The Genesis Series

What type of literature is the Book of Genesis? How should we read this ancient text? What is its relationship with modern science? Cale addresses these questions and more in this inaugural episode of the new series on the Book of Genesis.

What does it mean that the earth was formless and void? What does Genesis 1 tell us about God? Are you living a life of order? Cale looks at Genesis 1:1 – 2:3 and addresses these questions, plus: God being separate from creation Parallels between Genesis 1 and John 1 Two important things to know about human beings made in the image and likeness of God The Sabbath If you have a question for Cale, you can send him an email at faith@relevantradio.com

God had a plan when he created the world – and He has a plan for you, too. Cale explains how creation is a cosmic temple and what this reveals about God. Other topics: Hebrew names for God The nature of God as a Trinity All of creation is good If you have a question for Cale, you can email faith@relevantradio.com.

How can you enter into God’s rest? What does resting in God really mean? Cale looks at Genesis 2:1-25 and answers these questions plus more!

Is evolution compatible with the Catholic faith? If it is, what does it mean theologically? Cale looks at the creation of human beings in Genesis 2 and addresses these questions. Other topics: The difference between macroevolution and microevolution The Hebrew word for ‘dust’ Why did Jesus keep His wounds after the resurrection? The geographical location of Eden  

What is the tree of life referred to in Genesis 2? What’s the connection to wisdom? Cale addresses these questions, as well as the importance of Adam having a wife.  

What was it like to be human before sin entered the world? Drawing on St. John Paul II’s insights in the “Theology of the Body”, Cale discusses the relationship between Adam and Eve ‘in the beginning’. Topics include: original solitude original unity original nakedness the meaning of life love      

Is work a punishment for sin? Cale explains why this is not the case, and the sanctity that can come from work – any type of work. What does a priest do? And what is the significance of the priestly garments in the Old Testament? There are some amazing connections between the structure of the Temple in Jerusalem and Jesus’s death on the cross.

Cale looks at Genesis 3:1-12 and discusses the concept of sin, the deception of the serpent, and the salvation God provides. Book: “In the Beginning… A Catholic Understanding of the Story of Creation and the Fall” by Joseph Ratzinger (Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI): https://www.amazon.com/Beginning-Catholic-Understanding-Ressourcement-Retrieval/dp/0802841066

Were things perfect in creation before the Fall? Why didn’t God allow Adam and Eve to eat from the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil? Drawing on the work of St. Irenaeus, Cale presents how the early Church viewed Genesis 3 and how what happens is really our story. Also discussed: The Serpent The two trees in the Garden of Eden The poetic language of the text  

What is lust? How does Jesus help us overcome this temptation? Cale unpacks the difference between lust and love by looking at Genesis 3. Cale also looks at how God sending Jesus to redeem us was not His backup plan but was the plan from the very beginning.

Did you know that the “first gospel” is in Genesis 3? What do the consequences of the original sin mean for men and women? Adam and Eve robed in garments of light? Cale breaks this down and shows how from the beginning God has had a plan to redeem His people.  

Why did God favor Abel’s offering but not Cain’s? What is the mark that God put on Cain? What is polygenism and why can’t Catholics believe it? Cale looks at the story of Cain and Abel in Genesis 4 and considers the justice and mercy of God.  

The line of Seth and the line of Cain present a stark contrast between good and evil. Cale looks at Genesis 4 and shows how God responds with the perfection of holiness in Jesus.  

Did people really live to be hundreds of years old? Who was Enoch and why did God “take him away”? If you have a question for Cale you can email faith@relevantradio.com  

Who are the “sons of God”? Angels? Or something else entirely? Cale looks at Genesis 6:1-10 and gives three different ways to view this complex text. Other topics: Noah The book of 1 Enoch  

Who are the Nephilim? Does God change His mind? What did God mean when He said, “My spirit shall not abide in man for ever, for he is flesh, but his days shall be a hundred and twenty years.” ? If you have a question for Cale, you can email faith@relevantradio.com

Who is Noah? What was the ark really like? Did you know that there are other ancient flood stories outside of the Bible? Cale gives an in-depth look at this famous story.

Who are the “righteous remnant”? Do the animals on the ark have a special significance? Cale shares a key phrase for the entire flood narrative, some incredible insights from the early Church Fathers, and much more!

Why did the flood happen? Was the flood regional or did it cover the entire earth? Cale looks at archaeological and scientific evidence of the flood and considers its geographical scope. What would it have been like for the animals on the ark? Ultimately, what does this story tell us about God?  

How can we adore God? Does God need our sacrifices?  Cale looks at Genesis 8 and 9 and discusses baptism, sacrifice, and also the acronym ACTS (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication).  

What does the rainbow in the clouds signify? What does it tell us about God? Cale looks at Genesis 9 and discusses these questions, and also: Is it ok to eat meat? What’s going on with the drunkenness of Noah?

What’s the purpose of the genealogies? Why was the Tower of Babel built? Cale shares a surprising connection between the genealogies in Genesis and when Jesus sends out disciples in the Gospel of Luke.

In this episode of The Faith Explained, Cale discusses: the composition of Genesis the similarities between the first 11 chapters of Genesis and the Babylonian exile Sarai the call of Abram 3 promises God makes to Abram

Why did he go to Egypt? Why did he lie to Pharaoh about Sarai being his wife? Despite Abram’s decisions, God had a plan for him.  

