The mission of this podcast is to highlight the beauty and diversity of God’s Church – both in Chattanooga and the Church at large.

Confession is prescribed in the Bible, but how well do Christians practice it? Although their system may be disputed by others, Catholics excel at this spiritual discipline. In this episode, Adam and David explore how the Catholic Church does confession and why every Christian should have a confessor in their life. 

Although it looks similar to accountability, confession is not quite the same thing; Adam describes it as “giving an account” and “admitting you are not who you want to be.” For a Protestant, this looks like finding someone who can provide a safe space for this level of vulnerability. For a Catholic, this process is built into the life of the church through designated times, spaces, and confessors. But the dispute is typically about whether or not the church has the authority to offer forgiveness – and you may be surprised at what Scripture has to say.

Join David and Adam to hear more about the power to forgive sins, the difference between mortal and venial sins, and to find out just how reverend David really is.


About Adam Whitescarver

Adam is passionate about seeing God’s people possess vibrant prayer lives to help them make a difference in the sphere of influence God has given them. In ministry since 2001, Adam enjoys his family, teaching, singing, and reading a myriad of subjects. He and his wife, Stephanie, live in North GA with their four children.


Jump Through the Conversation:

• [0:15] Reverend vs. very reverend
• [3:58] Appeal to Protestants concerning confession
• [5:09] Confession vs. accountability
• [5:48] Who to confess to
• [7:06] Effects of confession
  • Sins are forgiven
  •  Help to be holier
• [10:08] Legal protection for confessors
• [14:00] Can the church forgive sins?
  • [14:51] Story of paralytic healed by Jesus
    • Jesus had the power to forgive sins
    • Jesus gave the power to forgive and retain sins to the apostles 
  • [17:59] Point of agreement: Jesus gave humans the power to forgive sins
• [22:51] Protestants should practice confession
  • Adam’s experience
• [24:27] Issues with authority
  • Confession got discarded by Protestants when the church split
  • Why confession should happen with a mediator 
• [28:42] Mortal vs. venial sin

Links and Resources:

• A Beautiful Church website
• Chattanooga House of Prayer website
• Give today
• David Carter’s ministry

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