Most of us know that modern technology is having disastrous side effects. But here we are. What do we do now? In this episode, I'm joined by Marc Barnes from New Polity to discuss the philosophy of technology, how it's shaping us, and how we might move forward in a healthier way. If you're looking for a light video, this isn't it. If you're ready to dive into the deep end, stick around. Upcoming New Polity Conference: https://newpolity.com/events/2024 Support Gospel Simplicity: Patreon:  ...

In this video, I'm joined by Dr. Matthew Thiessen, author of A Jewish Paul, and Associate Professor of Religious Studies at McMaster University, to discuss a growing movement in Pauline studies: interpreting Paul within Judaism, not as a convert to Christianity. In this video, we cover how this perspective came about, how it compares to the New Perspective and Lutheran Perspective, as well as what this means for how Christians should relate to the law today. Check out his book:...

This video is sponsored by Faithful Counseling. For 10% off your first month, use the link, http://www.faithfulcounseling.com/gospelsimplicity Ulrich Zwingli, born January 1, 1484 in Switzerland, would go on to become a leading figure of the Reformation. However, just as quick was his rise to prominence as his fall from grace. After dying in battle, many of his contemporaries distanced themselves from him, and despite being contemporary with Luther, he receives only a small fraction of the...

This video is sponsored by Faithful Counseling. For 10% off your first month, use the link, http://www.faithfulcounseling.com/gospelsimplicity From giants to tours of the underworld, the apocryphal books are full of intrigue. But what are their use for the church today? In this wide ranging interview, Fr. Stephen De Young guides us through the books of Enoch, the Apocalypse of Peter, the Shepherd of Hermas, and the Protoevangelium of James. In addition, we discuss the Orthodox approach to...

In this video, Orthodox priest, Fr. Laurent Cleenewerck, and Catholic Apologist, Erick Ybarra, discuss the papacy. However, this isn't your usual battle of proof texts. Instead, we dive deep into questions of ecclesiology which get to the root of the disagreement between Catholics and Orthodox. Throughout the course of the discussion, Fr. Laurent and Erick tackle questions like: 1. Did Catholics and Orthodox EVER agree on the papacy?  2. What does Roman primacy mean? 3. What can we learn from...

This video is sponsored by Faithful Counseling. For 10% off your first month, use the link, http://www.faithfulcounseling.com/gospelsimplicity It's one thing to read books about Orthodox theology, but how does one actually live an Orthodox spiritual life? That's what Fr. Evan Armatas shares in this video, based on his book Toolkit for Spiritual Growth: Prayer, Almsgiving, and Fasting.  Fr. Evan's book: https://amzn.to/44nofMR St. Nektarios Fund: https://www.stnektariosfund.org/ Panaghias...

This video is sponsored by Faithful Counseling. For 10% off your first month, use the link, http://www.faithfulcounseling.com/gos... The rosary is perhaps the most famous Catholic devotional practice. But is there more to it than just muttering the same words over and over again? In this video, Keith Nester breaks down the mysteries of the Rosary and the spiritual fruit that accompany them. For me, this has totally changed how I see the Rosary, and it just might do the same for you, too....

This video is sponsored by Faithful Counseling. For 10% off your first month, use the link, http://www.faithfulcounseling.com/gospelsimplicity Catholics and Protestants have a different canon. But why? In this episode, I'm joined by Gary Michuta to discuss the Old Testament Canon, and specifically, why Catholics have seven more books in their Bibles than Protestants.  Find Gary on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@UCO-lc_oipf900w6792AiywA  Gary's book: https://amzn.to/44Yn8EA Support...

This video is sponsored by Faithful Counseling. For 10% off your first month, use the link, http://www.faithfulcounseling.com/gospelsimplicity There has been no shortage of debate over how the NT canon was formed. Was it an organic process, finished by the mid-second century? Was it an ecclesial process, formalized at 4th century councils? Or was it a conspiracy of power hungry bishops seeking to quell rival Christianities (shoutout to Barth Ehrman)? IN this interview, Dr. Benjamin Laird...

This video is sponsored by Faithful Counseling. For 10% off your first month, use the link, http://www.faithfulcounseling.com/gospelsimplicity In his book, Pierced by Love: Divine Reading with the Christian Tradition, Dr. Hans Boersma puts forth a seemingly simple argument: we should read Scripture according to its purpose. But, as it turns out, not everyone is in agreement with the purpose of Scripture. Is it a theological textbook, an ancient history, a workbook for life, or perhaps a...

This video is sponsored by Faithful Counseling. For 10% off your first month, use the link, http://www.faithfulcounseling.com/gos... Our relationship with work, money, and community is deeply flawed. At least, that's the hypothesis we're testing in this interview. Specifically, we're exploring what a Christian, or more specifically, Catholic, alternative to our prevailing approaches to work, money, and community would look like. We talk about everything from reviving blue collar work,...

This video is sponsored by Faithful Counseling. For 10% off your first month, use the link, http://www.faithfulcounseling.com/gos... This video is also brought to you by Fox N Sons coffee. For 15% off your oder of $25 or more, use the promo code "Gospel Simplicity" at http://www.foxnsons.com Perhaps no doctrine is more divisive than the papacy. As such, no matter where you find yourself in the Christian tradition, developing a better understanding of the papacy will help you interact with...

