Catholic Theology Show

How can Catholics approach the study of theology through the lens of Saint Thomas Aquinas?

Dr. Michael Dauphinais engages with Fr. Cajetan Cuddy, O.P., a Dominican priest and professor of theology at the Dominican House of Studies, to explore the significance of Aquinas’s Summa Theologiae. Fr. Cajetan Cuddy, O.P. also shares insights from his book, The Summa Illuminated, which aims to make Aquinas’s complex work accessible by highlighting its comprehensive and contemplative approach to theology. 

Resources:  

• Annunciation Circle (Ave Maria University Monthly Giving Community) 

• Ave Maria University website 

• Fr. Cajetan Cuddy, O.P.’s profile at the Dominican House of Studies 

• The Summa Illuminated, by Fr. Cajetan Cuddy, O.P. published by Ave Maria Press and available for preorder 

• Fr Cajetan Cuddy, O.P.’s book, Catholic Theology: An Introduction, published by ECT Press 

• The Importance of Studying Theology Daily w/ Fr. Cajetan Cuddy, O.P. | Ep. 26 

What does it mean to evangelize through theology in a world of bad ideas about God and deepening cultural crises?

To mark the third anniversary of The Catholic Theology Show, host Dr. Michael Dauphinais welcomes back his colleague and frequent guest, Dr. Roger Nutt, provost and professor of theology at Ave Maria University. Together, they reflect on the podcast's roots in St. John Paul II's vision for the New Evangelization and the dangers of flawed theology. They also discuss the show's growth, episode planning inspired by great books and classroom insights, and enduring lessons on surrendering to God's mercy amid personal and societal struggles. 

Resources:  

• Annunciation Circle (Ave Maria University Monthly Giving Community) 

• Ave Maria University website 

• Dr. Michael Dauphinais's faculty profile at Ave Maria University 

• Dr. Roger Nutt's faculty profile at Ave Maria University 

• Check out Dr Michael Dauphinais’s book, Knowing the Love of Christ, co-authored with Matthew Levering, from Notre Dame Press 

How can Catholics engage with the mystery of God through reason and faith?

Dr. Michael Dauphinais sits down with Fr. James Brent, O.P., assistant professor of philosophy at the Dominican House of Studies. They explore how philosophy in the perennial tradition raises profound questions about God’s existence, His plan, the problem of evil, the human soul, life after death, and the pursuit of ultimate happiness, questions that are finally only answered by faith in God's revelation in Jesus Christ. They also discuss Fr. Brent's recent book The Father’s House: Discovering Our Home in the Trinity. 

Resources:  

• Annunciation Circle (Ave Maria University Monthly Giving Community) 

• Ave Maria University website 

• Fr. James Brent’s profile at the Dominican House of Studies 

• Contemplata, a podcast hosted by Fr. James Brent, O.P. 

• Fr James Brent, O.P.’s new book, The Father’s House: Discovering Our Home in the Trinity, published by Pauline Books & Media 

• Can Philosophy Help Us Evangelize? w/ Fr. James Brent, O.P. | Ep. 108 

How does beauty guide Catholics toward God and shape their moral and spiritual lives?

Dr. Michael Dauphinais is joined by Dr. Janice Chik Breidenbach, a professor of philosophy at Ave Maria University, to explore the profound role of beauty in faith. They discuss how beauty, as seen in nature, art, and moral goodness, serves as an accessible yet demanding path to God, reflecting His creative order. 

Resources:  

• Annunciation Circle (Ave Maria University Monthly Giving Community) 

• Ave Maria University website 

• Dr. Janice Chik Breidenbach's personal website 

• The Philosophy of Motherhood w/ Dr. Janice Chik Breidenbach 

How can Catholics find meaning in suffering and grow closer to God through it?

Dr. Michael Dauphinais engages with Megan Hjelmstad, author of Offer It Up: Discovering the Power and Purpose of Redemptive Suffering, to explore the theological and practical dimensions of suffering. They discuss how suffering, often an obstacle to faith, can be transformed into a path toward redemption by uniting it with Christ’s cross. Hjelmstad shares her personal experiences with chronic illness, pregnancy loss, and dietary restrictions, illustrating how these challenges led her to a deeper understanding of redemptive suffering.  

