The Catholic Brothers
Two brothers who spent 15 years as Protestants and nearly a decade studying early Christianity in academia share their journey back to the Catholic faith. They make the Bible, history, and theology entertaining, educational, and accessible for a general audience.
Episodes
How Did Rome Become Christian So Quickly?
This episode explores the fascinating historiography of the rise of Christianity, focusing on Gibbon and Stark's influential works. It examines secondary causes, growth models, and early material culture, providing a comprehensive understanding of early Christian expansion. This episode explores the sociological and historical factors behind the rise of Christianity, emphasizing the role of el
Did the Early Church Fathers believe in a Literal Millennium?
Did the earliest Christians believe that Christ would establish a temporary, earthly kingdom on earth for a millennium prior to the general judgement? Did the 4th century Church suddenly abandon that belief due to the influence of Christian Platonism? In this episode, we explore chiliasm—the belief in a literal thousand-year reign of Christ on earth—as it appears in the writings of the Church Fath
Montanist Movement Explained
Discover the rise and fall of the Montanist movement, an early Christian sect led by Montanus in the 2nd century AD. Branded a heresy by the early church, Montanism emphasized ecstatic prophecy, strict morality, and the imminent return of Christ. In this video, we explore the origins of Montanism, its teachings, key figures like Priscilla and Maximilla, and the reasons the mainstream church ultima
Pope Leo, Saving Western Civilization, Artificial Intelligence, Aliens, and Demons
In this episode we smoke and review Chesterton Cigars and have an open dialogue about the new pope and our hopes for the future. To purchase a FABULOUS Catholic cigar, go to Chestertoncigars.com and pre-order for August 2025. HURRY, the cigars are going fast! Also be sure to follow Chesterton Cigars on Instagram at @chesterton_cigars SUBSCRIBE TO OUR CHANNEL AND GIVE US A LIKE! 0:01 Chesterton Cig
The Quartodeciman Controversy: Why the Early Christians Divided Over Easter
Why did early Christians argue over the date of Easter?In this video, we explore the Quartodeciman Controversy, a major theological debate in the 2nd century that split early Christian communities. On one side were the Quartodecimans, who celebrated Easter on the 14th of Nisan—regardless of the day of the week—following Jewish Passover tradition. On the other were those like the Roman church, who
The Apologists: Christianity as Philosophy
In this episode, the brothers discuss the rise of Christian philosophy in the second century among a group of writers known as “The Apologists.” While the Apostles were very successful in bringing both Jews, God fearers, and lower class pagans into the Christian movement, they were not able to significantly penetrate the philosophical classes of Greco Roman society. The Apologists of the second ce
What is Gnostic Christianity?
In this episode we discuss one of proto-orthodoxy’s most formidable challenges: the rise of the Gnostics. We often hear the word “Gnosticism,” and we think we know what it refers to, but here we dive into the Gnostic worldview and explain why these teachers were worthy of so much apologetic ink in the second century.
Marcionism and the Rule of Faith
In this installment of the First 500 Years series, the brothers take a journey through the life and thought of the church’s first major Heresiarch: Marcion of Pontus. Along the way, they propose fresh ways of understanding the origins of his doctrine and explain why he proved a formidable enemy for the earliest apologists as they began their struggle to preserve apostolic tradition.
Why God Became Man and What It Did to Demons
Why did God become a man? We’re used to hearing what Christ’s incarnation/death/resurrection did for us, but we don’t often hear what His work did to the demonic powers. We’re used to answering the question solely with reference to matters of substitution, satisfaction, debts (of honor, wrath, or obedience?), so we can lose sight of the ancient Christian worldview and the entire cosmic drama at wo
Erick Ybarra's Conversion Story
We’ve all seen him in action—debating Protestants and Orthodox, writing incredible books, or podcasting on his own channel, Classical Christian Thought—but we rarely get to hear about his personal journey of faith. In this special episode, we sit down with our friend Erick Ybarra to explore his story and all of the reasons why, in the final analysis, he ended up in the arms of the Catholic Church.
Orthodox Christian Blogger Converts to Catholicism!
In this episode we have a most interesting chat with Ben Bollinger, a theology blogger and a bright apologist for the Christian faith, whose journey began with atheism and progressed into Eastern Orthodoxy. However, in 2023, he made a shocking, final move into the Roman Catholic Church, and here we explore his intellectual and spiritual journey. This is a fascinating dialogue that you WILL NOT wan
Roman Views of Christianity
A Superstition? Funerary society? Guild? A philosophical school? What the heck is this “Christian” thing?
