In this episode, we discuss the Jubilee of Youth, a Roman Catholic event held in Rome, Italy, from July 29 to August 3, 2025, which attracted nearly 1 million youth from around the world. Much of what has been shared on social media by the Catholic Church is attractive to young evangelicals who are led to believe they can find the answer to their disillusions with faith and church in the Roman Catholic Church. But what is the real message of the Jubilee of Youth? Join us as we respond to this qu...
Aug 15, 2025•52 min
In this episode, we are joined by Reformanda Initiative Fellow Mark Gilbert (Certainty 4 Eternity) about the new book he co-edited with Leonardo, The Nicene Creed: The Nature of Christian Unity and the Meaning of Gospel Words . We discuss his chapter contribution, which unpacks the clause of the Nicene Creed “We believe in one, holy, catholic and apostolic church,” noting how Roman Catholics and Evangelicals share these words, but do not share the theological interpretation of them. Support the ...
Jul 26, 2025•52 min
In this episode we (Leonardo and Reid) discuss problematic aspects of the Roman Catholic understanding of the Trinitarian framework, using Leonardo’s chapter in the newly released book “The Nicene Creed: The Nature of Christian Unity and the Meaning of Gospel Words”, of which Leonardo and Reformanda Initiative Fellow Mark Gilbert are editors. This book (and this conversation) coincides with the 1700th anniversary of the Nicene Creed. The book can be purchased here: https://matthiasmedia.com/coll...
Jul 08, 2025•46 min
In this episode, we are joined by Reformanda Initiative fellow Robbie Bellis, who walks us through this delicate and essential question using Galatians 1 as a case study. Can Galatians 1 and Paul's anathemas be applied to the Roman Catholic Church and its gospel? Support the show
Jul 02, 2025•52 min
In this episode Leonardo De Chirico and Reid Karr discuss the first few weeks of Pope Leo XIV’s papacy. What is defining his papacy and where does he seem to be going theologically? More importantly, how can evangelicals be theologically responsible in assessing the pope as he speaks and uses gospel sounding words? Join us to hear how we respond to these questions and others. Support the show
May 29, 2025•42 min•Ep. 87
White smoke has risen, a new pope has taken the balcony, and the world is watching. But what should evangelical Christians make of it all? In this episode, we unpack what we know about the newly elected pope Leo XIV—his background, theology, and early signals—and explore how his papacy fits into the broader story of Roman Catholicism. What does his election mean for the gospel, the global church, and our Catholic neighbors? Join us as we cut through the incense and get to the substance. Support ...
May 09, 2025•36 min
In this episode, we speak with Matthew Johnston, Fellow at the Reformanda Initiative, to ask the big question: Is Rome a true church? Together, we explore the historic Reformed answer to this question, trace how the Reformers engaged with Rome in their own day, and discuss how things might look different—or surprisingly similar—after the Council of Trent, Vatican I, the Marian dogmas, and Vatican II. What would Calvin say if he walked into Rome today? And how should we, standing on the shoulders...
Apr 28, 2025•46 min•Ep. 85
In this episode, we examine the implications of Pope Francis's death and openly discuss the future direction of the Roman Catholic Church. As evangelicals committed to biblical clarity, we ask if evangelicals should look for silver linings in a papacy that has distorted gospel truth. Join us as we courageously explore why honest critique matters. Episode notes: https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/pope-francis-roman-church-legacy/ https://evangelicalfocus.com/europe/30881/francis-the-latin...
Apr 22, 2025•41 min•Ep. 84
Is Roman Catholicism simply weighed down by extra layers (accretions)—or has something deeper gone wrong? In this episode, we engage with Leonardo De Chirico’s Vatican File #238 , where he challenges the idea that Catholic doctrine merely suffers from removable "accretions." We ask the crucial question: Does stripping away tradition uncover the Gospel, or has the original message been fundamentally altered? Join us as we examine the difference between doctrinal development and deformation—and wh...
Apr 01, 2025•46 min•Ep. 83
Join us in this episode as we discuss the possibility of an upcoming conclave in the Catholic Church with the declining health of Pope Francis. We also discuss the recent Netflix film of the same title and how it bears on reality. We also discuss the recent rise and popularity of Roman Catholic apologists seeking to appeal to confused and disillusioned evangelicals and how evangelicals should think about them. Support the show...
