Benedictine Thought & Action

Benedictine Thought & Action

por Mount Marty University

Educación Cristianismo

Temporada 2

Intro to the Pope's AI Letter

Welcome to Season 2 of Benedictine Thought in Action! Hosts John Badley and Jason Heron kick off the new season by setting their sights on Pope Leo XIV’s landmark encyclical, Magnifica humanitas ("Magnificent Humanity"), a document dedicated to safeguarding human dignity in the age of artificial intelligence. The hosts explore why this letter carries vital importance within higher education and Benedictine academic communities, while sharing their own personal and professional work with AI—including Jason’s research projects connected with the Vatican's Dicastery for Culture and Education. They unpack the historical context of papal encyclicals and explain how Catholic social teaching brings the wisdom of the gospel to bear on modern technological shifts. Finally, Jon and Jason break down the core theme of "magnificent humanity," challenging rigid definitions of the image of God that rely solely on human rationality. Join the conversation for an engaging look at theology, technology, and human purpose, along with a roadmap of what to expect across Season 2. Music licensed through Soundstripe.

Temporada 1

Interview: Sarah J. Barton, pt. 2 | Benedictine Thought & Action #15

In part two of this interview on Benedictine Thought in Action, hosts Jon and Jason welcome back Dr. Sarah J. Barton, Assistant Professor of Occupational Therapy and Theological Ethics at Duke Divinity School. Shifting from methodology to practical application, the conversation examines how Rule of Benedict Chapter 36 interfaces with modern understandings of disability, contrasting acute illness with lifelong conditions to show how expectations of quick cures can undermine sustained hospitality. Dr. Barton also re-evaluates resurrection theology, highlighting how Christ’s wounds validate diverse human bodies rather than erasing particularity in the eschaton. The discussion deepens as Dr. Barton positions baptism as an antidote to ecclesial exclusion, emphasizing that the Holy Spirit endows every individual with unique gifts regardless of cognitive or physical support needs. Addressing the healing of the blind man in John 9, she disconnects divine glory from physical cure, framing Jesus's ministry as a call for broader community transformation rather than simple bodily remediation. The episode concludes with practical pastoral reflections alongside curated recommendations spanning theology, fiction, and neurodiversity.

Interview with Sarah J. Barton

In part one of a two-part conversation, John and Jason are joined by Dr. Sarah Jean Barton, a theologian and occupational therapist at Duke University, to discuss her book, "Becoming the Baptized Body: Disability and the Practice of Christian Community." The episode kicks off with fond memories of John and Sarah’s divinity school days and their shared experience walking the Camino de Santiago. Sarah opens up about her unique career journey, explaining how her early experiences working as a caregiver for children with complex medical needs revealed a heartbreaking pattern of exclusion from faith communities. This led her to merge her occupational therapy training—which focuses on what people do to occupy their time, including worship—with a deep theological inquiry. The trio discusses the problems with traditional theological responses to disability (which often rely on sin, pity, or superficial inspiration), the need to stop "footnoting" disabled bodies in theological anthropology, and the importance of recognizing the actual, lived discipleship of people with intellectual disabilities.

Interview with Larry Chapp

In this episode, John and Jason sit down with Dr. Larry Chapp, a retired theology professor and the current owner and manager of the Dorothy Day Catholic Worker Farm near Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. Larry shares his fascinating background—from growing up as a "nerdy" fireman's son and a "fire-breathing atheist" in Lincoln, Nebraska, to becoming a prominent theologian specializing in Hans Urs von Balthasar. The conversation dives into Larry's midlife discernment to leave a successful 20-year academic career at DeSales University to literally "walk the walk" of Dorothy Day and Peter Maurin by starting a farm. Larry helps clear up common misconceptions about the Catholic Worker movement, explaining Dorothy Day's deep orthodox faith, her nuanced critique of capitalism, and why the movement is often mistakenly categorized as purely leftist. The guys also explore the differences between urban houses of hospitality and rural agronomic farms, how to become a "YouTube farmer," and wrap up with book and guest recommendations.

