WOF 077: God and the New Media

The Word on Fire Show - Catholic Faith and Culture

Statistics show that more people own a smartphone (4 billion) than own a toothbrush (3.5 billion). In this episode of our new series called The Eight Principles of the Word on Fire Ethos, Bishop Barron discusses how readily available Internet access has made the new media an essential route of evangelization. The listener questions asks how virtue can possibly turn to vice.

Topics Discussed

• 0:17 - Introduction, Bishop's recent trip to Saint Anselm College
• 2:30 - What is the power of the new media?
• 5:19 - Why is the new media effective for evangelization?
• 7:50 - What's the danger in not using the new media to spread the Gospel?
• 9:30 - What made Fulton Sheen so effective at using the media of his time?
• 16:10 - Why are people feeling less connected and more lonely despite the technology advances?
• 19:35 - How might we cope with internet attacks while sharing the Gospel?
• 25:00 - How do we become more effective at sharing our faith online?
• 26:55 - Question from listener: How can virtue possibly turn into vice?

Bonus Resources

• Videos
  • "Theology and the New Media" (Bishop Barron)
  • "The Vatican and New Media" (Bishop Barron)

• DVD/Study Program
  • CATHOLICISM: The New Evangelization

• Articles
  • "Surprising Lessons from Ten Million YouTube Views" (Bishop Barron)

• Books
  • The Church and New Media (Brandon Vogt, chapter by Bishop Barron)
  • Seeds of the Word: Finding God in the Culture by Bishop Barron
  • Word On Fire: Proclaiming the Power of Christ by Bishop Barron

• Lectures
  • "The New Evangelization: The Impact of Social Media" (Bishop Barron)
  • "The New Evangelization and the New Media" (Bishop Barron)
  • "Against the YouTube Heresies" (Bishop Barron)

• Websites
  • Word On Fire (Proclaiming Christ in the Culture)
  • BishopBarronBooks (Bishop Barron)

Find bonus links and resources for this episode at http://WordOnFireShow.com and, again, be sure to submit your questions at http://AskBishopBarron.