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

Episodes

July 28, 2022

Book Club: Is ’The Lord of the Rings’ the Greatest Catholic Story of the 20th Century? (#37)

Some argue that the novels of JRR Tolkien, particularly his 'Lord of the Rings' trilogy, are the greatest Catholic novels of the 20th Century. Generations of converts to Catholicism have cited it as an important step on their...
Book Club: Is ’The Lord of the Rings’ the Greatest Catholic Story of the 20th Century? (#37)
Considering Catholicism
Book Club: Is ’The Lord of the Rings’ the Greatest Catholic Story of the 20th Century? (#37)
July 25, 2022

Welcome to ”Book Club!” What Makes a Story ”Catholic?” (#36)

We're launching a new recurring feature on the podcast: "Book Club." In this first installment, Cory and I talk about what, exactly, makes a story "Catholic."
Welcome to ”Book Club!” What Makes a Story ”Catholic?”  (#36)
Considering Catholicism
Welcome to ”Book Club!” What Makes a Story ”Catholic?” (#36)
July 21, 2022

A Protestant Asks About the Virgin Mary (#35)

My Protestant friend Ed finally got around to asking me about the biggest problem that Protestants have with Catholicism: the Virgin Mary.
A Protestant Asks About the Virgin Mary (#35)
Considering Catholicism
A Protestant Asks About the Virgin Mary (#35)
July 18, 2022

A Culture of Life? Or a Culture of Death? (#33)

I was asked to speak at a conference just a few days after the U.S. Supreme Court handed down the Dobbs decision. Here's what I said.
A Culture of Life? Or a Culture of Death? (#33)
Considering Catholicism
A Culture of Life? Or a Culture of Death? (#33)
July 15, 2022

What Happened to Catholicism in America Over the Last 50 Years? Part 2 (#32)

Part 2 of a two-part episode exploring how and why the Catholic Church in America has shrunk and Catholicism has lost influence over the last half century. (Episodes 26-27.)
What Happened to Catholicism in America Over the Last 50 Years? Part 2 (#32)
Considering Catholicism
What Happened to Catholicism in America Over the Last 50 Years? Part 2 (#32)
July 15, 2022

July 2022 Update (#31)

It's been exactly 30 days since the last episode released. An update on what's been going on, what's happening, and what's ahead for Considering Catholicism.
July 2022 Update (#31)
Considering Catholicism
July 2022 Update (#31)
June 14, 2022

What Happened to Catholicism in America Over the Last 50 Years? Part 1 (#30)

Over the last half century, the Catholic Church in America has shrunk and Catholicism has lost influence. Why? Part 1 of a two-part episode.
What Happened to Catholicism in America Over the Last 50 Years? Part 1 (#30)
Considering Catholicism
What Happened to Catholicism in America Over the Last 50 Years? Part 1 (#30)
June 7, 2022

Are Catholics Really Christians? (#29)

Greg's Protestant friend Ed brings up all the arguments that he's heard that Catholicism isn't real Christianity.
Are Catholics Really Christians? (#29)
Considering Catholicism
Are Catholics Really Christians? (#29)
June 2, 2022

Worldviews: Plastic Modernity (#28)

This installment of the Worldviews series asks whether we can make our lives, and our world, anything we want it to be through the power of technology.
Worldviews: Plastic Modernity (#28)
Considering Catholicism
Worldviews: Plastic Modernity (#28)
May 31, 2022

Why Do Catholics Have Cathedrals? (#27)

What makes cathedrals special? And how do they fit into the life of the Catholic Church?
Why Do Catholics Have Cathedrals? (#27)
Considering Catholicism
Why Do Catholics Have Cathedrals? (#27)
May 26, 2022

Explaining the Saints to a Protestant (#26)

Is Catholic devotion to the saints pagan idolatry? Greg and his Protestant friend Ed talk about the saints.
Explaining the Saints to a Protestant (#26)
Considering Catholicism
Explaining the Saints to a Protestant (#26)
May 23, 2022

Explaining Confession to a Protestant (#25)

Greg and his Protestant friend Ed talk about the sacrament of confession and reconciliation.
Explaining Confession to a Protestant (#25)
Considering Catholicism
Explaining Confession to a Protestant (#25)
May 18, 2022

