The Word on Fire Show - Catholic Faith and Culture

If you aren't familiar with the sweeping story of salvation, the "theo-drama," you won't fully grasp any particular part of the story. Today, Bishop Barron unveils the five acts of the biblical drama: Creation, the Fall, the formation of Israel, Jesus Christ, and the Church. A listener asks for some recommended biographies on the life of St. Thomas Aquinas. NOTE: Do you like this podcast? Become a patron and get some great perks for helping, like free books, bonus content, and more. Word on Fire is a non-profit ministry that depends on the support of our listeners…like you! So be part of this mission, and join us today!

Kids ask the best questions, and today Bishop Barron responds to many from around the world: Why did Jesus die on the cross rather than some other death? Why did God make other planets that people can’t live on? Where does God sleep? Will you have friendships in Heaven and will they be the same as friendships on Earth If God can do anything, can he make a mistake? Is an angel a spirit or soul? Also, could there be two Supreme Beings? Why did God allow the Devil to exist? What is the point of people? Why did God decide to create us? Links The Sacraments film series NOTE: Do you like this podcast? Become a patron and get some great perks for helping, like free books, bonus content, and more. Word on Fire is a non-profit ministry that depends on the support of our listeners…like you! So be part of this mission, and join us today!

Explore the art of disagreement with grace as the hosts break down principles for engaging in meaningful conversations. They emphasize intellectual humility and the need to truly understand opposing viewpoints. Discover the importance of the Steel Man approach, where accurately representing arguments fosters better dialogue. Plus, dive into personal reflections on the sometimes mundane experience of prayer, and learn how persistence can transform it into a fulfilling practice. It's all about navigating conflict and connection.

One day in 1961, the famous physicist Richard Feynman stepped in front of a Caltech lecture hall and posed this question to a group of undergraduate students: “If, in some cataclysm, all of scientific knowledge were to be destroyed, and only one sentence was passed on to the next generation of creatures, what statement would contain the most information in the fewest words?” In today’s episode we apply that same thought experiment to some of the greatest thinkers and saints from our tradition. What one sentence would encapsulate their thought? We look at Moses, Jesus, Paul, Augustine, Aquinas, Merton, and even Bishop Barron’s own “cataclysm sentence”! A listener asks whether God made a mistake in creating humans. Links Watch “Sacraments” film Radio Lab episode – “The Cataclysm Sentence” NOTE: Do you like this podcast? Become a patron and get some great perks for helping, like free books, bonus content, and more. Word on Fire is a non-profit ministry that depends on the support of our listeners…like you! So be part of this mission, and join us today!

A recent New York Times story claimed to reveal “Why the Big Bang Produced Something Rather Than Nothing.” Bishop Barron and Brandon Vogt discuss the article and whether science is capable of answering this classic philosophical question. A listener asks about the fear of God, and whether it’s appropriate since God is all loving. Links “Why the Big Bang Produced Something Rather Than Nothing” (New York Times) Word on Fire Bible NOTE: Do you like this podcast? Become a patron and get some great perks for helping, like free books, bonus content, and more. Word on Fire is a non-profit ministry that depends on the support of our listeners…like you! So be part of this mission, and join us today!

Explore the often-overlooked role of the Holy Spirit within the Trinity and its importance in Christian faith. Discover how the Holy Spirit embodies the love between the Father and Son, while unraveling misconceptions from theology. Gain insights into creating a personal devotional space in your home to enrich your prayer life. Additionally, exciting news awaits with the upcoming Word on Fire Bible and a new book highlighting St. Catherine of Siena's spiritual legacy.

In a recent article for The Atlantic, David Brooks claims “The Nuclear Family Was a Mistake.” He contends that the model of a married couple with 2.5 kids was an anomaly in the 1950s and 1960s, and that this nuclear family model is no longer working for many Americans, especially those who are less privileged. To address this family crisis, Brooks argues we need to break out of the nuclear-family-is-best mindset and “thicken and broaden” family relationships by incorporating extended families and “families of choice” (e.g., friends, co-religionists, and other voluntary groups living together) as better ways to raise children. Bishop Barron offers his thoughts on the article and how they compare with Catholic social teaching on the family. A listener asks how to define beauty prove that it’s objective? NOTE: Do you like this podcast? Become a patron and get some great perks for helping, like free books, bonus content, and more. Word on Fire is a non-profit ministry that depends on the support of our listeners…like you! So be part of this mission, and join us today!

Jesus has naturally been a key person of interest for Western thought, but over the last few hundred years, there have been some major shifts in what scholars describe as the “quest for the historical Jesus.” Bishop Barron provides an overview of these developments and the problematic attempt to separate the “Jesus of history” from the “Christ of Faith.” A listener asks what Bishop Barron would say about Jesus walking on water. Links The New Testament in Its World: An Introduction to the History, Literature, and Theology of the First Christians by N.T. Wright Jesus of Nazareth: From the Baptism in the Jordan to the Transfiguration by Pope Benedict XVI Jesus of Nazareth: Holy Week by Pope Benedict XVI Jesus of Nazareth: The Infancy Narratives by Pope Benedict XVI NOTE: Do you like this podcast? Become a patron and get some great perks for helping, like free books, bonus content, and more. Word on Fire is a non-profit ministry that depends on the support of our listeners…like you! So be part of this mission, and join us today!

Alleluia! We've just entered into the joyous season of Easter, where we celebrate the Lord's Resurrection, but what does it mean to say that Jesus is risen from the dead? That's what Bishop Barron answers in today's episode. NOTE: Do you like this podcast? Become a patron and get some great perks for helping, like free books, bonus content, and more. Word on Fire is a non-profit ministry that depends on the support of our listeners…like you! So be part of this mission, and join us today!

Reflecting on Good Friday, the profound significance of the Tre Ore service is explored. Bishop Barron delves into Jesus’ last words, offering insights on forgiveness, love, and the nature of suffering. The podcast contrasts modern notions of freedom with biblical teachings on surrendering to divine guidance. Listeners are invited to ponder the paradox of despair and hope, and the essence of God's love amidst hardship. Additionally, themes of Christ's lordship and the role of worship are examined, inviting a deeper connection to faith.