Formed Book Club Archives - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts

Science is a gift from God, so why does it often seem to turn AGAINST God? Fr. Fessio, Joseph Pearce, and Vivian Dudro continue to read Henri de Lubac’s “The Drama of Atheist Humanism.”

You can find the book here

De Lubac traces the origin of 19th century attempts to construct a humanism apart from God, the sources of contemporary atheism which purports to have “moved beyond God.” The three persons he focuses on are Feuerbach, who greatly influenced Marx; Nietzsche, who represents nihilism; and Comte, who is the father of all forms of p...

Part Two: Is a “Christian humanism” possible? De Lubac says yes—but only if God comes first. Fr. Fessio, Joseph Pearce, and Vivian Dudro continue to read Henri de Lubac’s analysis of the great Fyodor Dostoyevsky in “The Drama of Atheist Humanism.”

You can find the book here

De Lubac traces the origin of 19th century attempts to construct a humanism apart from God, the sources of contemporary atheism which purports to have “moved beyond God.” The three persons he focuses on are Feuerbach, who greatly influenced Marx; Nietzsche, who represents nihilism; and Comte, who i...

Part One: Is a “Christian humanism” possible? De Lubac says yes—but only if God comes first. Fr. Fessio, Joseph Pearce, and Vivian Dudro continue to read Henri de Lubac’s analysis of the great Fyodor Dostoyevsky in “The Drama of Atheist Humanism.”

You can find the book here

De Lubac traces the origin of 19th century attempts to construct a humanism apart from God, the sources of contemporary atheism which purports to have “moved beyond God.” The three persons he focuses on are Feuerbach, who greatly influenced Marx; Nietzsche, who represents nihilism; and Co...

Why did Dostoyevsky love Jesus but hate the Catholic Church? Fr. Fessio, Joseph Pearce, and Vivian Dudro continue to read Henri de Lubac’s analysis of the great Fyodor Dostoyevsky in “The Drama of Atheist Humanism.”

You can find the book here

De Lubac traces the origin of 19th century attempts to construct a humanism apart from God, the sources of contemporary atheism which purports to have “moved beyond God.” The three persons he focuses on are Feuerbach, who greatly influenced Marx; Nietzsche, who represents nihilism; and Comte, who is the father of all for...

Are evil characters “cooler” than good characters? Reading Dostoyevsky, Henri de Lubac goes far, far deeper than the cool. Fr. Fessio, Joseph Pearce, and Vivian Dudro continue to read Henri de Lubac’s analysis of the great Fyodor Dostoyevsky in “The Drama of Atheist Humanism.”

You can find the book here

De Lubac traces the origin of 19th century attempts to construct a humanism apart from God, the sources of contemporary atheism which purports to have “moved beyond God.” The three persons he focuses on are Feuerbach, who greatly influenced Marx; Nietzsche, who represents...

Each one of us is a whole world, say Dostoyevsky and De Lubac. Fr. Fessio, Joseph Pearce, and Vivian Dudro continue to read Henri de Lubac’s analysis of the great Fyodor Dostoyevsky in “The Drama of Atheist Humanism.”

You can find the book here

De Lubac traces the origin of 19th century attempts to construct a humanism apart from God, the sources of contemporary atheism which purports to have “moved beyond God.” The three persons he focuses on are Feuerbach, who greatly influenced Marx; Nietzsche, who represents nihilism; and Comte, who is the fat...

Dostoyevsky knows the difference between a revolution of love (Christian) and a revolution of power (atheism). Fr. Fessio, Joseph Pearce, and Vivian Dudro continue to read Henri de Lubac’s analysis of the great Fyodor Dostoyevsky in “The Drama of Atheist Humanism.”

You can find the book here

De Lubac traces the origin of 19th century attempts to construct a humanism apart from God, the sources of contemporary atheism which purports to have “moved beyond God.” The three persons he focuses on are Feuerbach, who greatly influenced Marx; Nietzsche, who represents nihilism; and Comte...

Fyodor Dostoyevsky survived an execution and spent five years in a brutal Siberian prison. To his surprise, that’s where he fell in love with God.

You can find the book here

De Lubac traces the origin of 19th century attempts to construct a humanism apart from God, the sources of contemporary atheism which purports to have “moved beyond God.” The three persons he focuses on are Feuerbach, who greatly influenced Marx; Nietzsche, who represents nihilism; and Comte, who is the father of all forms of positivism.

