Catching Foxes

We talk with Brian about his doctoral studies in St Thomas Aquinas' philosophy and theology, which opens up conversations about atheism and materialism, Ghostbusters, why Gomer hasn't seen Ghostbusters 1, but he has seen 2, and Thomas Aquinas on Islam. It's a pretty crazy episode, full of grace and truth!Show Notes (all amazon links support the show!)The Regensburg Lecture, An analysis by Fr James SchallAmazon’s James Schall Page: http://www.amazon.com/James-V.-Schall/e/B001H6PN80/ref=dp_byline_cont_book_1Movies and TruthThe Coen BrothersEthan Coen http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001053/?ref_=tt_ov_st_smJoel Coen http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001054/?ref_=tt_ov_st_smWes Andersonhttp://www.imdb.com/name/nm0027572/?ref_=nv_sr_2The Royal Tenenbaums 2001 RThe Gospel of Happiness: Rediscover Your Faith Through Spiritual Practice and Positive Psychology Kindle EditionA Catholic version of Mindfulness: The Sacrament of the Present Moment. Bernard J. Baars : The Double Life of B.F. Skinner: Inner Conflict, Dissociation and the Scientific Taboo against Consciousness “Freedom was much in the air at the time. The Calvinism of Skinner’s early upbringing denied freedom, with the hotly-debated doctrine of predestination. Early American novels like Hawthorne’s Scarlet Letter play out the conflict between Puritan predestination and the emerging American ethic of individual freedom. This was taught routinely as part of a literary education. Skinner must have been thoroughly aware of this tension as a literature student at Hamilton College. The radical behaviourism of Watson and Skinner is indeed an ideology of rebellion. It defines itself in a militant struggle against the perceived stranglehold of religion, and against religion’s evil twin, the consciousness psychology of the older academic generation — all while proclaiming a determinism as rigorous as Calvin’s theology (Watson, 1925; Skinner, 1987).” — -http://bernardbaars.pbworks.com/f/Double%20Life%20Skinner%20JCS.pdf P 12 Which one? The responsible one or the cool guy with long hair?  Saint Augustine’s Confessions, the best translation: http://amzn.to/1SDmqUYGroundhog Day: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0107048/Phil? …PHIL CONNORS?! Best clips from YouTube.comThe Universal Call to Holiness in Lumen Gentium, Chapter Five, paragraph 39ffGet to know Thomas AquinasA Glance at St Thomas Aquinas: A Handbook for Peeping Thomists - http://amzn.to/1oObBCX Guide to Thomas Aquinas by Josef Pieper - http://amzn.to/1oObGGI The Dumb Ox by GK Chesterton - http://amzn.to/1oObPdlSumma of the Summa by Peter Kreeft - http://amzn.to/1SVpyfh For people struggling with God…New Proofs for the Existence of God: Contributions of Contemporary Physics and Philosophy by Fr Robert SpitzerHow the Catholic Church Built Western Civilization by Thomas Woods Then Gomer and Luke wander way too far into inappropriate territory that HAD to be edited. Then Aquinas talks Islam...Support Catching Foxes

Luke and I discuss Confirmation retreats, failure in Catholic schools and ministries, and the ongoing need for evangelization. Luke uses the "Who do you say that I am?" verse like 60 times in this episode, and he relates a sad story about the phrase "personal relationship with Jesus".Here's the great Dr. Carole Brown article: The Problem with 'Not' Having a Personal Relationship with Jesus. This was a rebuttal piece to Dr. Jay Boyd's article critiquing Forming Intentional Disciples.  “But in catechetical practice, this model order must allow for the fact that the initial evangelization has often not taken place. A certain number of children baptized in infancy come for catechesis in the parish without receiving any other initiation into the faith and still without any explicit personal attachment to Jesus Christ; they only have the capacity to believe placed within them by Baptism and the presence of the Holy Spirit.” — Pope John Paul II, Catechesis in Our Times, 19 Find Us Online!facebook.com/catchingfoxespodcasthttps://twitter.com/cfoxespodcasthttps://www.instagram.com/catching_foxes/@LayEvangelist@theLukethe (Twitter only on the weekends! See Deep Work for the reason why)Check out these great companies!Catholic Beard Balm Make your beard smell like Baptism!CatholicMatch.com Build community, find love, by visiting our sponsor!Support Catching Foxes

Matt Fradd is a busy man. He got a great family and a huge mission. He's engage in the Lord's work of freeing men and women from pornography at his ThePornEffect.com website. Two books that should draw your attention are Delivered, which is a series of testimonies of people who found freedom from porn, including our recent interviewee, Audrey Assad; and Restored, which is a heart-breaking look at what porn does to the wife of an addict. I read the first two chapters and... whew... it is intense.Follow him on Twitter @MattFradd Check out the great work he is doing: ThePornEffect.com : Get your battle plan, and learn the science of porn addictionMattFradd.com : His personal site, full of Thomism!RestoredBook.com : the addiction of porn from the wife's perspective. Powerful.Delivered : stories of struggle and freedom from porn addictionBlue Label Challenge : a gentleman's bet to put some skin in the game, so to speak! and I'd be remiss if I didn't mention Interior Castle.Support Catching Foxes

