The Word on Fire Show - Catholic Faith and Culture

A recent article in The Atlantic claimed "A Famous Argument Against Free Will Has Been Debunked". It focused on a famous experiment during the 1980s that seems to show our brain "decides" on our behavior before we actually make particular choices. Many believed this confirmed we don't have free will, that all our thoughts and behaviors are determined. But is this the case? Is free will just an illusion? Bishop Barron explains some of the classic arguments for free will and its relationship to God and Christianity. A listener asks why in Catholicism pride is a deadly sin, but Aristotle describes it as a virtue. NOTE: Do you like this podcast? Become a patron and get some great perks for helping, like free books, bonus content, and more. Word on Fire is a non-profit ministry that depends on the support of our listeners…like you! So be part of this mission, and join us today!

This week, we share the second half of a talk from Bishop Barron on John Henry Newman's book, The Grammar of Assent. We shared the first half last week, so be sure to listen to that first. The Grammar of Assent concerns question about how we come to believe in God, and is widely considered Newman's most important text. Also, it's a timely topic, since John Henry Newman will be canonized in just a couple weeks, on October 13. Bishop Barron will be attending the canonization, then a few days later will deliver a talk at Oxford University on "John Henry Newman and the New Evangelization." That talk, which we're planning to livestream, will focus primarily on The Grammar of Assent. NOTE: Do you like this podcast? Become a patron and get some great perks for helping, like free books, bonus content, and more. Word on Fire is a non-profit ministry that depends on the support of our listeners…like you! So be part of this mission, and join us today!

This week, we share the first half of a talk from Bishop Barron on John Henry Newman's book, The Grammar of Assent. The book concerns the question of belief–how we come to believe in God–and is widely considered his most important text. Also, it's a timely topic, since John Henry Newman will be canonized in just a couple weeks, on October 13. Bishop Barron will be attending the canonization, then a few days later will deliver a talk at Oxford University on "John Henry Newman and the New Evangelization." That talk, which we're planning to livestream, will focus primarily on The Grammar of Assent. So enjoy the first half of this talk, and we'll share the second half next week. NOTE: Do you like this podcast? Become a patron and get some great perks for helping, like free books, bonus content, and more. Word on Fire is a non-profit ministry that depends on the support of our listeners…like you! So be part of this mission, and join us today!

Bishop Barron takes questions from kids, including: Why did Jesus pick Judas to be one of his disciples when he knew Judas would betray him? Does Heaven have night time? How is St. Michael an angel and a saint? How does a family with young kids perform the corporal/spiritual works of mercy? NOTE: Do you like this podcast? Become a patron and get some great perks for helping, like free books, bonus content, and more. Word on Fire is a non-profit ministry that depends on the support of our listeners…like you! So be part of this mission, and join us today!

The annual United Nations World Happiness Report, which measures the happiness of different countries, is always dominated by Scandinavian nations. Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Iceland, and Finland have always been in the top ten. But what's striking is that these happiest countries are also those which rank among the least religious. On the flip side, most African countries, which tend to be the very religious, consistently land near the bottom of the U.N. Happiness Report. What does Bishop Barron make of this? How should we actually define happiness, and what have the great thinkers and saints throughout time said about finding happiness? That's what we discuss in today's episode. A listener asks how we reconcile all the violence/competition seen in nature with the Creator God of peace. NOTE: Do you like this podcast? Become a patron and get some great perks for helping, like free books, bonus content, and more. Word on Fire is a non-profit ministry that depends on the support of our listeners…like you! So be part of this mission, and join us today!

Today, Bishop Barron answers questions from all over the world about God, the Church, and the culture. Will it be possible to upload one's consciousness to a computer and attain immortality? Why was Christianity started in the West? If humans are born with original sin, then why does the Bible encourage us to have children and increase the amount of sin in the world? Listen for Bishop Barron's answers! NOTE: Do you like this podcast? Become a patron and get some great perks for helping, like free books, bonus content, and more. Word on Fire is a non-profit ministry that depends on the support of our listeners…like you! So be part of this mission, and join us today!

