Crash Course Catholicism

Dr Caitlin West
  • 4.9 (125)
  • Christianity
  • Updated Biweekly

Catholicism can seem overwhelming, but it doesn't have to be. Crash Course Catholicism breaks down the beliefs, traditions, and teachings of the Catholic Church in a way that's thoughtful, accessible, and engaging. The first 50 episodes of this podcast are a summary of the Catechism of the Catholic Church, while later episodes include deep dives into big questions about God, Scripture, Church history, the saints, morality, and the spiritual life. Our aim is to help you build a stronger understanding of the faith without requiring a theology degree. Find out more: https://www.caitlinwest.com

  1. 1d ago

    Catechism 101: The Argument from Efficient Causality

    In this episode, we explore St Thomas Aquinas' Second Way, also known as the Argument from Efficient Causality. This is a classic cosmological argument for the existence of God. Aquinas begins with a simple observation: everything we encounter in the world has a cause. Houses are built by builders, paintings are painted by artists, and trees grow from seeds. But if every cause depends on another cause, where does the chain ultimately begin? Aquinas argues that there must be a First Efficient Cause that gives existence and causal power to everything else. In this episode, we discuss: What an efficient cause is Why nothing can be the efficient cause of itself The difference between temporal and hierarchical chains of causation Why Aquinas rejects an infinite regress of essentially ordered causes Peter Kreeft's "borrowed book" analogy How the Second Way differs from the Argument from Motion What Aquinas means by a First Efficient Cause Why this argument points toward God's existence without yet establishing every Christian belief about GodThis episode is part of our series on St Thomas Aquinas' Five Ways and the classical arguments for the existence of God. Whether you're interested in philosophy, Catholic theology, apologetics, metaphysics, or the relationship between faith and reason, I hope these episodes help make Aquinas' thought more accessible and encourage you to explore these remarkable arguments for yourself. SUPPORT THE PODCAST This podcast relies 100% on the generosity of viewers. If you have found these episodes helpful and would like to support the future of Crash Course Catholicism, please consider donating via the following links: Donate via PayPal: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=6WSCLFHLCDXH2 Support on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/caitlinwest Contact: www.caitlinwest.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/crashcoursecatholicism/

  2. Aug 17

    Catechism 101: The Argument from Motion

    In this episode, we explore St Thomas Aquinas’ First Way, also known as the Argument from Motion. This is one of the most influential philosophical arguments for the existence of God. Building on our introduction to cosmological arguments, we unpack Aquinas’ reasoning step by step. What does he mean by “motion”? Why does every change require a cause? And how does observing change in the world lead Aquinas to conclude that there must be an Unmoved Mover upon whom everything else depends? In this episode, we discuss: What Thomas Aquinas means by “motion” The difference between potentiality and actuality Why nothing can move itself from potential to actual How chains of simultaneous cause and effect differ from causes stretching through time Aquinas’ distinction between primary and secondary causes Why an infinite hierarchical series of causes cannot explain change The meaning of the Unmoved Mover Why Aquinas’ First Way is a philosophical argument for God’s existence, and not yet a complete proof of every Christian belief about God This episode is part of our series on St Thomas Aquinas’ Five Ways and the classical arguments for the existence of God. Whether you’re interested in philosophy, Catholic theology, apologetics, metaphysics, or the relationship between faith and reason, I hope these episodes help make Aquinas’ thought more accessible and encourage you to explore his arguments for yourself. SUPPORT THE PODCAST This podcast relies 100% on the generosity of viewers. If you have found these episodes helpful and would like to support the future of Crash Course Catholicism, please consider donating through the following links: Donate via PayPal: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=6WSCLFHLCDXH2 Support on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/caitlinwest Contact: www.caitlinwest.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/crashcoursecatholicism/

