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“What the Catholic faith believes about Mary is based on what it believes about Christ, and what it teaches about Mary illumines in turn its faith in Christ. “ (CCC 487). Join Dr. Richard H. Bulzacchelli, Lecturer in Theology for Catholic Studies Academy, as he leads a live, virtual four-session seminar on the central dogmas concerning the Virgin Mary formally recognized by the Catholic Church. What evidence do we have for these dogmas in Scripture? How did the Church gain clarity on them over the course of the centuries? How do they fit in with the proclamation of the Gospel?
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...
Episode 99: Women and the Minor Orders: Canonical Considerations, Part 3
Episode 99: Women and the Minor Orders: Canonical Considerations, Part 3 In this episode, Dr. Bulzacchelli and Tyler Ross finish their discussion on Pope Francis’ Moto Propio allowing women into the ministries of acolyte and lector. We cover: - Ministry vs Orders-...
Episode 98: Women and the Minor Orders: Canonical Considerations, Part 2
Episode 98: Women and the Minor Orders: Canonical Considerations, Part 2 In this episode, Dr. Bulzacchelli and special guest, Tyler Ross, canon lawyer for the diocese of Knoxville continue their discussion on the minor orders. We cover:- Pope Paul VI Moto Propio of...
Episode 97: Women and the Minor Orders: Canonical Considerations, Part 1
Episode 97: Women and the Minor Orders: Canonical Considerations, Part 1 In this episode, Dr. Bulzacchelli is joined by special guest, Tyler Ross, canon lawyer for the Diocese of Knoxville to discuss issues around the minor orders and Pope Francis' decision to allow...
Episode 96: Discover your True Identity with St Thomas Aquinas
Episode 96: Discover your True Identity with St Thomas Aquinas In this episode, Jason and Dr. Smith discuss how find your identity according to St. Thomas Aquinas. We cover:- Why we need to understand ourselves- The problem with modern self-help- The Myth of Self and...
Episode 95: St. Robert Bellarmine and Communion
Episode 95: St. Robert Bellarmine and Communion In this episode, Jason and Dr. Bulzacchelli discuss the issue of communion in the Catholic Church. We cover:- The origins of division- The need for communion- St. Robert Bellarmine's 3 Aspects of Communion - "Extra...
Episode 94: Getting Your Mind Straight in 2021
Episode 94: Getting Your Mind Straight in 2021 In this episode, Jason and Dr. Smith discuss some dispositions we should have going into 2021 and what Catholic wisdom and classical philosophy can offer us. We cover:- State of Affairs- Clarity- Ultimate End- Well...
Episode 93: Conservatism: Advantages and Disadvantages
Episode 93: Conservatism: Advantages and Disadvantages In this episode, Dr. Bulzacchelli and Dr. Smith are joined by our special guest, Joseph Grossheim, a doctoral student in philosophy at the University of St. Thomas’ Thomistic Institute to discuss Conservatism in...
Episode 92: Why Progressiveness is Wrong
Episode 92: Why Progressiveness is Wrong In this episode, Dr. Bulzacchelli and Dr. Smith are joined by our special guest, Joseph Grossheim, a doctoral student in philosophy at the University of St. Thomas’ Thomistic Institute to discuss Progressivism in political...
Episode 91: The Myth of Self, Part 2
Episode 91: The Myth of Self, Part 2 Jason and Dr. Smith continue their discussion on the false idea of "true self". We cover: - Undefined consciousness - The "true self" vs the "false self" - Writings of Richard Rohr - Centering Prayer - Buddhist and Hindu influences...
The Invisible Schism: Part II The Heterodox Majority
In the first installment in this series, I presented the idea that self-identifying and even practicing Catholics may well espouse radically different understandings of what Catholicism is. I suggested that we can pray side-by-side with someone at Mass, externally...
The Keys to Effective Writing: Purpose and Concision
Originally posted June 25, 2019 UPDATED Dec. 12, 2020 You do not need to struggle with writing. In fact, effective writing should be as natural as talking. Unless you are writing for artistic or rhetorical purposes, the best way to improve your writing is to use the...