A recent Pew Research Center study revealed that "just one-third of U.S. Catholics agree with their church that Eucharist is body, blood of Christ." What's the cause of this? And moving forward, how do we fix the problem? Bishop Barron discusses in today's episode. (Explore a collection of my resources on the Eucharist here: https://www.wordonfire.org/presence) A listener asks if the Eucharist gives us life, why do we reserve it only for Catholics? NOTE: Do you like this podcast? Become a patron and get some great perks for helping, like free books, bonus content, and more. Word on Fire is a non-profit ministry that depends on the support of our listeners…like you! So be part of this mission, and join us today!

Today, we discuss a recent article in Teen Vogue titled "Who is Karl Marx?" which shows how many teens and teachers have begun dabbling in Marxism. There have been a slew of other articles noting the rise of Millennials supporting socialism. Having done his masters work in philosophy on Karl Marx, Bishop Barron introduces us to this influential thinker and his main ideas, noting the problems the Catholic Church has with them. A listener asks why the Apostle's Creed says Jesus "descended into Hell." NOTE: Do you like this podcast? Become a patron and get some great perks for helping, like free books, bonus content, and more. Word on Fire is a non-profit ministry that depends on the support of our listeners…like you! So be part of this mission, and join us today!

Today, we use Google's autocomplete feature to have Bishop Barron respond to some of the top questions people search for beginning with the phrase "Does God...". Does God love everyone? Does God change his mind? Does God have a name? Listen and find out! A listener asks what evidence we have for the existence of Jesus. NOTE: Do you like this podcast? Become a patron and get some great perks for helping, like free books, bonus content, and more. Word on Fire is a non-profit ministry that depends on the support of our listeners…like you! So be part of this mission, and join us today!

Bishop Barron is traveling overseas to film the last two episodes of his Pivotal Players series. So in this episode, we share a clip from one of his classic study programs, "Seven Deadly Sins, Seven Lively Virtues". The clip focuses on the sin of pride and the corresponding virtue of humility. Get access to the full study program (and all of Bishop Barron's films) when you join the Word on Fire Institute at wordonfire.institute. NOTE: Do you like this podcast? Become a patron and get some great perks for helping, like free books, bonus content, and more. Word on Fire is a non-profit ministry that depends on the support of our listeners…like you! So be part of this mission, and join us today!

Why does Bishop Barron focus heavily on ad extra evangelization, the type of ministry aimed at the peripheries of the culture? That's the focus of this episode. Bishop also responds to some of the criticisms he's received for his appearances at Facebook, Google, and Amazon, along with his interviews with Dave Rubin, Ben Shapiro, and Jordan Peterson. A listener asks how why Jesus often tells people not to tell anyone about his healing miracles. NOTE: Do you like this podcast? Become a patron and get some great perks for helping, like free books, bonus content, and more. Word on Fire is a non-profit ministry that depends on the support of our listeners…like you! So be part of this mission, and join us today!

Bishop Barron spoke to all the U.S. bishops about the "nones" during their recent USCCB gathering. In this episode, we walk through Bishop Barron's talk and discuss some of the criticism he's received about his presentation, particularly his reference to the Jordan Peterson phenomenon. A listener asks how we can stay optimistic as Catholics in light of all the challenges the Church faces. NOTE: Do you like this podcast? Become a patron and get some great perks for helping, like free books, bonus content, and more. Word on Fire is a non-profit ministry that depends on the support of our listeners…like you! So be part of this mission, and join us today!

As the Word on Fire Institute launches a new course by Dr. Christopher Kaczor on "Myths of the Catholic Church," Bishop Barron and host Jared Zimmerer talk about seven of the most common misunderstandings people have about Catholicism. A listener asks how Catholics should view the advancement of AI technology. NOTE: Do you like this podcast? Become a patron and get some great perks for helping, like free books, bonus content, and more. Word on Fire is a non-profit ministry that depends on the support of our listeners…like you! So be part of this mission, and join us today!

In his recent interview with Ben Shapiro, Bishop Barron said that he wants to "re-Judaize Catholicism," to read Christ, the Bible, and the Christian Faith through the lens of Israel. How do we do this? That's what he and host Jared Zimmerer discuss in today's episode. A listener asks why the East and West churches split, and why they haven't been reunited. NOTE: Do you like this podcast? Become a patron and get some great perks for helping, like free books, bonus content, and more. Word on Fire is a non-profit ministry that depends on the support of our listeners…like you! So be part of this mission, and join us today!

