Podcasts about protestants

“Are Christians just Protestants?” This question opens a discussion on the diverse identities within Christianity, addressing misconceptions about faith. The conversation also touches on whether Jesus had blood-relative brothers and the Catholic understanding of Mary’s perpetual virginity, alongside the differences between Catholic and Orthodox beliefs regarding the Immaculate Conception. Join the Catholic Answers Live Club Newsletter Invite our apologists to speak at your parish! Visit Catholicanswersspeakers.com Questions Covered: 03:15 – Are people who call themselves Christian just protestants? 05:35 – My Protestant friend said Jesus had blood-relative brothers. I said if that were true, Jesus would not have entrusted Mary to John's care at the foot of the cross. Was that a good defense? 16:10 – I'm protestant. The bible says Jesus had brothers so how do Catholics come to the conclusion that Mary was a virgin all her life? 35:00 – I'm Eastern Orthodox. What is the Catholic argument for the Immaculate conception rather than the Orthodox believe in the Dispassionate Conception, and the Catholic belief in original sin versus the Orthodox idea of ancestral sin. 51:43 – What covenant did Jesus fulfill?

As much as we love and respect our separated brothers and sisters in Christ, the Protestants, we must realize as Catholics that their understanding of the relationship between faith, works, judgment, and salvation is ultimately unbiblical. The Bible tells us we will be judged by our works, and Jesus reminds us that if we receive a prophet in His name, we will receive the reward of a prophet.

How Are Protestants Navigating a Moral and Spiritual Vacuum in Evangelicalism?   Host Curtis Chang talks with former White House staffer and Atlantic columnist Pete Wehner about why Pope Leo XIV is resonating with Protestants and evangelicals despite historic theological divides. Together, they explore the Pope's moral leadership while contrasting his dignified, intellectually grounded public witness with Donald Trump's increasingly erratic influence on evangelical political culture. The conversation examines a perceived spiritual leadership vacuum within Protestantism and calls pastors, congregations, and followers of Jesus to cultivate beauty, goodness, and truth as a long-term path toward renewing Christian public witness.   00:34 - Introduction to Pope Leo XIV's Influence 02:29 - Is There a Protestant Appreciation for Catholicism? 03:59 - What Is This Pope's Impact on Public Theology? 06:06 - Papal Influence in Past Administrations 11:19 - The Collapse of Evangelical Public Theology 14:18 - Can Protestants Still Exert Moral Influence? 21:16 - The "Mad King" and Trump's Cognitive Decline 28:42 - What Can Pastors Do? 32:00 - The Importance of Beauty, Goodness, and Truth 37:08 - What Is The Pope's Transcendent Influence?   Sign up for the Anxiety Opportunity Course Use the code: Goodfaith Sign up for The After Party Sign up for The Good List   Referenced in the Episode: Pete Wehner's article "The American Pope vs. the American President"  Pete Wehner's article "The Apotheosis of Donald Trump" Pope Leo XIV's Encyclical Letter: Magnifica Humanitas The Madness of King George (YouTube free with ads) David Bentley Hart's The Beauty of the Infinite Wordsworth's The Prelude, Book 14  Good Faith's course: The After Party   Scriptures Referenced: 1 Timothy 3 (ESV) Titus 1 (ESV)   Protestant and Catholic Leaders Referenced: Pope John Paul II Pope Benedict XVI Pope Francis Reinhold Niebuhr C.S. Lewis Billy Graham Dietrich Bonhoeffer John Stott Karl Barth Oliver O'Donovan Rowan Williams Dr. Tim Keller More from Pete Wehner: Pete Wehner's articles at The Atlantic Pete Wehner's opinion pieces at The New York Times   Follow Us: Good Faith on Instagram Good Faith on X (formerly Twitter) Good Faith on Facebook   The Good Faith Podcast is a production of a 501(c)(3) nonpartisan organization that does not engage in any political campaign activity to support or oppose any candidate for public office. Any views and opinions expressed by any guests on this program are solely those of the individuals and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of Good Faith.  

Msgr. Pope and Father Larry join Bill to discuss five common issues that our Protestant brothers and sister have with the Roman Catholic Church

Fr. Jason Charron is a Ukrainian Catholic Priest who currently serves two parishes, inside the Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of Saint Josaphat in Parma. In Today's Show: If God's love for us never changes, does it make sense to say we please Him more after or when we change from vice to virtue? I'm a Roman Catholic and discerning marriage with a lady who is practicing in the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia (ROCOR). She cannot marry me unless I agree to raise our children Orthodox. What should I do? How does one overcome jealousy over those who are in a romantic relationship? Do Eastern Catholics view Purgatory in a different way than Roman Catholics? Why do Protestants say that Jesus is the rock, and not St. Peter? And more. Visit the show page at thestationofthecross.com/askapriest to listen live, check out the weekly lineup, listen to podcasts of past episodes, watch live video, find show resources, sign up for our mailing list of upcoming shows, and submit your question for Father!

“Where are sacraments in the Bible?” This question opens a discussion on the biblical foundations of Catholicism, including the presence of sacraments. Other topics include the meaning behind the phrase “take it to the foot of the cross,” the role of Cardinals in Scripture, and how logic can support the papacy. Join the Catholic Answers Live Club Newsletter Invite our apologists to speak at your parish! Visit Catholicanswersspeakers.com Questions Covered: 02:35 – If Catholicism is in the Bible, where do you see the sacraments in the bible? 10:15 – I hear a lot of Protestants use say “take it to the foot of the cross and lay it down.” What exactly does that mean and does it square with Catholicism? 12:45 – I'm a recent convert. I have not been successful in convincing my friends and family about the Catholic Church. How do I convince them that it matters to belong to the Catholic Church as opposed to another church. 19:40 – Where do we find Cardinals in the Bible? 31:30 – Can we prove Catholicism and the papacy just by using logic and reason? How can people condemn the Church with the bible if the Church canonized the bible? 40:25 – Sin clouds our mind and makes it harder for us to express our true free will. Mary was protected from sin so always had the clearest use of her free will. If God desired all of us to go to Heaven, why didn't he give us the same grace he gave to Mary? 44:53 – Former Catholic, looking into Orthodoxy… What is some proof for the papacy?

Patrick answers questions about genetics and the origins of human diversity, pulling scientific research and Catholic teaching together. He takes listeners through nuanced discussions on the requirements for sacraments, the boundaries of marriage, and the interplay between faith and works, pausing to address misunderstandings, personal stories, and even the surprising controversy of flags at Mass. Unexpected humor and honest confessions surface as Patrick reacts spontaneously, weaving science, doctrine, and lived experience into moments both challenging and uplifting. Braelyn (12-years-old) - How do we get such diverse people in the world if we all came from Adam and Eve? (00:32) Ryan - Would a person who is infiltrating the Church, like a communist, still have a valid baptism if their intent was to deceive? (10:05) Raul - Someone is using 'Origin' to justify 'faith alone'. How can I respond to that? (11:47) Jeannie - I think that a lot of people who have problems with the Catholic Church is from the demanding work required from us to understand the faith. (21:56) Sunny - How do Protestants get into Heaven if they don't have the strict rules of getting there? (29:57) Margaret - I heard the Pope came out with seven changes; one having to do with celibacy and priests. Is this true? (37:48) Don - Does the Church allow Sacramental marriage if the intent is to never have children? (42:52) Lucy - When someone is living with mortal sin, how are their prayers received by God? (44:59) Sally - Our priest is saying that the American flag is not allowed to be displayed in the Catholic Church. (47:25)

Glen Scrivener discusses Jonathan Pageau's conversation with Gavin Ortlund and what Protestantism can bring to the table in a time of renewed interest in Eastern Orthodoxy and Roman Catholicism.Send us your mini-revelations, stories, disagreements, questions and hot takes: podcast@speaklife.org.uk_____________________________Enjoy seeing life through the lens of Jesus? Here's where to find more Speak Life content: 321course.com // YouTube // Instagram // WebsiteFind out more and sign up to our Hero's Creed Intensive (18th-21st June) : speaklife.org.uk/intensivesOn 18th June at 7:30pm, we'll be joined by Dr Martin Shaw for a special live evening called Myths That Make Us.Tickets are limited, so book now at speaklife.org.uk/mythsIf you book for the full Hero's Creed Intensive, your ticket to Myths That Make Us is included for free.Support the show

Patrick opens with a caller’s honest struggle about sustaining faith and character in environments that never quite align with Catholic convictions, offering advice that blends scriptural grit with lived wisdom. Conversations about the unchecked spread of AI and massive data centers quickly turn uneasy, sparking debate over their promises and the unseen costs shaping towns and families while ordinary life persists. Josh - Is it a problem that I don't talk about my faith? (00:46) Anne - We have 5 children involved in cybersecurity and AI. Pope Leo wrote about bringing Catholic teaching to industries. I am also concerned about data centers taking up land space. We were offered money for land. (15:01) Maria - Data Centers take a lot of energy and I believe they raise electricity and they take up a lot of water. I think they could cause a drought. (24:42) Joe - Why would Protestants care about the rapture? Why was the father of John the Baptist punished? (31:06) Billy (email) – Is it wrong to take a photo of the Roses at the Basilica while going up for Communion? (39:42) Jan (email) - Our parish has a priest who doesn't elevate the host and the cup, he doesn't distribute Communion, he doesn't genuflect when he walks by the tabernacle, he doesn't greet his parishioners after Mass, and worst of all, he doesn't like to hear Confessions so he very often refuses to do so. Phil - Data Centers are on a closed-circuit system. It doesn't cause water pollution. (48:52) (Originally Aired on 05/18/2026)

In part one of a series on natural law, host Phil Cecil sits down to define natural law, distinguish it from natural theology and general revelation, trace why Protestants grew suspicious of it, and explore how it fits a dispensational, two-governments view of civil and redemptive life.Learn more about DBTS at https://dbts.edu

Catholicism is having a comeback moment, and we get why. When church starts to feel like entertainment, a liturgy shaped by centuries can feel like oxygen: reverence, structure, tradition, and a sense of history bigger than your own timeline. But a hunger for roots can't be the same thing as a commitment to truth, so we slow down and ask the hard question: what are you actually believing when you step into Rome?We start with common ground. Protestants and Catholics confess the Trinity, the deity of Christ, the resurrection, sin, grace, heaven and hell, and the authority of Scripture. Then we move straight into the real dividing lines: authority and salvation. We unpack sola scriptura versus a framework where sacred tradition and the magisterium function as equal authority, and why that shift opens the door to doctrines Protestants say are not grounded in the Bible. From there we dig into the five solas, justification by faith alone, grace alone, and what's at stake in “forensic justification” versus an ongoing system of infused righteousness through the sacraments.We also talk through the practical flashpoints that make this personal: confession, prayers involving saints, Mary's expanding role, purgatory, indulgences, the Mass, and transubstantiation. We close with the Council of Trent, papal infallibility, and a simple challenge: don't pick a church because it feels ancient or trendy; test everything with Scripture and the sufficiency of Christ's finished work. If this conversation helps, subscribe, share it with a friend who's wrestling with Catholicism vs Protestantism, and leave a review so more people can find the show.Send us Fan MailSupport the show

