Gospel Simplicity Podcast

In this interview, I'm joined by Dr. Ian Christopher Levy to discuss freedom of conscience in medieval Catholic theology. We pay special attention to how this medieval theology showed up in the trial of Jan Hus, the Great Western Schism, and the condemnation of Martin Luther at the Diet of Worms. Dr. Ian Christopher Levy (Ph. D. Marquette University) is Professor of Historical theology at Providence College. He is a leading expert in medieval biblical exegesis, sacraments, and ecclesiology. His latest book, With a Pure Conscience: Christian Liberty before the Reformation, chronicles the development of the medieval conception freedom of conscience with special attention given to how freedom of conscience relates to church authority. With a Pure Conscience: https://amzn.to/3IBDTiNHoly Scripture and the Quest for Authority at the End of the Middle Ages: https://amzn.to/4gLng0UWant to support the channel? Here's how!Give monthly: https://patreon.com/gospelsimplicity  Make a one-time donation: https://paypal.me/gospelsimplicityBook a meeting: https://calendly.com/gospelsimplicity/meet-with-austinRead my writings: https://austinsuggs.substack.com/00:00 - Teaser00:59 - The Diet of Worms04:27 - Freedom of Conscience07:08 - Conscience and Authority11:25 - Conscience and Papal Authority15:51 - The Magisterium of the University19:02 - Academic Freedom21:01 - Luther and the University30:57 - Differences in Medieval Views on Conscience37:55 - Scripture and Conscience42:30 - Perspicuity47:03 - Jan Hus51:53 - Conscience Then and NowSupport the show

Vatican 1 represents a pivotal moment in the life of the Catholic Church. It was there that Papal Infallibility was proclaimed as dogma, and the Christian world is still feeling the reverberations of that declaration. And yet, even for most well-informed Christians, this is all they know about the council. But the full story reveals much more. Yes, Vatican 1 declared papal infallibility as dogma, but it also had important things to say about faith, reason, and dogma in general. More than that though, understanding the council takes more than reading the documents--you need to peel back the layers and see the story that shaped the council. It's one where vibrant characters worked hard to push competing visions of what the church is and how it should address the problems of the modern world. Books mentioned: https://amzn.to/485d28WWant to support the channel? Here's how!Give monthly: https://patreon.com/gospelsimplicity    Make a one-time donation: https://paypal.me/gospelsimplicityBook a meeting: https://calendly.com/gospelsimplicity/meet-with-austinRead my writings: https://austinsuggs.substack.com00:00 - Introduction01:36 - The Crisis of Ideas04:11 - Dei Filius08:28 - The Political and Social Crises11:11 - Pastor Aeternus16:12 - The Aftermath17:49 - EvaluationSupport the show

In this interview, I'm joined by Dr. Beth Felker Jones, Professor of Theology at Northern Seminary, to discuss her recent book, Why I am Protestant, which is part of IVP's ecumenical dialogue series, including Dr. Matthew Levering's corresponding book, Why I am Roman Catholic.Dr. Jones shares her reasons for being Protestant, including some arguments that I think will be brand new to you. If you're a Protestant who's wondering if staying Protestant is worth it, this video is for you. Get the book: https://amzn.to/3K5IsT2Dr. Jones' Substack: https://bethfelkerjones.substack.com/Want to support the channel? Here's how!Give monthly:   / gospelsimplicity    Make a one-time donation: https://paypal.me/gospelsimplicityBook a meeting: https://calendly.com/gospelsimplicity...Read my writings: https://austinsuggs.substack.com/Support the show

Recently, I visited Church of the Nativity, a cutting-edge Catholic megachurch outside of Baltimore, MD. After I posted the video, the team at Nativity reached out to me and asked if I wanted to learn more about the story of the church and their philosophy. I was thrilled. So, a few weeks ago, I sat down with Tom Corcoran, one of the people behind turning this dying church into one of the fastest growing, most interesting Catholic parishes in the country. Learn more: https://www.rebuiltparish.com/https://www.churchnativity.com/ @rebuiltparish  Want to support the channel? Here's how!Give monthly: https://patreon.com/gospelsimplicity  Make a one-time donation: https://paypal.me/gospelsimplicityBook a meeting: https://calendly.com/gospelsimplicity/meet-with-austinRead my writings: https://austinsuggs.substack.com/Support the show

