FACTS

In this episode of FACTS, we step into the fourth century and examine one of the most important witnesses to early Christian baptism: St. Ambrose of Milan.

Drawing directly from Chapters 2–4 of On the Mysteries, Ambrose takes us inside the baptismal rites of the ancient Church and explains what newly baptized Christians experienced as they entered the waters of regeneration. Far from viewing baptism as a mere symbol, Ambrose presents it as a sacrament through which God truly acts—washing away sins, imparting new life, and incorporating believers into Christ.

In this study, Stephen Boyce and Pat May explore:

• Why Ambrose compares baptism to the crossing of the Red Sea

• The significance of renouncing Satan before entering the waters

• How Ambrose interprets Old Testament events as foreshadowing Christian baptism

• The connection between baptism, forgiveness of sins, and spiritual rebirth

• Why Ambrose believed baptism accomplished something real, not merely symbolic

• What his testimony reveals about the faith and practice of the fourth-century Church

Whether you are Catholic, Orthodox, Protestant, or simply interested in the history of Christianity, Ambrose’s words provide a remarkable window into how the early Church understood the sacrament of baptism.

If you'd like to donate to our ministry or be a monthly partner that receives newsletters and one on one discussions with Dr. Stephen Boyce, here's a link: https://give.tithe.ly/?formId=6381a2ee-b82f-42a7-809e-6b733cec05a7

Here is a link to the Mysteries:https://ccel.org/ccel/schaff/npnf210/npnf210.iv.v.iii.html

#StAmbrose #Baptism #ChurchFathers #EarlyChurch #Catholic #Orthodox #ChristianHistory #Patristics #AncientChristianity #FACTSPodcast

Paul’s doctrine of the Church was never built on modern religious individualism. In this episode, we examine how many Protestants misunderstand Paul’s ecclesiology by reducing the Church to a voluntary gathering of believers rather than the visible, apostolic, and sacramental Body of Christ.

Drawing from key Pauline texts such as 1 Corinthians 12, Ephesians 1–2, and 1 Timothy 3:15, we explore Paul’s repeated “in Christ” language and why it points to incorporation into a corporate reality rather than merely a private relationship with Jesus. We also examine the apostolic foundation of the Church, the meaning of the Body of Christ, and why Paul’s theology cannot be reduced to “just me and my Bible” Christianity.

In this episode, Stephen Boyce and Pat May challenge modern assumptions about the Church and asks an important question: does the ecclesiology taught by Paul actually resemble modern Protestant individualism?

If you'd like to donate to our ministry or be a monthly partner that receives newsletters and one on one discussions with Dr. Stephen Boyce, here's a link: https://give.tithe.ly/?formId=6381a2ee-b82f-42a7-809e-6b733cec05a7

#Paul #ChurchHistory #Christianity #Bible #Catholic #Protestant #Ecclesiology #EarlyChurch #Theology #FACTSPodcast

Join us for a fascinating discussion with Dr. Tavo San Abri as we explore one of the biggest questions in theology, philosophy, and history: Which religion has the best historical case?

In this episode, we walk through Tavo’s Comparative Theological Framework (CTF), a massive evidential approach that compares major world religions across categories such as attestation lags, witness density, archaeological verification, codicological speed, hostile source testimony, intellectual legacy, and cross-traditional recognition. Rather than arguing from emotion or personal background, the framework asks what a rational and culturally neutral observer would conclude when weighing the historical evidence comparatively.

We discuss why Christianity stands apart in areas such as early creedal development, archaeological grounding, hostile attestation, enemy conversions, and the rapid spread of the early Christian movement. We also examine how the standards used to dismiss Christianity would often undermine accepted ancient history itself.

Whether you agree or disagree, this conversation challenges listeners to think carefully about evidence, historical methodology, and the origins of religious belief.

Follow Dr. Tavo San Abri: https://www.instagram.com/tavosanabri

https://www.youtube.com/@tavosanabri

Discord: @tavosanabri

https://www.facebook.com/tavosanabri

Here's a link to the slide deck on slideshare.net:

https://www.slideshare.net/slideshow/the-comparative-theological-framework-ctf-argument-evaluating-christianity-s-evidential-strength-across-religions/287715449

#Christianity #Apologetics #History #Jesus #Religion #Debate #Theology #HistoricalEvidence #CTF #TavoSanAbri

