Catholic Theology Show

How does the Catholic tradition address the complex reality of war?  Dr. Michael Dauphinais hosts Dr. Joseph Capizzi, dean and professor of moral theology and ethics at the Catholic University of America, to explore just war theory. They discuss its roots in Roman and Christian thought, particularly through Augustine and Aquinas, and the role of mercy and forgiveness in fostering lasting peace. Re...

How can a Catholic scientist navigate the intersection of faith, medicine, and public health crises?   Dr. Michael Dauphinais sits down with Dr. Robert Redfield, former CDC director and Catholic physician, to explore his journey from a scientific worldview to a deep Catholic faith, shaped by a transformative encounter with Pope John Paul II. They discuss Redfield’s work with AIDS patients, the red...

How can Catholics deepen their spiritual life through theology and contemplation?  In this episode of the Catholic Theology Show, Dr. Michael Dauphinais engages with Fr. Thomas Joseph White, O.P., Rector of the Angelicum in Rome, to discuss his book, Contemplation and the Cross: A Catholic Introduction to the Spiritual Life . The conversation addresses challenges like moral therapeutic deism and t...

What is the significance of the Jubilee Year in the Bible, and how does it relate to Jesus’s mission and the Catholic Church?  In this episode, Dr. Michael Dauphinais is joined by Dr. John Bergsma, a Catholic theologian, author, and vice president of mission at the Saint Paul Center, to explore the biblical concept of the Jubilee Year. They discuss Bergsma’s book,  Jesus and the Jubilee: The Bibli...

How can Catholics rediscover a sense of wonder in a world that feels disconnected from meaning?  Dr. Michael Dauphinais sits down with Dr. Kyle Washut, president of Wyoming Catholic College, to discuss the importance of recovering an enchanted view of the universe. They explore how the Catholic intellectual tradition, rooted in Scripture and the natural world, counters the modern "buffered self" t...

How can faithful Catholics understand and navigate the modern crisis of identity? Today, Dr. Michael Dauphinais sits down with Dr. Angela Franks, theologian, author, and professor at Saint John’s Seminary, to talk about issues relating to identity and the "empty self." During their conversation, they also discuss related themes such as the historical roots of identity struggles and how to guide ch...

How can St. Thomas Aquinas help address the modern crisis of belief? Today, Dr. Michael Dauphinais is joined by Fr. Michael Sherwin, O.P.,, a Dominican theologian and professor of theology at the Angelicum in Rome, to explore how Aquinas’ teachings can respond to contemporary challenges in faith. They discuss the nature of belief in Jesus Christ, the developmental journey of faith, and how Aquinas...

How does St. Thomas Aquinas shape a return to Catholic faith? Today, Dr. Michael Dauphinais talks with Dr. Francis Beckwith, author of Never Doubt Thomas: The Catholic Aquinas as Evangelical and Protestant, about his journey back to Catholicism. They discuss Aquinas’s influence, justification, and engaging evangelical perspectives.   Resources:  Annunciation Circle  (Ave Maria University Monthly G...

How can Catholics engage with Jordan Peterson’s ideas while remaining rooted in the faith? Today, Dr. Michael Dauphinais talks with Dr. Christopher Kaczor, Catholic philosopher, author, and Professor of Philosophy at Loyola Marymount University, about his book Jordan Peterson, God, and Christianity: The Search for a Meaningful Life . They explore how Peterson’s moral reading of scripture has spark...

What does it mean to return to Catholicism and live out its truths in a political and cultural context? Today, Dr. Michael Dauphinais sits down with Michael Knowles, host of The Daily Wire's The Michael Knowles Show and a prominent Catholic commentator, to explore his reversion to the Catholic faith after a decade of atheism. They discuss how reading the Gospels and engaging with intellectual argu...

How can Catholics build meaningful relationships in an era of increasing loneliness and isolation? Today, Dr. Michael Dauphinais sits down with Dr. Ray Guarendi, a clinical psychologist, Catholic author, and speaker, to explore practical approaches to fostering love and friendship. They discuss strategies for being present to others, balancing acceptance and honesty in challenging discussions, and...

What can we learn from the extraordinary friendship between Mother Teresa and Pope John Paul II?  Today, Dr. Michael Dauphinais is joined by Patrick Novecosky, an award-winning author and speaker and the founder of NovaMedia, to discuss his upcoming book on two of the greatest modern-day saints. They discuss how both saints overcame profound personal suffering to become beacons of hope, transformi...

