Catholic Theology Show

Can we truly desire God, or does our worldliness limit us? In the third episode of the “Into Narnia with C.S. Lewis” miniseries, Dr. Dauphinais speaks about The Voyage of the Dawn Treader and the sermon “The Weight of Glory” to explore the true nature of the glory that we are meant to desire. Resources: Listen to the first episode of “Into Narnia with C.S. Lewis”: Mere Christianity & The Lion,...

Why is courage necessary for all other virtues? In this second episode of the “Into Narnia with C.S. Lewis” miniseries, Dr. Michael Dauphinais discusses the virtue of courage by looking in particular at Lewis’s Prince Caspian and The Funeral of a Great Myth . Resources: Catch the first episode of “Into Narnia with C.S. Lewis,” a Catholic Theology Show miniseries: Mere Christianity & The Lion,...

What can C.S. Lewis show us about Christianity? In this first episode of “Into Narnia with C.S. Lewis”—a Catholic Theology Show miniseries—Dr. Dauphinais dives into The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe and Mere Christianity , exploring how Lewis uses both reason and imagination to impart Christian truth through two of his best-known works.   Resources: Listen to our past episode on Narnia with Pr...

Can we believe in the Big Bang Theory and God's Creation? Today, Dr. Michael Dauphinais and Sister Mary Elizabeth Merriam, O.P., discuss how the union of faith and science reveals the intelligibility of creation, particularly in the Big Bang and its Catholic origins. Help support this podcast and Our Lady's University by joining the Annunciation Circle ! Get more information about Ave Maria Univer...

How can we connect with Christ personally? Today, Dr. Michael Dauphinais speaks with Mike Timmis, author and former chairman of Prison Fellowship International, to discuss how our calling to friendship—first with God and then with others—is the heart of Catholic evangelization. Resources: The Journey to Ultimate Friendship by Mike Timmis Help support this podcast and Our Lady's University by joini...

Why must higher education be dedicated to the truth of faith and revelation? Today, Dr. Michael Dauphinais converses with Father Juan Vélez, a priest of the Opus Dei prelature and St. John Henry Newman scholar, to look at how Newman’s witness to reason and faith is instrumental for Catholic universities in society today. Resources: A Guide to John Henry Newman: His Life and Thought edited by Fathe...

How can we define femininity and masculinity in an age opposed to objectivity? In this episode, Dr. Dauphinais talks with Dr. Maria Fedoryka, associate professor of philosophy at Ave Maria University, to discuss the fundamental differences between man and woman from a philosophical perspective. Help support this podcast and Our Lady's University by joining the Annunciation Circle ! Get more inform...

What does it mean to be a disciple of Christ in today’s world? In this episode, Dr. Dauphinais sits down with Fr. John Riccardo, priest for the Archdiocese of Detroit and founder of the Rescue Project, to discuss the necessity of embracing the Christian mission with intentionality and confidence. Help support this podcast and Our Lady's University by joining the Annunciation Circle ! Get more info...

What can the writings of St. Augustine teach us about original sin and salvation? In this episode, Dr. Michael Dauphinais speaks with Dr. Gerald Boersma, associate professor of theology at Ave Maria University, to discuss the critical importance of grace in the Christian life, according to St. Augustine’s most notable works. Help support this podcast and Our Lady's University by joining the Annunc...

What does Dante’s journey through Hell, Purgatory, and Heaven show us today? Dr. Dauphinais converses with Dr. Deana Basile Kelly, professor of literature and Italian at Ave Maria University, to explore how the Divine Comedy invites us to turn toward God so we might one day see His light. Help support this podcast and Our Lady's University by joining the Annunciation Circle ! Get more information...

How do we know Christ is present in the Holy Eucharist? In this episode, Dr. Michael Dauphinais talks with Dr. Jeffrey Walkey, assistant professor of theology at Ave Maria University, to consider the nature of Christ’s Real Presence in the Blessed Sacrament through the teachings of St. Thomas Aquinas. Help support this podcast and Our Lady's University by joining the Annunciation Circle ! Get more...

Why did Jesus institute the Eucharist? In this episode, Dr. Michael Dauphinais converses with Dr. Lawrence Feingold, professor of theology at Kenrick-Glennon Seminary, exploring how the Eucharistic sacrifice is a profound gift of love from Christ the Bridegroom, inviting us to share His life of glory. Resources: The Eucharist: Mystery of Presence, Sacrifice, and Communion by Lawrence Feingold Help...

Is the most popular book of the 20 th century a “fundamentally Catholic work”? Today, Dr. Michael Dauphinais is joined by acclaimed Catholic writer and scholar Joseph Pearce to discuss The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien. During their conversation, Professor Pearce unlocks some of the profound meanings surrounding the characters, events, and themes in this monumental work.   Resources: Tolkien...

Is devotion to Our Lady central to our relationship with Christ? Today, Dr. Michael Dauphinais sits down with Dr. Mark Miravalle, Constance Schifflin Blum Chair of Mariology at Ave Maria University, to discuss how Mary's maternal intercession is essential for our redemption. Resources: For a non-Catholic perspective on Our Lady: Mary For Evangelicals by Tim Perry Meet Your Mother: A Brief Introduc...

Who is Jesus and what does He do for us? In this episode, Dr. Michael Dauphinais sits down with Dr. Bruce Marshall, professor of Theology at Southern Methodist University, to discuss what it means to understand Jesus Christ as Lord and how His transformative work of redemption is central to this identity. Resources: Thomas Aquinas and the Crisis of Christology edited by Michael Dauphinais, Andrew...

What do we receive from the Eucharist? In this episode, Dr. Michael Dauphinais talks with author and theologian Father Thomas Weinandy, O.F.M. Cap., to look at how the Eucharistic gift of the Word Incarnate invites us to abide in Him fully and eternally.   Resources: Volume 1 of Jesus Becoming Jesus | A Theological Interpretation of the Synoptic Gospels by Fr. Thomas Weinandy (coupon code: CT10) V...

Is the Eucharist Biblical? Today, Dr. Michael Dauphinais sits down with Dr. John Bergsma, professor of theology at the Franciscan University of Steubenville, to discuss the biblical basis of Eucharistic worship, particularly through an understanding of covenant and sacrifice. Resources: New Testament Basics for Catholics by Dr. John Bergsma Stunned by Scripture: How the Bible Made Me Catholic by D...

Can stories like the Chronicles of Narnia bring us closer to reality? Dr. Michael Dauphinais shares another conversation with acclaimed Catholic writer and scholar Joseph Pearce, this time to look at significant themes in C.S. Lewis’s Chronicles of Narnia within a larger discussion of how stories can bring our souls “further up and further in.” Resources: Purchase Joseph Pearce’s book Further Up &...

How can the Church Fathers help us recover Eucharistic devotion? Today, Dr. Michael Dauphinais welcomes Msgr. Michael Heintz, academic dean at Mount St. Mary’s Seminary in Emmitsburg, Maryland, to discuss the centrality of the Eucharist within the Catholic Faith, in light of the Early Church’s heritage. Resources: The Catholic Theology Show’s episode on Benedict XVI: The Legacy of Pope Benedict XV...

How can Holy Week bring us deeper into the Eucharistic liturgy? Today, Dr. Michael Dauphinais is joined by Dr. Daniel Lendman, assistant professor of theology at Ave Maria University, to take a deep look at the liturgy of the Catholic Church and how the Paschal Triduum amplifies our call to worship. Help support this podcast and Our Lady's University by joining the Annunciation Circle ! Get more i...

Can Catholics embrace the Second Vatican Council? This week, Dr. Dauphinais is joined by Fr. Blake Britton, author at the Word on Fire Institute, to talk about Vatican II: what it says, what it means, and how it can help deepen our relationship with Christ. Resources: Reclaiming Vatican II: What It (Really) Said, What It Means, and How It Calls Us to Renew the Church by Fr. Blake Britton Sacrosanc...

Looking for practical ways to study Theology daily? This week, Dr. Dauphinais welcomes Fr. Cajetan Cuddy, O.P., professor of Systematic and Moral Theology at the Dominican House of Studies, to discuss why we should be studying God daily, providing practical guidance on where to begin and how to do it. Resources: St. Thomas Aquinas’s brief Letter to Brother John on How to Study Catechism of the Cou...

What does Christ’s humanity teach us about ourselves? This week, Dr. Dauphinais is joined again by acclaimed Catholic writer and scholar Joseph Pearce to discuss one of G. K. Chesterton’s greatest works, The Everlasting Man. Together, they unpack how an understanding of Christ vitally illumines and fulfills mankind’s history. Resources: Previous episode: An Introduction to Chestertonian Theology w...

Were Catholics included in the religious toleration of America’s founding? This week, Dr. Michael Dauphinais sits down with Dr. Michael Breidenbach, Associate Professor of History at Ave Maria University, to discuss religious freedom in early America, including several Catholics who were important to the nation’s political founding.   Resources: Our Dear-Bought Liberty: Catholics and Religious Tol...

Can the mysteries of creation lead us closer to Christ? Dr. Michael Dauphinais speaks with Fr. Joseph Fessio, founder of Ignatius Press and founding provost of Ave Maria University, about the value of G.K. Chesterton’s Orthodoxy, exploring how he defends the goodness of existence. Resources: Books by G.K. Chesterton on Ignatius Press Previous episode: An Introduction to Chestertonian Theology with...