FORMED Book Club

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Join Catholic experts and book lovers with decades of experience in publishing for in-depth weekly discussions of relevant Catholic texts. Hosted by Fr. Joseph Fessio, SJ (Founder of Ignatius Press), Vivian Dudro (Senior Editor at Ignatius Press), and Joseph Pearce (Director of Book Publishing at Augustine Institute).These discussions are part of an online community that reads and discusses a different book each month. Go to formedbookclub.ignatius.com to sign up for free!

Joseph Pearce, Vivian Dudro, and Fr. Joseph Fessio, SJ

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    • Mar 5, 2025 LATEST EPISODE
    • every other week NEW EPISODES
    • 31m AVG DURATION
    • 259 EPISODES


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    Latest episodes from FORMED Book Club

    G.K. Chesterton, “Orthodoxy” (pt. 17)

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 5, 2025 26:24


    Fr. Fessio, Vivian Dudro, and Joseph Pearce wrap up Chesterton's Orthodoxy aswell as the Formed Book Club! In two weeks, this iconic trio will join once again to launch the new podcast, Ignatius Press—Off the Shelf. So, stay tuned for more of the same great content, and for now, enjoy their discussion of Christianity as guardian of liberty, innovation, and advancement.Support the show

    G.K. Chesterton, “Orthodoxy” (pt. 16)

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 26, 2025 28:03


    Monism, pantheism, Arianism, and determinism are often considered the hallmarks of free thought, but Chesterton argues that they are actually not liberal at all. In fact, these ideologies lead to tyranny, slavery, and close-mindedness. Join Fr. Fessio, Vivian Dudro, and Joseph Pearce discuss how only through Christ can be come to true freedom and happiness.Support the show

    G.K. Chesterton, “Orthodoxy” (pt. 15)

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 19, 2025 26:30


    Join Fr. Fessio, Vivian Dudro, and Joseph Pearce as they discuss why happiness on this earth requires a fixed standard, a composite design, and a state of watchfulness. For Chesterton, the nature of this happiness requires a good Christian to always be in a state of revolution, not because he seeks to do away with the old, but to return to the old—to the goodness that which God created us before the Fall.Support the show

    G.K. Chesterton, “Orthodoxy” (pt. 14)

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 12, 2025 24:39


    In this episode, Fr. Fessio, Vivian Dudro, and Joseph Pearce begin chapter seven and reflect on Chesterton's description of chronological snobbery or the modernist belief that progress and evolution are always good. Chesterton argues that if progress is to be good, it must be aimed at an ideal that is fixed, complex, and maintained with vigilance.Support the show

    G.K. Chesterton, “Orthodoxy” (pt. 13)

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 5, 2025 29:11


    Is Christianity too bland, too elaborate, somewhere right in the middle, or both extremes? In this episode, Fr. Fessio, Vivian Dudro, and Joseph Pearce dive into the Chesterton's paradoxes of Christianity. Support the show

    G.K. Chesterton, “Orthodoxy” (pt. 12)

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 29, 2025 22:48


    Wrapping up chapter five and beginning chapter six, Father Fessio, Joseph Pearce, and Vivian Dudro discuss Christian optimism, which sees the good in this world but recognizes that Heaven alone is our true home. They also reflect on G.K. Chesterton's claim that by becoming Catholic a person often experiences everything fitting into place.Support the show

    G.K. Chesterton, “Orthodoxy” (pt. 11)

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 22, 2025 25:19


    In what way is martyrdom different from suicide? In this episode, Father Fessio, Vivian Dudro, and Joseph Pearce discuss Chesterton's strong words against suicide.Support the show

    G.K. Chesterton, “Orthodoxy” (pt. 10)

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 15, 2025 35:08


    What is real patriotism? Can you love your homeland too much? For G.K. Chesterton, it depends on what we mean by love. Father Fessio, Joseph Pearce, and Vivian Dudro read the chapter "The Flag of the World" in Chesterton's Orthodoxy.Support the show

