The Word On Fire Show - Catholic Faith And Culture

In this episode, Bishop Barron discusses the content of his great book, And Now I See. A listener asks about the role of our conscience in relation to Church teaching. Topics Discussed 0:04 - Introduction, Bishop Barron's trip to the National Eucharistic Congress in Atlanta. 2:15 - What is the central crux of And Now I See? 5:30 - Why is the idea of sight used to explain Christian transformation? 7:40 - How does Dante reveal the "mind of fear" in all of us? 13:45 - How does Thomas Merton reveal the "mind of trust" that comes from Christ? 18:30 - How can a aggressive spirituality become a detriment to us?  22:50 - How is the Incarnation the key to changing our vision? 25:10 - What should we do if our conscience is at odds with Church teaching? Visit www.AskBishopBarron.com to submit a listener question.

Nearly every day we hear about natural disasters, school shootings, and profound tragedies. Each of us experiences pain and suffering. So why does God allow it? Why doesn't he just prevent all evil from occurring? That's what Bishop Barron discusses in today's episode. A listener asks Topics Discussed o:04 - Introduction, Bishop Barron talks about his The Mass Study Program 3:14 - How did St. Augustine wrestle with the problem of evil? 10:00 - How did Thomas Aquinas deal with the problem of evil philosophically and theologically? 17:00 - How could God under any circumstances permit the Holocaust? 20:00 - How did God deal with the problem of evil on the Cross? 23:00 - How would Bishop Barron explain evil to a grieving sufferer? 24:50 - Question: Why did God not make us more capable of understanding him?

In this episode, we discuss a recent article in GQ magazine which described the Bible as overrated, along with a new report from Barna titled State of the Bible 2017: Top Findings. We explore whether people are reading the Bible, how much they're doing it, and how we can all read the Bible better. Topics Discussed 0:04 - Introduction, Bishop's reflections on his Google talk, the Pope Francis movie 5:25 - Why does GQ Magazine think the Bible is overrated? 11:30 - How does Bishop Barron engage people who want to read the Bible but struggle with the task? 17:00 - How can the Bible, itself, be used as an evangelical tool? 21:30 - Why is the printed text of the Bible so important to people rather than the ebook version? 27:30 - Question: Is the God of the Bible in contrast with the God of natural theology? Bonus Resources Links State of the Bible 2017: Top Findings (Barna) 3 Takeaways from New Research on Americans and the Bible (Trevin Wax) GQ magazine puts Bible on list of 20 classic books not worth readin

Bishop Barron was recently invited to speak at the Google headquarters (aka the Googleplex) in Mountain View, CA. He addressed a room full of Google and YouTube employees on how religion doesn't shut down the questing intellect, but in fact opens up our minds, causing us to seek the fulfillment of our deepest longings. We shared the first half of his talk in last week's episode. Today we listen to the second half along with the post-talk Q&A with Google/YouTube employees.

Bishop Barron was recently invited to speak at the Google headquarters (aka the Googleplex). in Mountain View, CA. He addressed a room full of Google and YouTube employees on how religion doesn't shut down the questing intellect, but in fact opens up our minds, causing us to seek the fulfillment of our deepest longings. NOTE: This episode includes the first half of Bishop Barron's talk. We'll play the second half next week, including the post-talk Q&A with Google/YouTube employees.

Bishop Barron answers several questions from young listeners, ranging from three-year-olds to eight-year-olds, about God, Adam and Eve, and robbers. Enjoy this kids Q&A episode! Be sure to record your questions—or your kids' questions—at AskBishopBarron.com. Topics Discussed 2:20 - Update about Word on Fire Institute video recording 4:00 - Did Jesus really see his Father on the Cross? 5:15 - Why did Peter deny Jesus three times? 8:05 - Why didn't God warn Adam and Eve about the serpent? 13:00 - Why didn't God make us perfect in the beginning? 18:20 - Why did God make robbers? 20:45 - Why did God make tigers? 24:20 - How is it that God did not come into existence?

The new film Avengers: Infinity War, based on the Marvel Comics superhero team the Avengers, has already grossed over $1 billion worldwide and had the highest-grossing opening in film history. In this episode, Bishop Barron and Jared Zimmerer explore some of the movie's philosophical and spiritual themes. *SPOILER ALERT!* This episode contains spoilers so only listen after you've seen the film, or if you don't plan to see it. Topics Discussed 0:04 - Introduction, confirmation season 4:30 - What does Bishop Barron think of comic book movies and the villain, Thanos? 6:17 - How does Thanos mirror Nietzsche and alchemy? 9:45 - How does Thanos reflect the totalitarian regimes of the World War II? 13:05 - How does the Church stand against the idea that "the end justifies the means"? 15:45 - What are the shortcomings of the Marvel heroes, and how do they reflect the Greek gods? 21:50 - How did Bishop Barron react to the surprise ending? 25:00 - Who is Bishop Barron's favorite super hero? 26:00 - Question - By what

Part two of Bishop Barron’s talk on Catholicism and beauty from the 2018 Los Angeles Religious Education Congress.

