Controversies in Church History

With the election of Pope Leo XIV, we move into a new papal reign, and in this brief episode, I share a few thoughts about the new pontiff, the challenges he will face, and musings on the larger historical context of those challenges. Cheers!

Our latest episode continues our discussion on the cult of the saints, but this time focusing on one of its more controversial aspects: the veneration of relics. In this episode, I talk about what the veneration of relics entails, how it emerged from the cult of the martyrs, and the evidence for its practice among early Christians. I also describe how by the sixth century, belief in the powers of relics became a defining feature of Christianity, and why the practice distinguished Christians from both pagan Greco-Roman religion and Judaism in the ancient world.

In this enlightening discussion, Joseph and Monique Gonzalez, co-authors of "Guadalupe and the Flower World Prophecy," explore the rich cultural tapestry of the Nahua people before the Spanish conquest. They reveal how indigenous beliefs set the stage for the Virgin Mary's 1531 apparition to Juan Diego, reshaping the spiritual landscape. Delving into the four pillars of Mesoamerican spirituality, they connect themes of beauty, divinity, and worthiness to the Guadalupe narrative, illustrating how it bridges cultural divides and addresses modern misconceptions about her significance.

Hello! This is just a brief update on what's cooking for Controversies in Church History. Please take a listen, I have some good things in store for my followers. Cheers!

When did the early Christians begin to seek the intercession of particularly holy people, such as the martyrs? Was this something they copied from Greco-Roman society? In the latest episode of Controversies in Church History, we take a look at the origins of the cult of the saints. In it, I discuss when and how the early Christians began to venerate Christian martyrs, and the evidence of this practice. I address the similarities and differences between the veneration of the saints and Greco-Roman religion, and why veneration of saints marked a radical departure from other religions in the ancient world.

Hello! I thought I would drop a short, unscripted episode about something that has been on my mind recently, namely, elites. Inspired by an embarrassing situation in the Catholic Church in England, I muse on the theory of "elite overproduction" and how it might apply to the Protestant Reformation. Which means I geek out over the numbers of universities founded in late medieval Europe. If you like thinking about history, I hope this more speculative episode whets your appetites. Cheers!

Dive into the complex world of iconoclasm in the Byzantine Empire during the 8th and 9th centuries. Explore the clash between those who wanted to destroy sacred images and their passionate defenders. Discover how political, social, and theological factors influenced these intense debates. Learn about the historical evolution of image veneration from early Christian art to its eventual triumph. Uncover the pivotal role of Empress Theodora in restoring icon veneration and its lasting impact on Orthodox and Catholic teachings.

Discover the tumultuous journey of the Armenian Catholic Church within the Ottoman Empire, marked by persecution and suspicion from Rome. Explore the schism of the 1870s and the dire impact of nationalist movements. Delve into the internal conflicts sparked by conversions to Catholicism and the strains on traditional authority. The discussion takes a poignant turn as it reflects on the tragic events of the Armenian Genocide, linking historical struggles to the ongoing challenges faced by Christians in Syria today.

Discover fascinating insights as the host reviews a diverse array of thought-provoking books on theology, literature, and history. From traditional Catholic views on marriage and liturgy to the exploration of romanticism and Viktor Frankl's search for meaning, each work unravels rich themes. Delve into maritime history with tales of survival and mutiny, while also navigating the complexities of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The discussion highlights the importance of engaging with various perspectives on contemporary issues.

Author and apologist, Erick Ybarra, discusses his book on the papacy and debates with the Orthodox Church. They explore historical controversies surrounding Pope Honorius and papal authority in the first millennium. The conversation also touches on the challenges of papal infallibility and maintaining respectful dialogue with the Orthodox Church.