Kreeft Captures Crowd with Quick-Witted Reality Check
FREE Catholic Classes
December 19, 2011 - 10:46 PST
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MEDIA ADVISORY
STEUBENVILLE, OH (December 19, 2011) - Dr. Peter Kreeft stood before an audience so large it threatened to cause Franciscan University's Christ the King Chapel to burst at the seams.
Kreeft's November 17 lecture, "How to Win the Culture War: A Christian Battle Plan for a Society in Crisis," drew hundreds of Franciscan students, faculty, and guests to hear the Boston College philosophy professor--who has published over 63 books--speak on the fate of the Church.
Kreeft used a seven-letter acronym, PHONEYS, to highlight society's biggest problems--Politicization, Happy talk, Organizationalism, Neoworship, Egalitarianism, Yuppiedom, and Spirituality. With deadpan humor and a collection of "Kreeft-isms," he explained the challenges they present to the Church.
Beginning with politicization, Kreeft described the tendency Americans have to confuse politics for religion. He drew awareness to the trend of defining oneself by politics instead of religion, saying, "We have persuaded many of them to judge their faith by the standard of 'political correctness' rather than vice versa."
Kreeft's principle of happy talk raised the ante on the average ignorance-is-bliss mentality. He pointed out that Catholics must first return to being Catholic, and correct their own practices before projecting to non-Catholics. "Catholics abort, contracept, sodomize, fornicate, divorce, and sexually abuse," he said, "at almost exactly the same rate as non-Catholics. Amid this devastation, keep them happy talking. Keep them saying 'Peace, Peace,' when there is no peace." He wants Catholics to take responsibility for their behavior, make a conscious effort to change it, and to acknowledge that blame can't be placed entirely on the secular world.
Kreeft also stated that Catholics suffer from organizationalism, causing them to regard everything--including the Church--as business ventures. This is especially bad, he noted, because people have lost sight of the role of the Church, and instead focused on the goals of business. "They must worship success, not sanctity," he said, "and fear failure, not sin."
Describing society's misguided translation of egalitarianism, Kreeft pointed out that "sexism" has persuaded men and women to perceive each other as equal, when they should instead be considered beautifully inferior to each other. He believes in the importance of regarding men and women as separate and unequal, and in acknowledging the positive impact of the differences that define each. According to Kreeft, society's deterioration of egalitarianism fosters "the difference between the beauty of black and the beauty of white reduced to a boring grey."
Regarding his final topic--yuppiedom--Kreeft described a generation that prides itself on not being prideful, saying, "Let them feel superior about not feeling superior, judgmental about not being judgmental."
During the question-and-answer portion of the evening, Kreeft told of the time he took a Muslim student to Mass; the student later asked Kreeft questions about what he had seen. A discussion about the Eucharist--a concept the Catholic educator assumed his Muslim pupil wouldn't comprehend--became an eye-opening situation when the student's repeated question, "Do you really believe that the wafer is the body of your God?" led Kreeft to say, "Yes, I really believe that I am consuming the body of Christ. Do you find that impossible to understand?"
Kreeft was left in awe by the Muslim's response: His struggle was not in comprehending that Catholics thought they were ingesting God. An understanding of how they didn't fall to their knees, unable to return to their feet after receiving communion, however, eluded him.
Ending his lecture with a short phrase that holds the potential to defeat the culture war, Kreeft said, "Simply put, be real. Don't be a PHONEY. Be a saint."
Kreeft's lecture was sponsored by Franciscan University's Advancement Office and Residence Life Office as part of the Distinguished Speakers Series, which features leaders who are recognized for exemplary service to the Church and society. For complete video and audio of Kreeft's talk, go to www.Franciscan.edu/DistinguishedSpeakersSeries/PeterKreeft/.
Contact
Franciscan University of Steubenville
http://www.franciscan.edu/DistinguishedSpeakersSeries/PeterKreeft/
OH, 43952 US
Tom Sofio - Associate Director of Public Relations,
Keywords
Peter Kreeft
Category
Catholic Schools & Religious Education
More Catholic PRWire
Showing 1 - 50 of 7,177
When Pope Francis Arrives in North America, There is Only One Network to Watch: EWTN Global Catholic
EWTN Global Catholic Network
September 16, 2015 - 5:17 PDT
GHIRELLI'S WORLD MEETING OF FAMILIES ROSARIES NOW AVAILABLE
The Word Out | Marketing For Catholics
September 11, 2015 - 11:44 PDT
The Synod on the Family: Addressing the Instrumentum Laboris
Franciscan University of Steubenville
September 11, 2015 - 10:26 PDT
OCP Artist, Pedro Rubalcava, Writes Song for Pope Francis' Visit
OCP (Oregon Catholic Press)
September 10, 2015 - 2:50 PDT
Pre-Synod Conference unites Cardinals and men and women living with homosexual tendencies
September 09, 2015 - 2:58 PDT
The Rigging of a Vatican Synod
September 02, 2015 - 3:44 PDT
17 Cardinals and Counting
August 31, 2015 - 3:38 PDT
19th Annual Carnival Announced for St. Ann's Parish
August 28, 2015 - 9:20 PDT
The John Paul II International Film Festival Marks Its Five-Year Anniversary
August 27, 2015 - 6:09 PDT
OCP Pledges to Support the V Encuentro
OCP (Oregon Catholic Press)
August 27, 2015 - 2:51 PDT
Thu, Sept 24, 2015- Mass & Healing Service with Fr. Angelos Sebastian Our Lady of Grace Catholic Chu
August 26, 2015 - 4:03 PDT
Grief, Death, Eternal Life Explored in New Catholic Title by PBM
Pauline Books & Media
August 25, 2015 - 3:55 PDT
How do we live the truth in love when the culture says we're haters?
