The War On Christmas: A Deep Dive into Voluntarism with Bishop Robert Barron

Episode Overview: In this compelling episode of The Michael Knowles Show, host Michael Knowles engages in a profound conversation with Bishop Robert Barron, the Bishop of Winona-Rochester, Minnesota. Released on December 25, 2024, the episode titled "The War On Christmas" delves into the intricate philosophy of voluntarism, its historical roots, and its profound impact on contemporary society, faith, and the understanding of freedom.

1. Introduction to Voluntarism

Michael Knowles initiates the discussion by introducing the concept of voluntarism, distinguishing it from commonly discussed topics like Advent or Santa Claus. He poses critical questions about the origins of voluntarism and its implications on faith and reason.

• Quote: “I want to talk about something much more important, and that is volunturism.” — Michael Knowles [00:47]

Bishop Robert Barron acknowledges the significance of voluntarism, affirming its relevance and the depth it brings to theological and philosophical debates.

• Quote: “It works for me for sure. It's a great issue. It's a great question.” — Bishop Robert Barron [01:22]

2. Voluntarism: Definition and Historical Context

Michael elaborates on voluntarism, tracing its philosophical lineage back to the 1360s and highlighting its distinctions from other historical movements like the Enlightenment and the French Revolution.

• Quote: “It was the 1360s there is this issue that has cropped up...” — Michael Knowles [02:22]

Bishop Barron delves into the roots of voluntarism, connecting it to the Reformation and Martin Luther's skepticism towards Scholasticism. He contrasts the Catholic tradition's harmonious relationship between faith and reason with voluntarism's elevation of divine will over divine reason.

• Quote: “The Church is against anything below reason. But what's above reason? When reason becomes aware of its own limits.” — Bishop Robert Barron [02:59]

3. Faith and Reason: Classical vs. Voluntarist Views

The conversation shifts to the classical understanding of faith and reason, particularly through the lens of Thomas Aquinas. Bishop Barron emphasizes the Catholic doctrine of fides et ratio (faith and reason), advocating for their harmony rather than the dichotomy presented by voluntarism.

• Quote: “Voluntarism undermines that because now Logos is subordinated to will...” — Bishop Robert Barron [06:23]

He further explains how Aquinas perceived God's mind and will as inseparable, ensuring that divine reason governs over divine will, thus preventing arbitrary divine decisions that voluntarism might allow.

4. Impact of Voluntarism on Society and Culture

Michael raises concerns about voluntarism's prevalence in modern society, suggesting that it contributes to cultural and political divisions. He draws parallels between voluntarism and contemporary ideologies like wokeism, highlighting how voluntarism fosters a subjective understanding of truth and morality.

• Quote: “I would argue, Michael, that voluntarism is the default epistemology of most teenagers in the west today.” — Bishop Robert Barron [11:49]

Bishop Barron agrees, linking voluntarism to Nietzschean philosophy and its influence on modern thought leaders like Foucault. He articulates how voluntarism leads to a society where objective truths are undermined, resulting in moral relativism and societal conflicts.

• Quote: “Why did the sciences emerge when and where they did precisely out of the Christian universities?... Also the patron saint of modern voluntarism would be Nietzsche.” — Bishop Robert Barron [11:49]

5. Freedom: Classical vs. Modern Interpretations

A significant portion of the discussion centers on the concept of freedom. Michael contrasts the classical view of freedom, rooted in objective truths and aligned with divine reason, against the modern voluntarist interpretation, which equates freedom with subjective self-determination.

• Quote: “The classical view ... is a kind of disciplining or focusing of desire so as to make the achievement of the good possible and then effortless.” — Bishop Robert Barron [14:26]

Bishop Barron elaborates on Aquinas's understanding of freedom as the alignment of one's will with objective moral values, contrasting it with the modern notion of freedom as mere spontaneity and personal choice devoid of objective grounding.

• Quote: “If the voluntarist God is supreme... then I should imitate that. My will becomes the determiner of being and truth and meaning and value.” — Bishop Robert Barron

6. Addressing the Voluntarist Challenge

Michael acknowledges the deep-rooted nature of voluntarism and its widespread acceptance, even among conservative and religious circles. He seeks solutions to counteract its pervasive influence.

• Quote: “It's been about 700 years now. Do we just throw up our hands?... How does one remedy the situation?” — Michael Knowles [19:04]

Bishop Barron proposes a return to classical disciplines and the imitation of God through alignment with objective values. Using relatable analogies like sports and music, he illustrates how dedication to objective standards naturally counters the voluntarist mindset.

• Quote: “If you take it seriously, you will adopt a classical view of freedom. You will spontaneously move away from a modern sense of freedom.” — Bishop Robert Barron [19:30]

He further emphasizes the Christian path to true freedom through Christ, aligning one's will with divine truth, which contrasts sharply with the libertarian freedoms advocated by voluntarism.

• Quote: “The great image of freedom in the Christian tradition is Jesus on the cross... Put on the Lord Jesus Christ and you'll find the freedom you want.” — Bishop Robert Barron [21:34]

7. Conclusion and Key Insights

The episode concludes with Michael and Bishop Barron reinforcing the necessity of rejecting voluntarism to achieve genuine freedom and societal harmony. They underscore the importance of adhering to objective truths and aligning one's will with divine purpose as pathways to true happiness and fulfillment.

• Final Quote: “If you adopt a fundamentally voluntarist, modern view of freedom, that's what you're gonna get... put my yoke on you and you'll make your way there.” — Bishop Robert Barron [25:28]

Key Takeaways:

• Voluntarism elevates divine will above reason, leading to moral and epistemological relativism.
• Classical Philosophy, particularly Aquinas's integration of faith and reason, offers a robust framework for understanding freedom and objective truth.
• Modern Society grapples with the consequences of voluntarism, manifesting in cultural conflicts and a sense of endless self-determination without objective grounding.
• Reclaiming Freedom involves aligning one's will with objective moral values and divine truth, as exemplified in Christian theology.

This episode serves as a thought-provoking exploration of how ancient philosophical debates continue to shape and influence contemporary cultural and political landscapes. Bishop Robert Barron's insights provide listeners with a deeper understanding of the roots of voluntarism and its implications, offering a pathway back to classical understandings of faith, reason, and true freedom.

Note: This summary excludes promotional segments and advertisements present in the original transcript, focusing solely on the substantive dialogue between Michael Knowles and Bishop Robert Barron.