Crash Course Catholicism

Dr Caitlin West
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Nov 27, 2025 • 33min

104 - Common Questions about the Bible Pt. 3

caitlinwest.comFINAL EPISODE OF THE DEEP DIVE LET'S GOOOOIn this episode, we consider common moral problems that people encounter when they read the Bible. Why does the God of the Old Testament seem so angry and cruel, while Jesus seems merciful and loving? Why does God give such harsh punishments to people in the Old Testament? Does the Bible condone things like slavery and genocide? What about all those people who do terrible things in the Bible?Basically just a few really easy simple questions that aren't at all controversial, you're welcome. This podcast relies 100% on the generosity of listeners. If you have found these episodes helpful and would like to support the future of Crash Course Catholicism, please consider donating via the following links:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Donate via PayPal⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Support us on Patreon!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Contact the podcast: ⁠www.caitlinwest.com⁠Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/crashcoursecatholicism/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠References and further reading/listening/viewing:Matthew 22:37-40Isaiah 13:92 Kings 13Joshua 11:8-9The Catechism of the Catholic Church, pts. 42, 53Trent Horn, Hard SayingsJimmy Akin, Genocide in the BibleJoe Heschmeyer, Did God Command Genocide in the Old Testament?The Bible in a Year, Day 32: Cattle, Boils, and HailCatholic Answers:The Reason for Divine WrathDoes God Have Emotions?Does the Bible Support Slavery?Pope Benedict XVI: God and the World: Believing and Living in Our TimeThe Catholic Encyclopedie, Slavery and ChristianityThomas Aquinas, Summa Theologiae, II.i, Q.79Fr Mike Schmitz:Did God Change?Old Testament God vs. New Testament GodPints With Aquinas, The Problem of Violence in The Old Testament? /W Trent HornBishop Robert Barron, Understanding Violence in the Old TestamentBreaking In The Habit, Why is God so Angry in the Old Testament?
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Nov 12, 2025 • 28min

103 - Common Questions about the Bible Pt. 2

www.caitlinwest.com - What should we do about all those apparent historical and scientific inaccuracies in the Bible? Like Genesis telling us the world was made in seven days, or that there was a flood that covered the whole earth, or that Jonah survived in the belly of a whale for three days?And what about contradictions within the Bible? Why do some of the Gospel writers recount events differently? Do these discrepancies undermine the reliability of the Bible?In this episode, we continue our discussion of common questions about the Bible.This podcast relies 100% on the generosity of listeners. If you have found these episodes helpful and would like to support the future of Crash Course Catholicism, please consider donating via the following links:⁠⁠⁠⁠Donate via PayPal⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Support us on Patreon!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Contact the podcast: www.caitlinwest.comInstagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/crashcoursecatholicism/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠References and further reading/listening/viewing:The Catholic of the Catholic Church, pts. 112 and 2290Trent Horn, Hard SayingsVatican II, Dei VerbumPope Leo XIII, Providentissimus DeusCatholic Answers: How to Resolve Alleged Gospel ContradictionsJimmy Akin: Your Bible Questions - Catholic Answers LiveJimmy Akin:History As the Ancients Wrote It—Part IHistory As the Ancients Wrote It—Part IIPints With Aquinas: The Right Way to Read Holy Scripture (Dr. John Bergsma) Mind-Blowing Bible Study (Dr. Scott Hahn)Your Bible Questions Answered (Dr. John Bergsma)Peter Kreeft, The Bible: Myth or History Ascension Presents: Internet's Most Asked Questions about the Bible (w/ Jeff Cavins)How Can the Church Say the Bible Is without Error?Tim Gray and Jeff Cavins, Walking With God: A Journey through the Bible
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Oct 28, 2025 • 30min

