The Word on Fire Show - Catholic Faith and Culture

Merry Christmas! In today's episode, Bishop Barron walks us through the second chapter of Luke's Gospel, which recounts the birth of Jesus. As we see, this story is far from a safe, charming fairy tale. It tells the story of a new king, one who rivals the kingship of Caesar Augustus at every turn. A listener asks what St. John of the Cross meant by "the divine sweetness."

• 0:04 - Introduction: The fires of Southern California
• 2:40 - Why is "subversive" a good word for the Nativity narrative?
• 4:40 - What is the importance of the census in the Christmas story?
• 6:40 - Why does Luke begin the story by mentioning the great figures of the time?
• 8:00 - What is the significance of the "line of David"?
• 9:55 - What is the symbolic nature of there being no room at the inn, Jesus being wrapped in swaddling clothes, and Jesus being placed in a manger?
• 18:08 - What's the significance of the angels and shepherds?
• 25:50 - How were the Gospel writers spiritual and literary masters?
• 27:35 - Listener question: How do we dialogue with someone who creates their own personal religion?

Today we hear from some of our youngest listeners, as kids from all over the world ask Bishop Barron their most pressing theological questions. The kids are cute, but their questions are deep!

• 0:04 - Bishop Barron's birthday party
• 1:05 - Exciting event with William Lane Craig
• 4:00 - Did people live when dinosaurs live, and why did God kill dinosaurs?
• 7:35 - Will it be awkward in Heaven if you've married multiple times?
• 11:40 - Why was there an earthquake when Jesus was crucified, and why was the veil torn?
• 11:40 - If you die and go to Heaven, do you become a saint?
• 16:15 - When you die, if you go to Hell, will you go there forever or could Jesus take you to Heaven?
• 22:40 - How did God start to exist? How God effect the Big Bang?
• 27:45 - Does God love everybody, even the devil?

If you've listened to any number of Bishop Robert Barron's homilies or lectures, you've likely heard him use sports analogies to create a vision of the spiritual life. In this episode of the Word On Fire Show, Bishop Barron discusses how the world of sports and athleticism can help us grow in faith and understanding. The listener question asks about leisure and the Sabbath.

• 0:05 - Introduction
• 1:30 - What is Bishop Barron's background with sports?
• 4:00 - Why does the culture hold sports in such high regard up and down the ages?
• 6:00 - How do the rules in sports relate to religion?
• 10:30 - What do coaches teach us about real love?
• 15:00 - How do the rigors of sports offer insights about the rigors of the spiritual life?
• 20:00 - Does athleticism and fitness ever do harm to the spirit?
• 22:47 - Listener Question: Why is leisure important on the Sabbath?

Have you ever wondered why there is a Christmas Season? Like no other holiday, Christmas carries with it an intense period of anticipation, in which our hearts are readied with hope and love. Christians call this waiting time "Advent", and Bishop Barron explains precisely what this time is all about in today's episode of the Word on Fire Show. The listener question asks how much is enough when it comes to petitionary prayer.

• 0:05 - Introduction - The USCCB meeting
• 2:00 - Why is there a Christmas Season?
• 4:20 - Why should a secular person care about the birth of Jesus?
• 6:45 - Why must we understand Israel if we want to understand Christmas?
• 10:50 - Why is Mary so pivotal during Advent? What about the rest of the characters in this story?
• 18:30 - Will Christmas ever become more Christian than it is today in our secular world?
• 26:30 - What are Bishop Barron's favorite things about Christmas?
• 28:15 - Listener Question: How much is enough when it comes to petitionary prayer.

Today we continue our discussion of the eight principles of the Word on Fire Movement by focusing on the fifth principle, "Affirmative Orthodoxy." This term, originating with John Allen, Jr., refers to a positive presentation of what the Church teaches, an emphasis on the Catholic "Yes!" more than a finger-wagging "No!" A listen asks how we concretely love people in difficult situations.

• 0:05 - Introduction and the Erasmus lecture
• 3:00 - What is Affirmative Orthodoxy?
• 6:30 - Why is Affirmative Orthodoxy important to evangelization?
• 8:30 - G.K. Chesterton's adventurous orthodoxy
• 11:30 - How do we frame Affirmative Orthodoxy around modern sexual morality?
• 16:30 - How is it possible to maintain Affirmative Orthodoxy during a debate?
• 19:30 - What are some good Affirmative Orthodoxy strategies?
• 20:45 - How can we concretely love people in difficult situations?

We just passed the 500th anniversary of the start of the Protestant Reformation, when Martin Luther nailed his 95 theses to the door of a Wittenberg church, and initiated a massive split of the Christian community. What should Catholics make of this event 500 years later? How should we view Protestantism and relate to our Protestant brothers and sisters? That's what Bishop Barron discussed today. A listener asks how Catholics should feel about Protestants.

• 0:05 - Introduction
• 2:00 - What are Bishop Barron's initial thoughts on this anniversary?
• 4:00 - Who is Stanley Hauerwas?
• 6:15 - Why is Hauerwas so friendly to the Catholic tradition?
• 8:00 - Is the Reformation effectively over?
• 13:40 - How does the Reformation continue to fracture the Church Universal?
• 17:50 - What was the difference maker for reform movements that did not splinter the Church, such as the Franciscans and Dominicans?
• 21:00 - Is the problem of authority the key to Protestantism?
• 24:00 - How should Catholics feel about Protestant denominations?

