The Apocrypha, Lesson 14: 2 Maccabees and Purgatory

Recap After we had looked into prayers for the sainted dead in 2 Maccabees, one person in class wanted to explore the verse that followed.  Your teacher tactfully avoided doing […]

The Apocrypha, Lesson 13: 1-2 Maccabees, Pt. 3

Recap In 164 BC, with the ouster of Antiochus Epiphanes from Israel, the Israelites began to celebrate a festival every year to remember the dedication, or restoration, of the Temple.  […]

The Apocrypha, Lesson 12: 1-2 Maccabees, Pt. 2

Recap A representative of Antiochus confronts Mattathias in his town to be the first to offer a pagan sacrifice and become a “friend” of the king.  When Mattathias refuses, another […]

The Apocrypha, Lesson 11: 1-2 Maccabees

Introduction 1 Maccabees describes the attempts at Hellenization by the Seleucid ruler, Antiochus IV Epiphanes (1:1-2:70), moving on to cover the exploits of Judas Maccabeus (3:1-9:22) and his brothers Jonathan […]

1 Maccabees 4:36-51, John 10:22-33

Today, we are following Jesus.  We walk behind Him, and He makes His way to the Temple to celebrate a festival.  For us, it is spring; for Jesus, the season […]

John 12:12-19, 1 Maccabees 13:43-48, 51-52, Zechariah 9:9-12: The Jesus You Need

Lent began with Jesus fasting.  Immediately after He was baptized, the Holy Spirit led Him into the wilderness to face down the devil.  During those 40 days, Jesus chose not […]

1st Maccabees, Lesson 1: Introduction

Why the Apocrypha When we consider studying a book from what we call the Apocrypha, why should we do so?  After all, when we look at our Bible translations, those […]

Advent 1

Intro They are nearly gone.  The leaves, that is.  Rich in the green of spring, they are even more stunning in autumn: gold, auburn, red as if on fire.  Then […]