We are launching a brand new series on how Protestants misunderstand Paul. In this first episode, we cover Romans 1–3 and one of the most misunderstood phrases in Pauline theology: “works of the law.” Many modern Christians read Paul as though he were condemning all forms of obedience, good works, or cooperation with grace, but is that actually what Paul meant in his first-century Jewish context?In this episode, we examine Romans 1–3 in context, the meaning of “works of the law” (ἔργα νόμου), the Dead Sea Scroll document 4QMMT, covenant identity and Torah observance, boasting and justification, and the relationship between Jew and Gentile in Romans. We also look at how the early Church Fathers interpreted Paul, including Irenaeus and John Chrysostom. Was Paul opposing obedience itself, or was he opposing boasting in the Law apart from Christ? This episode challenges many modern assumptions about justification, grace, faith, and the Law.If you'd like to donate to our ministry or be a monthly partner that receives newsletters and one on one discussions with Dr. Stephen Boyce, here's a link: https://give.tithe.ly/?formId=6381a2ee-b82f-42a7-809e-6b733cec05a7#Romans #Paul #BibleStudy #ChurchHistory #Catholic #Protestant #DeadSeaScrolls #Justification #FACTSPodcast

Tonight on the FACTS Podcast, Dr. Stephen Boyce sits down with author and podcast host Hannah Crews for a conversation on faith, history, conversion, and what it means to begin “learning to swim the Tiber.” From wrestling with Protestant assumptions to discovering the depth of the early Church, this discussion dives into the personal and theological questions that often reshape a person’s understanding of Christianity.

Hannah Crews is an author, social media personality, and the host of The Lighten Up Podcast. As a former journalist and a lover of Jesus Christ, she has spent the last eight months researching early Church history. That journey has led her to a deep interest in and reverence for the Catholic Church. She now creates content focused on addressing Protestant misconceptions and interviews converts to Catholicism on her podcast.

Here's how to follow Hannah:

https://m.youtube.com/@hannahcrewsblog?ra=m

https://www.amazon.com/shop/hannahcrews.blog/list/2PB2I38GARM1E?ref_=aipsflist

If you'd like to donate to our ministry or be a monthly partner that receives newsletters and one on one discussions with Dr. Stephen Boyce, here's a link: https://give.tithe.ly/?formId=6381a2ee-b82f-42a7-809e-6b733cec05a7

#Catholic #ConversionStory #ChurchHistory #FACTSPodcast #HannahCrews #StephenBoyce #Catholicism #Protestant #EarlyChurch #SwimTheTiber

Music in the intro: https://youtu.be/N3c8JAK1u2A?si=wcPiycnAnczeexrT

Did Ignatius of Antioch believe there was a bishop in Rome?

One of the most common arguments against early Roman primacy is that Ignatius never explicitly mentions a bishop in his Letter to the Romans while repeatedly emphasizing bishops everywhere else. But is the argument really that simple?

In this episode, Stephen Boyce examines the historical context surrounding Ignatius’ journey to Rome under arrest during the reign of Trajan, the unique language Ignatius uses for the Roman Church, and whether the silence surrounding the bishop of Rome may actually reflect the dangerous political realities facing Christians in the imperial capital.

We will also examine:
• Ignatius’ famous “presiding” language
• The significance of Peter and Paul in Romans 4
• Whether Rome already possessed a recognized authority distinct from other churches
• The possible identity of the bishop of Rome during Ignatius’ imprisonment
• Why Ignatius treats the Roman Church differently from every other church in his corpus
• Whether the “no bishop mentioned” argument creates more problems than it solves

Was the pope hidden in Ignatius’ Letter to Rome? Or does the letter actually undermine later claims about Roman primacy?

Join us as we walk carefully through the historical, textual, and theological evidence surrounding one of the most debated letters in early Christianity.

If you'd like to donate to our ministry or be a monthly partner that receives newsletters and one on one discussions with Dr. Stephen Boyce, here's a link: https://give.tithe.ly/?formId=6381a2ee-b82f-42a7-809e-6b733cec05a7

My paper on Ignatius: https://www.academia.edu/129081682/The_Quest_for_Ignatius_of_Antioch_Untangling_History_and_Tradition

#IgnatiusOfAntioch #ChurchHistory #JamesWhite #JoeHeschmeyer #Papacy #EarlyChurch #ChristianHistory #Catholic #Orthodox #Patristics #Episcopacy #Rome

What is the Rosary—and where did it actually come from?

