Just finished reading the book of Matthew..couple of ?'s

[osddso]

i just finished reading the book of Matthew in the NAB. in my initial reading of this book (Matthew, NAB) i wasnt so thrilled. but as i kept reading i kind of got real into it. this was my first time really really reading a Bible as a source of meaning and inspiration, as opposed to how i used to read it, which was as a story. thats how growing up i read the bible in religion class and the 12 years after my confirmation i spent off causing chaos, still read the bible, but from a theological point of view, this time it was read in a “this is how i want to live my life” kind of way. so i read the book of Matthew and had some questions because my fathers fiancee is a born again and we always debate.

i have some questions for you, i understand each question can be a topic alone so if you can give me a quick answer id appreciate it. some of the questions are simple yes and no.

MT16:22-23 was Peter possessed by satan? influenced by him? Or being compared to satan for suggesting God’s will be undone?

MT25:14-30 Proof that faith alone is not enough

MT25:31-46 Proof that faith alone is not enough…also proof that the Protestant work ethic is useless if the “deeds” you do arent from the heart. How can one have faith, yet not act on what they believe? How can one claim to have faith if they ignore those who seek their help? Jesus never ignored those who came to seek his help. So how can one, who truly has faith, ignore those who need their help.

MT23:37-39 Does this verse give evidence that Israel is not the Holy Land of the 2nd Covenant?

MT24:4-14 These verses give way to show that even though right now we think its the end of the world with all the chaos, in truth we have no clue what we are in for…also that false prophets will show themselves to try to sway us (as in 2012 theories)

thats really it for now. thanks guys.

 

[zach_dunn]

i just finished reading the book of Matthew in the NAB. in my initial reading of this book (Matthew, NAB) i wasnt so thrilled. but as i kept reading i kind of got real into it. this was my first time really really reading a Bible as a source of meaning and inspiration, as opposed to how i used to read it, which was as a story. thats how growing up i read the bible in religion class and the 12 years after my confirmation i spent off causing chaos, still read the bible, but from a theological point of view, this time it was read in a “this is how i want to live my life” kind of way. so i read the book of Matthew and had some questions because my fathers fiancee is a born again and we always debate.

i have some questions for you, i understand each question can be a topic alone so if you can give me a quick answer id appreciate it. some of the questions are simple yes and no.

I know what you mean about reading the Bible in a certain way. I still have trouble reading the Bible how you read it today, mostly I read it from an apologetics perspective. I really try to focus on verses that seem to prove the Church is the one, true Church which is something I don’t have to do, but I do it anyway. I’m really trying to read it for what it is, but still understand it within the living tradition of the Church, but yeah, I know where you’re coming from.

MT16:22-23 was Peter possessed by satan? influenced by him? Or being compared to satan for suggesting God’s will be undone?

I think number 2 and 3 are essentially what happened. Peter objected to a suffering Messiah and didn’t want Jesus to go through His passion. He was thinking as a fallible human thinks, he wasn’t being attentive to God’s will at the time. For further reading and understanding, I’d read Father Haydock’s Commentary on this passage, it’s very orthodox and in line with Church teaching.

MT25:14-30 Proof that faith alone is not enough

Spot on! Here’s some more insight.

MT25:31-46 Proof that faith alone is not enough…also proof that the Protestant work ethic is useless if the “deeds” you do arent from the heart. How can one have faith, yet not act on what they believe? How can one claim to have faith if they ignore those who seek their help? Jesus never ignored those who came to seek his help. So how can one, who truly has faith, ignore those who need their help.

Right again, compare James 2:17-20 being especially attentive to verse 18. There is also 1 Corinthians 13:2 and Galatians 5:6. I’ll let you look up the commentary on these passages on your own.

MT23:37-39 Does this verse give evidence that Israel is not the Holy Land of the 2nd Covenant?

Here is what the Ignatius Study Bible says:

23:7 as a hen: The Holy City persistently rejected God’s messengers. Jesus too stands rejected, though he desired to protect and gather its faithful (CCC 558). Jesus’ language evokes Is 31:5 and the Lord’s protection of Jerusalem. Other OT texts similarly portray God as a winged bird protecting Israel (Deut 32:10-12; Ps 91:4). Allegorically (Auctor Imperfecti), the hen signifies the Church’s Magisterium; the brood are the citizens of the New Jerusalem, the Church. It is the Magisterium who continually calls her children, born through Baptism, to a life of faith in Christ. As a mother, the Church protects the faithful from error and danger while nourishing them with truth.