Why did Abram and Lot part ways? Who is the mysterious figure named Melchizedek? Cale looks at Genesis 13 and 14.  

Melchizedek is a mysterious figure that appears in Genesis and elsewhere in Sacred Scripture. His name is also said during the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. Who is he, really? Cale discusses this and also the religion of Abram before he knew the Lord. What is a covenant?

Have you ever thought, “Why doesn’t God speak to me like He did to Abraham”? Cale addresses this, plus: Being a childless woman in the ancient world the birth of Ishmael Who is the “angel of the LORD”?

Why did God choose the sign of circumcision for the covenant with Abraham? Who is the “angel of the LORD”? God changes Abram’s name to Abraham and  Sarai’s name to Sarah.  

Are the three mysterious visitors in Genesis 18 a type of revelation of the Trinity? Who are they? God promises that Sarah will have a son. Her response? She laughs. Why? If you have a question for Cale, you can email faith@relevantradio.com

Cale looks at Genesis 18, 19 as Abraham pleads with God about the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. What happened to Lot’s wife when she turned into a pillar of salt? Cale also looks at the geography of the region in which this event took place.

What is the Church’s teaching on homosexuality? Using both the Scriptures and the Catechism of the Catholic Church, Cale explains why the Church teaches that homosexuality is wrong. Cale also looks at Genesis 20 where Abraham once again lies about Sarah being his wife – this time to King Abimelech. What is a prophet? Resource if you or someone you know struggles with same-sex attraction: https://couragerc.org/  

Have you struggled with infertility? You’re not alone. God has a plan for you. Cale looks at Genesis 21 and the birth of the promised son, Isaac. There appears some conflict, however. Ishmael plays with Isaac, but not in a nice way. Even though Ishmael is not the child of the promise, God still has a plan to bless Ishmael.

Hagar and Ishmael are sent away by Abraham, but God still provides for them. Do Ishmael and his descendants have anything to do with Islam? What is the significance of the covenant between Abraham and Abimelech? Abraham plants a tamarisk tree and puts down roots but he is about to face his biggest test yet. Cale looks at Genesis 21, 22. If you have a question for Cale, you can email faith@relevantradio.com

Cale looks at one of the most famous passages in all of Scripture. God tells Abraham to sacrifice his only son, Isaac. Why would God ask this? What is the real test God is asking of him? Is Mount Moriah near Jerusalem? Do you love the gifts of God more than God himself?

Cale looks at Genesis 23, 24. Abraham purchases land and buries his wife Sarah in the cave of the field of Machpelah in the land of Canaan. (cf. Gen 23:19). Abraham’s servant asks God for a sign as he looks for a wife for Isaac.

Is asking God for a sign a good way to discern His will for our life? Cale looks at Genesis 24, the marriage of Isaac and Rebekah. What is holding you back from commiting your life to Christ?

Cale looks at the similarities between Isaac and Jesus, as well as Rebekah and the Church. Should we be asking God for signs to know His will for our lives? Abraham dies but his descendants grow and spread. Cale looks at the birth of Esau and Jacob.

Cale looks at the famous story of Jacob convincing Esau into giving him his birthright. Did God really “hate” Esau? What does this story mean for your life?

Cale looks at Genesis 26, 27. Does Isaac really not know that it was Jacob who was asking for the blessing? What is the difference between the birthright and this blessing from Isaac? Why does Rebekah put Jacob up to this?

Cale examines Genesis 28, in which we see Jacob’s dream at Bethel. Jesus himself sheds further light on this event in the Gospel of John.

It’s one of the greatest love stories in the Bible: the story of Jacob and Rachel. But Jacob the deceiver is deceived by Laban and marries Leah. Cale breaks down Genesis 29.

Cale looks at Genesis 30. Rachel has fertility struggles, and there is an ensuing strife between Rachel and Leah. What is the significance of the mandrakes? Cale also looks at the meaning of the names of the sons of Jacob – the 12 Tribes of Israel.

Cale looks at Genesis 30. Jacob tries to leave Laban and return to his homeland, but this proves a difficult task. Rachel steals Laban’s “household gods”.

Why did Rachel take her dad’s household gods? What does the title of God “Fear of Isaac” mean? The angels of Good meet Jacob on his way back home. Cale looks at Genesis 31, as well as the beginning of Genesis 32. If you have a question for Cale, you can email faith@relevantradio.com

Who is the mysterious figure that Jacob wrestles with? God? an angel? and why? Is there a significance of this wrestling match happening near a river? Cale looks at Genesis 32 as Jacob prepares to meet his brother Esau.

After years apart, Jacob and Esau meet. What is the result? A bloodbath? Or reconciliation? Cale looks at Genesis 33. Why does Jacob stop at Succoth?

Cale Clarke takes a scriptural look at Holy Thursday and Good Friday, including evidence for Jesus’ existence and death.

Cale Clarke analyzes Genesis 34 about Jacob, Dinah and Shechem and the treatment of women and marriage.  In this chapter, Shechem acts toward Jacob’s daughter Dinah in an evil way and Cale talks about the customs and rules and law at the time. and   It’s recommended that this podcast is for more mature listeners.

Cale Clarke finishes up his analysis of Genesis 34 as he talks about Dinah’s brothers rescuing her while pillaging the city and the moral implications of that.  Also, how God is the ultimate chessmaster and works through people’s sin. Cale also discusses Jacob’s call from God to go to Bethel and the changes he had to make in his life.