Non-Catholic listeners send in their questions for Bishop Barron. Questions include: As a Christian, do you ever think, "What if God doesn't exist"? How are Adam and Eve guilty of disobedience if they had no knowledge of good/evil until after they ate of the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil? Why did the disciples betray Jesus despite seeing miracles? Why is God almost exclusively referred to as a masculine entity in the Catholic Church? How do I understand Mary's important in the Catholic Faith? Is it essential? How can we trust the Bible, when evidence shows the Old Testament isn't true? Did John Henry Newman have any disagreements with the Catholic Church before his conversion? NOTE: Do you like this podcast? Become a patron and get some great perks for helping, like free books, bonus content, and more. Word on Fire is a non-profit ministry that depends on the support of our listeners…like you! So be part of this mission, and join us today!

Several recent bestselling books have focused on the Enlightenment, including Stephen Pinker's Enlightenment Now: The Case for Reason, Science, Humanism, and Progress. But what was the Enlightenment, and how should we view its effects? Bishop Barron offers his take today. A listener asks how Christians determine which parts of the Mosaic law in the Old Testament are still in effect today. NOTE: Do you like this podcast? Become a patron and get some great perks for helping, like free books, bonus content, and more. Word on Fire is a non-profit ministry that depends on the support of our listeners…like you! So be part of this mission, and join us today!

The great novelist, J.R.R. Tolkien, has enchanted generations of readers with his Hobbitand Lord of the Rings, and is the subject of a new feature film, titled Tolkien. But in today's episode, Bishop Barron talks about Tolkien's Catholic faith, which was mostly absent in the new film, but critical to his upbringing and his stories of Middle-earth. A listener asks what he should if he's unable to find a spiritual director. NOTE: Do you like this podcast? Become a patron and get some great perks for helping, like free books, bonus content, and more. Word on Fire is a non-profit ministry that depends on the support of our listeners…like you! So be part of this mission, and join us today! Articles Mentioned I was an Atheist Until I Read "The Lord of the Rings" Gimli, Galadriel, and Guadalupe: An image of Our Lady in the Lady of Lothlorien Where the Rosary Appears in "The Lord of the Rings" Tolkien's Catholic Genius Books Mentioned The Battle for Middle-earth: Tolkien's Divine Design in The Lord of the Rings by Fleming Rutledge Tolkien: Man and Myth by Joseph Pearce Bilbo's Journey: Discovering the Hidden Meaning of The Hobbit by Joseph Pearce Frodo's Journey: Discover the Hidden Meaning of The Lord of the Rings by Joseph Pearce

A recent bill proposed in the California Senate will force priests to report any crimes of sexual abuse they hear about in the confessional, breaking the seal of Confession. Bishop Barron speaks about the sacredness of this sacrament and what the Church should do if, suddenly, the sacrament of Confession becomes functionally illegal. NOTE: Do you like this podcast? Become a patron and get some great perks for helping, like free books, bonus content, and more. Word on Fire is a non-profit ministry that depends on the support of our listeners…like you! So be part of this mission, and join us today!

Today we discuss Bishop Barron's new book, titled Letter to a Suffering Church: A Bishop Speaks on the Sexual Abuse Crisis. In light of this current crisis, many Catholics are understandably asking, "Why should I stay? Why not abandon this sinking ship before it drags me or my children under?" This book explains why this is not the time to leave, but the time to stay and fight. Reading the current crisis through the lenses of Scripture and Church history, Bishop Barron shows that we have faced such egregious scandals before; that the spiritual treasures of the Church were preserved by holy men and women who recommitted themselves to fighting evil; and that there is a clear path forward for us today. Thanks to generous donors, you can claim a free copy of the print book (you just cover shipping handling) and place bulk orders of 20+ copies for just $1 per copy (with free shipping.) Get your copies here >> https://wordonfireshow.com/letter And encourage your pastor and staff to order copies for your whole parish! NOTE: Do you like this podcast? Become a patron and get some great perks for helping, like free books, bonus content, and more. Word on Fire is a non-profit ministry that depends on the support of our listeners…like you! So be part of this mission, and join us today!