How does Jesus Christ transform the way we think about God?  Today, Dr. Michael Dauphinais sits down with Dr. Adam Van Wart, Associate Professor of Theology at Ave Maria University, to discuss how the Incarnation makes God concretely present in human history, overcoming the human tendency to idolatry. Dr. Van Wart also explains how suffering acquires new meaning through Christ’s Cross and Resurrec...

How can Catholics integrate personal development practices with authentic faith? Today, Dr. Michael Dauphinais speaks with Matt Ingold, co-founder of Metanoia Catholic, about “baptizing” secular life coaching with Catholic theology. They discuss John Paul II’s Theology of the Body as a foundation for understanding human growth, the non-competitive relationship between grace and effort, and practic...

Why is philosophy essential for understanding Catholic theology?  Today, Dr. Michael Dauphinais interviews Dr. Steven Long, well-known theologian and Professor of Theology at Ave Maria University, about the relationship between philosophy and theology in the Catholic tradition. They discuss how the abandonment of realist philosophy has undermined theological truth, the importance of natural law fo...

How can ancient wisdom help us find consolation and freedom in our distracted modern world?  Today, Dr. Michael Dauphinais sits down with Dr. Thomas Ward, Associate Professor of Philosophy at Baylor University, to discuss his book, After Stoicism: The Last Words of the Last Roman Philosopher . The work examines St. Severinus Boethius’ Consolation of Philosophy , which offers a Christian alternativ...

How did Thomas Aquinas read and interpret the Bible? Today, Dr. Michael Dauphinais sits down with Dr. Jason Paone, editor of Word on Fire Academic , to discuss two new books exploring Aquinas’ commentaries on the New and Old Testaments. They examine Aquinas’ deeply Christocentric approach to Scripture, his understanding of the Bible through God’s plan of creation and restoration, and the theologic...

How can Christians come to recognize the mystery of the Trinity as intelligible? In this conversation, Dr. Michael Dauphinais sits down with Dr. Gerald Boersma, Professor of Theology and Director of the Theology M.A. Program at Ave Maria University, to explore Augustine’s De Trinitate. They discuss how it defends orthodox Trinitarian doctrine, presents the Trinity as a journey toward the vision of...

How can we heal the split between who we present ourselves to be and who we really are?  Today, Dr. Michael Dauphinais talks with Dr. Daniel Davy, Professor of History and Dean of Faculty at Ave Maria University, about Robert Louis Stevenson’s novella “The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde” and its relevance to modern life. They explore how this Victorian tale illuminates our modern-day stru...

How can Catholics better understand the historical and biblical foundations of their faith? Today, Dr. Michael Dauphinais interviews Catholic convert Steve Ray about his journey to Catholicism. They discuss his book Crossing the Tiber and explore his insights from leading pilgrimages, illuminating connections between biblical sites, and Catholic tradition.   Resources:  Annunciation Circle  (Ave M...

How can Catholics integrate their faith with modern business practices, particularly in marketing? Today, Dr. Michael Dauphinais interviews Neil Watson, adjunct professor of business and Director of Marketing at Ave Maria University, about the intersection of Catholic social teaching and business ethics. Watson explores how the Church's teachings on human dignity, work, and the common good can inf...

How can C.S. Lewis’ Perelandra help us rethink the Genesis story and its relevance to the modern world? Today, Dr. Michael Dauphinais and Joseph Pearce, frequent guest and Visiting Professor of Literature at Ave Maria University, explore the next book in C.S. Lewis’ space trilogy, Perelandra - a retelling of Genesis that illuminates free will, sin, and grace. They discuss Lewis’ use of myth to rea...

How do welive chastely in a world consumed by distractions, desires, and secular notions of fulfillment? Today, Dr. Michael Dauphinais and Bishop Erik Varden of Trondheim explore chastity as a path to personal integration and spiritual renewal. Drawing from Bishop Varden’s book Chastity: Reconciliation of the Senses , they discuss cultural misconceptions, the healing power of mercy, and how vulner...

How do humility and obedience shape our relationship with authority, community, and God? Today, Dr. Michael Dauphinais and Pater Edmund Waldstein, a Cistercian monk and theologian, explore the role of humility and obedience in our relationship with authority, the church, and the common good. They discuss the balance between individual dignity and community, the necessity of authority, and how Cath...

How can Catholics navigate grief and trauma while holding onto hope and faith? Today, Dr. Michael Dauphinais and Dr. Julia Sadusky, a licensed psychologist and Ave Maria University alumna,explore the complexities of grief, ambiguous losses, and trauma. They discuss the healing power of connection, routine, and faith, offering practical advice and reflecting on how Christian hope and the promise of...