In this episode, we complete our discussion of the vitality of Roman Religion and then analyze various ways in which Roman writers politically and culturally tried to classify the novel Christian movement throughout the second century.
How Christians were politically classified by various R
What was Roman Religion Like?
In Part One of this episode, we flip the table a bit and try to understand Rome’s relationship to her gods *from the inside out* so that we can paint a fuller picture of the religious landscape of Christianity’s rise in Late Antiquity.
Heretofore, many scholars have argued that early Christianity was able to spread so rapidly because the religion(s) of the Roman Empire had increasingly lost vita
Exorcism in the Early Church
In this episode we address the topic of exorcism in the early church, particularly from the lens of Hebrew cosmology and Christian mission to a pagan world from the second century onward. Connecting the dots between research on exorcism in Late Antiquity and Divine Council Scholarship, we explain why Christian exorcism became a major force for the conversion of the Roman Empire.
A Second Century Liturgy (Part 2)
In this episode on Liturgy in the second century, we resume our journey of reconstructing and envisioning early Christian worship.
Mass in the Second Century, Part 1
In this episode on Liturgy in the second century, we resume our journey of reconstructing and envisioning early Christian worship. In Part 1, we focus on change and continuity with regard to the (1) location, (2) timing, and the (3) “shape” that the Eucharistic gathering is taking in this post apostolic era.
You won’t want to miss this one!
Women Priests in the Early Church???
In this second part of our episode on women in early Christian communities we address the question of whether or not females served as presbyters. A timely topic, to be sure, as modern events like the Synod on Synodality continue to see this question bubble up to the top of the debates. But putting aside modern preoccupations and concerns, as historians, let’s really take a good look at the
Icon Veneration is CLEARLY an Accretion ! (And a proper one, at that)
Here we offer our response to Dr. Gavin Ortlund’s recent video in which he argues against the decisions of the Ecumenical Council of Nicaea, asserting that the veneration of images/icons is not a proper development of doctrine, but instead represents an illegitimate accretion which contradicts the unanimous consent of the Church Fathers and the commandments in Scripture. Leave us your
Pope Benedict XVI
Our personal evaluation of Pope Benedict XVI, especially with regard to his impact on culture, the Church, and our own journey from Protestantism to Catholicism.
Women in Early Christianity (Part 1)
Did the early Christian movement have women in prominent leadership roles? What sorts of functions did women perform within the communities? Who are some influential women of the first and second centuries? These questions and more are tackled in part 1 of our episode on women in the early church.
Eucharistic Theology in Early Martyrdom Accounts
Join us for a quick discussion about how early stories of martyrdom reveal what the first Christians believed about the Eucharist. Are the seeds of later Catholic theology to be found here?
Two Powers in Heaven and the Parting of the Ways (Part 2)
Is the religion of the Old Testament strictly monotheistic, or was monotheism an innovation of a much later era in the history of religion? Is the Christian Trinity an amalgamation of paganism and Judaism, or is Trinitarianism thoroughly rooted in the tradition of Israelite religion? In this episode we first examine the foundations for Divine “Plurality” in the history of Israelite thought,
When did Christianity and Judaism Part Ways? (Part 1)
If Christianity began as a Jewish sect, then when did Judaism and Christianity become distinct religions? What drove the separation? Does “Judaism”— as we know it today— really predate Christianity? In this intriguing discussion, the Brothers address these questions and more. You won’t want to miss this one!
Did St Peter Leave a Successor in Rome?
The scholarly consensus, by far, is that the Roman Church in the early second century *did not* have a single bishop but was ruled by a collection of presbyteral bodies. This would seem to undercut the Catholic Church’s claim that the pope is the successor of St Peter, let alone Vatican 1’s teaching on papal infallibility. Drawing upon their work in previous episodes, and a careful exa
Why do we worship on Sunday instead of Saturday?
Christians have always worshipped on Sunday morning, right? In this episode, the Brothers tackle a fascinating, and often baffling, question about the earliest Christians: when did they celebrate the Eucharist each week? Did they observe the Sabbath? If so, when did Christians start worshipping on Sunday, and why? Answering these questions reveals A LOT about the character and theology of th
How Was Jesus Crucified?
