Twenty Centuries. Twenty-Four Timezones. Two Hemispheres. One Church.

Doctrine Episodes

Seven Deadly Sins: Wrath (#117)
April 26, 2023

Seven Deadly Sins: Wrath (#117)

Greg and Ed the Protestant continue their exploration of the Seven Deadly Sins, this time discussing wrath, how it differs from anger, how it takes control of a life, and how the corresponding virtue of meekness does not mean...
Seven Deadly Sins: Envy (#116)
April 23, 2023

Seven Deadly Sins: Envy (#116)

Greg and Ed the Protestant continue their discussion of the Seven Deadly Sins. In this episode, they look at envy, how it differs from jealousy, and how it is second only to pride as a rejection of God.
The Seven Deadly Sins: Pride (#115)
April 19, 2023

The Seven Deadly Sins: Pride (#115)

Greg and Ed the Protestant explore the first of the seven deadly sins, pride. It comes first because it is the capital sin, the source from which the other six flow. Then they discuss the antidote that Catholicism prescribes:...
The Seven Deadly Sins: Introduction (#114)
April 16, 2023

The Seven Deadly Sins: Introduction (#114)

Greg and Ed the Protestant begin a series of episodes exploring the classic Catholic list of the Seven Deadly Sins. In this introduction, they discuss what "deadly sins" are, why they are called that, where the list came from...
Easter and ”Brother Sun, Sister Moon” (#112)
April 9, 2023

Easter and ”Brother Sun, Sister Moon” (#112)

One of the monumental works of Catholic poetry is St. Francis of Assisi's "Canticle of the Creatures" (the "Brother Sun, Sister Moon" poem). Greg and Cory reflect on what this poem really means in light of the Resurrection.
Does the Virgin Mary Really Appear to People? (#107)
March 29, 2023

Does the Virgin Mary Really Appear to People? (#107)

Ed asks Greg about appearances of the Virgin Mary, which seem pretty sketchy to Protestants. Greg explains Catholic doctrine, belief, and practice around "Marian Apparitions." This podcast is a nonprofit ministry. Please cons...
The “H-Word” (#109)
March 21, 2023

The “H-Word” (#109)

In the final installment of their conversation about faith, belief, and doctrine, Greg and Cory tackle the H-Word: heresy. What is it? Is it mean or unfair to call someone a heretic? When do our beliefs cross some line and be...
How Far Can the Faith be Bent? (#108)
March 19, 2023

How Far Can the Faith be Bent? (#108)

Step by step, our cultural influencers keep moving the boundary markers of the faith. They say they aren’t changing Christianity, just enlarging or adapting it to the modern world. But at what point does it simply become a di...
When Isn’t it Christianity Anymore? (#104)
March 15, 2023

When Isn’t it Christianity Anymore? (#104)

Step by step, our cultural influencers keep moving the boundary markers of the faith. They say they aren’t changing Christianity, just enlarging or adapting it to the modern world. But at what point does it simply become a di...
Does Doctrine Even Matter Anymore? (#103)
March 12, 2023

Does Doctrine Even Matter Anymore? (#103)

Does it even matter what we believe anymore? In 21st century Christianity, isn’t what we do more important than what we believe? Is your “conscience” and spiritual intuition the supreme authority? The first of three episodes ...
What is Hell? (#100)
March 1, 2023

What is Hell? (#100)

What is Hell? Why would God send anyone there? Didn't the Catholic Church just make it up to scare people into obeying? Greg and Ed continue their discussion of the "Last Things." This podcast is a nonprofit ministry. Please ...
What is Purgatory? (#99)
Feb. 26, 2023

What is Purgatory? (#99)

What is Purgatory? If Jesus saves us by grace, why should anyone go there? And if it isn't mentioned in the Bible, did the Medieval Catholic Church just invent it? Greg and Ed continue their conversations about the "Last Thin...
What is Heaven? (#98)
Feb. 22, 2023

What is Heaven? (#98)

What is heaven? What would it be like? And why would you want to go there? Also, will your dog or cat get to go with you? Greg and Ed continue exploring the "Last Things" of Catholicism. This podcast is a nonprofit ministry. ...
Why Not “Mere Christianity?” (#93)
Jan. 29, 2023

Why Not “Mere Christianity?” (#93)

On the first anniversary episode of this podcast, Greg explains to Ed why he asks listeners to consider Catholicism rather than C.S. Lewis-style "mere" or generic Christianity: because mere Christianity is inadequate for the ...
Faith and Reason (#90)
Jan. 19, 2023

Faith and Reason (#90)

Greg and Cory discuss the legacy of the recently-departed Pope Benedict XVI, focusing on his encouragement to "be not confused" by the false conflict between faith and reason, religion and science, or the various intellectual...
Why Am I A Catholic? Part 2 of 2 (#81)
Dec. 29, 2022

Why Am I A Catholic? Part 2 of 2 (#81)

This is the second of a two-part episode in which Greg, Cory, and Ed the Protestant discuss G.K. Chesterton's famous essay, "Why I Am A Catholic." You can listen to the first have of their conversation in Episode #75. And you...
Why Am I A Catholic? Part 1 of 2 (#80)
Dec. 26, 2022

Why Am I A Catholic? Part 1 of 2 (#80)

Greg brought Ed the Protestant and Cory Lakatos together on the podcast for the first time to discuss G.K. Chesterton's famous essay, "Why I Am A Catholic." You can read the essay on the ConsideringCatholicism.com website. Th...
How Catholic Can I Be Without Being Catholic? (#71)
Dec. 12, 2022

How Catholic Can I Be Without Being Catholic? (#71)

After considering Catholicism for a year, Greg's Protestant friend Ed shares where he's at, whether he's ready to enter the Catholic Church, and asks, "How Catholic can I be without actually becoming Catholic?"
The Eucharist vs. Guardian Angels? (#75)
Dec. 5, 2022

The Eucharist vs. Guardian Angels? (#75)

When people stop believing in the Church's central doctrines, they don't believe in nothing: they pick and choose, like in a cafeteria line, and make themselves a plate of pleasing doctrines to suit their own personal tastes.
Luther, Calvin, and Catholicism (#47)
Nov. 24, 2022

Luther, Calvin, and Catholicism (#47)

Greg and Cory explore the differences between Lutheranism and Calvinism, and how the road to Rome differs depending on whether you begin in Germany or Geneva.
Cracking The Protestant Worldview (#67)
Nov. 14, 2022

Cracking The Protestant Worldview (#67)

Greg and Cory discuss the "Five Solas," the framework that supports the Protestant worldview and keeps Catholicism at a distance…and how cracks can form in that worldview.
Why Do Catholics Keep Relics of the Saints? (#43)
Nov. 7, 2022

Why Do Catholics Keep Relics of the Saints? (#43)

For Protestants and other non-Catholics, relics are one of, if not the, weirdest things about Catholicism. Why do Catholics have and treasure relics -- bits of bodies and clothing -- of the saints?
Holy Water? Statues? Candles? Weird? Nope! Sacramentals. (#48)
Nov. 3, 2022

Holy Water? Statues? Candles? Weird? Nope! Sacramentals. (#48)

Greg and Cory discuss "sacramentals" (not sacraments), objects and devotional practice which have been blessed by the Church.
The Communion of the Saints (#66)
Oct. 20, 2022

The Communion of the Saints (#66)

On the fall equinox, Greg and Ed venture into deep, piney woods and discuss the present and future hope represented by "the Communion of the Saints."