Stunned by Scripture

Latest Episodes:

The Truth About Spiritual Warfare | Fr. Louis Merosne Mar 28, 2026

Show notes

In this episode of Stunned by Scripture, Fr. Louis Merosne joins Dr. Bergsma to discuss the role of Scripture in combating the demonic.

Fr. Merosne offers practical guidance on how Catholics can use Scripture to resist temptation and live in the victory Christ has won.

He also highlights the importance of memorizing Scripture for spiritual warfare. When the devil tempted Jesus in the desert, the Lord rebuked him with Scripture (Mt 4). In doing so, Christ models spiritual combat for us, wielding the Word as the sword of the Spirit (Eph 6:17).

They also discuss how the Sacrament of Confession fits into spiritual warfare. Confession is more than admitting wrongdoing. It is a spiritual battle in which grace brings freedom and healing.

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Faith & Philosophy | Dr. Logan Gage Mar 14, 2026

Show notes

If Scripture alone is the ultimate authority, how do we know which books belong in Scripture?

For many Protestants, this question raises a deeper issue: the canon of Scripture.

In this episode of Stunned by Scripture, Dr. John Bergsma sits down with Dr. Logan Gage, Professor of Philosophy at Franciscan University of Steubenville. Dr. Gage shares his intellectual journey from evangelical Christianity into the Catholic Church. They furthermore discuss the biblical canon, Church tradition and authority, and why a philosopher still needs Scripture.

Join Dr. Bergsma and Dr. Gage for this crash course on theology and philosophy in this episode of Stunned by Scripture.

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What Is the Septuagint? Feb 28, 2026

Show notes

Is Hebrew the definitive language of Scripture?

Not according to Jesus and other first-century Jews.

In this episode of Stunned by Scripture, Dr. John Bergsma uncovers the story of the Septuagint. Translated by Jewish scholars in the third century B.C., the Septuagint is the ancient Greek version of the Hebrew Old Testament. It is also the version of Scripture quoted by Jesus throughout the New Testament.

Dr. Bergsma explains why it’s called the “Septuagint” and shares the fascinating tradition behind that title. Even today, the Septuagint remains important. As a careful translation of the Hebrew Scriptures, it reveals how the Greek-speaking Jews of Jesus's day understood God’s Word.

Watch this installment of Stunned by Scripture to discover the version of Scripture that, more than any other, formed the early Church.

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The Holy Spirit and Scripture | Dr. Mary Healy Feb 07, 2026

Show notes

In this new episode of Stunned by Scripture, Dr. John Bergsma is joined by fellow theologian Dr. Mary Healy.

Dr. Healy shares her spiritual journey and profound encounter with the Holy Spirit that led her into an extensive study of Sacred Scripture. She reflects on her academic pursuits and how her studies deepened her relationship with the Lord, ultimately guiding her into ecclesial commission, celibate consecration, and biblical scholarship.

Following this conversation, Dr. Bergsma and Dr. Healy turn their attention to the Holy Spirit and Scripture. They explore the presence of the Holy Spirit in the Old Testament and discuss how the Spirit truly inspired the Bible. The discussion then turns to discernment of the Holy Spirit in one's daily life. Finally, they reflelct on the importance of Scripture for practicing Catholics and the role of the Blessed Mother within Sacred Scripture.

Join Dr. Bergsma and Dr. Mary Healy to encounter the Holy Spirt like never before and be sure to check out Dr Healy's books in the link below:

https://www.drmaryhealy.com/

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Other ways to grow with the St. Paul Center:

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Judaism in the Modern World | Dr. Gary Rendsburg Jan 17, 2026

Show notes

In this new episode of Stunned by Scripture, Dr. John Bergsma is joined by Dr. Gary Rendsburg.

Dr. Rendsburg is the Professor of Jewish Studies at Rutgers University—renowned in Catholic, Protestant, and Jewish circles for his work in Old Testament linguistics and literary studies.

