The Normal Christian Life

Do Catholics believe we have to earn our salvation? Are we saved by faith alone? What role do good works actually play in the Christian life? In this episode, Fr. Michael and Fr. Christopher Trummer discuss faith, works, grace, justification, salvation, and sanctification from a Catholic perspective. They explain why Catholics do not believe we can earn salvation by our own efforts, while also sho...

FILM WEBSITE: https://thattheymaybeonefilm.com/ Fr. Michael and Fr. Christopher welcome Adriana Gonzalez back to The Normal Christian Life to discuss her new docudrama on Christian unity, That They May Be One. The film uses documentary storytelling and dramatic reenactments to trace a historical thread from Pentecost through 20th-century outpourings of the Holy Spirit, including figures such as St...

Fr. Michael and Fr. Christopher welcome their friend Frankie Garcia, who shares her background growing up with a Catholic mother and Protestant father, officially entering the Catholic Church in 2021, and encountering the Holy Spirit through a simple prayer and powerful ministry experiences. The conversation that follows reframes intercessory prayer as a paradigm shift away from persuading God, pe...

This episode explores the tension between humility and greatness in the Christian life. Doreen Morehouse shares her journey from interior emptiness and crisis to encountering God’s power, discovering her identity, and eventually entering the Catholic Church. The conversation challenges the assumption that holiness means remaining small or hidden, arguing instead that God often calls people to real...

In this episode of The Normal Christian Life, Fr. Michael and Fr. Christopher sit down with David Mendoza to hear his powerful testimony of encountering God in dramatic ways — and how those encounters ultimately led him back to the Catholic Church. David grew up in a Catholic family and experienced moments of God’s presence even as a child. But as a teenager he drifted away from the faith, becomin...

The hosts welcome back Mike Nolan for a conversation on Christian identity—why it matters today, how it appears in Scripture, and why it often doesn’t move from head knowledge to lived experience. They discuss identity as something primarily imparted through prayer, encounter, and relationships with people living as beloved sons and daughters, rather than merely taught. They explore common obstacl...

What does it actually mean to love—not just in theory, but in real life? In this episode, Fr. Michael Trummer is joined by Fr. Christopher Trummer and Mike Nolan for a deep, honest conversation on love (charity) as the greatest theological virtue. Moving beyond clichés and sentimentality, they explore why love is both a gift of grace and something we must actively cooperate with—and why knowing ab...

What is faith—really? In this episode of The Normal Christian Life, we continue our series on the theological virtues by exploring faith: what it is, what it isn’t, and why it cannot be reduced to intellectual agreement or apologetics alone. This conversation unpacks: Why biblical faith is relational and lived, not merely believed How faith engages the whole person—mind, heart, will, and action Th...

As the Church concludes the Jubilee Year of Hope, the hosts discuss the profound significance of hope in the Christian life. They explain that hope is more than just a feel-good sentiment, highlighting its roots as a theological virtue that is central to overcoming adversity and recognizing God's hand in the midst of trials. They offer practical ways to cultivate this virtue day by day, face unavo...

Join hosts Fr. Michael Trummer, Fr. Christopher Trummer, and Mary Bielski as they discuss what it truly means to be holy. This episode tackles the common misconception that holiness is boring and instead presents it as an adventurous pursuit of God. They explore how genuine holiness involves our humanity, unique personalities, and the transformation by God's grace. Be inspired by the call to live...

In this episode, Father Michael Trummer and Father Christopher Trummer take on the often-misunderstood topic of religion—a word that many Christians today regard with suspicion. They acknowledge that much of the criticism directed at “being religious” arises from real problems: hypocrisy, self-reliance, transactional love, and an overemphasis on outward appearances. Yet, rather than dismissing rel...

Join Fr. Christopher Trummer and Fr. Michael Trummer in a heartfelt discussion on the challenges and importance of boldly preaching the gospel in today's society. In light of recent political violence, including the assassination of conservative speaker Charlie Kirk, the hosts explore what it means to speak the truth, even when it leads to opposition. Drawing from the life of Jesus and various scr...

