The Word on Fire Show - Catholic Faith and Culture

Have you ever wondered why there is a Christmas Season? Like no other holiday, Christmas carries with it an intense period of anticipation, in which our hearts are readied with hope and love. Christians call this waiting time "Advent", and Bishop Barron explains precisely what this time is all about in today's episode of the Word on Fire Show. The listener question asks how much is enough when it comes to petitionary prayer. Topics Discussed 0:05 - Introduction - The USCCB meeting 2:00 - Why is there a Christmas Season? 4:20 - Why should a secular person care about the birth of Jesus? 6:45 - Why must we understand Israel if we want to understand Christmas? 10:50 - Why is Mary so pivotal during Advent? What about the rest of the characters in this story? 18:30 - Will Christmas ever become more Christian than it is today in our secular world? 26:30 - What are Bishop Barron's favorite things about Christmas? 28:15 - Listener Question: How much is enough when it comes to petitionary prayer.

Today we continue our discussion of the eight principles of the Word on Fire Movement by focusing on the fifth principle, "Affirmative Orthodoxy." This term, originating with John Allen, Jr., refers to a positive presentation of what the Church teaches, an emphasis on the Catholic "Yes!" more than a finger-wagging "No!" A listen asks how we concretely love people in difficult situations. Topics Discussed 0:05 - Introduction and the Erasmus lecture 3:00 - What is Affirmative Orthodoxy? 6:30 - Why is Affirmative Orthodoxy important to evangelization? 8:30 - G.K. Chesterton's adventurous orthodoxy 11:30 - How do we frame Affirmative Orthodoxy around modern sexual morality? 16:30 - How is it possible to maintain Affirmative Orthodoxy during a debate? 19:30 - What are some good Affirmative Orthodoxy strategies? 20:45 - How can we concretely love people in difficult situations?

We just passed the 500th anniversary of the start of the Protestant Reformation, when Martin Luther nailed his 95 theses to the door of a Wittenberg church, and initiated a massive split of the Christian community. What should Catholics make of this event 500 years later? How should we view Protestantism and relate to our Protestant brothers and sisters? That's what Bishop Barron discussed today. A listener asks how Catholics should feel about Protestants. Topics Discussed 0:05 - Introduction 2:00 - What are Bishop Barron's initial thoughts on this anniversary? 4:00 - Who is Stanley Hauerwas? 6:15 - Why is Hauerwas so friendly to the Catholic tradition? 8:00 - Is the Reformation effectively over? 13:40 - How does the Reformation continue to fracture the Church Universal? 17:50 - What was the difference maker for reform movements that did not splinter the Church, such as the Franciscans and Dominicans? 21:00 - Is the problem of authority the key to Protestantism? 24:00 - How should Catholics feel about Protestant denominations?

Today we celebrate the hundredth episode of “The Word on Fire Show”! It's hard to believe we've reach that mark. But to celebrate, we decided to focus on you, our listeners, and your wonderful questions. Bishop Barron answers several listener questions about a whole range of topics. SPECIAL: Pick up your FREE copy of Bishop Barron's “Advent Gospel Reflections” booklet and get inspiring reflections throughout this holy season. The book is free, you just cover the shipping. Just click here to order. Topics Discussed 0:04 - Introduction 2:30 - What are Bishop Barron's thoughts on Stoicism? 5:15 - What if "willing the good" of one person causes problems for another? 8:30 - Why are angels commonly depicted as children in artwork? 10:45 - What are the first steps for someone who is considering becoming Catholic? 13:10 - Was Jesus made in the image of God or is Jesus God? 16:50 - Does Jesus want us to follow all of the laws of the Old Testament? 21:30 - Why did God create the world? 23:30 - Does Bishop Barron plan on starting a Catholic movement?  Find bonus links and resources for this episode at http://WordOnFireShow.com and be sure to submit your questions at http://AskBishopBarron.