  3. Aug 9

    121 - How Artificial Intelligence Is Changing War | Magnifica Humanitas Part 5

    How is artificial intelligence changing war, and what does the Catholic Church have to say about it? In the final part of our series on Pope Leo's encyclical Magnifica Humanitas, we explore Chapter 5 and the conclusion of the encyclical, examining how artificial intelligence is reshaping warfare, global conflict, and the pursuit of peace. Pope Leo argues that the digital revolution is transforming the nature of war through cyberattacks, information manipulation, autonomous systems, and AI-assisted military decision-making. Yet he also offers a profoundly hopeful alternative: the call to build a "civilisation of love" rooted in justice, charity, dialogue, and the dignity of every human person. In this episode, we discuss: * How AI is changing the nature of modern warfare * The dangers of autonomous weapons and AI-driven military decisions * The dangers of reducing human beings to statistics and "collateral damage" * The rise of a "culture of power" and the normalisation of conflict * How algorithms and social media can fuel polarisation and division * Pope Leo's reflections on Just War Theory in the modern world * Nuclear deterrence, disarmament, and international cooperation * The ethical principles that should govern AI in warfare * What Pope Leo means by a "civilisation of love" * Five practical ways Christians can become peacemakers in the digital age * Why Jesus Christ, and not artificial intelligence, is the model of perfect humanity. This is the final episode in our chapter-by-chapter journey through Magnifica Humanitas. Whether you're interested in AI ethics, Catholic Social Teaching, theology, philosophy, international relations, or the future of technology, I hope this series has encouraged you to read the encyclical for yourself and reflect more deeply on what it means to remain fully human in the digital age. SUPPORT THE PODCAST This podcast relies 100% on the generosity of viewers. If you have found these episodes helpful and would like to support the future of Crash Course Catholicism, please consider donating via the following links: Donate via PayPal: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=6WSCLFHLCDXH2 Support on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/caitlinwest Contact: www.caitlinwest.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/crashcoursecatholicism/

  4. Aug 2

    Catechism 101: The Cosmological Argument for God's Existence

    How do we know that God exists? Can reason lead us to God? In this episode, we begin a new series exploring one of the most famous arguments for the existence of God: St Thomas Aquinas’ cosmological argument. Before diving into Aquinas’ First Way, we take a step back and look at the big picture. What exactly is a cosmological argument? How does it work? And why did Aquinas think that observing the ordinary world around us could lead us to the existence of a First Cause or Unmoved Mover? In this episode, we discuss: What a cosmological argument is Why we often reason from visible effects to invisible causes Aquinas’ observations about change, causation, and contingent existence The difference between temporal and hierarchical causes What Aquinas means by a First Cause or Unmoved Mover Why Aquinas is not yet trying to prove every Christian belief about God How this overview prepares us for Aquinas’ First Three Ways This is the first episode in a series unpacking St Thomas Aquinas’ arguments for the existence of God. Whether you’re interested in philosophy, theology, apologetics, or simply wrestling with life’s biggest questions, I hope these episodes help make Aquinas’ thought more accessible and encourage you to explore these remarkable arguments for yourself. SUPPORT THE PODCAST This podcast relies 100% on the generosity of viewers. If you have found these episodes helpful and would like to support the future of Crash Course Catholicism, please consider donating through the following links: Donate via PayPal: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=6WSCLFHLCDXH2 Support on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/caitlinwest Contact: www.caitlinwest.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/crashcoursecatholicism/

  5. Jul 26

    120 - Truth & Freedom Under Threat | Magnifica Humanitas Part 4

    In Part 4 of our series on Pope Leo's encyclical Magnifica Humanitas, we explore Chapter 4, which describes how artificial intelligence is reshaping truth, work, and freedom. Pope Leo warns that AI is not simply changing the tools we use. Instead, it is transforming the way we seek truth, the way we work, and the way we exercise our freedom. In this episode, we discuss: * How AI is amplifying disinformation and blurring the line between truth and opinion * Why Truth is a common good and not a tool for power * The importance of education, critical thinking, and digital sobriety * Why work is so important for humans * How AI should support human work rather than replace the human person * How digital technologies can weaken our freedom * The hidden human cost of AI, including exploitation, modern slavery, and digital colonialism This is Part 4 of our chapter-by-chapter journey through Magnifica Humanitas. Whether you're interested in AI ethics, Catholic social teaching, philosophy, technology, or the future of humanity, I hope these reflections encourage you to read the encyclical for yourself and discover the Church's hopeful vision for placing technology at the service of the human person. SUPPORT THE PODCAST This podcast relies 100% on the generosity of viewers. If you have found these episodes helpful and would like to support the future of Crash Course Catholicism, please consider donating via the following links: Donate via PayPal: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=6WSCLFHLCDXH2 Support on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/caitlinwest Contact: www.caitlinwest.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/crashcoursecatholicism/

