Off The Shelf

Each Lent we are encouraged to give something up as a sacrifice during the penitential season. Most often we pick things we can put our fingers on like sweets or coffee. What if we tried something different. In his book Give up Worry for Lent Gary Zimak tells readers how we can give worry up and lead stringer faith filled lives. Listen in as we cover the book and discuss the pitfalls worry can have on our lives.

This week on Off the Shelf we have something a little different. David Williams is the developer behind the new game Saint Cards. Its a card game where the Saints and history are presented in fun and engaging games for ages 4-104. Cards are available in base sets and expansions that add to the challenge and fun. Listen in as David and I discuss how to play the game and what each of the multiple expansions contain. 

This week Rob Kenney and I discuss an incredible resource that Sophia Institute Press has breathed new life into. Around the Year with the Von Trapp family is back in print and sure to serve as a timeless classic to new generations of families looking to incorporate the Catholic faith into their daily lives. Written by the beloved Maria Von Trapp formatted as a coffee table type book this is one you will want to add to your home library. 

In the internet age we can find ourselves getting caught up in the quick reaction sound bites spread across social media like wildfire. Information is literally at our fingers within seconds of events happening and often people fire off their armchair evaluation within seconds giving little thought to who they may offend or harm. Join Shaun and I as we discuss a proper path forward when it comes to social media use as outlined in his book  Social Media Magisterium: A No-Nonsense Guide to the Proper Use of Media.

One of the oldest drinks known to man...next to water of course..is alcohol. Brewed out of necessity for health purposes in England the beloved beer has become a of staple of our culture. But were you aware that there is a spiritual aspect to beer as well? Jared Staudt joins me this week to discuss this and how Catholic monks perfected the art of brewing and spread it throughout the world. Learn about the rise, fall, and return of beer brewing on this episode.

If you are one who loves studying Scripture than this episode is for you. Dr. John Bergsma joins me to talk about the EXCELLENT new volume on the Old Testament he co-wrote with Brant Pitre called  A Catholic Introduction to the Bible: The Old Testament.  This book is packed with charts, graphs, history behind each book of the Old Testament and much, much more within it's 1060 pages. Learn about the book, a little Bible history, and the process John and Brant went through over a span of 10 years to write the book. We even touch upon when we can expect to see the companion New Testament volume. 

Many feel Thomas Aquinas is hard to read. Have you ever considered thinking like him? On the episode I am joined by Dr. Kevin Vost who tells us just how to accomplish. It may take some time but well worth it. Listen in as we take a look at his recent book  How to Think Like Aquinas:The Sure Way to Perfect Your Mental Powers.