How can Catholics deepen their understanding of God and His creation through the lens of Saint Thomas Aquinas’s Summa Theologiae? In this episode, Dr. Michael Dauphinais is joined by Dr. Daniel Lendman, a professor of theology and dean of students at Ave Maria University, to discuss the first part of the Summa Theologiae. They explore Aquinas’s approach to God’s existence, divine simplicity, providence, predestination, and the Trinity, emphasizing how these teachings reveal God as the creator who lovingly draws all creation to Himself. Dr. Daniel Lendman’s faculty profile at Ave Maria University:https://www.avemaria.edu/faculty-and-staff/daniel-lendman-ph-dDr. Daniel Lendman on The Sacra Doctrina Project website, which details his publications:https://www.sacradoctrinaproject.org/daniellendmanPrevious Episodes with Dr. Lendman:How to Read Romans as a Catholic with Dr. Daniel Lendman | Ep. 70https://youtu.be/e5H-N08mjeA
How can Catholics approach the study of theology through the lens of Saint Thomas Aquinas?
Dr. Michael Dauphinais engages with Fr. Cajetan Cuddy, O.P., a Dominican priest and professor of theology at the Dominican House of Studies, to explore the significance of Aquinas’s Summa Theologiae. Fr. Cajetan Cuddy, O.P. also shares insights from his book, The Summa Illuminated, which aims to make Aquinas’s complex work accessible by highlighting its comprehensive and contemplative approach to theology.
Resources:
Annunciation Circle (Ave Maria University Monthly Giving Community)
Ave Maria University website
Fr. Cajetan Cuddy, O.P.’s profile at the Dominican House of Studies
The Summa Illuminated, by Fr. Cajetan Cuddy, O.P. published by Ave Maria Press and available for preorder
Fr Cajetan Cuddy, O.P.’s book, Catholic Theology: An Introduction, published by ECT Press
What does it mean to evangelize through theology in a world of bad ideas about God and deepening cultural crises?
To mark the third anniversary of The Catholic Theology Show, host Dr. Michael Dauphinais welcomes back his colleague and frequent guest, Dr. Roger Nutt, provost and professor of theology at Ave Maria University. Together, they reflect on the podcast's roots in St. John Paul II's vision for the New Evangelization and the dangers of flawed theology. They also discuss the show's growth, episode planning inspired by great books and classroom insights, and enduring lessons on surrendering to God's mercy amid personal and societal struggles.
Resources:
Annunciation Circle (Ave Maria University Monthly Giving Community)
Ave Maria University website
Dr. Michael Dauphinais's faculty profile at Ave Maria University
Dr. Roger Nutt's faculty profile at Ave Maria University
Check out Dr Michael Dauphinais’s book, Knowing the Love of Christ, co-authored with Matthew Levering, from Notre Dame Press
How can Catholics engage with the mystery of God through reason and faith?
Dr. Michael Dauphinais sits down with Fr. James Brent, O.P., assistant professor of philosophy at the Dominican House of Studies. They explore how philosophy in the perennial tradition raises profound questions about God’s existence, His plan, the problem of evil, the human soul, life after death, and the pursuit of ultimate happiness, questions that are finally only answered by faith in God's revelation in Jesus Christ. They also discuss Fr. Brent's recent book The Father’s House: Discovering Our Home in the Trinity.
Resources:
Annunciation Circle (Ave Maria University Monthly Giving Community)
Ave Maria University website
Fr. James Brent’s profile at the Dominican House of Studies
Contemplata, a podcast hosted by Fr. James Brent, O.P.
Fr James Brent, O.P.’s new book, The Father’s House: Discovering Our Home in the Trinity, published by Pauline Books & Media
How does beauty guide Catholics toward God and shape their moral and spiritual lives?
Dr. Michael Dauphinais is joined by Dr. Janice Chik Breidenbach, a professor of philosophy at Ave Maria University, to explore the profound role of beauty in faith. They discuss how beauty, as seen in nature, art, and moral goodness, serves as an accessible yet demanding path to God, reflecting His creative order.
Resources:
Annunciation Circle (Ave Maria University Monthly Giving Community)
Ave Maria University website
How can Catholics find meaning in suffering and grow closer to God through it?
Dr. Michael Dauphinais engages with Megan Hjelmstad, author of Offer It Up: Discovering the Power and Purpose of Redemptive Suffering, to explore the theological and practical dimensions of suffering. They discuss how suffering, often an obstacle to faith, can be transformed into a path toward redemption by uniting it with Christ’s cross. Hjelmstad shares her personal experiences with chronic illness, pregnancy loss, and dietary restrictions, illustrating how these challenges led her to a deeper understanding of redemptive suffering.