Today we celebrate the hundredth episode of "The Word on Fire Show"! It's hard to believe we've reach that mark. But to celebrate, we decided to focus on you, our listeners, and your wonderful questions. Bishop Barron answers several listener questions about a whole range of topics.

SPECIAL: Pick up your FREE copy of Bishop Barron's "Advent Gospel Reflections" booklet and get inspiring reflections throughout this holy season. The book is free, you just cover the shipping. Just click here to order.

• 0:04 - Introduction
• 2:30 - What are Bishop Barron's thoughts on Stoicism?
• 5:15 - What if "willing the good" of one person causes problems for another?
• 8:30 - Why are angels commonly depicted as children in artwork?
• 10:45 - What are the first steps for someone who is considering becoming Catholic?
• 13:10 - Was Jesus made in the image of God or is Jesus God?
• 16:50 - Does Jesus want us to follow all of the laws of the Old Testament?
• 21:30 - Why did God create the world?
• 23:30 - Does Bishop Barron plan on starting a Catholic movement?

Find bonus links and resources for this episode at http://WordOnFireShow.com and be sure to submit your questions at http://AskBishopBarron.

This week, Bishop Barron is giving the annual "Erasmus Lecture" for First Things, where he'll speak on "Evangelizing the 'Nones'." That's the them of this episode, which explores why young people are becoming disconnected to religion, and what we can do to draw them back. A listener asks what makes great music truly great.

SPECIAL: Pick up your FREE copy of Bishop Barron's "Advent Gospel Reflections" booklet and get inspiring reflections throughout this holy season. The book is free, you just cover the shipping. Just click here to order.

• 0:04 - Introduction, Bishop Speaks at the Cornerstone Conference and prepares for the Erasmus Lecture
• 06:00 - Brief synopsis of iGen, a book that discusses America's newest and least religious generation
• 08:30 - How does our culture's celebration of individual choice create "nones", and how do we approach this issue as evangelists?
• 12:20 - How has scientism led to the creation of the "nones", and how do we approach this issue as evangelists?
• 16:15 - How has the "LGBTQ movement" contributed to the rise of the "nones", and is Christianity anti-gay?
• 23:00 - What are the 5 pathways to reach the "nones"?
• 26:50 - How do we approach a person who has zero interest in religion?
• 29:00 - Listener Question: What makes great music great?

Find bonus links and resources for this episode at http://WordOnFireShow.com and be sure to submit your questions at http://AskBishopBarron.

In his new book, To Light a Fire on the Earth, Bishop Barron shares the story of his own spiritual formation as a young man coming of age after Vatican II, who is then called to preach to a secular world. Thankfully, the bishop was guided by great men who, despite the tide of secularism and moral relativism, embodied the steadfast spirituality, integrity, and moral rectitude that informs a heroic priesthood. In this episode of the Word On Fire Show, Bishop Barron discusses the impact of five key figures in his life, beginning with his father, John Clayton Barron, Sr. and ending with his late, great mentor, Cardinal Francis George of Chicago.

SPECIAL: Pre-order Bishop Barron's new hardcover book today for just $19.95 (26% off) and free shipping. You'll also receive three bonus eBooks from Bishop Barron! Just click here to order.

• 00:04 - Introduction, first printing and a visit from the Papal Ninja
• 02:40 - The father of Father Barron
• 07:20 - Adolescence and Mr. Tim White's English class
• 11:52 - Seminary years with Msgr. Robert Sokolowski
• 17:42 - Serving as a parish priest with Msgr. Bill Quinn
• 23:00 - The mission and mentorship of Cardinal Francis George
• 28:25 - Listener Question: How do we respond to critics who say that it's worthless to "send our thoughts and prayers" in times of crisis?

Find bonus links and resources for this episode at http://WordOnFireShow.com and be sure to submit your questions at http://AskBishopBarron.

This is the second part of a series responding to a viral YouTube video titled "Aquinas and the Cosmological Arguments" (750,000+ views), which claims that Thomas Aquinas' arguments for God have been decisively refuted. But have they? Bishop Barron responds to the video and shows that when properly understood, Thomas' arguments are as strong today as ever before. A listener asks how the word "Gospel" would have been understood in the first century.

SPECIAL: Pre-order the hardcover book today for just $19.95 (26% off) and free shipping. You'll also receive three bonus eBooks from Bishop Barron! Just click here to order.

• 0:05 - Introduction, background on Crash Course video
• 1:40 - Are Aquinas' first four arguments for God unimpressive because they don't lead to a personal God?
• 8:15 - Does Aquinas' argument for God allow for polytheism?
• 12:2o - Does Aquinas' argument for God allow God to be an egg, a turtle, or a big block of stone?
• 14:35 - Are there major flaws that make Aquinas' argument invalid?
• 16:45 - Is Aquinas' argument self-defeating, because God would require a cause?
• 21:05 - Do you have to believe Aquinas' arguments in order to believe in God?
• 26:30 - Question from listener: Was the word "Gospel" used often in Jesus' time?

• Books
  • Thomas Aquinas: Spiritual Master by Bishop Barron
  • Aquinas: A Beginner's Guide by Edward Feser
  • Five Proofs of the Existence of God by Edward Feser
  • The Last Superstition: A Refutation of the New Atheism by Edward Feser
  • Aquinas: An Introduction to the Life and Work of the Great Medieval Thinker by F. C. Copleston
  • To Light a Fire on the Earth: Proclaiming Christ in a Secular Age by Bishop Barron

Find bonus links and resources for this episode at http://WordOnFireShow.com and be sure to submit your questions at http://AskBishopBarron.