The Catholic Brothers

In Part One of this episode, we flip the table a bit and try to understand Rome's relationship to her gods *from the inside out* so that we can paint a fuller picture of the religious landscape of Christianity's rise in Late Antiquity. Heretofore, many scholars have argued that early Christianity was able to spread so rapidly because the religion(s) of the Roman Empire had increasingly lost vitality and failed to fulfill emerging soteriological hopes of Late Antique peoples. But, is any of this true? Is this merely the residue of centuries of anti-pagan bias and propaganda? What was Roman religion *really* like; how captivating was it; and why did the fledgling Christian movement cause such concern for some of the brightest Roman minds of the second century?

In this episode we address the topic of exorcism in the early church, particularly from the lens of Hebrew cosmology and Christian mission to a pagan world from the second century onward. Connecting the dots between research on exorcism in Late Antiquity and Divine Council Scholarship, we explain why Christian exorcism became a major force for the conversion of the Roman Empire.

In this episode on Liturgy in the second century, we resume our journey of reconstructing and envisioning early Christian worship.

In this episode on Liturgy in the second century, we resume our journey of reconstructing and envisioning early Christian worship. In Part 1, we focus on change and continuity with regard to the (1) location, (2) timing, and the (3) “shape” that the Eucharistic gathering is taking in this post apostolic era. You won't want to miss this one!

In this second part of our episode on women in early Christian communities we address the question of whether or not females served as presbyters. A timely topic, to be sure, as modern events like the Synod on Synodality continue to see this question bubble up to the top of the debates. But putting aside modern preoccupations and concerns, as historians, let's really take a good look at the evidence, context, and preoccupations of the second century Christians.

Here we offer our response to Dr. Gavin Ortlund's recent video in which he argues against the decisions of the Ecumenical Council of Nicaea, asserting that the veneration of images/icons is not a proper development of doctrine, but instead represents an illegitimate accretion which contradicts the unanimous consent of the Church Fathers and the commandments in Scripture. Leave us your comments, and be sure to tune into our channel for our regular, First 500 Years series!

Our personal evaluation of Pope Benedict XVI, especially with regard to his impact on culture, the Church, and our own journey from Protestantism to Catholicism.

Did the early Christian movement have women in prominent leadership roles? What sorts of functions did women perform within the communities? Who are some influential women of the first and second centuries? These questions and more are tackled in part 1 of our episode on women in the early church.

Join us for a quick discussion about how early stories of martyrdom reveal what the first Christians believed about the Eucharist. Are the seeds of later Catholic theology to be found here?

Is the religion of the Old Testament strictly monotheistic, or was monotheism an innovation of a much later era in the history of religion? Is the Christian Trinity an amalgamation of paganism and Judaism, or is Trinitarianism thoroughly rooted in the tradition of Israelite religion? In this episode we first examine the foundations for Divine “Plurality” in the history of Israelite thought, and then we take a look at how increasingly diverging conceptions of the Godhead between rabbinical Judaism and emergent Christianity in the second century set the stage for the two sister religions to part ways.

If Christianity began as a Jewish sect, then when did Judaism and Christianity become distinct religions? What drove the separation? Does “Judaism”— as we know it today— really predate Christianity? In this intriguing discussion, the Brothers address these questions and more. You won't want to miss this one!

The scholarly consensus, by far, is that the Roman Church in the early second century *did not* have a single bishop but was ruled by a collection of presbyteral bodies. This would seem to undercut the Catholic Church's claim that the pope is the successor of St Peter, let alone Vatican 1's teaching on papal infallibility. Drawing upon their work in previous episodes, and a careful examination of the ancient sources, the Brothers present an alternative thesis which challenges the prevailing narrative of Protestant and secular scholars.

Christians have always worshipped on Sunday morning, right? In this episode, the Brothers tackle a fascinating, and often baffling, question about the earliest Christians: when did they celebrate the Eucharist each week? Did they observe the Sabbath? If so, when did Christians start worshipping on Sunday, and why? Answering these questions reveals A LOT about the character and theology of the second century Church. You won't want to miss this one!

