Today on Kresta - December 28, 2009

Talking about the "things that matter most" on Dec. 28

Kresta Countdown of the top interviews of 2009

#20 – The Five Love Languages
Dr. Gary Chapman believes you have a God-given yearning for complete and unconditional love. But you’ll never be able to express it – or receive it – until you learn to speak the right “love” language. The Five Love Languages for Singles reveals how different personalities express love in different ways. In fact, there are five specific languages of love: Quality time, Words of Affirmation, Gifts, Acts of Service, and Physical Touch. Chapman’s first best-selling book, The Five Love Languages, has already connected with more than 3 million readers. How he tailors that message to meet the unique needs of singles, using real-life examples and anecdotes taken from his 30 years of interaction with single adults. He joins us.

#19 – The Pope, Africa, Condoms, and AIDS
In March, Pope Benedict’s comments on AIDS and condoms during his visit to Africa garnered criticism from editorial pages and health officials. Pope Benedict XVI celebrated Mass for a congregation of nearly 1 million, underlining his message that Africa, for all its problems is "the continent of hope." In his farewell remarks before board the plane, the Pope said that he was pleased to have "found the Church here to be so alive and full of enthusiasm, despite the difficulties, able to take up its own cross and that of others, bearing witness before everyone to the saving power of the Gospel message." Vatican reporter John Allen was with the Pontiff every step of the way and joined us from Cameroon.

#18 – Augustine and Monica
On Aug. 27th we celebrate the feast of one of the greatest Saints the Church has ever known. Augustine was born in a Roman province and educated at Carthage. As a young man he became interested in philosophy, with little interest in Christianity until a profound experience in his early thirties. By 396 he had become bishop of Hippo, and his sermons and writings gained fame, notably his Confessions and the treatise City of God. His notions of God's grace, free will and Original Sin have had an unmatched influence on Christian theology. Augustinian philosopher Dr. Barry David joins us.

#17 – “The Catholic Church: A History”
The Catholic Church. It began as a small band of supporters following the teachings of an itinerant preacher in an outpost of the Roman Empire. From there, the church expanded both its size and its importance in the grand scheme of Western history. Today, the church is the oldest continuously active organization on Earth and one of the most influential institutions in the world—a force capable of moving armies, inspiring saints, and shaping the lives of a billion members. But how did this powerful institution develop out of the early church community—a loosely associated group of disciples who were inspired by the life and teachings of Jesus? Why do today's Catholics worship the way they do? How has this institution influenced world history far beyond the walls of its churches and monasteries? Dr. William Cook discusses “The Catholic Church: A History.”