Episodes
540 Episodes
WOF 169: The Metaphysics of Prayer
What's actually happening when we pray? In this episode, Bishop Barron answers the deepest questions about prayer, not necessarily *how* to pray but what *is* prayer? A listener asks about the Rosary prayer and how it operates.
WOF 168: Bishop Barron at Amazon's HQ
Bishop Barron recently visited the headquarters of Amazon, in Seattle, WA, to take part in a "Fishbowl" discussion about his new book, [Arguing Religion](http://wordonfireshow.com/religion). Around 200 Amazon employees were in attendance. L
WOF 167: Jordan Peterson's Next Step
Recently, Bishop Barron watched several YouTube conversation between Sam Harris, a well-known atheist, and Dr. Jordan Peterson, one of the most prominent and beguiling intellectuals today. We've talked in past episodes about Dr. Peterson's
WOF 166: Scapegoating on Social Media
The recent confrontation between a grinning young high school student and a Native American elder has led to much anger and vitriol, especially on social media. But as Bishop Barron suggests, it also exemplified the "scapegoating mechanism"
WOF 165: The Gospel of Saint You
In this episode, Bishop Barron discusses a recent *New York Times* article by David Brooks titled ["The Morality of Selfism: The Gospel of Saint You."](https://www.nytimes.com/2019/01/03/opinion/self-care-individualism.html) It's a tongue-i
WOF 164: The Return of Paganism
Ross Douthat recently published an op-ed in the *New York Times* titled ["The Return of Paganism."](https://www.nytimes.com/2018/12/12/opinion/christianity-paganism-america.html) He argues that maybe there actually is a genuinely post-Chris
WOF 163: International Q&A w/ Bishop Barron
Bishop Barron takes listener questions from all over the world, including:
WOF 162: The Most Popular Bible Verses
According to data from BibleGateway.com and YouVersion, the popular Bible app, [the most popular Bible verse of 2018](https://www.christianitytoday.com/news/2018/december/most-popular-bible-verse-2018-youversion-app-bible-gateway.html) was
WOF 161: What People Believe About Jesus
A recent *Christianity Today* article titled, "[Christian, What Do You Believe? Probably a Heresy About Jesus, Says Survey](https://www.christianitytoday.com/news/2018/october/what-do-christians-believe-ligonier-state-theology-heresy.html)"
WOF 160: A Bishop's Guide to Social Media
How should Christians use social media? How can we escape its dangers (venomous rhetoric, echo chambers, etc.) and instead use these tools well? Bishop Barron offers his advice and shares how he personally uses these tools. A listener asks
WOF 159: Understanding the Incarnation
On Christmas Eve, the night before the great Solemnity of the Nativity of Jesus, Bishop Barron talks about the Incarnation. What do we mean by this? What do people often get wrong about the Incarnation? And how is the Incarnation extended t
WOF 158: How to Have a Good Religious Argument
According to Bishop Barron, we need *more* religious argument, not less. But how do we talk about religion productively? In today's episode he offers several practical tips along with the fallacies you'll want to avoid. A listener asks how
WOF 157: The Greatest Woman Ever
William Wordsworth called Mary, the mother of Jesus, "our tainted nature's solitary boast." Who was this extraordinary woman, and how should we understand the key dogmas about her life and nature? Bishop Barron offers a crash course on Mary
WOF 156: The Advent Revolution
Is the season of Advent just a cozy, sentimental period before Christmas? Or is it a time of spiritual revolution? Bishop Barron discusses this important period and shares some of his Advent recommendations. A listener asks how to make sens
WOF 155: Understanding Newman's Great Autobiography (Part 2 of 2)
John Henry Newman's spiritual autobiography, *Apologia Pro Vita Sua*, is widely recognized as a classic of religious literature. Chronicling his conversion from Anglicanism to Catholicism, it explores the arguments and discoveries that conv
WOF 154: Who was John Henry Newman? (Part 1 of 2)
John Henry Newman's spiritual autobiography, *Apologia Pro Vita Sua*, is widely recognized as a classic of religious literature. Chronicling his conversion from Anglicanism to Catholicism, it explores the arguments and discoveries that conv
WOF 153: Listener Q&A with Bishop Barron
This week, Bishop Barron answers questions from all over the world. If you have a question, be sure to visit [AskBishopBarron.com](http://AskBishopBarron.com).
WOF 152: Is Stephen Hawking Right About God?
In Stephen Hawking's new book, *[Brief Answers to the Big Questions](https://www.amazon.com/Brief-Answers-Questions-Stephen-Hawking/dp/1984819194)*, published just a few months after his death, the famed scientists suggests that God does no
WOF 151: Synod Wrap Up with Bishop Barron
As the Synod on Youth wraps up at the Vatican, Bishop Barron shares his final thoughts on the meeting.
WOF 149: Who was Hans Urs von Balthasar?
Today we share a sample lesson from Bishop Barron's flagship course inside our new Word on Fire Institute. His 12-part course is on Hans Urs von Balthasar, and it explores Balthasar's impact, his major works, and his key ideas. This first l