In today's episode, we share the second half of a talk Bishop Barron gave on John Henry Newman's famous book, An Essay on the Development of Doctrine. If you missed the first, click here to listen to Part 1. Also, be sure to pick up your Word on Fire Classics edition of Newman's Development of Doctrine, which includes a Foreword by Bishop Barron! NOTE: Do you like this podcast? Become a patron and get some great perks for helping, like free books, bonus content, and more. Word on Fire is a non-profit ministry that depends on the support of our listeners…like you! So be part of this mission, and join us today!

In March 2019, Bishop Barron was interviewed by Dr. Jordan Peterson for the Jordan B. Peterson Podcast. To say the discussion was highly anticipated is an understatement. Fans of both Dr. Peterson and Bishop Barron have asked for these two great minds to meet, and their wide-ranging, nearly two-hour discussion is worth the wait. Although the interview hasn't been made public yet on Jordan Peterson's channels, in this episode we discuss some of the most interesting parts of the interview. (Sign up here to be notified when the interview goes live >> https://wordonfire.org/peterson) A listener asks about the term logos and what it means. NOTE: Do you like this podcast? Become a patron and get some great perks for helping, like free books, bonus content, and more. Word on Fire is a non-profit ministry that depends on the support of our listeners…like you! So be part of this mission, and join us today!

Recently, The New York Times featured an op-ed by philosophy professor Peter Atteton, who tried to show that the idea of God is incoherent. Bishop Barron responds to Atteton's points and shows how there are no logical problems with believing in God. A listener asks whether Catholic universities should begin offering an evangelization major or concentration. NOTE: Do you like this podcast? Become a patron and get some great perks for helping, like free books, bonus content, and more. Word on Fire is a non-profit ministry that depends on the support of our listeners…like you! So be part of this mission, and join us today!

We record this episode the day after a tragic fire at the Cathedral of Notre Dame in Paris has destroyed the spire, roof, and interior of one of the most important and magnificent religious sites in the world. Bishop Barron shares his close ties to Notre Dame, including his time as tour guide, and explains why these Gothic churches are so significant. A listener asks about Robert Sokolowski and which of his books to read. NOTE: Do you like this podcast? Become a patron and get some great perks for helping, like free books, bonus content, and more. Word on Fire is a non-profit ministry that depends on the support of our listeners…like you! So be part of this mission, and join us today!

As Holy Week begins, listen to Bishop Barron's reflections on the 14 stations of the Cross. Stream it all at once, or throughout the week, as we approach the memorial of Christ's Passion. NOTE: Do you like this podcast? Become a patron and get some great perks for helping, like free books, bonus content, and more. Word on Fire is a non-profit ministry that depends on the support of our listeners…like you! So be part of this mission, and join us today!

Kids from around the world ask Bishop Barron their burning questions about God's favorite food, whether heaven has an edge, and why the ground shook when Jesus died on the Cross. NOTE: Do you like this podcast? Become a patron and get some great perks for helping, like free books, bonus content, and more. Word on Fire is a non-profit ministry that depends on the support of our listeners…like you! So be part of this mission, and join us today!

Bishop Barron and Brandon Vogt record live from Rome, where they visited for Bishop's reception of an honorary doctorate from the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas (aka The Angelicum.) NOTE: Do you like this podcast? Become a patron and get some great perks for helping, like free books, bonus content, and more. Word on Fire is a non-profit ministry that depends on the support of our listeners…like you! So be part of this mission, and join us today!

We started the Word on Fire Show back in 2015, right after Bishop Barron was consecrated bishop. Now, three years later, after 170 episodes and 6 million downloads, we're ready for the next phase. But to get there, we need your help! Learn about the future of the show and why your support will be critical to making it happen. NOTE: Do you like this podcast? Become a patron and get some great perks for helping. Word on Fire is a non-profit ministry that depends on the support of our listeners...like you! So be part of this mission, and join us today!

John Henry Newman's classic book, An Essay on the Development of Doctrine, shows how doctrine isn't stagnant but in fact develops over time, much like an acorn grows into a sprouting oak tree. In today's episode, we share the first half of a talk Bishop Barron gave on the book and its influence. (Pick up your Word on Fire Classics edition of Newman's Development of Doctrine, which includes an Introduction by Bishop Barron!) NOTE: Do you like this podcast? Become a patron and get some great perks for helping at http://wordonfireshow.com/patron. Word on Fire is a non-profit ministry that depends on the support of our listeners...like you! So be part of this mission, and join us today.

