Responding to Jay Dyer: Did Popes Contradict Themselves on Islam?

Eastern Orthodox apologist Jay Dyer claims that the Catholic magisterium has contradicted itself—specifically when it comes to Islam. He argues that medieval and modern popes taught conflicting things: some affirmed that Muslims worship the same God as Christians, while others (like Pope Urban II) allegedly said Muslims worship demons. But is that actually a contradiction in Catholic doctrine? In this episode, I take a closer look at the historical sources behind Jay’s claim, examine whether the quote from Urban II is reliable, and ask the key theological question: Is this even magisterial? We’ll break down: What the magisterium actually teaches The difference between doctrine and personal opinion Whether non-definitive teachings can develop or even conflict Why one disputed quote doesn’t upend the Catholic framework If you’ve heard this argument before—or you’re just curious about how the Catholic Church handles doctrinal consistency—you won’t want to miss this one.