Catholic art portrays the crucifixion differently from painting to painting. Early Roman sources describe many different ways that a man could be crucified. So, what did Jesus' crucifixion really look like? Join us as we examine textual, epigraphic, and artistic depictions from the early church portraying the crucified Jesus and examine those side by side with the Shroud of Turin and Roman sources. A FASCINATING TOPIC to add color to your Holy Week devotions !

The rise of Christianity in Late Antiquity was met by the rise of another phenomenon in the Roman Empire: Amphitheater violence. For St. Ignatius, hearer of John the Apostle and Bishop of Antioch, this coincidence proved deadly. Join the brothers as they discuss the Passion of St. Ignatius of Antioch and it's broader significance in the development of Christian identity in the Roman world.

Ever wanted to take your prayer life to the next level, but didn't know where to start? Do you struggle to pray often? When you pray, does it feel dry or stale? In this episode we survey the history and meaning of the Church's highest form of prayer *outside* of the Mass: the Daily Office. Steep yourself in this most ancient form of prayer and watch as your prayer life begins to truly bloom for the first time.

While the papacy has called for a ‘Listening Church,' a theology of ‘encounter,' and a Church that is willing to go to the margins, the Brothers here question the appropriateness of Cardinal Cupich's swift sanctions on Latin Mass communities within the Archdiocese of Chicago, and that, without any dialogue between the faithful and their bishop. The Brothers also offer (1) a side-by-side analysis of the Ordinary and Extraordinary texts of the Roman Rite, (2) a list of common abuses of the Novus Ordo that have prevailed for too long, and (3) a practical guide to brining your own parish's Novus Ordo in line with the (actual) calls of Vatican 2 and the General Instruction on the Roman Missal.

As the first generation of Christians took up the mantle of apostolic faith, alternative ideas about Jesus began to sprout up around them— ideas which the apostles themselves had to ward off. In this episode, the Brothers introduce us to the first heresy in the Church's history: Docetism. Consulting the letters of St Ignatius of Antioch and other 1st and 2nd century sources, we begin to discover the earliest, drawn borders of catholic orthodoxy.

In this special episode for the feast of Epiphany, the brothers present the argument for September 11, 3 B.C. being the birth date of Jesus and pinpoint just what it was that the Magi saw in the sky that led them to Bethlehem shortly thereafter. Leaning upon the research of meteorologist Ernest Martin, Dr Michael Heiser, and Fr Stephen DeYoung, the brothers take us on a dense, fascinating journey through the Gospels, the book of Revelation, Old Testament astrology, and a letter of Ignatius of Antioch to tackle that most debated of mysteries: WHAT DID THE MAGI SEE IN THE SKY??

Scholars of Protestant and Secular stripes have cast doubt on the existence of a “Great Church” from the era of the apostles through the history of the early church, opting instead for an early plurality that eventually ossifies into a “Great Church” that suppresses rival Christianities. Here, the brothers directly challenge this telling of the story, insisting that the unity of the Church preceded plurality, as demonstrated in the writings of such figures as Clement of Rome and Ignatius of Antioch.  Grab the popcorn!

We made it! Time to begin our journey through Christianity's second century. In this brief overview, the Brothers offer a preview of topics they will cover in this most fascinating of centuries for the development of the Faith.

What is with all of those references to white garments, two angels, serpent staffs, candle stands, fire, bread from heaven, etc, in the Johannine writings?? In their final, extended Episode on the 1st century Church, the brothers take a fascinating, deep dive into the place of Temple theology in St John's experience of Jesus. You DO NOT want to miss this one!