    G.K. Chesterton, “Orthodoxy” (pt. 9)

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 8, 2025 29:45


    Escapism is bad, but escape can be very good. Father Fessio, Joseph Pearce, and Vivian Dudro parse the “Ethics of Faerieland” in G.K. Chesterton's Orthodoxy.Support the show

    G.K. Chesterton, “Orthodoxy” (pt. 8)

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 11, 2024 30:07


    This third episode on the book's central chapter about fairytales draws on several of its inherent themes: memory, trust, and joy. Father Fessio, Joseph Pearce, and Vivian Dudro continue discussion of Orthodoxy by G.K. Chesterton.Support the show

    G.K. Chesterton, “Orthodoxy” (pt. 7)

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 4, 2024 26:48


    Continuing through the ethics of elfland, Chesterton details the importance of introducing children to fairytales and of cultivating wonder in daily life. Father Fessio, Joseph Pearce, and Vivian Dudro continue discussion of Orthodoxy by G.K. Chesterton.Support the show

    G.K. Chesterton, “Orthodoxy” (pt. 6)

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 27, 2024 27:03


    Getting into the heart of the book, chapter 4 outlines the “ethics of elfland,” detailing a Christian worldview of wonder and reverence. Father Fessio, Joseph Pearce, and Vivian Dudro continue the discussion of Chesterton's Orthodoxy.Support the show

    G.K. Chesterton, “Orthodoxy” (pt. 5)

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 20, 2024 30:29


    Before launching into the heart of the book, this episode discusses "choice" and how such diverse characters as Nietzsche, Tolstoy, and Joan of Arc related to (or lived) that idea. Join Father Fessio, Vivian Dudro, and Joseph Pearce in a continued discussion of G.K. Chesterton's Orthodoxy.Support the show

    G.K. Chesterton, “Orthodoxy” (pt. 4)

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 13, 2024 30:04


    The system of thought outlined in previous episodes comes to a turning point in this chapter, which is dramatically titled “The Suicide of Thought.” Father Fessio, Joseph Pearce, and Vivian Dudro continue the discussion of Orthodoxy by G.K. Chesterton.Support the show

    G.K. Chesterton, “Orthodoxy” (pt. 3)

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 6, 2024 30:08


    Discover why the maniac in chapter 2 is a materialist and cannot be truly free. Fr. Fessio, Joseph Pearce, and Vivian Dudro continue the discussion of Chesterton's Orthodoxy.Support the show

    G.K. Chesterton, “Orthodoxy” (pt. 2)

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 30, 2024 29:53


    Discussion of the maniac from chapter two, the danger of taking yourself too seriously, and the importance of a sense of humor. Join Father Fessio, Joseph Pearce, and Vivian Dudro for a continued discussion of Orthodoxy by G.K. Chesterton.Support the show

    G.K. Chesterton, “Orthodoxy” (pt. 1)

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 23, 2024 30:22


    Why G.K. Chesterton can change your life. Father Fessio, Joseph Pearce, and Vivian Dudro begin their reading of Chesterton's classic “Orthodoxy.”Support the show

    Fr. Hans Urs von Balthasar, “Dare We Hope ‘That All Men Be Saved'?” (pt. 16)

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 16, 2024 21:34


    Father Fessio, Joseph Pearce, and Vivian Dudro continue breaking down Hans Urs von Balthasar's misunderstood work “Dare We Hope ‘That All Men Be Saved'?”Support the show

    Fr. Hans Urs von Balthasar, “Dare We Hope ‘That All Men Be Saved'?” (pt. 15)

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 9, 2024 36:02


    Father Fessio, Joseph Pearce, and Vivian Dudro continue breaking down Hans Urs von Balthasar's misunderstood work "Dare We Hope ‘That All Men Be Saved'?"Support the show

    Fr. Hans Urs von Balthasar, “Dare We Hope ‘That All Men Be Saved'?” (pt. 14)

