What is purgatory, and are Catholics and Protestants actually closer on salvation, sanctification, and purification than we often think?

In this episode of The John Lockwood Show, I sit down with Keith Nester, Catholic author, speaker, YouTuber, and Executive Director of Down to Earth Ministry, for an in-depth Catholic and Protestant conversation about purgatory, salvation, sanctification, and whether a Christian can lose his salvation.

Keith brings a particularly interesting perspective to this discussion because he spent more than 20 years in Protestant ministry before becoming Catholic in 2017. He served in United Methodist, Assemblies of God, and Evangelical Free churches before his conversion to Catholicism.

Keith is the author of The Convert’s Guide to Roman Catholicism: Your First Year in the Church, a book about the challenges, questions, joys, and transitions that come with becoming Catholic. He is also the author of Unpacking the Mysteries of the Rosary: Connecting the Spiritual Fruits to Your Daily Life.

Keith has become a well-known Catholic voice and has appeared on Catholic programs including Pints With Aquinasand The Counsel of Trent.

In our conversation, Keith represents the Catholic perspective while I approach these questions from a Protestant perspective. Rather than simply debating Catholicism vs. Protestantism, we wanted to understand what each side actually believes and find out where genuine common ground exists.

We discuss questions including:

• What do Catholics actually believe about purgatory?
• Is purgatory biblical?
• Do Protestants believe in purification before heaven?
• What is the relationship between justification and sanctification?
• Can a Christian lose his salvation?
• What happens to a Christian who dies before becoming perfectly holy?
• Is purification after death fundamentally different from Protestant ideas of glorification?
• Where do Catholics and Protestants truly disagree about salvation?
• Are Catholics and Protestants sometimes using different language to describe similar realities?

There are significant theological differences between Catholic and Protestant Christianity, and we don't attempt to hide them. But as we worked through these questions, we also discovered more agreement than I expected—especially surrounding the biblical reality that nothing unclean enters the presence of God and that every Christian must ultimately be made perfectly holy.

This conversation isn't about scoring points for Catholicism or Protestantism. It's an attempt to understand each other accurately, challenge our assumptions, and seek the truth about Jesus Christ, salvation, grace, sanctification, purgatory, and eternal life.

Whether you are Catholic, Protestant, Evangelical, Reformed, Methodist, Pentecostal, considering conversion to Catholicism, or simply trying to understand the Catholic teaching on purgatory, I hope this conversation helps you think more carefully about what Christians believe happens between salvation and entering the presence of God.

Guest: Keith Nester

Ministry: Down to Earth Ministry

Books: The Convert’s Guide to Roman Catholicism: Your First Year in the Church and Unpacking the Mysteries of the Rosary: Connecting the Spiritual Fruits to Your Daily Life

Episode 8 of The John Lockwood Show is a conversation with longtime family friend, mentor, surgeon, and author Andy DeWitt.

I grew up with Andy’s kids, and I’m incredibly thankful for the influence he has had on my life over the years. He is charismatic, entertaining, deeply rooted in his faith, and simply one of those people I always enjoy talking with. So when I found out he was going to be in town, I jumped at the opportunity to get him on the show.

Andy shares the story of his career, how he unexpectedly got into writing, and some of the experiences that shaped him along the way. We talk about how he began writing for pro-life organizations and the new venture he is launching to help pregnancy centers raise money and communicate their mission through books that tell the real stories happening inside their organizations.

Andy also reads a story from his first book, Life With Clarity, and shares the heart behind the project—why these stories matter, how he hopes these books can help pregnancy centers, and why he believes the work of the pro-life movement is so important.

This is a conversation about faith, storytelling, purpose, using your gifts to serve others, and finding new ways to support organizations doing meaningful work in their communities.

In Episode 2 of Applying the Text, I'm joined once again by my friend Andrew Crisman, an elder at Candeo Church, as we walk through Ephesians 1 and one of the most important questions every Christian must answer:

Can I truly know that I am saved?

Ephesians 1 presents a breathtaking picture of God's work in salvation. The through line of the chapter is simple: God is on a mission to save His people. Our assurance doesn't rest on our ability to hold on to Him—it rests on everything He has already accomplished for us in Christ.

