What can Protestants learn from the Catholic tradition?

Host Curtis Chang and The Atlantic writer and former White House staffer Pete Wehner explore how Catholic social teaching—from subsidiarity and solidarity to the preferential option for the poor—offers a rich framework for Christian public life. They consider the limits of sola scriptura, unpack the importance of intellectual rigor, and define Christian humanism. Curtis and Pete also contrast the public faith of Pope Leo XIV and Vice President JD Vance, asking why faithful Christian witness should shape how believers respond to artificial intelligence and other challenges of our time.

02:31 - Does Catholic Theology Meet a Protestant Need?

04:41 - Tradition Is Powerful

08:43 - Does Sola Scriptura Have Limits?

10:19 - Protestant Traditions and Discernment

13:54 - Catholicism's Robust Frameworks

17:08 - Reclaiming Tradition for Protestants

21:36 - Embracing the Life of the Mind

27:22 - Christian Humanism fand 21st Century Questions

30:08 - A Protestant-Catholic Convergence

37:42 - Comparing Visions: JD Vance and Pope Leo

41:16 - The Power of a Faithful Witness

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Referenced in the Episode:

• Pete Wehner's article American Christians Face a Choice
• Learn about the seven themes of Catholic social teaching
• Carl F. H. Henry's The Uneasy Conscience of Modern Fundamentalism
• Alan Jacobs's The Year of Our Lord 1943: Christian Humanism in an Age of Crisis
• Christian Wiman's My Bright Abyss
• John F. Kennedy's 1960 address to Protestant ministers in Houston (video)
• Pope Leo XIV's encyclical on artificial intelligence, Magnifica Humanitas
• Pope Leo XIII's encyclical on capital and labor, Rerum Novarum
• Daniel K. Williams on J.D. Vances' Communion What Type of Christian is J. D. Vance?
• Miroslav Volf on Forgiveness, Justice, and Reconciliation (video)
• Miroslav Volf & Christian Wiman's Glimmerings

Scriptures Referenced:

• Psalm 127:3–5 (ESV)
• Acts 2:42–47 (ESV)
• Luke 4:1–13 (ESV)

More from Pete Wehner:

• Pete Wehner's articles at The Atlantic
• Pete Wehner's opinion pieces at The New York Times

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The Good Faith Podcast is a production of a 501(c)(3) nonpartisan organization that does not engage in any political campaign activity to support or oppose any candidate for public office. Any views and opinions expressed by any guests on this program are solely those of the individuals and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of Good Faith.