In this interview, I'm joined by Fr. Ben Crosby, an Episcopal priest and Ph.D. student at McGill university, to discuss the 39 articles, Anglican theology, and how to restore the Episcopal Church to its theological roots. Along the way, Fr. Ben shares the fascinating story of how liberals and conservatives have both opposed the 39 articles, whether "via media" is a good way to describe Anglicanism, and why being more Protestant makes Anglicans more Anglican. It's a fascinating discussion, and I hope you enjoy it as much as I didhttps://substack.com/@bencrosbyBooks mentioned: IVP 1662 Book of Common Prayer: https://amzn.to/3UqkZO9Companion to the Book of Common Prayer: https://amzn.to/41zbWybAnglican Book of Homilies: https://amzn.to/412dMriWant to support the channel? Here's how!Give monthly:   / gospelsimplicity    Make a one-time donation: https://paypal.me/gospelsimplicityBook a meeting: https://calendly.com/gospelsimplicity...Read my writings: https://austinsuggs.substack.com/Support the show

In this interview, I discuss ethics, beauty, and Orthodoxy with Dr. Timothy Patitsas. In doing so, we get to what he sees as the heart of the divide between the Christian East and the Christian West. It's a wide-ranging discussion that had me on the edge of my seat. Want to support the channel? Here's how!Give monthly: https://patreon.com/gospelsimplicity  Make a one-time donation: https://paypal.me/gospelsimplicityBook a meeting: https://calendly.com/gospelsimplicity/meet-with-austinRead my writings: https://austinsuggs.substack.com/Timothy G. Patitsas (Ph.D. Catholic University of America) has been the Interim Dean of Hellenic College since January of 2020 and the Assistant Professor of Ethics at Holy Cross since the Fall of 2005.Dr. Patitsas' Book: https://amzn.to/3UhdZTKDr. Patitsas' Short Film: https://www.beautyfirstfilms.com/amphilochiosSupport the show

n this interview, I'm joined by Dr. Andy Messmer to discuss the Spanish Reformation--which, if you're anything like me, you might have never heard about. In our wide-ranging discussion, Dr. Messmer shares some of the key figures and ideas that came out of the Spanish Reformation as well as why it ultimately failed to take hold. To understand that, we dive into the Spanish Inquisition as well as what the church in Spain looks like today. Dr. Messmer is at the forefront of studying the Spanish Reformation, and it was a true privilege to get to learn from him. Dr. Messmer's Translation of Reina's Confession of Faith: https://amzn.to/3ISGHruDr. Messmer's Book on Protestantism (in Spanish): https://amzn.to/3ITWRRxWant to support the channel? Here's how!Give monthly: https://patreon.com/gospelsimplicity  Make a one-time donation: https://paypal.me/gospelsimplicityBook a meeting: https://calendly.com/gospelsimplicity/meet-with-austinRead my writings: https://austinsuggs.substack.com/00:00 - Why It's Unknown03:03 - What Happened10:17 - Mystical Influence14:40 - The Inquisition21:20 - The Ecumenical Spirit31:55 - What we can learn from them36:10 - Reading the Anabaptists39:11 - The State of the Church in Spain47:12 - Arguments for Protestantism53:30 - Resources for the Spanish ReformationSupport the show

Joshua Schooping, a Lutheran pastor and former Orthodox priest, shares his remarkable faith journey. He discusses his initial attraction to Eastern Orthodoxy and the theological complexities he encountered, particularly around atonement. Schooping highlights his frustrations with church politics and evolving beliefs on justification, underscoring the rich traditions of Lutheranism. He emphasizes the significance of structured prayer and daily psalmody in fostering spiritual peace, bridging insights from both Orthodox and Lutheran backgrounds.

Ever since Pew Research put out its Religious Landscape Study, people have been making claims about Christianity making a comeback. Within this, three claims in particular have stood out on the internet: 1. Young people are getting more religious.2. Young men are becoming more religious.3. People are flocking to traditional churches. In this video, we put all those claims to the test as Pew Researcher, Dr. Chip Rotolo (Ph.D., University of Notre Dame) unpacks the details of this study, separating fact from fiction. Check out the study: https://www.pewresearch.org/religion/2025/02/26/decline-of-christianity-in-the-us-has-slowed-may-have-leveled-off/Find chip on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chip.rotolo/Want to support the channel? Here's how!Give monthly: https://patreon.com/gospelsimplicity    Make a one-time donation: https://paypal.me/gospelsimplicityBook a meeting: https://calendly.com/gospelsimplicity/meet-with-austinRead my writings: https://austinsuggs.substack.com/Support the show

Javier Perdomo, a former Baptist pastor turned Lutheran, discusses his journey through various Christian traditions and the nuances of Protestant apologetics. He shares insights on the growing interest in Protestant conversions, emphasizing personal stories over oversimplified narratives. The conversation dives into the complexities of internet discourse and its impact on faith, critiques inconsistencies in Catholic apologetics, and challenges the notion of doctrinal certainty. Javier highlights the need for nuanced understanding in discussions about theology and ecclesial authority.