He then shows that t...

What is Christianity’s ANSWER to atheism? Simple: DOSTOYEVSKY. Fr. Fessio, Joseph Pearce, and Vivian Dudro begin part III of “The Drama of Atheist Humanism” by Henri de Lubac.

You can find the book here

De Lubac traces the origin of 19th century attempts to construct a humanism apart from God, the sources of contemporary atheism which purports to have “moved beyond God.” The three persons he focuses on are Feuerbach, who greatly influenced Marx; Nietzsche, who represents nihilism; and Comte, who is the father of all forms of positivism.

He then sh...

The last word on sociologist August Comte. Fr. Fessio, Joseph Pearce, and Vivian Dudro conclude part II of Henri de Lubac’s “The Drama of Atheist Humanism.”

You can find the book here

De Lubac traces the origin of 19th century attempts to construct a humanism apart from God, the sources of contemporary atheism which purports to have “moved beyond God.” The three persons he focuses on are Feuerbach, who greatly influenced Marx; Nietzsche, who represents nihilism; and Comte, who is the father of all forms of positivism.

He then shows that...

Comte builds a new religion—with him as pope and scientific experts as bishops. Part 2, chapter 3, sections 1 and 2 of “The Drama of Atheist Humanism” by Henri de Lubac.

You can find the book here

De Lubac traces the origin of 19th century attempts to construct a humanism apart from God, the sources of contemporary atheism which purports to have “moved beyond God.” The three persons he focuses on are Feuerbach, who greatly influenced Marx; Nietzsche, who represents nihilism; and Comte, who is the father of all forms of positivism.

He then shows...

Comte, the father of “social science,” believes in a new god: MANKIND. Fr. Fessio, Joseph Pearce, and Vivian Dudro finish part 2, chapter 2, of Henri de Lubac’s “The Drama of Atheist Humanism.”

You can find the book here

De Lubac traces the origin of 19th century attempts to construct a humanism apart from God, the sources of contemporary atheism which purports to have “moved beyond God.” The three persons he focuses on are Feuerbach, who greatly influenced Marx; Nietzsche, who represents nihilism; and Comte, who is the father of all forms of positivism.

Why Comte DETESTED Jesus—and LOVED St. Paul. Fr. Fessio, Joseph Pearce, and Vivian Dudro begin studying part 2, chapter 2, of Henri de Lubac’s classic “The Drama of Atheist Humanism.”

You can find the book here

De Lubac traces the origin of 19th century attempts to construct a humanism apart from God, the sources of contemporary atheism which purports to have “moved beyond God.” The three persons he focuses on are Feuerbach, who greatly influenced Marx; Nietzsche, who represents nihilism; and Comte, who is the father of all forms of positivism.

He then sh...

Even atheists need a god: How Comte turned data into a religion. Fr. Fessio, Joseph Pearce, and Vivian Dudro discuss pp. 147–79 (part 2, chapter 1) of Henri de Lubac’s classic “The Drama of Atheist Humanism.”

You can find the book here

De Lubac traces the origin of 19th century attempts to construct a humanism apart from God, the sources of contemporary atheism which purports to have “moved beyond God.” The three persons he focuses on are Feuerbach, who greatly influenced Marx; Nietzsche, who represents nihilism; and Comte, who is the father of all forms of pos...



August Comte: How ”science” took over EVERYTHING. Fr. Fessio, Joseph Pearce, and Vivian Dudro begin to read PART TWO of “The Drama of Atheist Humanism” by Henri de Lubac.

You can find the book here

De Lubac traces the origin of 19th century attempts to construct a humanism apart from God, the sources of contemporary atheism which purports to have “moved beyond God.” The three persons he focuses on are Feuerbach, who greatly influenced Marx; Nietzsche, who represents nihilism; and Comte, who is the father of all forms of positivism.

He then shows...

Are CHRISTIANS responsible for God’s death? Nietzsche thought so. Fr. Fessio, Joseph Pearce, and Vivian Dudro finish their study of PART ONE of “The Drama of Atheist Humanism” by Henri de Lubac, S.J.