Resources:  

• Annunciation Circle (Ave Maria University Monthly Giving Community) 

• Ave Maria University website 

• Megan Hjelmstad's personal website  

• Find Megan Hjelmstad’s new book, Offer It Up: Discovering the Power and Purpose of Redemptive Suffering, published by Emmaus Road 

How can we find authentic identity in an increasingly digital world?

Dr. Michael Dauphinais sits down with Dr. Paul Vitz, Catholic psychologist and professor emeritus, to discuss his book, Analog Hunger in a Digital World: Confronting Today's Identity Crisis. They explore the tension between the analog experiences that ground human identity in reality and the digital world's tendency to disconnect us from our bodies, relationships, and God.  

Resources:  

• Annunciation Circle (Ave Maria University Monthly Giving Community) 

• Ave Maria University website 

• Dr. Paul Vitz's profile from the Catholic Education Resource Center 

• Find Dr. Paul Vitz on Amazon, including Faith of the Fatherless: The Psychology of Atheism 

• Dr Paul Vitz’s latest book Analog Hunger in a Digital World: Confronting Today’s Identity Crisis, published by St Augustine’s Press 

How can Catholics faithfully approach the concept of miracles and prayer?

Dr. Michael Dauphinais engages with Anthony DeStefano, a Catholic author with over 30 books, to explore his latest work, The Miracle Book: A Simple Guide to Asking the Impossible.  DeStefano shares practical, theologically sound steps for seeking divine intervention and reflects on his personal journey from skepticism to faith, highlighting the transformative power of prayer and Eucharistic adoration. 

Resources:  

• Annunciation Circle (Ave Maria University Monthly Giving Community) 

• Ave Maria University website 

• Dr. Anthony DeStefano's personal website 

• Discover Dr. Anthony DeStefano on Amazon, including his latest work, The Miracle Book: A Simple Guide to Asking the Impossible, published by Sophia Institute Press 

What caused the crisis of faith in the Catholic Church following Vatican II?

Dr. Michael Dauphinais hosts Dr. Larry Chapp, a retired theology professor and founder of the Dorothy Day Catholic Worker Farm, to discuss the cultural and theological turmoil of the 1960s and 1970s. Chapp shares his journey to starting the Catholic Worker Farm, inspired by Dorothy Day’s radical yet devout Catholicism, and underscores the importance of prayer and Scripture in renewing faith. 

Resources:  

• Annunciation Circle (Ave Maria University Monthly Giving Community) 

• Ave Maria University website 

• Dr. Larry Chapp's personal website 

• Discover the Dorothy Day Catholic Worker Farm website 

• Discover Dr. Larry Chapp on Amazon, including his work, Confession of a Catholic Worker: Our Moment of Christian Witness 

How can Catholics address the perceived conflict between faith and science to strengthen belief, especially among youth?

Dr. Michael Dauphinais hosts Fr. Robert Spitzer, president of the Magis Center and a leading Catholic scholar, to discuss this critical issue. They discuss Fr. Spitzer’s mission through the Magis Center, including his book Father Spitzer’s Universe: Exploring Life’s Big Questions, which uses the Apostles' Creed to anchor Christian beliefs in scientific, philosophical, and historical evidence.

Resources:  

• Annunciation Circle (Ave Maria University Monthly Giving Community) 

• Ave Maria University website 

• Fr Robert Spitzer's Magis Center Page 

• Find Fr Robert Spitzer on Amazon, which lists his books, including Fr. Spitzer’s Universe: Exploring Life’s Big Questions 

• Magis Center Store, another place to find Fr. Robert Spitzer’s books 

• Learn more about the Shroud of Turin 

Why is governance essential for fostering Christian perfection and societal order?

Dr. Michael Dauphinais engages with Dr. Donald Prudlo, author of Governing Perfection and Warren Chair of Catholic Studies at the University of Tulsa, to explore the necessity and value of governance in both ecclesiastical and secular contexts. They discuss how governance, rooted in the Christian tradition, balances individual dignity with the common good, drawing on historical examples like the Dominican Order and St. Francis of Assisi’s administrative challenges.  

Resources:  

• Annunciation Circle (Ave Maria University Monthly Giving Community) 
• Ave Maria University website 
• Dr. Donald Prudlo's Faculty Profile at the University of Tulsa 
• Discover Dr. Donald Prudlo on Amazon, including his new book, Governing Perfection, published by St. Augustine’s Press