In Episode 5 of the series Mary in the Dock: Ordinary or Extraordinary?, Greg Smith puts the doctrine of the Immaculate Conception on trial. Protestants often object that it has no clear biblical basis, appears to contradict “all have sinned” in Romans 3:23, and was a late invention that elevates Mary in ways that compete with Christ. Greg gives these objections a full and fair hearing before delivering a sharp, in-depth Catholic defense centered on the angel's greeting to Mary in Luke 1:28 with the Greek word kecharitomene (perfect passive participle meaning “you who have been and remain fully graced”), paired with the total enmity of Genesis 3:15. Far from diminishing Christ, this teaching reveals the extraordinary power of His redemption: a preventive grace that preserved His mother from original sin from the first moment of her conception in view of the merits of the Cross. It flows naturally from Mary as the New Eve and New Ark, showing her as the first and most perfect fruit of Christ's victory over sin. Listeners serve as the jury in this engaging courtroom discussion. Perfect for curious non-Catholics, Protestant pastors on the journey, and cradle Catholics rediscovering the depths of the faith. SUPPORT THIS SHOW Considering Catholicism is 100% listener-supported. If this podcast has helped you on your journey, please become a patron today! For as little as $5/month you get: • Every regular episode ad-free and organized into topical playlists • Exclusive bonus content (extra Q&As, Deep-Dive courses, live streams, and more) • My deepest gratitude and a growing community of like-minded listeners ➡️ Join now: https://patreon.com/consideringcatholicism (or tap the Patreon link in your podcast app) One-time gift: Donate with PayPal! CONNECT WITH US • Website & contact form: https://consideringcatholicism.com • Email: consideringcatholicism@gmail.com • Leave a comment on Patreon (I read every one!) RATE & REVIEW If you enjoy the show, please leave a rating (and even better, a review) on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen — it really helps new listeners find us. SHARE THE SHOW Know someone who's curious about Catholicism? Send them a link or share an episode on social media. Thank you! Christus vincit, Christus regnat, Christus imperat.

You asked, we're answering! After months of receiving questions about Catholicism, I decided it was time to dive in. I've invited Wit (my pastor) to join me as we address FAQs about Catholicism from Protestants (Part 1) and answer questions about Protestants from Catholics (Part 2). For Part 1, Wit interviewed a local Catholic priest, Father Gavin, to ensure that our answers accurately reflect the Catholic perspective. Any answers he gives in this episode either come directly from Father Gavin's responses or from other sources accepted by the Catholic Church. Although we provide some commentary in this episode, our goal is primarily to faithfully convey the Catholic viewpoint on some of the most common questions I received (such as whether Catholics worship Mary or why they believe in purgatory). We hope this episode provides clarity for those non-Catholic listeners who find themselves wondering about common points of confusion. Enjoy! Sponsor Info:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Voetberg Music Academy⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Voetberg Music Academy provides online, at home, shareable lessons so that your kids can pursue their musical passions without stress or hassle.Use Code: MISFORMAMA10 at checkout to get your first month for only $10!Bible References:Habakkuk 1:13Isaiah 6:3Romans 3:23Revelation 20Romans 6:231 Corinthians 15Mark 1:14-15Acts 16:16-40Genesis 3:15Acts 2:38John 20:22-23Matthew 18James 5:16Hebrews 4:14-16Matthew 3:8Jeremiah 17:9Exodus 2:1-17Matthew 5:16Romans 6:12 Corinthians 13:51 Corinthians 6John 19:11Romans 8:34John 19:26-27Exodus 20:3-5Luke 1:28Matthew 6:7Matthew 16:18Acts 11:26Matthew 23:22 Thessalonians 2:13-15Genesis 1:27Links:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Gentleness Challenge⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Penny Reward System⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Paint & Prose⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠M Is for Mama⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

“Why is the Apostolic Age not a well-known part of Church history?” This question opens a discussion on the significance of early Church writings, including the role of the Church Fathers and the authenticity of the Apostolic Fathers’ texts. Other topics include the importance of listening to the Church Fathers and the historical context of early Christian martyrdom. Join the Catholic Answers Live Club Newsletter Invite our apologists to speak at your parish! Visit Catholicanswersspeakers.com Questions Covered: 02:45 – “Why is the Apostolic Age not a well known part of Church history? 20:00 – Why listen to the Church Fathers? 23:00 – How do we know the writings of the Apostolic Fathers are real? 38:00 – What is the spelling of the names of the writings you mention? 43:40 – Did Paul write things down in the Bible that Jesus didn't tell him? 45:55 – Has Steve been on an archaeological dig? If so, what did he see? 47:15 – What did these Apostolic Fathers believe? 52:03 – How did it go from the apostolic fathers being martyred to Catholics killing Protestants at the Reformation?

Fr. Joseph Dalimata, FSSP, serves as Parochial Vicar at Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Littleton (Denver), Colorado. He was ordained in May of 2021. Click here for more information on Bosco Ministries.  In Today's Show: Recently married, and I've felt like I'm not doing enough to lead spiritually. I don't want to start bad spiritual habits with my spouse. What do you see that new husbands do wrong, and what do you wish more of them knew/did?   Can a priest be tempted by a confession? For example, if the penitent goes into detail about their sins of drunkenness or lust, could this become a near occasion of sin for the priest?   Why do you think Protestants get angry when we speak about loving our Holy Mother Mary? I was a Protestant and never felt angry. How can we be angry when she is Jesus's Mom and said yes to God's call for her life?   Could you clarify how to properly make a spiritual communion?   Could you clarify whether we should attend the Saturday anticipated Mass or not?   I like to receive communion on the tongue, but last Sunday a Minister wanted me to take the Host in my hands. I refused, and she told me they are not supposed to do that anymore. Is it still allowed in the Catholic Church?   What is the proper integration of fitness with faith?   ​​If God's ultimate desire is reconciliation, what do you think is the deepest reason He allows so much suffering that seems to drive people away from Him rather than toward Him? Visit the show page at thestationofthecross.com/askapriest to listen live, check out the weekly lineup, listen to podcasts of past episodes, watch live video, find show resources, sign up for our mailing list of upcoming shows, and submit your question for Father!

In Episode 4 of the series Mary in the Dock: Ordinary or Extraordinary?, host Greg Smith puts the Catholic doctrine of Mary as the New Ark of the Covenant on trial. Protestants often charge that this is fabricated typology with no explicit New Testament warrant, that it's eisegesis used to justify later Marian dogmas, and that it risks over-elevating Mary in ways that compete with Christ. Greg gives these objections a full, fair hearing before delivering a robust Catholic defense rooted in rich biblical typology, including a detailed “constellation” of parallels between the Old Testament Ark and Mary: the Word of God, the manna, Aaron's rod, the overshadowing by the Holy Spirit (using the exact same Greek verb ἐπισκιάζω in both Exodus 40 and Luke 1:35), the three-month stay, David's dance vs. John the Baptist's leap, and more. Early Church Fathers like Hippolytus, Athanasius, and Ephraim the Syrian affirmed this long before Constantine, and the teaching is thoroughly Christocentric—Mary as the pure vessel who brings God's presence to his people. Listeners serve as the jury in this engaging courtroom discussion that builds directly on the New Eve episode. Whether you're a curious non-Catholic, a Protestant pastor investigating the faith, or a cradle Catholic rediscovering these treasures, this episode will challenge you to decide: is Mary simply an ordinary woman, or the extraordinary New Ark the Church has always proclaimed? SUPPORT THIS SHOW Considering Catholicism is 100% listener-supported. If this podcast has helped you on your journey, please become a patron today! For as little as $5/month you get: • Every regular episode ad-free and organized into topical playlists • Exclusive bonus content (extra Q&As, Deep-Dive courses, live streams, and more) • My deepest gratitude and a growing community of like-minded listeners ➡️ Join now: https://patreon.com/consideringcatholicism (or tap the Patreon link in your podcast app) One-time gift: Donate with PayPal! CONNECT WITH US • Website & contact form: https://consideringcatholicism.com • Email: consideringcatholicism@gmail.com • Leave a comment on Patreon (I read every one!) RATE & REVIEW If you enjoy the show, please leave a rating (and even better, a review) on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen — it really helps new listeners find us. SHARE THE SHOW Know someone who's curious about Catholicism? Send them a link or share an episode on social media. Thank you! Christus vincit, Christus regnat, Christus imperat.

For perhaps the first time in history, Europeans across the world are experiencing a mass awakening to the reality that they are hated and being targeted for destruction by their respective governments. Ironic that in this final, decades in the making effort to exterminate us, it may backfire spectacularly. Centuries of cultural and religious infighting that prevented us from reaching full potential as a people could instead be erased as we face a common menace across continents, wherever we live. Irish and British, Germans and French, Protestants and Catholics - all of the old grievances can be left behind for the sake of the most powerful and righteous cause of all: our children and future. Diamonds are made under immense pressure. The potential for a new golden age on the other side of this nightmare is real and precisely the reason why our enemies are doing everything imaginable to prevent white racial unity from taking hold. STREAM LINKS: Rumble Odysee Twitch Kick ᚦᛖᚱᛖ•ᛁᛊ•ᚨ•ᛒᛖᛏᛏᛖᚱ•ᚹᚨᛁ • SUPPORT • WEBSITE • X/Twitter

We welcome Darryl G. Hart back to Christ the Center to discuss Protestants and Patriots: Presbyterians in the Age of Revolution, published by the University of Notre Dame Press. Hart traces the transatlantic story of Presbyterianism from the Reformation through the age of revolutions, asking why Presbyterian polity so often became a political irritant in Britain, Ireland, North America, and beyond. The conversation ranges from Calvin's Geneva and the French Reformed connection to the Scottish Covenanters, the English civil wars, John Witherspoon, the American founding, the 1788 revision of the Westminster Confession, and contemporary debates over Christian nationalism. Along the way, Hart helps us see how questions of church government, civil authority, establishment, liberty, and public memory are bound up with the church's confession that Christ alone is head of his church. Chapters 0:00 Introduction and the road to episode 1,0002:00 Protestants and Patriots and the Presbyterian question3:10 The project's origins and teaching the big picture5:12 Calvin's ecclesiastical ordinances and Presbyterian polity7:26 Was the American Revolution a Presbyterian revolution?10:12 Lumpers, splitters, and Presbyterian identity11:09 Reformed and Presbyterian: why the names matter15:01 Presbyterians, nationalism, and the godly society16:12 Covenanters, national covenanting, and regicide19:31 Geneva, exiles, and the French connection22:26 The true Presbyterian revolutionary moment: the 1630s and 1640s24:21 Why Scotland became a Presbyterian laboratory28:29 Why England and Scotland became Reformed rather than Lutheran30:52 What did Presbyterians want? Church independence and state support34:43 The Glorious Revolution, moderation, and establishment compromises39:15 Regium donum, Canada, Ireland, and voluntary giving42:34 John Witherspoon and Presbyterian moderation in the American founding48:16 Revising Westminster Confession chapter 2355:30 American Heretics, Two Sons of Oil, and anti-liberal Presbyterianism60:30 Further conversations and Protestants and Patriots65:05 Independence Hall, historic preservation, and public memory70:07 Conclusion Participants Camden BuceyDarryl G. Hart Resources mentioned Protestants and Patriots: Presbyterians in the Age of Revolution by D. G. HartUniversity of Notre Dame Press interview with D. G. HartAmerican Heretics by Jerome CopulskyTwo Sons of Oil by Samuel B. WylieIndependence National Historical Park

