Catholic Studies Academy Podcast

In this episode, Jason and Dr. Bulzacchelli discuss serious issues around the youth and belief. We cover: - relation-based youth ministry and the problem that people already don't believe - is relation based ministry still possible? - Trust someone or the message? - Secular view of reality – objective and subjective approaches - Ways forward for adolescents

In this episode, Dr. Bulzacchelli and Dr. Smith discuss freedom as the founder's intended. We cover: - The Declaration of Independence - Influence of the English Philosophers - The Monarchy - Progressives’ concept of freedom - If we are going to defend American freedom, we need to get it right! - Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of happiness - Private property - Scottish Commonsense Realism and Thom...

In this episode, Jason and Dr. Smith discuss rival points of view of happiness. We cover: - Aristotle's idea of happiness - The Stoic's view of happiness - Christianity's view of happiness - Eternal life - Happiness in Sacred Scripture - John 17:3, Proverbs 3:13-18, Col 3:1-17, Phil 3:8-11

In this episode, Jason and Dr. Bulzacchelli discuss Steve Skojec's article, Rod Dreher's response, and the issue of clericalism. We cover: - Steve Skojec's article - https://skojecfile.steveskojec.com/p/against-crippled-religion - Rod Dreher's response - https://www.theamericanconservative.com/dreher/catholicism-steve-skojec-has-had-enough/ - Marginalization and persecution of orthodox Catholics -...

In this episode, Jason and Dr. Smith talk about happiness from a philosophical perspective. We cover: - Trying to define happiness - Happiness, Actions, Ends, and Goods - An end desired for its own sake - Imperfect vs perfect ends - External goods and virtue - A desirable life #ThomasAquinas #AristotleEthics #Happiness

In this episode, Jason and Dr. Smith discuss the importance of natural theology. We cover: - Natural Theology hesitancy among Christians - Defining our terms - From Effects to Causes - Common objections - "Ontotheology" - Causal relation transcends genus of effects

Philosophy of God - Class 3 by Jason Gale

In this episode, Jason and Dr. Smith discuss a pertinent topic for Holy Week. Why did Christ have to Die? We cover: - St. Thomas and the Summa - Was it "necessary"? - What are the effects of Christ's Passion and Death? - The exaltation of Christ Summa Tertia Pars, Question 46 - https://www.newadvent.org/summa/4046.htm Summa Tertia Pars, Question 49 -https://www.newadvent.org/summa/4049.htm#article...

In our 100th episode, Jason, Dr. Smith and Dr. Bulzacchelli talk about the importance of faith and how they deepen their own faith. - What is faith and why it is important - The importance of deepening your faith - Good guides - Who have been our guides in our faith.

In this episode, Dr. Bulzacchelli and Tyler Ross finish their discussion on Pope Francis’ Moto Propio allowing women into the ministries of acolyte and lector. We cover: - Ministry vs Orders - “Deaconesses” in the Bible - “Venerable Tradition” - Pope Francis’ Moto Propio – Spiritus Domini - http://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/motu_proprio/documents/papa-francesco-motu-proprio-20210110_spiri...

In this episode, Dr. Bulzacchelli and special guest, Tyler Ross, canon lawyer for the diocese of Knoxville continue their discussion on the minor orders. We cover: - Pope Paul VI Moto Propio of 1973 disbanding the minor orders - Clerical and lay state - Ministries and Minor Orders - Are the minor orders of acolyte and lector different from the ministries of acolyte and lector - Sacramentals Pope P...

In this episode, Dr. Bulzacchelli is joined by special guest, Tyler Ross, canon lawyer for the Diocese of Knoxville to discuss issues around the minor orders and Pope Francis' decision to allow women to be installed as acolytes and lectors. We cover: - the importance of canon law - minor and major orders - Canonical changes - "ordered" toward what - Men and Orders

In this episode, Jason and Dr. Smith discuss how find your identity according to St. Thomas Aquinas. We cover: - Why we need to understand ourselves - The problem with modern self-help - The Myth of Self and Introspection - Classical Realism - St. Thomas Aquinas on the Intellect - Knowing and loving external objects - The Paradox of Christianity Question 87 of Summa Prima Pars - https://www.newadv...

