The Passing Currents Podcast

A quick update on the status of the Passing Currents Podcast (and, while we're on the mic again, some good ol' recommendations).

After a long hiatus, the boys return...kind of. In light of recent events, and as a sort of warm-up for the impending return of the Passing Currents Podcast, we offer you this kinda-new episode. It is a talk on fear that Eric gave at Camp Summit a number of years ago. It was aired once before on the show (Episode 58, way back when), buuuuuuuut given the arguments the world is making these days for bein' afraid, we thought it was perhaps extra relevant, and worth reposting. We hope you enjoy, and we can't wait to get back to making new episodes for you all again soon.

Surprise! The boys come off of the hiatus for a surprise episode addressing concerns of how to continue to live and grow in faith amidst these times of uncertainty and isolation. Enjoy!Recommended Reads: The Noonday Devil: Acedia, The Unnamed Evil of Our Times, Dom Jean-Charles Nault; The Power of Silence, Robert Cardinal Sarah; From the Depths of Our Hearts, Robert Cardinal Sarah and Papa Benny; Strangers to the City, Michael Casey; The Lord, Romano Guardini; Jesus of Nazareth trilogy, Papa Benny; The Life of Christ, Fulton J. Sheen; To Know Christ Jesus, Frank Sheed; The Thrawn Trilogy, Timothy Zahn.Recommended Prayers: Litany of Trust; the freakin' Rosary; special recognition of Sunday as a day of rest and prayer.

This week, we DON'T have a brand new interview. Instead, Brian and Eric discuss an interesting encounter that Brian had with an acquaintance of his who objected to the very premise of the podcast: that is, whether or not Eric and Brian have a right to ask what another person believes, and whether or not that person has a right to ask similar things of them. The boys also discuss a question that this individual offered about why (in his words) we have to “pay to pray.” And finally: stick around until the end of the episode for a very important podcast announcement! ENJOY!(and yes, the title makes sense when you listen to the episode)

This week, the boys tackle four issues brought up by Eric's interview with Aaron:First, they address a question Aaron brought up during the interview: if no one had tied you about God, would you believe?Why does it matter that your life philosophy be true? That is, if it's false but it makes you and others around you happy, why is that not enough?What is the relationship between eternal life and moral obedience in this life? (look out; we gon quote some VERITATIS SPLENDOR up in here)What's the deal with death?Enjoy!Recommended Reads: Veritatis Splendor, Papa JP; Matthew 19.

This week, Eric sits down for an interview with his buddy Aaron, a professed atheist, and they talk about everyone's favorite light-hearted topic: DEATH. Along with various related topics. ENJOY!

This week, Brian and Eric discuss Brian's interview with Mark. They specific address the ideological divide in Catholicism and what concrete steps we might take to begin to bridge that gap and promote actual, productive conversation. Recommended Reads: YOU SHOULD ACTUALLY READ VATICAN II DOCUMENTS

In this week's interview, Brian sits down with Rochester religion teacher Mark Neuring to try to answer the question: must we apply political terms to Catholic communities? In the end, Mark challenges listeners to do something positive for change. Enjoy!

This week, Brian and Eric tackle the two questions from last week's interview with Ostrich, namely: did Christ intend for there to be multiple denominations of Christianity, and who is Christ coming back to save? The boys discuss modern Christianity's approach to denominational differences, who Christ is coming to save (spoiler: it's e'erbody), and what the Church (through specifically Lumen Gentium) has to say about who WILL be saved.Recommended Reads: Lumen Gentium (seriously, just read it); The Catechism of the Catholic Church; Catholic Christianity, Dr. Peter Kreeft.

WE'RE BACK. This week, in our first interview of 2020, Eric sits down with his old teammate, Ostrich. They discuss his faith journey, and Ostrich ends with a fantastic question: simply, for whom (according the Catholic Church) is Christ coming back? That is, who does the Catholic Church believe will be saved?

Welcome to Episode 100! This week, the boys take a step back and reflect on the last three years and tackle two questions: 1) what they expected to find in this podcast when they started it, and 2) what they ACTUALLY found in this podcast.To all of our listeners, interviewees, and supporters: thank you for coming along with us for the last few years. We are supremely grateful for your friendship and support. Pray for us, and know of our prayers for you.

This week, the boys discuss a recent study regarding our culture's inability to endure silence. They go over what this study says about modern man, what it says about our Church today, and what we can do to improve our “untutored minds.” Enjoy the episode, as well as the irony of us recording audio noise instructing you to eliminate noise.THE STUDY: https://science.sciencemag.org/content/345/6192/75.full (Note: a log-in is required, but subscription is free)Recommended Reads: The Power of Silence, Robert Cardinal Sarah; Time for God, Jacques Philippe.