You can find the book here

De Lubac traces the origin of 19th century attempts to construct a humanism apart from God, the sources of contemporary atheism which purports to have “moved beyond God.” The three persons he focuses on are Feuerbach, who greatly influenced Marx; Nietzsche, who represents nihilism; and Comte, who is the father of all forms...

“Be hard, be terrible, be pitiless!” The world in the wake of Nietzsche, as we study part 1, chapter 3, of Henri de Lubac’s “The Drama of Atheist Humanism.”

You can find the book here

De Lubac traces the origin of 19th century attempts to construct a humanism apart from God, the sources of contemporary atheism which purports to have “moved beyond God.” The three persons he focuses on are Feuerbach, who greatly influenced Marx; Nietzsche, who represents nihilism; and Comte, who is the father of all forms of positivism.

He then shows that the...

Logic isn’t everything, but what happens when we reject it altogether? Two great philosophers go head to head: Kierkegaard (Christian) and Nietzsche (Atheist).

You can find the book here

De Lubac traces the origin of 19th century attempts to construct a humanism apart from God, the sources of contemporary atheism which purports to have “moved beyond God.” The three persons he focuses on are Feuerbach, who greatly influenced Marx; Nietzsche, who represents nihilism; and Comte, who is the father of all forms of positivism.

He then shows that the only one wh...

Atheism is boring: the lifeless life of Nietzsche. Fr. Fessio, Joseph Pearce, and Vivian Dudro finish chapter 1 of Henri de Lubac’s “The Drama of Atheist Humanism.”

You can find the book here

De Lubac traces the origin of 19th century attempts to construct a humanism apart from God, the sources of contemporary atheism which purports to have “moved beyond God.” The three persons he focuses on are Feuerbach, who greatly influenced Marx; Nietzsche, who represents nihilism; and Comte, who is the father of all forms of positivism.

He then shows that the o...

The return of the gods: When we kill God, something darker takes His place. This week, we take on Feuerbach and Nietzsche as Fr. Fessio, Joseph Pearce, and Vivian Dudro read Henri de Lubac’s landmark study “The Drama of Atheism Humanism.”

You can find the book here

De Lubac traces the origin of 19th century attempts to construct a humanism apart from God, the sources of contemporary atheism which purports to have “moved beyond God.” The three persons he focuses on are Feuerbach, who greatly influenced Marx; Nietzsche, who represents nihilism; and Comte...

“Down with God, up with man!” In this tour-de-force “The Drama of Atheist Humanism,” written during the godless persecutions of World War II, acclaimed scholar Cardinal Henri de Lubac enters the heart of modern atheism: a dark yet brilliant quest to destroy a God who, they think, suppresses mankind. Joseph Pearce, Father Fessio, and Vivian Dudro begin by studying the two godfathers of atheism: Karl Marx and his hero Ludwig Feuerbach.

You can find the book here

De Lubac traces the origin of 19th century attempts to construct a humanism apart from God, the sour...



Is Latin better or worse for the Mass? Sparks fly in this concluding episode of our study of Joseph Ratzinger’s “The Spirit of the Liturgy.”

You can find the book here

In honor of its fortieth anniversary (1978–2018), Ignatius Press presents a special Commemorative Edition of one of the most important works written by Joseph Ratzinger, The Spirit of the Liturgy.

This edition includes the earlier classic work with the same title by Servant of God Romano Guardini, a book that helped Ratzinger to “rediscover the liturgy in all its beauty, hidden wealt...



What’s kneeling at Mass all about? Find out with Fr. Fessio, Joseph Pearce, and Vivian Dudro as they read the final chapter of Joseph Ratzinger’s “The Spirit of the Liturgy!”

You can find the book here

In honor of its fortieth anniversary (1978–2018), Ignatius Press presents a special Commemorative Edition of one of the most important works written by Joseph Ratzinger, The Spirit of the Liturgy.

This edition includes the earlier classic work with the same title by Servant of God Romano Guardini, a book that helped Ratzinger to “rediscover the liturgy in...



The real meaning of “active participation” in the Mass. Fr. Fessio, Joseph Pearce, and Vivian Dudro break down the first half of the last chapter of Joseph Ratzinger’s “The Spirit of the Liturgy.”

You can find the book here

In honor of its fortieth anniversary (1978–2018), Ignatius Press presents a special Commemorative Edition of one of the most important works written by Joseph Ratzinger, The Spirit of the Liturgy.