What's actually happening when we pray? In this episode, Bishop Barron answers the deepest questions about prayer, not necessarily how to pray but what is prayer? A listener asks about the Rosary prayer and how it operates. NOTE: As we move into Lent, sign up for Bishop Barron's free daily Lent reflections at LentReflections.com

Bishop Barron recently visited the headquarters of Amazon, in Seattle, WA, to take part in a "Fishbowl" discussion about his new book, Arguing Religion. Around 200 Amazon employees were in attendance. Listen to the whole conversation in today's episode. Pick up your copy of Arguing Religion >> http://wordonfireshow.com/religion

Recently, Bishop Barron watched several YouTube conversation between Sam Harris, a well-known atheist, and Dr. Jordan Peterson, one of the most prominent and beguiling intellectuals today. We've talked in past episodes about Dr. Peterson's reliance on Carl Jung, and his archetypal reading of the Bible, but today we explore Dr. Peterson's similarities to Immanuel Kant, especially when it comes to the question of God. A listener asks why a Hindu should become Christian if Hinduism seems to have a more peaceful history.

The recent confrontation between a grinning young high school student and a Native American elder has led to much anger and vitriol, especially on social media. But as Bishop Barron suggests, it also exemplified the "scapegoating mechanism" described by philosopher René Girard. How do we avoid this scapegoating? How can we bring more light to the online world? Bishop Barron has some advice. A listener asks whether our memories will transfer to Heaven.

In this episode, Bishop Barron discusses a recent New York Times article by David Brooks titled "The Morality of Selfism: The Gospel of Saint You." It's a tongue-in-cheek affirmation of a culture that puts tremendous emphasis on self, self-care, and self-display. Bishop Barron explores some of the dangerous outcomes of such a culture. A listener asks whether it's helpful or troubling that the Catholic tradition includes so many definitions of God.

Ross Douthat recently published an op-ed in the New York Times titled "The Return of Paganism." He argues that maybe there actually is a genuinely post-Christian future for America, one that mixes pantheism with civic religion.Bishop Barron and Brandon Vogt discuss the article. A listener asks why God needed a second coming of Christ and couldn't have accomplished everything during his first coming.

Bishop Barron takes listener questions from all over the world, including: What are examples of popular films that convey the Gospel without being preachy or poorly produced? Which beings have souls, and where do we draw the line? If prayer doesn't change God's mind, then when we get what we pray for, would we have gotten it anyways? How can laypeople encourage priests to do more evangelization? Since there's no time in heaven, when I die, will the rest of my family already be there even if they're not dead yet? How do you defend the faith through social media when so few people are willing to engage serious arguments? How can Catholic laypeople determine which Church leaders to follow and imitate? Are we at a spiritual disadvantage without deep friendships in our lives? Are there any virtues of loneliness?

According to data from BibleGateway.com and YouVersion, the popular Bible app, the most popular Bible verse of 2018 was Isaiah 41:10: "Do not fear." Bishop Barron looks at several other verses that cracked the list and reveals the right (and wrong) ways to understand them. A listener asks for clarification on Bishop Barron's comments about the salvation of Jews on Ben Shapiro's interview show.

A recent Christianity Today article titled, "Christian, What Do You Believe? Probably a Heresy About Jesus, Says Survey" explores a State of Theology survey conducted in the United States by LifeWay Research, based on interviews with 3,000 Americans. Bishop Barron discusses the alarming results. A listener asks what it feels like for Bishop Barron to act in persona Christi capitis.

How should Christians use social media? How can we escape its dangers (venomous rhetoric, echo chambers, etc.) and instead use these tools well? Bishop Barron offers his advice and shares how he personally uses these tools. A listener asks whether Bishop Barron is now part of the Intellectual Dark Web after speaking with Ben Shapiro and Dave Rubin.

On Christmas Eve, the night before the great Solemnity of the Nativity of Jesus, Bishop Barron talks about the Incarnation. What do we mean by this? What do people often get wrong about the Incarnation? And how is the Incarnation extended throughout space and time? A listener asks about Buddha's famous maxim, "Life is suffering." NOTE: Click here to support Bishop Barron's Word on Fire ministry as we move into 2019 >> wordonfireshow.com/religion

According to Bishop Barron, we need more religious argument, not less. But how do we talk about religion productively? In today's episode he offers several practical tips along with the fallacies you'll want to avoid. A listener asks how to engage relativistic friends. NOTE: Click here to get Bishop Barron's newest book, Arguing Religion >> wordonfireshow.com/religion

William Wordsworth called Mary, the mother of Jesus, "our tainted nature's solitary boast." Who was this extraordinary woman, and how should we understand the key dogmas about her life and nature? Bishop Barron offers a crash course on Mary in today's episode. A listener asks why God created us as humans instead of as angels. NOTE: Do you like this podcast, and Bishop Barron's other great work? Help support us by donating at http://wordonfireshow.com/giving. Word on Fire is a non-profit ministry that depends on the support of our listeners...like you! So be part of this mission, and donate today.

Is the season of Advent just a cozy, sentimental period before Christmas? Or is it a time of spiritual revolution? Bishop Barron discusses this important period and shares some of his Advent recommendations. A listener asks how to make sense of slavery in the Bible. NOTE: Do you like this podcast, and Bishop Barron's other great work? Help support us by donating at http://wordonfireshow.com/giving. Word on Fire is a non-profit ministry that depends on the support of our listeners...like you! So be part of this mission, and donate today.

John Henry Newman's spiritual autobiography, Apologia Pro Vita Sua, is widely recognized as a classic of religious literature. Chronicling his conversion from Anglicanism to Catholicism, it explores the arguments and discoveries that convinced the Anglican churchman to cross the Tiber. In today's episode, we share the second half of talk Bishop Barron gave on the book and its influence. (Click here to listen to the first half.) NOTE: Do you like this podcast, and Bishop Barron's other great work? Help support us by donating at http://wordonfireshow.com/giving. Word on Fire is a non-profit ministry that depends on the support of our listeners…like you! So be part of this mission, and donate today.

John Henry Newman's spiritual autobiography, Apologia Pro Vita Sua, is widely recognized as a classic of religious literature. Chronicling his conversion from Anglicanism to Catholicism, it explores the arguments and discoveries that convinced the Anglican churchman to cross the Tiber. In today's episode, we share the first half of talk Bishop Barron gave on the book and its influence. NOTE: Do you like this podcast, and Bishop Barron's other great work? Help support us by donating at http://wordonfireshow.com/giving. Word on Fire is a non-profit ministry that depends on the support of our listeners…like you! So be part of this mission, and donate today.

This week, Bishop Barron answers questions from all over the world. If you have a question, be sure to visit AskBishopBarron.com.

In Stephen Hawking's new book, Brief Answers to the Big Questions, published just a few months after his death, the famed scientists suggests that God does not exist and the universe does not require an explanation. Is he right? Bishop Barron discusses those claims in today's episode.

As the Synod on Youth wraps up at the Vatican, Bishop Barron shares his final thoughts on the meeting.

Today we share a sample lesson from Bishop Barron's flagship course inside our new Word on Fire Institute. His 12-part course is on Hans Urs von Balthasar, and it explores Balthasar's impact, his major works, and his key ideas. This first lesson covers Balthasar's life and times. Enjoy! NOTE: To get the other 11 lessons from the course, sign up today for the Word on Fire Institute >> https://wordonfire.institute

A few days before leaving for the 2018 Synod on Youth in Rome, Bishop Barron hosted a listening session with a group of young people at Villanova Preparatory School in his region. The goal was to invite the kids to share their ideas, desires, and concerns, so that Bishop Barron could bring those insights with him to the Synod discussions. Today we share the audio of that discussion. Enjoy! NOTE: Be sure to visit WordFromRome.com to see all of Bishop Barron's daily video updates from the Synod!

Today marks the grand opening of the Word on Fire Institute! It's one of the pillars of our Word on Fire Movement, and it's a place where you'll find online training in evangelization, theology, and the spiritual life. You'll get courses taught by Bishop Barron, his Word on Fire team, and world-class professors. In today's episode, we get more details from Bishop Barron and learn how to sign up. Click here to learn more >> https://wordonfire.institute Bonus Link >> Bishop Barron's Reddit Q&A