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 2, 2024 29:58


    Pulling from Scriptural directives, the author emphasizes that “Certainty cannot be attained, but hope can be justified.” Attention is drawn to the tremendous privilege belonging to a faithful servant who has shared from the first hour in the labors of Christ in the vineyard. Father Fessio, Joseph Pearce, and Vivian Dudro continue the discussion of the “Short Discourse on Hell” at the end of Hans Urs von Balthasar's “Dare We Hope ‘That All Men Be Saved'”.Support the show

    Fr. Hans Urs von Balthasar, “Dare We Hope ‘That All Men Be Saved'?” (pt. 13)

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 25, 2024 25:54


    The distinctions among three levels of faith; the proper attitude to have at the Second Coming of Christ. Join Father Fessio, Joseph Pearce, and Vivian Dudro as they continue the discussion of "A Short Discourse on Hell" at the end of Hans Urs von Balthasar's Dare We Hope “That All Men Be Saved”?.Support the show

    Fr. Hans Urs von Balthasar, “Dare We Hope ‘That All Men Be Saved'?” (pt. 12)

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 18, 2024 26:55


    Delve into the beginning of von Balthasar's response to objections, highlighting the difference between hope and certainty and the importance of the Fatima prayer to “lead all souls to heaven, especially those in most need of [God's] mercy.” Father Fessio, Joseph Pearce, and Vivian Dudro discuss the “Short Discourse on Hell” at the end of Dare We Hope “That All Men Be Saved?”.Support the show

    Fr. Hans Urs von Balthasar, “Dare We Hope ‘That All Men Be Saved'?” (pt. 11)

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 11, 2024 29:45


    How sin results in loss of personhood. The quality of God's justice and his mercy in light of the theological virtue of hope. Father Fessio, Joseph Pearce, and Vivian Dudro discuss Hans Urs von Balthasar's Dare We Hope "That All Men Be Saved?".Support the show

    Fr. Hans Urs von Balthasar, “Dare We Hope ‘That All Men Be Saved'?” (pt. 10)

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 4, 2024 30:51


    This episode discusses hell as a state of being (or non-being), in contrast with heaven, as well as the self-consuming nature of evil. The use of symbolism also comes into play here as Father Fessio, Joseph Pearce, and Vivian Dudro continue the conversation on Hans Urs von Balthasar's Dare We Hope "That All Men Be Saved?".Support the show

    Fr. Hans Urs von Balthasar, “Dare We Hope ‘That All Men Be Saved'?” (pt. 9)

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 28, 2024 31:46


    Action, the sufferings of Christ, and the eternity of hell are discussed in this episode. What is the difference between eternity and endlessness? Father Fessio, Joseph Pearce, and Vivian Dudro discuss Hans Urs von Balthasar's Dare We Hope "That All Men Be Saved?".Support the Show.

    Fr. Hans Urs von Balthasar, “Dare We Hope ‘That All Men Be Saved'?” (pt. 8)

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 21, 2024 29:21


    Understanding hope for eternal life in light of God's justice and his mercy, Father Fessio, Joseph Pearce, and Vivian Dudro continue the discussion of Hans Urs von Balthasar's Dare We Hope "That All Men Be Saved?".Support the Show.

    Fr. Hans Urs von Balthasar, “Dare We Hope ‘That All Men Be Saved'?” (pt. 7)

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 14, 2024 32:29


    What does it mean to hope for eternal salvation? A general hope for everyone's salvation is enriched by a look at one's personal hope for his own eternal life. Father Fessio, Joseph Pearce, and Vivian Dudro discuss Hans Urs von Balthasar's Dare We Hope "That All Men Be Saved?".Support the Show.

    Fr. Hans Urs von Balthasar, “Dare We Hope ‘That All Men Be Saved'?” (pt. 6)

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 7, 2024 29:49


    Is hell a place? Is it a state of soul? Fr. Fessio, Joseph Pearce, and Vivian Dudro discuss Hans Urs von Balthasar's “Dare We Hope ‘That All Men Be Saved'?”.Support the Show.

