The Word on Fire Show - Catholic Faith and Culture

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

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!

Recently, The New York Times featured an op-ed by philosophy professor Peter Atteton, who tried to show that the idea of God is incoherent. Bishop Barron responds to Atteton's points and shows how there are no logical problems with believing in God.

A listener asks whether Catholic universities should begin offering an evangelization major or concentration.

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 faith exactly? How do faith and reason coexist? How do we grow in power and freedom when we surrender to an almighty God? Where does philosophy fit into Catholic theology? What is the foundation for Catholic reasoning? Bishop Robert Barron addresses these questions and more at Duke University's Goodson Chapel in an event hosted by the Duke Catholic Center.

Bonus Resources 

• Study Program
  • The Mystery of God: Who God Is and Why He Matters (Bishop Barron)
• Articles
  • Does Religion Really Have a "Smart-People Problem"? (Bishop Barron)
  • The Myth of the War Between Science and Religion (Bishop Barron)
  • What Faith Is and Isn't (Bishop Barron)
  • The Glory of God is a Human Being 'Fully Alive' (Bishop Barron)
• Videos
  • Bishop Barron on Atheism and Philosophy
  • Bishop Barron on "What is God?"
  • Bishop Barron on "God Is Not Great" (Part 1 of 3)
  • Bishop Barron on "God Is Not Great" (Part 2 of 3)
  • Bishop Barron on "God Is Not Great" (Part 3 of 3)
  • Faith and Reason
  • What Faith is and What Faith Isn't
• Books 
  • Thomas Aquinas: Spiritual Master by Bishop Robert Barron
  • The Priority of Christ: Toward a Postliberal Catholicism by Bishop Robert Barron
• Websites 
  • StrangeNotions.com - Central meeting place of faith and reason
  • Summa Theologiae online - St. Thomas Aquinas' reasonable explanations of faith

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

Ross Douthat recently published an op-ed in the New York Times titled "The Return of Paganism." He argues that maybe there actually is a genuinely post-Christian future for America, one that mixes pantheism with civic religion.Bishop Barron and Brandon Vogt discuss the article. A listener asks why God needed a second coming of Christ and couldn't have accomplished everything during his first coming.

We are taking the next few episodes of the show to discuss each of the great men and women featured in Word on Fire's epic new film series, CATHOLICISM: The Pivotal Players. This episode covers Michelangelo Buonarroti. A figure whose first name evokes an instant connection to the West's most famous artworks, Michelangelo, we hear from Bishop Barron, ought also bring to mind a wonderfully rich theological connection, which The Artist expressed beautifully through his predominantly Catholic subject matter. Our listener question of the day asks Bishop Barron about how the human imagination can be useful in evangelization.

*In this episode we include a limited time Word on Fire Show discount on CATHOLICISM: The Pivotal Players with Coupon Code: Sistine4

Visit PivotalPlayers.com to purchase and act now because this offer expires soon!

Do you have a question for Bishop Barron?  Go to AskBishopBarron.com and record it from any device right now!

Topics Discussed

• 1:00  - Bishop Barron discusses his recent pastoral adventures
• 3:30 - What does an ancient monk have to do with Michelangelo?
• 5:45 - Who is Michelangelo Buonarotti?
• 9:27 - What is the Pietà?
• 13:22 - What is the biblical significance of the "David" statue?
• 20:19 - What is the theology behind the Sistine Chapel paintings?
• 27:19 -How does creating artwork make Michelangelo a pivotal player?
• 29:54 - Listener Question: How is the use of the human imagination effective in evangelization?

Bonus Resources

• Calendar and Prayer Cards
  • Pivotal Players Calendar (Bishop Barron)
  • Pivotal Players Prayer Cards (Bishop Barron)
• Books
  • Praying with the Pivotal Players (Bishop Barron)
• 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)
• Videos
  • Michelangelo Trailer

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