What are Human Rights? How are they different from other kinds of rights? Are Human Rights inherent, or are they a social construct?

In this episode, we continue our exploration of Catholic Social Doctrine by considering the nature of Human Rights.

This podcast relies 100% on the generosity of listeners. If you have found these episodes helpful and would like to support the future of Crash Course Catholicism, please consider donating via the following links:

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References and further reading/listening/viewing:

⁠⁠⁠⁠The Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Catholic Church⁠⁠⁠, pts 152-59

Pope Paul VI, Octogesima Adveniens

The International Theological Commission, "The Dignity and Rights of the Human Person"

Catholic Relief Services, "CST 101 | Rights and Responsibilities"

Bishop Robert Barron, "Dignitas Infinita"

We are made in the image of God, and this truth has profound implications for how we understand the human person.

In this episode, we explore key dimensions of human personhood, including freedom, responsibility, the capacity for transcendence, uniqueness and unrepeatability, and equality.

Understanding the full depth and complexity of human nature is essential for social doctrine, because our understanding of the human person forms the foundation of human rights.

This podcast relies 100% on the generosity of listeners. If you have found these episodes helpful and would like to support the future of Crash Course Catholicism, please consider donating via the following links:

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References and further reading/listening/viewing:

⁠⁠⁠The Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Catholic Church⁠⁠, pts 127-151

St. John Paul II, Homily at Oriole Park, Camden Yards, Baltimore, 1995.

St. John Paul II, Redemptor Hominis

William Shakespeare, Julius Caesar, Act 1, scene 2

https://catholicsocialthought.org.uk/

The whole of Catholic social doctrine rests on the answer to the question: What is a human being?

In this episode, we discuss human nature and human dignity. What does it mean to be made in the image of God? What makes human beings unique in comparison with the rest of nature? Do human beings have a particular dignity, or are we just intelligent animals?

Understanding what a human person is helps us to see why human beings must always be at the centre of every society.

This podcast relies 100% on the generosity of listeners. If you have found these episodes helpful and would like to support the future of Crash Course Catholicism, please consider donating via the following links:

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References and further reading/listening/viewing:

⁠⁠The Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Catholic Church⁠, pts 105-134

Catechism of the Catholic Church, pt 357

John Paul II, Redemptor Hominis

Jose Angel Lombo and Francesco Russo, Philosophical Anthropology: An Introduction

USCCB, "Life and Dignity of the Human Person"

Pope Pius XI, Mit Brennender Sorge - particularly this passage: "8. Whoever exalts race, or the people, or the State, or a particular form of State, or the depositories of power, or any other fundamental value of the human community - however necessary and honorable be their function in worldly things - whoever raises these notions above their standard value and divinizes them to an idolatrous level, distorts and perverts an order of the world planned and created by God; he is far from the true faith in God and from the concept of life which that faith upholds."

Hot Fuzz, dir. Edgar Wright

Also, for anyone who teaches English or Philosophy, I recommend the play Juniper Blood, by Mike Bartlett. The plot basically revolves around the question of how to balance our responsibility to the planet with our responsibilities to the people closest to us. The question 'what is the value of a human being?' is really at the heart of the play. Highly recommended as a text for students (mature students -- the play contains a few sexual references and depictions of drug use), super relevant to the questions we're exploring in this episode.

Catholic social doctrine did not suddenly appear in the nineteenth century. Its roots reach back to the very foundations of Scripture.

In this episode, we explore the biblical vision of social life: a world shaped by justice, mercy, solidarity, and the command to love one another. From the law and the prophets to the teaching of Christ, the Bible reveals that social responsibility is not an optional extra to the Christian life. Rather, it flows directly from who God is and who we are called to become. These biblical foundations form the heart of the Church’s social teaching today.

This podcast relies 100% on the generosity of listeners. If you have found these episodes helpful and would like to support the future of Crash Course Catholicism, please consider donating via the following links:

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References and further reading/listening/viewing:

⁠The Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Catholic Church, Pts 1-50

JPII, Mulieris Dignitatem

The Catechism of the Catholic Church, pts. 1906; 2062

Deuteronomy 15:7-8

Leviticus 19:33-34

John 13:34-35; 17:21-22

Catholic Answers, Natural Law

Happy New Year, friends! Welcome to the first episode on our next deep dive into the Social Doctrine of the Catholic church! This is an incredibly rich and important area of Catholic teaching that helps us to understand how human beings should function in societies. It covers topics such as human rights, the rights of workers, the responsibilities of employers, governments, and individuals, and the conditions necessary for human flourishing.

