Category: Faith

Episode 24: What Do We Think About Birth Control?

Episode 24: What Do We Think About Birth Control?

Can a Christian couple take birth control? Are there forms that are permissible? Why is the Catholic Church against contraceptives? Jacque and Megan discuss their differing views in this episode.

Statistics on who takes birth control

Resources for Megan’s View:

John Piper on Birth Control

Matt Pearman on Birth Control

Resources for Jacque’s View:

Historical Church Teaching on Contraception

Natural Family Planning (NFP)

Catechism of the Catholic Church #2362

Catechism of the Catholic Church #2363

Catechism of the Catholic Church #2364

Episode 23: Finding God In Your Struggle with Mental Illness – A Conversation with Kristen Deasy

Episode 23: Finding God In Your Struggle with Mental Illness – A Conversation with Kristen Deasy

TW: This episode discusses mental health struggles such as depression, anxiety, self-harm and suicidality.

Meet Kristen! Jacque and Megan talk with Kristen Deasy, mental health advocate and founder of “The Human Condition”.  The mission of “The Human Condition” is to change the narrative that mental health and faith are mutually exclusive through promoting hope, healing, and conversation. “The Human Condition” hopes to inspire those living with mental illness that God has a plan for them; to be great saints in the midst of their suffering.

This episodes discusses the integration of faith and mental health, self harm, suicide, and finding God in our suffering. 

Resources:

Follow Kristen on Instagram

Follow The Human Condition on Instagram

The Human Condition Website

Like The Human Condition on Facebook

 

 

Episode 22: Surviving (and Thriving) Through a Breakup

Episode 22: Surviving (and Thriving) Through a Breakup

Meet Rebecca! In this episode, Jacque and Megan discuss with Rebecca how to survive and thrive through the heartache of a breakup. Rebecca talks about common thoughts and struggles, practical tips, and how God creates something new out of our rubble.

Resources Mentioned:

Be Healed by Dr. Bob Schuchts

Episode 20: Mental Health & Faith – A Conversation with Catholic Therapist Tommy Tighe

Episode 20: Mental Health & Faith – A Conversation with Catholic Therapist Tommy Tighe

Meet Tommy! In this episode, Jacque and Megan talk with Tommy Tighe, host of Saint Dymphna’s Playbook, a podcast about finding mental well-being as a Catholic with the help of community and the saints. Tommy is a marriage and family therapist, husband, and father. In each episode Tommy addresses different mental health issues, introduces listeners to a saint who is relevant to mental health and wellness, and responds to questions from Twitter followers. He talks about topics such as fasting and eating disorders, scrupulosity, and vocations and mental illness. 

This episode discusses misconceptions about mental illness, especially in church communities, practical advice for people who are struggling, and answers questions such as whether a Christian should seek out a Christian therapist. 

Resources:

Follow Tommy on Twitter

Tommy’s Podcast: St. Dymphna’s Playbook

Books written by Tommy

History of St. Dymphna

Mental Health Work in Geel, Belgium

 

Episode 19: Redemption in a Broken Engagement

Episode 19: Redemption in a Broken Engagement

Meet Michaela! We are thrilled to have Michaela come on and talk about her experience with a broken engagement and God’s healing in her life. Michaela describes her story as, “the most unexpected and unimaginable blessing in my life” and hopes that the truth of Christ’s life, death, and resurrection may be seen in the midst of it.

Resources:

Follow Michaela on Instagram

Read Michaela’s story HERE

Check out Michaela’s work: thrifted & threaded, Litany NYC

Podcast mentioned: The Place We Find Ourselves

Episode 18: Dealing with Rejection

Episode 18: Dealing with Rejection

We’ve all experienced rejection, and more than likely there are a few particular rejections in your life that sting longer than others. Whether it is a job we really wanted, a relationship we loved, or a family member we wanted in our life, the pain of rejection hits deeply. Why does rejection hurt so much? What are practical and spiritual steps we can take towards healing? In this episode, Jacque and Megan reflect on the effects of rejection and how to deal with it.

Resources:

Source on MRI Studies

Psalm 139

Lyrics to “The Never Haves” by artist Foreknown

Life of the Beloved by Henri Nowen

Episode 17: Catholic vs. Protestant – Views on Mary

Episode 17: Catholic vs. Protestant – Views on Mary

Do Catholics worship Mary? Why don’t Protestants pray to Mary? Why is Mary important? Where do Protestants and Catholics disagree about the mother of Jesus? In this episode, Jacque and Megan discuss their differing views on Mary’s role in a Christian’s walk and work to dispel common myths.

