In this episode we discuss the recent Vatican document published by the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith regarding Mary (Mater Popoli Fidelis) and her title of "Co-redemptrix". How should evangelicals think through this and respond to it? We also discuss Leonardo’s October Vatican File that concerns recent remarks Pope Leo made concerning Mary, and that are therefore relevant to this discussion. Support the show

In this episode, we discuss Pope Leo XIV’s first Magisterial document, an Apostolic Exhortation titled "Dilexi te," which focuses on the Roman Catholic Church’s mandate to care for the poor. We highlight the theological concerns the document presents for an evangelical reader. We also briefly discuss our recent trip to Istanbul for a conference that commemorated the 1700th anniversary of the Nicene Creed. Support the show

In this episode, we sit down with Leonardo to talk about his newest book, Tell Your Catholic Friends: How to Have Gospel Conversations With Love (B&H Books, 2025). Together we explore why these conversations matter, how to approach them with clarity and compassion, and what it looks like to point friends and family to the hope of the gospel. Tell Your Catholic Friends is available on Amazon, Kindle, and Audible. Support the show

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...

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 th...

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...

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

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

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. Suppo...

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 should...

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-th...

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 ...

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

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=798sAnother very helpful response to Gavin from NeedGod.net:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-0ne8-JUVnk&t=17sSupport the show

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...

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

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-authorityBook pre...

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

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

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 StudyWatch the trail...