Sunday School with Pat Flynn

In this episode of Sunday School, Catholic evangelist Pat Flynn engages Dr. David Roehmer on his views of Physics, Metaphysics, and God (July 27, 2020)

In this episode of Sunday School, Catholic apologist Pat Flynn engages Carrie Gress, PhD, concerning her books the The Anti-Mary Exposed and Theology of Home, offering a diagnosis of culture, ideas on how to serve women, and what we can do — daily, at home — to fulfill our desire of God. (October 13, 2019)

In this episode of Sunday School, Catholic apologist Pat Flynn talks with his wife, Christine Mooney-Flynn, about the grammar of Catholic boycotting. (September 22, 2019)

In this episode of Sunday School, Catholic evangelist Pat Flynn is joined by Fr. Gregory Pine to talk human purpose and destiny. (August 11, 2019)

In this episode of Sunday School, Catholic apologist Pat Flynn speaks with Dr. Stephen Napier on a philosophy of life. (August 4, 2019)

Pat Flynn is joined by professional philosopher and professor at St. John’s University Dr. Robert Delfino to discuss Thomas Aquinas and his famous “proofs” for the existence of God, particularly the 3rd way argument from possibility and necessity. Do these arguments hold any validity today? If so, what exactly are they and what sort of insights do they provide?In this episode:What is metaphysics? And how does the knowledge philosophy gives us differ from that which is arrived at through the physical sciences?What did Aquinas mean by “proof”?The argument from possibility and necessity for God’s existence and transcendent nature (Aquinas’s famous 3rd way)Overcoming common misunderstandings and objections to the argumentWhat can philosophical arguments reveal about the nature of God?Finally, does this “god of the philosopher” correspond in any significant way to the God of the Bible? (July 28, 2019)

Is it possible — like really possible — to know not only God exists, but something about God through reason alone? Pat is joined by at least one professional philosophy who says yes: Dr. Josh Rasmussen. Not only does Dr. Rasmussen hold that we can know that God exists, but that we can establish as much through pure logic. From there, we can even learn something about what God must be like, simply by working our back from our own experience to a necessarily existing, and conscious, foundation to reality. (July 21, 2019)

In this episode of Sunday School, Catholic Evangelist Pat Flynn talks about why we go to church. (July 7, 2019)

In this episode of Sunday School, Pat is joined by Dr. Timothy McGrew to discuss the reliability of the gospels and whether we can trust what’s recorded in them. Also, are miracles possible? Is that a thing? It’s a fun discussion. Really! (June 30, 2019)

Pat is joined by professional philosopher J.P. Moreland to discuss anxiety and the human soul. Professor Moreland, who specializes in philosophy of mind, opens up about his struggles with anxiety and depression, and shares strategies –physical, mental, and spiritual — that have helped him to reclaim a life of peace and joy. (June 23, 2019)

In this episode of Sunday School, Catholic apologist Pat Flynn is joined by two Catholic Scientists — Dr. Michael Behe and Dr. Stacy Trascancos — to discuss and debate the theory of intelligent design. In this conversation: What does Intelligent Design (ID) actually say about the theory of evolution? Is ID an argument from ignorance, or an inference to the best explanation? At what level is design obvious in nature? Is ID too narrow, or telling of something much greater? Can you settle the matter of design (or no design) apart from evolution?How do we best explain the complex structures and genetic codes we’ve discovered in life? Can Neo-Darwinian processes account for this? What does “random” or “unguided” mean with respect to natural selection? Can “brute forces and matter” account for the structures and complexity we see in nature?

