The theory of evolution, which is actually made up of many theories, is often a source of confusion for Catholics. People have lots of questions about it, which range from whether it’s true to whether Christians can accept it in whole or in part. 

Objective: In this course, we will cover all details of evolution, including biological evolution, material evolution, total evolution and theistic evolution. We will lay out what scientists say verse what our faith tells us. And in the end, Deacon Bartels will answer what a Catholic can believe in terms of evolution. 

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Course curriculum

  • 01

    Defending the Faith - What Can Catholics Believe About Evolution? - Lesson 1 - Grasping the Basics of the Theory of Evolution

    • Introduction

    • Resources for Students, Parents, and Teachers

    • What Can Catholics Believe About Evolution? - Lesson 1 - Grasping the Basics of the Theory of Evolution - LESSON PLAN / STUDY GUIDE

    • Defending the Faith - What Can Catholics Believe About Evolution? - Lesson 1 - Grasping the Basics of the Theory of Evolution - Live Lesson Recording with Deacon Frederick Bartels (6/1/21)

    • What Can Catholics Believe About Evolution? - Lesson 1 - Grasping the Basics of the Theory of Evolution - QUIZ

    • Our Father

    • Hail Mary
  • 02

    Defending the Faith - What Can Catholics Believe About Evolution? - Lesson 2 - Analyzing Biological Evolution in Terms of Faith and Reason - The Evolution of Life Other Than Man

    • Introduction

    • Resources for Students, Parents, and Teachers

    • What Can Catholics Believe About Evolution? - Lesson 2 - Analyzing Biological Evolution in Terms of Faith and Reason - The Evolution of Life Other Than Man - LESSON PLAN / STUDY GUIDE

    • Defending the Faith - What Can Catholics Believe About Evolution? - Lesson 2 - Analyzing Biological Evolution in Terms of Faith and Reason - The Evolution of Life Other Than Man - Live Lesson Recording with Deacon Frederick Bartels (6/2/21)

    • What Can Catholics Believe About Evolution? - Lesson 2 - Analyzing Biological Evolution in Terms of Faith and Reason - The Evolution of Life Other Than Man - QUIZ
  • 03

    Defending the Faith - What Can Catholics Believe About Evolution? - Lesson 3 - Analyzing Biological Evolution in Terms of Faith and Reason - Natural Selection

    • Introduction

    • Resources for Students, Parents, and Teachers

    • What Can Catholics Believe About Evolution? - Lesson 3 - Analyzing Biological Evolution in Terms of Faith and Reason - Natural Selection - LESSON PLAN / STUDY GUIDE

    • Defending the Faith - What Can Catholics Believe About Evolution? - Lesson 3 - Analyzing Biological Evolution in Terms of Faith and Reason - Natural Selection - Live Lesson Recording with Deacon Frederick Bartels (6/3/21)

    • What Can Catholics Believe About Evolution? - Lesson 3 - Analyzing Biological Evolution in Terms of Faith and Reason - Natural Selection - QUIZ
  • 04

    Defending the Faith - What Can Catholics Believe About Evolution? - Lesson 4 - Analyzing Biological Evolution in Terms of Faith and Reason - Special Creation

    • Introduction

    • Resources for Students, Parents, and Teachers

    • What Can Catholics Believe About Evolution? - Lesson 4 - Analyzing Biological Evolution in Terms of Faith and Reason - Special Creation - LESSON PLAN / STUDY GUIDE

    • What Can Catholics Believe About Evolution? - Lesson 4 - Analyzing Biological Evolution in Terms of Faith and Reason - Special Creation - QUIZ

    • Deacon Bartels Classes Canceled 6/4/21
  • 05

    Defending the Faith - What Can Catholics Believe About Evolution? - Lesson 5 - Analyzing Biological Evolution in Terms of Faith and Reason - Understanding Random Chance

    • Introduction

    • Resources for Students, Parents, and Teachers

    • What Can Catholics Believe About Evolution? - Lesson 5 - Analyzing Biological Evolution in Terms of Faith and Reason - Understanding Random Chance - LESSON PLAN / STUDY GUIDE

    • Defending the Faith - What Can Catholics Believe About Evolution? - Lesson 5 - Analyzing Biological Evolution in the Terms of Faith and Reason - Understanding Random Chance - Live Lesson Recording with Deacon Frederick Bartels (6/8/21)

    • What Can Catholics Believe About Evolution? - Lesson 5 - Analyzing Biological Evolution in Terms of Faith and Reason - Understanding Random Chance - QUIZ
  • 06

    Defending the Faith - What Can Catholics Believe About Evolution? - Lesson 6 - If Natural Causes are Involved in the First Appearance of Life, does it Mean God is Less Powerful

    • Introduction

    • Resources for Students, Parents, and Teachers

    • What Can Catholics Believe About Evolution? - Lesson 6 - If Natural Causes are Involved in the First Appearance of Life, does it Mean God is Less Powerful - LESSON PLAN / STUDY GUIDE

