WOF 496: The Evangelical Power of the Nicene Creed

WOF 496: The Evangelical Power of the Nicene Creed

Author: Bishop Robert Barron June 30, 2025 Duration: 39:56

The Nicene Creed was written 1,700 years ago and is one of the earliest summations of the core doctrinal beliefs of the Christian faith. We continue to recite it to this day at almost every Sunday Mass. Yet despite its foundational importance to Catholic belief and practice, the Creed remains an underutilized resource not only for catechesis but also evangelization. Today we discuss the enduring importance of the Creed and how we can employ its truths about the Trinity, the Incarnation, the Virgin Mary, the dark reality of sin, the hope of salvation, and much more to evangelize the culture.   

A listener asks how he can love his neighbor as himself if he doesn't love himself.

00:00 | Introduction
01:21 | An Introduction to Prayer is now available in Chinese
03:30 | Do creeds matter?
08:55 | Relating the Apostle's Creed to the Nicene Creed
11:02 | Christianity centers around a man and an event
12:14 | Why the book What Christians Believe matters now
15:36 | The Christian creeds as defensible
19:19 | "I believe" or "we believe"?
22:48 | Faith, reason, and adventure
27:54 | God and creation
31:53 | The hardest but most important doctrine
34:33 | The Nicene Creed and the story of salvation
35:48 | Practical tips for using the Nicene Creed in evangelical work
36:58 | Listener question: How can I love my neighbor as myself, if I don't love myself?
39:20 | Join the Word on Fire Institute


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Each week, The Word on Fire Show-Catholic Faith and Culture offers a thoughtful conversation with Bishop Robert Barron. This podcast explores the rich intersection of belief with contemporary life, examining everything from art and philosophy to current events and personal spirituality through a Catholic lens. Listeners will find deep dives into theological concepts, reflections on scripture, and discussions on how ancient wisdom addresses modern challenges. The tone is engaging and accessible, designed for anyone curious about the deeper questions, whether they are longtime in their faith or simply exploring. Bishop Barron brings his distinctive perspective as a theologian and communicator to these dialogues, making complex ideas relatable. It’s a space for meaningful exploration, where faith is presented as a compelling force for understanding our world and our place within it. New episodes arrive weekly, continuing a long-running series of insightful commentary and analysis.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

The Word on Fire Show - Catholic Faith and Culture
Podcast Episodes
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