In this episode of Normal Christian Life, Fr. Michael Trummer and Fr. Christopher Trummer, joined by Mary Bielski, have an inspiring conversation with Sean Smith. Sean shares his journey of discovering the gift of prophecy and how it has profoundly impacted his evangelism efforts. From personal testimonies to practical tips on how to hear God's voice, the discussion covers the importance of the pr...

In this episode, hosts Fr. Michael, Fr. Christopher, and Mary Bielski are joined by guest Catherine Porter to discuss the often overlooked yet pivotal topic of simplicity and detachment from material possessions in the Christian life. The episode explores how Jesus emphasized simplicity throughout the Gospel and how this principle is intricately tied to our relationship with God. Through personal...

In this especially vulnerable episode, Fr. Michael Trummer, Fr. Christopher Trummer, and Mary Bielski delve into the complex issue of woundedness within the Church. They explore how many people struggle with their faith because of inconsistency and hypocrisy on the part of Christians, whether fellow believers in the pew or priests and other leaders. Acknowledging the hurt and the legitimate anger...

In this inspiring episode, we explore the profound power and authority that believers possess through their faith in Jesus Christ. Special guest Robby Dawkins, a Christian evangelist, shares his story of coming to faith in Christ and discovering the power of the Holy Spirit. He recounts many miraculous testimonies of healing and even a man who was raised from the dead. Robby emphasizes that believ...

Clinical psychologist Dr. Sean Tobin returns for a conversation about the intersections of faith, psychology, and inner healing. They discuss common issues within modern psychology, the historical evolution of psychological theory, and how Christian perspectives can provide deeper insights and healing. The conversation explores the significance of emotional integration, the relationship between sp...

In this enlightening episode, Fr. Michael Trummer and Fr. Christopher Trummer welcome clinical psychologist Dr. Sean Tobin to explore the complex topic of deliverance. Dr. Tobin shares his unique journey from atheism to faith, his experience with exorcisms, and how his background in psychology intersects with spiritual healing. They discuss common misconceptions about the demonic, how to properly...

We often want God to speak louder and more clearly, but the invitation always for us to draw near to Him, to recognize and appreciate the ways He is already speaking. Following our earlier episode on hearing God's voice, we now dive deeper into this central aspect of prayer. We explore various conditions and postures of the heart and offer practical tips to help you better tune in to God's voice....

In this episode of 'The Normal Christian Life,' hosts Fathers Michael and Father Christopher Trummer, along with guest Laura Shoulders, discuss the common struggle of hearing God's voice. They explore various ways through which God communicates, including through thoughts, imagination, feelings, conscience, and dreams. The conversation emphasizes that everyone is made to hear God's voice and that...

Join hosts Mary Bielski, Fr. Christopher, and Fr. Michael with special guest Laura Shoulders as they delve into the often misunderstood and overlooked gift of prophecy within the Christian community. In this episode of 'The Normal Christian Life,' they discuss the biblical foundations, personal experiences, and misconceptions of prophecy. They aim to demystify what prophecy really means and how it...

Join Fr. Michael Trummer and Fr. Christopher Trummer in this episode of Normal Christian Life as they explore ways to cultivate the gift of faith. They discuss personal experiences, the importance of community, repentance, and practical steps to strengthen one's faith. The episode emphasizes humility, childlike trust, and the role of spiritual senses in deepening one's relationship with God. Addit...

Join Fathers Michael and Christopher Trummer in this episode of 'Normal Christian Life' as they explore the fundamental topics of faith and unbelief. They discuss the increasing prevalence of atheism and secularism in the Western world and explore why people are swayed by or struggle with unbelief. Analyzing both rational and non-rational factors including sin, emotional issues, and relational asp...

Join Fr. Michael Trummer, Fr. Christopher Trummer, and Mary Bielski in this profound episode of The Normal Christian Life as they explore the concept of redemptive suffering. As we wrap up Lent, they dive into society's attempt to eliminate suffering, using 'The Giver' as an analogy for understanding its significance. They discuss the transformative power of suffering, referencing Viktor Frankl's...

"For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God sent the Son into the world, not to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him" (Jn 3:16-17). God "desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth (1 Tim 2:4). Relationship with God is a free gift earned by the perfect savi...