The Word On Fire Show - Catholic Faith And Culture

Thomas Aquinas not only shaped the Church, but influenced much of Western civilization. Who was this great saint? What are some of his important writings? And how should we begin to read his masterful Summa theologiae? Bishop Barron offers some answers in this week's episode. A bright 14-year-old listener asks about Bertrand Russell's famous criticism of Aquinas, and how to respond. Topics Discussed 0:27 - Updates from Bishop Barron's life 1:53 - How did Bishop Barron discover Thomas Aquinas? 3:23 -  Who was Thomas Aquinas? 4:45 - Surveying Aquinas' major works 7:42 - Best entry-level books on Thomas Aquinas 10:03 - Aquinas' unique disputatio style 13:07 - How Thomas Aquinas would engage the New Atheists 15:36 - Why is it worth reading Thomas Aquinas? 17:16 - How should we begin reading the Summa theologiae? 19:40 - The landscape and structure of the Summa 21:44 - Why Aquinas is a spiritual master 24:40 - Question from listener: how to respond to Bertrand Russell's crtiqiue of Aquinas? Bonus Resources Book

Normally, in each episode we take one listener question. But today, we've devoted the entire episode to questions from listeners like you. Bishop Barron answers several questions, rapid fire, on many different topics. Find bonus links and resources for this episode at http://WordOnFireShow.com and be sure to submit your questions at http://AskBishopBarron.

What does God want me to do with my life? And how can I discern God's will for my day-to-day decisions? We all ask these questions and today Bishop Barron offers his advice. A listener also asks how Bishop Barron discerned his own call to the priesthood. Find bonus links and resources for this episode at http://WordOnFireShow.com and be sure to submit your questions at http://AskBishopBarron.

How did God use a little-known seminary professor to launch a worldwide evangelization ministry? Bishop Barron shares the story behind his Word on Fire ministry, including the many twists and turns along the way. A Protestant listener who is interested in Catholicism asks for some good book recommendations. Find bonus links and resources for this episode at http://WordOnFireShow.com and be sure to submit your questions at http://AskBishopBarron.

During this Easter season, when Christians around the world celebrate the rising of Jesus from the dead, Bishop Barron looks reflects on the evidence for this extraordinary event and what it means for us today. A listener asks, in response to a previous episode, how to teach our kids about God without watering down the faith. Find bonus links and resources for this episode at http://WordOnFireShow.com and be sure to submit your questions at http://AskBishopBarron.

Today we discuss a viral video from Bill Nye the Science Guy, a pop-science leader, who wonders whether philosophy can provide any real answers to the questions of life. A listener asks whether Bishop Barron would accept an invitation to appear on HBO's "Real Time" with religious skeptic Bill Maher. Find bonus links and resources for this episode at http://WordOnFireShow.com and be sure to submit your questions at http://AskBishopBarron.

Today we're sharing the second part of a talk Bishop Barron recently gave titled "Against the YouTube Heresies." (If you missed the first part, be sure to listen to it first!) Modeled after St. Irenaeus' classic work from the second century, Against the Heresies, Bishop Barron identifies the most common objections people have to Christianity today, especially on the Internet, and then shows us how to respond. Enjoy! (Note: You can now pre-order Bishop Barron's newest book, Vibrant Paradoxes: The Both/And of Catholicism. For a limited time, when you pre-order the book, we'll also send you a FREE CD containing reflections from Bishop Barron on the Resurrection. So be sure to pre-order your copy today!) Find bonus links and resources for this episode at http://WordOnFireShow.com and be sure to submit your questions at http://AskBishopBarron.

Today we're sharing the first part of a talk Bishop Barron recently gave titled "Against the YouTube Heresies." Modeled after St. Irenaeus' classic work from the second century, Against the Heresies, Bishop Barron identifies the most common objections people have to Christianity today, especially on the Internet, and then shows us how to respond. You'll hear the first half of the talk in this episode, and the second half in the next episode. Enjoy! (Note: You can now pre-order Bishop Barron's newest book, Vibrant Paradoxes: The Both/And of Catholicism. For a limited time, when you pre-order the book, we'll also send you a FREE CD containing reflections from Bishop Barron on the Resurrection. So be sure to pre-order your copy today!) Find bonus links and resources for this episode at http://WordOnFireShow.com and be sure to submit your questions at http://AskBishopBarron.

