains the significance of these titles—”Christ,” “Only- Begotten Son,” and “Lord”—which reveal essential truths about Jesus. He also discusses the reasons why the Son of God assumed our humanity and the purpose of his Incarnation. Listen to more The Spirit and The Bride episodes and discover other Catholic podcasts, videos, and resources at Faith and Reason.

The Compendium of the Catechism of the Catholic Church begins its teaching about Jesus with the meaning and importance of his name: “There is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12). Referring to the Acts of the Apostles and the Gospel of John, Dr. Alan Schreck reflects on the power of Jesus’ name and the need to speak of his name to enable others to encounter Jesus and become his disciples. Listen to more The Spirit and The Bride episodes and discover other Catholic podcasts, videos, and resources at Faith and Reason.