069: Answering Luther: Finding (Catholic) Faith in Sacred Scripture

by Matthew Leonard
by Matthew Leonard

Twenty years ago, I lost my faith.

I didn’t lose my belief in or about faith, but I officially gave up the certainty that I had enough of it to be saved. It was Easter Vigil, 1998.

That’s when I became Catholic.

2017 is the 500th anniversary of the Protestant Rebell…I mean, Reformation. It’s been a catastrophe. There are now more than 40,000 Protestant denominations…and counting.

As a result, Christianity has become the poster child for hypocrisy. The religion that professes one faith in Jesus Christ, can’t even agree what faith is.

Not since Martin Luther, anyway.

He had some strange ideas about it, ideas most of our Protestant brethren don’t even really understand. And to be honest, a lot of Catholics don’t really have a firm grasp of the topic either.

So we’re going to set the record straight.

I brought in my biblical bazooka named Curtis Mitch. You remember him. He’s the guy who wrote the commentary in the Ignatius Catholic Study Bible.

He was also my guest on the extremely popular episode 54, explaining the extreme violence in Sacred Scripture.

This time we’ll explore:

  • What the Catholic Church actually teaches about faith
  • The pivotal doctrine of Luther most Protestants don’t understand (and don’t even really know)
  • When ecumenism is actually destructive
  • How Luther’s doctrine destroyed the family motif of faith
  • Why primacy of faith (in its true sense) is a Catholic, not Protestant doctrine
  • A proper understanding of the obedience of faith

As you’re going to see, Curtis Mitch is a theological and scriptural blitzkrieg.

And this is a conversation and topic that every Catholic needs to hear and understand. Not just because it helps us to dialogue with our Separated Brethren.

But because a correct understanding of the virtue of faith is at the heart of the Catholic faith itself.

God bless and enjoy!

Matthew


If you liked this episode, you’ll probably like these, too:

Episode 022 – Why Catholic Bibles Are Bigger

Episode 039 – The 7 Core Beliefs of Catholicism…in Hebrews?


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7 Responses

  1. Matthew,
    Thank you for sharing your friend Curtis’s knowledge with us on your program. What he had to offer, and the way the two of you interacted as he laid it out, made this podcast a type of memory velcro. You know what I mean. This is one of those presentations that won’t just fade away with the passing of time. It has too much stick-to-you power for that. Please thank Curtis for us, too.
    Lawrence P. McGowan

    1. Thanks, Lawrence! That means a lot to me. Since I’m having dinner with Curtis this evening, I’ll let him know:). God bless you and thanks again.

  2. Matthew,

    Thank you for another wonderful podcast! I’ve listened to many of your episodes multiple times…they are ~that~ good! Thanks for tackling the tough topics.

    I’m looking forward to “Next Level Scripture With Curtis Mitch.” I’d love to hear what he has to say about Matthew 12:43-45 The Return of the Unclean Spirit.

    God’s peace and grace be with you!
    Lucy

    1. Thanks, Lucy! I appreciate the kind words. All glory be to God and I’ll put that Matthew 12 passage on the list!

  3. I’m so grateful I heard you with Dr Marshall. This podcast is so helpful and I’m looking forward to hearing more. I have been an evangelical Christian for 40 years. If someone told me a couple of years ago that I would be on a journey towards the Catholic Church, I would have said,”you’re crazy.” God is so faithful! That Pilgrimage to Rome sounds like a dream! Please pray for my husband who is a wonderful godly man but not with me concerning the Catholic Church. God bless you and your ministry.

    1. Thanks for the kind words, Cynthia. Yes, the Lord is faithful. Keep seeking the truth…it will set you free (and make you Catholic:). Lol. I never thought I’d be Catholic, either, but it’s the greatest thing that’s ever happened to me. Prayers coming your way re your husband. Hang in there with him. Conversion of heart is something that takes time. God bless you.

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