In their conversation, you’ll discover:

-The value of studying the Bible today, even if you’re not a believer

-Why Judaism was able to survive the destruction of the Temple

-What Catholics should know about Judaism when studying the Bible

-And so much more!

This episode is an excellent overview of the state of academic biblical studies with two of today’s most highly respected Old Testament scholars. Even if you aren’t an academic, you’ll find much to fuel your own biblical studies here.

Check out Dr. Rendsburg's books:

How the Bible Is Written https://www.hendricksonpublishers.com/p/how-the-bible-is-written/9781683071976

ANCIENT ISRAEL From Abraham to the Roman Destruction of the Temple https://www.amazon.com/ANCIENT-ISRAEL-Abraham-Destruction-Temple/dp/1880317273

The JPS Bible Commentary: 1 Samuel https://jps.org/books/the-jps-bible-commentary-1-samuel/

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Other ways to grow with the St. Paul Center:

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Primordial Soup Theory Dec 22, 2025

Show notes

Dr. Bergsma discusses the origins of life, aliens, and proof of God.

To watch Drew Berry's full video, click here: https://www.ted.com/talks/drew_berry_animations_of_unseeable_biology

Who Was St. Luke? | Fr. Pablo Gadenz Dec 06, 2025

Show notes

Dr. Bergsma sits down with Fr. Pablo Gadenz to discuss who St. Luke really was, and how Fr. Gadenz shaped Dr. Bergsma's view on the matter.

Answering Deuterocanonical Misconceptions Nov 22, 2025

Show notes

The so-called “deuterocanonical” books of the Catholic Old Testament include Tobit, Judith, Wisdom, Sirach, Baruch, 1 Maccabees, and 2 Maccabees. But what makes a book deuterocanonical? How did these books become part of the Scriptural canon in the first place?

In this short-form episode of Stunned by Scripture, Dr. John Bergsma addresses three common misconceptions about the Deuterocanonical books and the Old Testament Biblical canon.

If you’ve ever heard of the “Alexandrian canon,” wanted to learn more about the Septuagint, or wondered why Catholic Bibles are bigger, this episode of Stunned by Scripture is for you.

Scripture & The Summa | Dr. Michael Dauphinais Nov 08, 2025

Show notes

In this new episode of Stunned by Scripture, Dr. John Bergsma sits down with friend, confirmation sponsor, and fellow theologian Dr. Michael Dauphinais. From a range of emotions to serious and sincere conversation, the two discuss the pursuit of truth as it relates to both Thomas Aquinas and Sacred Scripture.

Dauphinais shares the powerful story of his journey home to the Catholic Church and what led him to the study of theology.

Further, through a guided conversation, Bergsma and Dauphinais also explore the place of Sacred Scripture in the Church, Aquinas' Summa Theologica, and the role of the theologian in our modern age.

Join us for an intense and unforgettable conversation you won't want to miss.

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Other ways to grow with the St. Paul Center:

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#stpaulcenter #johnbergsma #stunnedbyscripture #aquinas #scripture #religion #christianity #catholic

The Origin of the Cosmos Oct 25, 2025

Show notes

Many people today speak of the "Big Bang Theory" as being opposed to belief in God. However, they this is an uninformed thing to say. Ironically, the theory was opposed for decades by scientists because of its theistic implications.

If the universe had a beginning, this implies that the universe has a creator.

In this episode of Stunned by Scripture, Dr. Bergsma examines the origin of the “big bang theory” and the shocking reason that atheist and agnostic scientists—including Albert Einstein—vehemently opposed it.

From its development and early opposition to the philosophical and logical arguments that support it, you’ll come away with a better understanding of the origins of the “big bang” and its impact on science and theology.

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Other ways to grow with the St. Paul Center:

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📖 Start a Bible study with the St. Paul Center: https://stpaulcenter.co/biblestudies

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#stunnedbyscripture #johnbergsma #science #bigbangtheory #atheism #christianity

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