First Things Podcast

Was the murder of Fr. Jacques Hamel by Islamic State militants an act of “absurd violence,” as Pope Francis suggests, or did it have clear religious motivations and implications? Matthew disagrees with First Things senior fellow Francesca Aran Murphy. Then, what are we to make of the two new vice-presidential nominees, each of whom is Catholic in his own way—Mike Pence the “Evangelical Catholic” and Tim Kaine the “Pope Francis Catholic”? Finally, Julia hosts a session of “Ask a Theologian.” Find out whether all dogs go to heaven, why the Pope Emeritus wears white, which way is liturgical East—and more! This episode features music by Sergey Cheremisinov, Scott Holmes, and Unthunk.

Liberal Catholics are growing impatient. What if Pope Francis fails to institutionalize his reforms? Editors Rusty, Mark, Matthew, and Julia discuss, and are politely opposed by their guest, Commonweal editor Matthew Boudway. Then assistant editor Alexi Sargeant drops in to evangelize for Pokémon Go. Finally, the editors reflect on the feelings of insecurity that seem to be motivating Americans in both parties (and no party) during this political season. Musical credits: “OST 01 Tutorial” by Sawsquarenoise, “Generic Falling Blocks Puzzle” by Mathgrant, “Shrine” by Visager, and “Final Sacrifice” by Visager. All four are used under Creative Commons licenses, which can be found with the full tracks at FreeMusicArchive.org.

Is Donald Trump a disciple of the power-mad Nietzsche, or of positive-thinking guru Norman Vincent Peale? Editors Rusty, Mark, Matthew, and Julia discuss. Then Carl Trueman Skypes in and disputes mildly with Rusty about the meaning of the recent "bigot-baiting" in Bakersfield, California. Finally, the editors are joined by attorney Darren Geist, a critic of Amnesty International's dehumanizing new policy on prostitution.

The Meaning Of Marriage: A Podcast with R. R. Reno by First Things

Gregory Alan Thornbury was recently installed as the sixth president of The King's College of New York City. Before his appointment, he was professor of philosophy, dean of the School of Theology and Missions, and vice president for Spiritual Life at Union University in Tennessee. Thornbury is a senior fellow at the Kairos Journal and serves as a visiting professor teaching philosophy at Ansgar Teologiske Høgskole in Norway and at Southern Seminary. He is a member of the Society of Christian Philosophers and the Evangelical Theological Society.

Dana Gioia may be best known to our audience for his essay in First Things last year entitled “The Catholic Writer Today.” The essay began with a dismaying regret that while 50 years ago one could scan the American literary scene and find Catholicism and Catholic writers playing a formative role, today that role has disappeared. As Gioia put it, “the religion of one-quarter of the U.S. population has retreated to the point of invisibility in the fine arts.” As you may imagine, the essay sparked heated responses both among First Things readers and in the literary world. In February USC and the Institute of Advanced Catholic Studies hosted a conference on the topic, entitled “The Future of Catholic Literary Imagination,” and it included some of the leading Catholic writers and critics in America. Last month, Gioia sat down for an interview with First Things to discuss the topic.

​Randy Boyogoda’s biography of Father Richard John Neuhaus, ​Richard John Neuhaus: A Life in the Public Square came out last month and has already received significant notice. A few weeks ago, Boyogoda himself took up a central theme of Neuhaus’ in an op-ed in the ​Wall Street Journal, underscoring the delicate relationship of religion and politics in the United States throughout American history. Last week, he sat down for an interview with First Things to continue the discussion of the life and significance of Father Neuhaus. We have recorded the discussion as a podcast, which you can listen to below.

Podcast: The Marriage Statement by First Things

Raising Kids In A Digital Age featuring Mark Bauerlein on Relevant Radio by First Things

Chaput details both the history of the threats and possible responses in “A Charitable Endeavor,” published in First Things (November, 2009). In their conversation about this essay on Spirit Catholic Radio, R. R. Reno and Chaput discussed militant secularism, the need for mediating institutions, and the historical collaboration between Church and state on issues of poverty.

Mary Eberstadt and editor R. R. Reno discuss the current state of marriage on Spirit Catholic Radio. In 2009, there were a series of tell-all articles by women, published in New York Times and The Atlantic among others,that lamented the woes of marriage. Eberstadt, observing the trend, wrote up an analysis, “What Does Woman Want: The war between sexless,” published in the October 2009 of First Things.