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Episode 116 – Nature Acts for an End
Episode 116 - Nature Acts for an End In episode 115, Jason and Dr. Smith welcome special guest, Joe Grossheim to discuss a classical saying, "Nature Acts for an End." We cover:- Why this is an important question- Aristotle and the Physics Book II- What is Nature?- Art...
Episode 115 – Aquinas’ 4th Way
Episode 115 - Aquinas' 4th Way In this episode, Dr. Smith and Dr. Bulzacchelli discuss Aquinas' 4th Way to understand the existence of God. We cover: - Reading the 4th Way- The uniqueness of this argument- Gradation and degree- The metaphysical foundation The 4th Way...
Episode 114 – Aquinas on Predestination
Episode 114 - Aquinas on Predestination In this episode, Jason and Dr. Smith discuss the topic of predestination in the writings of St. Thomas Aquinas. We cover: Principles of Predestination- God is the cause of every perfection, including the good of order to an end...
Episode 113 – Divine Providence: The Infallible Plan of God
Episode 113 - Divine Providence: The Infallible Plan of God In this episode, Jason and Dr. Smith discuss the difficult but important topic of Divine Providence from the writings of St. Thomas Aquinas. Does God have a plan for us? Does God's plan ever fail? Listen and...
Episode 112 – Lessons from the Trial and Death of Socrates
Episode 112 - Lessons from the Trial and Death of Socrates In this episode, Jason and Dr. Smith discuss lessons to be learned from the trial and death of Socrates. We cover:- Historical background- Transition to democracy from Aristocracy- The Sophists, rhetoric, and...
Episode 111 – The Political Responsibility of Christians
Episode 108 - Death: Philosophical and Theological Perspectives In this episode of Take Every Thought Captive, Dr. Smith and Dr. Bulzaccelli discuss the role that Christians should play in the political sphere. What kinds of policies should Chrsitians support? What...
Episode 110 – The Unexamined Life is Not Worth Living: Why Philosophy is Necessary for Life
Episode 110 - The Unexamined Life is Not Worth Living: Why Philosophy is Necessary for Life In this episode, Jason and Dr. Smith discuss the necessity of philosophy. We cover:- Socrates "The unexamined life is not worth living."- What does philosophy do for the human...
Episode 109 – Vatican II and the Liturgy: What do the Documents Really Say?
Episode 109 - Vatican II and the Liturgy: What do the Documents Really Say? In this episode, Dr. Richard Bulzacchelli and Canonist, Tyler Ross discuss the liturgy as was envisioned by the documents of the Second Vatican Council. We cover:- Traditiones Custodes-...
Episode 107: Youth Ministry in an Age of Unbelief
Episode 107: Youth Ministry in an Age of Unbelief In this episode, Jason and Dr. Bulzacchelli discuss serious issues around the youth and belief. We cover:- relation-based youth ministry and the problem that people already don't believe- is relation based ministry...
The Invisible Schism: Part IV – Progressivism
In Part III of our series on “The Invisible Schism,” I spoke of Liberation Theology as one of the items rolling around the ecclesial “junk drawer.” I explained that, in essence, the different currents of Liberation Theology are Marxist or Neo-Marxist, and as...
Episode 106: Freedom in America: A Philosophical Defense
Episode 106: Freedom in America: A Philosophical Defense In this episode, Dr. Bulzacchelli and Dr. Smith discuss freedom as the founder's intended. We cover:– The Declaration of Independence– Influence of the English Philosophers– The Monarchy– Progressives’ concept...
Episode 105: Rival Versions of Happiness: Aristotle, Stoics, and Christians
Episode 105: Rival Versions of Happiness: Aristotle, Stoics, and Christians In this episode, Jason and Dr. Smith discuss rival points of view of happiness. We cover:- Aristotle's idea of happiness In this episode, Jason and Dr. Smith discuss rival points of view of...
Episode 104: Skojec, Dreher, and Clericalism
Episode 104: Skojec, Dreher, and Clericalism IIn this episode, Jason and Dr. Bulzacchelli discuss Steve Skojec's article, Rod Dreher's response, and the issue of clericalism. We cover:- Steve Skojec's article - skojecfile.steveskojec.com/p/against-c…ed-religion- Rod...
Episode 103: How to be Happy: Aristotle and the Good Life
Episode 103: How to be Happy: Aristotle and the Good Life In this episode, Jason and Dr. Smith talk about happiness from a philosophical perspective. We cover:- Trying to define happiness- Happiness, Actions, Ends, and Goods- An end desired for its own sake- Imperfect...
The Invisible Schism: Part III – What’s in the Junk Drawer? Liberation Theology
In the second installment in my series on “The Invisible Schism,” I said that the Church today is a bit like a “junk drawer” in which we find a few things we actually need, but also odds and ends of once-useful or even never-useful items that we’ve kept until now only...
Episode 102: Defending Natural Theology
Episode 102: Defending Natural Theology In this episode, Jason and Dr. Smith discuss the importance of natural theology. We cover:- Natural Theology hesitancy among Christians- Defining our terms- From Effects to Causes- Common objections- "Ontotheology"- Causal...
Episode 101 – Aquinas Answers: Why did Christ have to Die
Episode 101 - Aquinas Answers: Why did Christ have to Die In this episode, Jason and Dr. Smith discuss a pertinent topic for Holy Week. Why did Christ have to Die? We cover:- St. Thomas and the Summa- Was it "necessary"?- What are the effects of Christ's Passion and...
Episode 100: How to Deepen Your Faith
Episode 100: How to Deepen Your Faith In our 100th episode, Jason, Dr. Smith, and Dr. Bulzacchelli talk about the importance of faith and how they deepen their own faith.- What is faith and why it is important- The importance of deepening your faith- Good guides- Who...