This edition includes the earlier classic work with the same title by Servant of God Romano Guardini, a book that helped Ratzinger to “rediscover...



What is a “rite,” and why are there so many? Fr. Fessio, Joseph Pearce, and Vivian Dudro untangle the meaning of different liturgical styles with the help of Joseph Ratzinger’s “The Spirit of the Liturgy.”

You can find the book here

In honor of its fortieth anniversary (1978–2018), Ignatius Press presents a special Commemorative Edition of one of the most important works written by Joseph Ratzinger, The Spirit of the Liturgy.

This edition includes the earlier classic work with the same title by Servant of God Romano Guardini, a book that helped Ra...

Rock music: is it good? Father Fessio, Joseph Pearce, and Vivian Dudro continue to unpack Pope Benedict’s analysis of music in ”The Spirit of the Liturgy.”

You can find the book here

In honor of its fortieth anniversary (1978–2018), Ignatius Press presents a special Commemorative Edition of one of the most important works written by Joseph Ratzinger, The Spirit of the Liturgy.

This edition includes the earlier classic work with the same title by Servant of God Romano Guardini, a book that helped Ratzinger to “rediscover the liturgy in all its beauty...

How music almost killed—and saved—the Catholic Church. Fr. Fessio, Joseph Pearce, and Vivian Dudro discuss Joseph Ratzinger’s account of the development of liturgical singing in “The Spirit of the Liturgy”.

You can find the book here

In honor of its fortieth anniversary (1978–2018), Ignatius Press presents a special Commemorative Edition of one of the most important works written by Joseph Ratzinger, The Spirit of the Liturgy.

This edition includes the earlier classic work with the same title by Servant of God Romano Guardini, a book that helped Ratzinger to “rediscover the...

Pope Benedict on MUSIC, both ancient and new. Fr. Fessio, Joseph Pearce, and Vivian guide us through part 3, chapter 2, of Joseph Ratzinger’s classic “The Spirit of the Liturgy.”

You can find the book here

In honor of its fortieth anniversary (1978–2018), Ignatius Press presents a special Commemorative Edition of one of the most important works written by Joseph Ratzinger, The Spirit of the Liturgy.

This edition includes the earlier classic work with the same title by Servant of God Romano Guardini, a book that helped Ratzinger to “rediscover the liturgy in all its be...



Why God loves art—and you should too. Join Fr. Fessio, Joseph Pearce, and Vivian Dudro in their discussion of part III, chapter 1, of Joseph Ratzinger’s “Spirit of the Liturgy”, on images and visual art.

You can find the book here

In honor of its fortieth anniversary (1978–2018), Ignatius Press presents a special Commemorative Edition of one of the most important works written by Joseph Ratzinger, The Spirit of the Liturgy.

This edition includes the earlier classic work with the same title by Servant of God Romano Guardini, a book that helped...



Do Catholics overlook the Church’s most important feast? Why the whole year hinges on March 25, as Fr. Fessio, Joseph Pearce, and Vivian Dudro continue to unpack Joseph Ratzinger’s landmark book “The Spirit of the Liturgy”.

You can find the book here

In honor of its fortieth anniversary (1978–2018), Ignatius Press presents a special Commemorative Edition of one of the most important works written by Joseph Ratzinger, The Spirit of the Liturgy.

This edition includes the earlier classic work with the same title by Servant of God Romano Guardini, a book that he...



Does anybody really know what time is? Father Fessio, Joseph Pearce, and Vivian Dudro try to unfold one of reality’s greatest mysteries with the help of Joseph Ratzinger’s “The Spirit of the Liturgy”.

You can find the book here

In honor of its fortieth anniversary (1978–2018), Ignatius Press presents a special Commemorative Edition of one of the most important works written by Joseph Ratzinger, The Spirit of the Liturgy.

This edition includes the earlier classic work with the same title by Servant of God Romano Guardini, a book that helped Ratzi...



Why churches should always be open. Father Fessio, Joseph Pearce, and Vivian Dudro continue to unpack “The Spirit of the Liturgy” by Joseph Ratzinger (Pope Benedict XVI).

You can find the book here

In honor of its fortieth anniversary (1978–2018), Ignatius Press presents a special Commemorative Edition of one of the most important works written by Joseph Ratzinger, The Spirit of the Liturgy.