We welcome Darryl G. Hart back to Christ the Center to discuss Protestants and Patriots: Presbyterians in the Age of Revolution, published by the University of Notre Dame Press. Hart traces the transatlantic story of Presbyterianism from the Reformation through the age of revolutions, asking why Presbyterian polity so often became a political irritant in Britain, Ireland, North America, and beyond. The conversation ranges from Calvin's Geneva and the French Reformed connection to the Scottish Covenanters, the English civil wars, John Witherspoon, the American founding, the 1788 revision of the Westminster Confession, and contemporary debates over Christian nationalism. Along the way, Hart helps us see how questions of church government, civil authority, establishment, liberty, and public memory are bound up with the church's confession that Christ alone is head of his church. Watch on YouTube Chapters 0:00 Introduction and the road to episode 1,000 2:00 Protestants and Patriots and the Presbyterian question 3:10 The project's origins and teaching the big picture 5:12 Calvin's ecclesiastical ordinances and Presbyterian polity 7:26 Was the American Revolution a Presbyterian revolution? 10:12 Lumpers, splitters, and Presbyterian identity 11:09 Reformed and Presbyterian: why the names matter 15:01 Presbyterians, nationalism, and the godly society 16:12 Covenanters, national covenanting, and regicide 19:31 Geneva, exiles, and the French connection 22:26 The true Presbyterian revolutionary moment: the 1630s and 1640s 24:21 Why Scotland became a Presbyterian laboratory 28:29 Why England and Scotland became Reformed rather than Lutheran 30:52 What did Presbyterians want? Church independence and state support 34:43 The Glorious Revolution, moderation, and establishment compromises 39:15 Regium donum, Canada, Ireland, and voluntary giving 42:34 John Witherspoon and Presbyterian moderation in the American founding 48:16 Revising Westminster Confession chapter 23 55:30 American Heretics, Two Sons of Oil, and anti-liberal Presbyterianism 60:30 Further conversations and Protestants and Patriots 65:05 Independence Hall, historic preservation, and public memory 70:07 Conclusion Resources mentioned Protestants and Patriots: Presbyterians in the Age of Revolution by D. G. Hart University of Notre Dame Press interview with D. G. Hart American Heretics by Jerome Copulsky Two Sons of Oil by Samuel B. Wylie Independence National Historical Park Participants: Camden Bucey, Darryl G. Hart

We welcome Darryl G. Hart back to Christ the Center to discuss Protestants and Patriots: Presbyterians in the Age of Revolution, published by the University of Notre Dame Press. Hart […]

If you've ever wondered why Catholics pray to Mary, what purgatory is, or whether Protestants are considered Christians, this episode is for you.  I'm joined again by my son-in-law, Sean Hiller, as we tackle listener-submitted questions and dive into Catholic faith questions answered through Scripture and official Church teaching. From salvation and sin to the personal cost of Sean's conversion to Catholicism, this conversation provides thoughtful insight into some of the most common questions about the Catholic faith.   WHAT TO EXPECT IN THIS EPISODE: Do Catholics worship the same God as Muslims? Sean explains what the Catholic Church actually teaches about other faiths. Are Catholics and Protestants both Christian? Is the Catholic Church the one true church, and what does that mean for salvation? (Including what "extraordinary means" of salvation means) Why do Catholics pray to Mary, and is that the same as worship? Sean walks through the historical meaning of the word "pray," and why Mary holds a uniquely beautiful place in the faith. What is purgatory, and why do Catholics pray for the dead? What spiritual warfare looked like during Sean's conversion, including the strain it put on his marriage and the friendships they lost along the way.   LINKS & RESOURCES Sean's YouTube Channel (@LectiowithSeanHiller) To Whom Shall I Go? by Ellie Hiller Catechism in a Year with Father Mike Schmitz   WHERE TO LISTEN If you love listening to the podcast, one of the best ways to support the show is by leaving a rating and review. This genuinely helps us reach more fabulous midlife women! You can find The SavvyCast on all podcasting platforms and YouTube.   ENJOYED THIS EPISODE? CHECK THESE OUT! From Atheist to Catholic: My Son-in-Law Sean Hiller's Faith Journey Apple Podcasts Spotify YouTube   Am I Becoming Catholic? My Faith Journey Apple Podcasts Spotify YouTube

“Can I become Catholic without believing all dogmas?” This question opens a discussion on the complexities of faith and belief, addressing concerns about papal infallibility and the necessity of dogmas for conversion. Other topics include the Catholic view of predestination and the Church’s role in compiling the Bible, as well as challenges posed by Protestant interpretations of scripture. Join the Catholic Answers Live Club Newsletter Invite our apologists to speak at your parish! Visit Catholicanswersspeakers.com Questions Covered: 06:00 – I'm in the episcopal church and am curious about Catholicism. I have some reservations about papal infallibility. I'm wondering if I'd be able to become Catholic without holding to some dogmas. 17:30 – What is the Catholic view of predestination? Also, I know the Catholic Church put together the bible, but how did it do it? 30:00 – Protestants use 1 Cor 13:8 to say the age of miracles is over and it ended with the death of the last apostle. Some Protestant also say that this was the end of apostolic authority, specifically when it comes to forgiveness of sins via a priest. What are your thoughts on these? 40:25 – I'm not Catholic because the organization of Catholicism is openly homophobic and an official hate group. Also because of its crimes against humanity.

“Which Church Did Jesus Start?” This question opens a discussion on the distinctions between Catholic and Orthodox beliefs, including what defines the Catholic Church as the one established by Christ. Additional topics include addressing the term “Roman” Catholic Church, the nature of the Eucharist, and the reasons behind the Orthodox separation from Catholicism. Join the Catholic Answers Live Club Newsletter Invite our apologists to speak at your parish! Visit Catholicanswersspeakers.com Questions Covered: 02:00 – Which Church Did Jesus Start 17:09 – What makes the Catholic Church the one that Jesus started and not the Syrians, the Orthodox, or the Coptics? 22:26 – How do you go about correcting Protestants who use the term “Roman” Catholic Church in a pejorative sense? 36:40 – When the bread and wine is turned in to Jesus' body and blood, why does it still taste like bread and wine? 42:56 – Why is there no list of infallible Church teachings? 46:50 – Why did the Orthodox pull away from the Catholic Church? 51:30 – I have some SDA friends who believe in the long sleep instead of heaven or purgatory. What is the best refutation of the long sleep?

Download our App for Android and Apple here: https://onelink.to/8d3fhuChrist Is King: America After Trump — November 12–14, 2026 in Dallas, Texas. Tickets are limited. Register now to secure your seat!https://newchristianright.com/conference/SPONSORS:Wild Pastures - High quality grass-fed meat delivered straight to your door. Use this link to get 20% off. https://wildpastures.com/nxrHost Fr. Calvin Robinson previews guests Lauren Chen and Rev. Canon Brett Murphy before discussing free speech in Britain and outside pressure on an Oxford Union debate on whether Britain should be suspicious of Islam, including concerns about policing, security costs, and possible cancellation. Robinson also responds to criticism about calling Protestant women “pastor,” outlining biblical offices (deacon, presbyter/priest, bishop), apostolic succession, and why he plans to avoid using “pastor” for Protestants. In conversation with Lauren Chen, they compare UK and US free speech and debate the Chud the Builder case, then discuss worsening public disorder and theft, discipline, and what they call a cultural problem within Black American communities versus Africans. Murphy then describes “No Man Left Inside,” Unite the Kingdom, and signs of a masculine Christian revival in Britain, urging church planting and evangelism, before the show ends with prayer.00:00 NXR Plus Launch01:34 Show Intro and Guests02:03 Oxford Union Free Speech06:10 Islam and Censorship Fears06:59 Pastor Title Debate10:45 Priesthood and Eucharist13:27 Wild Pastures Sponsor15:00 Lauren Chen Returns17:21 UK vs US Free Speech22:30 Chud Case and Slurs27:51 Everyday Theft Culture34:19 Black Problem and Assimilation38:20 Lauren Chen Links38:54 Streaming Not Gaming39:47 Kids And Games40:28 Meet Rev Brett41:20 No Man Left Inside43:37 Male Friendship Spaces45:48 Unite The Kingdom Recap48:35 Church Of England Clash54:22 Christian Revival On Ground58:48 Where To Find Brett01:01:18 Prayer And Sign Off

Witness Weekly | WW001 | Kickoff Episode!0:00 Intro0:15 Mario Andrew – News6:26 Discussion of the Week21:05 James St Simon – Book & Film Recommendations / Review26:28 Michael – Redlines (Philosophy & Politics)30:25 Jeremy Jeremiah – Viewer Comments & Questions“Smells and bells” vs “bare walls” misses the point. We debate beauty, Scripture, continuity, and why people say they met God at the Divine Liturgy.A bishop detained under murky circumstances. A fresh call for Orthodox unity a decade after the Council of Crete. A study that claims part of a papal encyclical reads like it was AI assisted. We kick off the first Witness Weekly by moving fast through the headlines, then slowing down where it matters: what these moments reveal about religious freedom, public pressure on clergy, and the real stakes for Christians trying to live faithfully in a tense political climate.We launch Witness Weekly with Orthodox news, a deep dive on why evangelicals convert to Orthodoxy, and a candid look at how rhetoric and assumptions can flatten real theological differences. We close with Dostoevsky's The Brothers Karamazov, a challenge to political fixes for evil, and listener questions on worship music, conversion, and parish life.• Metropolitan Hilarion's detention in Lithuania and why prayer for clergy matters• Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew's renewed call for Orthodox unity and what changed since Crete• A study suggesting AI assisted writing in a papal encyclical and where the line might be• Archbishop Elpidophoros' hospitalization and continued prayers for his recovery• Common conversion motives and why “aesthetics only” is an unfair summary• Purgatory as a Roman Catholic doctrine and why Orthodoxy gets mislabeled• Institutional continuity versus doctrinal continuity and how Reformers argued their case• The catechumen process as evidence that conversion is usually slow and deliberate• Book of the week The Brothers Karamazov and why it speaks to believers and skeptics• The problem of evil, the Grand Inquisitor, and the limits of political solutions• Listener comment on worship music, tradition, standards, and Christian art• Advice for Protestants navigating hard conversations when exploring OrthodoxyPlease let us know your thoughts in the commentsFrom there, we take on a question we keep seeing everywhere: why are evangelicals converting to Roman Catholicism and Eastern Orthodoxy? We challenge the lazy take that people switch churches because they got dazzled by “smells and bells” or seduced by a vague sense of history. We talk about the long, prayerful process most converts go through, the catechumen journey, and the way outsiders often lump Orthodoxy and Catholicism together, especially around doctrines like purgatory. We also dissect the rhetoric behind “continuity” claims, including how Reformers like John Calvin argued they were the true heirs of the ancient Church.We pivot into culture and formation with our book of the week, The Brothers Karamazov, and why Dostoevsky still feels uncomfortably current. We connect the problem of evil, the Grand Inquisitor's political temptation, and the hard truth that there is no ideology that can substitute for personal responsibility and repentance. Finally, we respond to listener comments on worship music, tradition, and standards, and we offer practical advice for Protestants navigating difficult conversations while exploring Orthodoxy. Can worship music be “frozen in time” and still alive? We respond to a tough listener critique, talk standards, lyrics, and the difference between church worship and Christian art. Mario Andrew  ⁨@AndrewStMercy⁩ James St Simon  ⁨@jamessaintsimon⁩ Michael  ⁨@redlineshq⁩  Jeremy Jeremiah Questions about Orthodoxy? Please check out our friends at Ghost of Byzantium Discord server: https://discord.gg/JDJDQw6tdhPlease prayerfully consider supporting Cloud of Witnesses: https://www.patreon.com/c/CloudofWitnessesFind Cloud of Witnesses on Instagram, X.com, Facebook, and TikTok.Please leave a comment with your thoughts!

