The Word On Fire Show - Catholic Faith And Culture

What does Bishop Barron have in store for 2018? Find out in this episode where he talks through several exciting new projects, talks, and initiatives. A listen asks how to choose good books, ones that help your faith rather than harm it. NOTE: Get your free Lent Reflections booklet from Bishop Barron here >> http://wordonfireshow.com/lent Topics Discussed 0:05 - Introduction, the FOCUS Conference, the Santa Barbara mudslides 5:50 - What are the upcoming talks Bishop Barron has scheduled for 2018? 8:00 - What is special about the upcoming vocation conference? 9:45 - What are the upcoming CATHOLICISM: The Pivotal Players episodes Word On Fire is filming? 13:40 - What are the Word On Fire Classics? 16:30 - What is the new Word On Fire Institute? 18:20 - What will be the purpose of the Word on Fire Bible 20:55 - What will Word On Fire's partnership with Flocknote provide? 23:15 - What is the Mystery of the Mass film series? 25:22 - What does Bishop Barron's USCCB committee on Evangelization and Catechesis entail

Since Bishop Barron is out of town this week, we decided to share his talk from the FOCUS Student Leadership Summit in Chicago. Over 8,000 young Catholic leaders gathered to hear Bishop Barron speak about the Acts of the Apostles and our summons to mission. Enjoy the talk!

How is beauty a route of access to God? In this episode of the Word On Fire Show, Bishop Barron explains how leading with beauty is the best way to evangelize. Topics Discussed 0:04 - Introduction, Thomas Fire continues to blaze 3:15 - What does it mean to lead with beauty? 5:52 - Why has there been a resurgence of the way of beauty? 8:15 - What are some forms of beauty outside of high art? 10:00 - How have the martyrs become a way of beauty? 13:15 - Why is Brideshead Revisited a great example of the way of beauty? 17:23 - How is the Christian life a way to evangelize through beauty? 19:15 - How can we evangelize through beauty? 23:15 - Listener Question: How can we speak with certainty about our faith if we are struggling with our faith?

Merry Christmas! In today's episode, Bishop Barron walks us through the second chapter of Luke's Gospel, which recounts the birth of Jesus. As we see, this story is far from a safe, charming fairy tale. It tells the story of a new king, one who rivals the kingship of Caesar Augustus at every turn. A listener asks what St. John of the Cross meant by "the divine sweetness." Topics Discussed 0:04 - Introduction: The fires of Southern California 2:40 - Why is "subversive" a good word for the Nativity narrative? 4:40 - What is the importance of the census in the Christmas story? 6:40 - Why does Luke begin the story by mentioning the great figures of the time? 8:00 - What is the significance of the "line of David"? 9:55 - What is the symbolic nature of there being no room at the inn, Jesus being wrapped in swaddling clothes, and Jesus being placed in a manger? 18:08 - What's the significance of the angels and shepherds? 25:50 - How were the Gospel writers spiritual and literary masters? 27:35 - Listener question:

Today we hear from some of our youngest listeners, as kids from all over the world ask Bishop Barron their most pressing theological questions. The kids are cute, but their questions are deep! Topics Discussed 0:04 - Bishop Barron's birthday party 1:05 - Exciting event with William Lane Craig 4:00 - Did people live when dinosaurs live, and why did God kill dinosaurs? 7:35 - Will it be awkward in Heaven if you've married multiple times? 11:40 - Why was there an earthquake when Jesus was crucified, and why was the veil torn? 11:40 - If you die and go to Heaven, do you become a saint? 16:15 - When you die, if you go to Hell, will you go there forever or could Jesus take you to Heaven? 22:40 - How did God start to exist? How God effect the Big Bang? 27:45 - Does God love everybody, even the devil?

If you've listened to any number of Bishop Robert Barron's homilies or lectures, you've likely heard him use sports analogies to create a vision of the spiritual life. In this episode of the Word On Fire Show, Bishop Barron discusses how the world of sports and athleticism can help us grow in faith and understanding. The listener question asks about leisure and the Sabbath. Topics Discussed 0:05 - Introduction 1:30 - What is Bishop Barron's background with sports? 4:00 - Why does the culture hold sports in such high regard up and down the ages? 6:00 - How do the rules in sports relate to religion? 10:30 - What do coaches teach us about real love? 15:00 - How do the rigors of sports offer insights about the rigors of the spiritual life? 20:00 - Does athleticism and fitness ever do harm to the spirit? 22:47 - Listener Question: Why is leisure important on the Sabbath?

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 Protes

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

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

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 

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 inva

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 argumen

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 on

Today (September 18), Bishop Barron will be speaking to Facebook employees at their headquarters in Menlo Park, CA, on "How to Have a Religious Argument." (The talk will be livestreamed on Bishop Barron's Facebook page from 6:00pm-7:00pm ET.) 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 what Bishop Robert Barron finds interesting is how few people really know how to have a good religious argument. There is a lot of energy, lots of sharp words, and lots of strong feelings 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 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 0:0

There seems to be a divide in the Catholic Church between so-called “pro-life” Catholic and so-called “social justice” Catholics. Where did this come from? How do we heal this split? That's what Bishop Barron discusses in this episode. A listener asks how to respond when a beggar asks for money on the street. Topics Discussed 0:05 - Intro: Ingrid Goes West and Facebook announcement 3:45 - How did the Pro-Life movement and the Social Justice movement become divided? 5:55 - How should the "both/and" quality of Catholicism address this great separation? 7:00 - What does "social justice" mean in the Catholic tradition? 9:15 - Should the Pro-Life and Social Justice movements be equally emphasized in the life of the Church? 13:20 - How do we heal the divide between these two groups of Catholics? 14:55 - How can the saints help provide a path forward? 17:00 - How does Pope Francis balance the priority of these two issues? 19:32 - Question from listener: How should Catholics react to beggars on the street? Bonus Re

Every now and then, articles and surveys pop up suggesting that religious people are, by whatever criteria, dumber than then general population—or at least dumber than atheists. Today Bishop Barron responds to this and the charge that religion has a “smart-people problem.” A listener asks about new ecclesial movements in the Church. Also, be sure to take advantage of our Word on Fire Show listener sale! ENTER PROMO CODE: DAVID to save $10 on our newest film at DavidTheKing.com Topics Discussed 0:05 - Intro and Catholic podcast recommendations 1:30 - Bishop Barron's initial reaction to the articles claiming that religion has a smart-people problem. 5:00 - What does it say about religion when studies show that most scientists are atheists? 8:30 - Is it worrisome that most professional philosophers are atheists? 12:00 - Does it matter that most religious philosophers are theists? 13:30 - How does the culture feel about religious people, are they considered childish and simple-minded? 17:50 - What does historica

What is beauty? Is beauty undefinable and entirely relativistic? Or is beauty an objective reality, backed by reason and understanding? How do Catholics define beauty, and how has Catholic Church evangelized through beauty over the centuries? In this episode of the Word On Fire Show, Bishop Barron answers these questions and more about the transcendental nature of beauty. The listener question comes from Argentina and wonders how art might be used in evangelization? Also, be sure to take advantage of our Word on Fire Show listener sale! ENTER PROMO CODE: DAVID to save $10 on our newest film at DavidTheKing.com Topics Discussed 0:05  - Intro, a Cardinal visits and the sun eclipses 4:00 - Why has Bishop Barron considered beauty the privileged route of evangelization? 8:25 - What is beauty? 10:55 - What three things combine to make something beautiful? 15:55 - Why do some people disagree about a masterpiece being beautiful? 19:20 - How can someone be transformed by beauty? 24:14 - What was a profound moment of