Interview with Roberto de la Noval | Part 2

In part two of a two-part conversation, John and Jason are joined by Rob De La Noval, a theology professor at Boston College. The guys connected with Rob after reading three of his articles on teaching theology published in the University of Notre Dame's The Church Life Journal. The discussion centers around the art of teaching introductory theology to modern college students and the necessity of moving away from the traditional "salvation history" approach. Rob, drawing on Lonerganian philosophy, argues that introductory theology classes shouldn't just be an introduction to an academic discipline, but an introduction to oneself that addresses fundamental human questions—such as "Why do I suffer?" and "Is there an ultimate meaning?". The trio explores the concept of "awareness of God" as discovering one's own seeking and self-presence. They also discuss the need for teachers to have the "smell of the sheep," the necessity of intellectual conversion and returning to a childlike wonder for educators, and how the current cultural zeitgeist of relativism affects the modern classroom.

Interview with Roberto de la Noval | Part 1

In part one of a two-part conversation, John and Jason are joined by Rob De La Noval, a theology professor at Boston College. The guys connected with Rob after reading three of his articles on teaching theology published in the University of Notre Dame's The Church Life Journal. The discussion centers around the art of teaching introductory theology to modern college students and the necessity of moving away from the traditional "salvation history" approach. Rob, drawing on Lonerganian philosophy, argues that introductory theology classes shouldn't just be an introduction to an academic discipline, but an introduction to oneself that addresses fundamental human questions—such as "Why do I suffer?" and "Is there an ultimate meaning?". The trio explores the concept of "awareness of God" as discovering one's own seeking and self-presence. They also discuss the need for teachers to have the "smell of the sheep," the necessity of intellectual conversion and returning to a childlike wonder for educators, and how the current cultural zeitgeist of relativism affects the modern classroom.

Interview with Anathea Portier-Young

In this episode, "Just John" flies solo to interview his favorite professor from Duke Divinity School, Dr. Anathea Portier-Young. They discuss her groundbreaking book, "The Prophetic Body: Embodiment and Mediation in Biblical Prophetic Literature," which challenges the traditional "logocentric" view that prophets are merely mouthpieces for a divine message. Instead, Thea argues that prophecy is a deeply embodied experience—involving eating, sleeping, healing, and even the prophet's bones. The conversation covers a wide range of "nerdy" topics, from Thea’s background as a Latin-loving classicist to the "ferocious" reality of biblical Cherubim (who are definitely not chubby babies). They explore how the physical bodies of prophets like Moses and Isaiah mediate God's presence, the connection between the Old Testament prophets and the Incarnation of Jesus, and how Benedictine asceticism might itself be a prophetic act. John also fondly recalls auditing Thea's "Biblical Bodies" class, which featured memorable discussions on everything from Metatron to Dead Sea Scrolls toilets.

Interview with William Portier

In this episode, John and Jason are joined by Dr. William Portier, a renowned theologian, historian of American Catholicism, and the academic mentor who originally guided Jason into his doctoral program. As the author of "Tradition and Incarnation," a textbook used by nearly every Mount Marty student for the last several years, Dr. Portier helps the hosts unpack the complex relationship between faith and culture. The conversation begins with Portier’s colorful biography—from entering seminary at age fourteen in Alabama to navigating the chaotic, desk-less classrooms of 1970s high schools, and finally finding his home at Mount St. Mary’s University. They dive deep into the central thesis of his work: the challenge of "Americanism," which reduces religion to a private hobby rather than a shared, public reality. The discussion touches on the loss of external judgment in modern society, the "prophetic body," and the work of his daughter, biblical scholar Anathea Portier-Young.

Exit Interview with Marc Long

In this special "exit interview," John and Jason sit down with Marc Long, the President Emeritus of Mount Marty University, just days before his retirement. Reflecting on his ten-year tenure, Marc shares his unlikely journey from a traffic-enforcement police officer to a higher education leader, revealing how he navigated the public demands of university presidency. The conversation delves into the Benedictine roots of his leadership style — specifically how the Rule of St. Benedict informs tough decisions like supervision, hiring and firing — and his "people-first" philosophy. They also discuss his spiritual transition from the Disciples of Christ to Catholicism, his post-retirement reading list (including a 46-hour Mark Twain biography), and John’s sudden, impulsive desire to buy a floor loom and a kiln.

Book Review: Aflame

In this episode, hosts John and Jason dive into a book club discussion on "Aflame" by travel writer Pico Iyer. They explore why this book—written by a non-religious "pilgrim" who has visited a Benedictine monastery for forty years—is a valuable resource for anyone interested in silence, solitude, and the art of being a guest in another’s tradition. The conversation unpacks the book's central metaphor of fire, contrasting the destructive threat of California wildfires with the Desert Fathers' call to "become aflame" of inner spiritual life. They also discuss the "new monk" perspective and the modern struggle to endure true silence without the distraction of technology.

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