Why Catholicism Is True

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. About Fr. Spizter Fr. Spitzer was President of Gonzaga University from 1998 to 2009. While president, he significantly increased the programs and curricula in faith, ethics, service, and leadership, and led the efforts to build 20 new facilities, increased the student population by 75%, and raised more than $200 million for scholarships and capital projects. He has made many TV appearances including: Larry King Live (debating Stephen Hawking and Leonard Mlodinow), the Today Show (debating on the topic of active euthanasia), The History Channel in “God and The Universe,” a multiple part PBS series “Closer to the Truth,” and the Hugh Hewitt Show. Currently appearing weekly on EWTN in “Father Spitzer’s Universe“. You can read more about Fr. Spitzer’s professional and academic background here. Show Notes and Recommended Resources The “Big Book”: https://www.crediblecatholic.com/the-big-book/   The Soul’s Upward Yearning: https://amzn.to/2MOcjxA   New Proofs for the Existence of God: https://amzn.to/2DdILVM   Related Episodes Fr. Spitzer on God and Science, Near Death Experiences, and How to Suffer Well: https://www.chroniclesofstrength.com/ep-235-god-and-science-near-death-experiences-and-how-to-suffer-well/ Dr. Michael Rota On Whether You Should Take Pascal's Wager?   https://www.chroniclesofstrength.com/should-you-take-pascals-wager/   Dr. Robert Delfino on Using Philosophy to Get at God:   https://www.chroniclesofstrength.com/sunday-school-ep-12-using-philosophy-get-god-dr-robert-delfino-pat-flynn-show/

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. Note: This episode is being shared from my other podcast, The Pat Flynn Show. You can see the shownotes and additional resources here:  http://www.chroniclesofstrength.com/should-you-take-pascals-wager/

Pat is joined by bio-ethicist Peter Koch to discuss the abortion debate.

Ed Feser is a philosopher, writer, and atheist-turned-Catholic who's published some of the best contemporary academic and popular work on the reasonableness of belief in God and arguments for His existence, and attributes. His popular titles include 5 Proofs for the Existence of God (which I can't recommend enough, and often have), The Last Superstition: A Refutation of the New Atheism (also a necessary read), and Philosophy of Mind. His more technical book, Scholastic Metaphysics, is absolutely worth having on the shelf for any serious philosopher. I wanted to have Ed on because 1) his work greatly caused me to reconsider the religious worldview and 2) share his own conversion story of how he went from being a decade-long atheist to one of the most prolific--and persuasive--philosophers on the religious scene today. I hope you enjoy the interview. Show notes and Resources at: http://www.chroniclesofstrength.com/ed-feser-of-proofs-for-the-existence-of-god/

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.  Please enjoy! Show Notes and Resources at: http://www.chroniclesofstrength.com/ep-235-god-and-science-near-death-experiences-and-how-to-suffer-well/

Pat gives a flurry of quick arguments for the existence of God. The point of this episode isn't to go into enormous depth for any one of the arguments, but rather show how a series of arguments can be quickly developed and presented in situations where you may only have limited time to make the case for Christianity. 

Pat shares the particular pieces of evidence that convinced him of the truth of Catholicism, and how to defend Catholicism against common Protestant objections.  This podcast has a blog post offering additional support at: http://www.chroniclesofstrength.com/why-i-became-catholic-in-spite-of-my-hatred-for-religion/ ...

Pat gives an explanation of how morality points to the existence of God, and a brief overview of natural law theory

Short answer: No. Long answer: Listen to today's episode as Pat talks through the "problem of evil", and why the existence of suffering and evil in no way undermines the goodness and power of God.  ... Support the Show! 5-Star reviews really help to bring new people to the show. If you think we're doing a good job, please consider taking two-minutes to leave a positive review on iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/why-christianity-is-true/id1425464443  

Pat goes through three quick reasons--with a brief defense of each--for why Catholicism is true. Namely that 1) God exists, 2) Jesus is God, and 3) Christ founded the Catholic Church.

