Jim Anderson, Coming Home Network’s Senior Advisor in History & Theology and former Lutheran seminarian, joins Marcus Grodi to discuss some “Hard Verses” from Scripture. Jim chose the Old Testament story of Jephthah, which left him scratching his head! Marcus chose a New Testament verse regarding “decency,” asking the question who defines “decency” and such standards? Finally, a listener posed the following question:
Concerning the Parable of the Talents in Matthew 25, it struck me today that this parable has something important to say about the issue of faith and works. Here the Bible seems to be telling the reader that if we do not use the gifts or talents that God gives us, we do not simply loose them, but God might judge us harshly. Those receiving the most talents, had to do something with them to be pleasing to God. The man receiving one just saved his, so he would not loose it. God seems to say that this is a waste of his gift. In my uneducated view, we must perform gifts with the works with the gift of faith we have been given, not simply accept that gift of faith and then not share it by our works. Your thoughts? — Larry
Scripture verses: Judges 11:29-31; 1 Corinthians 14:40; Matthew 25: 14-30
Resources mentioned:
- St. Chrysostom on the story of Jephthah
- Catechism of the Catholic Church Online text | Book | eBook