In this episode of Sunday School, Catholic evangelist Pat Flynn talks about upcoming plans for the Sunday School program. (June 9, 2019)

In this episode of Sunday School, Catholic evangelist Pat Flynn interviews Leah Moler, lover of philosophy and writer at LifeAsLeahKnows, about her conversion story from agnosticism, through evangelicalism, to Catholicism, and why she believes reason and faith are not only not incompatible, but cannot ever ultimately be at odds, since all come from the same source: God. (May 26, 2019)You can learn more about Leah and keep up with her writing over at LifeAsLeahKnows.comAnd follow Leah on Instagram @LifeAsLeahKnows: https://www.instagram.com/lifeasleahknows/

In this episode of Sunday School, Pat Flynn talks about Mere Christianity and the Three Parts of Morality. (May 19, 2019)

Philosopher and theologian William Lane Craig recently appeared on the Ben Shapiro show to present the case for reasonable Christian belief. Pat offers commentary on that episode, dives deeper into some of the arguments, and responds to objections made to a comment he posted on a video. (May 12, 2019)

Pat is joined on the podcast by his longtime friend Aaron to discuss and (civilly) debate the differences between Catholicism and Protestantism. Pat takes the Catholic side, Aaron comes from the perspective of a non-denominational Evangelical. The topics hit upon are quite diverse, and include:The authority and interpretation of Scripture; most importantly: Is Scripture the only authority? Or is Scripture just an authority? How do we know?What is “truth”?What the Catholic Church is, and isn’t.Pat’s reasons for leaving Protestantism and becoming Catholic, and Aaron’s responses.A discussion of the Church fathers and what they believed.What does faith really mean, and how can it be justified?The Catholic vs Protestant view of Salvation.How each side addresses the Problem of Evil.The gentleman even begin with some thoughts on Jordan Peterson and how he seems to effectively be serving as a bridge to religion for a many people, even if both Aaron and Pat would disagree with a certain number of his particular, theological viewpoints, which are also discussed. (May 5, 2019)

In this episode of Sunday School, Pat Flynn interviews Dr. Kevin Vost on St. Thomas and the nature of Truth and Happiness (April 28, 2019)

In this episode of Sunday School, Pat Flynn continues reading through Mere Christianity and offering his commentary. In this segment, we finally run into C.S. Lewis’s famous presentation of the Lord, Liar, Lunatic dilemma with respect to Jesus. Which one, we must ask, was he?

In this episode of Sunday School, Pat Flynn shares his journey to faith on the Classical Theism podcast, and offers advice on dealing with skepticism and finding ways to have productive religious conversation with people of differing views. But before that, we begin today’s Sunday School episode with a Gospel reflection. (April 14, 2019)

In this episode of Sunday School, Pat Flynn asks whether God’s expectations are too high, too unrealistic. Why does Christianity seem to have so many “rules”? Are we looking at God’s commands in the wrong way? A listener wrote in with these fundamental questions, and Pat does his best to offer a fundamental answer. (April 7, 2019)

In this episode of Sunday School, Pat Flynn interviews Fr. Joseph Laracy of Sacred Heart University concerning his Faith/Science Course (March 31, 2019)

In this episode of Sunday School, Pat Flynn is joined by Dr. Michael Behe to discuss the work he’s done as a molecular biologist with respect to the theory of evolution and intelligent design. Dr. Behe — author of Darwin’s Black Box, the Edge of Evolution, and most recently Darwin Devolves — contends the more we discover about the molecular level of life, the more challenges are brought against the modern Darwinian theory of evolution. (March 24, 2019)

In this episode of Sunday School, Pat Flynn reads a chapter from C.S. Lewis on “The Great Sin” of pride. (March 17, 2019)

In this episode of Sunday School, Pat Flynn responds to a listener’s question and explains some of the ways his life has changed since becoming religious. (March 10, 2019)

Fr. Sptizer, Ph.D, is back to talk about the science of cosmic find tuning and transcendent intelligence, the “what” versus the “who” of God, exorcisms, near death experiences, and more. (March 3, 2019)

Pat talks with Dr. Michael Rota, professor of philosophy at the University of St. Thomas, on one of the most controversial but intriguing arguments for the reasonableness of committing to a religious life: Pascal’s Wager. Dr. Rota is the author of the book Taking Pascal’s Wager: Faith, Evidence, and the Abundant Life, where he offers an updated formulation of the argument, responds to common objections, and presents a case for the truth of the Christian faith. (February 17, 2019)

