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The Word on Fire Show - Catholic Faith and Culture

Join Bishop Robert Barron for a weekly podcast on faith and culture. Find more episodes at http://WordOnFireShow.com and submit your questions at http://AskBishopBarron.com.
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The Word on Fire Show - Catholic Faith and Culture
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Now displaying: Category: general
Aug 21, 2017

What really happens when we die? In a recent interview with Larry King, popular astro-physicist, Neil deGrasse Tyson, offers a scientifically reduced answer to this philosophically rich question. In this episode of the Word On Fire Show, Bishop Barron reacts to Tyson's response and offers a more holistic understanding of human identity and death. A listener asks how God can be both a person and the sheer act of "to be" itself.

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Topics Discussed

  • 0:04 - Intro: Bishop Barron speaks at a tech conference
  • 1:30 - Explaining the interview and Tyson's explanation of physical death
  • 5:20 - Are scientists seen as the new priests?
  • 8:10 - What happens when you die besides the obvious scientific realities?
  • 10:00 - Why do atheists still cling to moral values?
  • 11:09 - Does culminating as meat for maggots offer a sense of eternal fulfillment?
  • 12:30 - Tyson's explanation of our annihilation upon death.
  • 14:55 - Is it a wish fulfilling fantasy to desire consciousness after death?
  • 20:00 - Would anyone really want to live forever?
  • 22:30 - What really happens when we die according to Christians?
  • 25:25 - Question from listener: How can God be both a person and the sheer act of "to be" itself?

Bonus Resources

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

Aug 14, 2017

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.

Topics Discussed

  • 0:05  - Intro: Bishop Barron returns from his CATHOLICISM: The Pivotal Players film trip
  • 2:00 - Should we feel guilty for not giving away all of our possessions and serving the poorest of the poor?
  • 5:10 - If there are aliens, did Jesus appear to them as well?
  • 7:45 - What is the difference between the Ascension and the Assumption?
  • 9:45 - Why do we take both the Bread and the Wine in Communion?
  • 13:20 - When does venting turn into gossip, and how do we avoid gossiping?
  • 18:45 - Where is Jesus' body today?
  • 24:25 - What might Jesus say about dealing with a bad breakup?
  • 26:45 - What resources should Catholics read to understand Martin Luther?

Bonus Resources

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

Aug 7, 2017

Bishop Barron is flying back from Europe after his Pivotal Players recording trip, so instead of a live show, we’re bringing you a special excerpt from his upcoming “David the King” series. Learn about Hannah and the “law of the gift” in this stirring commentary.

Also, be sure to visit DavidTheKing.com and use the coupon code DAVID to save $10 on the DVD or Blu-ray version of the series!

Bonus Resources

 

 

Jul 31, 2017

Bishop Robert Barron and his Word on Fire production are in Italy, filming the next round of CATHOLICISM: The Pivotal Players.

Be sure to take advantage of special behind the scenes access from the Pivotal Players film trip! Sign-up for exclusive footage at: WordOnFireShow.com/Videos

Topics Discussed

  • 0:05  – Intro, the new Spiderman movie
  • 1:28 – Does it ever get old for Bishop Barron to travel?
  • 2:41 – The CATHOLICISM series production team
  • 4:46 – Surprisingly small film crew for such a grand production
  • 5:50 – Interesting stops for a first visit to Rome
  • 9:15 – What’s the difference between a vacation and a pilgrimage?
  • 11:20 – Bishop Barron’s favorite place during the filming so far
  • 12:55 – The St. Francis fresco painted during his own lifetime
  • 13:20 – What’s Bishop Barron’s prayer like during a filming trip?
  • 15:33 – Why is the Divine Office so important to Bishop Barron?
  • 17:51 – Why all baptized people should consider praying the Liturgy of the Hours
  • 18:23 – Praying the psalms for the sake of the world
  • 19:20 – Who was St. Ambrose and why does he matter?
  • 23:28 – What do you miss most about the United States?
  • 24:20– Question from listener: Fr. Steve Grunow asks what St.
    Benedict and St. Augustine, both Italians, have to say to Italians today?

Bonus Resources

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

Jul 24, 2017

Bishop Robert Barron and his Word on Fire production team have just set off to Europe to film two brand new episodes for the hit television film series: CATHOLICISM: The Pivotal Players. This second volume of biographical documentaries features some of the greatest figures in all of world history.

