This week, Dr. Joseph Stuart joins us on the podcast to talk about the ways that Christians responded to the Enlightenment in the 18th century. He dispels the myth that the Enlightenment was at war with religion. We then go on to discuss ways that Catholics can engage with the contemporary secular culture that grew from the Enlightenment. Specifically, we talked about the very real consequences of Christians engaging the culture using power and coercion rather than with credibility and faithfulness.

Joseph T. Stuart, Ph.D., is Full Professor of History and Fellow of Catholic Studies at the University of Mary in Bismarck, North Dakota. His research and publications concern the life and work of cultural historian Christopher Dawson, the cultural history of the Great War, and the Enlightenment of the eighteenth century. He is the author of three books: Christopher Dawson: A Cultural Mind in the Age of the Great War; The Church and the Age of Reformations (1350–1650): Martin Luther, the Renaissance, and the Council of Trent; and Rethinking the Enlightenment: Faith in the Age of Reason.

LINKS: 

Rethinking the Enlightenment: Faith in the Age of Reason:

https://sophiainstitute.com/product/rethinking-the-enlightenment

The Age of Enlightenment and Our Souls: Legacies of Cultural Conflict, Engagement, and Retreat (2023 lecture at Aquinas College):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PLXiGn1IW4w 

The Place Where You Stand is Holy Ground: Recognizing and Preventing Spiritual Abuse in the Catholic Church:
https://wherepeteris.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/The-Place-Where-You-Stand-is-Holy-Ground.pdf

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ABOUT POPE FRANCIS GENERATION Pope Francis Generation is the show for Catholics struggling with the Church’s teaching, who feel like they might not belong in the Church anymore, and who still hunger for a God of love and goodness. Hosted by Paul Fahey, a professional catechist, and Dominic de Souza, someone who needs catechesis. Together, we’re taking our own look at the Catholic Church– her teachings and practices- from 3 views that changed our world: the Kerygma, the doctrine of theosis, and the teachings of Pope Francis. Together, with you, we’re the Pope Francis Generation.

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ABOUT PAUL FAHEY Paul lives in Michigan with his wife, Kristina, and five kids. He's a retreat leader and counseling student.

ABOUT DOMINIC DE SOUZA SmartCatholics founder, Dominic de Souza, is a convert from radical traditionalism – inspired by WherePeterIs, Bishop Robert Barron, and Pope Francis. He is passionate about helping ordinary Catholics break the ‘bystander effect’, and be first responders. “We don’t have to be geniuses. We just have to show up with witness and kindness. Christ does the rest.” Today he hosts the SmartCatholics community. smartcatholics.com