Fr. Robert J. Sptizer, Ph.D, joins Pat Flynn to discuss the relationship between faith and reason, and how science, when properly understood, strongly points to the existence of God.From the discovery of a “finely-tuned” universe in contemporary cosmology, to the studies on near death experiences and terminal lucidity, this conversation is sure to fascinate anyone who’s interested in the understanding the deep compatibility between faith and reason.Furthermore, Pat brings a host of theological questions to Fr. Spitzer–questions from what exactly we’ll do in heaven, and how to suffer well on earth–that listeners have sent in. (February 3, 2019)

I was hit by my first panic attack on the football field in the fifth grade, but I’d been struggling with anxiety for as long as I can remember. My worry is as old as my bones, as much a part of my childhood identity as my dimples and freckles and love for mint chocolate chip ice cream.But I’m not alone, and neither are you: millions of Americans are afflicted with anxiety–are prevented from living a life that is adventurous, productive, and free, because of worry. The good news? Anxiety is not something you’re stuck with. Worry can be overcome and you can get on with your life.Here’s what I’ve done.

For most of my life I had about as well formed an animus toward religion as could possibly be conceived. Then, one day, people saw that I’d become a Catholic. How did this happen, my readers and listeners have wanted to know? And why, of all things, Catholicism? Why not, like, anything but Catholicism? Why not Buddhism? Come on, man, Buddhism is hip!In this podcast, and subsequent post, I am going to do the best job that I can, given the brief space that I have, and in the most courteous manner possible, to offer support for the primary reasons I decided to become a Catholic. (January 20, 2019)

In this episode of Sunday School, Pat Flynn talks about the Fifth Commandment. (January 6, 2019)

In this episode of Sunday School, Pat Flynn talks about the Fourth Commandment in his series on the Ten Commandments. (December 30, 2018)

Pat Flynn is joined by bio-ethicist Peter Koch of Villanova University to discuss some of the deepest and most important questions of life, including:– How to think about death.– How to make ethical decisions.– Whether or not there is an afterlife.– What to make of utilitarianism? Or deontology?– Where do moral values and duties come from?– And more!This is a deep episode, folks. Please share and enjoy!

In this episode of Sunday School, Pat talks about the 5 most important questions in life, and why everybody should be engaged in trying to answer them. (December 16, 2018)

Quoting from What We Can’t Not Know: “A paraphrase of the Second Commamdment might be “You shall not use empty speech in connection with God.” … To say this is one of the things we can’t not know–that it belongs not only to biblical injunction but to natural law–is to say that we naturally understand certain things about the relation of speech to reality, a theme to which we return in the Eighth Commandment. Even a liar’s speech expressing something true; it may not tell us the state of the world, but it tells us the state of his heart. What empty God-talk tells us is that where there ought to be God, there is emptiness.”

In this episode of Sunday School, Pat Flynn engages the #1 question he's gotten (by far) since starting Sunday School: Why Catholicism? Pat finally starts to answer that question–in a serious and inviting way–with his very special guest Patrick Madrid. (December 2, 2018)

Pat introduces his new series for Sunday School: The 10 Commandments in 10 Minutes. In this episode, Pat gives a brief overview of moral philosophy, natural law theory, and special revelation, and how they all come together to provide us with a blueprint for how to flourish and how to get along with others. Then, Pat covers the 1st Commandment in 10 minutes. In this episode:– What the 1st Commandment is really saying about what we owe to God.– Why the 1st Commandment is giving us what WE need, not what God needs.– Why the 1st Commandment is a specific (and high) example of the basic moral obligations of fair playing and giving each their due.– Some all-too-common ways the 1st Commandment is violated. (Sin, ruh-roh!)

In this episode of Sunday School, Patrick Flynn interviews Professor Rachel Fulton Brown, a professor of medieval European history at the University of Chicago, who specializes in the study of devotion and prayer, along with the works of J.R.R Tolkien.In this conversation, Professor Brown, a lifelong Christian, and recent convert to Catholicism, discloses much of her spiritual journey, talks about how to develop spiritual discipline in a largely secular age (an analogy she ties beautifully into fencing), and how a proper understanding of the Virgin Mary is necessary to save the soul of Western Civilization–a statement which has gotten her into some recent controversy!In this episode, we also discuss: How to step inside the beam of devotion to gain a greater understanding of God; how to think about–and respond to–corruption in the church; and her recent work with a rather interesting–and indeed, controversial–figure!A deep and, at times, provocative interview, that comes with more than a few surprises, I hope you enjoy my conversation with Professor Rachel Fulton Brown.

