Source: https://www.podbean.com/eau/pb-xrarz-189e4e6 In this episode, Greg Smith dives into Flannery O’Connor’s bold claim: “If it’s only a symbol, to hell with it.” Reflecting on his own conversion and a pivotal moment on Ireland’s Skellig Michael, Greg explores why the reality of Catholic sacraments and aesthetics matters. He critiques three groups—liberal…
Source: https://www.podbean.com/eau/pb-pcukv-188dc1c Pope Francis' funeral will be held on Saturday, April 26, 2025 at St. Peter's Basilica. But he has chosen to be buried in another church, the Basilica of St. Mary Major on the Esquiline Hill in central Rome. This magnificent basilica, founded in 432 AD, is the home…
Source: https://www.podbean.com/eau/pb-72d3a-187f650 This was the 13th episode of Considering Catholicism, way back in 2022. Since then, the challenges to a biblical and Catholic understanding of the human person and the resurrection have grown more dramatic. Just one year ago, in 2024, the United States Government declared March 31, Easter, to…
Source: https://www.podbean.com/eau/pb-wrpa3-1870f99 Is the world overpopulated, or are we facing a demographic free fall? In this episode, Greg and Ed dive into the startling reality of population collapse, debunking the overpopulation myth with hard numbers—like the critical 2.3 replacement rate—and real-world stats from nations like Japan and South Korea. They…
Source: https://www.podbean.com/eau/pb-66ebz-186794c The Good Samaritan: just a call to help the needy? Explore a 2,000-year-old Catholic twist—Christ as rescuer, the Church as refuge. The road from Jerusalem to Jericho might lead to Rome, revealing salvation’s depth beyond morality. A surprising ride awaits! Support this ministry so more people can consider…
Source: https://www.podbean.com/eau/pb-4rkw5-1848926 Catholic leaders—priests, bishops, even popes—sometimes share their opinions about various political issues. Some Catholics and those considering Catholicism often wonder, "Do I have to agree with them?" Greg and Ed ask whether all Catholics have to all have the same politics. Support this ministry so more people can…
Source: https://www.podbean.com/eau/pb-j97rd-182e8e5 Lent is a time of self-denial, which is a feature (not a bug) of ancient Christianity. It's a form of "asceticism," which Protestants and Evangelicals abandoned. Greg explains what asceticism is, and why sometimes telling ourselves no is a yes to God. Support this ministry so more people…
Source: https://www.podbean.com/eau/pb-qqby5-1822d64 Pope Francis has been in the hospital for a couple of weeks. We are praying for his recovery, but it raises the question: what happens when a pope passes? Greg and Ed talk about the process of papal transitions. Support this ministry so more people can consider Catholicism!…
Source: https://www.podbean.com/eau/pb-fmsst-180ec1c The whole Faith vs. Works debate really kicked off in 1517, when Martin Luther complained about the Catholic Church charging German peasants money for something called "indulgences." Since then, Protestants will pull this out as a kind of trump card: "The Catholic Church sells salvation through indulgences! That…
Source: https://www.podbean.com/eau/pb-zud4a-17f858d Greg and Ed discuss their friend Danny, who is going through an extremely difficult experience. Ed realizes that before he began considering Catholicism, he didn't really have a way to make sense of this kind of suffering, but he's begun to see the value in it. Greg explains…
Source: https://www.podbean.com/eau/pb-3vcn4-17e9c0a Protestants teach that we have "imputed righteousness" because Christ, in a one-time legal transaction, swaps our guilt and debt for his innocence and perfect credit score. Based on the totality of scripture, Catholicism (and all its ancient branches) teaches *infused* righteousness. We are gifted new life planted in…
Source: https://www.podbean.com/eau/pb-hnihu-17cf414 Greg takes the tired old cliche that Catholicism is a works-based religion in which we earn our way to heaven on our own steam. In this first installment of a series-within-a-series, he looks at some Bible stories that illustrate the Catholic position. Support this ministry so more people…
Source: https://www.podbean.com/eau/pb-gk9da-17c0a66 This is the 300th episode of the podcast, released almost to the day on the third anniversary of the show. Greg explains that so many arguments with Protestants are endless and result in frustration because Protestants play "Proof Text Poker." Catholics make the mistake of trying to play…
Source: https://www.podbean.com/eau/pb-mkix8-17ae7b8 Protestant apologists like Wesley Huff claim that the Roman Catholic Church didn't exist in ancient times, that the early church was a sort of nondenominational, generic Christianity, a sort of proto-Protestantism. Greg responds by pointing out this involves both category (verbal sleight of hand) and factual errors, and…
Source: https://www.podbean.com/eau/pb-aepiz-1710cde The author J.R.R. Tolkien was not only one of the greatest storytellers of the 20th century, he was also a devout Catholic. In a letter to his son, he described, "the one great thing to love on this earth." Greg explain what it is, and why. Support this…
Source: https://www.podbean.com/eau/pb-rduk8-177da79 From the podcast vault, this is Greg's annual response to something that blows Protestant minds: Catholicism kicks off the new calendar year with the Solemnity Feast of Mary, the Mother of God. Why? To the Protestant mind, this is just paganism and idolatry. They ask, "How did the…
Source: https://www.podbean.com/eau/pb-ezsk7-177da55 Every Christmas, we revisit this classic episode from the Considering Catholicism Podcast. Greg, Ed, and Cory discuss the disappearance of genuine Christmas carols. Why haven't any new ones been written in more than 100 years? How does it reflect changes in Christianity and the broader culture in the…
Source: https://www.podbean.com/eau/pb-8m9wj-1771313 Lords a leaping? Maids a milking? Partridges in pear trees? What's the "12 Days of Christmas" and what does it have to do with Catholicism? Greg and Ed explain why Catholic Christmas lasts 12 days and what happens during them. Support this ministry so more people can consider…
Source: https://www.podbean.com/eau/pb-9ct2u-171107d Every year, the Catholic Church celebrates the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Ed asks what this doctrine means and why it matters so very much. Support this ministry so more people can consider Catholicism! Website: https://www.consideringcatholicism.com/ Email: consideringcatholicism@gmail.com
Source: https://www.podbean.com/eau/pb-ybbbj-174cdaf
Source: https://www.podbean.com/eau/pb-iatug-1740dfb Catholics talk about the "Sacred Heart of Jesus." There are images, paintings, and devotional prayers dedicated to it, and Pope Francis just released a 30,000 word encyclical about it. To Protestants or American Evangelicals, the language and images feel kind of weird. But what is it? Greg and…
Source: https://www.podbean.com/eau/pb-mtt4i-1710cd1 The Catholic Church teaches that in addition to Heaven and Hell, there is a third possible destination for a soul upon death: Purgatory. Protestants reject this, but most don't really understand what Purgatory is and why it is vital to God's justice and the soul's journey toward full…
Source: https://www.podbean.com/eau/pb-dij46-16d2f08 A common objection to religious faith or belief in anything supernatural is that "Science" has disproved that there is anything outside of the material universe. This objection is often delivered with mockery and condescension for those ignorant fools clinging to religion. In this episode, Greg says, "Wait a…
Source: https://www.podbean.com/eau/pb-3fhyp-16c8f58 Greg describes one of the most troublesome afflictions that a Christian can face, what it can do to you, and how to overcome it. Support this ministry so more people can consider Catholicism! Website: https://www.consideringcatholicism.com/ Email: consideringcatholicism@gmail.com Follow Greg on X/Twitter: https://x.com/ConsideringCath
