In this episode, Ron Snyder welcomes Paul Lorie from Erie, Pennsylvania to discuss St. John Henry Newman's sermon "Self-Denial: The Test of Religious Earnestness" (March 25, 1842). They explore Newman's challenge to examine whether we're truly awake in our faith or merely going through the motions, caught up in cultural Christianity rather than genuine spiritual commitment. Paul and Ron discuss how Newman calls us to daily self-denial as proof of authentic faith—not grand gestures, but small acts of love that push us beyond comfort and worldly interests. The conversation emphasizes that true Christian obedience, rooted in love like Christ's example in Gethsemane, requires constant examination of conscience and willingness to sacrifice temporal advantages for eternal truth.
To approach Newman's majestic thought it is highly recommended to download the formatted sermon at www.newmanontap.com. Comments and suggestions are appreciated on the same site.