August 25, 2015 - 9:52 PDT
Right Next to Disneyland: Theater Meets Faith
Saint Luke Productions
August 19, 2015 - 1:29 PDT
OCP Parish Grant Program to Distribute $200,000 to U.S. Parishes
OCP (Oregon Catholic Press)
August 18, 2015 - 1:23 PDT
Franciscan University Joins With UK School to Offer Online Master of Catechetics Degree
Franciscan University of Steubenville
August 05, 2015 - 2:20 PDT
CONOR GALLAGHER NAMED PUBLISHER OF TAN BOOKS AND SAINT BENEDICT PRESS
Saint Benedict Press & TAN Books
July 20, 2015 - 12:49 PDT
Thérčse Drama Surprises Audiences
Saint Luke Productions
July 16, 2015 - 12:35 PDT
Catholic Press Association Honors Liguori
Liguori Publications
July 10, 2015 - 8:29 PDT
Crosier Order elects master general and councilors
June 26, 2015 - 2:06 PDT
We ask you, humbly: don't scroll away.
Hi readers, it seems you use Catholic Online a lot; that's great! It's a little awkward to ask, but we need your help. If you have already donated, we sincerely thank you. We're not salespeople, but we depend on donations averaging $14.76 and fewer than 1% of readers give. If you donate just $5.00, the price of your coffee, Catholic Online School could keep thriving. Thank you.Help Now >
World Library Publications Honored With Three Paul Revere Awards
World Library Publications
June 23, 2015 - 4:11 PDT
Indie Catholic Authors June Ebook Sale Offers the Faithful 17 Books Outside the Mainstream
Four Waters press
June 23, 2015 - 12:10 PDT
Limitless Love in Action: First Steubenville Youth Conference Inspires Teens to Bring the Fire Home
Franciscan University of Steubenville
June 18, 2015 - 2:03 PDT
Franciscan University of Steubenville Athletic Director Enshrined in Sports Faith Hall of Fame
Franciscan University of Steubenville
May 29, 2015 - 1:53 PDT
AWARD-WINNING CATHOLIC AUTHORS TEAM-UP TO PROMOTE HEALING THROUGH FORGIVENESS
Pauline Books & Media
May 27, 2015 - 12:32 PDT
NY CONCERT FOR NEPAL 5/31
May 27, 2015 - 1:22 PDT
Who's responsible for designing the designer?
May 19, 2015 - 11:12 PDT
Thu, Jun 11, 2015- Mass & Healing Service with Fr. Bill Adams at Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church
May 13, 2015 - 4:21 PDT
Your search for true happiness is over
May 05, 2015 - 1:22 PDT
ValLimar Jansen's latest album "a soulful experience"
OCP (Oregon Catholic Press)
April 30, 2015 - 1:33 PDT
Uncovering the roots (and branches) of the greatest revolution in the American Catholic Church
April 28, 2015 - 9:45 PDT
NYC May 8, 2015 Spring Fling Catholic Singles Mingle Fundraiser
The Catholic Fellowship
April 18, 2015 - 9:07 PDT
Thank A Nun Day
Image Books/Random House
April 15, 2015 - 12:32 PDT
#TweetingwGod dares young people to believe
April 14, 2015 - 9:54 PDT
Experience Beloved: Finding happiness in marriage
April 13, 2015 - 1:27 PDT
Archbishop Aquila, Dr. Edward Sri and other experts to participate in 'Beloved' telepress conference
April 07, 2015 - 4:51 PDT
Nobis Media, Marketing & Web Development Company
April 01, 2015 - 5:49 PDT
Catholic toymaker puts Faith in hands and mouths of babies: Pope Francis doll added to line of toys
The Word Out | Marketing For Catholics
April 01, 2015 - 3:48 PDT
Concert Series Concludes with Winthrop University World Percussion Ensemble
April 01, 2015 - 2:48 PDT
Birth Choice Health Clinics Announces Transition to Obria Medical Clinics and Plans for Expansion
March 28, 2015 - 10:43 PDT
OCP releases expanded edition of Mass of the Sacred Heart
OCP (Oregon Catholic Press)
March 24, 2015 - 4:43 PDT
Archbishop Aquila, Dr. Edward Sri and other experts participate in 'Beloved' tele-press conference
March 21, 2015 - 11:57 PDT
Priest and Seminarian Join National Three-Point Contest to Benefit Marriage Ministry
Paradisus Dei
March 13, 2015 - 10:20 PDT
Shroud of Turin Exhibit At Holy Spirit Brighton
Holy Spirit Catholic Church and School
March 12, 2015 - 3:58 PDT
Flor y Canto campaign invites the Hispanic community to share their stories
OCP (Oregon Catholic Press)
March 11, 2015 - 4:40 PDT
Crisis Pregnancy Center Dream Becoming Reality
TRFC Inc.
March 10, 2015 - 6:36 PDT
Crisis Pregnancy Center Dream Becoming Reality
TRFC Inc.
March 09, 2015 - 7:04 PDT
Join RealOptions 2015 Walk for Life and 5K Run!
RealOptions Pregnancy Medical Clinics
March 09, 2015 - 2:40 PDT
New Orchestra Comes to Mary's Nativity Church
March 09, 2015 - 12:06 PDT
Paradisus Dei Offers New Marriage Program to Churches at No Cost
Paradisus Dei
March 05, 2015 - 6:25 PST