Patrick clashes with the first caller in a heated debate over Catholic exclusivity, blessings, and whether Catholics truly know how to pray or seek spiritual help. Accusations fly as the caller insists that lay Catholics are left spiritually wanting and critiques the refusal to seek blessings from non-Catholic ministers, while Patrick defends the Church’s distinct practices and the special authority granted to priests, dismissing broad generalizations as untrue. Patrick opens the hour with a very heated caller, Joseph, who claims Patick is promoting an exclusive Catholicism when it comes to blessings. (00:35) Jodi - I disagree with Joseph. Confession is absolutely something that is so good for the soul. It prepares our soul for the end of life. (12:27) Monica - No matter what parish I go to blessing has been easy for me. Joseph’s comment confuses me. At first this made me angry, but as the call continued, I felt like maybe he was hurting. (17:48) Sean - What does Matthew 16:18 mean about Peter the Rock? How can I understand? (19:48) Didier - I think it is a fallacy that Protestants are trying to convert Catholics. It's like saying people with other English accents don’t speak English. (29:36) Email – Everyone in heaven is a Catholic Richard – Did you say Catholics who leave the Church will not go to heaven? (37:29) Katherine - Do we keep our memories in heaven? Will our entire earthly experience still be present to us? (44:19) Barbara - We do have to be careful about Catholic chaplains being sidelined. US army recently cut down support systems that did affect Catholic chaplains. (47:41) Nader - In order to get to heaven, we have to receive the sacraments. What if I don't have access to a priest? (50:00)

//The Wire//2300Z June 9, 2026// //ROUTINE// //BLUF: ATTEMPTED BEHEADING REPORTED IN IRELAND, RIOTS UNDERWAY. U.S. ARMY HELICOPTER SHOT DOWN IN GULF OF OMAN. KARMELO ANTHONY FOUND GUILTY OF MURDER.// -----BEGIN TEARLINE------International Events-Middle East: Overnight one U.S. Army AH-64 helicopter crashed feet-wet off the coast of Oman. Both the pilot and the co-pilot/gunner managed to egress from the aircraft, and were rescued two hours after the crash. At the time of the crash, CENTCOM did not disclose the reason for the incident, however this afternoon President Trump confirmed that this aircraft was shot down by Iranian forces.Analyst Comment: Two hours in the water is a long time in terms of Combat Search and Rescue, and it's a miracle that they were rescued. Of note, some sources are claiming that the rescue method for the downed aviators took the form of an unusual source...an American Unmanned Surface Vessel (USV). If this is true (which we may never know), this would be the first instance of an American drone boat being used for rescue operations in a combat zone.Northern Ireland: Yesterday evening an extremely graphic beheading attempt was reported on a residential street in Belfast. One Sudanese national attacked a local, gouging out his eyes with a knife and attempting to behead him. The exceptionally brutal attack was captured on tape, and the video circulated widely in the moments after the attack. The status of the victim remains unclear, but he is receiving medical care for his many wounds. The victim has not been identified by name, however he's reportedly from Scotland and also hard-of-hearing, leaving him more vulnerable to the attack.Analyst Comment: The attacker was initially hospitalized at The Mater, the main hospital in Belfast. It is unclear as to if the attacker is still physically located at this site, but he was spotted in the hospital by local intelligence networks as he was being given a medical exam post-incident. The suspect is most likely being held at the Musgrave Custody Suite on Victoria Street, which is one of the more protected sites in Belfast and can hold high-security detainees. Despite the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) not charging this individual under terrorism charges, there's a very high likelihood that the attacker would not survive the first night once other detainees found out what he did. The assailant was granted asylum status as a refugee a few years ago, though the exact nature of this legal status is not entirely clear.-HomeFront-Texas: This afternoon Karmello Anthony was found guilty of the murder Austin Metcalf. So far limited protest activity has been observed outside the courthouse. Analyst Comment: No big mobilizations or riots have been observed yet, however more significant efforts might take some time to organize as it's only a Tuesday. Too soon to tell if this is going to become a hot state of unrest, but seeing as tension has been building on this for a while, it could go either way. The next big decision point will be sentencing, which will be decided soon by the same jury.-----END TEARLINE-----Analyst Comments: As one might expect, the situation in Northern Ireland has reached a boiling point. Mass riots are already underway as of this report (and likely planned for the next few weeks), as the Irish begin to organize and mobilize. Tonight, local paramilitary groups have requested all residents of Belfast to turn off their doorbell cameras, and PSNI checkpoints are already established around the city preparing for the events of the next few days.Concerning the site of the mutilation, the location of the attempted beheading has been host to violence before. This exact apartment building has been the site of violent murders in the past. In 2019, two bodies were found brutally murdered inside Kinnaird Close, with the trial for the murderer concluding a couple of years ago.Of note, the attack yesterday evening was halted by Irishmen who intervened to attempt to stop the murder. Matthew McKiernan (Gaelic spelling: Maitiu Mág Tighearnán) has been identified as the man who clubbed the African with a hurley stick, attempting to stop the attack. He and other pedestrians did what they could, but by the time they were able to intervene, exceptionally grave wounds had already been sustained by the victim. They did their best, but there was only so much they could do as taking care of the problem was not a viable option as police were seconds away from the scene and would have absolutely arrested citizens for continuing the counterattack on the African after they arrived.Nevertheless, the entire city of Belfast is calling for blood right now, and tonight they might just get it. For historical context, this brutal attack took place in one of the most contentious districts on Earth. Belfast was one of the epicenters of the Troubles in Northern Ireland, and the northwest quadrant of the city is still host to many "peace lines" to this very day. Granted, most of the old maps designating the Catholic/Nationalist/Republican (CNR) areas from the Protestant/Ulster/Loyalist (PUL) areas of the city are a bit outdated and not as strictly delineated in real life as it is marked on the map sometimes. Plus, the old history of political ideology, infamous organizations, and current political leadership is incredibly complicated. In short, neither side can rightfully point the finger at the other on this issue, because elements on both sides have resulted in furthering mass migration into Ireland.On the ground, this attack took place in a strong CNR community, right along a historic dividing line, so multiple communities have a vested interest in handling the situation. Even before sunset this evening communities which have quite literally killed each other over dividing lines, are at least beginning to acknowledge the seriousness of the current migration situation, while also acknowledging that singing songs and holding hands is still unlikely between Protestants and Catholics in many of these communities. Though the situation is incredibly complicated, when it comes to beheadings in the streets, the seriousness of the situation is stratifying along bigger lines than the history of the region. At his core, an Irishman is an Irishman, regardless of affiliation, and much like most of Western Civilization, the unofficial national sports are drinking, fighting, and blowing stuff up. As a result, there are solutions to these problems, if attention on all sides can be focused appropriately. There may indeed be more room for slight-cooperation between age-old factions which might have the chance to re-examine what lines of division are worth postponing for a time, as more pressing threats are already inside the fence....threats which are neither Catholic nor Protestant.Analyst: S2A1 Research: https://publish.obsidian.md/s2underground Disclaimer: No LLMs were used in the writing of this report. //END REPORT//

“How did you become a prophet?” This question opens a discussion on the nature of prophecy in the Bible, alongside topics such as the differences in prayer practices between Catholics and Protestants, and the historical context of the deuterocanon in the Protestant Bible. Other questions touch on the biblical understanding of marriage and the nuances of salvation from different theological perspectives. Join the Catholic Answers Live Club Newsletter Invite our apologists to speak at your parish! Visit Catholicanswersspeakers.com Questions Covered: 02:35 – How did you become an Old Testament Prophet? 08:35 – Can Catholics and Protestants pray together, and where do we see this in scripture? 15:40 – Who took the deuterocanon out of the Protestant Bible and when did they do it? 20:38 – I predicted something that happened. Does that mean I'm a prophet? 24:35 – I think it's Judith that says Nebuchadnezzar is king of Syria, but the rest of the bible says he's king of something else. So how can Judith be scripture if it contradicts the rest? 32:54 – I've heard that Protestants have more of a courtroom view of salvation, and for Catholics it's more about Jesus reversing what Adam did. Is that accurate? 38:50 – What does the bible say about marriage? 42:18 – Jesus said we'd be accountable for our mistakes, and he also said he came for sinners. It seems like these contradict each other. Can you explain? 52:45 – Jesus says to be saved follow the 2 greatest commandments. But elsewhere he says you have to receive the Eucharist. So is it both?