This edition includes the earlier classic work with the same title by Servant of God Romano Guardini, a book that helped Ratzinger to “rediscover the liturgy in all its beauty...



Should we have lay lectors and altar servers at Mass? Fr. Fessio, Joseph Pearce, and Vivian Dudro address “lay participation” as they unpack chapter 3 of “The Spirit of the Liturgy.”

You can find the book here

In honor of its fortieth anniversary (1978–2018), Ignatius Press presents a special Commemorative Edition of one of the most important works written by Joseph Ratzinger, The Spirit of the Liturgy.

This edition includes the earlier classic work with the same title by Servant of God Romano Guardini, a book that helped Ratzinger to “rediscover the liturgy in all its bea...



What Mass was like at St. Peter’s in the 1600s—and why it was so strangely beautiful. Fr. Fessio breaks down chapter 3, section 2, of his teacher Joseph Ratzinger’s masterpiece “The Spirit of the Liturgy.”

You can find the book here

In honor of its fortieth anniversary (1978–2018), Ignatius Press presents a special Commemorative Edition of one of the most important works written by Joseph Ratzinger, The Spirit of the Liturgy.

This edition includes the earlier classic work with the same title by Servant of God Romano Guardini, a book that helped Ra...

Father Fessio explains his teacher Joseph Ratzinger’s theology of “liturgical east” in this reading of “The Spirit of the Liturgy”.

You can find the book here

In honor of its fortieth anniversary (1978–2018), Ignatius Press presents a special Commemorative Edition of one of the most important works written by Joseph Ratzinger, The Spirit of the Liturgy.

This edition includes the earlier classic work with the same title by Servant of God Romano Guardini, a book that helped Ratzinger to “rediscover the liturgy in all its beauty, hidden wealth and time-transcending grandeur, to se...



Life between heaven and earth: how the liturgy touches eternity.  Father Fessio continues to walk us through “The Spirit of the Liturgy” by his teacher, Joseph Ratzinger (Pope Benedict XVI).

You can find the book here

In honor of its fortieth anniversary (1978–2018), Ignatius Press presents a special Commemorative Edition of one of the most important works written by Joseph Ratzinger, The Spirit of the Liturgy.

This edition includes the earlier classic work with the same title by Servant of God Romano Guardini, a book that helped Ratzinger to “rediscover the liturgy in a...



The real meaning of “sacrifice,” according to Pope Benedict. Father Fessio walks us, page by page, through chapter 2 of Joseph Ratzinger’s masterpiece “The Spirit of the Liturgy.”

You can find the book here

In honor of its fortieth anniversary (1978–2018), Ignatius Press presents a special Commemorative Edition of one of the most important works written by Joseph Ratzinger, The Spirit of the Liturgy.

This edition includes the earlier classic work with the same title by Servant of God Romano Guardini, a book that helped Ratzinger to “rediscover the liturgy in all its beauty...

What does the liturgy have to do with human happiness? Everything. Fr. Joseph Fessio, a former student and long-time friend of Pope Benedict XVI, leads an introduction to the pope’s groundbreaking book “The Spirit of the Liturgy”.

You can find the book here

In honor of its fortieth anniversary (1978–2018), Ignatius Press presents a special Commemorative Edition of one of the most important works written by Joseph Ratzinger, The Spirit of the Liturgy.

This edition includes the earlier classic work with the same title by Servant of God Romano Guardini, a book tha...

What is a barbarian? And might you be one? Father Fessio and Joseph Pearce discuss two more essays by G.K. Chesterton, “On the Return of the Barbarian” and “On Man: Heir of All the Ages,” both from the collection In Defense of Sanity.

This discussion is part of the FORMED Book Club—an online community led by Fr. Joseph Fessio, Joseph Pearce, and Vivian Dudro that reads and discusses a different book each month.

You can find the book here

G.K. Chesterton was a master essayist. But reading his essays...

Black magic, power, and the Lord of the Rings.  Another rich discussion of two essays by G.K. Chesterton from the collection In Defense of Sanity

This discussion is part of the FORMED Book Club—an online community led by Fr. Joseph Fessio, Joseph Pearce, and Vivian Dudro that reads and discusses a different book each month.

You can find the book here

G.K. Chesterton was a master essayist. But reading his essays is not just an exercise in studying a literary form at its finest, it is an enc...