Feb 27, 2025•57 min•Ep. 82
In this episode, we respond to Gavin Ortlund's recent video, "Are Catholics Christian? Why Protestants can say YES." Episode notes: Gavin Ortlund's video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0P2wnd8FGyU&t=798s Another very helpful response to Gavin from NeedGod.net: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-0ne8-JUVnk&t=17s Support the show...
Jan 15, 2025•34 min•Ep. 81
In this episode, we critically examine Young Life’s approach to Roman Catholicism through their article, "What Do Catholics (Really) Believe?" We’ll unpack the theological missteps and discuss the implications of their stance for gospel clarity. Additionally, we’ll dive into one of our own recent articles exploring the Roman Catholic practice of praying to Mary and the saints. Is it truly equivalent to asking friends to pray for you, or does it point to deeper theological concerns? Join us as we...
Jan 10, 2025•39 min•Ep. 80
In this episode we discuss Pope Francis’s latest encyclical that discusses the heart of Christ and the Roman Catholic devotion of the Sacred Heart. Leonardo’s latest VF provides the framework for our discussion. Episode resources: https://vaticanfiles.org/en/2024/12/vf235/ Support the show
Dec 13, 2024•47 min•Ep. 79
In this episode we discuss Leonardo’s latest Vatican File in which he discusses Dan Strange’s 5 Magnetic Points and how they are helpful in having gospel conversations with Roman Catholics. Leo’s Vatican File is an excerpt from his upcoming book (May 2025) Tell Your Catholic Friend: How to Have Gospel Conversations with Love. Episode Links: Vatican File 234: https://vaticanfiles.org/en/2024/11/vf234/ Webinar Dec 16 2024: https://foclonline.org/webinar/bible-really-our-only-authority Book pre-ord...
Nov 18, 2024•41 min•Ep. 78
In this episode we discuss with Reformanda Initiative Fellow Matthew Johnston what it means to be catholic and who is catholic. Is, for example, the pope Catholic? Are evangelicals catholic? That depends. Listen in to understand why. Support the show
Oct 24, 2024•38 min•Ep. 77
In this episode we discuss Leonardo’s most recent Vatican File that discusses Jubilee. Jubilee is an excellent case of same words, different worlds. We find the word in the Bible, and is used with regularity in Roman Catholicism, but the meanings are very different. Join us as we discuss the theology and practice of Jubilee. Episode notes: https://vaticanfiles.org/en/2024/10/vf233/ Support the show...
Oct 03, 2024•46 min•Ep. 76
In this episode we speak with Reformanda Initiative Fellow Mark Gilbert about a new course offered by Matthias Media which equips Protestants and the church to better understand and engage with Roman Catholics. Mark is based out of Sydney, Australia, and is a key contributor to “Talking About Jesus with Catholics”. Mark is the author of The God Who Saves, The Road Once Travelled, and Stepping out in Faith, all available at Matthias Media. Talking About Jesus With Catholics Study Watch the traile...
Sep 18, 2024•36 min•Ep. 75
In this episode Reid and Leonardo have a fascinating discussion about the 7 sacraments of the Roman Catholic Church and the theology of the sacraments. The discussion is framed by Leonardo’s latest Vatican File that interacts with the book, "The Seven Sacraments of the Catholic Church" by the Roman Catholic scholar and professor Romanus Cessario. 231. Why Does the Roman Catholic Church Have Seven Sacraments? A Thomist answer and a preliminary evangelical critique https://vaticanfiles.org/en/2024...
Aug 17, 2024•48 min•Ep. 74
In this episode we speak with Reformanda Initiative Fellow, Robbie Bellis, who takes a look at 2 Corinthians 11 to answer the question of whether or not evangelicals and Roman Catholics believe the same gospel. Support the show
Jul 30, 2024•42 min•Ep. 73
In this episode, we explore the popularity of Henri Nouwen among evangelicals. Described by Christianity Today as "one of the world’s greatest spiritual writers," Henri Nouwen was a Dutch Catholic priest, writer, theologian, professor, psychologist, spiritual director, and activist. A survey by Christian Century revealed that Nouwen’s work is a top choice for both Roman Catholic and mainline Protestant clergy. Join us as we discuss whether Nouwen should be promoted in evangelical institutions, s...
