The Word on Fire Show - Catholic Faith and Culture

Does God exist? That is the question Catholic comedian and television host, Stephen Colbert, debated with his Late Show guest, the popular actor and outspoken atheist, Ricky Gervais. The YouTube video clip of the two men going "head to head on religion" has gone viral, quickly garnering over 2.5 million views. In this episode of The Word on Fire Show, Bishop Barron breaks down each segment of the discussion and offers helpful insights for everyone fascinated (or haunted) by questions about God. The listener question asks whether atheists or theists bear the burden of proof when it comes to these debates.

Topics Discussed

• 0:17 - Introduction, Bishop Barron's trip to Georgia for a Pivotal Players promotion
• 4:00 - Colbert to Gervais, "Why is there something rather than nothing?"
• 7:36 - What is the difference between asking why the universe exists and h0w the universe exists?
• 12:05 - Colbert to Gervais, "Do you believe in a prime mover?"
• 14:05 - Gervais explains what he believes an agnostic atheist is.
• 16:57 - Gervais to Colbert, "You deny one less God than I do"
• 20:52 - Colbert to Gervais, "Do you ever have a feeling of great gratitude for existence?"
• 25:47 - Gervais explains to Colbert that Science is repeatable and holy books are not.
• 29:20 - Listener Question: Do atheists or theists bear the burden of proof during debates about the existence of God?

• Videos
  • Ricky Gervais And Stephen Go Head-To-Head On Religion
  • Atheism and Philosophy
  • Bishop Barron on Stephen Hawking and Atheism
  • Bishop Barron on Stephen Fry, Job, and Suffering
  • Bishop Barron on God's Existence and The Argument from Desire
• DVD's
  • CATHOLICISM: The Pivotal Players (Word On Fire)
  • Catholicism: A Journey to the Heart of the Faith (Word On Fire)
  • The Mystery of God (Word On Fire)
  • Faith Clips (Word On Fire)
• Articles
  • Playing at Atheism (Bishop Barron)
  • The Glory of God is a Human Being 'Fully Alive' (Bishop Barron)
  • Bishop Barron on Atheists at the CNN Belief Blog (Bishop Barron)
• Books
  • The Priority of Christ by Bishop Barron
  • Word On Fire: Proclaiming the Power of Christ by Bishop Barron
  • Catholicism by Bishop Barron

• Study Program
  • The Mystery of God: Who God Is and Why He Matters (Bishop Barron)

• Websites
  • Word On Fire (Proclaiming Christ in the Culture)

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

Normally, in each episode we take one listener question. But we've received such a large number of outstanding questions from around the globe that we've decided to devote another episode to answering a range of questions from listeners like you. Bishop Barron answers several questions, rapid fire, on many different topics.

Be sure to visit LentenReflections.com to sign up for FREE Lenten reflections from Bishop Barron. A reflection is sent to your email each day during Lent with an accompanying prayer graphic from Word on Fire.

• 0:17 - Intro: Bishop Barron talks about Marriage as a sacrament
• 2:23 - Why was it necessary for Jesus to be baptized?
• 5:47 - Why is Jesus named "Jesus" and not Emanuel as the prophet predicted?
• 7:39 - Why are there so many names for God in the Old Testament, is "God" sufficient?
• 12:21 - By what means was Jesus able to avoid sin?
• 15:50 - What does Chesterton mean when he says, "The pint, the pipe, and the cross can all fit together."?
• 18:40 - Why did God allow the devil to exist?
• 22:05 - Besides Saint Joseph, what saints should new husbands and fathers study?
• 23:55 - Is there certain a disposition towards goodness that some people are born with while others are prone to struggle?

• Study Guides
  • CATHOLICISM: The Pivotal Players - Leader's Guide (Bishop Barron)
  • CATHOLICISM: The Pivotal Players - Study Guide (Bishop Barron)
  • CATHOLICISM: The Pivotal Players - Leaders Kit (Bishop Barron)

• DVDs
  • CATHOLICISM: The Pivotal Players (Bishop Barron)

• Books
  • Catholicism: A Journey to the Heart of the Faith by Bishop Barron
  • Seeds of the Word: Finding God in the Culture by Bishop Barron
  • Vibrant Paradoxes: The Both/And of Catholicism by Bishop Barron
  • Praying with the Pivotal Players by Bishop Barron
  • Thomas Aquinas: Spiritual Master by Bishop Barron

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

Are you saved? This is a question we have heard from our Protestant friends regarding the state of grace for individual souls. In this episode of the Word on Fire Show, Bishop Barron discusses the Catholic response to this question and in doing so reveals the rich, multivalent message of the Cross. The listener question asks about original sin.

Topics Discussed

• 0:17 - Introduction, Bishop Barron's trip to Hawaii for the Red Mass
• 5:00 - How should we respond to the question, "Are you saved?"
• 8:10 - What are we being saved from?
• 11:30 - Why is the Old Testament important for understanding salvation?
• 13:35 - Why does God use the act of crucifixion to affect our salvation?
• 18:08 - What's the difference between individual salvation and the idea that God saved humanity on the Cross?
• 19:45 - What roll do the sacraments play in salvation?
• 22:47 - Where did Martin Luther differ from the Church?
• 26:10 - Listener Question: How do we inherit original sin?

• Videos
  • Bishop Barron on Baptism
  • Bishop Barron on The Council of Trent
  • Bishop Barron on Original Sin
  • Bishop Barron on The Scandalous Cross of Jesus
• DVD's
  • CATHOLICISM: The Pivotal Players (Word On Fire)
  • Catholicism: A Journey to the Heart of the Faith (Word On Fire)
  • The Mystery of God (Word On Fire)
  • Faith Clips (Word On Fire)
• Articles
  • What Precisely is the Gospel? (Bishop Barron)
  • The Glory of God is a Human Being 'Fully Alive' (Bishop Barron)
• Books
  • The Priority of Christ by Bishop Barron
  • Word On Fire: Proclaiming the Power of Christ by Bishop Barron
  • Catholicism by Bishop Barron
• Homilies
  • Faith Perfected by Love (Bishop Barron)

• Study Program
  • The Mystery of God: Who God Is and Why He Matters (Bishop Barron)

• Websites
  • Word On Fire (Proclaiming Christ in the Culture)

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

Bishop Robert Barron is a bona fide bibliophile. Any quiet moment outside his holy hours, he can be found at his workbench writing a book or on his patio reading one. In this episode of the Word on Fire Show, Bishop Barron discusses some new and notable books that he's read, which range from the scholarly insight of Dietrich von Hildebrand to the poetic storytelling of Sally Read to the popular encouragement of Rick Warren. The listener question comes from a college student who wonders how God can be all-loving to his people and rain fire down on cities in the Old Testament.

Topics Discussed

• 0:17 - Introduction, Bishop Barron's 2017 goals and resolutions
• 3:15 - Who is Dietrich von Hildebrand and why does he matter?
• 5:30 - What was the liturgical movement that took place in the 1920's and 30's.
• 7:00 - According to Hildebrand, how does the faith and liturgy shape a well-cultivated personality?
• 10:00 - Who is Sally Read and what is her story?
• 14:0o - What is the way of beauty and why is it important?
• 18:20 - What is the premise of Rick Warren's The Purpose Driven Church
• 21:10 - What are some of the things that Evangelical churches do right in terms of church growth and health?
• 20:35 - What can Catholics learn from the mega church model?
• 25:33 - Listener question: If God exists non-competitively with his creation and is all-loving, why does he rain down fire on cities?

