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/

Why Catholicism Is True

EP 22: The Who of God, Cosmic Fine Tuning, and Exorcisms with Fr. Robert Spitzer

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/

EP 21: Should You Take Pascals Wager - with Dr. Michael Rota

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

EP 20: Pro Life Arguments You Need to Know

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/

EP 19: Ed Feser on 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/

EP 18: God and Science, Near Death Experience, 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. 

EP 17: How to QUICKLY Argue For God's Existence

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/ ...

EP 16: Why I Became Catholic and Not Protestant

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

EP 15: How Morality Points to God

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  

EP 14: Does Evil Disprove God?

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.

EP 13: 3 Quick Reasons Why Catholicism Is True

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

EP 12: What Is Love?

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  

EP 11: The Argument From Contingency - Part 4

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

EP 10: The Argument From Contingency - Part 3

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  

EP 9: Why Did God Create Hell?

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

EP 8: The Argument From Contingency - Part 2

We believe: 1) That God Exists, and that this can be rationally demonstrated. We hold to the claim that God as “the sole, ultimate reality” is far more plausibly true than alternatives offered in other religions or its opposite in atheism. 2) That Jesus Is God, and that the evidence surrounding his life, death and resurrection is clear, obvious, and easy to accept given God’s existence. 3) That the Catholic Church is Jesus’ Church and that this can be known through both Scripture and a study of history: That Christ left us with a visible, hierarchical, and sacramental religion. 4) That the majority of objections to Catholicism are quite irrelevant. In other words, what many people argue over with regards to the Christian religion are often unnecessary blockages---evolution, for example, or whether Genesis was literal history, or scandals or whatever. Instead, think of it this way: Answer in the affirmative the three questions above (does God exist, is Jesus God, and did Christ found the Catholic Church?) and you then have all the grounds you need for becoming a Catholic, and (hopefully) wanting to be. Everything else you can then figure out as a Catholic. This we call the Minimum Effective Apologetic. 5) Not only that Catholicism is true, but that everybody should want Catholicism to be true. No other religion so adequately answers the difficulties and mysteries of life; no other religion offers such meaning, happiness, and hope.

hubhopper

Why Catholicism Is True

hubhopper