Be sure to take advantage of special behind the scenes access from the Pivotal Players film trip! Sign-up for exclusive footage at: WordOnFireShow.com/Videos

Topics Discussed

  • 0:05  - Intro, the new Spiderman movie
  • 1:40 - What makes St. Benedict a pivotal player?
  • 6:10 - Why is St. Augustine a pivotal player?
  • 10:00 - What will Bishop Barron be filming in Rome?
  • 15:00 - What is Benedictine life like?
  • 19:45 - What will Bishop Barron be filming in Milan?
  • 23:25 - What will Bishop Barron be filming in Paris?
  • 25:00 - Question from listener: How were Adam and Eve able to fall from grace if they were born without original sin?

Bonus Resources

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

Jul 17, 2017

Have you ever had an opportunity to share your faith but opted to remain quiet? There are several reasons why we might shy away from these grace-filled moments. In this episode of the Word On Fire Show, Bishop Barron teaches us how to overcome the hurdles of evangelization and let loose our missionary potential. The listener question comes from an Australian medical student who wants to know how we can evangelize in our everyday settings.

Also, be sure to take advantage of our Word on Fire Show listener sale! ENTER PROMO CODE: DAVID to save $10 on our newest film at DavidTheKing.com

Topics Discussed

  • 0:05  - Intro, what Bishop Barron is reading
  • 1:25 - How do you overcome being nervous about discussing, debating religion?
  • 7:45 - How do we evangelize if we aren't scholars or experts about religion?
  • 13:55 - How do we evangelize without losing our friends or pushing people away by trying to convert them?
  • 18:25 - How do we evangelize in a culture that says religion is a private hobby that does not belong in the public sphere.
  • 25:00 - How do we overcome despair, feeling like nothing we say or do will have an evangelical effect.
  • 29:00 - Question from listener: How do we evangelize in our daily lives?

Bonus Resources 

 

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

Jul 10, 2017

Do you ever wish you could read more books? Have you ever thought about writing articles at the professional level or authoring your own book? Bishop Robert Barron has read a library's worth of texts, written fifteen books, and composed thousands of short works. In this episode of the Word on Fire Show, Bishop Barron offers helpful advice on how to improve your performance in the language arts.

Bonus Resources

  • Websites

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

Jul 3, 2017

In 2015 Bishop Robert Barron gave the opening keynote speech at the famous World Meeting of Families in Philadelphia. In front of this massive crowd of Catholics, Bishop Barron explained how Christianity is the greatest form of humanism because of its unique claim that all humans are made in the image and likeness of God. As representatives of God, we share in the responsibility of bringing the power, wisdom, heart, and mind of God out into the world. This episode of the Word on Fire Show features Part Two of the Bishop's powerful talk.

Bonus Resources

  • Websites
Jun 26, 2017

In 2015 Bishop Robert Barron gave the opening keynote speech at the famous World Meeting of Families in Philadelphia. In front of this massive crowd of Catholics, Bishop Barron explained how Christianity is the greatest form of humanism because of its unique claim that all humans are made in the image and likeness of God. As representatives of God, we share in the responsibility of bringing the power, wisdom, heart, and mind of God out into the world. This episode of the Word on Fire Show features Part One of the Bishop's powerful talk.

Bonus Resources

  • Websites
Jun 12, 2017

Marriage has been one of the most talked about topics in the news over the past decade. Despite all the interest surrounding the institution of marriage, the numbers of people actually getting married has dwindled. In this episode Bishop Barron explores the beauty and goodness of married life by discussing the spirituality that undergirds this timeless institution. The listener question wonders what will happen to marriages in heaven.

Topics Discussed

  • 0:05  - Introduction and the Vogt's visit to Santa Barbara
  • 2:00 - Why has the number of people getting married declined?
  • 6:30 - What is the number one priority in being a husband or wife?
  • 8:40 - What is the Sacrament of Holy Matrimony?
  • 10:07 - What is the key to a healthy marriage?
  • 16:00 - How can a celibate priest be an authority on marriage?
  • 19:50 - Why does the Catholic Church demand an openness to children within a marriage?
  • 22:20 - Advice from Bishop Barron for people who aren't sure if they ever want to get married
  • 23:40 - Advice from Bishop Barron for those who aspire for marriage
  • 25:30 - Advice from Bishop Barron for those discerning marriage within their current relationship
  • 26:27 - Advice from Bishop Barron for those who are struggling through a difficult marriage or a divorce
  • 27:20 - Question from listener: Will I be with my wife as husband and wife in heaven?