Throughout this conversation, we explore the truths that anchor our confidence:

• God predestined.
• God revealed.
• God adopted.
• God saved.
• God sealed us with the Holy Spirit.
• God gave us to Christ.
• God gave Christ to us.
• God will finish what He started.

As we work through the text, we share personal stories, answer difficult questions, and unpack why the gospel gives Christians genuine confidence in the face of death, judgment, and hell.

Our hope is that this episode strengthens your faith, steadies your heart, and reminds you that your salvation is grounded not in your performance, but in the finished work of Jesus Christ.

Whether you're wrestling with assurance, studying Ephesians, or simply longing to know God more deeply, we pray this conversation points you to the hope that is found in Christ alone.

Jim Blin returns to The John Lockwood Show for Part 2 of our conversation on his book, My Way of Making It Happen.

After telling the story of building his company in Part 1, this episode explores the philosophy that made it possible. Jim reflects on the leadership principles, business decisions, and personal convictions that shaped his success, beginning with a presentation he gave to a room full of future U.S. Army generals shortly after selling his company.

Together, we discuss:

• What separates successful entrepreneurs from everyone else.
• The characteristics every effective leader must develop.
• Whether businesses should put people first or business first.
• How to build a culture that produces excellence.
• The mindset required to accomplish difficult things in business and in life.

Whether you're an entrepreneur, a business owner, an aspiring leader, or simply someone who wants to make a greater impact, this conversation is packed with practical wisdom from decades of experience.

About Jim Blin

Jim Blin is the former CEO of Triangle Plastics and author of My Way of Making It Happen. After building his company into one of the largest thermoforming business in the world, he now shares the principles of leadership, entrepreneurship, and personal responsibility that guided his career.

If you enjoy conversations on leadership, business, entrepreneurship, faith, and personal growth, be sure to subscribe to The John Lockwood Show for future episodes.

In Episode 5 of The John Lockwood Show, I sit down with my friend Drew Marchesani. Drew serves as an elder at Candeo Church, previously led our youth ministry, now serves on the Community Ministry Team, and is one of the most gifted and thoughtful preachers I know.

Drew also brings a unique perspective to this conversation. Having grown up as a Catholic before becoming a Protestant pastor, he understands both traditions from personal experience.

Our goal is to explain the Protestant understanding of salvation as accurately and charitably as possible while addressing some of the most common misunderstandings surrounding Protestant theology.

One of the biggest misconceptions we tackle is the idea that Protestants believe a person can simply pray a prayer, verbally profess faith for a moment, and then live however they want with no concern for holiness or obedience. We explain why that caricature does not represent historic Protestant teaching and discuss how genuine saving faith inevitably produces a transformed life marked by good works.

Along the way, we dive into some of Scripture's most challenging passages, including Matthew 7 and James chapters 1 and 2, exploring how Protestants understand faith, works, and the relationship between the two.

Whether you're Protestant, Catholic, or simply curious about what Christians actually believe, this conversation is pastoral, thoughtful, and rooted in a genuine desire for greater understanding. My hope is that it serves as another step toward mutual respect and more productive conversations between Catholics and Protestants.

Special thanks to Drew Marchesani for joining me and for sharing both his story and his heart throughout this discussion.

In this episode of The John Lockwood Show, John is joined by Father Greg Lambert for a thoughtful and gracious conversation about one of the most important questions in Christianity: How are we saved?

Rather than focusing on debate, this discussion begins by exploring what Catholics and Protestants actually hold in common. Much of the episode is spent addressing common Protestant misconceptions about the Catholic view of salvation. Father Greg explains the Catholic understanding of who is saved, whether there are exceptions to the ordinary necessity of the sacraments, whether Protestants can be saved, and why faith must never be reduced to simply performing the right religious actions.

Throughout the conversation, John and Father Greg emphasize the importance of charity, careful listening, and viewing one another as brothers and sisters in Christ, even where significant theological differences remain. The result is a respectful, productive discussion that seeks understanding rather than caricature.

A special thank you to Father Greg Lambert for joining the show and for his willingness to engage these important topics with humility and kindness. This is the first of what we hope will be many conversations together. Next week, the discussion continues as a Protestant guest joins the show to explore the doctrine of salvation from a Protestant perspective.

