Considering Catholicism

Why do American evangelicals love Holy Land trips, seder dinners, and supporting the modern state of Israel? In this first of a three-part series, "Seeking Roots, Finding the Church," Greg explores how evangelicals, seeking a faith with gravitas, embrace a romanticized pre-Christian Jewish identity, imagining a simple, intimate faith free of “elaborate” Catholic or Orthodox traditions. He shares a story from St. Peter’s Basilica th...

Greg Smith tackles Catholic and Protestant views on sex, asking: whose take is stranger? From marriage as a sacrament to celibacy as a gift and Mary’s perpetual virginity, he defends Catholic teachings as biblical and healthy against Protestant critiques on divorce, contraception, and more. Using the Cathar heresy as a cautionary tale, Greg shows how Catholicism balances sex’s sacred purpose. Perfect for curious non-Ca...

Is Catholicism a house of cards, ready to collapse under one false teaching? In this episode, Greg responds to a listener—an evangelical exploring Catholicism—who fears he can’t be certain the Church is the truth. With fun analogies like burritos and bridges, Greg unpacks why Protestantism’s “modest” claim is a mirage and how Catholicism’s evidence makes it a rational choice. Inspired by G.K. Chesterton, this episode is for curious...

Why does the Mass feel so formal, and how can you love it? In this episode, Greg responds to Darcy, a 25-year-old evangelical exploring Catholicism, who’s struggling with the Mass’s structure—repetition, kneeling, and call-and-response. He unpacks why our culture overvalues spontaneity, how the Mass’s form protects truth, and why the early Church wasn’t as “casual” as we think. With practical tips and answers to common questions, G...

In the final episode of the series on heaven, Greg and Cory explore the eschaton—the ultimate end of God’s plan, where Christ returns to renew creation as the New Heaven and New Earth. They unpack the biblical parallelism between Genesis 1-2 and Revelation 21-22, where God restores communion between Himself, humanity, and creation, fulfilling our deepest longings for belonging. Drawing from Scripture, the Catechism, an...

Greg and Cory delve into the radical Christian teaching of the physical resurrection of the body, a cornerstone of Catholic eschatology that sets Christianity apart from other worldviews. They explore how the resurrection restores humanity to God’s original design in Genesis, uniting body and soul as seen in Christ’s own resurrection. Contrasting this with prevalent cultural and religious ideas—like Gnosticism or modern transhumani...

Greg and Ed unpack a recent experience at a casual evangelical worship service, contrasting its informal, emotion-driven approach with the objective beauty of the Catholic Mass. They describe a service filled with pop culture references, minimal Scripture, and a vague "remembrance" with Wonder Bread and grape juice, lacking the structure and transcendence of Catholic liturgy. Drawing on C.S. Lewis’s The Weight of Glory...

In this lively episode of Considering Catholicism, Greg and Ed the Protestant tackle a listener’s critique that the show is too harsh on Protestants, sparking a candid discussion over tacos. They reflect on their tone, owning occasional snark while defending the need to draw distinctions between Catholic and Protestant beliefs, as truth claims—like sacraments or authority—demand clarity. Drawing from C.S. Lewis’s Mere Christianity,...

Greg and Cory explore the three destinations awaiting every soul after the particular judgment: heaven, hell, and purgatory. They unpack Catholic teaching on these eternal and temporal states, using Dante’s Divine Comedy and Scripture to illustrate heaven as perfect communion with God, hell as eternal separation, and purgatory as a remedial journey to holiness. Addressing misconceptions, they clarify that purgatory is not a “second...

In this continuation of the series about Heaven, Greg and Cory dive into the Catholic teaching on judgment, exploring the two moments every soul faces: the particular judgment at death and the final judgment at the end of time. They unpack how God’s justice and mercy intertwine, dispel common misconceptions, and discuss why our choices—rooted in faith, hope, and love—matter profoundly. Drawing from Scripture, the Catechism, and viv...

Ever wonder why medieval manuscripts show knights fighting giant snails or rabbits wielding swords? Or why Gothic cathedrals are covered in grinning gargoyles and quirky carvings? In this episode, Greg dives into a wild X thread that sparked a reflection on the medieval Catholic worldview—a universe alive with God’s purpose, where every doodle and stone figure meant something eternal. He contrasts their enchanted perspective with o...

Greg addresses conservative non-Catholic friends asking if Pope Leo XIV is “red” or “blue,” arguing that the 2,000-year-old Catholic Church transcends American political categories. Acknowledging concerns about Pope Francis’s perceived meddling on issues like immigration and climate change, Greg explores where red and blue ideologies intersect with Catholic teaching, reassuring listeners that Leo XIV’s balanced approach offers hope...

Hours after white smoke announced Pope Leo XIV, Greg reflects on Cardinal Robert Prevost’s election as the first American pope. Exploring Leo XIV’s choice of name, traditional regalia, and call to “build bridges,” Greg sees hope for a pope who unites past and future, left and right, in a tumultuous century. Rejecting speculation, he calls for loyalty, prayer, and faithful living, grounding his commitment in Christ’s promise to the ...

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In this episode, Greg Smith dives into Flannery O’Connor’s bold claim: “If it’s only a symbol, to hell with it.” Reflecting on his own conversion and a pivotal moment on Ireland’s Skellig Michael, Greg explores why the reality of Catholic sacraments and aesthetics matters. He critiques three groups—liberal Protestants, evangelicals, and progressive Catholics—who treat the Church’s sacred elements like props, stripping them of their...