102 - Common Questions about the Bible Pt. 1

⁠www.caitlinwest.com⁠⁠-How did the Church decide which books to include in the Bible? Why are Catholic Bibles bigger than Protestant Bibles? Should we read the Old Testament? How do I read the Bible?In this episode, we continue our deep dive into the Bible by addressing common questions about the Bible.This podcast relies 100% on the generosity of listeners. If you have found these episodes helpful and would like to support the future of Crash Course Catholicism, please consider donating via the following links:⁠⁠⁠Donate via PayPal⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Support us on Patreon!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Contact the podcast: crashcoursecatholicism@gmail.com.Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/crashcoursecatholicism/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠References and further reading/listening/viewing:CCC, pts 120-130Vatican II, Dei VerbumUniversalis, Daily Mass ReadingsThe Bible in a Year Reading PlanScott Hahn, Catholic Bible DictionaryDr. John Bergsma, "Why are Catholic Bibles Bigger than Protestant Bibles?"Catholic Answers, Who Compiled the Bible and When?Canon of Scripture: What criteria did the early Christians use to determine What were the criteria for determining the books of the Bible?Protestantism’s Old Testament ProblemScripture and TraditionDid Catholics Add 7 Books to the Bible? Or Did Protestants Remove Them?Trent Horn, Why are Protestant Bibles Smaller?Jimmy Akin, The Bible is a Catholic BookShameless Popery, How were the books of the Bible decided?Gary Michuta, Why Catholic Bibles are BiggerMatt Fradd, Why Catholic Bibles are BiggerCatholic Encyclopedia, Canon of the New TestamentSeptuagint VersionAleteia, What is the Septuagint and why is it important?Ascension, How the New Testament Canon was Chosen
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Sep 30, 2025 • 25min

101 - The Books of the Bible: The New Testament Pt. 3

www.caitlinwest.com-In this episode, we conclude our overview of the Bible by looking at the 7 catholic epistles, and the book of Revelation. The aim of these episodes is to provide us with a bird's-eye view of the whole Bible, to help equip us to begin reading it, or to read it more deeply. In this episode, we'll look at the following books:HebrewsJames1 and 2 Peter1, 2, and 3 JohnJudeRevelationThis podcast relies 100% on the generosity of listeners. If you have found these episodes helpful and would like to support the future of Crash Course Catholicism, please consider donating via the following links:⁠⁠Donate via PayPal⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Support us on Patreon!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Contact the podcast: crashcoursecatholicism@gmail.com.Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/crashcoursecatholicism/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠References and further reading/listening/viewing:Peter Kreeft, ⁠You Can Understand the Bible⁠Scott Hahn, ⁠Catholic Bible Dictionary⁠USCCB, ⁠Books of the Bible⁠The Catholic Encyclopedia:⁠Epistle (in Scripture)⁠⁠New Testament⁠Epistle to the HebrewsEpistles of Saint PeterEpistle of St. JamesEpistles of Saint JohnEpistle of St. JudeCatholic Answers:⁠Letter Writing in the Ancient World⁠⁠Who Wrote 1 Peter?⁠John’s First Letter to the Protestants?The Letter to the HebrewsThe Book of RevelationBishop Robert Barron on The Book of Revelation
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Sep 16, 2025 • 28min

100 - The Books of the Bible: The New Testament Pt. 2

www.caitlinwest.com-GUYS IT'S OUR 100TH EPISODE!!! In this episode, we continue our overview of the Bible by looking at the 13 Pauline Epistles. We consider when each letter was written and why, and what its key aims and themes are. The aim of these episodes is to provide us with a bird's-eye view of the whole Bible, to help equip us to begin reading it, or to read it more deeply. In this episode, we'll look at the following books:Romans1 Corinthians2 CorinthiansGalatiansEphesiansPhilippiansColossians1 Thessalonians2 Thessalonians1 Timothy2 TimothyTitusPhilemonThis podcast relies 100% on the generosity of listeners. If you have found these episodes helpful and would like to support the future of Crash Course Catholicism, please consider donating via the following links:⁠Donate via PayPal⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Support us on Patreon!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Contact the podcast: crashcoursecatholicism@gmail.com.Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/crashcoursecatholicism/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠References and further reading/listening/viewing:Peter Kreeft, You Can Understand the BibleScott Hahn, Catholic Bible DictionaryUSCCB, Books of the BibleThe Catholic Encyclopedia:Epistle (in Scripture)New TestamentEpistles to the CorinthiansEpistles to Timothy and TitusEpistle to the GalatiansSt PaulCatholic Answers:Letter Writing in the Ancient WorldThe Book of RevelationTimothy and TitusLetter to the EphesiansWho Wrote 1 Peter?Letter to the EphesiansThe Letters to the CorinthiansAugustine Institute: Introduction to St. Paul
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Sep 2, 2025 • 28min