How should the truths of Scripture change the way we live?

In this episode of The John Lockwood Show, John launches a new series called Applying the Text, a series dedicated to moving beyond simply understanding Scripture and into the hard work of applying it to everyday life.

Joined by his friend Cody Cline, John explores Romans 5:1-5 and one of the most powerful themes in the Christian life: hope. Together they wrestle with questions that every believer faces. Where does true hope come from? Why should Christians be hopeful in the midst of suffering, uncertainty, and disappointment? How should hope shape the way we work, parent, endure hardship, and live our daily lives?

Along the way, John shares personal experiences from both work and family life, including the challenges of maintaining hope when circumstances become difficult. Cody brings more than a decade of pastoral experience to the conversation, helping unpack how the gospel provides a foundation for a hope that is not dependent on changing circumstances.

Cody serves as an Elder at Candeo Church and has spent years helping people apply biblical truth to the realities of everyday life. Together, John and Cody seek to bridge the gap between theology and practice, showing how the promises of Scripture can transform the way we think, endure, and live.

Topics include:

• Romans 5:1-5

• The Christian understanding of hope

• Suffering, perseverance, and character

• Applying Scripture to everyday life

• Parenting and maintaining perspective

• Finding hope in difficult seasons

• Living in light of the gospel

• Practical encouragement for believers

Whether you're walking through a difficult season or simply looking to grow in your faith, this conversation offers biblical encouragement and practical wisdom for living a hopeful life in Christ.

In Episode 2 of The John Lockwood Show, John welcomes Dr. Jake Hering for the first installment of the One Body Series, a special series dedicated to exploring the differences, common ground, and opportunities for greater understanding within the Christian Church.

As someone with family members and friends from a wide range of Christian traditions, John has a personal desire to see greater unity among believers. Rather than focusing on debate or division, the One Body Series seeks to foster thoughtful conversations that help Christians better understand one another and the convictions that have shaped their faith traditions.

In this episode, John and Jake explore one of the most significant questions in Christian history: Why is there a divide at all? Together they examine the historical roots of the Protestant Reformation, discuss competing views of church authority, and compare different models of church governance that continue to influence Christian denominations today.

Dr. Jake Hering serves as Lead Pastor and Elder at Candeo Church in Cedar Falls, Iowa. Drawing from his experience as a pastor and theologian, he helps unpack the historical and biblical foundations behind many of the questions that have divided Christians for centuries.

Topics include:

• The origins of the Catholic-Protestant divide

• The Protestant Reformation

• Church authority and biblical interpretation

• Different models of church governance

• Tradition and Scripture

• Unity within the Body of Christ

• How Christians can engage disagreements with humility and charity

Whether you're Catholic, Protestant, Orthodox, or simply curious about Christianity, this conversation offers a thoughtful introduction to one of the most important discussions in church history.

In the debut episode of The John Lockwood Show, John sits down with his grandfather, James Blin, to discuss the remarkable life story behind his family memoir, My Way of Making It Happen.

Raised on a small Iowa farm, Jim's journey embodies the American Dream. Starting with humble beginnings, he found opportunity at Collins Radio, where he learned the emerging craft of thermoforming plastics. Armed with determination, hard work, and a willingness to take risks, he transformed that knowledge into a business empire over the course of four decades.

But this story is about far more than business success. Along the way, Jim faced high-stakes negotiations, difficult leadership decisions, devastating betrayals, and moments that tested both his character and resolve. Through it all, he remained committed to building something meaningful for his family, employees, and community.

This conversation is packed with lessons on entrepreneurship, leadership, perseverance, wealth creation, and the realities of navigating success when greed and ambition enter the equation. Whether you're a business owner, aspiring entrepreneur, or simply someone who appreciates an incredible life story, this episode offers wisdom that can only be earned through decades of experience.

Topics include:

• Growing up on an Iowa farm

• Collins Radio and learning the plastics industry

• Building a $150 million business

• Leadership and company culture

• High-stakes deals and negotiations

• Family, legacy, and community

• Betrayal, adversity, and resilience

• Lessons from a lifetime of entrepreneurship