The Passing Currents Podcast

In our third Theology on Tap posting, Father Jonathan Fasnacht speaks on the deep importance of, quite simply, men and women: their relation to one another, their distinctiveness, and the uniqueness of their callings.

In our second Theology on Tap posting, Dr. Susan Windley-Daoust speaks on Catholic teachings on end-of-life morality, specifically with regards to physician’s assisted suicide and why the Catholic Church takes such a strong stance against it. Modern bioethics is one of the most important and complex topics today, particularly when it comes to faith and evangelization. We hope that you find Dr. Windley-Daoust’s presentation as valuable as we did.

In this week’s Theology on Tap posting, we have a talk given by Father (then Deacon) Matt Wagner, who is a dear friend of the podcast, former guest on the show, and the freshest priest in the Diocese of Winona-Rochester. He speaks passionately on the need for community, and how this need is not only a Christian necessity but a uniquely human necessity that is uniquely satisfied through the Church.

This week, in our final episode of Season Two, Brian and Eric give their response to Brett’s interview by discussing the issue that sits at the very heart of this show: how to truly love those with whom you disagree. They grapple with (among other things) truth, community, the heart of friendship, and the difficulties and possibilities of honest love. We hope you enjoy this final conversation of Season Two (as well as Season Two’s blooper reel!).

As always: thank you all so very much for listening. We can’t wait until we sit down with you all again.

In this, the final interview of Season Two, Eric sits down with his good friend Brett Blattner, whom he met last fall when Brett was assigned to observe Eric’s classroom. The two of them discuss Brett’s story, from his upbringing in the ELCA Lutheran church to his exposure to intellectual Christianity at Luther College. Finally, Brett asks a question that gets to the heart of Christian fellowship and, frankly, at the heart of the mission of this podcast: does Eric see Brett as a brother in faith, or (being that Brett is not Catholic) does Eric see Brett as needing evangelization? BONUS: Old friend Phil Meyer, who was featured in the final interview of Season 1 (Episode 43: Complete Fulphilment), stops in to help Eric out with the intro. ENJOY!

Recommended Reads: Fides et Ratio, Papa JP; Theology and Sanity, Frank Sheed; Redemptoris Missio, Papa JP

This week, Brian and Eric sit down to respond to Brian’s interview with Becca. They continue discussing what has become something of a regular topic among our interviewees: community. Specifically, they discuss how to find healing from wounds caused by unhealthy community experiences, particularly unhealthy faith communities. Then they dive into Becca’s question about the role of women in the Catholic Church (specifically with regards to the priesthood). The boys do their best to answer the question, while also exploring how the Church can better communicate the truth regarding the oft-misunderstood issue.

Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay back at the beginning of the podcast, we did an interview with Jared Sands. This week, we are fortunate to have as a guest Becca Sands (of whom Jared is husband). Becca sat down with Brian to discuss her background in Christianity and her current spirituality, concluding with a question about women in today’s Church.

For the last few weeks, we’ve been discussing community on this podcast. This week, in Eric’s interview with his friend Paul, we discuss another aspect of Christian community: namely, impact and difficulty of when a Christian community lets you down.

THIS WEEK Brian and Eric tackle Greg's interview, with particular focus on his question regarding the role and significance of community in the life of faith. They discuss the difference and relationship between community and communion, and why real communion is so important when seeking to develop a church community. Brian also mocks Eric's farmer's (track coach's) tan. Enjoy!