We answer listener questions about Trump, climate change and other non-controversial things! We really do a fun dive into the heart of Trump Populism and analyze some ridiculous statements he's made. <img class="thumb-image" data-image="https://static1.squarespace.com/static/551def6fe4b09619c3abc306/t/56b4acb52fe131a34f318ee3/1454681271540/" data-image-dimensions="592x255" data-image-focal-point="0.5,0.5" data-load="false" data-image-id="56b4acb52fe131a34f318ee3" data-type="image" src="https://static1.squarespace.com/static/551def6fe4b09619c3abc306/t/56b4acb52fe131a34f318ee3/1454681271540/?format=1000w" /> Then we hop on the Climate Change train and try to figure out why Republicans hate it, why Democrats milk it, and where we can do something constructive together. There's some other stuff, too, like 90's alternative music and some sad stuff at the end.Find Us Online!facebook.com/catchingfoxespodcasthttps://twitter.com/cfoxespodcast@LayEvangelist@theLuketheCheck out these great companies!Catholic Beard BalmCatholicMatch.comSupport Catching Foxes

Luke interviews Shane Claiborne while Gomer is on a flight to L.A. that he wishes he wasn't on. Poor Gomer.Shane is a founder and board member of The Simple Way, a faith community in inner city Philadelphia that has helped birth and connect radical faith communities around the world. He is married to Katie Jo, a North Carolina girl who also fell in love with the city (and with Shane). They were wed in St. Edwards church, the formerly abandoned cathedral into which homeless families relocated in 1995, launching the beginning of the Simple Way community and a new phase of faith-based justice making.Shane writes and travels extensively speaking about peacemaking, social justice, and Jesus. Shane’s books include Jesus for President, Red Letter Revolution, Common Prayer, Follow Me to Freedom, Jesus, Bombs and Ice Cream, Becoming the Answer to Our Prayers – and his classic The Irresistible Revolution. He has been featured in a number of films including “Another World Is Possible” and “Ordinary Radicals.” His books are translated into more than a dozen languages. Shane speaks over 100 times a year, nationally and internationally.His work has appeared in Esquire, SPIN, Christianity Today, and The Wall Street Journal, and he has been on everything from Fox News and Al Jazeera to CNN and NPR. He’s given academic lectures at Harvard, Princeton, Brown, Liberty, Duke, and Notre Dame. Shane speaks regularly at denominational gatherings, festivals, and conferences around the globe. Follow him online at:Facebook: ShaneClaiborneTwitter: @ShaneClaiborneSupport Catching Foxes

Luke and Gomer are back and very much hate 2016. Luke has irrational anger problems and Gomer just wants to play Minecraft. We also talk about the "Voice, but no Vote" issue of the Episcopalian Church within the Anglican Communion and the problem of Talking Head culture in the Church today.Support our Sponsor: CatholicMatch.com Faith-Focused Dating! Support Catching Foxes

We interview Audrey Assad, one of the brightest lights in the Church today. She's most famous for her devotional music and her role as a worship leader in events and conferences across this country. You will not regret listening to this. Well...  you may regret listening to us. But not to her!First, her website: http://www.audreyassad.com/Where to pre-order her next album (and send money to St Vincent de Paul Society): http://www.pledgemusic.com/projects/audreyassadVisit her online store: http://store.audreyassad.com/Luke’s Obsession: http://www.gasolineheart.com/Luke’s Other Passion: http://badchristian.com/badchristian/  <img class="thumb-image" alt="CopticMartyrs" data-image="https://static1.squarespace.com/static/551def6fe4b09619c3abc306/t/568fedc0a128e65d0d4123ea/1452273090274/CopticMartyrs" data-image-dimensions="500x277" data-image-focal-point="0.5,0.5" data-load="false" data-image-id="568fedc0a128e65d0d4123ea" data-type="image" src="https://static1.squarespace.com/static/551def6fe4b09619c3abc306/t/568fedc0a128e65d0d4123ea/1452273090274/CopticMartyrs?format=1000w" /> EVEN UNTO DEATH, how she wrote the song about the Martyrs: http://audreyassad.tumblr.com/post/130350198505/even-unto-death-the-storyDeath Be Not Proud (Music Video)https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sikF_phQHZwFrancis Chan’s Apology to Audrey and Matt at IHOP Conference, #OneThinghttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ujDzyUctrR4 Audrey’s Amazing Talk for Women at SEEK2015 on Porn Addictionhttp://www.layevangelist.com/journal/2015/3/3/audrey-assads-amazing-talk-for-women-on-porn-addiction.htmlThePornEffect’s Interview with Audrey Assadhttp://theporneffect.com/blog/post/audrey-assad-on-female-porn-addiction/Madd Fradd’s “Delivered” wherein Audrey shares her storyhttp://www.mattfradddelivered.com/SEEK2015http://seek2015.com/LEVV’s Facebookhttps://www.facebook.com/LEVVmusic/Husband’s New Movie “To Catch a Falling Knife” Kickstarter Pagehttps://www.kickstarter.com/projects/2055994648/to-catch-a-falling-knife Follow Audrey Online  Tumblr - http://audreyassad.tumblr.com/Twitter - https://twitter.com/audreyassadFacebook - https://www.facebook.com/audreyassadmusic?_rdr=pInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/audreyassad/Support Catching Foxes