Resources for Jacque’s View:

Worship vs. Veneration: Latria, Hyperdulia And Dulia

Perpetual Virginity: Canons of the Lateran Council of 649, The Translation of Adelphos and Adelphoi, Adelphos Meaning in Bible – New Testament Greek Lexicon, John 19:26

Immaculate Conception: Genesis 3:15, Kecharitomene, Luke 1:28

Co-Redemptrix, Mediatrix, and Advocate: John 2:5, Colossians 1:24, 1 Corinthians 3:9

Queen of Heaven: Gebirah, Revelation 12:1-6

Books: Introduction to Mary: The Heart of Marian Doctrine and Devotion, Meet Your Mother: A Brief Introduction to Mary

Resources for Megan’s View:

Worship vs. Veneration: John Calvin’s ViewFestival Sermons of Martin Luther

Perpetual Virginity: Luke 2:6-7, Matthew 1:24-25, Luke 8:19-21, Adelphos, Argument against perpetual virginity

Immaculate Conception: kecharitomene, Romans 6:23, 1 John 1:8

Co-Redemptrix, Mediatrix, and Advocate: 1 Timothy 2:5, Co-Redemptrix

Queen of Heaven: Desiring God article

Episode 16: Catholic vs. Protestant – Sola Scriptura

Episode 16: Catholic vs. Protestant – Sola Scriptura

What does “Sola Scriptura” mean? Do Protestants and Catholics view the Bible differently? Why don’t Protestants believe in the Pope? In this episode, Jacque and Megan have a friendly “debate” over the primacy of Scripture in a Christians life and compare how Protestants and Catholics treat this controversial phrase from the Protestant Reformation.

Resources for Jacque’s View:

And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock, I will build My Church, and the powers of death shall not prevail against it. I will give you the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in Heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in Heaven.” (Mt 16:18-19)

“So then, brethren, stand firm and hold to the traditions which you were taught by us, either by word of mouth or by letter.” (2 Thess 2:15)

Sacred Scripture is the word of God inasmuch as it is consigned to writing under the inspiration of the divine Spirit, while sacred tradition takes the word of God entrusted by Christ the Lord and the Holy Spirit to the Apostles, and hands it on to their successors in its full purity.” The Church, “led by the light of the Spirit of truth, …may in proclaiming it preserve this word of God faithfully, explain it, and make it more widely known.” (Dei Verbum, 9)”

Catholic Bible 101 – Sacred Tradition

Material vs Formal Sufficiency of Scripture by Mark Shea, Material vs Formal Sufficiency of Scripture by Mark Shea

Lumen gentium (vatican.va)

Resources for Megan’s View:

We are forbidden to add to or take away from Scripture (Deut. 4:2; 12:32; Rev. 22:18-19). 

The “Word of God” are the inspired teachings of God (2 Timothy 3:16-17). Perhaps there was oral teaching not written down, but Scripture is entirely sufficient. We are not in need of those other teachings in order to be saved.

Only Scripture is God-breathed. Even our Pastors and teachers cannot claim to be inspired by the Holy Spirit in the way that the authors of Scripture were.

“The whole counsel of God, concerning all things necessary for his own glory, man’s salvation, faith, and life, is either expressly set down in scripture, or by good and necessary consequence may be deduced from scripture: unto which nothing at any time is to be added, whether by new revelations of the Spirit, or traditions of men.” —Westminster Confession of Faith

The Confession of Faith of the Assembly of Divines at Westminster

What Is Sola Scriptura? | Christian Research Institute

What Is the Sufficiency of Scripture? by Don Stewart

Mid-week Minisode: Our Words for the Year

Mid-week Minisode: Our Words for the Year

We’re entering a new year! Instead of New Year’s Resolutions, Megan and Jacque have chosen words to shape the upcoming year. In this special mid-week mini episode, they both discuss what God has burdened their hearts with for this year and what He has been teaching them.

Episode 15: “Church Hurt” and My Faith – Megan’s Faith Journey

Episode 15: “Church Hurt” and My Faith – Megan’s Faith Journey

What do you do when you step out in faith and if feels like God lets you down? What do you do when the people who are supposed to lead you to Jesus hurt you instead? In this episode, Megan discusses her struggle with ministry failure, church hurt, and doubts in her faith walk and how God has continued to show grace. She talks about what she has learned through her faith journey, her call to ministry, and God’s incredible mercy for her each step of the way.