Ep. #31 – The Church Built Western Civ. with Dr. Woods
Summary
Dr. Tom Woods asserts that the Catholic Church built Western civilization. In this interview, he explains why the Church isn’t opposed to reason and progress. With unmatched wit and style, he points out the unique mindset of Christian charity. Drawing upon the work of Fr. Stanley Jaki, he shows how science was born of Christianity.
Additionally, he argues that Catholic theologians paved the way for international law and universally recognized rights when the Spanish explored the new world. Finally, Dr. Woods provides some advice for those of us looking into starting our own blog or podcast.
Guest Bio
Dr. Tom Woods holds four Ivy League degrees, including a Ph.D. in American History from Columbia University. He is the author of 12 books including Sacred Then and Sacred Now: The Return of the Old Latin Mass, The Church and the Market: A Catholic Defense of the Free Economy, and How the Catholic Church Built Western Civilization. He also teaches courses on history and government for the Ron Paul Homeschool Curriculum and has hosted over 1500 podcast episodes.
Show Outline
In the first segment, Dr. Woods provides an overview of the cartoon version of Church history people have absorbed. He explains that scholars in the field have overturned these lame caricatures. Also, he provides an overview of the contents of his book.
In the second segment, Dr. Woods answers some big objections to the Catholic Church and her dealings with Western Civilization:
- Why we’re not dummies for believing in God
- Why the Church is not opposed to science
- How the Church’s theologians sowed seeds of international law and human rights when dealing with natives
In the final segment, Dr. Woods explains his own journey to Catholicism. Additionally, he provides tips for writers and speakers who are interested in starting their own blog or podcast.
Important Quotes
In many more ways than people now realize, the Catholic Church has shaped the kind of civilization we inhabit and the kind of people we are.
Dr. Tom Woods, How the Catholic Church Built Western Civilization, p. 7
Resources Mentioned
How the Catholic Church Built Western Civilization by Tom Woods
Why I’m Not a Dummy for Believing in God – Episode #272 of the Tom Woods Show
Related Episodes
CORE #08 – He Founded the Catholic Church (part 1)
CORE #09 – He Founded the Catholic Church (part 2)
The name of the guy from “Yugoslavia” who is the father of atomic science is Ruđer Bošković, a jesuit and one of the greatest croatian physicians and mathematicians, born in the Republic of Dubrovnik in the 18th century, and catholics in Croatia are very proud of him, btw Croatia stil has a catholic majority (and always was profoundly catholic throughout its history)…. anyways , I love your show! Greetings from Zagreb
Thanks, Ante, for the reply! That’s awesome to know. Please share these historical facts with us more often!
This is great.
Read Church history , and was amazed at how the Catholic Church influenced the western civilization .
It has also helped my country in the field of education and medicine etc.