Who decided which books belong in the Bible — and why did Enoch, Thomas, and Peter get left out? It wasn’t The Da Vinci Code version. It wasn’t Constantine at Nicaea. And it wasn’t some random power grab. The real story of the biblical canon is far more fascinating. Also, my guest Dave Rubin explains how he went from the Left to becoming one of its most outspoken critics. What changed his mind? (1:58) Bible as Inspired Library(4:20) Catholics vs. Protestants(6:25) The Da Vinci Code Myth(8:00) Bart's Critique(9:52) Why Enoch Was Excluded(13:29) Four Criteria for the Canon(15:07) Gospel of Thomas Examined(16:40) How the Canon Was Formed(19:43) Guest: Dave Rubin(22:31) Leaving the Left Behind(28:52) When the Left Abandoned Liberty(40:37) Realism Over Bumper Stickers(43:20) Tucker, Candace & Megan(47:12) Covid and Institutional Lies If you’re tired of broken healthcare you need to choose the right pharmacy. Check them out at allfamilypharmacy.com/dinesh and use code DINESH10 to save 10% off your next order. Leave the old “buy and hold” crypto strategy behind at https://DineshCrypto.com ! Purchase crypto with military grade encryption and American customer service. Hundreds of crypto holders have saved MILLIONS thanks to BlockTrustIRA’s Animus AI. Visit https://DineshCrypto.com and receive up to $2,500 in FREE bonus crypto! America has nearly 39 trillion dollars in debt! Are you protected from this pending disaster? Go to http://DineshGold.com and get up to 10% in bonus gold or silver. I’m on substack! Check out what I have to say here: https://dineshdsouza.substack.com/ For free and unbiased Medicare help, dial (706) 262-4774 to speak with my trusted partner, Chapter, or go to https://askchapter.org/dinesh" Chapter and its affiliates are not connected with or endorsed by any government entity or the federal Medicare program. Chapter Advisory, LLC represents Medicare Advantage HMO, PPO, and PFFS organizations and stand alone prescription drug plans that have a Medicare contract. Enrollment depends on the plan’s contract renewal. While we have a database of every Medicare plan nationwide and can help you to search among all plans, we have contracts with many but not all plans. As a result, we do not offer every plan available in your area. Currently we represent 50 organizations which offer 18,160 products nationwide. We search and recommend all plans, even those we don’t directly offer. You can contact a licensed Chapter agent to find out the number of products available in your specific area. Please contact Medicare.gov, 1-800-Medicare, or your local State Health Insurance Program (SHIP) to get information on all of your options. Dinesh D'Souza is an author and filmmaker. A graduate of Dartmouth College, he was a senior domestic policy analyst in the Reagan administration. He also served as a research fellow at the American Enterprise Institute and the Hoover Institution at Stanford University. He is the author of many bestselling books, including "Illiberal Education," "What's So Great About Christianity," "America: Imagine a World Without Her," "The Roots of Obama's Rage," "Death of a Nation," and "United States of Socialism." His documentary films "2016: Obama's America," "America," "Hillary's America," "Death of a Nation," and "Trump Card" are among the highest-grossing political documentaries of all time. He and his wife Debbie are also executive producers of the acclaimed feature film "Infidel." — Want to connect with Dinesh D'Souza online for more hard-hitting analysis of current events in America? Here’s how: Get Dinesh unfiltered, uncensored and unchained on Locals: https://dinesh.locals.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dsouzadinesh Twitter: https://twitter.com/dineshdsouza Rumble: https://rumble.com/dineshdsouza Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dineshjdsouzaSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Acorn and the Oak: Development of Doctrine, Part 1. In this first part of our conversation with Cory, we explore the beautiful Catholic understanding of how doctrine develops. Far from “making things up” or changing with the culture, the Church deepens her grasp of the unchanging deposit of faith handed on by the apostles. Greg and Cory unpack Saint John Henry Newman's classic idea, trace its roots to the early Church, and walk through clear, non-controversial examples like the Trinity, Christ's two natures, sacramental theology, and the Marian dogmas. Using the acorn-to-oak image and Newman's seven notes, they show how the faith stays the same while growing richer and more articulate over time. Perfect for Protestants wondering about “Catholic additions” and anyone wanting to understand how the Church avoids both fundamentalism and fluidity. SUPPORT THIS SHOW Considering Catholicism is 100% listener-supported. If this podcast has helped you on your journey, please become a patron today! For as little as $5/month you get: • Every regular episode ad-free and organized into topical playlists • Exclusive bonus content (extra Q&As, Deep-Dive courses, live streams, and more) • My deepest gratitude and a growing community of like-minded listeners ➡️ Join now: https://patreon.com/consideringcatholicism (or tap the Patreon link in your podcast app) One-time gift: Donate with PayPal! CONNECT WITH US • Website & contact form: https://consideringcatholicism.com • Email: consideringcatholicism@gmail.com • Leave a comment on Patreon (I read every one!) RATE & REVIEW If you enjoy the show, please leave a rating (and even better, a review) on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen — it really helps new listeners find us. SHARE THE SHOW Know someone who's curious about Catholicism? Send them a link or share an episode on social media. Thank you! Christus vincit, Christus regnat, Christus imperat.

What's Pulling Your Eyes Off Jesus? Luke 9:62 “But Jesus said to him, ‘No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.” The leader of the Watchman Prayer group sent out an email yesterday entitled, “Don't Look Back.” In it, she put two scripture verses. The first one was today's verse. I did not really understand today's verse. It seems kind of harsh to me. I know that not everyone will go to heaven. But that doesn't mean I like reading about it. Some things I understand. I get why some things are so awful. If we don't repent, then we won't be fit for the kingdom of God. However, “No one, having put his hand ot the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.” I didn't understand this. So, I went to the Enduring Word commentary, which is where I go when I want to understand things a bit better. I am fully aware that there is so much I don't know about the Bible and what it means. I could study it my whole life and still not understand everything. However, there are people who have studied it their whole lives, and we are so lucky because they have shared their wisdom with us. If you go to enduringword.com, you will find a tab for his commentary. Click it, enter any book and chapter you want, and learn so much. I want to provide a bit of context for everyone who might not know why Jesus said this. I know when I hear a verse I don't understand, I like to go back and see the verses around it and see if I can get more context just by reading those other verses. At the very end of Luke 9, there is a section titled The Cost of Discipleship. The scripture verses are Luke 9:57-62. “Now it happened as they journeyed on the road, that someone said to Him, “Lord, I will follow You wherever You go.” And Jesus said to him, “Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head.” Then He said to another, “Follow Me.” But he said, “Lord, let me first go and bury my father.”  Jesus said to him, “Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and preach the kingdom of God.” And another also said, “Lord, I will follow You, but let me first go and bid them farewell who are at my house.”  But Jesus said to him, “No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.” Reading this did not give me much more context. I still didn't understand why someone wouldn't be fit for the kingdom of God just because they wanted to go and say goodbye to their loved ones. It seemed kind of harsh to me. However, reading the Enduring Word Commentary, I get it now. It makes sense. The commentary explains that when we are so excited about Jesus, want to follow him, and go tell our families, they are not always that excited for us. Charles Spurgeon, an influential British preacher, said it like this, “O young man, when you are thinking of leaving the world, be afraid of these farewells! They have been the ruin of hundreds of hopeful people. They have been almost persuaded, but they have gone to their old companions just to give them the last kiss, and the last shake of the hand, and we have not seen anything more of them.” As soon as I read that, it all made sense. I love God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit. I love being Catholic. I love my religion. However, I do not feel I am over the top, I don't think I am super strict, and I try very hard not to judge people or force my beliefs on others. However, my kids would probably tell you the opposite. They try to talk me out of my religion all the time. This is something people have been doing the whole time my husband was in the military. Protestants would try to convince me that my religion was wrong. I went to a retreat once where people were telling me I didn't have to be Catholic. I understand how difficult it might be to stay strong and follow Jesus back in the day. Jesus's teachings were new, and some were very difficult. Jesus's way was contrary to the way so many people thought. Especially when he would say things that seemed to contradict what the Pharisees and Sadducees were saying. I could see how people would hear Jesus give a sermon, be so on fire, run home, and tell their family members. Then, when their family members start asking questions, and they don't have all the answers, they may start to get afraid. When we are surrounded by people who don't understand what we are feeling or how important it is to us, they may try to persuade us by listing only the negatives. What if  He is not the Messaiah? How are you going to make money while you follow Him around? How will you eat? What if you get caught up in some fight between Him and the Pharisees and Sadducees, or Him and the Roman army? They could have some valid questions, and yet, that is not what matters. What matters is that you are giving all for Jesus, and He will take care of you. However, once they get you to stop and think about these things, you might get cold feet. Once we take our focus off Jesus, it is easy to lose our focus. Jesus often used phrases and parables that would have made so much sense to the people he was talking to. However, to us, they don't always make a lot of sense. I am not a farmer, and so I didn't really understand the phrase, “No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.” Once I read the enduring word commentary this line made so much sense. Here is what I read: (again you can find this on enduringword.com) Jesus stressed to this man the commitment necessary to follow Him. One must have a similar determination as a farmer plowing a field, who must do it with all his strength and always looking forward. “In plowing a field back in that day, a farmer kept the rows straight by focusing on an object in front and in the distance (such as a tree). If the farmer started to plow and kept looking behind, he would never make straight rows and do a good job of plowing. In following Jesus, we are to keep our eyes on Jesus and never take our eyes off Him. “No plowman ever plowed a straight furrow looking back over his shoulder.” (From: William Barclay was a Scottish theologian and author known for his influential Bible commentaries.) Plowmen also do something else of great importance: they hold on. A plowman who lets go is no plowman at all. “Plowmen are not usually learned persons, nor are they often poets in disguise. But there is one virtue they possess preeminently, and that is the virtue of quietly holding to it.” (From: George Morrison, a Scottish Congregational minister who served at Wellington Church, Glasgow, for over 20 years.) More than anyone else, Jesus lived this; He steadfastly set His face to go to Jerusalem (Luke 9:51). Doesn't that verse make so much more sense now? It makes sense that if we take our eyes off Jesus to look back at those we are leaving behind, we may no longer want to go. It makes sense that if we want to follow Jesus, it might cost us something. That is something we might know, but we don't want to think about. Jesus is not being harsh or unkind by saying we can't say goodbye to our loved ones. He is actually being loving and kind because He knows they could convince us to pull away from our true destiny, which is to be right by His side for all of eternity! This week, I will do a few more scripture verses about not looking back because I think so many of us are tormented by our past. So many people look back with regret, sadness, and anger. We might even look back with a longing. We might long for the days when our kids were little or when we seemed happier. God does not want us looking back. So much heartache can come from looking back. We must have a singular focus, Jesus. If we keep looking ahead to Him, life becomes better because we know that no matter how bad things get, our time with Jesus is ahead. Today, I invite you to ask yourself, “Where am I letting other people distract my gaze from Jesus?” Dear Heavenly Father, I love you so much! I ask you to bless all those listening to this episode today. I thank you for leading me to this scripture and to the commentary that helped me understand it. Lord, we ask that you speak to each one of our hearts today. Lord, show us where we are allowing others to take our eyes off of you. Show us how we can keep our focus on you more? Show us where our focus is drifting. We love you, and we want to always be focused on you. Help us, Lord! We ask all of this in accordance with your will and in Jesus's holy name, Amen! Thank you so much for joining me on this journey to walk boldly with Jesus. One reason people may hesitate to join mentoring is the thought, “I'm not holy enough.” Mentoring is not for people who already have it all together; it is for anyone who wants encouragement, support, prayer, and a safe place to grow closer to Jesus. CLICK HERE for more information. I look forward to meeting you here again tomorrow. Remember, Jesus loves you, just as I am, and so do I! Have a blessed day! Today's Word from the Lord was received in October 2025 by a member of my Catholic Charismatic Prayer Group. If you have any questions about the prayer group, these words, or how to join us for a meeting, please email CatholicCharismaticPrayerGroup@gmail.com. Today's Word from the Lord is, “Wrestling with the flesh is a challenge in mankind's lives. It is something that everyone struggles against and with. The saints struggled but claimed victory over it, but not without me. I am a necessary component and the key to your lives. All can and will be conquered and made with me.” www.findingtruenorthcoaching.comCLICK HERE TO DONATECLICK HERE to sign up for Mentoring CLICK HERE to sign up for Daily "Word from the Lord" emailsCLICK HERE to sign up for my newsletter & receive a free audio training about inviting Jesus into your daily lifeCLICK HERE to buy my book Total Trust in God's Safe Embrace

What's the difference between Catholics and Protestants? Discover where these two major streams of Christianity agree—and where they diverge on authority, the Pope, Mary, the sacraments, and salvation. Learn how these differences continue to shape Christian faith and practice today.

