Sunday School with Pat Flynn

In this episode of Sunday School, Pat demonstrates that good philosophy will get us to a general (and moral) monotheism. But we need religion–that is God’s specific revelation, or statements about Himself and man; God’s gifts, in other words–to really know the greatest truths of the world. Science and philosophy can get us to a point. Religion fills in the rest. (October 21, 2018)

Episode 21: Pat gives a brief talk on the relationship of philosophy and theology, and then offers a recommendation for Ed Feser’s book Five Proofs of the Existence of God. October 7, 2018. ​

Episode 20: In this episode Pat takes on the problem of pain, or why bad things happen to good people. This is part one of two. September 30, 2018. ​

Episode 19: In this episode, Pat shares his story out of atheism from a philosophical perspective and why he thinks the position is (ultimately) absurd. First, he explains what atheism is (along with the implications of metaphysical naturalism). Then, he offers a series of objections against the claim that God does not exist. September 23, 2018. ​

Episode 18: In this episode, Pat talks about how he discovered Mortimer Adler’s work, the impact its had on him, and the books he recommends starting out. September 16, 2018. ​

Episode 17: In this episode of Sunday School, Pat shares a talk he presented at Holy Apostles college and seminar (original presentation here) on his personal journey from atheism to Christianity, and presents a philosophical argument based around the facts of the historical Jesus for the claims that Christians make: The He really was the Son of God, and not some mystic or legend or sage. After which, Pat briefly explores “mere” Christian theology and theodicy, to make sense of the difference Jesus makes. September 9, 2018. ​

Episode 16: In this episode of Sunday School, Pat is joined by his wife Christine for a discussion on how to develop a practical prayer life. In this episode, the couple dive into their individual prayer lives, including what’s been most powerful and helpful to them, how they got started, and what’s kept them in the routine of maintaining a regular, ongoing conversation with God. September 2, 2018.

Episode 15: In this episode of Sunday School, Pat unpacks what it means to practice morality (in a mostly Christian sense), and why trying to be a religious person is often like going to the dentist: difficult at first (especially if we haven’t been taking care of our teeth), but really good for us in the long term. August 26, 2018.

Episode 14: In this episode of Sunday School, Pat explores the practical and philosophical foundations of religious–and, in particular, Christian– morality, common misunderstandings people have, virtue theory, and why striving to live according to these a particular set of moral principles is almost certain to produce a life that is altogether productive, charitable, and fulfilling. August 19, 2018.

Episode 13: In this episode of Sunday School, Pat attempts to answer a series of questions asked by his kids about God, presented by his wife, Christine. August 12, 2018.