This week, Bishop Barron is giving the annual “Erasmus Lecture” for First Things, where he'll speak on “Evangelizing the ‘Nones’.” That's the them of this episode, which explores why young people are becoming disconnected to religion, and what we can do to draw them back. A listener asks what makes great music truly great. SPECIAL: Pick up your FREE copy of Bishop Barron's “Advent Gospel Reflections” booklet and get inspiring reflections throughout this holy season. The book is free, you just cover the shipping. Just click here to order. Topics Discussed 0:04 - Introduction, Bishop Speaks at the Cornerstone Conference and prepares for the Erasmus Lecture 06:00 - Brief synopsis of iGen, a book that discusses America's newest and least religious generation 08:30 - How does our culture's celebration of individual choice create "nones", and how do we approach this issue as evangelists? 12:20 - How has scientism led to the creation of the "nones", and how do we approach this issue as evangelists? 16:15 - How has the "LGBTQ movement" contributed to the rise of the "nones", and is Christianity anti-gay? 23:00 - What are the 5 pathways to reach the "nones"? 26:50 - How do we approach a person who has zero interest in religion? 29:00 - Listener Question: What makes great music great? Find bonus links and resources for this episode at http://WordOnFireShow.com and be sure to submit your questions at http://AskBishopBarron.

In his new book, To Light a Fire on the Earth, Bishop Barron shares the story of his own spiritual formation as a young man coming of age after Vatican II, who is then called to preach to a secular world. Thankfully, the bishop was guided by great men who, despite the tide of secularism and moral relativism, embodied the steadfast spirituality, integrity, and moral rectitude that informs a heroic priesthood. In this episode of the Word On Fire Show, Bishop Barron discusses the impact of five key figures in his life, beginning with his father, John Clayton Barron, Sr. and ending with his late, great mentor, Cardinal Francis George of Chicago. SPECIAL: Pre-order Bishop Barron's new hardcover book today for just $19.95 (26% off) and free shipping. You'll also receive three bonus eBooks from Bishop Barron! Just click here to order. Topics Discussed 00:04 - Introduction, first printing and a visit from the Papal Ninja 02:40 - The father of Father Barron 07:20 - Adolescence and Mr. Tim White's English class 11:52 - Seminary years with Msgr. Robert Sokolowski 17:42 - Serving as a parish priest with Msgr. Bill Quinn 23:00 - The mission and mentorship of Cardinal Francis George 28:25 - Listener Question: How do we respond to critics who say that it's worthless to "send our thoughts and prayers" in times of crisis? Find bonus links and resources for this episode at http://WordOnFireShow.com and be sure to submit your questions at http://AskBishopBarron.

This is the second part of a series responding to a viral YouTube video titled "Aquinas and the Cosmological Arguments" (750,000+ views), which claims that Thomas Aquinas' arguments for God have been decisively refuted. But have they? Bishop Barron responds to the video and shows that when properly understood, Thomas' arguments are as strong today as ever before. A listener asks how the word "Gospel" would have been understood in the first century. SPECIAL: Pre-order the hardcover book today for just $19.95 (26% off) and free shipping. You'll also receive three bonus eBooks from Bishop Barron! Just click here to order. Topics Discussed 0:05 - Introduction, background on Crash Course video 1:40 - Are Aquinas' first four arguments for God unimpressive because they don't lead to a personal God? 8:15 - Does Aquinas' argument for God allow for polytheism? 12:2o - Does Aquinas' argument for God allow God to be an egg, a turtle, or a big block of stone? 14:35 - Are there major flaws that make Aquinas' argument invalid? 16:45 - Is Aquinas' argument self-defeating, because God would require a cause? 21:05 - Do you have to believe Aquinas' arguments in order to believe in God? 26:30 - Question from listener: Was the word "Gospel" used often in Jesus' time? Bonus Resources Books Thomas Aquinas: Spiritual Master by Bishop Barron Aquinas: A Beginner's Guide by Edward Feser Five Proofs of the Existence of God by Edward Feser The Last Superstition: A Refutation of the New Atheism by Edward Feser Aquinas: An Introduction to the Life and Work of the Great Medieval Thinker by F. C. Copleston To Light a Fire on the Earth: Proclaiming Christ in a Secular Age by Bishop Barron Find bonus links and resources for this episode at http://WordOnFireShow.com and be sure to submit your questions at http://AskBishopBarron.

