Saints vs. Scoundrels
Benjamin Wiker, Ph.D.presents the lives of some of the most influential and interesting figures from throughout history. Examine their lives, their impact and the difference it makes to accept God or reject Him.
HILAIRE BELLOC VS KARL MARX, PT. 2
10/10/2023
Marx and Belloc lay out their arguments about man and money using toy props. Marx sees oppression everywhere, and says we must overthrow the elites. Belloc believes the Church’s economic system is the best way to live.
HILAIRE BELLOC VS KARL MARX, PT. 1
A box of toys brings everything into focus during a contentious debate over the merits of capitalism vs. communism between noted writer and historian Hilaire Belloc, and German philosopher and theorist Karl Marx.
ST. DOMINIC VS SIMONE DE BEAUVOIR, PT. 2
St. Dominic and Beauvoir battle over what it means to be man and woman. But an attempt to burn each other’s books becomes a test of right and wrong, and the Church must follow Christ to the fullest to preach the Gospel.
ST. DOMINIC VS SIMONE DE BEAUVOIR, PT. 1
Saint Dominic provides an enlighted view on Catherism, a popular heresy that he preached zealously against. But when Simone de Beauvoir shows up with ideas of female freedom, contraception and abortion, the sparks fly.
C. S. LEWIS VS FRANCIS BACON, PT. 2
9/13/2022
C.S. Lewis and Francis Bacon debate how the miracles of Christ differ from technology’s “miracles.” One believes paradise on Earth is obtainable, while the other believes we must be humble before God and His creation.
C. S. LEWIS VS FRANCIS BACON, PT. 1
On a stormy night, C.S. Lewis encounters Francis Bacon, who proclaims his radical views on nature and science. Meanwhile, Lewis sees a demonic influence on these ideas of man over nature and man over all things.
SAINT THOMAS AQUINAS VS RENE DESCARTES , PT. 2
9/28/2021
A remote control toy robot helps prove that materialism and idolatry go hand in hand in this concluding episode between Thomas Aquinas and Rene Descartes. Learn who is sincere in his Faith and who is the imposter.
SAINT THOMAS AQUINAS VS RENE DESCARTES , PT. 1
Part One. Thomas Aquinas and Rene Descartes compare philosophies and match wits over a game of chess. But one member of this historic pair is not being truthful about his intentions, which leads to an impromptu dousing.
ST. JOAN OF ARC VS MAXIMILIEN ROBESPIERRE, PT. 2
As the confrontation between St. Joan of Arc and Robespierre reaches a climax, the true intentions behind their actions are revealed leaving no doubt who is saint and who is sinner.
ST. JOAN OF ARC VS MAXIMILIEN ROBESPIERRE, PT. 1
In this clash of competing ideals, Robespierre offers a faithless vision of equality without rulers or kings, while Joan of Arc follows the will of God as her Lord and savior of the French people.
ST. MAXIMILIAN KOLBE VS JOSEPH GOEBBELS PT. 2
9/26/2019
When both saint and scoundrel are confronted with their fates, Maximilian Kolbe still chooses to trust Christ’s Divine Will, and embrace his suffering and eventual martyrdom. Part 2 of 2.
ST. MAXIMILIAN KOLBE VS JOSEPH GOEBBELS PT. 1
When Nazi propaganda minister Joseph Goebbels interrupts St. Maxmilian Kolbe’s chess game with Dr. Benjamin Wiker, the saint reaches out to the man with a profound kindness that leaves Goebbels questioning his beliefs. Part 1 of 2.
G.K. CHESTERTON VS. THOMAS HOBBES, pt. 2
9/8/2022
Catholic Apologist G.K. Chesterton challenges Thomas Hobbes, the father of modern Materialism, to a friendly game of billiards that reveals their respective views on philosophy and human nature. Part 1 of 2.
G.K. CHESTERTON VS. THOMAS HOBBES, pt. 1
To reveal the fatal flaws in Thomas Hobbes’ philosophy, G.K. Chesterton pretends to convert to his materialistic way of thinking and beat him at his own game. Part 2 of 2.
