Listen as Fr. Steve Grunow, CEO of Word on Fire, speaks to a group of young Jesuits about the perils of artificial intelligence and the online world.
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A hit Netflix documentary, “The Social Dilemma,” is a film about the dark side of social media explained by the Silicon Valley innovators behind it. Bishop Barron discusses some of the film's insights and offers a Catholic perspective on social media, technology, and their addictive qualities.
A listener asks, if Joseph descended from David, but is not Jesus' biological father, how is Jesus considered to be related to David?
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Today, we share the second half of Bishop Barron's recent discussion with Dave Rubin on the topic "Has Liberalism Failed?" (Click here to listen to the first half.) It's part of the "Bishop Barron Presents" series of conversations with various thinkers and cultural influencers.
In this discussion, Bishop Barron and Dave uncover the underlying issues fueling today’s partisan politics and the culture of contempt. Further, they discuss how to engage in constructive dialogue for the sake of the common good.
To listen to the full conversation, and gain access to dozens of courses, films, and other resources, become part of the Word on Fire Institute.
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There seems to be a growing sentiment, both within the Church and the wider culture, that if you share a public conversation with someone, or say something nice about one particular aspect of their work, you’re necessarily endorsing everything they’ve ever said or done and can therefore be easily dismissed, a fallacy known as "guilt by association."
Bishop Barron discusses this problem, how it undermines evangelization, and why he chooses to engage people from across the religious and cultural spectrum.
A listener asks, how do you respond to people who discredit Catholicism based on the sex abuse scandals?
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 recent discussion with Dave Rubin on the topic "Has Liberalism Failed?" It's part of the "Bishop Barron Presents" series of conversations with various thinkers and cultural influencers.
In this discussion, Bishop Barron and Dave uncover the underlying issues fueling today’s partisan politics and the culture of contempt. Further, they discuss how to engage in constructive dialogue for the sake of the common good.
To listen to the full conversation, and gain access to dozens of courses, films, and other resources, become part of the Word on Fire Institute.
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 look at Bishop Barron's favorite books of all time, from theology to poetry, fiction to stage plays. Download a full PDF guide to his favorite books at wordonfireshow.com/books.
A listener asks about Thomas Aquinas' views on women.
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 hear the second half of Bishop Barron's recent talk to the Knights of Malta, in which he explains that behind much of the rioting and deep unrest in our country stand ideas stemming from four influential thinkers: Karl Marx, Friedrich Nietzsche, Jean-Paul Sartre, and Michel Foucault. Once we understand some of their most basic ideas, we will recognize their influence everywhere today.
(If you missed the first half of the talk, click here to listen.)
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In this bonus “Word on Fire Show” episode, Bishop Barron discusses the long-awaited “McCarrick Report” (PDF), which the Holy See just released on Tuesday, November 10. This long and exhaustive report, spanning over 450 pages, shares the results of a two-year investigation into former-Cardinal Theodore McCarrick, exploring how he rose through the ranks of the Catholic hierarchy despite years of sexual abuse and cover up. Bishop Barron shares his thoughts, impressions, and offers a way forward through this awful crisis.
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 survey from Ligonier Ministries titled “The State of Theology” revealed lots of interesting things. But one finding that stood out, and generated lots of headlines, was that most Christians believe about Jesus. Nearly 70% of Catholics believe “Jesus is the first and greatest being created by God,” while 57% of Catholics believe “Jesus was a great teacher, but he was not God.” Bishop Barron and Brandon discuss this survey and the ancient heresy these statements reflect.
A listener asks if confirmation is supposed to make us fiery defenders of the faith, then why do some Protestants seem to have more fire for the faith, even without this sacrament?
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In a recent talk given to the Knights of Malta, Bishop Barron addressed this convulsive time in our national history, demonstrated by the global pandemic, unstable politics, and outbursts of violence. What he shows is that behind much of the rioting and deep unrest stand ideas stemming from four influential thinkers: Karl Marx, Friedrich Nietzsche, Jean-Paul Sartre, and Michel Foucault. Once we understand some of their most basic ideas, we will recognize their influence everywhere today.
In today's episode, we share the first half of the talk (the second half will be coming soon).
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Today, Bishop Barron answers questions from children all over the world, including:
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In this special episode, Word on Fire's John Barron interviews the design team responsible for the mesmerizing Word on Fire Bible, including Rozann Lee, Michael Stevens, and Nic Fredrickson. Listen as they share the story behind its creation and the workings of Providence that made it happen.