Is the Protestant Canon valid? Why do Protestants have 66 books in the Bible while Catholics and Orthodox Christians include additional books in the Old Testament? In this video, we explore the fascinating history of the biblical canon, the development of the Old Testament, and the reasons behind the differences between Protestant, Catholic, and Orthodox Bibles.We'll examine the Deuterocanonical books (also called the Apocrypha), the role of the Septuagint, the Hebrew Scriptures, and how the early Church understood the canon of Scripture. Whether you're a Protestant, Catholic, Orthodox Christian, skeptic, new believer, or someone curious about Jesus and Christianity, this discussion will help you better understand one of the most important questions in Christian history.If you've ever wondered which Bible is correct, why Christians disagree about the Old Testament, or how the canon was formed, this video provides historical context, biblical evidence, and thoughtful analysis. Join us as we dive into church history, Christian apologetics, biblical studies, and the reliability of Scripture.Subscribe for more content on Christianity, theology, church history, apologetics, biblical interpretation, the early Church, and defending the Christian faith.

For many people across Acadiana, Allen & Gooch attorney Troy Broussard is known as a respected litigator and senior partner who has practiced law in Lafayette for more than three decades. But in this episode of Discover Lafayette, listeners meet another side of Troy: novelist, storyteller, songwriter, painter, observer of South Louisiana culture, and thoughtful chronicler of the complicated racial history woven into life in Acadiana. Troy joins us to discuss his recently published novel, Where Lies the Truth, a Southern coming-of-age crime story set against the bayous and backroads of St. Landry Parish. The novel opens in the summer of 1976, when 12-year-old Ezra Brasseaux embarks on what should have been an ordinary hunting trip in the swamps near his hometown. Instead, Ezra stumbles into a world shaped by violence, racial tension, buried secrets, and murder — experiences that haunt him well into adulthood. What unfolds during our conversation is far more than a discussion about writing fiction. Troy reflects candidly on growing up in Eunice during the earliest years of racial integration in St. Landry Parish schools. He describes himself and his classmates as “the guinea pigs,” among the first children thrown together as long-segregated cultures suddenly collided in classrooms and communities. “As I grew older,” Troy explains, “my views of it changed looking at it retrospectively.” He discusses the slow and deeply personal evolution away from what he calls “southern small-town indoctrination,” and how exposure to new people, ideas, and experiences gradually reshaped his understanding of race, prejudice, and human complexity. That emotional and intellectual evolution forms the backbone of Where Lies the Truth. Troy emphasizes that while the novel is entirely fictional, it is heavily inspired by real people, real conversations, and real tensions that shaped South Louisiana life in the 1970s and beyond. “This is not a true story,” he says. “But yes, it is inspired by actual events and actual people.” The story follows Ezra Brasseaux and his closest friends, Giles Poirier and Vance Doiron, as they navigate adolescence in a culturally divided Acadiana landscape. Years later, they are pulled back into the mystery of an unsolved crime involving two young Black victims, forcing them to confront painful truths hidden beneath decades of assumptions and silence. Troy says the novel ultimately explores “the idea of learning, trying to unlearn things you believed had been true your whole life, and realizing that there's another side to the story.” One of the most compelling aspects of our conversation is Troy's nuanced discussion of race in South Louisiana. He argues that Acadiana's cultural history cannot simply be reduced to Black-and-white narratives. Instead, he describes a far more layered social reality involving Cajun Catholics, white Protestants, Creoles, and African Americans — all with their own tensions, identities, and historical wounds. In researching the novel, Troy interviewed people from a wide range of backgrounds and heard stories that profoundly affected him, including accounts of colorism and exclusion that persisted even within Black communities themselves. He shares one striking example involving the “brown paper bag test” still being informally referenced in certain university social circles as recently as a decade ago. The conversation also dives deeply into the creative process itself. Troy spent nearly 15 years writing the novel, beginning the project in his early 40s and finally completing it in his mid-50s. What began as a sprawling 1,200-page manuscript eventually had to be painfully condensed into a publishable form. “The difficult part of the editing was not so much the technology,” Troy explains, “but when you write something and you really immerse yourself in the creative process, what you write kind of becomes like your children.” He jokingly compares the process to “Sophie’s Choice of editing,” where every deleted scene altered timelines, relationships, and emotional continuity throughout the story. Troy credits several influential teachers with shaping his ability to write. He speaks with tremendous affection about Elaine Dumais, his teacher in the gifted program in St. Landry Parish, who first introduced him to creativity and artistic thinking. He also honors his demanding high school English teacher Carol Fuselier, whose relentless standards prepared him not only for law school but ultimately for writing fiction. “I knew how to write because she gave that to me,” Troy says. “She pushed me.” Listeners will especially enjoy hearing Troy describe how characters begin to “write themselves” once a novelist becomes immersed in a story. He explains that dialogue became his favorite part of the process because it allowed him to fully inhabit personalities vastly different from his own — from successful professionals to deeply flawed, struggling characters such as Uncle Nedrick, one of the novel's most memorable voices. The discussion also touches on literary influences, including To Kill a Mockingbird and A Time to Kill. Troy shares how Atticus Finch profoundly shaped his image of what a lawyer should be: someone who works with integrity and seeks justice regardless of public pressure or cultural norms. Beyond writing and law, Troy reveals a rich creative life filled with music, painting, travel, mountain biking, and songwriting. He has written more than 75 songs over the years and remains an avid guitarist with a collection ranging from Martin acoustics to smaller travel guitars perfect for early morning songwriting sessions. He and his wife Beth also share a love for the outdoors and for their energetic Hungarian Vizsla, who frequently joins them on hikes and bike trails. Toward the end of the interview, producer Jason Sikora asks the obvious modern question: could Where Lies the Truth someday become a film or streaming series? Troy laughs at the idea but admits he would welcome the opportunity, even suggesting Paul Rudd as his dream casting choice for Ezra Brasseaux because of his ability to balance seriousness with humor. This episode of Discover Lafayette is ultimately a conversation about memory, identity, truth, and the stories we inherit about ourselves and our communities. Through Where Lies the Truth, Troy Broussard invites readers to confront uncomfortable realities while also recognizing the possibility of growth, empathy, and personal evolution. Listeners can find Where Lies the Truth through Amazon and Barnes & Noble, and follow Troy through his personal Facebook page as he continues sharing news about the book and future projects.

Tonight we're tackling one of the biggest questions in Apologetics, Theology, and the Protestant/Roman Catholic debate: How do you know the Bible is from God? Roman Catholics often ask Protestants, “If two Christians interpret Scripture differently, who decides?” But does Rome actually solve that problem, or merely move it back a step? Unless the pope has given an infallible interpretation of a specific passage, the Roman Catholic still has to interpret Scripture, tradition, councils, catechisms, and magisterial documents for himself—and even when Rome speaks, he still has to interpret Rome. I'll address this from a Reformed, presuppositional worldview, then take your live theology, Bible, Church, evangelism, and Christian worldview questions for 30 minutes.Watch my whole Apologetics Answers playlist here: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLfSpUNYR5qo6sv8Pk8x0tmaq8lLQHHlTm&si=FlnSB-pBhZ6SSaJE==============================♱ SUBSTACK: Read weekly articles to help you learn and grow: https://thethinkinstitute.substack.com/♱ CHURCH TRAINING: Bring an IMPACTFUL weekend training event to your church or ministry ➡️ https://thethink.institute/forchurches♱ SOCIETY: Christian men get equipped for their Christian life, in community. Try out the Hammer & Anvil Society now. Go to https://thethink.institute/society.The easiest method for teaching your kids the faith we can help you learn (catechism): https://thethink.institute/catakids Men: Want to become the worldview leader your family and church need? We provide in-depth education and community for Christian men: https://thethink.institute/societyMy name is Joel Settecase. I'm the president of The Think Institute, NFP. The Think Institute relies on the generous support of our Ministry Partners to pursue our mission. Thank you for your help in preparing thousands of regular believers to explain, share and defend the Christian message all over the world.The Think Institute, NFP is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization (EIN: 88-3225438). Donations to The Think Institute are tax deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law.Donate now: https://thethink.institute/partner

So much sci-fi likes to imagine that humans survive for centuries with some knowledge of classic literature, music, and cultural memory—everything except our religious beliefs. But today we explore a new sci-fi subgenre that dares to suggest the opposite. Faithful priests and other religious heroes of the future may not be wicked villains. In fact, they may be kind of awesome—and potentially fight in powerful mech armor. What is this subgenre some creators call incensepunk?[1. Photo by Rod Long on Unsplash.] Episode sponsors All That Glows by Lauren Smyth Realm Makers 2026 Conference & Expo Author Update from Author Media Descendant Publishing Mission update New at Lorehaven: Stephen is on break for the annual Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference; welcome to any new listeners he met while teaching about fantastical stories there Now we're getting ready for Realm Makers. More on that soon. Subscribe free to get updates and join the Lorehaven Guild Concession stand Stephen and Zack are Protestants, and yet often enjoy fellowship with Catholic friends. Many creators of fantastical fiction, such as J.R.R. Tolkien, come from these other traditions. So we wanted to speak with today's Catholic creators of fantastical stories. We'll be joined today by the staff of Incensepunk Magazine They promise “High tech, high church… science fiction that envisions a future where faith is a living part of culture.” Backstories: Incensepunk staff Jon James, editor-in-chief Jon's work has been published in the Listen: the Sound of Fear anthology, the Killer Queen comics anthology, Recompose Journal, Theme of Absence, and Rehumanize International. His hobbies are as multifarious as the genres he writes in. Follow him: Twitter, bsky, Substack, Website Yuval Kordov, developmental editor Yuval Kordov is a chronically creative nerd, tech professional, husband, and father to two amazing girls. Over the course of his random life, he has been a radio show DJ, produced experimental electronic music, created the world of Dark Legacies®, and built custom mechs with LEGO® bricks. Follow him: Twitter, bsky, Substack, Website Andrew Gillsmith | Marketing Director Andrew Gillsmith is a science fiction writer living in St. Louis, Missouri. He is the author of Our Lady of the Artilects, the Deserted Vineyard series, the Planet Gallywood series, and The Jerusalem Passage. He currently works in publisher development in the programmatic advertising space. He is married to Cheryl and has two young sons, a Great Dane, and a pet rat named Reggie. Follow him: Twitter, Substack 1. Who built the Roman sci-fi roads Exploring foundational sci-fi and fantasy stories from Catholic authors “What we call the Catholic novel isn't necessarily about a Christianized or catholicized world, but simply…one in which the truth as Christians know it has been used as a light to see the world by.” —Flannery O'Connor 2. How the Roman sci-fi road is being rebuilt What Incensepunk does differently than secular, Protestant, or even other Catholic authors “Incensepunk is, at its core, a genre of longing. It desires a world in which traditional faiths and churches play a major role in society. Incensepunk extrapolates Byzantine and Gothic architecture styles into a modern world of skyscrapers and globalization. However, it is not regressive. It doesn't view the past as good and the present as wicked and depraved. Instead, it tries to envision what the world could look like if faith and society were more integrated.” —from the Incensepunk Manifesto 3. Future directions for the Roman sci-fi road How the future is religious “Artificial intelligences do not undergo experiences, do not possess a body, do not feel joy or pain, do not mature through relationships, and do not know from within what love, work, friendship or responsibility mean. Nor do they have a moral conscience, since they do not judge good and evil, grasp the ultimate meaning of situations, or bear responsibility for consequences. They may imitate or even simulate, but they do not understand what they produce, for they lack the affective, relational, and spiritual perspective through which human beings grow in wisdom.” —Pope Leo XIV on X.com Com station Top question for listeners What is your favorite fantastical story featuring a Catholic character? From Victor DiGiovanni in response to Ep. 313: Should Christian-Made Stories Evangelize Nonbelievers? I love that we are in an era of Christian media to where a single book or movie or TV show doesn't have to accomplish all the goals of Christian media.  It always seemed that a “Christian book” or film HAD to have a very straightforward call to action. Next on Fantastical Truth What if the wicked villains did conquer the elves? And what if a young elf-maiden was forced to carry the offspring of one of the invaders? That's the new novel The Rending Cauldron, just brewed by fantasy author and Realm Makers co-founder Rebecca P. Minor. Next week, Becky joins us in the studio to explore tough topics, dark drama, and the expanding worlds of Christian-made fantastical fiction.