Two episode ago, our interviewee, Andy Cass, asked, the question: what's the big deal with Mary? This week, with an eye toward Christmas, we devote an entire episode to that very question, doing a deep dive into all matters Mary.Recommended Reads: Hail, Holy Queen, Scott Hahn; Jesus and the Jewish Roots of Mary, Brant Pitre; World's First Love, Ven. Archbishop Fulton Sheen; Walking with Mary, Dr. Edward Sri; Catholicism and Fundamentalism, Karl Keating; Handbook of Christian Apologetics, Peter Kreeft & Ronald K. Tacelli; Mary: The Church at the Source, Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger (Papa Benny) & Hans Urs von Balthasar; There is No Rose: The Mariology of the Catholic Church; Fr. Aidan Nichols; Redemptoris Mater, Pope John Paul II; Introduction to Mary: The Heart of Marian Doctrine and Devotion, Mark Miraville; Catholic & Christian, Alan Schreck; The Teachings of the Church Fathers, John R. Willis.

This week, Brian and Eric address last week's interview with Andy Cass, pastor of The Echo Church. They discuss a variety of topics—such as tact in evangelization, what it means to take pride in one's Catholicism, the efficacy of sacraments, and the definition of love—all driving to the boys' answer to Andy's most important question: can we be friends? (Spoiler: the boys' answer is “yes, qualified”)NOTE: Andy asked a second question in his interview about what the big deal is with Mary. We touch briefly on it in this response, but have no fear: given the sheer magnitude (and importance) of that question, we are planning a full episode response to just that. Stay tuned.

A couple months ago, many Rochester residents received postcards in their mailboxes inviting them to attend worship at the brand-new Echo Church. The tagline on the postcard read, “We care about you more than stale religion.” This elicited a variety of strong reactions from our Rochester listeners, some of whom were interested in what was meant by “stale religion,” while others felt accused of being a part of a supposedly stale religion. In response to this, we reached out to Echo Church to see if they'd like to be interviewed, and they graciously agreed to meet with us.This week's episode, then, is Brian's interview with Andy Cass, pastor at Echo Church. He and Brian discuss the “stale religion” postcards and their intention, as well as Andy's own spirituality and vision for Echo Church. Finally, Andy asks a great question that hearkens back to the final interview of Season Two: can we be friends?

This week, Brian and Eric discuss the interview with Will Reilly. They tackle the idea of rules vs. relationship in religion, the notion of “legislating morality,” and Brian tells a hilariously horrifying story about Crossfit kidney failure. Enjoy it all (yes, even the kidney failure story)!

This week, Eric sits down for an interview with his old buddy from his SPO undergrad days, Will Reily. They discuss Will's spiritual movement since undergrad and what it's like to be a Christian on the East Coast. Finally, Will asks a question about legislating morality.

This week on the Passing Currents Podcast, you get the boys' response to last week's interview with Dave, which they recorded (perhaps unwisely) while driving back from a live show. In this episode, you'll get to enjoy the following:Explanations of why the boys believe in God!The loud directional instructions of Brian's GPS!Fervent thank-yous to all the good people in Virginia, MN!The sounds of the boys narrowly avoiding hitting a deer!Explanations of why the Eucharist is “such a big deal” to Catholics!Eric burns his tongue!Explanations of why Jesus ain't gonna show up and say, “Guys, guys, I was just speaking metaphorically!” (with regards to John 6)!The sounds of the boys watching a man in a truck run a red light!Discussion of whether or not Christianity stifles the honest pursuit of truth!AND MORE!Recommended Reads: The Hidden Manna, Fr. James T. O'Connor; The Case for Christ, Lee Strobel; The Mass of the Early Christians, Mike Aquilina; God is Near Us, Papa Benny; Theology and Sanity, Frank Sheed.

This week, Brian sits down with Dave, a friend with whom he disagrees often and respects immensely (remember, those two are not mutually exclusive qualities!). Dave walks us through his rejection of his fundamentalist Christian upbringing and his journey to atheism, as well as his views on Christianity's effect on exploration and truth. Finally, he asks two fantastic questions regarding 1) why we believe God exists at all, and 2) what the heck is the big deal with the Eucharist? Enjoy!