In today's episode, we begin with an overview of social doctrine -- what it is and why we need it -- before summarising the history of the development of social doctrine, especially during the twentieth century.

This podcast relies 100% on the generosity of listeners. If you have found these episodes helpful and would like to support the future of Crash Course Catholicism, please consider donating via the following links:

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References and further reading/listening/viewing:

The Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Catholic Church

USCCB: Seven Themes of Catholic Social Teaching

CBCEW

A Summary of Catholic Social Teaching

Fr Roger Charles, Introduction to Catholic Social Teaching

Catholic Answers:

20 Answers: Catholic Social Teaching

Does Catholic Social Teaching Change?

Are All Elements of Catholic Social Teaching Equally Important?

Broken Bay Diocese, Pope Leo XIV reveals reason behind name choice

What do we know about the life of St Nicholas of Myra? What is his relationship with the modern-day Santa Claus? Should Catholics tell their children that Santa exists?

PLEASE NOTE: This entire episode is one giant spoiler about the existence of Santa Claus. If you have small children who have not yet been disillusioned, you might want to listen to this one when they're not in the room.

This podcast relies 100% on the generosity of listeners. If you have found these episodes helpful and would like to support the future of Crash Course Catholicism, please consider donating via the following links:

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References and further reading/listening/viewing:

Catholic Encyclopedia, St Nicholas of Myra

Britannica Encyclopedia, St Nicholas

Catholic Answers:

Santa Claus for Catholics: Yes or No?

The Weird History of Santa Claus

St Nicholas of Myra, by Michael the Archimandrite

Amber Rose, Saint Nicholas or Santa Claus? Catholic Ways to Celebrate!

The Augustine Institute, St Nicholas and Santa Claus

St Nicholas Center

Cardinal St John Henry Newman is a Catholic saint who lived in the nineteenth century and was canonised in 2019. In November 2025, he was officially declared a Doctor of the Church by Pope Leo XIV. This is a title held by only 38 saints in the entire history of the church, and it is given to those whose writings are of benefit to the whole church.

John Henry Newman was an Anglican priest and Oxford academic who converted to Catholicism and was eventually made a cardinal. He is one of the most significant Catholic figures of the nineteenth century, known for his academic brilliance and his personal holiness.

In today's episode, we discuss the life of this incredible saint.

This podcast relies 100% on the generosity of listeners. If you have found these episodes helpful and would like to support the future of Crash Course Catholicism, please consider donating via the following links:

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Contact the podcast: ⁠⁠www.caitlinwest.com⁠⁠

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References and further reading/listening/viewing:

The Newman Reader - Works of John Henry Newman

St. John Henry Newman:

The Mission Prayer

"Conscience", from A Letter Addressed to the Duke of Norfolk

The "Biglietto Speech"

Apologia Pro Vita Sua

Philip Boyce, "Newman's Reception into the Catholic church"

Bishop Robert Barron:

Bishop Barron Q&A on St. John Henry Newman’s Life, Theology, and Books

Bishop Barron on St. John Henry Newman: Beyond the Left and the Right

Celebrating St. John Henry Newman Becoming a Doctor of the Church

Dr Scott Hahn on Newman's conversion

Cardinal Newman's Legacy | Scott Hahn w/ Jeff Morrow

St. John Henry Newman: Meeting the Challenges of Modernity

EWTN:

St. John Henry Newman: From Anglican to Saint Cardinal

Focus: The Life and Legacy of John Henry Cardinal Newman

The Life of Saint John Henry Newman: From Anglican Priest to Catholic Saint

Discover the life of St. John Henry Newman to-be Doctor of the Church

caitlinwest.com

FINAL EPISODE OF THE DEEP DIVE LET'S GOOOO

In this episode, we consider common moral problems that people encounter when they read the Bible. Why does the God of the Old Testament seem so angry and cruel, while Jesus seems merciful and loving? Why does God give such harsh punishments to people in the Old Testament? Does the Bible condone things like slavery and genocide? What about all those people who do terrible things in the Bible?

Basically just a few really easy simple questions that aren't at all controversial, you're welcome.