• Videos
  • Bishop Barron on Fleming Rutledge's "The Crucifixion"
  • Bishop Barron on Anthony Doerr's "All the Light We Cannot See"
  • Bishop Barron on the Book of Revelation
• DVD's
  • CATHOLICISM: The Pivotal Players (Word On Fire)
  • Faith Clips (Word On Fire)
• Articles
  • Forward to Hildebrand's Liturgy and Personality (Bishop Barron)
  • Why you should read C.S. Lewis' "The Great Divorce" (Bishop Barron)
  • What should Catholic's Make of Eckhart Tolle
• Books
  • Liturgy and Personality by Dietrich von Hildebrand
  • The Mystical Body of Christ by Fulton J. Sheen
  • Night's Bright Darkness by Sally Read
  • The Purpose Driven Church by Rick Warren
  • Word On Fire: Proclaiming the Power of Christ by Bishop Barron
  • Seeds of the Word by Bishop Barron

• Study Program
  • The Mystery of God: Who God Is and Why He Matters (Bishop Barron)

• Websites
  • Word On Fire (Proclaiming Christ in the Culture)

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

The much-anticipated "Silence", based upon the Shusaku Endo novel of the same name, is a worthy addition to the Scorsese oeuvre. It is marked by gorgeous cinematography, outstanding performances from both lead and supporting actors, a gripping narrative, and enough thematic complexity to keep you discussing the film for the foreseeable future. In this episode of the Word on Fire Show, Bishop Barron discusses his insights about "Silence" [SPOILER ALERT]. The listener question comes from a young child who wonders where we were before God made us.

Topics Discussed

• 0:17 - Introduction, Bishop Barron's Christmas vacation and silent retreat
• 3:35 - What is the premise of "Silence"?
• 4:55 - What was Bishop Barron's reaction to reading the book for the first time?
• 5:45 - How would you react if your great spiritual hero abandoned the faith?
• 6:58 - What is the significance of the moment when the priests arrive in Japan
• 9:25 - How do we approach the question of whether or not we would keep our faith under persecution?
• 11:35 - What do we make of Fr. Rodriguez's conclusion that it is ok to step on Jesus' face?
• 14:45 - How do we approach the idea that we can do something wrong in order to create a greater good?
• 16:45 - Why has the Christian faith had such difficulty flourishing in Japan?
• 20:35 - What does Bishop Barron think about Martin Scorsese?
• 24:10 - Who is the hero of this film?
• 25:20 - Question from listener: How did we start before we were born?

• Videos
  • Bishop Barron on "Silence"
  • Bishop Barron on "Departed"
  • Bishop Barron on "Noah"
  • Bishop Barron on "Whiplash"
• DVD's
  • CATHOLICISM: The New Evangelization (Word On Fire)
  • Faith Clips (Word On Fire)
• Articles
  • "The Martian" and Why Each Life Matters (Bishop Barron)
  • "The Avengers" and Friedrich Nietzsche (Bishop Barron)
  • "The Theory of Everything": A God-Haunted Film (Bishop Barron)
• Books
  • Silence by Shusaku Endo
  • Seeds of the Word: Finding God in the Culture by Bishop Barron
  • Word On Fire: Proclaiming the Power of Christ by Bishop Barron

• Study Program
  • The Mystery of God: Who God Is and Why He Matters (Bishop Barron)

• Websites
  • Word On Fire (Proclaiming Christ in the Culture)

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

In this episode of the Word on Fire Show we hear one of the world's great theologians unpack one of the richest texts in all of ancient scripture. Thomas Aquinas College hosts Bishop Robert Barron, as he speaks on "David Dancing Before the Ark: The Liturgical Theology Implicit in 2nd Samuel" as part of the St. Vincent de Paul Lecture and Concert Series. In Part Two of the Bishop's great talk, he articulates the theological implications of David dancing before the Ark of the Covenant.

IMPORTANT: Use coupon code SAM5 to save $5 on your copy of 2 Samuel by Bishop Barron

• Videos
  • David and the Priesthood (1 of 2)
  • David and the Priesthood (2 of 2)
  • Bishop Barron on Nature and the Biblical God

• DVD's
  • Priest, Prophet, King
  • Mystery of God
  • The Bishop Barron Library

• Articles
  • Biblical Wisdom for Troubled Times
  • Stephen Fry, Job, and the Cross of Jesus

• Books
  • 2 Samuel by Bishop Robert Barron
  • The Priority of Christ: Toward a Postliberal Catholicism by Bishop Robert Barron
  • Word on Fire: Proclaiming the Power of Christ by Bishop Robert Barron
  • Seeds of the Word: Finding God in the Culture by Bishop Robert Barron
  • Bridging the Great Divide by Bishop Robert Barron