Jul 18, 2024•32 min•Ep. 72
In this episode we discuss temple theology and answer questions like: What is temple theology? Why it is important? How it is relevant to everyday life? We conclude with a discussion of how evangelicals differ from Roman Catholics in understanding and applying temple theology. Support the show
Jul 02, 2024•38 min•Ep. 71
In this episode we discuss various topics with our friend Dr. Gavin Ortlund. Dr. Ortlund is an author, Christian apologist, and President of Truth Unites , which promotes gospel unity through theological depth. Dr. Ortlund has extensive experience in debating and discoursing with Roman Catholics, and in our conversation discusses what he has learned from those conversations. Support the show...
Jun 15, 2024•41 min•Ep. 70
In this episode we have the privilege of speaking with the President of The Southern Baptist Theological Semiary , Dr. Albert Mohler. We discuss his 2021 presidential address for the Evangelical Theological Society and the evangelical temption of Roman Catholicism, along with recent comments Dr. Mohler made about Pope Francis’s May 2024 interview on 60 Minutes. We also ask Dr. Mohler who he believes speaks for Rome today considering its often contradictory theology. Support the show...
Jun 05, 2024•43 min•Ep. 69
In this episode we discuss comments made by Pope Francis in a recent interview with 60 Minutes that are receiving some attention from evangelicals. That Francis’s comments contradict the clear teachings of Scripture do not seem controversial, as they clearly do. What is irresponsibile from evangelicals, however, is the wrong assumption that what Francis says contradicts the teachings of the Roman Catholic Church. Join us as we discuss this important issue and blindspot in evangelicalism. Support...
May 23, 2024•40 min•Ep. 68
In this episode we speak with Leonardo De Chirico, the Director of the Reformanda Initiative, about his new book Engaging with Thomas Aquinas: An Evangelical Approach , which will be available on May 16th. Preorder from IVP Books: https://ivpbooks.com/engaging-with-thomas-aquinas Amazon.com: Click here Support the show...
May 13, 2024•46 min•Ep. 67
In this episode we discuss a recent Reformation Iniative (RI) trip to Portugal to provide training to the evangelical church on Roman Catholicism. The RI was invited by the Associação Proclama and visited three different cities throughout Portugal. We are joined by Joe Clarke and Paulo Carvalho whom we met. Joe and Paulo provide insight into the Portuguese culture and context and challenges the evangelical church faces, which includes the ecumenical agenda of the Catholic Church. Read about our ...
May 08, 2024•46 min•Ep. 66
In this episode we discuss Leonardo’s most recent Vatican File “If the Pope Thinks that Rome is a ‘Mission Field.’” As the title indicates, recently Pope Francis described the city of Rome - which is of course the home of Roman Catholicism and the Vatican - as a mission field. We discuss this claim and its implications from an evangelical perspective. https://vaticanfiles.org/en/2024/03/vf226/ Support the show...
Mar 07, 2024•43 min•Ep. 65
In this episode we discuss the recent announcement from the Roman Catholic Church that allows for the blessing of same-sex couples, while not officially changing its stance on same-sex unions. What does it mean and what are its implications? Join us as we discuss these important questions. https://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/it/bollettino/pubblico/2023/12/18/0901/01963.html#en https://www.reformandainitiative.org/resources/evangelical-reflections-on-the-instrumentum-laboris-of-the-synoda...
Dec 20, 2023•42 min•Ep. 64
In this episode we discuss a very practical and important question: Should Evangelicals pray with Roman Catholics? Support the show
Dec 02, 2023•35 min•Ep. 63
You cannot talk about Roman Catholicism today without also talking about synodality. The Synodal Church is the new hermeneutic for understanding and engaging Roman Catholicism. To say it is essential is an understatement. But what is it? In this episode, we answer that question. Support the show
Nov 22, 2023•33 min•Ep. 62
