In this episode, Jacque and Megan talk with Austin Suggs from Gospel Simplicity. Gospel Simplicity began as a YouTube channel in a Moody Bible Institute dorm. It was born out of the central conviction that the gospel is really good news that should be shared with as many people as possible. Austin creates content around biblical and theological topics, often interacting with people from across the Christian tradition with the hope of seeking greater unity and introducing people to the beautiful simplicity and transformative power of the gospel, the good news about Jesus.

Some topics discussed in this episode are:

1. When do doctrinal differences become issues that require division?
2. What would it take for Protestants to join Catholics or vice versa?
3. How to respond to Protestants who reject the legitimacy of a Catholic’s faith and vice versa.
4. Will there ever be a union of all different Christian traditions on this side of heaven?

Resources:

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Meet Reilly! In this episode, Jacque and Megan talk to Reilly about her conversion story from a non-denominational, Protestant background to the Catholic Church. They discuss the messy parts of conversion, the difficulties and doubts that come along with it, and also the good and beautiful parts as well.

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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 View, Festival 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

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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

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