  6. Jul 19

    Conversations Ep. 2 – Bit by Bit with Lucinda

    Conversion doesn't always happen in a single blinding moment of clarity. Sometimes, like drops of water slowly filling a glass, conversion to the Catholic faith is the result of countless conversations, experiences, and quiet moments accumulated over many years. In today's episode, I speak with Lucinda -- a teacher and Cambridge graduate -- about her journey to the Catholic Church. Through conversations with friends, encounters with Evangelical Christians and faithful Catholics, and even a visit to Auschwitz, Lucinda gradually came to understand and embrace the Catholic faith. Lucinda's conversion story is a powerful reminder that every small act of kindness, every thoughtful conversation, and every example of faithful living can shape another person's search for truth in ways we may never see. Donate via PayPal⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Support us on Patreon!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Contact the podcast: crashcoursecatholicism@gmail.com. Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/crashcoursecatholicism/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

    Conversations Ep. 2 – Bit by Bit with Lucinda

  7. Jul 12

    119 - AI, Transhumanism, and the Fight to Stay Human | Magnifica Humanitas Part 3

    What are the greatest threats that artificial intelligence poses, and how can we remain fully human in the age of AI? In Part 3 of our series on Pope Leo's encyclical Magnifica Humanitas, we explore Chapter 3 of the encyclical and examine the opportunities, dangers, and moral questions surrounding artificial intelligence. Pope Leo argues that AI is not simply another technological innovation. It is reshaping the way we think, make decisions, relate to one another, and even understand what it means to be human. Drawing on the Church's rich philosophical and theological tradition, he warns against the rise of a "technocratic paradigm" -- a culture that prizes efficiency, control, and profit above the dignity of the human person.In this episode, we discuss: * What Pope Leo means by the "technocratic paradigm" * Why technological progress must be accompanied by moral progress * How artificial intelligence differs fundamentally from human intelligence * The dangers of overreliance on AI, algorithms, and simulated relationships * Why AI should never replace human moral judgment or accountability * The importance of political oversight, subsidiarity, and the common good in AI governance * Why we need to "disarm AI" * The rise of transhumanism and posthumanism * Why our limitations are not defects to eliminate but part of what it means to be human * How God's grace and not technology is the path to becoming truly "more than human" This is Part 3 of our chapter-by-chapter journey through Magnifica Humanitas. Whether you're interested in AI ethics, Catholic theology, philosophy, technology, or the future of humanity, I hope these reflections encourage you to read the encyclical for yourself and discover the Church's deeply hopeful vision for the digital age. SUPPORT THE PODCAST This podcast relies 100% on the generosity of viewers. If you have found these episodes helpful and would like to support the future of Crash Course Catholicism, please consider donating via the following links: Donate via PayPal: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=6WSCLFHLCDXH2 Support on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/caitlinwest Contact: www.caitlinwest.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/crashcoursecatholicism/

  8. Jul 6

    Catechism 101: How to be Certain God Exists

    “God, the first principle and last end of all things, can be known with certainty from the created world by the natural light of human reason.” The Catechism of the Catholic Church, p. 36 In this episode of Catechism 101, we discuss how we can know for sure that God exists. This podcast relies 100% on the generosity of viewers. If you have found these episodes helpful and would like to support the future of Crash Course Catholicism, please consider donating via the following links: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Donate via PayPal⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Support us on Patreon!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Contact the podcast: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.caitlinwest.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/crashcoursecatholicism/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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About

Catholicism can seem overwhelming, but it doesn't have to be. Crash Course Catholicism breaks down the beliefs, traditions, and teachings of the Catholic Church in a way that's thoughtful, accessible, and engaging. The first 50 episodes of this podcast are a summary of the Catechism of the Catholic Church, while later episodes include deep dives into big questions about God, Scripture, Church history, the saints, morality, and the spiritual life. Our aim is to help you build a stronger understanding of the faith without requiring a theology degree. Find out more: https://www.caitlinwest.com

Information

  • Creator
    Dr Caitlin West
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2026
  • Episodes
    136
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Dr Caitlin West
  • Show Website
    Crash Course Catholicism

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