Institute of Catholic Culture

Can the human mind truly understand reality? Modern skepticism and relativism undermine our human identity and vocation by cutting at their root: our ability to grasp fundamental truths. The great Western philosophical tradition can help us see our identity as rational creatures, and help us bring the light of reason to an age of darkness.

“It is fitting that the end of all our desires, namely eternal life, coincides with the words at the end of the creed, ‘Life everlasting. Amen.’”- Saint Thomas Aquinas, On the Apostles' Creed

Can the human mind truly understand reality? Modern skepticism and relativism undermine our human identity and vocation by cutting at their root: our ability to grasp fundamental truths. The great Western philosophical tradition can help us see our identity as rational creatures, and help us bring the light of reason to an age of darkness.

Celebrating Pentecost, we recall one of God’s founding acts in forming the Church, the Body of Christ. We are reminded of the wonder of living in this world buoyed up by the Spirit of God. The Scriptures, the Fathers, and the Liturgy all blaze with the power of his Presence and show us the meaning of the People of God as the People inflamed by God’s Spirit.

In a traditional philosophy class, truth, goodness, unity, and (usually) beauty are called "transcendental properties of being"—something which is rejected by many modern philosophers. In this talk, we discuss issues that arise from this philosophy, such as the objectivity of truth, beauty, and goodness and how this can be reconciled with their apparent subjectivity.

In certain Protestant circles, there is a strong and often vivid preoccupation with signs of the Second Coming of Christ. Many of the notions expressed are either erroneous or extreme. The Catholic approach is perhaps less provocative, as it does not generate Left Behind movie series or cause people to sell their houses and gather on hillsides waiting for the end. This lecture sets forth certain principles of Catholic Eschatology, drawing insights from the Catechism and Scripture.

When Jesus spoke of giving his body to eat, it scandalized some of his followers. Even to this day, some Christians find Jesus' words to be a stumbling block. Most Protestants apply a merely symbolic meaning to the New Testament passages that refer to Christ's body. This presentation will break down common objections to the Catholic doctrine, and build a powerful case—from Scripture as well as the practices of the early Christians—for taking Jesus at his word.

As Christians, we live as people of the New, not the Old, Covenant. Yet, how could the first Christians embrace this new paradigm of Jesus: what of God’s Temple, its sacrifices and high priesthood? These and other biblical mysteries are addressed in the Book of Hebrews, one of the richest and most thought-provoking texts of the entire Bible.

"On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being shut where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, 'Peace be with you.' When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side."- John 20:19-20

As Christians, we live as people of the New, not the Old, Covenant. Yet, how could the first Christians embrace this new paradigm of Jesus: what of God’s Temple, its sacrifices and high priesthood? These and other biblical mysteries are addressed in the Book of Hebrews, one of the richest and most thought-provoking texts of the entire Bible.

There is no point in talking about the evidence for the resurrection unless it is your purpose to talk about the evidence for the resurrection. This is a very practical presentation not only of the case for the resurrection of Jesus, but also why it is urgent for Catholics to make that case, particularly to the young.

"What is worship? What happens when we worship? In all religions sacrifice is at the heart of worship. But this is a concept that has been buried under the debris of endless misunderstandings."- Cardinal Ratzinger, The Spirit of the Liturgy

"The noble Joseph, when he had taken down thy spotless body from the tree, wrapped it in fine linen and spices, and placed it in a new tomb."- Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom

By laying down their lives for Christ, the martyrs testify to the truth of our faith, and pass it on unbroken to each generation of the Church. By their death, they teach us that our Catholic faith is worth the price, no matter how high.

"Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's."- Mark 12:17

"They will put you out of the synagogues; indeed, the hour is coming when whoever kills you will think he is offering service to God. And they will do this because they have not known the Father, nor me. But I have said these things to you, that when their hour comes you may remember that I told you of them."- John 16:2-4

The Institute of Catholic Culture is an adult educational organization, faithful to the Magisterium of the Catholic Church, and dedicated to the Church’s call for a new evangelization.

The Institute of Catholic Culture is an adult educational organization, faithful to the Magisterium of the Catholic Church, and dedicated to the Church’s call for a new evangelization.

"When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth."- John 16:13

"And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, 'Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is spoken against, and a sword will pierce through your own soul also, that thoughts out of many hearts may be revealed.'"- Luke 2:34-35

Remember that you are dust and to dust you shall return.

"When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth."- John 16:13

The Institute of Catholic Culture is an adult educational organization, faithful to the Magisterium of the Catholic Church, and dedicated to the Church’s call for a new evangelization.

"Who would give a law to lovers? Love is itself a higher law."- Boethius This lecture was given at two different times and locations. The resources are listed as such.

"Now there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon, and this man was righteous and devout, looking for the consolation of Israel ... And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he should not see death before he had seen the Lord's Christ."- Luke 2:25-26

"The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent, and believe in the gospel."- Mark 1:15

"The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent, and believe in the gospel."- Mark 1:15

"You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hid. Nor do men light a lamp and put it under a bushel, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven."- Matthew 5:14-16

The Institute of Catholic Culture is an adult educational organization, faithful to the Magisterium of the Catholic Church, and dedicated to the Church’s call for a new evangelization.

"Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God."- John 3:3

The Institute of Catholic Culture is an adult educational organization, faithful to the Magisterium of the Catholic Church, and dedicated to the Church’s call for a new evangelization.

For centuries it was thought that Judaism was opposed to Christianity. But upon further reflection, the ancient roots of the Gospel are revealed in the Biblical and theological traditions of Judaism. This is most evident in the cycle of Jewish holy days that foreshadow the coming Messiah and universal salvation.This lecture was given at two different times and locations. The resources are listed as such.

We are living in a time of worldwide challenge to the truths of God which Jesus Christ revealed when he came to us “in the flesh.” Spiritual warfare has existed in every generation but is especially intense now and, through social media, is more apparent than ever before. The duty of Christians is to take the initiative in this confrontation by being “shrewd as serpents and innocent as doves.” This requires the honest willingness to understand the Faith, to live it, and to articulate it.

"[T]hese are the days of vengeance, that all things that are written may be fulfilled. And Jerusalem will be trodden down by the Gentiles. And then they will see the Son of Man coming upon the cloud with great power and majesty. But when these things come to pass, look up, and lift up your heads, because your redemption is at hand."- Luke 21:20, 22, 24, 28This lecture was given at two different times and locations. The resources are listed as such.

“O Wisdom, coming forth from the mouth of the Most High … O Lord, and leader of the House of Israel … O Root of Jesse, standing as a sign among the peoples … O Key of David and scepter of the House of Israel … O Emmanuel, our king and our lawgiver, the hope of the nations and their Savior: Come and save us, O Lord our God.”

Many Catholics are aware that there were a number of Jewish groups at the time of Jesus–the Pharisees, the Sadducees, the Essenes, and so on. But what did these groups believe? What were their hopes? On what did they agree–and disagree–with Jesus? This lecture explores these Jewish groups and their relationship with Our Lord.

Many in our culture today point out the truth of Jesus’ magnanimous mercy, but they presume that Jesus’ mercy does not demand conversion from sin. To understand authentic Christian mercy, the mercy that Pope Francis spoke of in his now famous exchange with reporters in 2013, one must distinguish between Divine Mercy, which calls for true conversion, and the diabolical deception of moral relativism.

"Th[e] demand for freedom in human society chiefly regards the quest for the values proper to the human spirit. It regards, in the first place, the free exercise of religion in society."- Dignitatis Humanae

Today there is much talk in our Church about the coming Jubilee Year. But what exactly is a Jubilee Year? Why are we celebrating the Jubilee now, and what is it supposed to accomplish? In this lecture, we will discover why this year is different from all others and, if celebrated according to God’s instruction, will be a year of renewal and restoration for the entire Church.

Plato’s critique of corrupt political orders is fundamentally a moral indictment of the citizens. His views of society and the common good express basic insights shared by the great Christian tradition of moral and political thought. This lecture gives points for self-examination regarding how we contribute to the common good of our society. This lecture was given at two different times and locations. The resources are listed as such.

Today there is much talk in our Church about the coming Jubilee Year. But what exactly is a Jubilee Year? Why are we celebrating the Jubilee now, and what is it supposed to accomplish? In this lecture, we will discover why this year is different from all others and, if celebrated according to God’s instruction, will be a year of renewal and restoration for the entire Church.

Pope Francis has referred to our contemporary social dysfunction as a “throwaway culture.” Abortion, euthanasia, fetal tissue research, and gun violence are human examples of the nexus between the culture of death and the throwaway culture. In this lecture we examine how Church teaching addresses these anti-human impulses and presents a grander vision of human life and existence.

Plato’s Republic is a masterpiece of natural reason in pursuit of the truly good human life. In these two lectures we will consider fundamental Platonic insights into human nature, virtue, community, and happiness, giving special attention to how to apply these insights to our own lives.

Plato’s Republic is a masterpiece of natural reason in pursuit of the truly good human life. In these two lectures we will consider fundamental Platonic insights into human nature, virtue, community, and happiness, giving special attention to how to apply these insights to our own lives.

In every era of biblical history, God sent “mediating agents” to his people, to save, sanctify, and steer them towards Himself. To varying degrees, these individuals anticipate Jesus, God’s divine Son and agent of grace. We will explore two such Old Testament agents, Joseph and Joshua—how they prefigure Jesus, and how, in various ways, He surpasses them.

“In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.”- Genesis 1:1

“In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.”- Genesis 1:1

"Darwin made it possible to be an intellectually fulfilled atheist." So wrote Oxford evolutionary biologist Richard Dawkins. Yet modern science has discovered that the foundation of life is run by molecular machines whose sophistication far surpasses human technology.

"The Catechism teaches that 'In order to preserve the Church in the purity of the faith … Christ who is the Truth willed to confer on her a share in his own infallibility.' Yet the Church also teaches that the gift of infallibility is limited. When is the Pope teaching infallibly? What authority does a Council of the Church have in defining the doctrines of the Church? What role does a Synod play in teaching the faithful what they should believe?" - Dr. William Marshner

Now that the Supreme Court has ruled, Americans face momentous debates about the nature of marriage and religious liberty. Because the Court has redefined marriage in all states, we have to energetically protect our freedom to live according to conscience and faith as we work to rebuild a strong marriage culture. Ryan Anderson explores what marriage is, why it matters for public policy, and the consequences of its legal redefinition.