Mark is a gospel of action, calling the first Christians to discipleship and encouraging them to have faith even amidst suffering and oppression. With Fr. Felix Just, S.J. (Ph.D., Yale University), you will explore Mark’s vivid portrayal of Jesus and his disciples. You will also encounter minor Bartimaeus, the Syrophoenician woman, and Jairus—each of whom remains a powerful model of discipleship and faith in our time.This short talk is part of a larger series, Fr. Just’s acclaimed I...

Matthew, Mark, and Luke seem to view Jesus "with the same eye" — hence the term “Synoptic.” Indeed, their narratival and linguistic similarities are so great that they likely shared a common source.Under the guidance of Fr. Felix Just, S.J. (Ph.D., Yale University), you will explore the authorship of the Synoptic Gospels, exploring their fascinating history and curious differences.This short talk is part of a larger series, Fr. Felix Just’s acclaimed Introduction to the New T...

Have you ever been struck by the number of women that appear in Luke’s Gospel? From Luke’s account of the annunciation to Mary down to his portrayal of the women at Jesus’ tomb, the presence of women in his Gospel has generated a great deal of discussion. So, too, has Luke’s emphasis on the sick and lame.What can Luke’s stories tell you about his audience? How does his portrayal of Jesus compare to those of the other Gospel authors? And finally, what does the historical context in w...

The shortest and oldest of the four gospels, Mark was written in the earliest days of Christianity, when its adherents faced violent persecution. Against this backdrop, Mark provided a source of hope for the young Church.With Fr. Felix Just, S.J. (Ph.D., Yale University), as your guide, you will explore Mark's action-packed gospel, looking at its composition, history, and structure before turning to its salient literary features and key stories.This short talk is part of a la...

How does Acts complement Luke’s Gospel? Can you read one without the other? Does the order in which they were written have any bearing on their meaning for 21st century readers like you?With one of America’s leading Bible teachers, Felix Just, S.J. (Ph.D., Yale University), you will delve into compelling new research about Luke’s two-volume project. As you consider some of the finer points—like the probable date of authorship and the significance of the structural outline each follo...

The symbolic writing of John’s Gospel is an endless source of inspiration for scholars and lay readers alike.. How does John’s portrait of Jesus differ from those by the authors of the Synoptic Gospels? What windows does he provide us—in the 21st century—onto Jesus and his disciples? Is having faith the same as believing?Experience the full power of John’s Gospel with one of America’s leading Bible teachers, Felix Just, S.J. (Ph.D., Yale University).This short talk is part o...

The Gospel of Matthew was written at a tumultuous time: the Romans had just destroyed the Temple of Jerusalem and were slaughtering Christians. The gospel is thus entrenched both in Christianity’s Jewish heritage and the message of Jesus.In this talk, Fr. Just provides you with the necessary tools to interpret the Gospel of Matthew, giving you fascinating insights into its composition, parables, relationship to Mark, and much more.This short talk is part of a larger series, F...

With powerful theology and mysterious authorship, the Gospel according to John offers profound theological insights into Jesus and his mission. But John has also baffled scholars and generated countless questions for millenia.In this talk, Felix Just, S.J. (Ph.D., Yale University) offers you a compass to navigate the disorienting, albeit beautifully rendered, passages of John’s Gospel.By learning how to interpret its key features, you will not only discover new depths in its ...

What is faith?The answer to this question might seem obvious: believing in the existence of God. A better response, however, is more multidimensional and personal.Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI emphasized the importance of faith, calling out "the need to rediscover the journey of faith so as to shed ever clearer light on the joy and renewed enthusiasm of the encounter with Christ." Now, you are invited to rediscover the power of our Christian faith with Scripture expert Fr. Fel...

Expand the layers of meaning you find in Luke’s Gospel.Award-winning professor Fr. Felix Just, S.J. (Ph.D., Yale University) is one of America’s leading Bible teachers. Under his tutelage, you will steep yourself in research about the composition of Luke’s Gospel, the author’s original audience, and the depths of significance in these ancient pages.Teeming with fresh insights into Luke, Fr. Just’s talk will give you a deeper appreciation for this Gospel’s spiritually uplift...

The gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John form an exquisite kaleidoscope that reflects the life and teachings of Jesus.Under the guidance of acclaimed biblical scholar Felix Just, S.J. (Ph.D., Yale University), you will consider the different historical contexts, intended messages, and emphases of each evangelist. Fr. Just likens each gospel to a portrait of Jesus executed in a different style; the subject is the same, but the representations vary in intriguing ways.This s...

In this talk, you’ll explore Matthew’s distinct take on Jesus and his disciples. The first book of the New Testament, Matthew’s writing sets the tone for the remainder of the Gospels.As you tune your thoughts to Matthew’s contributions to Christology—or, the study of the person of Jesus—you will pay particular attention to the way in which Matthew introduces Jesus as fulfilling the Old Testament. The following questions will guide your discussion:Why is it significant that Ma...