Gospel Simplicity Podcast

Austin Suggs
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Oct 27, 2025 • 1h 4min

Can Catholics Disagree with the Pope? | Andrew Likoudis

In this interview, I'm joined by Andrew Likoudis, editor of the new volume, Faith in Crisis, which deals with the ongoing questions of submission to the pope and the magisterium in the Catholic Church. We discuss when (if at all), a Catholic can disagree with the pope, and how that can be done. Along the way, we dive into questions about the death penalty, freedom of conscience, Vatican 2, and what happens with a heretical pope.Support the channel:Patreon: patreon.com/gospelsimplicityPaypal: paypal.me/gospelsimplicityLikoudis Legacy Foundation: https://likoudislegacy.com/Faith in Crisis: https://amzn.to/3KY25NgSupport the show
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Oct 25, 2025 • 30min

That Time There Were Three Popes: A History of the Great Western Schism

The Great Western Schism is one of the most fascinating and dramatic stories in the history of the church. And yet, many people have never heard of it. This is a story of saints against saints, councils against popes, and rival popes vying for power. For skeptics, it's proof the emperor has no clothes. For committed Catholics, it's a reminder that the church has been through far worse in its past than in its present. For everyone, it's a story worth knowing. Videos like these are some of the most difficult for me to make. If you'd like to see more, consider supporting the channel using the links below: 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 Setting the Stage00:53 Avignon Papacy02:23 Returning to Rome04:12 The Fateful Conclave08:00 The Schism Begins13:00 France Loses Patience13:42 The Council of Pisa14:32 Three Popes15:47 Council of Constance21:30 Benedict's Power Fades24:03 The Clementine Line Sputters Out24:53 What Now?Support the show
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Oct 20, 2025 • 59min

The Catholic Reformation: A beginner's guide with Dr. James Kelly

In this interview, I'm joined by Dr. James Kelly to discuss the Catholic Reformation. We cover why "Catholic Reformation" is a better name than "Counter Reformation," the Council of Trent, the spread of Catholicism during colonialism, and the impact of the Catholic Reformation on daily life. Dr. James Kelly is Associate Professor in the History of Catholicism in the Department of Theology and Religion at Durham University. Read his full bio: https://www.durham.ac.uk/staff/james-kelly3/The Catholic Reformation: A Very Short Introduction: https://amzn.to/4hahvK4Want 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 What is the Catholic Reformation?05:25 Sources of the Catholic Reformation09:54 Relationship to Protestant Reformation13:00 The Council of Trent16:15 On the Ground Reality20:58 Protestant Reaction23:30 Spirit of the Council27:24 Colonialism and Missions36:39 Religious Orders42:40 Daily Life49:30 Was it a Success?53:53 Reform of Superstition57:02 Going FurtherSupport the show
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Oct 13, 2025 • 1h 14min

Why a Catholic Philosopher Became Orthodox | Dr. Joshua Sijuwade

In this interview, Dr. Joshua Sijuwade returns to the channel, but this time from a different church. About a year ago, he and I discussed his a priori argument for the papacy. This time, he's sharing what ultimately led him to change his mind on the papacy and become Orthodox. The conversation focuses on the structure of the church, and whether Catholics or Orthodox have retained the church structure of the first millennium. In a future episode, we may dive into the differences in the doctrine of God between the East and West. If you'd like to see that, let us know!The Monograph: https://www.academia.edu/143947636/The_Identity_of_the_Church_A_Comprehensive_Argument_for_the_Truth_of_Eastern_Orthodoxy_Penultimate_Updated_VersionWant 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
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Sep 29, 2025 • 58min

Church Authority and Freedom of Conscience in the Middle Ages | Dr. Ian Christopher Levy

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
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Sep 24, 2025 • 33min

The Story of Vatican 1: Papal Infallibility and the Crisis of Modernity

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
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Sep 17, 2025 • 55min

Why Stay Protestant When (seemingly) Everyone Is Leaving? | Dr. Beth Felker Jones

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
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Aug 25, 2025 • 58min

The Story of a Catholic Megachurch | Tom Corcoran

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
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Aug 22, 2025 • 59min

Re-Christianizing the Episcopal Church | Fr. Ben Crosby

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
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Aug 11, 2025 • 56min

An Orthodox Theology of Beauty | Dr. Timothy Patitsas

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

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