The Evangelical Power of the Old Testament

Friends, in this week's episode of the Word on Fire Show, Matthew Petrusek and I explore the great evangelical power of the Old Testament. Join us as we discuss the historical-critical method of biblical interpretation, the challenges to the Old Testament from the secular world, and practical guidance for evangelists engaging these sacred texts. In addition, a listener asks: What is the Bible’s role for Catholics? 00:00 | Introduction 01:32 | Bishop Barron visits Washington 02:54 | How many Catholics read the Bible? 09:09 | The unity of theology, biblical exegesis, and scriptural interpretation 11:05 | The historical critical method and the Old Testament 12:58 | The influence of Joseph Ratzinger on Bishop Barron’s biblical approach 15:29 | The otherness of God 20:09 | Why God’s self-sufficiency matters for reading the Old Testament 22:30 | God as radically transcendent and personally involved 25:04 | God as father of all and of Israel, his chosen people 26:12 | Critique #1: The Old Testament God is violent 29:58 | Critique #2: The Old Testament God is a moody, jealous diva 32:31 | Critique #3: The Old Testament God is not the New Testament God 34:43 | Critique #4: The Old Testament is just a collection of myths 37:12 | Advice for evangelists regarding the Old Testament 38:55 | Listener question: What is the Bible’s role for Catholics? 40:42 | Join the Word on Fire Institute