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With the presidential election around the corner, Bishop Barron and Brandon Vogt consider principles that should inform our voting decisions. They also discuss a recent Pew Research Center report titled “8 facts about Catholics and politics in the U.S” and explore the voting guidance provided by the U.S. bishops through their document, Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship.
A listener asks, what can a person of faith do that an atheist can’t do?
Listen to this sample lesson from Dr. Anthony Pagliarini's course for the Word on Fire Institute titled “How Nones Can Misread the Bible.” To access the other six lessons in this course, join the Word on Fire Institute today. You'll also receive a copy of Bishop Barron's new book, the latest issue of the Evangelization & Culture Journal, and immediate access to all of Bishop Barron's films and study programs!
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 postmodernism? What gave rise to it, what are its main characteristics, and how should Catholics assess it? In this episode, Bishop Barron and Brandon discuss the postmodern turn and its results.
A listener asks, is it impossible for some people to believe in God?
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Listen to the second part of this sample lesson from Bishop Barron's study program, "Untold Blessing," which explores the three paths of holiness. This is from the third path, knowing that your life is not about you. Enjoy! (Want access to the rest of the talks in this study program? Join the Word on Fire Institute today and get immediate access to all of Bishop Barron's films and study programs!)
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In his wildly popular book, A Manual for Creating Atheists, Peter Boghossian, a philosophy professor at Portland State University, outlines his process of “street epistemology,” which is intended to be a process of anti-evangelization, or talking people out of their religious faith. Bishop Barron and Brandon Vogt discuss this method of “street epistemology” and whether it's a good approach for religious dialogue.
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Listen to this sample lesson from Bishop Barron's classic study program, "Untold Blessing," which explores the three paths of holiness. Today, we'll hear the first half of Bishop Barron's reflections on the third path, knowing that your life is not about you. Enjoy!
(Want access to the rest of the talks in this study program? Join the Word on Fire Institute today and get immediate access to all of Bishop Barron's films and study programs!)
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, Bishop Barron answers questions from several non-Catholics, including:
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Listen to this sample lesson from Bishop Barron’s course inside the Word on Fire Institute on “The Theology of Hans Urs von Balthasar.” Then join the Word on Fire Institute to get access to all twelves lessons in the course (along with all of Bishop Barron’s films and study programs!)
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!
Our culture holds many different concepts of morality. In this episode, Bishop Barron and Brandon Vogt discuss three major theories–consequentialism, deontology/legalism, and virtue ethics–and how compatible each is with Catholicism.
A listener asks about the Word on Fire strategy for discipleship after we evangelize someone.
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Listen to this sample lesson from Bishop Barron's film and study program "Eucharist," and then get access to the full study program by joining the Word on Fire Institute.
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!
It's an exciting day as we celebrate the launch of Bishop Barron's newest book, Renewing Our Hope: Essays for the New Evangelization (CUA Press). The book pulls together 17 academic essays, talks, and papers that Bishop has composed over the past few years, and covers everything from evangelization, to theology, philosophy, the sex abuse crisis, the priesthood, relativism, liberalism, and even contemporary movies. Brandon and Bishop discuss the book in today's episode.
A listener asks how to dialogue with those who believe that Jesus is just one of many incarnations of God.
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How do we share the Faith in a culture where many people don’t understand what we mean by words like "sin" or "salvation"—and where the media constantly bombards us with the idea that the teachings of the Church are irrelevant, outdated, or bigoted?
All too often, people aren’t even interested in hearing about the Faith! Especially when we seek to reach young people or bring back those who have left the Church, we must find ways to communicate more effectively—in short, to make our arguments meaningful. Here, the imagination is essential, but often neglected.
In this sample lesson from her Word on Fire Institute course, Dr. Holly Ordway focuses on the role of the imagination in apologetics, showing how attention to language and meaning can make the work of catechesis and evangelization much more effective.
Want access to the rest of the course? Join the Word on Fire Institute today!
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!
Last month, Jon Steingard, frontman of the Christian rock group Hawk Nelson, revealed that “he no longer believes in God” after spending his life as a devout Christian. His prominent de-conversion was profiled by The TODAY Show, People Magazine, NPR, and numerous other outlets. In today’s episode of “The Word on Fire Show,” Bishop Barron and Brandon Vogt explore the reasons Jon Steingard gave to explain why he lost his faith.
A listener asks how to explain to a “none” the role of the Church’s magisterium.
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!