Reason and Theology Show – REASON & THEOLOGY

Some Catholics claim that each individual believer can decide what the Bible and Tradition mean. But that’s exactly the Protestant principle of private judgment. The Catholic Church has always taught that it is the Magisterium — the Pope and bishops in union with him — who authentically interpret the Word of God. If you’ve ever wondered “Who speaks for the Church — me or the Magisterium?”, this episode will give you the clear answer.

Did animal sacrifices really continue after the crucifixion of Jesus? Many Christians assume the cross ended sacrifices once and for all—but Scripture and history tell a more complex story. The apostles went to the Temple during the daily sacrifices (Acts 3), Paul himself participated in offerings (Acts 21, 24), and traditions like the Armenian matagh and Greek kourbania preserve animal sacrifices in Christianity even today. In this episode, we’ll look at: Why the apostles prayed at the Temple during sacrificial hours. How Paul took part in the Nazarite vow and Temple offerings. Pope Gregory’s surprising words about animal sacrifices. The survival of Christian sacrifices in Armenia and Greece. Far from being wiped out, sacrificial traditions adapted and lived on in Christian practice—long after the crucifixion.

DEBATE: Is the Trinity Coherent? (Jake Brancatella vs. Samuel Green)

Jerusalem has frozen all bank accounts of the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate over an ongoing property tax dispute — leaving clergy, teachers, and staff without pay. The city claims the Church owes millions in back taxes for properties not used as houses of worship, while the Patriarchate says this move breaks centuries of precedent and ongoing negotiations. This standoff has deep historical roots, dating back to Ottoman, British, Jordanian, and now Israeli rule — and could have major consequences for Christians in the Holy Land. In this episode, we break down the history, the politics, and what’s at stake for the Church and the faithful.

Reporters are claiming that for the first time in history, Pope Leo will meet with a pro-LGBTQ+ Catholic group at the Vatican. What does this mean for the Church, the LGBTQ+ community, and the future of Catholic dialogue? In this episode, we break down the significance of this historic meeting, what it could signal about the Vatican’s approach, and why it’s sparking worldwide attention. Watch to get the full story and understand why this moment is making headlines!

An incident at the Basilica of Loreto, where the Holy House of Mary is enshrined, is drawing widespread attention. Footage shows Catholic bishops concelebrating Mass alongside a woman dressed in a cassock and clerical collar, possibly a Protestant “priestess.”

A priest who entered a same-sex civil union was recently reinstated to active ministry—promoted to parish leadership, school oversight, and even the diocesan marriage tribunal. All this, despite a public record of LGBT advocacy and no clear public repentance. In this video, I explore the deeper issue: What happened to the biblical standards for ministry? According to 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1, a spiritual leader must be above reproach—free from scandal and of good reputation even with outsiders. So why are these scriptural requirements being ignored? This isn’t about attacking a specific priest or bishop. It’s about calling the Church back to God’s standards for leadership, and restoring trust where scandal has caused confusion and hurt. Scriptures Referenced: – 1 Timothy 3:1–7 – Titus 1:6–9 – Canon 1394 (Code of Canon Law) If we want a holy Church, we need holy leaders. Let’s talk about it. #Priesthood #ChurchScandal #BiblicalLeadership #CatholicCrisis #AboveReproach #1Timothy3 #ClergyStandards #SameSexUnion #MichaelLofton

Leaked Benedict XVI Letter Ends the Resignation Debate A previously unpublished letter from Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI — dated August 21, 2014 — has just been made public, and it delivers a decisive blow to one of the most persistent Catholic conspiracy theories of the last decade. For years, some claimed that Benedict resigned only the ministry of St. Peter, not the munus (the papal office itself), which would have made Pope Francis an “antipope” and Benedict the true pope until his death. In this letter, Benedict calls that idea “absurd,” “contrary to clear dogmatic and canonical doctrine,” and dismisses it as fueling schism. We’ll break down what the letter says, why it matters, and how it confirms what I’ve been saying for years: Benedict fully resigned the papacy. We’ll also revisit an alleged apparition story promoted back in April 2023 by Taylor Marshall and others — claiming that Benedict’s ghost appeared to a nun, said Pope Francis murdered him, and that he remained the true pope. This new letter completely contradicts that story, yet those who promoted it seem oddly silent now.

A priest who entered a same-sex civil union was recently reinstated to active ministry—promoted to parish leadership, school oversight, and even the diocesan marriage tribunal. All this, despite a public record of LGBT advocacy and no clear public repentance. In this video, I explore the deeper issue: What happened to the biblical standards for ministry? According to 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1, a spiritual leader must be above reproach—free from scandal and of good reputation even with outsiders. So why are these scriptural requirements being ignored? This isn’t about attacking a specific priest or bishop. It’s about calling the Church back to God’s standards for leadership, and restoring trust where scandal has caused confusion and hurt. Scriptures Referenced: – 1 Timothy 3:1–7 – Titus 1:6–9 – Canon 1394 (Code of Canon Law) If we want a holy Church, we need holy leaders. Let’s talk about it.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says Israel is moving forward with the full occupation of Gaza. Former President Donald Trump refuses to oppose it, and some far-right Israeli politicians are even quoting Hitler in defense of wiping Gaza off the map. In the U.S., Christian Zionists like Speaker Mike Johnson are citing the Bible—especially Genesis 12:3—to justify unwavering support for everything Israel does. But does the Bible really teach that? In this video, I respond theologically and historically. I walk you through what Genesis 12:3 actually means, how the Apostle Paul interprets Abraham’s promises in the New Testament, and why Christian Zionism is a recent invention—rooted not in Jesus or the apostles, but in 19th-century dispensationalism. We’ll look at how this theology evolved, how it hijacks Scripture to sanctify violence, and how it’s being weaponized today to excuse occupation, apartheid, and ethnic cleansing. Whether you’re a person of faith or not, this episode will help you make sense of the religious claims shaping U.S. foreign policy and provide a more truthful reading of the Bible.