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Justin Hibbard continues our series on the 21 Ecumenical Council with the First Lateran Council - the first general council to occur in the West and the first general council with the Pope as presider (and even in attendance). In this episode you’ll learn about the investiture controversy and the tension between the government and the church that led to a further separation of church and state. SO...

Justin Hibbard continues our series on the 21 Ecumenical Church Councils by talking about the major fallout between the Eastern and Western Church in 1054. How did this Great Schism change the trajectory of future ecumenical council? And were the events of 1054 truly earth shattering, or was is this event overblown by historians. SOCIAL LINKS * Follow Why Catholic on Instagram. * Subscribe to Why...

In continuation of our series on the 21 Ecumenical Church Councils, Justin Hibbard talks about the eighth ecumenical council - the fourth council of Constantinople. Learn how this council marked a turning point both in church councils and in church history between the East and the West. SOCIAL LINKS * Follow Why Catholic on Instagram. * Subscribe to Why Catholic on YouTube. * Follow Justin on Face...

In continuation of our series on the 21 Ecumenical Church Councils, Justin Hibbard takes time to reflect on the first seven. These seven are not only recognized by the Catholic and Eastern Orthodox Churches but many Protestant groups recognize them as well. In this episode, Justin gives a brief overview of the first seven councils and challenges Orthodox and Protestant claims about these councils....

In part 11 of our series on the 21 Ecumenical Councils, Justin Hibbard discusses what happened at the 7th Ecumenical Council - The 2nd Council of Nicaea. Why did the Byzantines suddenly decide that icons were idolatrous and how far did they go to rid the Church of sacred art? What were the primary arguments between the iconoclasts and the iconodulias? What did the 2nd Council of Nicaea decide that...

In part 10 of our series on the 21 Ecumenical Councils, Justin Hibbard discusses the efforts to appease the monophysites by inventing two heresies: monoenergism and monotheletism. Why were these Christological positions condemned at the Third Council of Constantinople? HOW TO SUPPORT THIS PODCAST * Become a free subscriber or a patron of Why Catholic? and get the next episode and a discount code t...

In part 9 of our series on the 21 Ecumenical Councils, Justin Hibbard discusses the pivotal history that occurred over 127 years between The 2nd Council of Constantinople of 553 and the 3rd Council of Constantinople of 680. This episode covers the two major heresies of the day, the Filioque controversy, the war between the Byzantines and the Persians, the Christological gag order, the rise of Isla...

In part 8 of our series on the 21 Ecumenical Councils, Justin Hibbard discusses what happened at the 5th Ecumenical Council - The 2nd Council of Constantinople. In this episode, you’ll learn about the schisms that occurred after the Council of Chalcedon, the fall of Rome and the Western Roman Empire, and the rise of the Eastern Roman Empire (aka the Byzantine Empire), as well as the decisions at t...

In part 7 of our series on the 21 Ecumenical Councils, Justin Hibbard discusses what happened at the 4th Ecumenical Council - The Council of Chalcedon. What happened when the theological sheriffs Cyril of Alexandria and John of Antioch died? How did the Second Council of Ephesus almost become the fourth ecumenical council? And what major theological debate did the Council of Chalcedon decide on th...

In part 6 of our series on the 21 Ecumenical Councils, Justin Hibbard discusses what happened at the 3rd council - The Council of Ephesus. Now that Arianism was finally dying out, what was the major debate happening among Churches? How did tensions between the major hubs of Christianity play a role in the theological divisions? And how did the understanding of the Blessed Virgin Mary help settle t...

In part 5 of our series on the 21 Ecumenical Councils, Justin Hibbard discusses what happened at the First Council of Constantinople. What did they accomplish that the Council of Nicaea left incomplete? Which heresies did they address? And why is this council sometimes referred to as an “unecumenical council?” HOW TO SUPPORT THIS PODCAST * Become a free subscriber or a patron of Why Catholic? and...

In part 4 of our series on the 21 Ecumenical Councils, Justin Hibbard discusses what happened in the aftermath of the Council of Nicaea? Did the Church become unified, or did it devolve into disarray and abandon Nicene Christianity? Why was the 4th century perhaps one of the most pivotal centuries for Christianity? And what led the Church to once again gather for a second council, this time in Con...

In Part 3 of our series on the 21 Ecumenical Church Councils, Justin Hibbard discusses the first ecumenical council in Church history - the Council of Nicaea. What does Santa Claus have to do with this council? Who attended this council? What did this council decide? And how did this council change the course of history while also failing to be all that effective within the next few decades? HOW T...