23:38 your house is forsaken: The Jerusalem Temple is devoid of God’s presence (cf. Jer 12:7; Dan 9:17). Jesus, God-in-flesh, symbolically enacts this by exiting the Temple (Mt 24:1) and walking to the Mount of Olives (Mt 24:3). Jesus’ Temple exit recalls Ezekiel’s vision in the OT. He witnessed God’s glory leaving Solomon’s Temple and resting on the Mount of Olives, east of the city (Ezek 10:18; 11:23). God’s departure was soon followed by the Temple’s first destruction in 586 B.C.

I don’t believe this answers the question you asked, but it does you give you something to think about. I believe since the Church is the “New Jerusalem,” that Israel still is the Holy Land of the New Covenant.

MT24:4-14 These verses give way to show that even though right now we think its the end of the world with all the chaos, in truth we have no clue what we are in for…also that false prophets will show themselves to try to sway us (as in 2012 theories)

I agree, this topic was recently brought up in a thread started by someone who believes our current Pope is the anti-Christ and that the end of the world is coming very soon. This is quite possible, but I think Christ warns us to be watchful [Mt 24:42] as in persevering until the end . . . hope this helped!

 

[osddso]

hey that helped a lot thanks!

i just bought the comparitive catholic new testament, i wanna get the ignatius study bibles.

 

[zach_dunn]

hey that helped a lot thanks!

i just bought the comparitive catholic new testament, i wanna get the ignatius study bibles.

Glad I could help!

You can go here to pre-order a copy of the Ignatius Study Bible New Testament in one volume if you like.

 

[osddso]

i to read the bible in almost an apologetic sense too. i went through religion class made my confirmation so ive heard many of the parables before, and went i read them now its half “how does this apply to me” half “how does this apply to catholicism”

 

[zach_dunn]

i to read the bible in almost an apologetic sense too. i went through religion class made my confirmation so ive heard many of the parables before, and went i read them now its half “how does this apply to me” half “how does this apply to catholicism”

I never got to go to religion classes because I got confirmed on the same day I received my first Communion. I got into Catholicism on my own and apologetics is what really got me into my faith. Before CAF I never read my Bible or anything. Now that I do, I can’t help but read it in an apologetics sense, but I’m trying to fix that now!!!

 

[NotWorthy]

Glad I could help!

You can go here to pre-order a copy of the Ignatius Study Bible New Testament in one volume if you like.

This CAN’T be a compilation of all the individual books!!! Tell me it’s not, please!

Not after I’ve spent $85.00 on the current books (and that’s not including about 2 or 3 they hadn’t finished!)!!!

 

[peary1]

MT16:22-23 was Peter possessed by satan? influenced by him? Or being compared to satan for suggesting God’s will be undone?

Peter’s refusal to accept Jesus’ predicted suffering and death is seen as a satanic attempt to deflect Jesus from his God-appointed course, and the disciple is addressed in terms that recall Jesus’ dismissal of the devil in the temptation account (Matthew 4:10: “Get away, Satan!”). Peter’s purpose at this point is emphasized by Matthew’s addition to the source of the words in the gospel of Mark - "You are an obstacle to me."

MT25:14-30 Proof that faith alone is not enough

In these verses, the kingdom of heaven is like the situation here described. Faithful use of one’s gifts will lead to participation in the fullness of the kingdom, lazy inactivity to exclusion from it. Although the first two servants have received and doubled large sums, their faithful trading is regarded by the master as fidelity in small matters only, compared with the great responsibilities now to be given to them. As for the wicked, lazy servant: this man’s inactivity is not negligible but seriously culpable. As punishment, he loses the gift he had received, that is now given to the first servant, whose possessions are already great.

MT23:37-39 Does this verse give evidence that Israel is not the Holy Land of the 2nd Covenant?