We did it! A few weeks later than anticipated! Here's our review of Star Wars: The Force Awakens. Not going to lie, I'm pretty proud of this episode. Luke and Scott sat down and had a pretty nuanced conversation about The Force Awakens. Enjoy!Support Catching Foxes

In this episode you will discover just how crazy much we are in love with the Star Wars franchise. Yes, at one point Gomer connects some themes to theology or morality, but we let Star Wars be Star Wars, for the most part. ( I don't quote this article, but wish I had! Fun read for Thomists.)This is where we go off with Ring Theory and Darth Jar Jar Binks. If you haven't heard about this, it might break your brain or roll your eyes. For Gomer, he rolls his eyes. For Luke, his brain hath broke.Gomer reveals how many books he's read to prepare his heart. Luke reveals how much he's cried in anticipation of the movie. Then we mock George Lucas for a bit and Luke makes such an inappropriate comment, even for our show, that I had to edit it out. But, most importantly, CLICK THE PICTURE BELOW AND RESCUE YOUR CHILDHOOD FROM GEORGE LUCAS! (or watch this documentary on Netflix)And finally, what if you hate the prequels? What if a film student decided to rewrite history and suggest to George Lucas' finished script certain alterations that would make the prequels actually good movies with actual characters you care about and an actual plot surprise, rather than boring characters, stupid CGI set pieces, and the prequels simply explaining everything in the original triology. Here's a pitch for a new plot to Episode I, II, and III. <a href="https://docs.google.com/document/d/1yLsvexWBVM8IYSGopKuSfsGk5YIgCwQWd23bqb5ryD4/preview" target="_blank"> <img class="thumb-image" alt="When George Lucas ruined your childhood because of his own peccadillos, Harmy's restoration of the Original Triology in this Despecialized Edition will warm your heart. Click it to discover a whole new world." data-image="https://static1.squarespace.com/static/551def6fe4b09619c3abc306/t/567450e21c121018863c655f/1450463460815/" data-image-dimensions="1437x808" data-image-focal-point="0.5,0.5" data-load="false" data-image-id="567450e21c121018863c655f" data-type="image" src="https://static1.squarespace.com/static/551def6fe4b09619c3abc306/t/567450e21c121018863c655f/1450463460815/?format=1000w" /> </a> <p>When George Lucas ruined your childhood because of his own peccadillos, Harmy's restoration of the Original Triology in this Despecialized Edition will warm your heart. Click it to discover a whole new world.</p> <a href="http://amzn.to/1OcxiBz" target="_blank"> <img class="thumb-image" alt="Lost Stars... Where Twilight meets Star Wars. Enough said. I read it just to find out why that Star Destroyer crashes on Jakku. This book chronologically starts with pre-Star Wars A New Hope and ends after The Return of the Jedi." data-image="https://static1.squarespace.com/static/551def6fe4b09619c3abc306/t/5674519940667a2b56886827/1450463642374/51PhgY9aWRL._SL300_.jpg" data-image-dimensions="300x300" data-image-focal-point="0.5,0.5" data-load="false" data-image-id="5674519940667a2b56886827" data-type="image" src="https://static1.squarespace.com/static/551def6fe4b09619c3abc306/t/5674519940667a2b56886827/1450463642374/51PhgY9aWRL._SL300_.jpg?format=1000w" /> </a> <p><em>Lost Stars...</em>&nbsp;Where Twilight meets Star Wars. Enough said. I read it just to find out why that Star Destroyer crashes on Jakku. This book chronologically starts with pre-<em>Star Wars A New Hope</em> and ends after <em>The Return of the Jedi</em>.</p> <a href="http://amzn.to/1mcUlG3" target="_blank"> <img class="thumb-image" alt="This one wasn't as awful as the reviews make it out. Listen to it on audiobook and it's fine. The ending is not as great as it should be, but it's probably because they are setting up for more. This book starts right at the end of Return of the Jedi." data-image="https://static1.squarespace.com/static/551def6fe4b09619c3abc306/t/5674525b2399a3bb143bc6e9/1450463835954/51EAv3L9PGL.jpg" data-image-dimensions="329x500" data-image-focal-point="0.5,0.5" data-load="false" data-image-id="5674525b2399a3bb143bc6e9" data-type="image" src="https://static1.squarespace.com/static/551def6fe4b09619c3abc306/t/5674525b2399a3bb143bc6e9/1450463835954/51EAv3L9PGL.jpg?format=1000w" /> </a> <p>This one wasn't as awful as the reviews make it out. Listen to it on audiobook and it's fine. The ending is not as great as it should be, but it's probably because they are setting up for more. This book starts right at the end of <em>Return of the Jedi</em>.