• Websites
  • Word On Fire (Proclaiming Christ in the Culture)
  • Daily Catholic Gospel Reflections (Bishop Barron)

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

In this episode of the Word on Fire Show we hear one of the world's great theologians unpack one of the richest texts in all of ancient scripture. Thomas Aquinas College hosts Bishop Robert Barron, as he speaks on "David Dancing Before the Ark: The Liturgical Theology Implicit in 2nd Samuel" as part of the St. Vincent de Paul Lecture and Concert Series. In Part One of the Bishop's great talk, he describes David as a new Adam, a priestly figure whose liturgical practices bring to bear revelations about the strangeness of God.

IMPORTANT: Use coupon code SAM5 to save $5 on your copy of 2 Samuel by Bishop Barron

Bonus Resources

• Videos
  • David and the Priesthood (1 of 2)
  • David and the Priesthood (2 of 2)
  • Bishop Barron on Nature and the Biblical God

• DVD's
  • Priest, Prophet, King
  • Mystery of God
  • The Bishop Barron Library

• Articles
  • Biblical Wisdom for Troubled Times
  • Stephen Fry, Job, and the Cross of Jesus

• Books
  • 2 Samuel by Bishop Robert Barron
  • The Priority of Christ: Toward a Postliberal Catholicism by Bishop Robert Barron
  • Word on Fire: Proclaiming the Power of Christ by Bishop Robert Barron
  • Seeds of the Word: Finding God in the Culture by Bishop Robert Barron
  • Bridging the Great Divide by Bishop Robert Barron

• Websites
  • Word On Fire (Proclaiming Christ in the Culture)
  • Daily Catholic Gospel Reflections (Bishop Barron)

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

The Internet has produced the most profound shift in communications since the printing press, and many in the Church are using it to spread the Gospel. But how best to do it? How do we share our faith online without succumbing to the toxicity and vitriol that saturate much of the digital world? Bishop Barron discusses these questions today and shares his own advice for becoming an online missionary. A listener asks how he should respond when sharing his faith on Facebook provokes criticism.

Topics Discussed

• 0:18 - Three digital milestones at Word on Fire
• 2:25 - How Bishop Barron got started with new media evangelization
• 5:35 - Most surprising part about YouTube
• 6:44 - Engaging YouTube commenters
• 7:37 - How the Internet is like a "new Areopagus"
• 9:15 - Why Bishop Barron's online style is effective
• 11:03 - How Bishop Barron handles online vitriol
• 15:32 - Social media's unique dynamic
• 16:55 - Do we need a theology of new media?
• 21:08 - Bishop Barron's advice for new media evangelists
• 23:19 - What role should new media play in priestly formation?
• 24:38 - Question from listener: How should we discuss our beliefs on social media?

• Videos
  • "Theology and the New Media" (Bishop Barron)
  • "The Vatican and New Media" (Bishop Barron)

• DVD/Study Program
  • CATHOLICISM: The New Evangelization

• Articles
  • "Surprising Lessons from Ten Million YouTube Views" (Bishop Barron)

• Books
  • The Church and New Media (Brandon Vogt, chapter by Bishop Barron)

• Lectures
  • "The New Evangelization: The Impact of Social Media" (Bishop Barron)
  • "The New Evangelization and the New Media" (Bishop Barron)
  • "Against the YouTube Heresies" (Bishop Barron)

• Websites
  • Word On Fire (Proclaiming Christ in the Culture)
  • Daily Catholic Gospel Reflections (Bishop Barron)

On the first day of the calendar year, the Church celebrates The Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God. This day honors the Blessed Virgin Mary under the aspect of her motherhood of Jesus. With her great "yes" to the Divine Will, Mary effectively reverses the negative trajectory caused by the great "no" of the world's first woman, Eve. Today's episode of the Word on Fire Show discusses how Mary, the Mother of God, represents the New Eve who ushers forth the New Adam, the Savior of the World, Jesus Christ. The listener question asks about the perpetual virginity of Mary.