    • Defending the Faith - What Can Catholics Believe About Evolution? - Lesson 6 - If Natural Causes Are Involved in the First Appearance of Life, does it Mean God is Less Powerful - Live Lesson Recording with Deacon Frederick Bartels (6/9/21)

    • What Can Catholics Believe About Evolution? - Lesson 6 - If Natural Causes are Involved in the First Appearance of Life, does it Mean God is Less Powerful - QUIZ
  • 07

    Defending the Faith - What Can Catholics Believe About Evolution? - Lesson 7 - Is the Evolution of Man Compatible with the Faith of the Church

    • Introduction

    • Resources for Students, Parents, and Teachers

    • Defending the Faith - What Can Catholics Believe About Evolution? - Lesson 7 - Is the Evolution of Man Compatible with the Faith of the Church - LESSON PLAN / STUDY GUIDE

    • Defending the Faith - What Can Catholics Believe About Evolution? - Lesson 7 - Is the Evolution of Man Compatible with the Faith of the Church? - Live Lesson Recording with Deacon Frederick Bartels (6/10/21)

    • What Can Catholics Believe About Evolution? - Lesson 7 - Is the Evolution of Man Compatible with the Faith of the Church - QUIZ
  • 08

    Defending the Faith - What Can Catholics Believe About Evolution? - Lesson 8 - Is the Evolution of Man Compatible with the Genesis Creation Account

    • Introduction

    • Resources for Students, Parents, and Teachers

    • What Can Catholics Believe About Evolution? - Lesson 8 - Is the Evolution of Man Compatible with the Genesis Creation Account - LESSON PLAN / STUDY GUIDE

    • Defending the Faith - What Can Catholics Believe About Evolution? - Lesson 8 - Is the Evolution of Man Compatible with teh Genesis Creation Account? - Live Lesson Recording with Deacon Frederick Bartels (6/11/21)

    • What Can Catholics Believe About Evolution? - Lesson 8 - Is the Evolution of Man Compatible with the Genesis Creation Account - QUIZ
  • 09

    Defending the Faith - What Can Catholics Believe About Evolution? - Lesson 9 - Understanding More About Divine Providence, Life's Beginning, and Beauty in Creation

    • Introduction

    • Resources for Students, Parents, and Teachers

    • What Can Catholics Believe About Evolution? - Lesson 9 - Understanding More About Divine Providence, Life's Beginning, and Beauty in Creation - LESSON PLAN / STUDY GUIDE

    • Defending the Faith - What Can Catholics Believe About Evolution? - Lesson 9 - Understanding More About Divine Providence, Life's Beginning, and Beauty in Creation - Live Lesson Recording with Deacon Frederick Bartels (6/15/21)

    • What Can Catholics Believe About Evolution? - Lesson 9 - Understanding More About Divine Providence, Life's Beginning, and Beauty in Creation - QUIZ
  • 10

    Defending the Faith - What Can Catholics Believe About Evolution? - Lesson 10 - Evidence in Favor of Special Creation

    • Introduction

    • Resources for Students, Parents, and Teachers

    • What Can Catholics Believe About Evolution? - Lesson 10 - Evidence in Favor of Special Creation - LESSON PLAN / STUDY GUIDE

    • Defending the Faith - What Can Catholics Believe About Evolution? - Lesson 10 - Evidence in Favor of Special Creation - Live Lesson Recording with Deacon Frederick Bartels (6/16/21)

    • What Can Catholics Believe About Evolution? - Lesson 10 - Evidence in Favor of Special Creation - QUIZ
  • 11

    Defending the Faith - What Can Catholics Believe About Evolution? - Lesson 11 - Putting It All Together

    • Introduction

    • Resources for Students, Parents, and Teachers

    • What Can Catholics Believe About Evolution? - Lesson 11 - Putting It All Together - LESSON PLAN / STUDY GUIDE

    • Defending the Faith - What Can Catholics Believe About Evolution? - Lesson 11 - Putting it All Together - Live Lesson Recording with Deacon Frederick Bartels (6/17/21)

    • What Can Catholics Believe About Evolution? - Lesson 11 - Putting It All Together - QUIZ

Reviews; See what others are saying about this course

Wes Lee

5 star rating

“Learned so much new information.this is a great review of what I thought I still knew. Deacon Bartels is SO smart and kind and has the patience of Job in entertaining all our questions. Thank you.”

“Learned so much new information.this is a great review of what I thought I still knew. Deacon Bartels is SO smart and kind and has the patience of Job in entertaining all our questions. Thank you.”

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Instructor(s)

Instructor Bio:

Deacon Frederick Bartels is a member of the Catholic clergy who serves the Church in the diocese of Pueblo, CO. He received an MA in Theology and Educational Ministry from Catholic Distance University, where he is currently employed as an adjunct professor of theology. He is founder and editor of Joy In Truth (joyintruth.com), an online magazine dedicated to the New Evangelization. As a Catholic educator, public speaker and evangelist, Deacon Bartels strives to infuse culture with the saving principles of the gospel. He lives in Colorado with his wife, Shelly, and the youngest two of their six children. Professor Bartels is Chairman of the Theology Department.

Deacon Frederick Bartels

Professor of Theology, Department Chair