The Word on Fire Show - Catholic Faith and Culture

On today's episode, Brandon Vogt and I discuss my recent conversation with Alex O'Connor (aka @CosmicSkeptic), one of the most popular atheists in the world. We replay and unpack some of the most important clips from the dialogue. (Watch the full dialogue here.)

A listener who was raised Christian, but became atheist for many years, asks advice on re-engaging with Christianity.

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Today we share the second half of Bishop Barron's 2020 address at the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, titled "Called Into the Depths." He discussed three sailors from the Bible: the patriarch Noah, the prophet Jonah, and our Savior Jesus Christ.

The sea can be thought of as something frightening and terrifying, standing athwart the purposes of God with its unforgiving power and discouraging darkness. However, when we allow ourselves to be swallowed up by the Lord's will, we will find a peace that is sure and unshakable, even in the midst of the worst storms.

• Support the Word on Fire Bible project, and get a sneak peek at Volume II!

NOTE: Do you like this podcast? Become a patron and get some great perks for helping, like free books, bonus content, and more. Word on Fire is a non-profit ministry that depends on the support of our listeners…like you! So be part of this mission, and join us today!

A new Gallup survey found that the proportion of Americans who consider themselves members of a church, synagogue, or mosque has dropped below 50% for the first time in American history. In 1999, around 70% of Americans attended a church, synagogue, or mosque--today it's just 47%. Bishop Barron and Brandon discuss these results, what they mean, and why it matters whether someone belongs to a church. They also respond to commenters on Reddit who reveal why they stopped going to church and will never go back.

A listener asks, why doesn't the spiritual life get easier?

• Support the Word on Fire Bible project

NOTE: Do you like this podcast? Become a patron and get some great perks for helping, like free books, bonus content, and more. Word on Fire is a non-profit ministry that depends on the support of our listeners…like you! So be part of this mission, and join us today!

Today we share the first half of Bishop Barron's 2020 address at the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, titled "Called Into the Depths." He discussed three sailors from the Bible: the patriarch Noah, the prophet Jonah, and our Savior Jesus Christ.

The sea can be thought of as something frightening and terrifying, standing athwart the purposes of God with its unforgiving power and discouraging darkness. However, when we allow ourselves to be swallowed up by the Lord's will, we will find a peace that is sure and unshakable, even in the midst of the worst storms.

• Support the Word on Fire Bible project, and get a sneak peek at Volume II!

NOTE: Do you like this podcast? Become a patron and get some great perks for helping, like free books, bonus content, and more. Word on Fire is a non-profit ministry that depends on the support of our listeners…like you! So be part of this mission, and join us today!

The Word on Fire Bible series is one of the most ambitious and significant projects we've ever taken on. Listen as Bishop Barron and Brandon discuss where the idea came from and the future of the project. They also give you a sneak peek at Volume II of the series, which will cover Acts, Letters, and Revelation.

Support the Word on Fire Bible project and claim your copy of Volume II!

A listener asks, why doesn't the spiritual life get easier?

• The Pope Benedict XVI Reader
• Support the Word on Fire Bible project

NOTE: Do you like this podcast? Become a patron and get some great perks for helping, like free books, bonus content, and more. Word on Fire is a non-profit ministry that depends on the support of our listeners…like you! So be part of this mission, and join us today!

Today we share Bishop Barron's talk at the 2021 Los Angeles Religious Education Congress titled "Catholics, Media Mobs, and the Culture of Contempt." The talk focuses on how to address the swell of negative and nasty behavior we're seeing online, not just in general but especially among Catholics.

• The Pope Benedict XVI Reader from Word on Fire
• Support the Word on Fire Bible project, and get a sneak peek at Volume II!

NOTE: Do you like this podcast? Become a patron and get some great perks for helping, like free books, bonus content, and more. Word on Fire is a non-profit ministry that depends on the support of our listeners…like you! So be part of this mission, and join us today!

From politics to COVID, this past year has been filled with disagreement. That led Christian apologist Natasha Crain to write an article titled "Disagreement Fatigue and 2020: How the Events of the Year Will Shape Christian Interactions in 2021 and Beyond."

Bishop Barron and Brandon discuss the article, focusing on three of Crain's predictions for 2021: more Christians will be hesitant to speak publicly about their faith, Christians will increasingly see apologetics as a contributor to (unhealthy) disagreement, and belief in a generic God will continue to be acceptable in culture, but belief in Jesus as God will become increasingly gauche.

A listener asks, what form was Jesus in before the incarnation?

• The Rosary w/ Bishop Barron
• Word on Fire Vatican II Collection

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Today we share Bishop Barron's talk from the FOCUS SEEK 2021 conference. The talk is titled "The Identity of Jesus" and explores how Christ had the authority to fulfill the Law of the Old Testament and bring about the will of God through the Church.

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• FOCUS

NOTE: Do you like this podcast? Become a patron and get some great perks for helping, like free books, bonus content, and more. Word on Fire is a non-profit ministry that depends on the support of our listeners…like you! So be part of this mission, and join us today!

What is the "dark night of the soul"? How does it differ from general depression, sadness, or confusion? Bishop Barron and Brandon explore this spiritual concept from St. John of the Cross, and discuss a famous saint from recent times who experienced this "dark night" in a profound way.

A listener asks, does God have a sense of humor? If so, is it objective so that everyone should find it funny?

• The Rosary w/ Bishop Barron
• Word on Fire Vatican II Collection

NOTE: Do you like this podcast? Become a patron and get some great perks for helping, like free books, bonus content, and more. Word on Fire is a non-profit ministry that depends on the support of our listeners…like you! So be part of this mission, and join us today!

Today we share the second half of Bishop Baron's talk titled "Knocking Holes in the Buffered Self: Approaches to the Question of God." (Click here to listen to the first half.) He gave the talk at Kenrick-Glennon Seminary as part of their Kenrick Lecture series.

Many—especially the young—in today's time have absented themselves from the practice of faith. Our culture and time is anomalous in the extreme, in that it's the first ever to widely entertain God's nonexistence. Christians, at least in the West, are facing a practically unprecedented crisis of disaffiliation. But there are paths out of the cave, and that's what Bishop Barron reveals.

Word on Fire Vatican II Collection: https://wordonfire.org/vatican2

NOTE: Do you like this podcast? Become a patron and get some great perks for helping, like free books, bonus content, and more. Word on Fire is a non-profit ministry that depends on the support of our listeners…like you! So be part of this mission, and join us today!