This podcast relies 100% on the generosity of listeners. If you have found these episodes helpful and would like to support the future of Crash Course Catholicism, please consider donating via the following links:

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Donate via PayPal⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Support us on Patreon!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Contact the podcast: ⁠www.caitlinwest.com⁠

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References and further reading/listening/viewing:

Matthew 22:37-40

Isaiah 13:9

2 Kings 13

Joshua 11:8-9

The Catechism of the Catholic Church, pts. 42, 53

Trent Horn, Hard Sayings

Jimmy Akin, Genocide in the Bible

Joe Heschmeyer, Did God Command Genocide in the Old Testament?

The Bible in a Year, Day 32: Cattle, Boils, and Hail

Catholic Answers:

The Reason for Divine Wrath

Does God Have Emotions?

Does the Bible Support Slavery?

Pope Benedict XVI: God and the World: Believing and Living in Our Time

The Catholic Encyclopedie, Slavery and Christianity

Thomas Aquinas, Summa Theologiae, II.i, Q.79

Fr Mike Schmitz:

Did God Change?

Old Testament God vs. New Testament God

Pints With Aquinas, The Problem of Violence in The Old Testament? /W Trent Horn

Bishop Robert Barron, Understanding Violence in the Old Testament

Breaking In The Habit, Why is God so Angry in the Old Testament?

www.caitlinwest.com

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What should we do about all those apparent historical and scientific inaccuracies in the Bible? Like Genesis telling us the world was made in seven days, or that there was a flood that covered the whole earth, or that Jonah survived in the belly of a whale for three days?

And what about contradictions within the Bible? Why do some of the Gospel writers recount events differently? Do these discrepancies undermine the reliability of the Bible?

In this episode, we continue our discussion of common questions about the Bible.

This podcast relies 100% on the generosity of listeners. If you have found these episodes helpful and would like to support the future of Crash Course Catholicism, please consider donating via the following links:

⁠⁠⁠⁠Donate via PayPal⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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Contact the podcast: www.caitlinwest.com

Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/crashcoursecatholicism/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

References and further reading/listening/viewing:

• The Catholic of the Catholic Church, pts. 112 and 2290
• Trent Horn, Hard Sayings
• Vatican II, Dei Verbum
• Pope Leo XIII, Providentissimus Deus
• Catholic Answers:
• How to Resolve Alleged Gospel Contradictions
• Jimmy Akin: Your Bible Questions - Catholic Answers Live
• Jimmy Akin:
• History As the Ancients Wrote It—Part I
• History As the Ancients Wrote It—Part II
• Pints With Aquinas:
• The Right Way to Read Holy Scripture (Dr. John Bergsma)
• Mind-Blowing Bible Study (Dr. Scott Hahn)
• Your Bible Questions Answered (Dr. John Bergsma)
• Peter Kreeft, The Bible: Myth or History
• Ascension Presents:
• Internet's Most Asked Questions about the Bible (w/ Jeff Cavins)
• How Can the Church Say the Bible Is without Error?
• Tim Gray and Jeff Cavins, Walking With God: A Journey through the Bible

⁠www.caitlinwest.com⁠⁠

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How did the Church decide which books to include in the Bible? Why are Catholic Bibles bigger than Protestant Bibles? Should we read the Old Testament? How do I read the Bible?

In this episode, we continue our deep dive into the Bible by addressing common questions about the Bible.

This podcast relies 100% on the generosity of listeners. If you have found these episodes helpful and would like to support the future of Crash Course Catholicism, please consider donating via the following links:

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Contact the podcast: [email protected].

Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/crashcoursecatholicism/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

References and further reading/listening/viewing:

• CCC, pts 120-130
• Vatican II, Dei Verbum
• Universalis, Daily Mass Readings
• The Bible in a Year Reading Plan
• Scott Hahn, Catholic Bible Dictionary
• Dr. John Bergsma, "Why are Catholic Bibles Bigger than Protestant Bibles?"
• Catholic Answers, Who Compiled the Bible and When?
• Canon of Scripture: What criteria did the early Christians use to determine
• What were the criteria for determining the books of the Bible?
• Protestantism’s Old Testament Problem
• Scripture and Tradition
• Did Catholics Add 7 Books to the Bible? Or Did Protestants Remove Them?
• Trent Horn, Why are Protestant Bibles Smaller?
• Jimmy Akin, The Bible is a Catholic Book
• Shameless Popery, How were the books of the Bible decided?
• Gary Michuta, Why Catholic Bibles are Bigger
• Matt Fradd, Why Catholic Bibles are Bigger
• Catholic Encyclopedia, Canon of the New Testament
• Septuagint Version
• Aleteia, What is the Septuagint and why is it important?
• Ascension, How the New Testament Canon was Chosen