Tower of Ivory
By Fr. Frank Furman
Tower of IvoryAug 23, 2023
The Bible: Deuteronomy
The Bible: Numbers
A jaunt through the fourth book of the Bible.
The Bible: Leviticus
The Bible: Exodus
Here is a general introduction to the Book of Exodus with tips on how to read what happens within it.
The Bible: Genesis
This is a general overview of the first book of the Bible.
Rebuilding Catholic Culture
Last time we took a glance at secular culture and Catholic culture. In this talk, we go over how to rebuild Catholic culture by bringing Christ out into the world.
Artwork: St. Christopher
Relics
This episode is all about relics, their biblical origins, and their Incarnational nature. Artwork: relic of the heart of St. John Vianney
Today's Catholic Culture 2023
A cross section of what a country priest sees as having happened among Catholic Culture in the Northeastern United States.
Artwork: Vatican State Flag
Philosophical Anthropology of Star Wars
Let's examine the tenants behind Jedi, Sith, and force philosophy and see what each gets right and gets wrong.
2023: The Plan
These are the talks I will be giving next year:
January-The Anthropology of Star Wars.
February-All About Relics.
March-begin introducing each book of the Bible.
Artwork: Our Lady of Sorrows
Dealing With Depression
This episode will take a holistic approach and look at depression from the standpoint of its three different causes: physical, mental, or spiritual. It will give suggestions from a priest about different ways to begin the process of overcoming each.
The Holy Family
Next Talk: Dec 6 on "Dealing With Depression"
Tattoos and Piercings: A Moral Evaluation of Body Modification
Next topic: "The Holy Family" - November 15th at 6pm OLV Sheffield
Jesus and the News (Including Borders and Immigration)
What to Do During Adoration
I go over some basic approaches to prayer and then discuss the eight best ways to pray during Adoration, when the Most Blessed Sacrament is exposed.
Next talk: September 22nd at 18:00, Sheffield. Topic: "Jesus and the News"
How Do Catholics Read the Bible? - Genesis
Next month's topic: "What to Do During Adoration" Date: Aug 25th 6pm in OLV church, Sheffield.
Apologetics: How to Defend and Explain the Faith
This episode gives an overview of the basic ebb and flow of discussion and how to engage with others and talk about our Catholic faith. Some good resources to help you expand your knowledge and grow deeper in your faith: The Catechism of Pope St. Pius X, "Summa Theologica" by St. Thomas Aquinas, the Ignatius Study Bible with commentary, "My Daily Bread" by the Society of the Most Precious Blood.
Artwork: a stained glass window of St. John Cardinal Henry Newman.
God's Rights
Artwork: detail from "The Last Judgement" triptych by Hans Memling
Next Talk: May 26th at 18:30 on "Apologetics: How to Defend and Explain the Faith"
The Myth of Overpopulation
We go through some of the flawed thinking and presumptions associated with those who think people are a problem.
Next Talk April 21st at 6:30pm: The Social Rights of Jesus Christ the King
Artwork: "Let the children come to me."
Suffering + Mortification
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An Examination of Conscience
St. John Marie Vianney on the Eucharist
Artwork: altar and tomb of St. John Vianney in Ars, France.
Next episode: February 17, 2022 at 6:30pm.
Topic List 2022: All Topics Set!
NOTE: I started giving the dates of my next talks at the end of episode descriptions (like the one you're reading right now). Jan – St. John Marie Vianney on Receiving the Eucharist;
Feb - Examination of Conscience – 5 pairs of Commandments; 8 Beatitudes;
Mar - Myth of Overpopulation;
Apr - Social Rights of Christ the King;
May
- Apologetics: How to Defend and Explain the Faith;
Jun - Jesus and the News (borders and immigration); Jul – How to Talk about the Book of Genesis (and Bible in General);
Aug – The Tridentine Mass Pt.1;
Sep - The Tridentine Mass Pt.2;
Oct - A Moral Evaluation of Tattoos and Body Piercings; Nov – The Holy Family; Dec – Dealing with Depression
Transgenderism + Transhumanism
Homosexuality: The Bible and Church Provide an Evaluation
How does the Church view homosexuality? What does the Bible have to say on the subject? These are two of the questions this podcast seeks to answer.
Episode Art: Courage International - a Catholic apostolate offering support and guidance to those who wish to live out God's call to holiness with a proper understanding of sexuality.
Also available on couragerc.org: EnCourage members work together to understand the experiences of their loved ones, and to respond to them with compassion. They know that it is possible to express love for someone even if we can’t support all of their choices or actions.
Chastity Within Marriage
Catholic Dating: A How-to Guide Based on Purpose
Interpreting the Quran from a Biblical Perspective
Salvation Outside the Church?... and Aliens?
The second part about aliens uses the teaching from the first to understand the theological significance of extraterrestrial life in a couple different thinking exercises.
The Science Behind Painting the Crucifixion by Jeremiah Patterson
Artwork: a picture of the actual crucifix as it is displayed today.
Catholic Art + Symbolism
I walk the listener through some different mediums of art and how Catholics use them to convey meaning and become an encounter with God. I say the name of the work before explaining it so you can look up pictures if you could not be here in person.
Artwork: "La Pieta" by Michelangelo
"Vocations" by guest speaker Bishop William Byrne
Bishop Byrne talks about vocations: what one is and how God can pull a life together.
Pray for holy vocations.
Encourage and support young men to become priests and young women to become religious sisters.
Artwork: "The Calling of St. Matthew" by Caravaggio
Sin + Confession
This is an explanation about how the Sacrament of Confession remits sin. It is also a reminder of the importance of Confession and how it has been a forgotten treasure which Christ gave to His Church.
Artwork: The prodigal son
Euthanasia: Death Without Dignity
The dangers of euthanasia and the slippery slope once it is accepting.
Artwork: The Death of St. Joseph, patron saint of a happy death.
Contraceptives, IVF, and Sterilization
The Catholic Church defends life and teaches what true love is.
Artwork: St. Anne and St. Joachim
Lenten Reflection on St. Joseph
Abortion: What Society Doesn't Tell You
Artwork: Rachael grieving over the loss of her children.
The Lost Art of Arguing
The basics in how to use Socratic logic and using right reasoning: have a premise that is correct, use facts and not opinions or emotions to back up your premise, and have a conclusion that necessarily follows (is dependent on) your premise.
Artwork: Detail of Plato and Aristotle from "School of Athens" by Raphael Sanzio
Authentic Prayer
The three stages of prayer and different models of prayer.
Artwork: The Ecstasy of St. Theresa of Avila
Reflection on the Immaculate Conception
Miracles + Praeternatural Gifts
St Thomas Aquinas, Summa Theologica, Part I, Question 105, Articles 5-8
Artwork: St. Francis of Assisi and the Wolf
Ghosts + Demons
Last sentence: We need to conform our lives to the Church and learn to cooperate with God's grace; it is only then that we will become "more than conquerors through Him that loved us" and be able to live in the love and peace of God.
Artwork: St. Raphael the Archangel exorcizing the demon Asmodeus.
Catholic Discernment + Decision Making