Today on Kresta - February 10, 2010

Talking about the Things That Matter Most on Feb. 10

4:00 – Kresta Comments

4:20 – The End of Christianity: Finding a Good God in an Evil World
Entering the conversation on the new atheism, William Dembski’s provocative The End of Christianity embraces the challenge to formulate a theodicy that is both faithful to Christian orthodoxy and credible to the new mental environment. He writes to make peace with three claims: (1) God by wisdom created the world out of nothing. (2) God exercises particular providence in the world. (3) All evil in the world ultimately traces back to human sin. In the process, Dembski brings the reader to a fresh understanding of what “the end (result) of Christianity” really means: the radical realignment of our thinking so that we see God’s goodness in creation despite the distorting effects of sin in our hearts and evil in the world.

4:40 – The Real St. Valentine
As you know (or if not – this is your reminder), Valentine's Day is coming up this weekend. We introduce you to the REAL St. Valentine - You will be surprised at how much misinformation and urban legend exists surrounding the life of St. Valentine. (and there’s even more than one!) Mike Aquilina is our guide.

5:00 – Healing Marriages of Control and Trust Issues
More marriages and families these days are affected by control and trust issues, says Dr. Richard Fitzgibbons, but through the sacraments and practice of virtue these problems can be overcome. This was the theme of a recent webinar in a series sponsored by the Institute for Marital Healing, which offers resources for couples, counselors and clergy on the topics of parenting, manhood, family life and marriage. Fitzgibbons, the director of the institute, has worked with thousands of couples and has spoken and written extensively on these topics. In 2008, he was also appointed as a consultant for the Holy See's Congregation for Clergy. Fitzgibbons is here to look at modern causes of trust issues, the distinction between being strong and being controlling, and particular virtues that provide an antidote to these problems.

5:40 – 7 Deadly Sins / 7 Lively Virtues
As we enter the season of Lent last week, we hear an engaging presentation concerning the Seven Deadly Sins, those great spiritual blocks that inhibit our flourishing in relationship with God and one another. Based on Dante’s writings, the seven deadly sins correspond to the seven stories of Dante’s Mt. Purgatory. Pride, envy, anger, sloth, gluttony, avarice and lust are all presented as patterns of dysfunction within us that lead to unhappiness. But that’s not all! Father Robert Barron tells us how to counteract these seven sinful patterns through a conscious process of opposition, which are the Seven Lively Virtues. The Seven Lively Virtues offer antidotes to each sin and help set us on the right path to healing and happiness.