As the Vatican continues its development towards “synodality” with a decentralized papacy, many Anglican bishops have found the culmination of their theological journey naturally ending in the other direction: a firm acceptance of the Roman Church's primacy. The conversion of Bishop Michael Nazir-Ali perhaps marks one of the most significant Anglican conversions of our generation, and he was preceded by at least three other Anglican bishops in just a few short months. What do these conversions mean for Anglicans, for the Ordinariate, and for Rome herself? Here the brothers draw upon their personal history in Anglicanism and draw out the implications of Nazir-Ali's move to full communion. (Apologies for the audio quality!—we had technical difficulties that required us to use the camera mics this time around)

In this episode, the Brothers offer a substantive introduction to the Gospel of John, paying particular attention to what distinguishes it from the gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke. They address arguments from scholarly skeptics who would insist that John's Gospel is a later, Hellenistic work and instead place it firmly within 1st century Palestinian milieu. But, more importantly, the Brothers map out John's spiritual journey stemming from his life with Jesus, ultimately bringing him to the most stunning realization in human history.

The eagle, the youngest follower of Jesus, the “beloved disciple,” the last Apostle to die: there are many cursory things that we know about St John the Evangelist. However, there is perhaps no Apostle more shrouded in mystery and able to peak curiosity than John. In this episode, the Brothers begin their journey through the “Johannine Tradition,” which becomes a necessary bridge between the first and second century Christian movement, effectively connecting the first Fathers of the Church with the Apostolic generation.

Pope Francis recently made headlines for allegedly claiming that the Ten Commandments are not moral “absolutes.” In response, Taylor Marshall released videos accusing Francis of committing Lutheran heresies. For years, Traditional Catholics have gravitated to Taylor Marshall's YouTube channel, making him an internet sensation and household name in the TLM community. In this episode, we demonstrate why the rise of Taylor Marshall and his brand of fundamentalism continues to be a barrier to success for the TLM movement and to the broader work of recovery in the Church.

On Sunday, August 15 2021, Horselord Films released its first episode in a documentary Trilogy called “Mass of the Ages.” Apart from a cameo in the film by our very own Daniel Alspach, here the Brothers offer their reaction to the first episode and their ultimate hope for the full documentary!

As profound changes are afoot in Israelite religion at the time of Jesus, the prophetic tradition continues to wane among the religious establishment but begins to flourish among the Nazarenes. This episode is ALL THINGS PROPHECY— what was the place of the early Christian prophetic office? Who were some first and second century prophets? What did Christian prophecy sound like? What were its forms? Tune in to find out!

Let's take a deep dive into the charismatic gift of Prophecy and how it functioned in the life of the earliest Christian communities. In this first of two parts, the brothers retrace how the Holy Spirit moved the prophetic office in Israelite history, leading seamlessly into the life of the New Testament communities.

In this fascinating episode, Daniel recounts the day that he was brought face to face with the actual bones of Saint Peter while on a trip to Rome! You won't want to miss this riveting story and the Brothers' reflections on its significance, personally, theologically, and historically.

What are the limits of technology and human progress? What is the purpose of human ingenuity? Join the Brothers and Johnny Rokosz as they review Jurassic Park, a monumental film of the 90's, and tackle the big questions that the film presents to our culture!

Was Peter the first Pope of Rome? Protestants, Catholics, and Orthodox have debated this pivotal question for centuries. The Brothers offer their perspective here— leave your own thoughts in the comments!

In Part 2, the Brothers discuss the destruction of Jerusalem and the effects that this cataclysmic event had on the future of two surviving forms of Judaism: Rabbinical and Christian. In addition, the fall of the Jerusalem Christian community signaled a shift in the broader Church's center of gravity.

In this (Part 1 of 2) Zoom, the Brothers recount the structure, influence, and eventual fall of the Jewish Christian community gathered around James, the brother of Jesus.

No episode on Baptism would be complete without a treatment of infant baptism. In this Episode, the Brothers address the “who” of first century baptisms and describe the very early tradition of administering milk and honey in the newly baptized person's first Eucharist.

