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

Episodes

55
Sept. 8, 2022

The Miracle of Consecration (#55)

In this ongoing series on the Eucharist, Greg and Cory talk about miracles, how the priest acts in the person of Christ, and the invocation of the Holy Spirit during the mass.
The Miracle of Consecration (#55)
Considering Catholicism
The Miracle of Consecration (#55)
54
Sept. 5, 2022

The Eucharist and the Metaphysics of the Mass (#54)

Every Catholic mass is nothing short of a miracle. As part of our series on the Eucharist, Greg and Cory discuss how the field of "metaphysics" helps us to wrap our minds around how the supernatural intervenes in the natural world during the celebration of the mass.
The Eucharist and the Metaphysics of the Mass (#54)
Considering Catholicism
The Eucharist and the Metaphysics of the Mass (#54)
53
Sept. 1, 2022

The Eucharist, Scripture, and Suppers (#53)

The whole Old Testament points towards the Gospel, and so it is full of hints, clues, and foreshadows of the Eucharist. Part of the series of episodes on the Eucharistic Revival.
The Eucharist, Scripture, and Suppers (#53)
Considering Catholicism
The Eucharist, Scripture, and Suppers (#53)
51
Aug. 29, 2022

Practical Benefits of the Catholic Life (#51)

Ed asks Greg, "If I become Catholic, how will it make my life better in the here and now?" (Part 3 of 3 about Salvation).
Practical Benefits of the Catholic Life (#51)
Considering Catholicism
Practical Benefits of the Catholic Life (#51)
50
Aug. 25, 2022

Can We Lose Our Salvation? (#50)

Ed asks Greg if Catholics can lose their salvation once they join the Church (Part 2 of 3 about Salvation).
Can We Lose Our Salvation? (#50)
Considering Catholicism
Can We Lose Our Salvation? (#50)
49
Aug. 22, 2022

Protestant Anxiety vs. Catholic Comfort (#49)

Greg and Ed compare Protestant anxiety about being saved to the comfort of Catholicism (Part 1 of 3 about Salvation).
Protestant Anxiety vs. Catholic Comfort (#49)
Considering Catholicism
Protestant Anxiety vs. Catholic Comfort (#49)
44
Aug. 18, 2022

Why Is the Eucharist So Important to Catholics? (#44)

In the first of a series of lessons on the Eucharist, Greg explains why it's such big deal to Catholics when it's only a medium-sized deal to Protestant Evangelicals.
Why Is the Eucharist So Important to Catholics? (#44)
Considering Catholicism
Why Is the Eucharist So Important to Catholics? (#44)
40
Aug. 15, 2022

Making the Eucharist Matter Again (#40)

The bishops of America are deeply concerned that too few Catholics understand, believe in, or take the Eucharist in a "coherent" way. And so, they have launched a three-year "Eucharistic Revival." In this first episode in a regular feature on the Eucharist, Cory and I discuss the why, what, and how of this revival.
Making the Eucharist Matter Again (#40)
Considering Catholicism
Making the Eucharist Matter Again (#40)
41
Aug. 11, 2022

Book Club: A Tale of Two Priests (#41)

Graham Greene's The Power and the Glory and Shusaku Endo's Silence both tell the story of a persecuted Catholic priest forced to choose between martyrdom and apostasy. In this installment of Book Club, Cory and I explore how the two novels are mirror images that explore the same theme with inverted characters and plots.
Book Club: A Tale of Two Priests (#41)
Considering Catholicism
Book Club: A Tale of Two Priests (#41)
42
Aug. 8, 2022

What Does it Mean to ”Be Catholic?” (#42)

Who is, or isn't, "Catholic?" What do you have to believe or do to "be Catholic?" What about people who don't or won't do those things? Are they still Catholic?
What Does it Mean to ”Be Catholic?” (#42)
Considering Catholicism
What Does it Mean to ”Be Catholic?” (#42)
39
Aug. 4, 2022

More Protestant Questions About the Pope: Can He Just Make Stuff Up? (#39)

In Episode 32, I answered Ed's question, "Why do Catholics have a pope?" But we kept going, and covered the everything from whether the pope can make up new doctrines, to megachurch pastors, to why Pope Francis seems to meddle in politics, and whether papal infallibility means he can tell me who will win the Super Bowl.
More Protestant Questions About the Pope: Can He Just Make Stuff Up? (#39)
Considering Catholicism
More Protestant Questions About the Pope: Can He Just Make Stuff Up? (#39)
38
Aug. 1, 2022

A Protestant Asks, ”Why Do Catholics Have a Pope?” (#38)

Ed asked why Catholics have a pope, which seems crazy to them. I gave him an answer that most "cradle Catholics" wouldn't typically give.
A Protestant Asks, ”Why Do Catholics Have a Pope?” (#38)
Considering Catholicism
A Protestant Asks, ”Why Do Catholics Have a Pope?” (#38)
37
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 Road to Rome--including Cory and I. In this installment of Book Club, we share why.
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)
36
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)
35
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)
33
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)
32
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)
31
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)
30
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)
29
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)
28
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)
27
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)
26
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)
25
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)