During last week's interview, our guest Jonny asked what we as a common Christian church can do to reach out to those who have drifted from Christianity due to lack of engagement or perceived lack of modern relevance. This week, the boys channel their inner Herm Edwards in their response. Eric speaks about two common phrases in sports today (“Winning is all that matters” and “It doesn't matter if you win, just how you play the game”). He lays out how and why those two phrases are not only misguided but also detrimental to the very purpose of sports, and what all of this has to do with modern Christianity, which has, by the boys' estimation, been failing to “play to win the game.”Recommended Reads: The Day is Now Far Spent, Robert Cardinal Sarah; The Habit of Being, Flannery O'Connor.

This week, Eric sits down with his old high school buddy, a man of many nicknames, Jonathan Leland. They discuss Jonny's spiritual journey, the importance of fathers, and denominational differences. Jonny closes by asking a question regarding how we reach out to those who have, for one reason or another, drifted away from their Christian heritage and are, by all indications, practical atheists.Recommended Reads: Mere Christianity, C.S. Lewis

This week, Brian and Eric sit down to discuss Brian's interview with Sr. Ruth. Perhaps unsurprisingly, they unexpectedly end up discussing liturgy, and why the liturgy is the key to bringing the Church back together.

Brian does his first interview of the season with a member of the Rochester Franciscans. Sister Ruth Snyder talks about her long life and ministry during some of the Church's most significant moments.

This week…THE BOYS DUKE IT OUT. Last week, Eric interviewed his good friend Kevin, so this week, the boys sit down to answer Kevin's question about the souls of people who, by no fault of their own, never encounter the Gospel of Christ. In the process, the dudes end up butting heads over Pascal's Wager, leading to…THE WAGER RAGER. Enjoy, folks.Recommended Reads: Pensees, Pascal; The Handbook of Christian Apologists, Peter Kreeft

In this, our first interview of Season Three, we introduce you to Kevin George. Kevin is one of Eric's oldest and dearest friends. Together they discuss “knowing,” the necessity and difficulty of having discussions about belief, and the dangers of avoiding such conversations. Finally, Kevin asks a great question about Pascal's Wager and the souls of those who, by no fault of their own, are never exposed to the idea or teachings of the Christian faith. Enjoy!

The boys return with a chat about God in history and the hope that comes of it. Welcome to Season Three, folks.Recommended Reads: God in the Dock, C.S. Lewis; The Complete Stories, Flannery O'Connor

In our fifth and final Theology on Tap posting, Bishop John Quinn stops in to field any and all questions in this, our first ever Grill the Bishop session.

In our fourth Theology on Tap posting, Ethan Heinzen makes the argument that faith and reason—so often juxtaposed in today's culture—and not only not opposed but are necessarily complementary.

In our third Theology on Tap posting, Father Jonathan Fasnacht speaks on the deep importance of, quite simply, men and women: their relation to one another, their distinctiveness, and the uniqueness of their callings.

In our second Theology on Tap posting, Dr. Susan Windley-Daoust speaks on Catholic teachings on end-of-life morality, specifically with regards to physician's assisted suicide and why the Catholic Church takes such a strong stance against it. Modern bioethics is one of the most important and complex topics today, particularly when it comes to faith and evangelization. We hope that you find Dr. Windley-Daoust's presentation as valuable as we did.

In this week's Theology on Tap posting, we have a talk given by Father (then Deacon) Matt Wagner, who is a dear friend of the podcast, former guest on the show, and the freshest priest in the Diocese of Winona-Rochester. He speaks passionately on the need for community, and how this need is not only a Christian necessity but a uniquely human necessity that is uniquely satisfied through the Church.

This week, in our final episode of Season Two, Brian and Eric give their response to Brett's interview by discussing the issue that sits at the very heart of this show: how to truly love those with whom you disagree. They grapple with (among other things) truth, community, the heart of friendship, and the difficulties and possibilities of honest love. We hope you enjoy this final conversation of Season Two (as well as Season Two's blooper reel!).As always: thank you all so very much for listening. We can't wait until we sit down with you all again.