Part One of Bishop Barron's talk on Catholicism and beauty.

Bishop Barron answers several listener questions during this episode, ranging from classic education to the Great Story of Israel to living the faith while under persecution. Enjoy this listener Q&A episode! Topics Discussed 0:04 - Updates about Confirmation season 2:00 - Video made by students at Bishop Sullivan High School (Virginia Beach, VA) 5:00 - What do you think about the movement promoting Catholic classical education? 7:40 - Does Psalm 23 demand some sort of prosperity Gospel (e.g., Joel Osteen)? 11:00 - What books do you recommend to understand God's relationship with Israel, and the Great Story? 14:30 - What do make of the Scripture that says, "God did not do the evil he had been planning to do." How should we read this? 18:00 - What key topics and elements do you think every parish religious education program should have? 22:15 - Is it possible to be gluttonous in the pursuit of knowledge about God? How do we address that? 25:45 - What did John Paul II do to facilitate the downfall of commun

John Krasinski's new film, A Quiet Place, which he both directs and stars in, may at first seem like a typical thriller, with lurking monsters threatening to kill everyone in their path. But it's actually a surprisingly religious movie, as Bishop Barron explains, witnessing to the monastic response to evil, the dignity of life, and the sacrificial death of Christ on the Cross. A listener asks about the next steps for someone who has said "yes" to Jesus and the Church. *SPOILER ALERT!* This episode contains spoilers so only listen after you've seen the film, or if you don't plan to see it. Topics Discussed 0:04 - Introduction, Bishop Barron's vacation 2:25 - What is the plot summary of the movie? 4:40 - Did John Krasinski intend on making this a religious movie? 6:25 - What are some of the key religious motifs presented in the film? 10:20 - How does this movie display the beauty of the pro-life argument? 15:25 - How does the Christus Victor theory of atonement become a motif within this film? 18:50 - How does

In this episode, Bishop Barron recounts his visit to the headquarters of both Google and YouTube. He was there to deliver a talk to Catholic Googlers on "Religion and the Opening of the Mind." He reflects on the hungering intellect and why wealth, power, pleasure, and honor all fail to satisfy its restless longings. A listener asks why Jesus didn't appear to more people after his Resurrection. NOTE: Join the Word on Fire Community here >> http://wordonfire.org/community Topics Discussed 0:04 - Introduction, Holy Week in Bishop Barron's Santa Barbara pastoral region 2:20 - What was Bishop Barron's impression of the Google and YouTube offices? 7:00 - Why did Bishop Barron choose the topic "Religion and the Opening Up of the Mind"? 10:10 - How does Thomas Aquinas's epistemology explain the "agent intellect"?  13:40 - Why does Bishop Barron bring up Elijah and the priest of Baal while at Google? 17:00 - Why can't wealth, power, pleasure or honor be the greatest good? 25:00 - What can satisfy the questing mind? 3

This week we enjoy a live recording of Bishop Barron's inspiring Easter homily.

In this week’s episode Bishop Barron discusses an intrinsic aspect of evangelization; community. Not only is there an intrinsic need of mankind to have a community, which the Church teaches is part of man’s nature, but also the need to have a certain kind of community within the Christian life. A listener asks how we ought to distinguish between authentic conscience and what CS Lewis called "the poison of subjectivism"? BONUS: Learn more about the first ever Word on Fire National Conference for Priests >> http://wordonfire.org/priest Topics Discussed 0:04 - Introduction, Bishop Barron's recent trips 3:00 - Why does contemporary culture bring a sense of isolation and loneliness? 5:45 - How do we find a balance between the autonomy of the individual and the need for community? 8:15 - What are the benefits and drawbacks of social media in community building? 11:45 - Why do humans need each other? 14:30 - How do we bolster parish community? 17:30 - What role will the Word on Fire Movement play in building Cathol

In this episode, Bishop Barron and Brandon Vogt record live from the L.A. Congress, discussing Bishop Barron's keynote talk on beauty and interacting with visitors at the booth. Enjoy!

