The Reformanda Initiative

Episodes

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  106. Is the Light of the Church Really the Light of Christ? 06.11.2026 47m

  In this episode, we discuss Leonardo De Chirico’s latest Vatican File, reviewing Thomas Joseph White’s The Light of Christ: An Introduction to Catholicism. We explore two foundational principles of Roman Catholic theology—the relationship between nature and grace, and the connection between Christ and the Church—and why these reveal significant differences between Roman Catholicism and the Evangelical faith. https://vaticanfiles.org/en/2026/11/vf262/ Don't forget to watch the new 6-...
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  105. Ancient Landmarks: An Evangelical Guide to Church History 19.10.2026 43m

  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 th...
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  104. The Allure of the Roman Catholic Charismatic Movement 18.09.2026 45m

  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 tal...
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  103. Excommunicated! 05.08.2026 32m

  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/ Support the show
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  102. Karl Rahner and Anonymous Christians with Camden Bucey 22.07.2026 1h 4m

  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...
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  101. On the Bondage of the Will: The Heart of Reformation Theology 30.06.2026 1h 3m

  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 debat...
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  100. Magnifica Humanitas 04.06.2026 52m

  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/g...
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  99. The Sensus Fidei - The Roman Catholic Attempt at the Priesthood of All Believers? 28.05.2026 58m

  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 Support the show
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  98. Talking Theological Retrieval with Dr. Shawn Wright 24.03.2026 1h 5m

  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 ...
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  97. What about Relics in Roman Catholicism? 23.03.2026 49m

  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/ Support the show
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  96. Watch out 2033! The Coming Omega Point. 17.02.2026 33m

  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/ Support the show
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  95. Blurred Concepts of Grace 19.12.2025 44m

  In this episode we discuss Leonardo’s upcoming Vatican File that reviews a book which was recently translated into Italian. The book was written by the Cardinal Prefect of the Vatican Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, Victor Manuel Fernández, who is number 3 in the Vatican order of magisterial hierarchy. The book was originally published in 2003 in Spanish, but has just recently been made available in Italian. It concerns the doctrine of grace and gives clear insight into the Roman Cat...
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  94. Mater Popoli Fidelis, i.e. The Note 07.11.2025 37m

  In this episode we discuss the recent Vatican document published by the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith regarding Mary (Mater Popoli Fidelis) and her title of "Co-redemptrix". How should evangelicals think through this and respond to it? We also discuss Leonardo’s October Vatican File that concerns recent remarks Pope Leo made concerning Mary, and that are therefore relevant to this discussion. Support the show
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  93. Dilexi Te - Pope Leo’s first Magisterial Document 31.10.2025 39m

  In this episode, we discuss Pope Leo XIV’s first Magisterial document, an Apostolic Exhortation titled "Dilexi te," which focuses on the Roman Catholic Church’s mandate to care for the poor. We highlight the theological concerns the document presents for an evangelical reader. We also briefly discuss our recent trip to Istanbul for a conference that commemorated the 1700th anniversary of the Nicene Creed. Support the show
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  92. Tell Your Catholic Friends 10.09.2025 43m

  In this episode, we sit down with Leonardo to talk about his newest book, Tell Your Catholic Friends: How to Have Gospel Conversations With Love (B&H Books, 2025). Together we explore why these conversations matter, how to approach them with clarity and compassion, and what it looks like to point friends and family to the hope of the gospel. Tell Your Catholic Friends is available on Amazon, Kindle, and Audible. Support the show
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  91. The Jubilee of Youth 15.08.2025 52m

  In this episode, we discuss the Jubilee of Youth, a Roman Catholic event held in Rome, Italy, from July 29 to August 3, 2025, which attracted nearly 1 million youth from around the world. Much of what has been shared on social media by the Catholic Church is attractive to young evangelicals who are led to believe they can find the answer to their disillusions with faith and church in the Roman Catholic Church. But what is the real message of the Jubilee of Youth? Join us as we respond to this...
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  90. We believe in One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church 26.07.2025 51m

  In this episode, we are joined by Reformanda Initiative Fellow Mark Gilbert (Certainty 4 Eternity) about the new book he co-edited with Leonardo, The Nicene Creed: The Nature of Christian Unity and the Meaning of Gospel Words. We discuss his chapter contribution, which unpacks the clause of the Nicene Creed “We believe in one, holy, catholic and apostolic church,” noting how Roman Catholics and Evangelicals share these words, but do not share the theological interpretation of them. Support th...
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  89. Concerns with the Roman Catholic Trinitarian Framework 08.07.2025 46m

  In this episode we (Leonardo and Reid) discuss problematic aspects of the Roman Catholic understanding of the Trinitarian framework, using Leonardo’s chapter in the newly released book “The Nicene Creed: The Nature of Christian Unity and the Meaning of Gospel Words”, of which Leonardo and Reformanda Initiative Fellow Mark Gilbert are editors. This book (and this conversation) coincides with the 1700th anniversary of the Nicene Creed. The book can be purchased here: https://matthiasmedia...
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  88. Does Rome Teach a False Gospel? 02.07.2025 51m

  In this episode, we are joined by Reformanda Initiative fellow Robbie Bellis, who walks us through this delicate and essential question using Galatians 1 as a case study. Can Galatians 1 and Paul's anathemas be applied to the Roman Catholic Church and its gospel? Support the show
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  87. Checking In on Pope Leo XIV 29.05.2025 41m

  In this episode Leonardo De Chirico and Reid Karr discuss the first few weeks of Pope Leo XIV’s papacy. What is defining his papacy and where does he seem to be going theologically? More importantly, how can evangelicals be theologically responsible in assessing the pope as he speaks and uses gospel sounding words? Join us to hear how we respond to these questions and others. Support the show