Listen to a conversation with Pastor Mickey Aquilino (Parkside Church - Alistair Begg). Mickey grew up Roman Catholic but didn't know Christ. After coming to faith through a renewal movement and reading God's Word, Mickey eventually left the Catholic church. He was led by God to Parkside Church where for 25 years he has helped teach the Bible and disciple others who come from a Roman Catholic background (like Amanda Scopilliti from season 2 episode 12).

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In this episode we discuss the alarming theological implications of Pope Francis's recent trip to Iraq, where he pleaded for peace and fraternity, grounding his appeal in our common heritage found in Abraham.

Episode Resource:

• http://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/events/event.dir.html/content/vaticanevents/en/2021/3/6/iraq-incontro-interreligioso.html#PRAYER
• www.reformandainitiative.org/masterclass
• www.vaticanfiles.org

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In this episode we talk with Amanda Scopilliti, a former nun who began her journey with the Dominican Order, the Dominican Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist. Listen to Amanda share about her journey from seeking Christ in the Roman Catholic Church, to ending up in hopeless bondage of religious function, to the day when God opened her eyes to the sufficiency of Christ and the biblical Gospel of grace.

*This episode was recorded through Zoom.

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In this episode we discuss Dr. De Chirico's next Vatican File, #185, which will provide an evangelical analysis of the late Pope John Paul II's important encyclical letter, Fides et Ratio (Faith and Reason) and help evangelicals better understand how to think through the relationship between faith and reason.

Episode Resources

• Papale Encyclical Fides et Ratio
• Reasons for Faith: Philosophy in the Service of Theology, Dr. Scott Oliphint

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In this episode we provide a brief overview of the papacy from an evangelical perspective.

Episode notes:

• Book/Kindle/Audible: A Christian's Pocket Guide to the Papacy: Its origin and role in the 21st century (Pocket Guides) by Leonardo Dechirico

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In this episode we respond to our listener's questions, which concern the RCC's relationship to Latin language, both today and in the past. We also briefly discuss Epiphany, and respond to a listener's comments on Mary and Marian typology. We also respond to several questions about indulgences: What is the difference between indulgences and penance? What exactly is the purpose of indulgences? What biblical defense does the RCC give to support indulgences? Lastly, we respond to a listener's question about how to bring these topics and others up with family and friends who are Catholic.

Episode Resources:

• Stepping Out In Faith, Mark Gilbert
• Article: "Biblical Evidence for Indulgences" by Dave Armstrong

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In this episode we discuss the year of St. Joseph, recently declared by Pope Francis in his letter Patris Corde. The Pope's declaration comes on the 150th anniversary of Pope Pius IX's declaration of Joseph as a Patron Saint of the Church (December 8th, 1870). We also discuss the special plenary indulgences decreed by the Catholic Church during this year of St. Jospeh and remind our listeners of what an indulgence is and how they are obtained.

Episode Resources:

• http://www.vatican.va/content/paul-vi/en/apost_constitutions/documents/hf_p-vi_apc_01011967_indulgentiarum-doctrina.html
• http://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/apost_letters/documents/papa-francesco-lettera-ap_20201208_patris-corde.html#_ftn10
• https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2020-12/pope-francis-proclaims-year-of-st-joseph.html

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In this episode we examine the major theological pitfalls of Mariology in the Roman Catholic Church.
Note: Please excuse the recording irregularities, we were in separate locations and had to record the episode on Zoom.

Episode Resources:

• "Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary", Pope Francis, ANGELUS
• Mary in Early Christian Faith and Devotion, Stephen J. Shoemaker
• A Christian's Pocket Guide to Mary,  Leonardo De Chirico
• A Christian's Pocket Guide to the Papacy: Its origin and role in the 21st century, Leonardo De Chirico
• Vatican File 182. The Dogma of the Bodily Assumption of Mary, 70 Years After, Leondardo De Chirico

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In part two we discuss how the Roman Catholic Church arrived at a fully developed Mariology from the Mary presented in the Bible. We also discuss how typology has been influential in the RCC's understanding of Mary, especially with teachings such as the Immaculate Conception, the Bodily Assumption of Mary, Mary as Mediatrix, etc.

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In this episode we lay the groundwork for our discussion on Mary by underscoring the fact that Mariology and Marian devotion are intrinsic to Roman Catholic theology and practice. In other words Mariology is a core issue, not a peripheral issue that can be set aside and ignored. The intrinsic nature of Mariology is expressed in daily prayers to her, in shrines and churches dedicated to her, and pilgrimages to visit places of Marian apparitions that attract millions of Catholic faithful. We also briefly respond to the question, "Who is the Mary of the Bible?" and "How should evangelicals present Mary?"

Episode Resource:

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