Was the Virgin Mary sinless? While the Western debate often pits Catholic dogma against Protestant literalism, the ancient Christian East offers a completely different paradigm. In this episode, we explore how the Eastern Church Fathers view Mary's unique holiness without the Western legal concepts of merit and original sin, and how the theology of the Dormition proves she still required Christ as her Savior.=============Please support the East West series: http://theeastwestseries.com/All the links:The Theological Letters Substack: https://nathanajacobs.substack.com/Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/thenathanjacobspodcastX: https://x.com/NathanJacobsPodFacebook:  https://www.facebook.com/nathanandrewjacobsAcademia: https://cabasilasinstitute.academia.edu/NathanJacobsListen and please review the podcast elsewhere:Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-nathan-jacobs-podcastSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0hSskUtCwDT40uFbqTk3QSRelated Episodes & Material Mentioned:Episode 30 The Virgin Mary Grinch Slayer: https://youtu.be/bTHlv06p9U8?si=43KLlOYXc2QjAVE4Episode 33: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly of Story Telling: https://youtu.be/H7X4Df-KEEc?si=7OV6N3SXStXia9fwTheological Letter on Mary: https://theologicalletters.com/p/on-mary-the-mother-of-god-1-of-2?utm_source=publication-searchFrederica Mathewes-Green: https://substack.com/@fredericamg/note/c-167315534

In Episode 3 of the series Mary in the Dock: Ordinary or Extraordinary?, host Greg Smith puts the Catholic doctrine of Mary as the New Eve on trial. Protestants often object that it's typology overreach with no explicit New Testament warrant, risks elevating Mary at Christ's expense, and developed too late under possible pagan influence. Greg gives the strongest objections a full, fair hearing, then delivers a robust Catholic defense rooted in Genesis 3:15 (the protoevangelium of total enmity between the woman and the serpent), the Annunciation in Luke 1 (Mary's fiat of obedience undoing Eve's disobedience), and the clear teaching of the early Church Fathers like Justin Martyr and Irenaeus writing already in the second century. Far from competing with Christ, the New Eve doctrine is thoroughly Christocentric—it magnifies the redemption won by the New Adam and sets the stage for every other Marian teaching. Listeners serve as the jury in this conversational courtroom discussion that asks the key question: is Mary simply an ordinary woman God used for a moment, or the extraordinary New Eve the Church has proclaimed since the apostolic age? Perfect for curious non-Catholics, Protestant pastors investigating Catholicism, and cradle Catholics deepening their faith. SUPPORT THIS SHOW Considering Catholicism is 100% listener-supported. If this podcast has helped you on your journey, please become a patron today! For as little as $5/month you get: • Every regular episode ad-free and organized into topical playlists • Exclusive bonus content (extra Q&As, Deep-Dive courses, live streams, and more) • My deepest gratitude and a growing community of like-minded listeners ➡️ Join now: https://patreon.com/consideringcatholicism (or tap the Patreon link in your podcast app) One-time gift: Donate with PayPal! CONNECT WITH US • Website & contact form: https://consideringcatholicism.com • Email: consideringcatholicism@gmail.com • Leave a comment on Patreon (I read every one!) RATE & REVIEW If you enjoy the show, please leave a rating (and even better, a review) on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen — it really helps new listeners find us. SHARE THE SHOW Know someone who's curious about Catholicism? Send them a link or share an episode on social media. Thank you! Christus vincit, Christus regnat, Christus imperat.

“How can we achieve perfection?” This question leads to a discussion on the steps we can take to avoid Purgatory, alongside insights on responding to Protestant challenges about Catholic doctrine. Other topics include the relationship between science and belief in God, the purpose of praying the Rosary, and the complexities of Church teachings on birth control. Join the Catholic Answers Live Club Newsletter Invite our apologists to speak at your parish! Visit Catholicanswersspeakers.com Questions Covered: 02:50 – What can we do to reach a level of perfection where we won't have to go to Purgatory? 13:45 – How do we respond to Protestants when they challenge our Catholic doctrine? 22:10 – Is there a good book that addresses the scientific basis for God? My intelligent 22 year old grandson says science prohibits him from believing in God. 30:19 – I'll be starting OCIA soon. Why pray the Rosary when we can go directly to God? And when would I pray the Rosary? It seems like if I just pray the Rosary I'd be giving up the fruitful prayer routine I already have. I wouldn't want to give that up. 41:45 – The verbiage of CCC 2370 regarding birth control, “rendering procreation impossible” puzzles me. I'm not sure how it would apply because both artificial contraception and NFP have similar success rates. 48:29 – What are some of the sins that a regular priest can't absolve? And what should a priest do if someone confesses something illegal?

Justification by faith alone has been called the great doctrine on which the church stands or falls. With the emphasis on justification, many Protestants are guilty of neglecting the important doctrine of sanctification. As Christians strive to rightly understand what the Bible teaches about sanctification, there are many unique challenges this doctrine presents. What is the relationship between faith and works? Does the law have any role to play in the Christian life? How does right motivation affect one's works before God? In this sermon on Romans 13:11–14 titled “Sanctification,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones answers these questions and more. He also alerts to the dangers of antinomianism and legalism. These two defective beliefs work in tandem as people either think the law does not concern them or they reduce the Christian life to outward practice of the law. In this sermon on sanctification, Dr. Lloyd-Jones not only warns about the dangers of an imprecise understanding of sanctification, but also positively makes a biblical case for grounding good works in faith in Christ Jesus. Listen as Dr. Lloyd-Jones uncovers the symptoms of false beliefs about sanctification while providing the biblical treatment that will lead Christians to truly grow in their relationship with God.

Some stories don't fit neatly into a testimony card. Ro Elliott's story is one of them. In this episode, Ro sits down with me to walk through a life marked by unexpected loss, hard-won faith, and the kind of redemption that only makes sense in hindsight.Ro grew up in a tightly-knit Italian Catholic family outside New York City before her father's job transfer landed them in the deeply unfamiliar terrain of East Tennessee where she encountered Protestants, Baptist churches on every corner, and eventually, Jesus. What followed wasn't a neat conversion story. It was a slow unraveling and rebuilding that touched every part of her life, and yet… Ro kept her grip on the God those communities had distorted, asked him hard questions, and found her way back, not just to church, but to genuine healing and community.This conversation is honest, unhurried, and full of the kind of hope that has actually been tested. If you're in the middle of your own hard story, this one's for you.Ro's Website: https://www.roelliottconsulting.com/Ro on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/roelliott/

“Can you help me understand the Catholic focus on Mary?” This question opens a discussion on the role of Mary in Catholicism, addressing why Catholics pray to her rather than solely to God. The conversation also touches on the Catholic version of salvation compared to the Protestant Romans Road and explores the nuances of the Catholic view of heaven. Join the Catholic Answers Live Club Newsletter Invite our apologists to speak at your parish! Visit Catholicanswersspeakers.com Questions Covered: 00:59 – Can you help me understand the Catholic focus on Mary? Why not just pray to God in Jesus' name? 23:03 – The Protestants have Romans Road. Is there a Catholic version of that — a list of quick bullet points on how to get saved? 29:15 – It seems like many Protestants have a kind of flat view of heaven — you are either in or you are out. Is the Catholic view more nuanced than that? 39:58 – I'm a new Catholic. Can you give me advice on how to hear God's voice when we pray?

ABOUT THE EPISODEListen in as David Schrock and Stephen Wellum interview Knox Brown on his COA essays, "Divine Energies: Eastern Orthodoxy's Strangest and Most and Most Important Doctrine" and "All Protestants God to Hell": Eastern Orthodoxy's Official Rejection of the Gospel at the Synod of JerusalemSponsorThis month's sponsor is Grimke Seminary. Pastors are called to care for the church of God that God called them to. So why do seminaries require men to leave their church to pursue theological studies? At Grimké Seminary, you can get Christ-centered, theological training in the Reformed, Protestant tradition, without leaving your local church. They offer a range of pastoral studies for students of all backgrounds to serve your growth in ministry, from a Bachelor's to a Doctor of Ministry.To apply, go to grimkeseminary.org and use the code “christoverall” to have your application fee waived.Timestamps00:37 – Intro04:43 – Knox's Exposure to Eastern Orthodoxy07:10 – Hans Boersma10:46 – Knox's Article on the Doctrine of God13:10 – Essence and Energies17:14 – Explaining How the Energies are Existing Enhypostatically19:56 – What Does Being Canonized Mean?21:40 – How Does This All Relate to the Economic Trinity?24:12 – In EO, How Do We Share in the Energies?29:27 – Sponsor: Grimké Seminary36:37 – The Council of Jerusalem38:57 – Is Cyril Lukaris Still a Saint?40:10 – How Prominent is the Council of Jerusalem?43:45 – Different Weights and Measures on Schism53:40 – Reading the Councils to Know What You Gain and What You Lose in EO57:35 – OutroResources to Click“Divine Energies: Eastern Orthodoxy's Strangest and Most Important Doctrine” – Knox Brown“All Protestants Go to Hell: Eastern Orthodoxy's Official Rejection of the Gospel at the Synod of Jerusalem” – Knox Brown“The Acts and Decrees of the Synod of Jerusalem, Sometimes Called the Council of Bethlehem, Holden under Dositheus, Patriarch of Jerusalem in 1672”“The Delayed Synodical Receptions of the Councils of Jasy (1642) and Jerusalem (1672)” – Craig Truglia“Georgian Orthodox Church” – Wikipedia“When Did Today's Autocephalous Churches Come Into Being?” – Orthodox History“Eastern Orthodox and Oriental Orthodox: What's the Difference?” – TheoriaTheme of the Month: Go West, Young Men: Evaluating the Drift toward Eastern OrthodoxyGive to Support the Work

TWO Anti-Catholic Protestants Convert to Catholicism FOLLOW US:Our Main YouTubeOur Family YouTubeBlog ArticlesFacebook Page hereInstagramTikTokXPinterest4 DIFFERENT WAYS TO SUPPORT THIS MOST IMPORTANT WORK!1. Stripe2. Patreon (only monthly)3. PayPal4. GoFundMe (Billboards) QUESTIONS? https://www.subscribepage.com/e3e8c7WEBSITE (Retreats, Keynotes, Parish Missions, Articles, and more)CHECK OUT OUR T-SHIRTS & MERCH https://catholictruth.org/shop/Like our Tees? Designed by Glorybound Apparel: https://gloryboundco.com/BOOK: Counterfeit Spirituality (Centering Prayer, Yoga, Reiki, Astrology, etc). What is good? What is not? How can we know the difference?)