Resources:
Annunciation Circle (Ave Maria University Monthly Giving Community)
Ave Maria University website
Find Megan Hjelmstad’s new book, Offer It Up: Discovering the Power and Purpose of Redemptive Suffering, published by Emmaus Road
How can we find authentic identity in an increasingly digital world?
Dr. Michael Dauphinais sits down with Dr. Paul Vitz, Catholic psychologist and professor emeritus, to discuss his book, Analog Hunger in a Digital World: Confronting Today's Identity Crisis. They explore the tension between the analog experiences that ground human identity in reality and the digital world's tendency to disconnect us from our bodies, relationships, and God.
Resources:
Annunciation Circle (Ave Maria University Monthly Giving Community)
Ave Maria University website
Dr. Paul Vitz's profile from the Catholic Education Resource Center
Find Dr. Paul Vitz on Amazon, including Faith of the Fatherless: The Psychology of Atheism
Dr Paul Vitz’s latest book Analog Hunger in a Digital World: Confronting Today’s Identity Crisis, published by St Augustine’s Press
How can Catholics faithfully approach the concept of miracles and prayer?
Dr. Michael Dauphinais engages with Anthony DeStefano, a Catholic author with over 30 books, to explore his latest work, The Miracle Book: A Simple Guide to Asking the Impossible. DeStefano shares practical, theologically sound steps for seeking divine intervention and reflects on his personal journey from skepticism to faith, highlighting the transformative power of prayer and Eucharistic adoration.
Resources:
Annunciation Circle (Ave Maria University Monthly Giving Community)
Ave Maria University website
Discover Dr. Anthony DeStefano on Amazon, including his latest work, The Miracle Book: A Simple Guide to Asking the Impossible, published by Sophia Institute Press
What caused the crisis of faith in the Catholic Church following Vatican II?
Dr. Michael Dauphinais hosts Dr. Larry Chapp, a retired theology professor and founder of the Dorothy Day Catholic Worker Farm, to discuss the cultural and theological turmoil of the 1960s and 1970s. Chapp shares his journey to starting the Catholic Worker Farm, inspired by Dorothy Day’s radical yet devout Catholicism, and underscores the importance of prayer and Scripture in renewing faith.
Resources:
Annunciation Circle (Ave Maria University Monthly Giving Community)
Ave Maria University website
Discover the Dorothy Day Catholic Worker Farm website
Discover Dr. Larry Chapp on Amazon, including his work, Confession of a Catholic Worker: Our Moment of Christian Witness
How can Catholics address the perceived conflict between faith and science to strengthen belief, especially among youth?
Dr. Michael Dauphinais hosts Fr. Robert Spitzer, president of the Magis Center and a leading Catholic scholar, to discuss this critical issue. They discuss Fr. Spitzer’s mission through the Magis Center, including his book Father Spitzer’s Universe: Exploring Life’s Big Questions, which uses the Apostles' Creed to anchor Christian beliefs in scientific, philosophical, and historical evidence.
Resources:
Annunciation Circle (Ave Maria University Monthly Giving Community)
Ave Maria University website
Find Fr Robert Spitzer on Amazon, which lists his books, including Fr. Spitzer’s Universe: Exploring Life’s Big Questions
Magis Center Store, another place to find Fr. Robert Spitzer’s books
Learn more about the Shroud of Turin
Why is governance essential for fostering Christian perfection and societal order?
Dr. Michael Dauphinais engages with Dr. Donald Prudlo, author of Governing Perfection and Warren Chair of Catholic Studies at the University of Tulsa, to explore the necessity and value of governance in both ecclesiastical and secular contexts. They discuss how governance, rooted in the Christian tradition, balances individual dignity with the common good, drawing on historical examples like the Dominican Order and St. Francis of Assisi’s administrative challenges.
Resources:
How can Catholics engage with contemporary debates on sexuality and gender through a lens of faith and reason?
Dr. Michael Dauphinais sits down with Dr. Michele Schumacher, private docent at the University of Freiburg, Switzerland, and author of Metaphysics and Gender: The Normative Art of Nature and Its Human Limitations, to explore these questions. Dr. Schumacher shares her journey from questioning God’s existence to becoming a moral theologian specializing in sexual ethics, emphasizing the universal call to motherhood, the grace of sacramental marriage, the transformative power of love in suffering, and the importance of Eucharistic adoration in aligning with God’s design.
Resources:
How does the Catholic Church understand the unique role of Jesus Christ in salvation?