In this episode of Sunday School, Pat Flynn asks a professional bio-ethicist a bunch of hard moral questions, including:- What does it mean to have a "good" life- How should we think about euthanasia/assisted suicide?- If everybody is lying to you, and you "think" you life is going well, is it really? - Is it wrong to impose moral

In this episode of Sunday School, Pat Flynn explores an age old question--some would say an age old myth--but let's be fair in asking it: Are science and religion fundamentally at odds? Well, I suppose that depends on who you ask. But at least one theoretical physicist (enter Stephen Barr) says no--no they most certainly are not. Not only are religion and science. (November 4, 2011)

Fr. Thomas Joseph White, a philosopher, theologian, author, and Dominican who teaches at the Angelicum in Rome, joins Pat to discuss many of the common (and often difficult) questions people have about religion in the modern age. How can we know that God exists? Is there a conflict between religion and science? Are there any objective moral norms? What about scandals in the church? And, how can we know if any one particular religion has gotten everything right. These are fundamental questions which deserve a fundamental answer, and Fr. White takes on the challenge of discussing them all. (October 29, 2018)

In this episode of Sunday School, Pat demonstrates that good philosophy will get us to a general (and moral) monotheism. But we need religion–that is God’s specific revelation, or statements about Himself and man; God’s gifts, in other words–to really know the greatest truths of the world. Science and philosophy can get us to a point. Religion fills in the rest. (October 21, 2018)

Episode 21: Pat gives a brief talk on the relationship of philosophy and theology, and then offers a recommendation for Ed Feser’s book Five Proofs of the Existence of God. October 7, 2018. ​

Episode 20: In this episode Pat takes on the problem of pain, or why bad things happen to good people. This is part one of two. September 30, 2018. ​

Episode 19: In this episode, Pat shares his story out of atheism from a philosophical perspective and why he thinks the position is (ultimately) absurd. First, he explains what atheism is (along with the implications of metaphysical naturalism). Then, he offers a series of objections against the claim that God does not exist. September 23, 2018. ​

Episode 18: In this episode, Pat talks about how he discovered Mortimer Adler’s work, the impact its had on him, and the books he recommends starting out. September 16, 2018. ​

Episode 17: In this episode of Sunday School, Pat shares a talk he presented at Holy Apostles college and seminar (original presentation here) on his personal journey from atheism to Christianity, and presents a philosophical argument based around the facts of the historical Jesus for the claims that Christians make: The He really was the Son of God, and not some mystic or legend or sage. After which, Pat briefly explores “mere” Christian theology and theodicy, to make sense of the difference Jesus makes. September 9, 2018. ​

Episode 16: In this episode of Sunday School, Pat is joined by his wife Christine for a discussion on how to develop a practical prayer life. In this episode, the couple dive into their individual prayer lives, including what’s been most powerful and helpful to them, how they got started, and what’s kept them in the routine of maintaining a regular, ongoing conversation with God. September 2, 2018.

Episode 15: In this episode of Sunday School, Pat unpacks what it means to practice morality (in a mostly Christian sense), and why trying to be a religious person is often like going to the dentist: difficult at first (especially if we haven’t been taking care of our teeth), but really good for us in the long term. August 26, 2018.

Episode 14: In this episode of Sunday School, Pat explores the practical and philosophical foundations of religious–and, in particular, Christian– morality, common misunderstandings people have, virtue theory, and why striving to live according to these a particular set of moral principles is almost certain to produce a life that is altogether productive, charitable, and fulfilling. August 19, 2018.

Episode 13: In this episode of Sunday School, Pat attempts to answer a series of questions asked by his kids about God, presented by his wife, Christine. August 12, 2018.

Episode 12: Can you know of God through reason alone? What can philosophy tell us about God’s existence and nature? Dr. Robert Delfino joins me to a deep and interesting philosophical conversation about how the philosophy of Thomas Aquinas and his famous “5 ways” can help us to form a better understanding of God. Aired on August 5, 2018.