</p> <a href="http://amzn.to/1mcUKrQ" target="_blank"> <img class="thumb-image" alt="This is a book about a video game about the movies. Yes! But it is good. It gives you a grunt's eye view of the Rebellion and is a great audiobook." data-image="https://static1.squarespace.com/static/551def6fe4b09619c3abc306/t/567452f005f8e2dd00662f86/1450463984882/" data-image-dimensions="329x500" data-image-focal-point="0.5,0.5" data-load="false" data-image-id="567452f005f8e2dd00662f86" data-type="image" src="https://static1.squarespace.com/static/551def6fe4b09619c3abc306/t/567452f005f8e2dd00662f86/1450463984882/?format=1000w" /> </a> <p>This is a book about a video game about the movies. Yes! But it is good. It gives you a grunt's eye view of the Rebellion and is a great audiobook.</p> <img class="thumb-image" alt="This sets up the Star Wars REBELS cartoon show and is a good back story. The guy with the lightsaber was the last Padawan, with his Jedi master being killed by the Clone Troopers. This will lead into the Rebellion, as the green woman here is helping gather resistance fighters. Good stuff. " data-image="https://static1.squarespace.com/static/551def6fe4b09619c3abc306/t/56745347841abaf154fd7c80/1450464071662/616p2RlCTwL._AA300_.jpg" data-image-dimensions="300x300" data-image-focal-point="0.5,0.5" data-load="false" data-image-id="56745347841abaf154fd7c80" data-type="image" src="https://static1.squarespace.com/static/551def6fe4b09619c3abc306/t/56745347841abaf154fd7c80/1450464071662/616p2RlCTwL._AA300_.jpg?format=1000w" /> <p>This sets up the Star Wars REBELS cartoon show and is a good back story. The guy with the lightsaber was the last Padawan, with his Jedi master being killed by the Clone Troopers. This will lead into the Rebellion, as the green woman here is helping gather resistance fighters. Good stuff.&nbsp;</p> <a href="http://amzn.to/1OcyMvJ" target="_blank"> <img class="thumb-image" alt="A buddy comedy. The Emperor and Vader get stranded on a planet that yearns to be free of Imperial rule. This book's anti-Emperor protagonist is the daddy to Hera, the green girl above and in the Star Wars REBELS cartoon. It seems like everything is a prequel these days. Oh well. It's a fun story of Vader slaughtering things and the Emperor being all manipulative, but of Vader." data-image="https://static1.squarespace.com/static/551def6fe4b09619c3abc306/t/567454812399a3a13cb8ed08/1450464385878/" data-image-dimensions="300x300" data-image-focal-point="0.5,0.5" data-load="false" data-image-id="567454812399a3a13cb8ed08" data-type="image" src="https://static1.squarespace.com/static/551def6fe4b09619c3abc306/t/567454812399a3a13cb8ed08/1450464385878/?format=1000w" /> </a> <p>A buddy comedy. The Emperor and Vader get stranded on a planet that yearns to be free of Imperial rule. This book's anti-Emperor protagonist is the daddy to Hera, the green girl above and in the <em>Star Wars REBELS </em>cartoon. It seems like everything is a prequel these days. Oh well. It's a fun story of Vader slaughtering things and the Emperor being all manipulative, but of Vader.</p> Support Catching Foxes

Ah yes. Our old pal from college, Andy Lesnefsky. Luke and I remember the living embodiment of a prank phone call. Andy is all grown up now and helped evangelize tens of thousands of people through his #ShareJesus campaign at RedeemedOnline.com last Lent, and is going even bigger for this Advent.But even more important that #ShareJesus is the way Andy is dedicated to his original work as a high school youth minister. He ditched ladder-climbing years ago and has remained at the same parish for the last 10 years, building relationships and changing lives.We talk about his founding RedeemedOnline.com because of the total lack of a Social Media strategy by Catholic ministries to engage the billions of people online. His videos last year got 1.5 million views and he's learned a lot from this campaign, which he freely shares on this episode. This one is a keeper. And a sharer. #ShareAndyTheme music brought to you by BenSound.com. Support Catching Foxes