The Word on Fire Show - Catholic Faith and Culture - Bishop Robert Barron

Latest Episodes:

WOF 305: For Teachers, Evangelizing is Priority One Oct 11, 2021

Show notes

In today's episode, we share a talk Bishop Barron offered earlier this year to the Catholic educators of the Archdiocese of Vancouver. He exhorted teachers to boldly proclaim the resurrection and lordship of Jesus, affirming that all Catholic teachers are, fundamentally, evangelizers.

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!

WOF 304: Understanding Genesis: Creation Oct 04, 2021

Show notes

Today we begin a five-part series of discussions on the book of Genesis. In this first episode, we focus on the Creation story.

Genesis is of course the first book in the Bible and perhaps the most foundational, but it's also the source of so much confusion. Bishop Barron clarifies what the author is intending to convey and the theological and spiritual truths we can pull from the narrative.

A listener asks, how do I start mental prayer, especially if I'm always distracted?

Links

Get your copy of the new Evangelization & Culture issue on poetry!

WOF 303: Which of C.S. Lewis's Books Was His Favorite? Sep 27, 2021

Show notes

C.S. Lewis wrote more than 30 books which have collectively sold over 100 million copies, including the Chronicles of Narnia series, Mere Christianity, and The Screwtape Letters. But of those thirty books, there was only one which Lewis described himself as "almost my favorite among my books," yet he was disappointed that "in general [the book] has been almost totally ignored by the public."

The book was his prophetic text titled The Abolition of Man. It's an important book but one that many readers find dense and challenging.

Thankfully, Michael Ward, one of the world's leading C.S. Lewis scholars, has stepped in to help. His groundbreaking new book titled After Humanity: A Guide to C.S. Lewis's 'The Abolition of Man was just published by Word on Fire Academic.

Today, Brandon Vogt sits down with Michael to discuss Lewis' original text and how Michael's new guide and commentary help readers make sense of Lewis's argument.

Learn more: https://www.wordonfire.org/humanity

WOF 302: How to Keep Our Kids Catholic Sep 20, 2021

Show notes

Dr. Christian Smith has written a new book titled Handing Down the Faith: How Parents Pass Their Religion on to the Next Generation. It's based on new research about how parents successfully raise children to become religiously-practicing adults.

In this episode, Bishop Barron and Brandon Vogt walk through his findings and discuss what actually helps our kids to retain their faith into young adulthood.

A listener asks, how do we know which religion is right, Catholicism or Protestantism?

Links

Handing Down the Faith: How Parents Pass Their Religion on to the Next Generation by Christian Smith
"Keeping the Faith" by Christian Smith (First Things)
Return: How to Draw Your Child Back to the Church by Brandon Vogt

WOF 301: Bishop Barron's Q&A w/ Yale University Students Sep 13, 2021

Show notes

In this Q&A session with students at Yale University from February 2021, Bishop Barron answered a variety of questions from students, including:

Do you think that the culture's view of sex has kept people outside of the Church? How do we charitably share our view?
What did you decide to give up for Lent?
How do we discern if bad things are tests from God, Satan, or just the way of the world?
What are some opportunities for evangelization that COVID has produced?
Why is confession necessary for the forgiveness of mortal sins?
If you could have dinner with one saint, who would it be and why?

Links

A Journey with Jonah: The Spirituality of Bewilderment by Fr. Paul Murray, OP

WOF 300: Why We Need Close Friends Sep 06, 2021

Show notes

A recent poll from the Survey Center on American Life revealed that people are rapidly losing their close friends, especially men. The number of American men who view themselves as having "no close friends" quintupled over the last 30 years, increasing from 3 percent in 1990 to 15 percent in 2021.

Why is this happening, and how can we reverse it? How can we develop closer friendships? Bishop Barron and Brandon Vogt discuss those questions today.

A listener asks, why does God love us?

Links

"The Creed" film series and Light from Light book

WOF 299: Bishop Barron Presents: Larry Chapp Aug 30, 2021

Show notes

Today we share the latest "Bishop Barron Presents" discussion, featuring theologian and educator Dr. Larry Chapp.

Larry and Bishop Barron discuss topics such as:

Dorothy Day and the Catholic Worker Movement
Traditionalism and liberalism in the Catholic Church
The Second Vatican Council
And several other topics

Stay tuned for future "Bishop Barron Presents" conversations. These intellectually invigorating discussions feature varying religious and political perspectives to encourage greater understanding and civility.

Links

WOF 298: How to Forgive People Aug 23, 2021

Show notes

Today we continue our discussion of a recent article by Tim Keller, the popular Protestant pastor, titled "The Fading of Forgiveness: Tracing the Disappearance of the Thing We Need Most."

We previously explored why forgiveness has faded in our culture. Today, we focus on the path forward, how we can practice and encourage more forgiveness.

A listener asks, what is, for Bishop Barron, the most annoying passage in the Bible?

Links

"The Creed" film and Light from Light book >> https://wordonfire.org/creed

WOF 297: Bishop Barron Presents: Robert George Aug 16, 2021

Show notes

Today we share the latest "Bishop Barron Presents" discussion, this one featuring American legal scholar, political philosopher, and public intellectual Robert George.

Robert and Bishop Barron discuss virtue, focusing on topics such as Natural law, the "woke" phenomena, how we can engrain virtue in our society today, and more.

Links

The Creed film series and Light from Light book by Bishop Barron

WOF 296: The Fading of Forgiveness Aug 09, 2021

Show notes

Today we discuss a recent article by Tim Keller, the popular Protestant pastor, titled "The Fading of Forgiveness: Tracing the Disappearance of the Thing We Need Most". Why are people increasingly skeptical about forgiveness? Keller proposes two reasons: a therapeutic culture, and religion without grace.

A listener asks, how did God create the universe if not from potentiality?

Links

WOFI Faith & Science Summit >> https://wordonfire.institute/science

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

The Word on Fire Show – Catholic Faith and Culture – Bishop Robert Barron

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected