In this episode of The Cordial Catholic, I’m joined by Erick Ybarra, Catholic re-vert from Protestantism, author, and blogger to unpack his conversion story. Erick was raised Catholic, left for a Reformed Baptist church after an encounter with a university roommate, but came back to the Catholic Church, by way of Anglicanism, after he began an earnest search for the “true church” founded by Christ. Erick is an incredible guy and his faith journey is amazing. Erick’s search for truth… Read more
In this episode of The Cordial Catholic, I’m joined by Dr. Brett Salkeld, Archdiocesan Theologian for the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Regina, author, and the co-host of the Thinking Faith podcast to discuss the Eucharist, the Real Presence, and Transubstantiation – with a special emphasis on how Evangelicals can understand this incredible belief, and how Catholics can explain it better. We discuss the Early Church’s belief in the Real Presence, what happened to change (and not change!) beliefs during the… Read more
In this episode of The Cordial Catholic, I’m joined by celebrated Catholic author, academic, and columnist Randy Boyagoda to talk about the Catholic imagination. How should Catholics uniquely see and interact with the world around them? How do Catholics truly live out their faith in the Public Square? What do authentic Catholics have to contribute to discussions within and outside of the Church? For more from Randy Boyagoda check out any of his fantastic books on Amazon or your local… Read more
In this episode of The Cordial Catholic, I’m joined by the one-and-only Rod Bennett, author and Early Church historian extraordinaire, to talk about the earliest witnesses to the Christian Church – the Early Church Fathers – and how they describe the worship, faith, and beliefs of the very first Christians … and who look very Catholic indeed! We’ll dig into evidence for belief in baptismal regeneration, the Eucharist and Real Presence of Christ, bishops and apostolic succession, and the primacy… Read more
To say that 2021 has been a strange year would be the understatement of a century but in spite of a raging global pandemic – hitherto unknown since the time of Moses – I’ve been privileged, here at the show, to have had some incredible conversations with wonderful Catholic thinkers, writers, and converts from all over the world. Here’s a round-up of some of the most popular episodes this year. If you’re new to the show, any of these would… Read more
In this episode of The Cordial Catholic, I’m joined by Father Jeffrey Kirby, STD to unpack the Catholic view of evil and suffering. We dig deeply into a topic that is maybe the biggest struggle for believers – and a barriers for those who don’t believe: suffering. With Father Kirby’s help and expertise, we discuss where suffering comes from, why we suffer, why God allows certain sufferings to take place, and how we should respond as Catholics, in a long… Read more
In this episode of The Cordial Catholic, I’m joined by Dr. John Bergsma, biblical theologian, professor, author, and Catholic convert, to talk about how to read the Bible like a Catholic, from the heart of the Church. We begin by digging into Dr. Bergma’s wonderful conversion journey – as a Protestant pastor and biblical theologian, he decided to become Catholic – and, from there, discuss how the Catholic Church understands, interprets, and makes use of the Bible. And how it… Read more
In this episode of The Cordial Catholic, I’m joined by author, podcaster, and Catholic convert Haley Stewart to talk about her experience converting to Catholicism. On a search for a liturgically minded church, and through reading the Early Church Fathers, Haley and her husband Daniel, became interested and then deeply immersed in the Catholic Church. Their story is one of starting a family, finding a new faith, and the challenges and graces that come as a result of trusting in… Read more
In this episode of The Cordial Catholic, I’m joined by Father Nathan Caswell, an Evangelical convert to Catholicism with an incredible conversion story to share. Father Nathan was raised Charismatic Evangelical, converted to Catholicism with his family on an Indigenous Reservation in Northern Canada, and spent the next several years wandering and soul-searching in the Canadian wilderness while he shrugged off religion – before ultimately becoming the Prodigal Son and returning home to his family, his faith, and eventually a… Read more
Watch my response video on YouTube. In his video, Did Augustine Affirm Sola Scriptura and the subsequent follow-up Response to Critics: Augustine on Scripture Dr. Gavin Ortlund invites feedback on his thesis that Augustine affirms the Protestant tenant of Sola Scriptura. I want to be the first to admit that I’m not particularly suited to respond. I’m not a qualified patristic scholar and certainly no match for Dr. Ortlund’s credentials. I have a bachelor’s degree in History and Political Science… Read more