From Belize to Michigan to New York City (#24)

A conversation with the new president of the Paulist Fathers, Father René Constanza, about his journey of faith and the Paulist mission of evangelization and culture to the people of North America.
From Belize to Michigan to New York City (#24)
Considering Catholicism
From Belize to Michigan to New York City (#24)
May 16, 2022

Worldviews: Moralistic Therapeutic Deism (#23)

This second installment in the Worldviews series examines a "nice" God whose primary purpose is to make you happy, on your terms.
Worldviews: Moralistic Therapeutic Deism (#23)
Considering Catholicism
Worldviews: Moralistic Therapeutic Deism (#23)
May 12, 2022

Church Music: Catholic vs. Protestant, Part 2 (#22)

What are some of the practical challenges that church musicians face when planning and leading worship in their congregations? In this second part of the conversation between Ed and Audrey, they talk about volunteers, expecta...
Church Music: Catholic vs. Protestant, Part 2 (#22)
Considering Catholicism
Church Music: Catholic vs. Protestant, Part 2 (#22)
May 10, 2022

Church Music: Catholic vs. Protestant, Part 1 (#21)

How and why is the music different in Catholic and Protestant churches? Part 1 of a conversation with two experienced professionals, one from each tradition. Ed Schief, representing Evangelical Protestantism and Audrey Thomas...
Church Music: Catholic vs. Protestant, Part 1 (#21)
Considering Catholicism
Church Music: Catholic vs. Protestant, Part 1 (#21)
May 6, 2022

Worldviews: Marxism (#18)

A new feature on the podcast, "Worldviews" will explore the major competitors to the Catholic Christian worldview. This first installment explains why Marxism is fundamentally incompatible with Christianity.
Worldviews: Marxism (#18)
Considering Catholicism
Worldviews: Marxism (#18)
May 3, 2022

Why Would a Teenager Convert to Catholicism? (#20)

Meet Devin Jenkins, an 18 year-old high school senior who discovered, considered, and converted to Catholicism. He shares why, and what the Church should do to reach more young people.
Why Would a Teenager Convert to Catholicism? (#20)
Considering Catholicism
Why Would a Teenager Convert to Catholicism? (#20)
May 1, 2022

”Dear Disinformation Governance Board...” (#19)

My open letter to Nina Jankowicz, director of the new Disinformation Governance Board in the Department of Homeland Security.
”Dear Disinformation Governance Board...” (#19)
Considering Catholicism
”Dear Disinformation Governance Board...” (#19)
April 29, 2022

A Protestant Reacts to His First Mass (#17)

I finally took my Protestant friend Ed to his first Catholic mass. Afterward, over tacos, he shared his impressions.
A Protestant Reacts to His First Mass  (#17)
Considering Catholicism
A Protestant Reacts to His First Mass (#17)
April 25, 2022

Explaining the Catholic Mass to a Protestant, Part 2 (#15)

Part 2 of explaining the mass to my Protestant friend Ed before he experiences it for the first time at the cathedral.
Explaining the Catholic Mass to a Protestant, Part 2  (#15)
Considering Catholicism
Explaining the Catholic Mass to a Protestant, Part 2 (#15)
April 22, 2022

Movie Review of ”Father Stu” (#16)

There's a new movie out for Easter 2022: "Father Stu." It's the true story of a very unusual Catholic priest. I took my Protestant friend Ed to see it. Here's our review, and thoughts about its Catholic message.
Movie Review of ”Father Stu” (#16)
Considering Catholicism
Movie Review of ”Father Stu” (#16)
April 18, 2022

Explaining the Catholic Mass to a Protestant, Part 1 (#14)

Another Church Chat with my Protestant friend, Ed. He's agreed to come to a mass with me at the cathedral. But we got together first so I could prepare him by explaining the purpose and form of the mass to him. But the conver...
Explaining the Catholic Mass to a Protestant, Part 1 (#14)
Considering Catholicism
Explaining the Catholic Mass to a Protestant, Part 1 (#14)
April 14, 2022

Easter in a World Gone Trans? (#13)

Easter is heart of the Christian message. Transgender ideology is in the news every single day. Can these two concepts be reconciled?
Easter in a World Gone Trans? (#13)
Considering Catholicism
Easter in a World Gone Trans? (#13)