Don't worry, there is no singing in this episode: Only philosophical and theological discussion : ) 

Pat wraps up this series on the argument from contingency by reading a summary version of the argument he's prepared for an upcoming talk, which also responds to common objections. Support the Show! 5-Star reviews really help to bring new people to the show. If you think we're doing a good job, please consider taking two-minutes to leave a positive review on iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/why-christianity-is-true/id1425464443  

Continuing on with the series, Pat quickly recaps the argument from contingency and some of the defenses made so far, before moving onto an explanation of the second premise.  Be sure to listen to part 1 & 2 to ensure you're properly caught up! ... Support the Show! 5-Star reviews really help to bring new people to the show. If you think we're doing a good job, please consider taking two-minutes to leave a positive review on iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/why-christianity-is-true/id1425464443

Pat explores the question of whether there's an incompatibility between an all-loving God and the existence of hell. ... Support the Show! 5-Star reviews really help to bring new people to the show. If you think we're doing a good job, please consider taking two-minutes to leave a positive review on iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/why-christianity-is-true/id1425464443  

In part two, Pat defends the principle of sufficient reason as part of the argument from contingency for the existence of God. Support the Show! 5-Star reviews really help to bring new people to the show. If you think we're doing a good job, please consider taking two-minutes to leave a positive review on iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/why-christianity-is-true/id1425464443

The first argument we're going to explore in our series of defending the existence of God is the famous contingency argument: 1) Everything that exists has an explanation for why it exists, either in a necessity of its own being, or an external condition/cause. 2) If the universe has an explanation for its existence, that explanation is God. 3) The universe exists. Therefore, God exists.  Listen in as we develop and explain this powerful argument! Support the Show! 5-Star reviews really help to bring new people to the show. If you think we're doing a good job, please consider taking two-minutes to leave a positive review on iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/why-christianity-is-true/id1425464443

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. Support the Show! 5-Star reviews really help to bring new people to the show. If you think we're doing a good job, please consider taking two-minutes to leave a positive review on iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/why-christianity-is-true/id1425464443

Michael Voris is a religious educator, politlcal pundit, and CEO of the website Church Militant. Over the years, Voris has attracted much controversy for his hard-hitting and direct calling out of people in the church for evil and corrupt behavior, and yet stands firm in his Catholic faith. Long story short: The opportunity came up for me to interview Michael Voris, so I decided to get his take on the most common questions sent into Sunday School: "Why Catholicism and not Protestantism?" "What's up with religious moral teaching?" Do all 'good people' get into heaven?" And more. This is going to be a hair raising episode for many! It was for me. Show Notes and Resources Check out Michael's free talks and training videos here. Life of Christ by Fulton Sheen. Support the Show! 5-Star reviews really help to bring new people to the show. If you think we're doing a good job, please consider taking two-minutes to leave a positive review on iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/why-christianity-is-true/id1425464443?

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! Please Support the Show! 5-Star reviews really help to bring new people to the show. If you think we're doing a good job, please consider taking two-minutes to leave a positive review on iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/why-christianity-is-true/id1425464443?mt=2

Pat offers a quick way to respond to the Protestant claim of Sola Scriptura (a manmade doctrine, by the way!!!), which argues against the authority of the Catholic Church.  ... Share the Show! 5-Star reviews really help to bring new people to the show. If you think we're doing a good job, please consider taking two-minutes to leave a positive review on iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/why-christianity-is-true/id1425464443?mt=2

Pat gives his advice on what the best arguments for God's existence are. Also, the basics of what makes for a good argument to begin with, and what types of arguments you should avoid using when attempting to evangelize.  Recommended reading: 5 Proofs of the Existence of God (Ed Feser) - Argument form Change + Contingency Argument Mere Christianity (CS Lewis) - Moral Argument Reasonable Faith - Kalam Argument + Fine Tuning Argument  The Blackwell Companion of Natural Theology - More technical development of the above arguments, and more.  Please Subscribe, Rate, and Share the Show! 5-Star reviews really help to bring new people to the show. If you think we're doing a good job, please consider taking two-minutes to leave a positive review on iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/why-christianity-is-true/id1425464443?mt=2

In this inaugural episode of Why Catholicism Is True our host, Pat Flynn, shares his conversion story from atheism to Catholicism, and what he calls the "minimum effective apologetic", which attempts to state and answer the three most important questions related to the truth of the Catholic faith: 1) Does God exist? 2) Is Jesus God? 3) Did Christ Found the Catholic Church. Please Support the Show! Help us build early momentum by taking the time to subscribe and leave a 5-star review for Why Catholicism Is True on iTunes, Stitcher, and/or Google Play!