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Read about past program interviews.

November  |  December

November 23, 2008
Phyllis Tickle – The Sayings of Jesus
Mark 1:40-45

After spending a life immersed in scholarship with Scripture, Phyllis Tickle determined that faith and humility were often left behind among those who study the words of Jesus. She embarked on a thoughtful journey to analyze the different ways that Jesus of Nazareth typically spoke. Five different speaking roles for Jesus surfaced from her work. In this edition of Grace Matters, she discusses some of the interesting twists and turns that Jesus took with his words.


November 30, 2008
Advent I Meditation – A Conversation with Maximilian Kolbe
1 Thessalonians 3:13

In the first of a four-part Advent series, host Peter Marty converses with different guests who could not be present for an interview. Each week, the conversation involves one of the great saints of the church. Maximilian Kolbe is this week’s guest. He is the Polish priest who voluntarily took the place of another prisoner at the Auschwitz Concentration Camp when Nazi commanders arbitrarily selected ten prisoners for forced starvation.

December 7, 2008
Advent II – A Conversation with Hildegard of Bingen
Psalm 146
 

In the second of a four-part Advent series, host Peter Marty converses with another absentee guest. This time it is Hildegard of Bingen. The reason for absenteeism is that Hildegard and our other Advent guests are now saints of the Church. In this week’s conversation, Hildegard of Bingen (1098-1179) shares medieval life as an outspoken woman. Here is an individual who mixed with popes and emperors. She went on preaching tours. She even authored a medical encyclopedia. Hildegard lived her interesting life from the vantage point of faith.

December 14, 2008
Advent III – A Conversation with Juliana of Norwich
Romans 5:4
 

Juliana of Norwich, who is sometimes called Julian of Norwich (1342-c.1416), joins host Peter Marty for an imaginary conversation. Juliana possessed an unshakable belief in God despite several near-death experiences. Her profound insights on hope were gained from the conviction that one can never know true hope apart from suffering. Juliana’s faith is a testimony to the abundance of grace even in the most difficult periods of life. 

December 21, 2008
Advent IV – A Conversation with Benedict of Nursia
Isaiah 55:10-11
 

For this final edition of a four-part Advent series with great saints of the church, host Peter Marty visits with St. Benedict (c. 480-c.547). Known for his famous “Rule,” a Rule that still guides Benedictine followers today with its teachings on humility, silence, and obedience, Benedict zeroes in on the holy reading of Scripture for this Grace Matters program. He spells out the critical value of hearing Scripture not only with our intellects but also with our hearts.

December 28, 2008
David Levy – The Christmas Star
Matthew 2:1-10
 

According to St. Matthew, the magi from the east were guided to the manger of the Christ Child by a star. That star, or whatever bright light may have appeared in the sky to guide these ancient astrologers, has fascinated believers and scientists alike for 20 centuries. David Levy, a lifelong astronomer, comet discoverer, and admirer of the night sky joins this broadcast for some pondering about the much talked about Christmas Star.

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