Judas Within: "Shipwreck in the faith is frequent" (St. Basil) | Ep. 57

Jan 20, 2026

Dive into the timeless struggles within the Church as St. Basil's poignant letter from the 300s resonates with today's challenges. Discover the chaos of the fourth century, marked by the rise of heresies like Arianism and the plight of the faithful amidst doctrinal decay. Hear insights on the causes of such turmoil and the call to prayer that Basil emphasizes as a remedy. This engaging discussion provides hope through church history and touches on the significance of our spiritual responses.

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ANECDOTE

Fundraising Match For Chapel Phase

Joshua Charles shares a fundraising update about monthly patrons and a $50,000 matching gift.
He explains how new or increased monthly gifts will be matched for one year to help fund Eternal Christendom's chapel phase.

INSIGHT

Basil As Defender In Turbulent Times

St. Basil lived amid fourth-century doctrinal chaos yet defended orthodoxy vigorously.
Joshua Charles highlights Basil as a model for standing against heresy like Arianism.

INSIGHT

Arianism's Long Shadow

Arianism denied Christ's divinity and persisted despite Nicaea's condemnation.
Joshua Charles compares ancient Arianism to modern movements like Unitarianism and Jehovah's Witnesses.

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CULTIVATING SAINTS, SAGES, AND STATESMEN THROUGH THE GREAT TRADITION OF CHRISTENDOM

In this "Judas within" episode, we cover a letter from the great eastern Church Father, St. Basil, that laments scandals within the Church in the late 300's. It could have been written yesterday, and thus we hope it is a source of consolation amidst any difficult time in the Church. Such difficulties are "one-niners" (Ecclesiastes 1:9, "nothing new under the sun").

This is the first of what will be many more "mini-episodes" (around 10 minutes or less) we will now release on a regular basis. Some weeks will have single longer episodes, and some will have multiple "mini-episodes," covering amazing stories and evidence of Catholic belief in the ancient Church. There are so many nuggets to share, and these "mini-episodes" will allow us to share them with you more quickly. Another one will come out later this week on the papacy!

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CHAPTERS

00:00 - Intro

02:46 - Historical Context

04:09 - St. Basil, Letter 164

05:59 - Conclusion

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