99 - The Books of the Bible: The New Testament Pt. 1

www.caitlinwest.com - In this episode, we continue our overview of the Bible by looking at the first five books of the New Testament: The Gospels and the Acts of the Apostles. We consider who wrote each book, when it was written, and what its key aims and themes are. The aim of these episodes is to provide us with a bird's-eye view of the whole Bible, to help equip us to begin reading it, or to read it more deeply. In this episode, we'll look at the following books:The Gospel of MatthewThe Gospel of MarkThe Gospel of LukeThe Gospel of JohnThe Acts of the ApostlesThis podcast relies 100% on the generosity of listeners. If you have found these episodes helpful and would like to support the future of Crash Course Catholicism, please consider donating via the following links:Donate via PayPal⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Support us on Patreon!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Contact the podcast: crashcoursecatholicism@gmail.com.Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/crashcoursecatholicism/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠References and further reading/listening/viewing:Jesús Gil, Joseángel Domínguez, Bible PorticoScott Hahn, The Catholic Bible DictionaryPeter Kreeft, You Can Understand the BibleUSCCB, Books of the BibleThe Bible in a Year: Gospel of MatthewGospel of MarkGospel of LukeGospel of JohnActs of the ApostlesCatholic Answers:The Gospel According to MatthewThe Gospel According to MarkThe Gospel According to LukeThe Gospel of JohnActs of the ApostlesThe Book of ActsThe Catholic Encyclopedia:Gospel of St MatthewGospel of Saint MarkGospel of Saint LukeGospel of St. JohnTim Gray, How to Read the Acts of the ApostlesDr Regis Martin, A New Way To Read John's GospelDr John Bergsma, Everything You Need to Know About St. Matthew (and His Gospel)The Augustine Institute, The Gospel of Matthew (Part 1)
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Aug 19, 2025 • 1h 25min

BONUS - From Protestant to Catholic w/ Tim Hutchinson

Tim Hutchinson, a convert from Protestantism to Catholicism who is preparing to join the Dominicans, shares his insightful journey from a divided Christian background to embracing the unity of the Catholic Church. He discusses the struggles and joys of his transformation, sparked by deep theological conversations and a quest for understanding. Tim highlights the importance of community, the relationship between scripture and tradition, and the nurturing authority of the Church, celebrating the richness of faith and the beauty of unity.
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Aug 5, 2025 • 38min

98 - The Books of the Bible: The Old Testament Pt. 2

Dive into the captivating world of the Old Testament, where the Wisdom books offer profound insights into life, love, and suffering. Explore Job's deep reflections on adversity and discover the core themes of Psalms and Proverbs in shaping faith and wisdom. Transition to the prophetic realm, where voices like Isaiah and Amos tackle sin and offer messages of hope for restoration. These themes not only illuminate the historical context but also create a rich narrative that connects to the larger biblical story.
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Jul 23, 2025 • 39min

97 - The Books of the Bible: The Old Testament Pt. 1

Dive into the Old Testament as key themes and narratives are explored across its 46 books. Discover the Pentateuch, where stories of creation and the Exodus reveal deep spiritual truths. Learn how biblical writers approached history differently, focusing on spiritual messages rather than just facts. The historical accounts trace the Israelites' journey, highlighting influential figures and vital texts that shaped Jewish faith. It's a captivating overview that equips listeners to appreciate the Bible's rich history and meaning.
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Jul 8, 2025 • 29min

96 - Introduction to the Bible

Explore the Bible's dual nature as both divine and human in its creation. Discover how to interpret tricky passages and delve into the anagogical sense, revealing how biblical stories reflect our ultimate purpose. Learn the importance of historical context and spiritual guidance for accurate interpretation. The discussion highlights three key guidelines for engaging with scripture thoughtfully. Additionally, there's a strong emphasis on the role of prayer in enhancing Bible reading, suggesting a blend of study and spiritual practices for a richer experience.

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