BLESSED PAUL VI VS MARGARET SANGER PART 2
As they continue their debate, Author of Humanae Vitae Blessed Pope Paul VI discovers what fuels Margaret Sanger’s hatred of Church teachings and why she truly founded Planned Parenthood. Part 2 of 2.
BLESSED PAUL VI VS MARGARET SANGER PART 1
Blessed Pope Paul VI, Author of Humanae Vitae, and Planned Parenthood Founder Margaret Sanger engage in a discussion about family, poverty, and what truly drives Sanger’s mission. Part 1 of 2.
ST. TERESA BENEDICTA OF THE CROSS (EDITH STEIN) VS NIETZSCHE, pt. 2
Friedrich Nietzsche and Edith Stein’s debate continues, culminating in a breaking point that leads St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross to proclaim that all need to make sacrifices and pray for sinners. Part 2 of 2.
ST. TERESA BENEDICTA OF THE CROSS (EDITH STEIN) VS NIETZSCHE, pt. 1
St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross (Edith Stein) discusses how a thirst for truth drove her to convert to Catholicism. Later on, she encounters atheist and philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche in a lively debate. Part 1 of 2.
ST. FRANCIS OF ASSISI VS. MACHIAVELLI, pt. 2
Niccolò Machiavelli and St. Francis of Assisi’s discussion on religion, politics, and morality prompts the Political Theorist and Saint to bear witness a miracle. Part 2 of 2.
ST. FRANCIS OF ASSISI VS. MACHIAVELLI, pt. 1
While discussing the Saint’s tumultuous youth and conversion, Dr. Benjamin Wiker and St. Francis of Assisi are interrupted by Political Theorist Niccolò Machiavelli, who wastes no time expressing his disdain for the Franciscan way of life. Part 1 of 2.
FLANNERY O'CONNOR VS. AYN RAND, PT. 2
When Author and stalwart Atheist Ayn Rand joins Dr. Benjamin Wiker and Flannery O’Connor’s discussion, the two authors go head-to-head, and pull examples from their work to prove their own beliefs. Part 2 of 2.
FLANNERY O'CONNOR VS. AYN RAND, PT. 1
Southern Author and devout Catholic Flannery O’Connor reenacts a scene from her famous story, “A Good Man is Hard to Find,” with Dr. Benjamin Wiker to demonstrate how God uses imperfect people as mediums for His grace. Part 1 of 2.
ST. THOMAS MORE VS. KING HENRY VIII, PT. 2
Dr. Benjamin Wiker moderates a heated debate between St. Thomas More and King Henry VIII as the saint continues to plead for the King to see sense, for the sake of their beloved country and his soul. Part 2 of 2.
ST. THOMAS MORE VS. KING HENRY VIII, PT. 1
St. Thomas More confides in Dr. Benjamin Wiker what he would’ve said to King Henry VIII had he been given the chance to explain his reason for opposing the King’s decision to make himself the head of the Church. Part 1 of 2.
JEAN-JACQUES ROUSSEAU VS ST. AUGUSTINE OF HIPPO, PT. 2
Dr. Wiker invites 5th century Catholic Bishop Saint Augustine of Hippo as he explains man's need for God''s mercy and grace to free us from sin. He later engages in a heated debate with Rousseau over Christianity.
JEAN-JACQUES ROUSSEAU VS ST. AUGUSTINE OF HIPPO, PT. 1
Dr. Wiker welcomes the 18th century philosopher Jean-Jacques Rousseau to discuss his book Confessions. Unlike St. Augustine's book that bears the same name, Rousseau outlines his negative views of the Church and why society must free itself from it.
ARCHBISHOP FULTON J. SHEEN VS SAUL ALINSKY, PT. 2
9/1/2024
Archbishop Sheen discovers what really motivates 60’s radical Saul Alinsky. His ideas to help the poor will lead to more misery. Only love has the power to heal and bring peace.
ARCHBISHOP FULTON J. SHEEN VS SAUL ALINSKY, PT. 1
Sixties radical Saul Alinsky takes on Catholic bellwether Archbishop Fulton Sheen in this battle of competing philosophies between two giants who spoke passionately for their time.