Catholic Theology Show

Exploring Bishop Robert Barron's impactful evangelization methods and theological perspectives, including his Christocentric approach and appreciation for Thomas Aquinas' teachings. Delving into the deep theological analysis of Aquinas' arguments for God's existence and the interconnectedness of creation, incarnation, and Jesus' essence. Discussing the evolving perspective on divine mercy amidst a world of wickedness and the relevance of Barron's theology for addressing modern challenges within the Church.

How can creation be good when sin and evil exist? Today, Dr. Dauphinais and Catholic scholar Joseph Pearce discuss The Silmarillion by J.R.R. Tolkien, hearkening to the Catechism of the Catholic Church’s call for a “catechesis on creation.” They unpack how the role of music in Middle Earth’s creation story grants insight into God’s continual work of unfolding the harmony of creation, inviting us to participate in it through our creativity, and providentially operating amid the discordance of evil.Resources:Read the section on creation in the Catechism of the Catholic ChurchLearn more from Professor Joseph Pearce on his websiteTake Professor Pearce’s FREE short course on The Genius of J.R.R. Tolkien from The Pursuit of Wisdom by Ave Maria University Help support this podcast and Our Lady's University by joining the Annunciation Circle!Get more information about Ave Maria University!

What is Catholic bioethics and how should it guide our approach to fertility and infertility? Today, Dr. Michael Dauphinais and Fr. Tadeusz Pacholczyk, a Catholic priest, neuroscientist, and writer, discuss the proper relationship between faith and science. They address themes such as whether the Church should be involved in scientific conversation, while focusing primarily on in vitro fertilization (IVF) and its challenging moral consequences.Resources:Learn more about why IVF is wrong and other contemporary moral problems from Fr. Tad’s bioethics videosHelp support this podcast and Our Lady's University by joining the Annunciation Circle!Get more information about Ave Maria University!

What does it mean to perfect our love for God? In this episode, Dr. Dauphinais sits down with Fr. Rick Martignetti, Franciscan priest and director of campus ministry at Ave Maria University, to discuss his book Perfect Love, a collection of reflections on prayer inspired by Saint Bonaventure. Fr. Rick speaks about what the Seraphic Doctor can teach Christians today about prayer, contemplation, and love for God.Resources:Perfect Love: Forty Stories and Reflections Inspired by Saint Bonaventure’s De Perfectione Vitae by Fr. Rick Martignetti, OFMHidden Beauty: Reflections on Saint Bonaventure’s Tree of Life by Fr. Rick Martignetti, OFMHelp support this podcast and Our Lady's University by joining the Annunciation Circle!Get more information about Ave Maria University!

What truths about the world and human experience can short stories reveal? In today’s episode, Dr. Michael Dauphinais and Catholic scholar Joseph Pearce look at Leaf by Niggle, J.R.R. Tolkien’s short story filled with profound themes of beauty, creativity, the gift of time, and the afterlife.Resources:Learn more from Professor Joseph Pearce on his websiteSign up for Professor Pearce’s FREE short course, The Genius of J.R.R. Tolkien, from The Pursuit of Wisdom by Ave Maria University Help support this podcast and Our Lady's University by joining the Annunciation Circle!Get more information about Ave Maria University!

How does Christ work in the Church through the Sacraments? Today, Dr. Michael Dauphinais converses with Fr. Romanus Cessario, Adam Cardinal Maida professsor of Theology at Ave Maria University, about his latest book entitled The Seven Sacraments of the Catholic Church. Fr. Cessario looks at each of the seven sacraments, their reality and unchanging nature, and how they continue Christ’s saving work in the souls of men.Resources:The Seven Sacraments of the Catholic Church by Fr. Romanus CessarioRelated episode: The Sacraments | Friendship with Christ with Dr. Roger NuttFrom the Catholic Theology Show archives: What is Truth? | Theology of St. Thomas Aquinas with Fr. Romanus CessarioHelp support this podcast and Our Lady's University by joining the Annunciation Circle!Get more information about Ave Maria University!

Are miracles likely and believable? In today’s episode, Dr. Michael Dauphinais and Fr. Joseph Fessio, founder and editor of Ignatius Press and founding provost of Ave Maria University, unpack Miracles by C.S. Lewis. Their conversation provides insight into this challenging apologetic work which makes an argument for God's existence by discussing the wonders that God works and their place in the laws of nature.Resources:Ignatius Press websiteCatch our previous episode with Fr. Fessio: G.K. Chesterton’s Orthodoxy and God’s CreationHelp support this podcast and Our Lady's University by joining the Annunciation Circle!Get more information about Ave Maria University!

Can myths and fairy stories help us to better understand reality? Today, Dr. Michael Dauphinais and Catholic academic Joseph Pearce discuss J.R.R. Tolkien’s essay On Fairy Stories. Guided by Tolkien’s work, their conversation explores the rationality of story, the actual definition of myth, and the transformative effect that fairy worlds have on our hearts and minds.Resources:From the Catholic Theology Show archives: The Theology of Tolkien | The One Ring and Redemption with Joseph Pearce Help support this podcast and Our Lady's University by joining the Annunciation Circle!Get more information about Ave Maria University!

God and His holy angels exist but so does Satan – how can this be? Today, Dr. Michael Dauphinais sits down with Dr. Mark Miravalle, Chair of Mariology at Ave Maria University and Franciscan University of Steubenville, for a brief exploration of angelology. Their conversation clarifies what we can believe about angels and demons amid today’s confusing extremes of empiricism and the occult, and what authentic doctrine on the angels can teach us about the created order.Resources:Catch the previous Catholic Theology Show episode with Dr. Miravalle: Why Do We Need Marian Consecration? Help support this podcast and Our Lady's University by joining the Annunciation Circle!Get more information about Ave Maria University!

Is there a connection between perseverance on the playing field and in the spiritual life? Today, Dr. Michael Dauphinais shares a conversation with Alan Webb, Ave Maria University’s track & field coach and former American record holder for fastest mile. Drawing on John Paul II’s Theology of the Body and of creation, Coach Webb shares how “the logic of sports is the logic of life” as we rely on Christ’s grace to strive towards discipline and excellence.Help support this podcast and Our Lady's University by joining the Annunciation Circle!Get more information about Ave Maria University!