Considering Catholicism

Ed asks Greg how the Catholic liturgy evolved. Was the worship of the early Church more informal and unstructured? When did all the complex parts and pieces of the mass get added? Greg explains that the premise of the question is problematic, and that the worship of the early Church probably resembled a Catholic mass more than it did a non-denominational "worship gathering." Support this ministry...

Recently, Ed went to a Protestant Evangelical funeral, which was more of a "celebration of life." He asks Greg if Catholic funerals are different. Why and how? Support this ministry so more people can consider Catholicism! Website: https://www.consideringcatholicism.com/ Email: consideringcatholicism@gmail.com

For secular folks this is Halloween, for Catholics it's the eve of All Saints Day, but for Protestants it's Reformation Day, when Martin Luther nailed his complaints against the Catholic Church to a cathedral door in Germany. Today, Protestants celebrate what they imagine is a heroic and prophetic scene. But as Greg explains in this snapshot, it's nothing to celebrate. Support this ministry so mor...

Last year, Greg and Ed talked about Halloween. Since it's coming up, we thought it's worth revisiting the conversation. Can Christians participate? Are its origins really in the Catholic Church incorporating pagan Celtic rituals? And has the Church adopted pagan rituals throughout history, including Easter celebrations?  Support this ministry so more people can consider Catholicism! Website: https...

If, as we say in the Nicene Creed, the Catholic Church is the "one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church," what about those outside of it? Can they be saved and go to heaven? Greg and Cory explain what the Church teaches.  Support this ministry so more people can consider Catholicism! Website: https://www.consideringcatholicism.com/ Email: consideringcatholicism@gmail.com

Recently, Pope Francis made some headlines by saying that religions are like languages, each trying to express something about God in its own way. A lot of people, including many of our listeners, were confused and asked what he meant. Greg and Cory try to explain. Support this ministry so more people can consider Catholicism! Website: https://www.consideringcatholicism.com/ Email: consideringcath...

One of the Catholic Church's seven sacraments is Anointing of the Sick. It used to be called "last rites" or "extreme unction," but the new name more accurately describes the sacrament. What is it? What's does it accomplish? Support this ministry so more people can consider Catholicism! Website: https://www.consideringcatholicism.com/ Email: consideringcatholicism@gmail.com

When it comes to theological errors, there's nothing new under the sun. There are only so many ways to fall off the tightrope of orthodox Catholic doctrines, and in every era the same mistakes get repeated under new names by new false teachers. Support this ministry so more people can consider Catholicism! Website: https://www.consideringcatholicism.com/ Email: consideringcatholicism@gmail.com

Protestantism is built upon "Five Solas." "Sola" is Latin for "alone," and so the battle cry of the Reformation became: Sola Scriptura ("Scripture Alone"), Sola Fide ("Faith Alone"), Sola Gratia ("Grace Alone"), Solus Christus ("Christ Alone"), Soli Deo Gloria ("Glory to God Alone"). The Reformers intended these to be a refutation of Catholicism, and Protestant apologists today think of them as Kr...

Several years ago, one of the first conversations between Greg and Ed the Protestant was about the Catholic sacrament of Confession (or Reconciliation as the Church calls it). We've had a lot of listeners asking about confession lately, so it seems a good time to pull this one out of the vault. Support this ministry so more people can consider Catholicism! Website: https://www.consideringcatholici...

Greg and Ed continue their conversation about those who say they are spiritual but not religious. What exactly does that mean? And why does Greg say that he's religious because he's spiritual? Support this ministry so more people can consider Catholicism! Website: https://www.consideringcatholicism.com/ Email: consideringcatholicism@gmail.com

It's popular to say, "I'm spiritual, not religious" as a reason for not attending church or participating in organized religion. Where did this idea come from, and what does it mean? Part 1 of Greg and Ed's discussion. Support this ministry so more people can consider Catholicism! Website: https://www.consideringcatholicism.com/ Email: consideringcatholicism@gmail.com Follow Greg on X/Twitter: htt...

We should read the Bible (of course), and devotional literature, and catechetical and apologetics. But what about stories, literature, novels? 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  

For the last 43 years, Catholics have been going on pilgrimages to a town in Bosnia and Herzegovina called Medjugorje, where a group of "visionaries" or "seers" claim that the Blessed Virgin Mary has been appearing to them everyday. Under three successive popes, the Vatican has investigated these claims. Last week, it released a report on its findings. Greg and Cory discuss what the Vatican found...

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 minute? Is that actually true? How could the natural sciences disprove, or even tell us an...

Cory recently went on a spiritual retreat to a monastery. He shares why, what, and how of retreats. Have you ever considered going on one? 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

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  

What keeps some people away from Christ and the Church? In Part 5 of this series, Greg and Ed talk about how some people need an invitation, how hard it can be to do that, and what are expectations should be when we invite them. Support this ministry so more people can consider Catholicism! Website: https://www.consideringcatholicism.com/ Email: consideringcatholicism@gmail.com Follow Greg on X/Tw...

Catholics are talking about In Vitro Fertilization after the major political candidates in the US elections have indicated support for IVF. Why does the Church oppose it? And if it isn't going to be made illegal in the foreseeable future, what should Catholics do? Support this ministry so more people can consider Catholicism! Website: https://www.consideringcatholicism.com/ Email: consideringcatho...

  Greg shares some news and updates about the podcast and this ministry. 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  

What keeps some people away from Christ and the Church? Greg and Ed revisit why we must offer a Christianity that wrestles with the ultimate questions. 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  

Greg and Dominican friar Father Nick Monco discuss why young Catholic women are drawn to traditional expressions of faith, the cultural and theological significance of chapel veils, and the generational divide in the church regarding tradition vs. modernity. Support this ministry so more people can consider Catholicism! Website: https://www.consideringcatholicism.com/ Email: consideringcatholicism...

What keeps some people away from Christ and the Church? In Part 4 of this series, Greg and Ed talk about how to talk to those around you about what the Catholic Church believes, and why those conversations matter. Support this ministry so more people can consider Catholicism! Website: https://www.consideringcatholicism.com/ Email: consideringcatholicism@gmail.com

What keeps some people away from Christ and the Church? In Part 3 of this series, Greg and Ed talk about "vaccinating people against the Gospel" by offering a Christianity that isn't about the ultimate questions. Support this ministry so more people can consider Catholicism! Website: https://www.consideringcatholicism.com/ Email: consideringcatholicism@gmail.com

What are “tabernacles” and where should they be placed in a Catholic Church? How are Episcopal or Anglican churches similar to or different from the Catholic Church? Greg and Cory answer listener questions. Support this ministry so more people can consider Catholicism! Website: https://www.consideringcatholicism.com/ Email: consideringcatholicism@gmail.com