This video is sponsored by Faithful Counseling. For 10% off your first month, use the link, http://www.faithfulcounseling.com/gos... Theosis, or divinization/deification is a core Orthodox doctrine. But what does it really mean? In this video, Seraphim Hamilton breaks down the significance of theosis, showing how it affects doctrines from the veneration of icons and the communion of saints to its impact on the spiritual life. Crucially, he also unpacks how theosis is woven through the...

This video is sponsored by Faithful Counseling. For 10% off your first month, use the link, http://www.faithfulcounseling.com/gospelsimplicity Worship wars have been dividing churches for years. From debates over contemporary worship versus hymns or vernacular versus Latin, everyone seems to have an opinion on what a worship service/mass/liturgy should look like. But in this video we get to the heart of the matter, exploring what the Bible says about worship, and how that shaped early...

This video is sponsored by Faithful Counseling. For 10% off your first month, use the link, http://www.faithfulcounseling.com/gospelsimplicity Sacraments and Pentecostals might sound like oil and water to you, but in this video, Dr. Emilio Alvarez unpacks a movement of Pentecostals towards the Great Tradition to form Pentecostal Orthodoxy. In this video, we talk about what it means to be Pentecostal, and whether that can fall within the bounds of classical consensual orthodoxy. Whether you...

This video is sponsored by Faithful Counseling. For 10% off your first month, use the link, http://www.faithfulcounseling.com/gospelsimplicity Humility is often praised and rarely practiced. Recently, Dr. Gavin Ortlund took on the unenviable job of attempting to write about humility, something he confesses leaves him only able to make jokes about. After all, how do you promote a book you wrote on humility? If anyone can do it, it's Gavin.  In this video, Gavin and I explore his thoughts on...

This video is sponsored by Faithful Counseling. For 10% off your first month, use the link, http://www.faithfulcounseling.com/gos... Is it Catholic? Protestant? Neither? If you're wondering what Anglo-Catholicism is, you're not alone. In this video, I'm joined by Fr. Wesley Walker to bring you all an introduction to Anglo-Catholicism. We discuss the Protestant and Catholic influences of Anglo-Catholicism, the history and devotional practices of the Anglo-Catholic Church, and much more. Of...

This video is sponsored by Faithful Counseling. For 10% off your first month, use the link, http://www.faithfulcounseling.com/gospelsimplicity St. Nicholas of Myra was born in the 3rd century, in what is now Turkey. He rose to some prominence as a bishop, held a low profile at the Council of Nicaea, and was known locally as a great man. But none of that explains how he became associated around the world with the legendary figure who, with his flying reindeer, brings kids all around the world...

This video is sponsored by Faithful Counseling. For 10% off your first month, use the link, http://www.faithfulcounseling.com/gospelsimplicity The Lord of the Rings is one of the most popular series (epics?) of all time. With unforgettable characters and an enthralling heroes journey, its popularity is well-deserved. But is it nothing more than guilty pleasure? Should Christians busy themselves with more important things than reading about Hobbits? In this video, I'm joined by Orthodox...

Sponsors: This video is sponsored in part by Faithful Counseling. For 10% off your first month, use the link, http://www.faithfulcounseling.com/gospelsimplicity This video is also sponsored by ChristianMinistryEDU.org. Learn more about how you can gain the tools to pursue your faith-inspired future today at http://www.christianministryedu.org Let's be honest, the presence of Christ in the eucharist can be hard to wrap your mind around. How can the host be the flesh and blood of Christ while...

This video is sponsored by Faithful Counseling. For 10% off your first month, use the link, http://www.faithfulcounseling.com/gospelsimplicity When people think of Eastern Orthodoxy, they often think of ancient traditions, incense, Greek culture, and so forth. Rarely is "African American Spirituality" on the list. That's why, when I heard of Fr. Paul Abernathy's book, The Prayer of a Broken Heart: An Orthodox Christian Reflection on African American Spirituality, I was instantly intrigued....

This video is sponsored by Faithful Counseling. For 10% off your first month, use the link, http://www.faithfulcounseling.com/gos... Sometimes familiarity can be the enemy of understanding. So it is, often times, with the crucifixion of Jesus. For so many of us, we've grown up hearing the story of Jesus' death on the cross, and we have an answer in our back pocket from Sunday school about why Jesus needed to die on the cross, but beyond that, we may not really understand all that much about...

This video is sponsored by Faithful Counseling. For 10% off your first month, use the link, http://www.faithfulcounseling.com/gospelsimplicity Few things spark more internet controversy among Catholics than Vatican II. As many seek to be faithful to the tradition of the church, they wonder what to do with Vatican II, this council that seems to be the source of so many problems in the Church today. Whether it's irreverent liturgies or heterodox theology, Vatican II is seen by many to be the...

This video is sponsored by Faithful Counseling. For 10% off your first month, use the link, http://www.faithfulcounseling.com/gospelsimplicity CS Lewis is beloved by Christians from across the spectrum of the Christian tradition for his erudite yet accessible apologetics and his winsome fiction writing. However, most people aren't familiar with a "third Lewis" which he himself saw foundational to his identity: Lewis the Medievalist. A celebrated scholar and Oxford Don, Lewis spent most of...