Bonus Resources

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

Jun 7, 2017

Word on Fire Show host Brandon Vogt stopped into the Santa Barbara studio with his five children while on a cross-country road trip. The Vogt children were given the chance to ask Bishop Barron about God, Mary, and bananas in this special bonus episode of the Word on Fire Show.

Topics Discussed

  • 0:01  - Introduction, about the road trip and hellos
  • 1:15 - How did Bishop feel when he first became a priest?
  • 2:07 - How can Mary be "Queen" and Jesus be "King" if she's his mother?
  • 3:05 - How is Jesus King?
  • 3:50 - How old is Jesus?
  • 4:46 - How does it feel to be a bishop?
  • 6:05 - How to explain God to young children?
  • 7:35 - What is God's favorite color?
  • 8:00 - Was Bishop Barron an alter server?
  • 8:55 - What's Bishop Barron's favorite way to pray
  • 10:05 - How do we know God is real?

Bonus Resources

Jun 5, 2017

The best theological movements present the Church as an organism, not an organization. In this episode of our new series on the eight principles of Word on Fire, Bishop Barron explains how how the Communion of Saints works in and through the Mystical Body of Christ to evangelize the world. The listener questions asks about Catherine of Siena's three levels of prayer. 

Topics Discussed

  • 0:17  - Introduction, filming B-roll footage for Pivotal Players Volume II
  • 2:00 - How are the saints powerful?
  • 5:55 - How can the stories of the saints aid in evangelization?
  • 8:30 - What is the impact of the Little Flower?
  • 11:15 - How can Saint Thomas Aquinas become accessible for the current culture?
  • 15:30 - How was Saint John Paul II able to contribute so much to the Church and evangelization?
  • 19:20 - What is the great contribution of Bl. John Henry Newman?
  • 24:00 - Question from listener: How might we aspire to attain the third level of prayer as described by St. Catherine of Siena.

Bonus Resources

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

May 29, 2017

Statistics show that more people own a smartphone (4 billion) than own a toothbrush (3.5 billion). In this episode of our new series called The Eight Principles of the Word on Fire Ethos, Bishop Barron discusses how readily available Internet access has made the new media an essential route of evangelization. The listener questions asks how virtue can possibly turn to vice. 

Topics Discussed

  • 0:17  - Introduction, Bishop's recent trip to Saint Anselm College
  • 2:30 - What is the power of the new media?
  • 5:19 - Why is the new media effective for evangelization?
  • 7:50 - What's the danger in not using the new media to spread the Gospel?
  • 9:30 - What made Fulton Sheen so effective at using the media of his time?
  • 16:10 - Why are people feeling less connected and more lonely despite the technology advances?
  • 19:35 - How might we cope with internet attacks while sharing the Gospel?
  • 25:00 - How do we become more effective at sharing our faith online?
  • 26:55 - Question from listener: How can virtue possibly turn into vice?

Bonus Resources

 

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

May 23, 2017

Joel and Ethan Coen, more famously known as the Coen brothers, are arguably the greatest filmmakers of our time. In this follow-up episode on the Coen brothers, Bishop Barron illuminates the Biblical motifs present in three of the Coen brothers' most unique films. The listener question asks about the nature of God.

Topics Discussed

  • 0:17  - Introduction, catching up with Bishop Barron.
  • 1:38 - What makes the Coen Brothers so unique?
  • 3:45 -  What are the spiritual themes in A Serious Man? (spoiler alert)
  • 12:00 -What are the spiritual themes in The Big Lebowski? (spoiler alert)
  • 22:55 -What are the spiritual themes in Hail, Caesar!? (spoiler alert)
  • 25:15 - Question from listener: What is God?

