In a recent episode of the Joe Rogan show, evolutionary biologist and public intellectual Bret Weinstein observed that two emerging features of contemporary societies, especially, though not exclusively in the West, are challenging the very meaning and purpose of human life: 1) the decoupling of human sexuality from human reproduction—defining sex primarily as recreational and 2) with the rise of AI and robotics, the real possibility that having a job will become entirely optional in the future. By secular standards, pursuing both of these goals seems entirely rational, if not laudable: raising children and going to work are, indeed, challenging, so why shouldn't we live in a world in which both become increasingly rare? Weinstein, however—who doesn't profess adherence to any religious tradition—suggests that humanity may lose something important, if not essential, if we continue down this path. Is he right to be concerned? Is it, in fact, wise to relegate having children and going to work—which defined how most people spent most of their adult lives throughout history—entirely to the realm of subjective preference? Or, in seeking ever greater freedom from these responsibilities, are we undermining what it means to live a fully human life?

A listener asks: How can I respond to "God loves me the way I am"?

Topics Covered:

00:00 | Introduction
01:39 | Bishop Barron's Christmas season
02:48 | Examining Bret Weinstein's grim assessment
06:36 | Procreation as a sign of the covenant
09:34 | Why not frame children through the lens of lifestyle choice?
13:23 | The valorization of personal choice
16:31 | What about celibate priests?
17:52 | Work and technology
23:42 | Can AI or robotics truly replace the human genius?
25:48 | Limitations for using AI
28:06 | The necessity of work in giving a gift
30:02 | Why can't technology help us create heaven on earth now?
33:01 | The active dimension of rest
37:03 | Join the Word on Fire Institute

• Papal Encyclical, Humanae Vitae: Vatican website
• Word on Fire Institute: https://institute.wordonfire.org/

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An Essay in Aid of a Grammar of Assent was Newman's most difficult work. While not a formal epistemology (theory of knowledge), Newman prompted a movement away from modern epistemology, stressing certainty that is best found in logic and mathematics, to common sense epistemology, affirming truth that is not absolutely certain. Bishop Barron explains why this epistemology is proper to religious knowledge, which includes notional and real assent.

Topics Covered:

• Why assent is not certitude
• Religious Liberalism
• Notional and Real Assent
• Conscience

• Article: A Meditation on the Grammar of Assent
• Video: Dr. Reinhard Huetter on Newman
• Word on Fire Institute: https://institute.wordonfire.org/

NOTE: Do you like this podcast? Become a Word on Fire IGNITE member! Word on Fire is a non-profit ministry that depends on the support of our listeners . . . like you! So become a part of this mission and join IGNITE today to become a Word on Fire insider and receive some special donor gifts for your generosity.

St. Pope John Paul the II memorably observed that the Catholic Church comes from the eucharist and that the eucharist, in turn, comes from priests. As Bishop Barron noted in a recent letter to his diocese, "by an inescapable logic [therefore] no priests, no Church." We should add, however, that priests come from bishops, which expands the ecclesial logic to this: no bishops, no priests; no priests, no eucharist; no eucharist, no church. In other words, bishops not only hold an important administrative position within the Church; tracing their authority back to the apostles and, ultimately, to Jesus Christ himself, they constitute the very sacramental and liturgical foundation of Catholicism itself. That, to say the least, is a weighty responsibility. So what is it like to be a bishop? How does one come to hold this office? What, specifically, do bishops have authority over–and what don't they have authority over? What kind of relationship do they have with each other and with the Holy Father, the pope? What are their day-to-day obligations and activities? And what are some challenges they face that both clergy and laity may not be aware of?

A listener asks what made Bishop Barron want to be a priest.

Topics Covered:

01:38 | Bishop Barron's Thanksgiving in Chicago
02:45 | The origins of the office of bishop
04:51 | The theological dimension of the bishop's role
06:41 | The liturgical symbols of the office
10:45 | Bishop Barron's coat of arms
12:12 | How does one become a bishop?
16:10 | How are dioceses formed?
17:20 | Relating bishop to archbishop
18:51 | Understanding the bishop's authority
20:03 | What is a chancery?
21:03 | Essential tasks of the bishop
29:38 | Bishop Barron's approach to his official duties
33:01 | The meaning and authority of a conference of bishops
37:19 | Myths about Catholic bishops
40:06 | Listener question: What made you become a priest?
41:41 | Join the Word on Fire Institute

• United States Conference of Catholic Bishops: https://www.usccb.org/
• Word on Fire Institute: https://institute.wordonfire.org/

NOTE: Do you like this podcast? Become a Word on Fire IGNITE member! Word on Fire is a non-profit ministry that depends on the support of our listeners . . . like you! So become a part of this mission and join IGNITE today to become a Word on Fire insider and receive some special donor gifts for your generosity.