In this, the final interview of Season Two, Eric sits down with his good friend Brett Blattner, whom he met last fall when Brett was assigned to observe Eric's classroom. The two of them discuss Brett's story, from his upbringing in the ELCA Lutheran church to his exposure to intellectual Christianity at Luther College. Finally, Brett asks a question that gets to the heart of Christian fellowship and, frankly, at the heart of the mission of this podcast: does Eric see Brett as a brother in faith, or (being that Brett is not Catholic) does Eric see Brett as needing evangelization? BONUS: Old friend Phil Meyer, who was featured in the final interview of Season 1 (Episode 43: Complete Fulphilment), stops in to help Eric out with the intro. ENJOY!Recommended Reads: Fides et Ratio, Papa JP; Theology and Sanity, Frank Sheed; Redemptoris Missio, Papa JP

This week, Brian and Eric sit down to respond to Brian's interview with Becca. They continue discussing what has become something of a regular topic among our interviewees: community. Specifically, they discuss how to find healing from wounds caused by unhealthy community experiences, particularly unhealthy faith communities. Then they dive into Becca's question about the role of women in the Catholic Church (specifically with regards to the priesthood). The boys do their best to answer the question, while also exploring how the Church can better communicate the truth regarding the oft-misunderstood issue.

Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay back at the beginning of the podcast, we did an interview with Jared Sands. This week, we are fortunate to have as a guest Becca Sands (of whom Jared is husband). Becca sat down with Brian to discuss her background in Christianity and her current spirituality, concluding with a question about women in today's Church.

In this week's episode, Brian and Eric discuss Eric's interview with his friend Paul. They discuss the impact of communities which fail their members, and address Paul's question seeking a review of Father Richard Rohr. Enjoy!A Sample of Father Rohr (referenced in our episode): https://cac.org/podcasts/woman-at-the-well/ A Father Rohr Alternative: Msgr Thomas Cook. Sermons: http://www.mysteriumfidei.net/download.php NOTE: Father Cook was moved to Rome last June, and has not been giving regular sermons since then, which is why the newest posting is last June. However, we are confident that the five previous years of sermons will be enough to fill your appetite for the time being.

For the last few weeks, we've been discussing community on this podcast. This week, in Eric's interview with his friend Paul, we discuss another aspect of Christian community: namely, impact and difficulty of when a Christian community lets you down.

THIS WEEK Brian and Eric tackle Greg's interview, with particular focus on his question regarding the role and significance of community in the life of faith. They discuss the difference and relationship between community and communion, and why real communion is so important when seeking to develop a church community. Brian also mocks Eric's farmer's (track coach's) tan. Enjoy!

In this week's episode, Eric sits down with his old friend Greg. They discuss Greg's upbringing in a non-religious family, his observations of the religious church-going life from the outside looking in, and whether or not it's possible for a modern book (like Harry Potter) to “replace” the Bible as the foundational sacred text of our society. Finally, Greg asks a great question about the role of community in church.

In this week's episode (the first recorded at the brand new Studio C), the boys give their response to Brian's interview last week with Michal and Karolina. They discuss the charistmatic renewal movement in the Catholic Church, highlighting some positives that they see in it, as well as some potential pitfalls the be wary of in this particular form of spirituality.

In this week's episode, Brian sits down with Karolina and Michal (a.k.a The Two Most Peacefulest People on the Planet). He discussed with them their involvement in and experience of the charistmatic renewal movement in Catholicism, as well as their more recent exploration of the contemplative side of Catholicism—a side which some may see as contradictory to their charismatic experiences. Enjoy!

This week, due to Brian and Eric being up to their necks in chaos and busyness, we have no new interview for you. We DO however, have the best back-up option ever. Last weekend, Dominican priest and longtime friend of the podcast Father Patrick Mary Briscoe traveled from the East Coast to the Diocese of Winona-Rochester to deliver a talk at the diocesan men's conference. He spoke on the real presence of God, His impact in our lives, and effective discernment. The talk was absolutely brilliant, and we present that talk to you today. We hope you enjoy this tremendous presentation by the great Father Patrick Mary.

This week (in the FINAL episode ever recorded in Studio A), Eric and Brian discuss Eric's interview with his Poland friends (see Episode 72). Brian shares his own pilgrimage experience, his being with his wife on the Camino de Santiago, and the boys discuss the purpose of a pilgrimage, as well as how to have a pilgrimage experience for yourself without breaking the bank.Recommended Reads: The Power of Silence, Robert Cardinal Sarah; Discovering the Camino de Santiago, Greg J. Markey.