Topics Discussed

• 0:17 Introduction: Bishop celebrates the Virgin of Guadalupe in Los Angeles
• 5:08 - Why is the Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God so important
• 7:02 - What is the controversy behind calling Mary "The Mother of God"?
• 9:40 - Why were people parading through the streets when Mary was named "Theotokos"?
• 11:05 - How does Mary compare to Eve?
• 14:13 - What is the theological foundation for reverencing Mary?
• 16:10 - Was Mary aware of her role in salvation history?
• 18:16 - How should we understand the Angel's words to Mary, "Hail, full of grace"?
• 19:40 - How is Mary the first disciple?
• 21:03 - How should we respond to Protestants or those who say that we ought not reverence Mary?
• 22:40 - Question from listener: What is the necessity of the Marian doctrine regarding Mary's perpetual virginity?

• Videos
  • The Queenship of Mary
  • What Gifts Does God Give the Catholic Church?
  • What Helps Protestants Convert to Catholicism?

• DVD's
  • Catholicism: The Pivotal Players (Word on Fire)
  • Catholicism series (Word On Fire)
  • Faith Clips (Word On Fire)

• Articles
  • The Challenge of Our Lady of Guadalupe (Bishop Barron)
  • Satellites, the Internet, and the Communion of Saints (Bishop Barron)
  • Why Christmas Should Bother Everybody (Bishop Barron)

• Books
  • The Strangest Way by Bishop Barron
  • Exploring Catholic Theology by Bishop Barron
  • Catholicism by Bishop Barron

• Homilies
  • The Fiat of Mary
  • Mary the Warrior
  • Reading the New Testament in Light of the Old

• Websites
  • Word On Fire (Proclaiming Christ in the Culture)
  • Daily Catholic Gospel Reflections (Bishop Barron)

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

St. Luke's telling of the Christmas story, which is read at Midnight Masses all over the Catholic world, commences by invoking the first-century's most powerful man: "In those days Caesar Augustus published a decree ordering a census of the whole world." Then the story continues by introducing a new King, one born in straw poverty, wrapped in swaddling clothes and placed in a feeding trough. This is the poetry by which God enters into our world, not as a tyrant surrounded by powers of earthly violence but as a fragile baby surrounded by an army of heavenly angels set to usher him to the cross. Today's episode of the Word on Fire Show discusses this subversive Christmas tale and encourages us to consider which king we choose to follow. The listener question asks about the relationship between mind, body, and spirit.

Topics Discussed

• 0:17 - Introduction: What was Word on Fire doing in New York City?
• 3:40 - What is the political backdrop of the Christmas story?
• 5:42 - Who were Mary and Joseph of Nazareth?
• 8:00 - What is the significance of Bethlehem?
• 9:50 - How strange is it that God came in the form of a baby?
• 12:33 - What is the significance of the manger?
• 13:32 - How does The Lord of the Rings relate to the Christmas story?
• 16:00 - Why is the birth of this baby good news for the shepherds?
• 17:42 - What is the terrifying undertone signaled by the angels who appear above the manger?
• 20:45 - How might Catholics get in the Christmas spirit?
• 21:47 - Question from listener: What is the relationship between the body, mind, and spirit?

• Videos
  • "The Giver" and Recovering our Christian Memory
  • Reflections on Christmas
  • Christmas and the Prologue of John
• DVD's
  • Catholicism: The Pivotal Players (Word on Fire)
  • Catholicism series (Word On Fire)
  • Faith Clips (Word On Fire)
• Articles
  • The True King (Bishop Barron)
  • Why You Need Spiritual Food (Bishop Barron)
  • Why Christmas Should Bother Everybody (Bishop Barron)
  • I was an Atheist Until I Read "The Lord of the Rings" (Fredric Heidemann)

• Books
  • 2 Samuel by Bishop Barron
  • Exploring Catholic Theology by Bishop Barron
  • Chrismas Bundle by Bishop Barron

• Homilies
  • God's Subversive Ways (Bishop Barron)
  • Christmas Surprise (Word on Fire)

• Websites
  • Word On Fire (Proclaiming Christ in the Culture)
  • Daily Catholic Gospel Reflections (Bishop Barron)

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