Bonus Resources

  • Websites

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

May 9, 2017

"The Church exists to evangelize.” These words from Evangelii Nuntiandi express the very nature of our mission. But what is evangelization? And how ought we to express Christ in the culture around us? In this episode, Bishop Robert Barron answers these questions and offers advice on exactly how an evangelist can move into the culture and plant the seeds of Christ. Evangelizing the Culture is the second of the eight principles of the Word on Fire ethos. Finally, a listener calls in to ask how he might evangelize his lukewarm parents. 

Topics Discussed

  • 0:17 – Intro and Bishop Barron's new award
  • 2:15 - What does it mean to "evangelize the culture"?
  • 6:40 - How can evangelizing the culture solve the problems of the Church and the culture?
  • 11:50 - How can we see Christ in our surroundings?
  • 15:24 - How do engage the culture without falling into sin?
  • 18:45 - Why was Tolkien so effective at evangelizing the culture?
  • 21:30 - How does the Church community (including the saints) serve evangelization?
  • 23:15 - What's the proper approach for drawing the world to Christ?
  • 24:38 - Question from listener: How do we re-evangelize our parents who grew up in the faith but now lack a relationship with Jesus?

Bonus Resources

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

May 2, 2017

Jesus boldly proclaimed, “I am the way, the truth, and the life”. In order to be His disciple, one must make Jesus Christ the foundation of life and proclaim His Lordship in every area of life. Much like the rose window in Chartres Cathedral, a well ordered soul revolves around the great center, which is Christ. In this episode, Bishop Robert Barron begins a series called The Eight Principles of the Word on Fire Ethos with this key principle, namely, "Christocentrism". Bishop explains how we go about making Christ the priority of our lives, and why we must know who Jesus is in order to do so. The listener questions asks why the Sacred Heart of Jesus is so important in Christian devotion. 

Topics Discussed

  • 0:17  - Introduction, Bishop's recent trip to Mundelein Seminary.
  • 2:00 - What is Christocentrism?
  • 5:53 - Is it possible to be too obsessed with Jesus?
  • 7:20 - Why is it important not to domesticate the real Jesus?
  • 8:45 - How should we read the difficult truths Jesus spoke?
  • 10:45 - How do we make Jesus the center of our lives?
  • 15:22 - Question from listener: Why is the Sacred Heart of Jesus is so important in Christian devotion?

Bonus Resources

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

Apr 25, 2017

Rod Dreher’s The Benedict Option: A Strategy for Christians in a Post-Christian Nation has certainly emerged as the most talked-about religious book of 2017. There is a widely-felt instinct that something has gone rather deeply wrong with the culture and that classical Christianity, at least in the West, is in a bit of a mess. So, do we need the Benedict Option now? In this episode, Bishop Robert Barron discusses the upsides and the pitfalls of employing the Benedict option during these difficult times. The listener question wonders how Christians should engage the political arena.

Topics Discussed

  • 0:17  - Introduction, New announcement regarding Pivotal Players: Volume 2.
  • 3:42 - Has something gone terribly wrong in our society?
  • 4:36 - What are Bishop Barron's thoughts on the Benedict Option as a proposal?
  • 6:30 - Who was Saint Benedict and how can he help solve our modern problems?
  • 8:50 - How is Noah's Ark a good symbol for the Benedict Option?
  • 11:23 - What is the identity/relevance dilemma?
  • 13:55 - How does St. John Paul II relate to the Benedict Option?
  • 18:10 - Should the Church pull back on political engagement?
  • 22:05 - Should Christians pull out of society and live in separate communities?
  • 24:30 - Is homeschooling the best option for Christian children?
  • 28:15 - Should we avoid occupations that will force us to compromise our values?
  • 31:20 - Should we avoid technology as Christians?
  • 34:33 - Question from listener: Should Christians be active in the political arena?

Bonus Resources

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

Apr 18, 2017

The Case for Christ is a film adaptation of Lee Strobel’s best-selling book of the same name, one that has made an enormous splash in Evangelical circles and beyond. It is the true story of a young, ambitious (and atheist) reporter for the Chicago Tribune, who fell into a psychological and spiritual crisis when his wife became a Christian. In an attempt to bring his wife back to atheism, Lee used his considerable analytical and investigative skills to debunk the resurrection of Jesus. If Jesus didn’t rise, Strobel realizes, all of Christianity crumbles like a house of cards. In this episode, Bishop Robert Barron walks alongside Strobel through many of the common claims against the Resurrection of Jesus and explains why each lacks credibility in the face of real historical evidence. The listener question wonders how he might overcome objections from his loved ones as he joins the Church.

