Posts by Admin
Galatians – The Law’s Preparation For Sonship
St. Irenaeus Ministries will be featured on EWTN’s "Life on the Rock" Thursday, September 4th at 8:00 p.m. Eastern. Find out more on siministries.org. God’s law is always good when properly interpreted and executed (cf. Ps 119). When used incorrectly, specifically when manipulated for self-justification, it is disastrous. The law can illuminate one’s sinful ways…
Read MoreGalatians – Covenantial Theology and Faith
Paul continues to explore the correct relationship between the Mosaic law and Gentile Christians in Galatians 3:10. By stating that "in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham [came] upon the Gentiles," he overturns the argument of the Judaizers (cf. 3:14). One must not let the Mosaic Law replace God’s covenant with Abraham, for "Anything that…
Read MoreGalatians – Faith and Works
The issue of Galatians has always been stark: either the Judaizers are correct and Paul is a gross heretic, or Paul’s gospel is from God and the Judaizing legalists are confusing the Galatian converts. Yet, Christians since the Protestant Reformation have used Paul’s argument in this epistle to understand to the relationship of faith and…
Read MoreGalatians – Paul Rebukes Peter in Antioch
The start of the second chapter of Galatians accounts Paul’s journey to Jerusalem "after fourteen years," when he seeks Apostolic verification of the authenticity of his gospel and ministry. The Apostles clearly affirm his message and works, for "even Titus was not compelled to be circumcised, though he was a Greek" (v 3). His words…
Read MoreGalatians – Paul’s Defense of His Ministry
Within the first eleven verses of Galatians, Paul essentially damns twice over the Judaizers who have spread a contrary gospel. In our excessively polite culture, Paul’s unwavering attitude toward critical theological issues may seem hostile or exaggerated; in reality, his reaction is both fitting and necessary. The most important argument in the dating of Galatians…
Read MoreGalatians – The Impetus of Galatians
History has shown that Christians do best when they approach the Bible comprehensively. Many have profited in Bible study by availing themselves of ample background information, prayerfully reading through the text, considering the opinions of worthy commentators and carefully pondering those elements of the story not expressly stated in Scripture. A good backdrop for a…
Read MoreGalatians – The Backdrop for Galatians
To celebrate the Year of St. Paul, we begin now a study of the Epistle to the Galatians, a work which is authentically Pauline. The most argumentative and passionate of all his letters, it speaks to an extremely contentious issue in the early church: whether a Gentile male had to be circumcised to be considered…
Read MoreMen’s Breakfast – Patrick Brennan and Dick Graham
Patrick Brennan was born and raised in suburban Rochester, NY by his faithful Catholic parents. The oldest male in a homeschooling family of five children, Patrick often volunteered as an altar server and lector at his parish. As he matured, however, his engineering mind found it increasingly difficult to believe in something he could not…
Read MoreMen’s Breakfast – Fatima’s Call to Men
Many have some familiarity with the apparitions at Fatima. In this talk from the Men’s Breakfast of January 2008, Gene Michael surveys Our Lady’s apparitions to the three Portuguese children from an intriguing vantage point: Mary’s message to men. Devoted husband and father of two, this former Battalion Chief within Rochester’s Fire Department currently leads…
Read MoreFBT – God Desires Our Whole Heart
Deuteronomy 21:18-21 describes a stubborn and rebellious son who, despite chastisements, will not obey his father and mother. The Law allows the parents of such a child to present him to the elders at their town’s gate and "say to the elders, ‘this son of ours is stubborn and rebellious. He will not obey us.…
Read More