In this episode of FACTS, Stephen Boyce and Pat May break down the real history behind one of the most misunderstood devotions in Christianity. Was the Rosary invented in the Middle Ages? Did Saint Dominic really receive it in a vision? And how do the The Gospel According to Luke, early monastic prayer, and centuries of Christian tradition all come together to form what we know today?

We walk through the development step-by-step—from the Desert Fathers and repetitive prayer, to the formation of the Hail Mary, to the rise of the mysteries, and the global spread of the Rosary through figures like Pope Pius V and Saint Louis de Montfort.

This isn’t surface-level history. This is the making of the Rosary.

If you'd like to donate to our ministry or be a monthly partner that receives newsletters and one on one discussions with Dr. Stephen Boyce, here's a link: https://give.tithe.ly/?formId=6381a2ee-b82f-42a7-809e-6b733cec05a7

#Rosary #ChurchHistory #Catholic #FACTSPodcast #StephenBoyce #PatMay

Did John Calvin faithfully follow Augustine of Hippo, or did he selectively use him for Reformation purposes?

In this episode of FACTS, we examine the real historical relationship between Calvin and Augustine on grace, justification, the Church, apostolic succession, the Eucharist, prayer for the dead, and purgatory.

Many claim Augustine was basically Protestant before the Reformation. But is that anachronistic? The better question may be whether Calvin was truly a good Augustinian.

We walk through direct quotations, historical context, and where Calvin aligns with Augustine—and where he sharply departs.

Topics include:

Augustine on grace and free will

Calvin on predestination and human inability

Justification: made righteous or counted righteous

Authority of the Catholic Church

The Eucharist and sacramental realism

Prayer for the dead

Purgatorial purification

Was Augustine closer to Catholicism or Calvinism?

If you'd like to donate to our ministry or be a monthly partner that receives newsletters and one on one discussions with Dr. Stephen Boyce, here's a link: https://give.tithe.ly/?formId=6381a2ee-b82f-42a7-809e-6b733cec05a7

#Augustine #JohnCalvin #Reformation #ChurchHistory #Catholic #Protestant #Calvinism #Theology #Eucharist #Purgatory #EarlyChurch #FACTSPodcast

In this episode of the FACTS Podcast, Stephen Boyce and Pat May take a deep dive into a powerful 1551 letter from John Calvin—and uncover a major tension at the heart of the Reformation narrative.Calvin argues that the Church needed “reformation,” pointing to widespread practices like prayers for the dead and the intercession of saints as corruptions. But there’s a problem…He also admits those same beliefs are:1. deeply rooted2. widely spread3. long establishedSo which is it?Stephen and Pat walk through Calvin’s own words line by line and ask the question many avoid:If these practices were everywhere and early… how can they be dismissed as later corruptions?In this episode, we cover:• Calvin’s letter to the English crown and why it matters• The historical reality of early Christian practices• Whether “reform” assumes a lost Church• Prayers for the dead in the early Church• The intercession of saints—biblical and historical foundations• Why this debate ultimately comes down to authority and ecclesiologyThis isn’t just about Calvin—it’s about the credibility of the early Church, the development of doctrine, and whether Christianity can sustain the idea of a total early corruption.If the Church was wrong early… what does that mean for the Bible itself?Join us as we break it all down.Drop your thoughts in the comments:Can something be ancient, universal… and still be a corruption?If you'd like to donate to our ministry or be a monthly partner that receives newsletters and one on one discussions with Dr. Stephen Boyce, here's a link: https://give.tithe.ly/?formId=6381a2ee-b82f-42a7-809e-6b733cec05a7#FACTSPodcast #ChurchHistory #JohnCalvin #Catholic #Protestant #Apologetics

The Vatican’s 2026 document on Anglican patrimony reveals how elements of the Anglican tradition are now fully lived within the Catholic Church through the Ordinariate.In this episode, Stephen and Pat explore the history of Christianity in England—from the mission of Gregory the Great and the See of Canterbury, through the Reformation, to the modern restoration of Anglican patrimony under Anglicanorum Coetibus.Discover what was lost, what has been preserved, and why the Ordinariate matters for understanding unity, tradition, and the nature of the Church.Here is the link to the statement from the Vatican: https://www.doctrinafidei.va/en/documenti/characteristics-of-the-anglican-heritage-as-lived-in-the-ordinar.htmlIf you'd like to donate to our ministry or be a monthly partner that receives newsletters and one on one discussions with Dr. Stephen Boyce, here's a link: https://give.tithe.ly/?formId=6381a2ee-b82f-42a7-809e-6b733cec05a7