Topics Discussed

  • 0:17  - Introduction, Bishop's recent Confirmations.
  • 2:40 - What is The Case for Christ about?
  • 4:36 - Is it wrong to ask hard questions about your faith?
  • 7:10 - How is historical evidence used in the evaluation of the Christian faith?
  • 9:00 - What's wrong with seeing the Resurrection as a symbol of myth?
  • 12:30 - Is it possible that the witnesses of the Resurrection were hallucinating?
  • 16:30 - Is it possible that Jesus didn't die on the cross but simply fainted and was fully revived three days later?
  • 20:24 - How do the claims against the Resurrection hold up against the historical evidence as a whole?
  • 23:35 - How do people become convinced that the Resurrection is true?
  • 25:41 - What was the converging moment for Lee Strobel?
  • 27:24 - Question from listener: What do you do when your friends and family don't support your decision to join the Church?

Bonus Resources

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

Apr 11, 2017

The Netflix original series “The Crown”, which has to do with the last months of the reign of King George VI and the first years of the reign of his daughter, Queen Elizabeth II, demonstrates how societies must be grounded in God-given moral values for them to flourish. In this episode, Bishop Barron brings to light the theological underpinnings of the show, which serve as an encouragement for anyone struggling to pursue God's plan for her life. The listener question asks how Bishop Barron is able to discover spiritual themes in popular media.

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Topics Discussed

  • 0:17  - Introduction and a reprisal of Bishop's “Simpsons” visit.
  • 3:10 - What makes “The Crown” such good TV?
  • 5:20 - How was the Queen's coronation a call from God to carry out her duty?
  • 8:40 - How would compare the English monarchy to our American democracy?
  • 13:30 - How is it that God anointed her to be queen when she clearly had circumstance put her there?
  • 15:10 - How does God's plan for our lives tend to upset the comfort of our lives and our relationships?
  • 20:22 - What advice would Bishop give to priests who are ordained to fulfill God's mission?
  • 23:00 - Why are Americans so attracted to the idea of monarchies? Is there a biblical nostalgia in that somehow?
  • 25:38 - Question from listener: How does Bishop Barron draw out Christian themes from popular media?

Bonus Resources

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

Apr 4, 2017

Thomas Joseph White's book The Incarnate Lord discusses the importance of Jesus' identity. The classical tradition of Christology understood Jesus ontologically, that is to say, in terms of his fundamental being or existential identity; whereas modern and contemporary Christology tends to understand Jesus psychologically or relationally. The transition from an ontological Christology to a consciousness Christology has conduced toward all manner of relativism, subjectivism, indifferentism, and the attenuation of evangelical zeal. In this episode, Bishop Robert Barron unpacks these theological concepts and explains their consequences in familiar terms. The listener question asks about the Jesus Seminar of the Westar Institute.

Topics Discussed

  • 0:17  - Introduction, Chesterton, and Bishop's recent trip.
  • 3:00 - What is Christology and why does it matter?
  • 4:55 - Why does high-level theology matter?
  • 7:28 - What is the major difference with modern Christology?
  • 10:58 - Who is Jesus?
  • 13:20 - What are the ramifications of reading Jesus with a psychological priority rather than an ontological priority?
  • 15:00 - How is the emphasis on Jesus' ontology make Christianity unique compared to other religions?
  • 18:20 - What was the theological priority of the early Church?
  • 19:45 - What are some of the insights we learn about Jesus from Saint Thomas Aquinas?
  • 25:15 - What books does Bishop Barron recommend for studying Christology?
  • 27:00 - Question from listener: What does Bishop Barron think about the Jesus Seminar of the Westar Institute?

Bonus Resources

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

Mar 21, 2017

Truth, beauty, and goodness are the three transcendentals that draw people to belief in God. As important as rational arguments and beautiful artwork are for preserving and sharing the faith, Christian goodness has proven to be an explosively powerful means of evangelization over the centuries. In this episode of the Word on Fire Show, Bishop Barron discusses the history of Christian moral goodness and how this unique way of charity continues to bring people to Christ. Finally, a listener asks who inspires Bishop Barron.

Topics Discussed

  • 0:17 – Intro and Bishop meets William Friedkin
  • 3:33 - How is Christian moral goodness unique and attractive?
  • 6:57 - How did the early Christians evangelize through goodness?
  • 9:58 - Does our Christian goodness remain distinct amidst our modern culture?
  • 11:50 - What did the medieval Christian goodness look like?
  • 13:51 - How was Saint Francis one of the greatest evangelists of all time?
  • 16:04 - How did Saint Theresa of Calcutta become the most powerful evangelist of the twentieth century?
  • 17:54 - How did Saint Gregory the Wonderworker encourage evangelization?
  • 20:25 - As Christians, how do we remain charitable even when we don't feel motivated to be radically good?
  • 22:17 - How do we evangelize with goodness today?
  • 24:38 - Question from listener: Who inspires Bishop Barron?

Bonus Resources

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

Mar 7, 2017

Is it ever necessary to label ourselves? Is it ever ok to label anyone else? Not according to internet celebrity and spoken-word poet, Prince Ea, whose viral video entitled "I Am Not Black, You Are Not White" claims that labels are the root of all social ills and that our identity is entirely separate from our physical reality. The video has reached over 100 million views on Facebook and over 11 million views on Youtube with an overwhelming approval rating (300 to 1 like to dislike ratio). The most liked comment on Youtube reads, "They showed this to us in school." In this episode of The Word on Fire Show, Bishop Barron critiques each segment of the argument posed by the young poet and explains the philosophical history behind this radical, yet widely accepted argument. The listener question asks for a book suggestion that encourages teens to return to the Church.

Topics Discussed

  • 0:17  - Introduction, Bishop Barron's recent happenings
  • 1:58 - Segment 1: "Our bodies are just cars", Bishop's response
  • 6:18 - What are some of the dangers of bifurcating our selves and our bodies?
  • 7:40 - Segment 2: "Who we truly are is found inside", Bishop's response
  • 11:50 - What is the difference with the Catholic perspective on bodies and labels?
  • 15:10 - Segment 3: "Every war has started over labels", Bishop's response
  • 18:15 - How are labels used in the book of Genesis?
  • 21:30 - Segment 4: "Until we stop thinking so small we won't be free to see each other as we truly are", Bishop's response
  • 26:39 - Listener Question: What book would Bishop recommend to bring teens back into the Church?

Bonus Resources

 

 

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

Feb 28, 2017

The Religious Education Congress, sponsored by the Archdiocese of Los Angeles Office of Religious Education, is America's largest annual gathering of Roman Catholics, bringing together nearly 40,000 every year for a four-day event! 2017 marked the 20th year that Bishop Robert Barron has been in attendance. In addition to several interviews and book-signings Bishop Barron participated in at this year's Congress, he also gave a keynote in the central arena. This episode of The Word on Fire Show was recorded live at the Word on Fire booth in the exposition hall. During the show the good bishop answers questions from the expo audience as well as the audience watching live on Facebook.

Topics Discussed

  • 0:10  - Introduction, Bishop Barron's 20th year at the Congress and his talk on the "nones"
  • 4:00 - What would Bishop Barron ask Thomas Aquinas if he was able to meet him?
  • 6:58 - How do you see Hispanic Catholics evangelizing to future generations?
  • 9:20 - Catholic Stuff You Should Know priests discuss podcasting for evangelization
  • 13:45 - What are some good takeaways from the theology of Hans Urs von Balthasar?
  • 15:20 - What is Bishop Barron's vision for evangelization and catechesis?
  • 21:30 - What's the next filming project for Word On Fire?
  • 23:30 - How should we deal with sin without beating ourselves up when we fail?
  • 28:00 - What is the difference between meditative prayer and contemplative prayer?
  • 32:10 - How can God be three persons and not fall into any genus, the genus of personhood?
  • 35:45 - How can teachers help combat the myth that science refutes religion?
  • 42:30 - How do we reconcile the book of Genesis with scientific facts about creation?
  • 47:35 - What is the best way to bring an inactive Catholic back to the faith?
  • 49:30 - What is one bit of advice for all of us facing the crisis of attrition within the Catholic Church?

Bonus Resources

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

Feb 21, 2017

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?

Bonus Resources

  • Websites

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

Feb 14, 2017

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.

Topics Discussed

  • 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?

Bonus Resources

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

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