Catholic Theology Show

Are miracles likely and believable? In today’s episode, Dr. Michael Dauphinais and Fr. Joseph Fessio, founder and editor of Ignatius Press and founding provost of Ave Maria University, unpack Miracles by C.S. Lewis. Their conversation provides insight into this challenging apologetic work which makes an argument for God's existence by discussing the wonders that God works and their place in the laws of nature.

Resources:

• Ignatius Press website
• Catch our previous episode with Fr. Fessio: G.K. Chesterton’s Orthodoxy and God’s Creation

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Can myths and fairy stories help us to better understand reality? Today, Dr. Michael Dauphinais and Catholic academic Joseph Pearce discuss J.R.R. Tolkien’s essay On Fairy Stories. Guided by Tolkien’s work, their conversation explores the rationality of story, the actual definition of myth, and the transformative effect that fairy worlds have on our hearts and minds.

Resources:

• From the Catholic Theology Show archives: The Theology of Tolkien | The One Ring and Redemption with Joseph Pearce

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God and His holy angels exist but so does Satan – how can this be? Today, Dr. Michael Dauphinais sits down with Dr. Mark Miravalle, Chair of Mariology at Ave Maria University and Franciscan University of Steubenville, for a brief exploration of angelology. Their conversation clarifies what we can believe about angels and demons amid today’s confusing extremes of empiricism and the occult, and what authentic doctrine on the angels can teach us about the created order.

Resources:

• Catch the previous Catholic Theology Show episode with Dr. Miravalle: Why Do We Need Marian Consecration?

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Is there a connection between perseverance on the playing field and in the spiritual life? Today, Dr. Michael Dauphinais shares a conversation with Alan Webb, Ave Maria University’s track & field coach and former American record holder for fastest mile. Drawing on John Paul II’s Theology of the Body and of creation, Coach Webb shares how “the logic of sports is the logic of life” as we rely on Christ’s grace to strive towards discipline and excellence.

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Have we irrecoverably lost the true meanings of words and symbols? Today, Dr. Michael Dauphinais is joined by Dr. Justin Bonanno, assistant professor of Communications at Ave Maria University, for a conversation about his new book, Walker Percy and the Crisis of Meaning. Dr. Bonanno shares how Percy’s creative and philosophical inquiry into the dilemmas of human existence intends to reestablish wonder by revivifying language and symbols.

Resources:

• Walker Percy and the Crisis of Meaning by Justin N. Bonanno
• Read the first 30 pages of Dr. Bonanno’s book on Google Books here
• Lost in the Cosmos: The Last Self-Help Book by Walker Percy
• The Message in the Bottle by Walker Percy
• Signposts in a Strange Land by Walker Percy

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Is it possible to view suffering as a meaningful gift? Today, Dr. Michael Dauphinais speaks with Fr. Joseph Lugalambi, adjunct professor of theology at Ave Maria University. Fr. Joseph explains how our bodies—which are made for a communion of persons—have the capacity to suffer in a way that elevates us to a mystical union with God.

Resources:

• Related episode: Is Theology of the Body Still Relevant? with Dr. Michael Waldstein
• From the Catholic Theology Show Archives: Love in Recovery | Healing Women from Sexual Addictions with Rachael Killackey

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Why are the sacraments so prominent in Catholicism? Today, Dr. Roger Nutt, provost and professor of theology at Ave Maria University, returns to the show to converse with Dr. Dauphinais. Dr. Nutt elaborates on how the visible rites of the seven sacraments continually mediate Christ’s closeness and communion with us. In his book, General Principles of Sacramental Theology, Dr. Nutt delves into the seven sacraments as the divinely willed path to communion and friendship with God and humanity.

Resources:

• General Principles of Sacramental Theology by Roger Nutt (Catholic Theology Show listeners receive 20% off at CUA press with code CT10)
• Listen to Dr. Nutt’s first episode on the Catholic Theology Show: Why the Church Needs Catholic Universities
• Episode 10 with Dr. Nutt: To Die Is Gain | All About Anointing of the Sick
• Also with Dr. Nutt: Season 1, Episode 15 The Legacy of Pope Benedict XVI
• COMING SOON: Dr. Roger Nutt’s free short course in The Pursuit of Wisdom series. See all available courses here.

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Can natural reason show us the existence of God? Today, Dr. Dauphinais converses with Dr. Joseph Trabbic, professor of philosophy at Ave Maria University, to discuss Aquinas’s 5 ways and proofs for God’s existence. Together they show how faith, revelation, and natural reason strengthen our faith in God as Creator.

Resources:

• Read Dr. Joseph Trabbic’s articles on The Catholic World Report

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How does Theology clarify God’s voice in revelation? Today, Dr. Dauphinais converses with Fr. Guy Mansini, Benedictine priest and Max Seckler Chair of Theology at Ave Maria University. Fr. Mansini discusses how the complicated relationship between faith and philosophy maintains the clarity and simplicity of theology. In his book, Fundamental Theology, Fr. Mansini expounds upon the voice of God, how man hears it, and how it influences his beliefs.

Resources:

• Fundamental Theology by Fr. Guy Mansini (Catholic Theology Show listeners receive 20% off at CUA press with code CT10)
• Catch our prior episode with Fr. Mansini: Episode 13 Why Should We Care About Ecclesiology?

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If both men and women struggle with sexual sin, is healing possible? Today, Dr. Michael Dauphinais is joined by Rachael Killackey, alumna of Ave Maria University, as well as founder and executive director of Magdala Ministries. Rachael speaks about a woman's ability to recover love and worth amid the shame and isolation of pornography addictions.

Resources:

• Learn more about Magdala Ministries
• Love in Recovery by Rachael Killackey
• From the Catholic Theology Show Archives: Is Theology of the Body Still Relevant? featuring Dr. Michael Waldstein

Help support this podcast and Our Lady's University by joining the Annunciation Circle!

Get more information about Ave Maria University!