Join Dr. Smith for a 3-Part Seminar on Modern Political Ideas. If you cannot make the times, do not worry. We will send you the video and audio links. https://catholicstudiesacademy.com/product/modern-political-ideas-a-3-part-seminar/

In this episode, Jason and Dr. Bulzacchelli discuss the issue of communion in the Catholic Church. We cover: - The origins of division - The need for communion - 3 Aspects of Communion - "Extra Ecclesiam nulla salus" - Outside the Church with valid faith and Sacraments - Reduction to the juridical - Importance of all three From: Robert Bellarmine, De Contraversiis I.3.ii. Full citation: https://ca...

In this episode, Jason and Dr. Smith discuss some dispositions we should have going into 2021 and what Catholic wisdom and classical philosophy can offer us. We cover: - State of Affairs - Clarity - Ultimate End - Well Ordered Soul - Allegory of the Caves - Healthy Skepticism - Healthy Stoicism - Avoiding Anxiety catholicstudiesacademy.com

In this episode, Dr. Bulzacchelli and Dr. Smith are joined by our special guest, Joseph Grossheim, a doctoral student in philosophy at the University of St. Thomas’ Thomistic Institute to discuss Conservatism in political philosophy. We cover: - A reaction to what? - Defining conservatism - Custom, Natural Law, Tradition - Liberalism and Tradition - Epistemological considerations - Have conservati...

In this episode, Dr. Bulzacchelli and Dr. Smith are joined by our special guest, Joseph Grossheim, a doctoral student in philosophy at the University of St. Thomas’ Thomistic Institute to discuss Progressivism in political philosophy. We cover: - The need for the study of political philosophy - Defining Progressivism - Progress toward what? - Maximize aggregate satisfaction vs common good - Progre...

Jason and Dr. Smith continue their discussion on the false idea of "true self". We cover: - Undefined consciousness - The "true self" vs the "false self" - Writings of Richard Rohr - Centering Prayer - Buddhist and Hindu influences - Correct way of understanding of the self Richard Rohr's Article - https://cac.org/themes/true-self-separate-self/ https://cac.org/true-self-separate-self-weekly-summa...

In this episode, Jason and Dr. Smith discuss the erroneous and modern idea of "self." We cover: - The pervasiveness of "self" - Philosophical foundations - Descartes and Kant - Undefined consciousness - Arguments against the idea of "self" Read a sample of Dr. Smith's new book - https://catholicstudiesacademy.com/books/ The Myth of Self articles - https://catholicstudiesacademy.com/the-myth-of-sel...

In this episode, Jason and Dr. Smith discuss the topic of divine providence in relation to difficult and uncertain times. We cover: - God as First Cause - Summa Prima Pars, Question 22 - God in history - The Patience of the Martyrs - Eschatological Reality - Providence gives us duties Read Summa Prima Pars, Question 22 - https://www.newadvent.org/summa/1022.htm Purchase Dr. Smith's NEW book on Pol...

In this episode, Dr. Bulzacchelli, Dr. Smith and special guest, Dcn. Bob Gorman, Emeritus Professor of Political Science, discuss Dr. Smith's new book, Understanding Modern Political Ideas: A Guidebook for Christians and Other Patriots. In this episode we cover: - Post Modernism and Nature - Reason and Tradition - The Common Good and the Individual Good - Flourishing, Happiness, and Perfection - "...

We discuss Dr. Benjamin Smiths new book! In Understanding Modern Political Ideas, Dr. Benjamin Smith defines and critically evaluates the major political ideologies of the modern period in the light of classical political thought. Drawing on the insights of Thomas Aquinas, Aristotle, Plato, and others, Smith highlights the failures and shortcomings of modern political thought, including the preten...

In this episode, Jason and Dr. Smith finish their series on Marxism. We cover: - Marx's view of the fulfillment of history - The evolution of conscience - Three critiques of Marxism - Flawed Anthropology - Reduction of the Human Person to Social Relationship - The role of work - Subordination of everything to politics - Political Correctness

In this episode, Jason an Dr. Smith continue their discussion on Marxism. We cover: - Review of Hegel's view history - Marx and culture - The dialectic - Capitalism as a necessary stage - Marx's critique of capitalism - Revolt of the Proletariat