Three years ago, Eric attended World Youth Day in Poland. There in Krakow, amidst the throngs of millions from around the globe, he met five very special people: Charlie, Diana, Kaylee, Stephen, and Morgan.In this week's very special episode, Eric sits down with those very friends, reunited with them for the first time since Poland, and asks them two question: when you went to World Youth Day, what were you looking for, and what did you find?Recommended Reads: Mother Theresa's Secret Fire, Joseph Langford (Morgan); I Believe in Love: A Personal Retreat Based on the Teaching of St. Therese of Lisieux, Fr. Jean J. D'Elbee (Morgan); Interior Freedom, Fr. Jacques Philippe (Stephen); The Family That Overtook Christ, Father M. Raymond (Kaylee); Life of Christ, Ven. Arch. Fulton J. Sheen (Kaylee); Victory Over Vice, Ven. Arch. Fulton J. Sheen (Kaylee); Witness to Hope: The Biography of Pope John Paul II, George Weigel; A Man for Others: Maximilian Kolbe, Saint of Auschwitz, Patricia Treece;The Bible, God (Charlie).

In this episode, the guys try to unpack Callum's questions from last week, namely, if nothing's wrong with the norvus ordo (read: “new mass”), why are so many younger Catholics running away from it? What will we do when this trend takes over the Church?Rec. Reads: Pope Paul VI, Missale Romanum; Noble Beauty, Transcendent Holiness: Why the Modern Age Needs the Mass of Ages, Peter Kwasniewski; The Rhine Flows into the Tiber, Ralph Wiltgen;What Happened at Vatican II, John O'Malley; http://cara.georgetown.edu/frequently-requested-church-statistics/

This week, Brian sits down with his friend Callum to discuss his journey into what some may characterize as “traditional Catholicism.” They also discuss some of the question surrounding “traddy Catholics", including: Is Novus Ordo valid? Is the Latin Mass even allowed anymore? And, most importantly, why do some “traditional” Catholics seem so dang crabby all the time? Enjoy!Recommended Reads: The Binding Force of Tradition, Fr. Chad Ripperger; Marcel Lefebvre: The Biography, Bernard Tissier de Mallerais; Summorum Pontificum, Pope Benedict XVI.

This week, Brian and Eric sit down to give their thoughts on Eric's interview with their friend Spencer Flippin. They discuss the universal meaning of suffering, give some evangelical discussion strategies, and, most importantly, push back against the idea that the purpose of religion is to be a good person. They connect that very issue, as well, in their response to Spencer's question on how we as Catholics can bear to call people to become Catholic when it is so clear that our church is full of sinners. It's a loaded week, to say the least! Enjoy!Recommended Reads: No More Christian Nice Guy, Paul Coughlin; Real Choices: Listening to Women; Looking for Alternatives to Abortion, Fredericka Mathewes-Green; Architects of the Culture of Death, Donald DeMarco; Seeds of the Word, Bishop Robert Barron; Fides et Ratio, Saint Pope John Paul II; God or Nothing, Robert Cardinal Sarah.

This week, Eric sits down with a very special guest: Spencer Flippin, who worked the bar at Kathy's Pub for each of the Theology on Tap presentations this winter. Eric and Spencer's discussion is a doozy, including (but not limited to) topics like: freedom, whether or not you need religion to be a good person, The West Wing, abortion, forgiveness, free will, Jim Gaffigan, suffering, the sex abuse crisis, and more. So, you know…a normal barroom chat! Enjoy!Recommended Reads: Interior Freedom, Jacques Philippe; Truth and Tolerance; Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger (Papa Benny).

This week, Brian and Eric sit down to discuss the question posed to us by Brian's friend Andrew: when is the Catholic Church finally going to let priests get married? The boys give their answer, discussing what total gift of self looks like in the context of the vocations of both the priesthood and marriage. They also lay out the key differences between what a priest is and what a lay person, or even a non-Catholic minister, is.

This week, Brian sits down for an interview with his old friend from high school, Andrew. Andrew was raised Catholic with Brian and is now studying to be a Lutheran pastor. The interview is, unfortunately, a little brief, as Brian has to duck out midway through, but not before we're able to hear some good stuff from Andrew. Plus, due to the truncated nature of the interview, Eric and Brian fill out the episode with some immediate response to the interview (though treatment of his outstanding question on celibacy is saved for next week's episode). Enjoy!Recommended Reads: 40 Reasons I Am a Catholic, Peter Kreeft; Three Treatises, Martin Luther; True Reformers, Christopher Blum; The Risk of Education, Luigi Guissani.

WE'RE BACK. This week, in their triumphant return, the boys talk about how they're weak and imperfect and very big sinners.Seriously.That's what we talk about.And it's important. Give it a listen.The Article Mentioned in the Episode: https://www.postbulletin.com/news/local/theology-on-tap-shares-the-power-of-a-pint/article_c2d3384a-2964-11e9-bd31-ef5cda3ce453.html