Check out this great show from May 30, 2024 Bible Study: (1:52) 1 Pt 2:2-5, 9-12 Growing into salvation! Mk 10:46-52 Trust & salvation Letters: (28:00) - Thank you, Father for your views about the Diocese! (30:55) - Catholicism, the Jews, and killing Jesus Word of the Day: Boundary (39:03) Callers: (42:52) - I do the Liturgy of the Hours, I always thought the Feast of Corpus Christi was on a Sunday? (44:53) - Could you explain the Agnus Dei? (45:57) - Guardian Angel Prayer, to light and guard and rule and guide. Could you explain the word 'rule'? (47:23) - Fornication, divorce and remarriage and how is that word interpreted and diff from the Protestants and way they look at it? (49:16) - Conversion process in the early Church, and I'm involved in RCIA, what was it like converting during the Roman times?

“Can salvation happen outside the Church?” This question opens a discussion on the Catholic understanding of salvation, addressing concerns from Protestants about Church teachings. Other topics include navigating a past as a Protestant while exploring Catholicism and the reasoning behind Paul’s letter to the Romans despite Peter’s presence in the city. Join the Catholic Answers Live Club Newsletter Invite our apologists to speak at your parish! Visit Catholicanswersspeakers.com Questions Covered: 02:23 – I have many protestants tell me that they would never become Catholic because the Church teaches salvation outside the Church. 11:38 – I became Protestant in 2021 and am now looking into Catholicism. How do I process my past life? 22:10 – If Peter was in Rome then why did Paul write the letter to the Romans? 34:57 – Do Christian who are hostile to the Catholic Church still have invincible ignorance?

Stephanie Rousselle and guest Dr. Alan Noble discuss living well in today's world by reclaiming forgotten Christian virtues. Drawing from Noble's book, To Live Well, let's consider practical steps Christians can take to thrive amid cultural confusion.According to Noble, we're surrounded by an overwhelming cacophony of voices (social media, celebrities, self-help gurus, even misguided pastors), each offering conflicting advice on how to live a meaningful life. This deluge of ideas leaves many—Christians included—feeling anxious, overwhelmed, and directionless. The key challenge: how do we discern a coherent, godly way of living amid so many broken narratives?Noble suggests reclaiming classic virtues—time-honored character strengths rooted in Christian tradition and Scripture—as a path toward living well. He points out that Protestants, in particular, have neglected these virtues, though historically theologians like Augustine, Aquinas, and Calvin all upheld their value.Practicing these virtues is not about earning favor with God. Instead, Christians live out virtue in grateful response to God's grace, relying on the Spirit's power, and always within community, where we are supported, challenged, and forgiven when we fail.So, let's consider 3 of the 7 virtues Alan Noble offers in his book.1. Prudence (choosing decisively)Prudence means choosing decisively and wisely. In a world obsessed with limitless choice, prudence involves slowing down, humbly discerning reality, seeking what truly glorifies God, deliberate decision-making, and resolute action. Prudence guards against both indecision (paralysis) and the sunk-cost fallacy—stubbornly sticking with poor choices out of pride or prior investment.2. Fortitude (Suffering steadfastly)Modern culture avoids suffering at all costs, but Noble explains that fortitude is about the courage to endure or risk suffering for the sake of the good. Suffering, rightly faced, builds character and produces hope—connecting deeply to the sanctifying work God does in His people. Fortitude enables Christians to move through hardship, trusting that even suffering has purpose.Magnanimity is boldly living into the excellence and gifts God has given, for His glory and the good of others. Pusillanimity, by contrast, is timidity—hiding or burying your God-given talents out of fear. As illustrated in the parable of the talents, God calls each believer to step out in faith and use their gifts with courage.3. Temperance (living moderately)Temperance is the willful restraint from doing everything you can do, especially when surrounded with endless technological, social, and material options. Choosing not to indulge every impulse, but to order choices for God's glory, is countercultural but vital for soul health.When we reorder our perspectives around these timeless virtues, we move from confusion and anxiety toward clarity, purpose, and peace—living as God intended, by His grace and for His glory.ApplicationSelf-examine: Where do you feel confused or pressured by the “heap of broken images” in your life?Practice virtues: Choose to cultivate prudence, fortitude, magnanimity, and temperance, seeking wisdom, courage, excellence, and self-control in daily choices.Pursue community: Remember that virtue grows in fellowship with others; seek relationships that encourage and hold you accountable.Rest in grace: When you fail, rely on God's grace and learn from your mistakes. Embrace the freedom found in Christ's finished work.MORE ABOUT “TO LIVE WELL”You were told to live a meaningful life. But no one ever told you how.Our lives are shaped by contradictions. Competing voices tell us who to be, what to want, and how to live. The result? A fragmented moral imagination. We're handed a thousand broken messages and left to cobble together something resembling a life. But instead of clarity, we get exhaustion. Instead of wisdom, we get anxiety.This leaves you asking yourself How can I get through when I feel alone and confused? How can I live well in this broken and chaotic world?In To Live Well, Alan Noble shows you how you can not only endure but flourish in life. Through exploring the seven virtues of prudence, justice, fortitude, temperance, faith, hope, and love, you'll learn how tochoose gracefully,act justly,suffer steadfastly,live moderately,believe soundly,hope resolutely, andlove rightly.This book won't give you a ten-step plan to fix everything. It doesn't promise clarity overnight. But it will invite you into something deeper: an ancient, time-tested path of habits of heart and mind that shape who we are and how we live.With honesty, theological depth, and a mentor's heart, Noble names your confusion and offers an antidote―not by escaping the mess but by learning how to live faithfully within it. If you've ever longed for something solid in a world that just wants to sell you more temporary stuff, To Live Well is a good place to begin.Do you feel the pain and pressure of spiritual exhaustion? Do you feel unworthy despite consistent effort? Do you lack joy in your personal faith? Do you desire practical, daily rhythms that sustain delight in God?  That's why I wrote "Awaken Delight." It will help you (re)discover:1-Delight in God is identity-shaping, not emotion-driven. Delight in God is not fleeting emotion but resilient identity.2-Delight in God is altogether trust, satisfaction in God, relational intimacy with Him. Delight in God is often expressed and grown through resilient joy under suffering.3-Jesus is the center of every endeavor to delight in God.These are some of the truths we ponder together through my book, Awaken Delight."Awaken Delight" is a theologically grounded spiritual formation book for thoughtful believers who feel spiritually fatigued, and ready to embrace the reality of delight in God.Find out more at https://www.gospelspice.com/awakendelight Support us on Gospel Spice, PayPal and Venmo!

Protestants affirm that we're justified by faith alone. But where does our faith come from? Do we muster it up, or does God give it to us? Today, R.C. Sproul shows that these questions go back much earlier than the Reformation. Get an exclusive Renewing Your Mind journal and R.C. Sproul's video teaching series God Alone with your donation. You'll receive the DVD, digital access to all 10 messages, and the digital study guide: https://gift.renewingyourmind.org/   Live outside the U.S. and Canada? Receive the digital teaching series and study guide with your donation: https://www.renewingyourmind.org/global   Meet Today's Teacher:   R.C. Sproul (1939–2017) was founder of Ligonier Ministries, first minister of preaching and teaching at Saint Andrew's Chapel, first president of Reformation Bible College, and executive editor of Tabletalk magazine. Renewing Your Mind is a donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Explore all of our podcasts: https://www.ligonier.org/podcasts

Can suffering or illness in our family be a punishment from God for our sins? In this episode of Catholic Answers Live, Catholic Answers apologists address this difficult and deeply personal question before exploring a wide range of theological and pastoral topics. The discussion covers whether Catholics may hold the Genesis Gap Theory, how the Church can better evangelize people with disabilities, and why Catholic teaching on the death penalty has developed over time. Additional questions examine the extraordinary endurance of St. Paul, the purpose of offering prayer intentions with the Rosary, why Catholicism claims to be more than just another denomination, and why sacramental confession is necessary before receiving Holy Communion in certain situations. A thoughtful conversation on suffering, grace, Church authority, and the sacraments. Join the Catholic Answers Live Club Newsletter Invite our apologists to speak at your parish! Visit Catholicanswersspeakers.com Questions Covered:  01:12 – Is it possible that God punishes my continuous sin through my son’s disease?    04:19 – Can a Catholic hold to the Genesis Gap Theory? Or is it heretical?   12:41 – How can the Church evangelize to those with disabilities? What are good resources that can help me get started?    19:28 – Can we in good conscience support the death penalty? I can’t seem to understand why the church changed this. In theory can’t the church's teaching on this revert?    28:37 – Is there a miraculous quality to St. Paul recovering from the stoning at Lystra or from all of the other beatings he suffered? It seems any number of the rods, stonings, etc. could have disabled him and made his long-distance travel impossible.    32:49 – How does setting a prayer intention before praying a rosary differ from just praying for that intention directly without praying a rosary, does it have something to do with the merit involved with praying a rosary? Thank you!    36:40 – Why can't Catholicism be just another denomination among the denominations? I think Protestants see Catholicism as a Christian denomination, thus no need to make the move if they are already happy where they are.   43:02 – If priests have the sacramental power to ordain, why has this actually happened so rarely in Church history?    46:50 – Why is it mandatory to go to a priest for confession before one can go for Holy Communion. Why isn’t going to God directly sufficient for this?  If someone sits on his seat because he hasn’t gone for confession, everyone would see that he hasn’t gone to confession, it would elicit some kind of shame on this person.