Posted on Wednesday, July 10, 2019

090: Salvation – What Every Catholic Needs to Understand

by Matthew Leonard

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The infection has gone deep.

Case in point…Several years ago I was at a very orthodox Catholic conference on the West Coast. Great talks. Great people. Great event.

Then the wheels came off.

During the homily at Mass, the priest gave a completely anti-Catholic homily. He didn’t do it on purpose, but it was anti-Catholic nonetheless.

I was flabbergasted.

I turned to a friend seated next to me, and asked, “Are you hearing what I’m hearing?” He nodded, just as frustrated as I was.

Later, we proceeded to have a conversation about one of the most misunderstood topics in Christianity – salvation.

That friend with whom I spoke so many years ago, Dr. Michael Barber, is my guest on this episode of the Art of Catholic. He wrote a book on this very topic (Salvation: What Every Catholic Needs to Know). And we’re about to continue that discussion begun so many years ago.

We’re going to discuss:

The major difference between Catholic and Protestant views on salvation
How exactly the Cross is a revelation of love
Why the Cross was even necessary
The role of good works in salvation
The strange relationship between economics and salvation
The big difference between salvation and redemption
The controversy over the statement – “There is no salvation outside the Church”

This is one of those meaty episodes for which the Art of Catholic is well-known. And you’re going to love it!

God bless!

Matthew

P.S. Doors re-open to the world’s largest online school of Catholic spirituality at the end of summer 2019! CLICK HERE to check it out and get on the Wait List! (Wait List members are eligible for big Early Bird Discounts!)

“The most dynamic, clearest path to spiritual transformation you’ll find anywhere.” – Mike Aquilina, Author & EWTN Personality

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Posted on Thursday, May 30, 2019

089: John Michael Talbot on Conversion & Community

by Matthew Leonard

I’ve met a lot of converts to Catholicism over the years. But John Michael Talbot is unique, to say the least.

And it’s not just because he’s a multi-platinum selling, Grammy / Dove award winning Contemporary Christian Music pioneer.

It’s more.

Lots of people convert, but John Michael has embarked on a full-fledged movement to transform the way Catholics live…which continues to this day.

And the story of his life will both intrigue, inspire, and perhaps even provoke you to take a look at your own life. It did for me.

Among other things we’ll cover:

How he became Catholic
How the Doobie Brothers saved his life (yup!)
Why he believes St. Francis of Assisi is the key to renewal (Check out his brand new book “Francis of Assisi’s Sermon on the Mount“)
His take on the direction of America
Why he loves the Eastern Catholic Church
His emphasis upon the role of the Holy Spirit (& Our Lady)

So sit back and enjoy a wide-ranging and fascinating conversation with John Michael Talbot, an icon for our times.

God bless!

Matthew

P.S. New pilgrimage announcement coming soon. And I’ve got a hint for you…St. John Paul II and his favorite Lady.

Don’t miss another episode! Subscribe to the Art of Catholic today!

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Posted on Thursday, April 25, 2019

088: The Astounding Doctrine of Deification

by Matthew Leonard

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There is one doctrine of the Church that changes everything…and I mean everything!

And once you get it, your understanding of salvation is radically transformed.

I’m talking about deification.

Yup! You and I are were created to be divine!

St. Peter declares very clearly that we are destined to become a “partakers” of the divine nature of God (2 Pt 1:4). But that’s not the only place in Scripture this amazing doctrine is found.

It’s all over the place!

So to unpack what it is and where it’s found in the Bible, I invited Curtis Mitch on to the Art of Catholic podcast. (He’s the guy who wrote the amazing commentary in the very popular Ignatius Catholic Study Bible.)

There’s nobody I’d rather have on the program to address this from a scriptural point of view.

Here are just a few of the highlights of this episode: