The Word on Fire Show - Catholic Faith and Culture

A cultural shift seems to be underway, at least within the United States, that is potentially making society more open—perhaps even more positively disposed—to the wisdom of the Catholic social thought tradition. If there is an opportunity for Catholic teachings to have more cultural and political traction now, how should the Church take advantage of it? What counsel can the Church give on complex policy issues like education, immigration, the economy, and foreign policy? Today we discuss the Catholic understanding of the common good and how it is especially relevant in this moment. A listener asks, what is the kingdom of God? 00:00 | Intro 01:41 | Bishop Barron visits a mentor 02:52 | Religion: public or private? 06:56 | Assessing recent shifts in culture 08:09 | Common good vs. utilitarianism 10:49 | Dignity vs. autonomy 14:35 | Common good vs. social justice 18:37 | Common good vs. generic conservatism 21:25 | Nonnegotiable moral principles vs. variable prudential judgments 24:27 | Common good and education 28:23 | Common good and the economy 30:30 | Common good and immigration 33:38 | Common good and foreign policy 35:38 | Listener question: What is the kingdom of God? 37:38 | Join the Word on Fire Institute Links: Word on Fire Institute: https://institute.wordonfire.org/ NOTE: Do you like this podcast? Become a Word on Fire IGNITE member! Word on Fire is a non-profit ministry that depends on the support of our listeners . . . like you! So become a part of this mission and join IGNITE today to become a Word on Fire insider and receive some special donor gifts for your generosity.

Today we share the fifth lesson of Bishop Barron’s lecture series on one of the most important and influential Catholic theologians of the twentieth century, Han Urs von Balthasar. We will come to understand his life, his theology, and his ongoing impact on the Church and our work to evangelize the culture. Enjoy! Links: Full lecture series available at the Word on Fire Institute: https://institute.wordonfire.org/ Podcast: WOF 149: Who Was Hans Urs von Balthasar? More Resources: https://www.wordonfire.org/topics/hans-urs-von-balthasar/ NOTE: Do you like this podcast? Become a Word on Fire IGNITE member! Word on Fire is a non-profit ministry that depends on the support of our listeners . . . like you! So become a part of this mission and join IGNITE today to become a Word on Fire insider and receive some special donor gifts for your generosity.

One of the defining features of the Christian moral and spiritual life is the supernatural virtue of hope. What is hope? What makes hope more than a mere superstition? How does hope help us live both individually and in community? Can hope have negative consequences, like motivating people to remain passive in the face of injustice? And what, if any, evangelical significance does hope have? Bishop Barron gives us five reasons why we should be hopeful in the new year. A listener asks how he can find the strength to pray again. 00:00 | Intro 01:14 | Bishop Barron’s 2024 highlights 02:47 | The Christian concept of hope 04:15 | Hope’s relationship to reason 05:12 | Hope’s practical value in life 06:24 | Distinguishing hope from faith 08:27 | Distinguishing hope from optimism 10:21 | Responding to critiques of hope 15:37 | Reason 1: Bible sales increase while “nones” appear to have peaked 19:53 | Reason 2: Woke ideology is losing its grip on the culture 23:27 | Reason 3: Protestants and Catholics have increased cooperation 25:36 | Reason 4: The public response to the reopening of Notre Dame Cathedral 30:01 | Reason 5: The Church continues to grow 31:27 | Listener question 33:53 | Join the Word on Fire Institute Links: Article on Bible sales: https://www.foxnews.com/media/bible-sales-surge-thanks-fresh-editions-new-buyers-looking-things-feel-more-solid-report-finds Word on Fire Institute: https://institute.wordonfire.org/ NOTE: Do you like this podcast? Become a Word on Fire IGNITE member! Word on Fire is a non-profit ministry that depends on the support of our listeners . . . like you! So become a part of this mission and join IGNITE today to become a Word on Fire insider and receive some special donor gifts for your generosity.

We bring you the fourth lesson of Bishop Barron’s lecture series on one of the most important and influential Catholic theologians of the twentieth century, Han Urs von Balthasar. We will come to understand his life, his theology, and his ongoing impact on the Church and our work to evangelize the culture. Enjoy! Links: Full lecture series available at the Word on Fire Institute: https://institute.wordonfire.org/ Podcast: WOF 149: Who Was Hans Urs von Balthasar? Article: “Just a Little Stone in God’s Mosaic” More Resources: https://www.wordonfire.org/topics/hans-urs-von-balthasar/ NOTE: Do you like this podcast? Become a Word on Fire IGNITE member! Word on Fire is a non-profit ministry that depends on the support of our listeners . . . like you! So become a part of this mission and join IGNITE today to become a Word on Fire insider and receive some special donor gifts for your generosity.