    Fr. Hans Urs von Balthasar, “Dare We Hope ‘That All Men Be Saved'?” (pt. 5)

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 2, 2024 30:09


    Why fallen angels can't be saved. Fr. Fessio, Joseph Pearce, and Vivian Dudro discuss Balthasar's “Dare We Hope ‘That All Men Be Saved'?”Support the Show.

    Fr. Hans Urs von Balthasar, “Dare We Hope ‘That All Men Be Saved'?” (pt. 4)

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 25, 2024 33:09


    Could it be that people choose to go to hell? Fr. Fessio, Joseph Pearce, and Vivian Dudro discuss Hans Urs von Balthasar's controversial “Dare We Hope ‘That All Men Be Saved'?”Support the Show.

    Fr. Hans Urs von Balthasar, “Dare We Hope ‘That All Men Be Saved'?” (pt. 3)

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 17, 2024 33:03


    Is hell a place, and can we know who is in it? Fr. Fessio, Joseph Pearce, and Vivian Dudro discuss Hans Urs von Balthasar's "Dare We Hope ‘That All Men Be Saved'?”.Support the Show.

    Fr. Hans Urs von Balthasar, “Dare We Hope ‘That All Men Be Saved'?” (pt. 2)

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 3, 2024 34:09


    Is Jesus just, or is he merciful? Fr. Fessio, Joseph Pearce, and Vivian Dudro discuss Hans Urs von Balthasar's misunderstood book “Dare We Hope ‘That All Men Be Saved'?”.Support the Show.

    Fr. Hans Urs von Balthasar, “Dare We Hope ‘That All Men Be Saved'?” (pt. 1)

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 26, 2024 33:16


    Catholics regularly ask God to “lead all souls to heaven,” but why? Why pray for people like Joseph Stalin and Jeffrey Dahmer who apparently deserve divine punishment? Theologian Hans Urs von Balthasar takes on the question in “Dare We Hope ‘That All Men Be Saved'?”—a book that has caused much misunderstanding and controversy.Support the Show.

    Fr. Robert Spitzer, “Science at the Doorstep to God” (pt. 15)

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 19, 2024 32:36


    How does science make sense of beauty? Fr. Fessio, Joseph Pearce, and Vivian Dudro discuss “Science at the Doorstep to God” by Robert Spitzer, S.J.Support the Show.

    Fr. Robert Spitzer, “Science at the Doorstep to God” (pt. 15)

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 12, 2024 32:19


    Can we ever know too much? Father Fessio, Joseph Pearce, and Vivian Dudro discuss “Science at the Doorstep to God” by Father Robert Spitzer, S.J.Support the Show.

    Fr. Robert Spitzer, “Science at the Doorstep to God” (pt. 14)

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 5, 2024 27:00


    The mysteries of quantum physics and of God. Father Fessio, Joseph Pearce, and Vivian Dudro discuss Father Robert Spitzer's “Science at the Doorstep to God.”Support the Show.

    Fr. Robert Spitzer, “Science at the Doorstep to God” (pt. 13)

    Play Episode Listen Later May 30, 2024 31:43


    The science of conscience—and judgment. Fr. Fessio, Joseph Pearce, and Vivian Dudro discuss Robert Spitzer's book “Science at the Doorstep to God.”Support the Show.

    Fr. Robert Spitzer, “Science at the Doorstep to God” (pt. 12)

    Play Episode Listen Later May 22, 2024 32:14


    Mystical experiences—who has them and why? A debate between Father Fessio, Joseph Pearce, and Vivian Dudro on Robert Spitzer's book “Science at the Doorstep to God.”Support the Show.

    Fr. Robert Spitzer, “Science at the Doorstep to God” (pt. 11)

    Play Episode Listen Later May 15, 2024 26:23


     Quantum physics: proof of God? Fr. Fessio, Joseph Pearce, and Vivian Dudro discuss Fr. Robert Spitzer's “Science at the Doorstep to God.”Support the Show.

    Fr. Robert Spitzer, “Science at the Doorstep to God” (pt. 10)

    Play Episode Listen Later May 8, 2024 31:28


    What does LANGUAGE tell us about how humans think? Fr. Fessio, Joseph Pearce, and Vivian Dudro discuss Fr. Robert Spitzer's “Science at the Doorstep to God.”Support the Show.

    Fr. Robert Spitzer, “Science at the Doorstep to God” (pt. 9)

    Play Episode Listen Later May 1, 2024 28:38


    PROOF that humans are different from monkeys. Fr. Fessio, Joseph Pearce, and Vivian Dudro discuss “Science at the Doorstep to God” by Robert Spitzer, S.J.Support the Show.

    Fr. Robert Spitzer, “Science at the Doorstep to God” (pt. 8)

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 24, 2024 20:22


    Near-death experiences and out-of-body experiences: are they real? Fr. Fessio, Joseph Pearce, and Vivian Dudro discuss Science at the Doorstep to God by Fr. Robert Spitzer, S.J.Support the show

    Fr. Robert Spitzer, “Science at the Doorstep to God” (pt. 7)

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 17, 2024 30:31


    God is perfect, simple, omniscient, omnipresent—but what do these things mean? Fr. Fessio, Joseph Pearce, and Vivian Dudro break down Science at the Doorstep to God by Father Robert Spitzer, S.J.Support the show

    Fr. Robert Spitzer, “Science at the Doorstep to God” (pt. 6)

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 10, 2024 26:56


    Are there multiple universes, and how can we know? Fr. Fessio, Joseph Pearce, and Vivian Dudro discuss Science at the Doorstep to God by Father Robert Spitzer, S.J.Support the show

    Fr. Robert Spitzer, “Science at the Doorstep to God” (pt. 5)

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 3, 2024 30:37


    God the Fine Tuner: How to scientists explain how the laws of the universe got so precise? Father Fessio, Joseph Pearce, and Vivian Dudro continue their discussion of Father Robert Spitzer's new book “Science at the Doorstep to God.”Support the show

    Fr. Robert Spitzer, “Science at the Doorstep to God” (pt. 4)

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 27, 2024 28:55


    It is said that a monkey in front of a typewriter, given an infinite amount of time, would eventually type out the complete works of Shakespeare. This is true. But would it understand? Father Fessio, Joseph Pearce, and Vivian Dudro continue their discussion of Father Robert Spitzer's new book “Science at the Doorstep to God.”Support the show

    Fr. Robert Spitzer, “Science at the Doorstep to God” (pt. 3)

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 20, 2024 32:28


    There is so much scientific evidence for God, yet why do scientists find it so difficult to believe? Father Fessio, Joseph Pearce, and Vivian Dudro continue their discussion of Father Robert Spitzer's new book “Science at the Doorstep to God.”Support the show

    Fr. Robert Spitzer, “Science at the Doorstep to God” (pt. 2)

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 13, 2024 31:29


    Entropy: Why do things degrade? Father Fessio, Joseph Pearce, and Vivian Dudro discuss some of the basic principles of Father Robert Spitzer's new book "Science at the Doorstep to God".Support the show

    Fr. Robert Spitzer, “Science at the Doorstep to God” (pt. 1)

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 6, 2024 34:11


    Modern science is giving more and more astounding evidence FOR the existence of God. Learn about it in Father Robert Spitzer's phenomenal new book “Science at the Doorstep to God.” In this first episode, Father Joseph Fessio, Joseph Pearce, and Vivian Dudro discuss the introduction. Pages 1 to 30.Support the show

    Geoffrey Shaw, “The Lost Mandate of Heaven” (pt. 14)

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 28, 2024 23:35


    The assassination of President Diem. Concluding remarks. Page 262 to end.Support the show

    Geoffrey Shaw, “The Lost Mandate of Heaven” (pt. 13)

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 21, 2024 23:24


    Chapters 12 and 13a, pages 237 to 266.Support the show

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