A viral YouTube video titled "Aquinas and the Cosmological Arguments" (750,000+ views) claims that Thomas Aquinas' arguments for God have been decisively refuted. But have they? Bishop Barron responds to the video and shows that when properly understood, Thomas' arguments are as strong today as ever before. A listener asks whether death is natural. SPECIAL: Pre-order the hardcover book today for just $19.95 (26% off) and free shipping. You'll also receive three bonus eBooks from Bishop Barron! Just click here to order. Topics Discussed 0:05 - Introduction, Bishop Barron describes the Facebook headquarters 5:30 - Why have multiple proofs for God's existence?  If a singular argument is truly a proof, should not one be sufficient? 8:44 - Where did Thomas Aquinas come up with these arguments? 12:50 - Do Aquinas's observations from nature hurt his argument given the fact that modern science has proven some of his examples to be inaccurate?    15:33 - What's wrong with using dominos to illustrate Aquinas's argument from motion? 26:50 - What's the difference between a hierarchal and a temporal causal series? And why is this so important for understanding Aquinas? 31:35 - Did the philosopher David Hume defeat Aquinas's arguments? 34:24 - Question from listener: Is death natural? Bonus Resources Books Thomas Aquinas: Spiritual Master by Bishop Barron Aquinas: A Beginner's Guide by Edward Feser Five Proofs of the Existence of God by Edward Feser The Last Superstition: A Refutation of the New Atheism by Edward Feser Aquinas: An Introduction to the Life and Work of the Great Medieval Thinker by F. C. Copleston To Light a Fire on the Earth: Proclaiming Christ in a Secular Age by Bishop Barron Find bonus links and resources for this episode at http://WordOnFireShow.com and be sure to submit your questions at http://AskBishopBarron.

Listen to Bishop Barron's talk at the Facebook HQ, which has already been heard over 275,000 times. Every day, millions of people argue about religion on social media. The comboxes of religious and atheist sites are among the most visited and the most heated in the virtual space. But few people really know how to have a good religious argument. Lots of energy, lots of sharp words, and lots of strong feelings are expressed. But rarely do we come across productive, rational argument about religion. Bishop Barron paves a way forward, showing how we all, believer and nonbeliever alike, can share better religious discussions. SPECIAL: Pre-order Bishop Barron's new hardcover book, To Light a Fire on the Earth, for just $19.95 (26% off) and free shipping. You'll also receive three bonus eBooks from Bishop Barron! Just click here to order. Bonus Resources Books To Light a Fire on the Earth: Proclaiming the Gospel in a Secular Age by Bishop Barron Thomas Aquinas: Spiritual Master by Bishop Barron

Bishop Barron has a new book coming out titled To Light a Fire on the Earth: Proclaiming Christ in a Secular Age. It's a book-length conversation between Bishop Barron and John Allen, Jr., the award-winning Vatican journalist, and touches on a wide range of subjects including God, atheism, social media, prayer, beauty, and why the Church matters today. In today's episode, John joins Bishop Barron to discuss the new book. SPECIAL: Pre-order the hardcover book today for just $19.95 (26% off) and free shipping. You'll also receive three bonus eBooks from Bishop Barron! Just click here to order. Topics Discussed 0:05 - Introduction 1:40 - What were John Allen's first impressions about creating this book? 3:10 - What were Bishop Barron's first thoughts when the book was proposed to him? 4:00 - What parallels does John Allen see between Ven. Fulton Sheen and Bishop Barron 7:35 - Why did Bishop Barron start the book talking about beauty? 9:00 - How is Baseball helpful to understanding Catholicism 12:00 - How did one of Bishop Barron's professors in Paris shape his spirituality? 14:00 - What is Bishop Barron's three-fold path to holiness? 16:00 -  What makes Bishop Barron different from other people John has interviewed for books? 19:00 - Will Word On Fire become a permanent movement in the life of the Church? 23:30 - How can Catholics proclaim the Gospel in a secular age? Bonus Resources Books To Light a Fire on the Earth: Proclaiming Christ in a Secular Age Find bonus links and resources for this episode at http://WordOnFireShow.com and be sure to submit your questions at http://AskBishopBarron.