What did a first century baptism actually look like? In this fascinating two-part episode, the Brothers commence reconstructing the rite of Baptism as the first Christians would have practiced it by drawing upon textual, archaeological, epigraphic, and historiographical sources.

Daniel and Steven present the apostolic view(s) of Baptism in the first century. Where did this ritual come from? What did it mean for the first Christians? And how was the sacrament structured? Join the conversation!

In his article published March 2, 2021, Bishop Robert Barron positioned his "Word on Fire" ministry somewhere between the liberal Catholics on one end and the "arch-traditionalists" on the other. In this off-the-set Zoom session the Brothers review the Bishop's article and offer up their perspective on liberals, Word on Fire, and the "arch-traditionalists."

For a topic of monumental importance for the future of Christianity, the Council of Jerusalem is often given only a cursory treatment by scholars and podcasters alike. Here, the Brothers reconstruct the council and flesh out the details. Who was there? Where was it held? What were the arguments all about? And, finally, what was the resolution?

Taking a brief reprieve from their First 500 Years series, the brothers team up with Johnny Rokosz of Whiteball Productions for UPON REVIEW. This month they critique another childhood favorite, The Little Mermaid. Culturally, artistically, and theologically, what sort of message did this Disney classic communicate to children?

It may come as a great surprise to some that the Church's first major debate did not happen after the apostles ministry but that it happened among the apostles themselves! Join the brothers as they unpack a moment of great division within the nascent Jerusalem Church and lay out just what was at stake in this quarrel.

The Brothers move on to the next aspect of the “threefold pattern:” The Teaching of the Apostles. What was the gist of the Apostles' first preaching campaigns and what really propelled them to boldly proclaim this message in Jerusalem? Lastly, what dangers lie ahead as the Apostles begin to consider the implications of their message?

Join the Brothers as they imagine the first Christian liturgies! They've mined the New Testament, archeological discoveries, and other first century sources to give us a glimpse into the primitive Mass, while offering some pertinent takeaways for today's Church.

The Brothers now turn to the “breaking of the bread.” What was this new Christian meal? How did it emerge? What was its significance in the eyes of the Apostles? These questions and more are addressed in this 3rd episode of “The First 500 Years.”

Many have ideas about what it may have looked like when the Apostles gathered for daily prayer. In this episode of “THE FIRST 500 YEARS,” the Brothers actually mine the sources to reconstruct the prayer life of the Apostles.

The Catholic Brothers kick off their 2021 dialogue series, “THE FIRST 500 YEARS,” by placing us within the Jewish landscape of Jesus and the Apostles. From this surprisingly diverse religious context will emerge the faith of the first Christians, the “Nazarenes.”

Once each month, The Catholic Brothers team up with Johnny Rokosz of White Ball Productions for an episode of UPON REVIEW, where they take a second look at the music and movies we are all familiar with and find out if we should still love them. For this Christmas Eve episode, the guys put ‘Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer' through the Catholic ringer.

Much of the hope, and religious content, of Judaism climaxed in the birth of the Messiah in Bethlehem. But was Jesus' birth more than that? Is it possible that the Incarnation of the Son of God signaled the fulfillment of all religions and philosophies? Join Daniel and Steven as they address this fascinating question! (And Merry Christmas!)

In part 2, the Brothers turn from the ‘pagan question' and consult ancient biblical and Patristic sources to determine just how ancient it is to celebrate the birth of Christ on December 25th.

Was December 25th originally a pagan holiday? This oft-recycled theory comes under scrutiny in this two-part dialogue on dating the birth of Christ. Join the Catholic Brothers as they weigh the evidence!

Daniel and Steven here discuss the history, meaning, and importance of the Christian season of Advent. In the midst of a culture that celebrates Christmas far too early and for far too long, it can be very easy for Christians to forsake the penitential season of Advent altogether. So, just what exactly is this Advent thing all about, and how can we observe it well?