The denunciation of Pharisaic Judaism ends with this lament over Jerusalem, which has repeatedly rejected and murdered those whom God has sent to her. How many times: this may refer to various visits of Jesus to the city, an aspect of his ministry found in John but otherwise not in the synoptics. As a hen . . . under her wings: for imagery similar to this, see Psalm 17:8; 91:4. Your house . . . desolate: probably an allusion to the destruction of the temple in A.D. 70. You will not see me . . . in the name of the Lord: Israel will not see Jesus again until he comes in glory for the final judgment. The acclamation has been interpreted in contrasting ways, as an indication that Israel will at last accept Jesus at that time, and as its troubled recognition of him as its dreaded judge who will pronounce its condemnation.

MT24:4-14 These verses give way to show that even though right now we think its the end of the world with all the chaos, in truth we have no clue what we are in for…also that false prophets will show themselves to try to sway us (as in 2012 theories)

This section of the discourse deals with calamities in the world and in the Church. the former must happen before the end comes. The latter are sufferings of the church, both from within and without, that will last until the gospel is preached . . . to all nations. Then the end will come and those who have endured the sufferings with fidelity will be saved.

thats really it for now. thanks guys.

 

[zach_dunn]

This CAN’T be a compilation of all the individual books!!! Tell me it’s not, please!

Not after I’ve spent $85.00 on the current books (and that’s not including about 2 or 3 they hadn’t finished!)!!!

Sorry, it is! I almost did the same thing but I, luckily, happened upon a thread that had a link to it. I only got through the first four Gospels, luckily!

 

[osddso]

peary1:
wow, thanks:thumbsup:

 

[Joe_Kelley]

. . .

MT16:22-23 was Peter possessed by satan? influenced by him? Or being compared to satan for suggesting God’s will be undone?
. . …

I think that satan here is a generic term for any tempter. Read that someplace, but don’t remember where, or if it had any authority.}

 

[CradleCath]

i to read the bible in almost an apologetic sense too. i went through religion class made my confirmation so ive heard many of the parables before, and went** i read them now its half “how does this apply to me” half “how does this apply to catholicism”**

You’re on the right track!!!

 

[StrawberryJam]

This CAN’T be a compilation of all the individual books!!! Tell me it’s not, please!

Not after I’ve spent $85.00 on the current books (and that’s not including about 2 or 3 they hadn’t finished!)!!!

God is testing your patience. Roll with it.

 

[NotWorthy]

God is testing your patience. Roll with it.

OK, I’ll roll with it… But I’d love to know if its as complete as the individual books or is it the edited version?

 

[StrawberryJam]

OK, I’ll roll with it… But I’d love to know if its as complete as the individual books or is it the edited version?

I wonder about that when I am tempted to by the naverre bible series (sp?)

by opus dei I think. It looks very good, but I am wondering if I should buy them in the way they are packaged now.

Your thoughts?

 

[NotWorthy]

I wonder about that when I am tempted to by the naverre bible series (sp?)

by opus dei I think. It looks very good, but I am wondering if I should buy them in the way they are packaged now.

Your thoughts?

I’ve got the 10 volume hardbound set and I really love it. The individual paperbacks are abridged which is why I didn’t get them. There is a New Testament 1 Volume Book that is complete, however and it will save you some money. They replace 3 of the Hardbound books. The Navarre Study Bible series is a great tool for learning and well worth the money I’ve spent on it.

And Navarre is a university in Spain founded by Blessed JoseMarie Scriva (?), who is also the founder of Opus Dei.

 

[StrawberryJam]

I’ve got the 10 volume hardbound set and I really love it. The individual paperbacks are abridged which is why I didn’t get them. There is a New Testament 1 Volume Book that is complete, however and it will save you some money. They replace 3 of the Hardbound books. The Navarre Study Bible series is a great tool for learning and well worth the money I’ve spent on it.

And Navarre is a university in Spain founded by Blessed JoseMarie Scriva (?), who is also the founder of Opus Dei.

Great. I will go that route then. Thanks.

PS his name is Josemaria Escriva.

No worries, I am sure he doesn’t mind, after all he is a saint.

Not sure about his details, but the series looks great. Now I know which ones to buy.

Thank you again!

 

[NotWorthy]

BTW, St. Irenaeus Ministries is starting a Podcast Series on the Gospel of Matthew. It will take a little time for them to post the whole series, but you may want to check it out also. David Higbee is great at bringing Ancient Israel’s culture into the story to help explain things.

Also, check out their Podcast Archive to find numerous other Bible Studies.