In last week's episode, we discussed the Jordan Peterson phenomenon, wondering how the Canadian clinical psychologist exploded so quickly in popularity. In this week's episode, we continue the discussion as Bishop Barron reflects on Peterson's religious views and Biblical interpretation. A listener wonders why we spend so much money on churches instead of giving it to the poor. BONUS: Learn more about the first ever Word on Fire National Conference for Priests >> http://wordonfire.org/priest Topics Discussed 0:04 - Introduction,  Bishop Barron's upcoming travels 3:10 - What does Bishop Barron like about Jordan Peterson's religious perspectives? 5:00 - What issues does he take with Peterson's work? 10:45 - What are Jordan Peterson's religious views? 16:00 - What does Jordan Peterson believe about the Resurrection and what is Bishop Barron's reaction? 20:00 - What is the connection between C.S. Lewis and Jordan Peterson? 25:20 - What can Christian evangelists learn from Jordan Peterson? 28:30 - Listener ques

Dr. Jordan Peterson, a clinical psychologist and mythology enthusiast, has exploded onto the scene, becoming the world's most popular intellectual figure in just a few short months. Who is he and what should know about him? And why have his ideas gained so much traction, especially young men? Over the next couple episodes, Bishop Barron and Brandon Vogt discuss the Jordan Peterson phenomenon and reflect on his work from a Catholic perspective. A listener asks whether it's fine to use secular mindfulness meditation to relieve anxiety. BONUS: Learn more about the first ever Word on Fire National Conference for Priests >> http://wordonfire.org/priest Topics Discussed 0:04 - Introduction, Bishop spends time with Jim Caviezel 4:45 - How did Bishop Barron first come to know Jordan Peterson? 7:20 - Who are some of the philosophical influences of Jordan Peterson? 10:40 - Why does Jordan Peterson place such an emphasis on the Bible? 14:10 - How does Peterson view Nietzsche and our reaction to life's suffering? 24:0

The Academy Awards are just around the corner and nine films have been nominated for Best Picture. Bishop Barron has seen seven of them, and in this episode, he shares his thoughts on each. A listener asks whether free will is essential to Christianity. BONUS: Sign up for the Word on Fire National Conference for Priests >> WordOnFireShow.com/priest Topics Discussed 0:04 - Discussing Billy Graham's death and legacy 5:00 - Dunkirk 8:40 - Darkest Hour 13:30 - Get Out 16:10 - Lady Bird 21:25 - The Post 24:10 - The Shape of Water 27:00 - Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri 30:10 - Listener question: How essential is the concept of free will to Christianity? Bonus Resources Articles Lady Bird and the Breakthrough of Grace by Bishop Barron Videos Bishop Barron on Lady Bird

The Eucharist is at the foundation of the Word On Fire Institute. In this episode of the Word On Fire Show, Bishop Barron discusses what it means to be grounded in the Eucharist and how all Catholics can draw closer to the Blessed Sacrament as meal, sacrifice, and Real Presence of Jesus Christ. NOTE: Get your free Lent Reflections booklet from Bishop Barron here >> http://wordonfireshow.com/lent Topics Discussed 0:04 - Introduction, recap of the natural disasters in Santa Barbara County 2:45 - What does it mean to be grounded in the Eucharist? 5:00 - How is the Eucharist religiously themed as "meal"? 9:30- How does the Eucharist as "sacrifice" illuminate our understanding of Communion? 14:50 - How does the Eucharist as the "real presence" relate the power of this sacrament? 18:55 - How can we learn from the Eucharistic miracles? 21:40 - How can we better ground ourselves in the Blessed Sacrament? 24:00 - Listener Question: How can we explain God's non-competitive transcendence in light of transubstantiation?

At Mundelein Seminary you'll find a statue of St. George slaying a dragon below which reads, "Athleta Christi Nobilis" —The Noble Athlete of Christ. As we head into the spiritual desert of Lent, we benefit by examining the lives of those saints who courageously embraced a life of profound asceticism and self-sacrifice. In this episode of the Word On Fire Show, Bishop Barron discusses three great spiritual athletes from across the centuries. The listener question asks how to remain charitable when you disagree with your interlocutor. NOTE: Get your free Lent Reflections booklet from Bishop Barron here >> http://wordonfireshow.com/lent Topics Discussed 0:04 - Introduction, the Churchill movie 2:45 - What is a spiritual athlete? 6:25 - Why is St. Anthony of the Desert a great spiritual athlete? 9:55 - Is there something wrong with living your entire life in the desert? 12:25 - What can Thomas Merton teach us about the purpose of asceticism? 16:45 -Why is St. John of the Cross a great spiritual athlete? 20:00 -