Dr. Michael Dauphinais hosts Dr. Eduardo Echeverria, author of Jesus Christ: Scandal of Particularity, Vatican II, A Catholic Theology of Religion’s Justification and Truth. They explore Vatican II’s teachings, the importance of apologetics, the dangers of religious indifference, and Echeverria’s journey from evangelical Protestantism back to Catholicism.
Resources:
Annunciation Circle (Ave Maria University Monthly Giving Community)
Ave Maria University website
Discover Dr. Eduardo J. Echeverria's books on Amazon, including Jesus Christ: Scandal of Particularity, Vatican II, A Catholic Theology of Religion’s Justification and Truth
How can the historical wisdom of the Habsburg dynasty guide us in modern times?
Dr. Michael Dauphinais hosts Eduard Habsburg, Archduke of Austria and author of The Habsburg Way: Seven Rules for Turbulent Times, to explore lessons from 800 years of Habsburg history. They discuss the seven principles that shaped the dynasty, including the importance of marriage, the Catholic faith, and how these can be applied today.
Resources:
Help support this podcast and Our Lady's University by joining the Annunciation Circle!
Get more information about Ave Maria University!
How can Catholics navigate the challenges of modern social interactions while staying true to their faith?
Dr. Michael Dauphinais, in a talk given at the SEEK 2025 conference hosted by the Fellowship of Catholic University Students, explores how to live meaningfully in a world facing social and spiritual challenges. He proposes seven practices—digital detoxing, acknowledging personal failings, intentional socializing, detaching with love, redirecting desires, avoiding despair, and trusting in divine providence—to recover joy, peace, and meaningful human connection through faith.
Resources:
Help support this podcast and Our Lady's University by joining the Annunciation Circle!
Get more information about Ave Maria University!
How does the Catholic tradition address the complex reality of war?
Dr. Michael Dauphinais hosts Dr. Joseph Capizzi, dean and professor of moral theology and ethics at the Catholic University of America, to explore just war theory. They discuss its roots in Roman and Christian thought, particularly through Augustine and Aquinas, and the role of mercy and forgiveness in fostering lasting peace.
Resources:
Help support this podcast and Our Lady's University by joining the Annunciation Circle!
Get more information about Ave Maria University!
How can a Catholic scientist navigate the intersection of faith, medicine, and public health crises?
Dr. Michael Dauphinais sits down with Dr. Robert Redfield, former CDC director and Catholic physician, to explore his journey from a scientific worldview to a deep Catholic faith, shaped by a transformative encounter with Pope John Paul II. They discuss Redfield’s work with AIDS patients, the redemptive value of suffering, and lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic, emphasizing the importance of transparency in public health and the role of faith in facing life’s challenges.
Resources:
Help support this podcast and Our Lady's University by joining the Annunciation Circle!
Get more information about Ave Maria University!
How can Catholics deepen their spiritual life through theology and contemplation?
In this episode of the Catholic Theology Show, Dr. Michael Dauphinais engages with Fr. Thomas Joseph White, O.P., Rector of the Angelicum in Rome, to discuss his book, Contemplation and the Cross: A Catholic Introduction to the Spiritual Life. The conversation addresses challenges like moral therapeutic deism and the notion of an impersonal God, emphasizing disciplined practices such as Scripture reading, the Sacraments, and the Rosary to foster a living relationship with God.
Resources:
Help support this podcast and Our Lady's University by joining the Annunciation Circle!
Get more information about Ave Maria University!
What is the significance of the Jubilee Year in the Bible, and how does it relate to Jesus’s mission and the Catholic Church?
In this episode, Dr. Michael Dauphinais is joined by Dr. John Bergsma, a Catholic theologian, author, and vice president of mission at the Saint Paul Center, to explore the biblical concept of the Jubilee Year. They discuss Bergsma’s book, Jesus and the Jubilee: The Biblical Roots of the Year of God’s Favor, which examines the Jubilee’s origins in Leviticus 25, its prophetic fulfillment in Jesus’s ministry, and its enduring relevance in the Church today.
Resources:
Help support this podcast and Our Lady's University by joining the Annunciation Circle!
Get more information about Ave Maria University!
How can Catholics rediscover a sense of wonder in a world that feels disconnected from meaning?
Dr. Michael Dauphinais sits down with Dr. Kyle Washut, president of Wyoming Catholic College, to discuss the importance of recovering an enchanted view of the universe. They explore how the Catholic intellectual tradition, rooted in Scripture and the natural world, counters the modern "buffered self" that isolates individuals from God, others, and creation.
Resources:
Help support this podcast and Our Lady's University by joining the Annunciation Circle!
Get more information about Ave Maria University!