This week, Baker Academic released a new hardcover edition of Bishop Barron's book, The Priority of Christ: Toward a Postliberal Catholicism. Bishop Barron discusses the book's main ideas including the problem with liberalism, how Jesus Christ is the proper foundation of knowledge and ethics, and how the saints unveil the good life. A listener asks about Jesus' words from the cross, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" (Note: For a limited time, get "The Priority of Christ" at a huge discount through Word on Fire by visiting http://WordOnFire.org/priority.) Find bonus links and resources for this episode at http://WordOnFireShow.com and be sure to submit your questions at http://AskBishopBarron.

Bishop Barron recounts his time at the annual Los Angeles Religious Education Congress held from February 25-28, 2016. He shares about his talk on 1 and 2 Samuel, having breakfast with philosopher-priest Fr. Robert Spitzer, and the best approaches to evangelization. A listener asks about the nature of sin and whether it's a privation of the good or something real and substantial. Find bonus links and resources for this episode at http://WordOnFireShow.com and be sure to submit your questions at http://AskBishopBarron.

As we move deep into Lent, the liturgical season of “going into the desert”, Bishop Barron explains why these 40 days are needed and meaningful. He unveils the season's biblical basis and offers practical advice on celebrating it well. A listener asks how to respond to secular critics of Mother Teresa, such as the late atheist polemicist, Christopher Hitchens. Find bonus links and resources for this episode at http://WordOnFireShow.com and be sure to submit your questions at http://AskBishopBarron.com.

Bishop Barron recently celebrated his first Confirmations as bishop, confirming several people at Holy Cross Parish in Moore Park, CA. He shares about that, and also discusses the purpose of Confirmation and the gifts of the Holy it provokes. For this week's listener question, Richard wonders why Jesus had to die on the cross instead of God just snapping his fingers and forgiving everyone. Find bonus links and resources for this episode at http://WordOnFireShow.com and be sure to submit your questions at http://AskBishopBarron.com.

Bishop Barron is back from the Philippines and catches us up on what's been going on, including his recent interfaith dialogue event on Pope Francis and the environment. He also reflects on why so many Evangelicals are drawn to the Pope, and takes a question from a listener wondering how God could allow natural evils such as tsunamis, earthquakes, and animal violence. Find bonus links and resources for this episode at http://WordOnFireShow.com and be sure to submit your questions at http://AskBishopBarron.com.

What is the Eucharist? How do Catholics understand it as meal, sacrifice, and Real Presence? In this episode, we share Bishop Barron's full keynote talk on the Eucharist from the 51st International Eucharistic Congress in the Philippines. Find bonus links and resources for this episode at http://WordOnFireShow.com and be sure to submit your questions at http://AskBishopBarron.com.

How can we share our faith more effectively with friends and family? That's what the New Evangelization is all about, and in this episode, Bishop Barron details his seven qualities of a New Evangelist. He also answers a question from a listener who asks how he can prepare for the work of apologetics. Find bonus links and resources for this episode at http://WordOnFireShow.com and be sure to submit your questions at http://AskBishopBarron.com.

What does it mean to be a saint? Bishop Barron shares the three-fold path to holiness, which involves finding the center, knowing you're a sinner, and discovering that your life is not about you. This week, Bishop Barron also answers a question about the relationship between mercy and justice. Find bonus links and resources for this episode at http://WordOnFireShow.com and be sure to submit your questions at http://AskBishopBarron.com.

In this episode, Bishop Barron shares about the week-along silent retreat he just returned from, and also looks ahead to his visit to the Philippines from January 24-31, 2016 for the International Eucharistic Congress. He and Brandon Vogt explore the three talks he's slated to give on the New Evangelization, the Eucharist, and the three paths to holiness. Bishop Barron also answers a question about the Catholic imagination. Find bonus links and resources for this episode at http://WordOnFireShow.com and be sure to submit your questions at http://AskBishopBarron.com

Atheism is on the rise, especially among young people and notably on the Internet. Bishop Robert Barron and Brandon Vogt discuss the most popular atheist arguments and how to respond. They also talk about Bishop Barron's new study program, "The Mystery of God", and take a question from a new father wondering how to properly describe God to his young child.Find bonus links and resources for this episode at http://WordOnFireShow.com and be sure to submit your questions at http://AskBishopBarron.com.

What makes for a good homily or sermon? How can all people, including laypeople, improve the quality of church preaching? Bishop Robert Barron and Brandon Vogt walk through five specific qualities of good preaching that result in true conversion. Find bonus links and resources for this episode at http://WordOnFireShow.com and be sure to submit your questions at http://AskBishopBarron.com.

Bishop Barron reflects on the basic message of Christianity. Is it just about justification or how we are saved? Or is there much more to it than that? Listen to more episodes at WordOnFireShow.com and submit your questions at AskBishopBarron.com.