The Reformanda Initiative

How should evangelicals understand and engage the rich theological heritage of the early and medieval church?

In this episode, we discuss Leonardo De Chirico’s new book, Ancient Landmarks: An Evangelical Guide to Patristic and Medieval Thought (IVP Academic/Apollos, 2026). Spanning the second through the fourteenth centuries, the book introduces key figures, theological debates, and developments that continue to shape Christianity today.

We are also joined by Joshua Kannard, who translated the book from Italian into English, to discuss the translation process and why this work matters for contemporary evangelicals.

Together, we explore how evangelicals can appreciate the riches of historic Christianity while exercising biblical discernment.

Ancient Landmarks releases in November 2026 and is available now for preorder on Amazon.

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In this episode we discuss Leonardo's most recent Vatican File in which he provides insight into the Roman Catholic charismatic movement. Interacting with Filippo D’Alessandro's book : Il sogno di Dio: L’unità dei cristiani nella potenza dello Spirito (God's Dream: Christian Unity in the Power of the Holy Spirit), Leonardo helps evangelicals understand the pitfalls of this aspect of the Roman Catholic ecumenical agenda. It is yet another case of same words, different worlds. Join us as we talk about this topic and reality that continues to grow in popularity and importance.

https://vaticanfiles.org/en/2026/09/vf260/

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In this episode we discuss Leonardo’s latest Vatican File which addresses the July 2nd excommunication of members of the Society of St. Pius X. The excommunication puts on display the Roman and Catholic natures of the Church and also the Christ-Church Interconnection. We close by discussing why this is important from an evangelical perspective.

Episode notes:

https://vaticanfiles.org/en/2026/08/vf-259/

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In this episode we are joined by the Executive Director of Reformed Forum Camden Bucey. Camden is also the host of the podcast Christ the Center. He is an expert on the 20th century Roman Catholic theologian Karl Rahner, who is one of the most important architects of Vatican II and its theology. In 2019 Bucey wrote “Karl Rahner” as a contribution to the series Great Thinkers. 

Modern-day Roman Catholicism is in many ways a reflection of Rahner and his theology. Rahner is most well known for his concept of “anonymous Christians.” In this episode we discuss Rahner as person, as a theologian, and explore his understanding of grace and how it gave birth to the idea of anonymous Christians.

Episode notes: 

https://reformedforum.org/

https://reformedforum.org/more-lessons-from-the-eternal-city/

https://camden.bucey.org/rahner/

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In this episode we are joined by Reformanda Initiative Fellow Robbie Bellis to discuss his contribution to the 2026 Rome Scholars and Leaders Network (RSLN). HIs paper titled, “The Essential Issue: Luther’s Bondage of the Will and Roman Catholic Soteriology” explores the 16th-century debate between Erasmus and Luther that focused on the human will and its natural capacities. Erasmus argued for the freedom of the will, while Luther argued for the bondage of the will. At the heart of this debate is the gospel itself. To understand the bondage of the will is to understand the theology at the heart of the Reformation. It remains relevant today, especially as evangelicals engage with their Roman Catholic friends.

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In this episode, we discuss Pope Leo XIV’s first papal encyclical, "Magnifica Humanitas," which deals with the issue of artificial intelligence. The focus of our discussion is the theological framework that undergirds this encyclical, which is often overlooked by evangelicals.

Encyclical/Magnifica Humanitas: https://www.vatican.va/content/leo-xiv/en/encyclicals/documents/20260515-magnifica-humanitas.html#_ftnref19

Lausanne/Governing AI in God’s House: https://lausanne.org/global-analysis/governing-ai-in-gods-house

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In this episode we discuss the Roman Catholic teaching of the Sensus Fidei (sense of faith). Post Vatican II, how does the Catholic Church reach consensus on doctrinal matters? Who is involved in the process? Why is it potentially attractive to evangelicals, and how can the evangelical church correctly respond to it? Join us as we respond to these questions and more.

https://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/congregations/cfaith/cti_documents/rc_cti_20140610_sensus-fidei_en.html

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What is theological retrieval, and how should evangelicals approach it wisely?

In this episode, Dr. Shawn Wright (The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary; Clifton Baptist Church) introduces the concept of theological retrieval and explains why it matters today. Drawing from a recent faculty address, he outlines six key cautions—including the need for humility, the danger of overreaction, and the central importance of justification by faith alone and assurance of salvation. We also discuss why some evangelicals are drawn to Roman Catholic views of the church, how Protestants should respond, and why tradition must never stand above Scripture. Dr. Wright closes with a pastoral warning for those considering Rome.

Episode resource: https://www.sbts.edu/news/shawn-wright-faculty-address/

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In this episode we discuss the interesting topic of relics and what role they play in Roman Catholicism. What is the theology behind them and how did they develop historically? How do evangelicals respond to the reality of relics? These questions and others are the topic of our discussion.

Episode Links:

https://vaticanfiles.org/en/2026/03/vf252/

https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/calvin-venerating-relics/ 

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In this episode, Leo, Clay, and Reid discuss Leonardo’s most recent Vatican File, which looks ahead to 2033 and an important initiative of the ecumenical movement. They also discuss the importance of the 1700th anniversary of Nicea and how that relates to 2033.

https://vaticanfiles.org/en/2026/02/vf251-watch-out-2033/ 

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