The Reformanda Initiative

Listen as we talk with RSLN faculty member, Rachel Ciano, about the significance and importance of Augustine of Hippo. Why should evangelicals know and study the works of Augustine, and how should they approach the man who is claimed by both Roman Catholics and Protestants?About Rachel Ciano:Rachel moved to England in 2005, where she and her husband ministered at an evangelical anglican church in Hove, East Sussex. They returned to Sydney in 2009, where they began a church plant in Marrickville. Rachel completed her studies at SMBC in 2010, specialising in the English Reformation, particularly Thomas Cranmer and the interaction between two key points of his theology: his Erastianism and his Eucharistic position.Journal Articles and Book Chapters by Rachel Ciano:Maddock, Ian J., Stuart Coulton and Rachel Ciano. 10 Dead Guys You Should Know, (Fearn, Christian Focus, 2021).Ciano, Rachel. "Lament Psalms in the Church: A History of Recent Neglect.” Pages 9-23 in Finding Lost Words: The Church’s Right to Lament. Edited by K. M. Barker and G. G. Harper. Eugene: Wipf and Stock, 2017. (Available for purchase from the SMBC online store)Ciano, Rachel. “Cranmer’s Doctrine of the Monarchy & Eucharist: An Examination of their Interaction.” Lucas: An Evangelical History Review 2:3 (2011): 19–43.Allison, Gregg and Rachel Ciano. “Roman Catholic Theology and Practice of the Priesthood Contrasted with Protestant Theology and Practice of the Priesthood.” Southern Baptist Journal of Theology 23/1 (2019): 137-55.Support the show

In this episode ex-Catholic Mark Gilbert shares his personal testimony, and also about how is personal experience has taught him to effectively share the gospel with his Roman Catholic friends and family members.Mark Gilbert works for Certainty4Eternity, an organisation established to help churches share the gospel with people from a Roman Catholic background. Mark grew up as a committed Roman Catholic, but despite this did not hear the gospel until he started university. He trained as a doctor before retraining as a minister, and has served in Anglican churches in Sydney since 2000. He currently works as a chaplain on the Northern Beaches. Mark has published a number of resources with Matthias Media to help people share the good news about Jesus with people from a Roman Catholic background including The God Who Saves, The Road Once Travelled and Stepping Out in Faith.Episode Resources:Books by Mark Gilbert:The God Who Saves. Very Popular 5 Week Bible Study on Grace, Faith, Sin, the Cross and Good Works in a Christian’s lifeThe Road Once Travelled. Great book to give to Catholics who might be giving up on CatholicismStepping out in Faith. 11 Stories of Catholics who heard the Gospel and it changed their lives … also great to give to interested CatholicsArticles by Mark Gilbert:GoTherefore.com articlesSupport the show

In this episode Lauren Moore joins us to discuss Marian apparitions, what they are, why they are important, how they impact Roman Catholicism, and how they should be viewed and understood from an Evangelical perspective.Lauren Moore has been serving with Pioneers in southwest France for almost 12 years.  During that time she has been involved in four different church plants, each in a different stage:  the Basque Coast Baptist Church (now an established church with a pastor), the Surf Church Hossegor (a small but growing church that started in 2009), and a house church in Bidache (started in 2019).  In 2015 she helped plant Les Cairns, the first evangelical church in Lourdes, a Catholic pilgrimage city, in over 40 years.  Her experience in Catholicism allows her to train other missionaries in understanding Roman Catholicism to reach Europe.  She is also currently completing her doctoral thesis with VU Amsterdam and Union School of Theology (Wales), focusing on the impact and influence of apparitions of Mary. Support the show

Listen to a conversation with Pastor Mickey Aquilino (Parkside Church - Alistair Begg). Mickey grew up Roman Catholic but didn't know Christ. After coming to faith through a renewal movement and reading God's Word, Mickey eventually left the Catholic church. He was led by God to Parkside Church where for 25 years he has helped teach the Bible and disciple others who come from a Roman Catholic background (like Amanda Scopilliti from season 2 episode 12).Support the show

In this episode we discuss the alarming theological implications of Pope Francis's recent trip to Iraq, where he pleaded for peace and fraternity, grounding his appeal in our common heritage found in Abraham. Episode Resource:http://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/events/event.dir.html/content/vaticanevents/en/2021/3/6/iraq-incontro-interreligioso.html#PRAYERwww.reformandainitiative.org/masterclasswww.vaticanfiles.orgSupport the show

In this episode we talk with Amanda Scopilliti, a former nun who began her journey with the Dominican Order, the Dominican Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist. Listen to Amanda share about her journey from seeking Christ in the Roman Catholic Church, to ending up in hopeless bondage of religious function, to the day when God opened her eyes to the sufficiency of Christ and the biblical Gospel of grace.*This episode was recorded through Zoom.Support the show

In this episode we discuss Dr. De Chirico's next Vatican File, #185, which will provide an evangelical analysis of the late Pope John Paul II's important encyclical letter, Fides et Ratio (Faith and Reason) and help evangelicals better understand how to think through the relationship between faith and reason.Episode ResourcesPapale Encyclical Fides et RatioReasons for Faith: Philosophy in the Service of Theology, Dr. Scott OliphintSupport the show

In this episode we provide a brief overview of the papacy from an evangelical perspective. Episode notes:Book/Kindle/Audible: A Christian's Pocket Guide to the Papacy: Its origin and role in the 21st century (Pocket Guides) by Leonardo DechiricoSupport the show

In this episode we respond to our listener's questions, which concern the RCC's relationship to Latin language, both today and in the past. We also briefly discuss Epiphany, and respond to a listener's comments on Mary and Marian typology. We also respond to several questions about indulgences: What is the difference between indulgences and penance? What exactly is the purpose of indulgences? What biblical defense does the RCC give to support indulgences? Lastly, we respond to a listener's question about how to bring these topics and others up with family and friends who are Catholic.Episode Resources:Stepping Out In Faith, Mark GilbertArticle: "Biblical Evidence for Indulgences" by Dave ArmstrongSupport the show

In this episode we discuss the year of St. Joseph, recently declared by Pope Francis in his letter Patris Corde. The Pope's declaration comes on the 150th anniversary of Pope Pius IX's declaration of Joseph as a Patron Saint of the Church (December 8th, 1870). We also discuss the special plenary indulgences decreed by the Catholic Church during this year of St. Jospeh and remind our listeners of what an indulgence is and how they are obtained.Episode Resources:http://www.vatican.va/content/paul-vi/en/apost_constitutions/documents/hf_p-vi_apc_01011967_indulgentiarum-doctrina.htmlhttp://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/apost_letters/documents/papa-francesco-lettera-ap_20201208_patris-corde.html#_ftn10https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2020-12/pope-francis-proclaims-year-of-st-joseph.htmlSupport the show