In part 2 of our series on the 21 Ecumenical Church Councils, Justin Hibbard discusses some of the challenges in the early church particularly in the third to early fourth centuries that led to the Council of Nicaea. Why was an ecumenical church council really only possible in the early fourth century? What were some of the key places, people, and events that led to the church desperately needing...

Justin Hibbard kicks off our series on the 21 Ecumenical Councils with an introduction. What is an ecumenical council? Why aren’t all councils and synods considered ecumenical? Why are these councils called? And how do Catholics consider the outcome of these councils’ decisions? Subscribe to Why Catholic? wherever you get your podcasts. Check out the Why Catholic Etsy shop (all proceeds support th...

In this special interview episode of Why Catholic, Justin Hibbard is joined by Katherine Mosco Depfer. Katherine shares how she went from growing up in a Catholic bubble, to abandoning her faith at college, and the radical reversion she experienced as a prodigal daughter. She gives practical advice for Catholic parents as well as Catholic teens. Interested in having Katherine speak at an event or...

Justin Hibbard concludes our series on the Catholic approach to prayer by addressing the claim made by many Evangelicals: “Religion is man’s way to get to God; Christianity is God’s way to get to man.” Is that true? Is all religious practices Pharisaical and a distraction from a relationship with Jesus? Or does religion actually help us pursue the heart of God? Subscribe to Why Catholic? wherever...

In continuation on our series on the Catholic Approach to Prayer, Justin Hibbard talks about how Scripture teaches us that prayer is our most powerful weapon. Why do we often neglect prayer for more practical measures, and how can the Christian learn to arm themselves with prayer? Subscribe to Why Catholic? wherever you get your podcasts. Check out the Why Catholic Etsy shop (all proceeds support...

Justin Hibbard continues our series on the Catholic Approach to Prayer by focusing on the rhythm of prayer. How has the Catholic Church cultivated a practice of ordering our day around prayer? How do common Catholic prayers create a rhythm that helps us to pray? What are some ideas on how we can cultivate a more purposeful and disciplined prayer life? Subscribe to Why Catholic? wherever you get yo...

Justin Hibbard reconvenes our series on the Catholic approach to prayer by talking about prayer while we move. What are some common ways that Catholics incorporate movement in prayers? And how can we think of prayer beyond just sitting still and saying words but rather pray with our bodies? Subscribe to Why Catholic? wherever you get your podcasts. Check out the Why Catholic Etsy shop (all proceed...

In light of our new Pope - Leo XIV, Justin Hibbard explores the attributes that make a Pope “Great.” What do the “Great” Popes have in common? How did they become known as “Great?” And what experiences does Pope Leo XIV have that might position him to also be a “great” Pope? Subscribe to Why Catholic? wherever you get your podcasts. Check out the Why Catholic Etsy shop (all proceeds support this p...

Is the Conclave “antiquated,” and is it time for the Catholic Church to “get with the times?” Justin Hibbard explores why the Conclave has evolved to what it is today and why the Catholic Church isn’t eager to have election processes that mimic the elections of democratic nations. Subscribe to Why Catholic? wherever you get your podcasts. Check out the Why Catholic Etsy shop (all proceeds support...

Justin Hibbard continues reflecting on the change of the papacy by focusing on Pope Francis’ funeral. What is the irony of Pope Francis’ funeral occurring at the very place where St. Peter was martyred? What does the funeral say about Pope Francis’ final act on earth and how should it serve as an example for all of us? ubscribe to Why Catholic? wherever you get your podcasts. Check out the Why Cat...

We have lost the 266th Vicar of Christ - the Pastor of 1.3 billion people. What should our response be? Justin Hibbard shares the importance of grieving for Pope Francis, ways we can be introspective, and what we lose when we mentally try and rush to fill the empty chair at our table. Subscribe to Why Catholic? wherever you get your podcasts. Check out the Why Catholic Etsy shop (all proceeds supp...

Justin Hibbard reflects on the reign of Pope Francis - the 266th individual to serve as the Vicar of Christ. Why does he feel like Pope Francis was one of the individuals that led him to become Catholic? Subscribe to Why Catholic? wherever you get your podcasts. Check out the Why Catholic Etsy shop (all proceeds support this podcast). Become a free subscriber or a patron of Why Catholic? and get t...