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Most scholars agree that the Gospel according to Mark is the earliest of the four canonical gospels. It is also the shortest, with swift dramatic turns throughout its fast-paced narrative. Because of its brevity, Mark's Gospel leaves many questions unanswered, and it has often been overlooked in the history of Christianity. As you will discover, though, Mark's Gospel is compelling in its combination of simplicity and sophistication. This audio course guides you through Mark's Gospel sequentially, offering you fresh insights and a deeper understanding of its overall shape.

More than ever, Americans are reclaiming our national identity based on the fundamental principles of America's founding. In this enlightening course, you will explore what defines us as Americans by looking at our founding documents: The Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. This is the course you always wish you had taken when you were an undergrad. An engaging and gifted teacher, Professor Jeffrey Sikkenga passionately explores the founding principles that make America a great nation.

As an influential religious founder and model of poverty, St. Clare of Assisi left us with a legacy that is at once humble and immense. In this audio course, you will join an internationally acclaimed expert on the life and literature of St. Clare. Drawing on decades as a scholar and translator of St. Clare, Sr. Joan Mueller, OSC, PhD invites you to explore Clare's rich literary heritage. Through her remarkable writings, you will discover a window into the timeless wisdom of 13th-century medieval women.

A retreat with the Gospel of Matthew will enable you to spend prayerful time with Jesus Christ. Containing prayerful reflections, outstanding biblical scholarship, and an engaging presentation style, this audio retreat is brilliantly presented by Fr. Felix Just, SJ (PhD, Yale), an award-winning biblical retreat leader. His acclaimed conferences combine insightful examinations of Matthew's Gospel with three methods of biblical prayer: reflective meditation, imaginative contemplation, and centering prayer.

As with any great work of the literary imagination, the Confessions of Saint Augustine defies categorization. It is part spiritual autobiography, part theological meditation - but above all, it is one of the most superb masterpieces ever written. In St. Augustine's Confessions: The Arc of Conversion, you will join leading Augustine expert and award-winning professor James Wetzel in exploring this timeless work anew.

Discover the Book of Genesis anew in this brilliantly taught Bible study course. Genesis may be one of your favorite books of the Bible, but many of its stories can seem puzzling or foreign. How are we to reconcile the two seemingly different creation stories? And why would a supposedly benevolent God ask Abraham to sacrifice his son? How is the bible’s first book relevant to our lives today?

Pope Francis is a pope of firsts: the first Jesuit, the first to take the name Francis, and the first pope from the Americas. His papacy has been marked by a style of simplicity, warmth, and an emphasis on the heart of the Gospel. In his opening conference in a retreat to the bishops of Latin America, Francis said, "What moves us most is the desire to thank God and to praise him." Like Pope Francis, we are all called to conversion, impelled towards the renewal of our faith.

Explore the Fourth Gospel with one of Catholicism's leading biblical scholars. From the time of its first appearance, the Gospel of John has gripped the imagination and the hearts of Christians. Composed towards the latter part of the first century, the so-called "Spiritual Gospel" presents a compelling and distinctive portrait of Jesus and his mission.

The Spirituality of St. Francis of Assisi invites you to learn from the Franciscan tradition of living the Gospel. In this inspiring course, you will look at the spiritual writings of St. Francis and his followers as well as how they put their beliefs into practice. Br. William Short's powerful yet accessible lectures deliver you the heart of the treasures from this "little poor man of Assisi".

At the end our lives, we look forward to eternal life. Now you can take a fascinating journey through eschatology, the theology of the Last Things. In these 12 lectures, you will join renowned theologian Dr. Peter Phan in encountering De Novissimis - the "Last Things". You will explore the realities that occur at the end of life (i.e., death and dying) as well as those that occur in the afterlife (i.e., judgment, purgatory, hell, heaven, the resurrection, and the consummation of the world).

Since the age of the apostles, great scholars and lay Christians alike have reflected upon the meaning of Scripture, the nature of divinity, the call to discipleship, and countless other topics in our religious tradition. This practice, known as theology, is as important to Christian life today as ever. And yet, theology can sometimes seem remote from the everyday life of faith; too often, we view it as an obscure activity conducted in the ivory towers of academic life.

In this unique audio series from acclaimed theologian, professor, and author Fr. Brian McDermott, you will discover extraordinary answers to these questions and others from scripture and 2,000 years of tradition. The lectures will address the fundamental issues of the Catholic faith in a directly relevant way. Under McDermott’s guidance, you will explore the development of the Catholic understanding of the meaning of Jesus Christ.

How do you understand Grace and sin? How are they spiritually connected? In the Western church, the understanding of grace, sin, and God's good creation has been shaped by theologians responding to the challenges specific to their times while using the resources of theology, philosophy, and personal religious experience. With the help of Father Brian McDermott, SJ, you will be able to address these and other questions as well as gain a deeper understanding of the dynamics of God's grace.

For nearly 2,000 years, Christians have followed the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth, called Messiah or Christ in the New Testament. Indeed, no other person has had such a wide-ranging and powerful impact on the history of the Western world. This has compelled scholars and the faithful alike to undertake the quest for knowledge about his life. Now, you too can take this quest.

“Do this in memory of me.” You hear this commandment every week at Mass, but what does it really mean? Now you can discover how to become the Eucharist as Christ desired. The celebration of the Eucharist is one of the most sacred and ancient traditions in Christianity. Catholics rightly consider the Eucharist to be the heart of our faith.

Most people recognize forgiveness as an important value, one for which we should all strive. But even with the best intentions, “just letting it go” can be easier said than done. Now, Humanitas Prize chairman Fr. Frank Desidero answers the central question of how to forgive the past and move into a brighter future.

Other than the Virgin Mary, no woman has so captivated our attention as Mary from Magdala. From her portrayal as a prostitute to speculation that she was Jesus’ wife in popular fiction like The Da Vinci Code, images of Mary have abounded for centuries. These portrayals, however, often have very little basis in truth. In this fascinating audio course from Fr. Raymond F. Collins, you will explore Mary Magdalene in the Gospels, Gnosticism, and popular culture.

In the 21st century, men face technological advances, a relentless pace of living and working, and constant demands on their time and attention. Men are searching for meaning - in their careers, relationships, and society. This inspiring retreat provides a path for nurturing faith and sustaining a truly spiritual approach to life. Men of all ages, cultures, and positions will find tremendous spiritual insight under the guidance of Rev. James Clarke, PhD.

You will explore Thomas Merton's remarkable life and works while actively developing a relationship with him. For many, Merton has become a lifelong mentor and spiritual guide, and he will bring you to new places with the questions he raises and the experiences he shares. Whoever you are and wherever you come from, Thomas Merton will speak to you.

Explore one of the most exciting books of the New Testament with early Christianity expert Sr. Laurie Brink as your guide. In this brilliantly taught Bible study course, you will gain powerful insight into early Christianity, the lives of the disciples, and Christ's mission.