Catholic art portrays the crucifixion differently from painting to painting. Early Roman sources describe many different ways that a man could be crucified. So, what did Jesus’ crucifixion really look like? Join us as we examine textual, epigraphic, and artistic depictions from the early church portraying the crucified Jesus and examine those side by side with the Shroud of Turin and Roman s
Saint Ignatius and the Amphitheater
The rise of Christianity in Late Antiquity was met by the rise of another phenomenon in the Roman Empire: Amphitheater violence. For St. Ignatius, hearer of John the Apostle and Bishop of Antioch, this coincidence proved deadly. Join the brothers as they discuss the Passion of St. Ignatius of Antioch and it's broader significance in the development of Christian identity in the Roman world.
How to Pray with the Mind and Words of Jesus Christ
Ever wanted to take your prayer life to the next level, but didn’t know where to start? Do you struggle to pray often? When you pray, does it feel dry or stale? In this episode we survey the history and meaning of the Church’s highest form of prayer *outside* of the Mass: the Daily Office. Steep yourself in this most ancient form of prayer and watch as your prayer life begins to truly bloom
Latin Mass Restrictions and the Future of Traditional Catholicism (FULL EPISODE)
While the papacy has called for a ‘Listening Church,’ a theology of ‘encounter,’ and a Church that is willing to go to the margins, the Brothers here question the appropriateness of Cardinal Cupich’s swift sanctions on Latin Mass communities within the Archdiocese of Chicago, and that, without any dialogue between the faithful and their bishop. The Brothers also offer (1) a side-by-side anal
Was Jesus Really a Human Being?
As the first generation of Christians took up the mantle of apostolic faith, alternative ideas about Jesus began to sprout up around them— ideas which the apostles themselves had to ward off. In this episode, the Brothers introduce us to the first heresy in the Church’s history: Docetism. Consulting the letters of St Ignatius of Antioch and other 1st and 2nd century sources, we begin to discover t
Zodiac, Stars, and Magi, Oh My!
In this special episode for the feast of Epiphany, the brothers present the argument for September 11, 3 B.C. being the birth date of Jesus and pinpoint just what it was that the Magi saw in the sky that led them to Bethlehem shortly thereafter. Leaning upon the research of meteorologist Ernest Martin, Dr Michael Heiser, and Fr Stephen DeYoung, the brothers take us on a dense, fascinating journey
Did the Apostles Leave Us a Church or Denominations?
Scholars of Protestant and Secular stripes have cast doubt on the existence of a “Great Church” from the era of the apostles through the history of the early church, opting instead for an early plurality that eventually ossifies into a “Great Church” that suppresses rival Christianities. Here, the brothers directly challenge this telling of the story, insisting that the unity of the Church precede
Introduction: Christianity in the Second Century
We made it! Time to begin our journey through Christianity’s second century. In this brief overview, the Brothers offer a preview of topics they will cover in this most fascinating of centuries for the development of the Faith.
Jesus Christ, St John, and the Secrets of the Temple
What is with all of those references to white garments, two angels, serpent staffs, candle stands, fire, bread from heaven, etc, in the Johannine writings?? In their final, extended Episode on the 1st century Church, the brothers take a fascinating, deep dive into the place of Temple theology in St John’s experience of Jesus. You DO NOT want to miss this one!
Anglican Bishop Joins the Catholic Church
As the Vatican continues its development towards “synodality” with a decentralized papacy, many Anglican bishops have found the culmination of their theological journey naturally ending in the other direction: a firm acceptance of the Roman Church’s primacy. The conversion of Bishop Michael Nazir-Ali perhaps marks one of the most significant Anglican conversions of our generation, and he was prece
The Gospel According to St. John
In this episode, the Brothers offer a substantive introduction to the Gospel of John, paying particular attention to what distinguishes it from the gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke. They address arguments from scholarly skeptics who would insist that John’s Gospel is a later, Hellenistic work and instead place it firmly within 1st century Palestinian milieu. But, more importantly, the Brothers m
St John and the ‘Johannine Tradition’: Part 1
The eagle, the youngest follower of Jesus, the “beloved disciple,” the last Apostle to die: there are many cursory things that we know about St John the Evangelist. However, there is perhaps no Apostle more shrouded in mystery and able to peak curiosity than John. In this episode, the Brothers begin their journey through the “Johannine Tradition,” which becomes a necessary bridge between the first
Forgetting Taylor Marshall: Why These Two Trads Tune Him Out
Pope Francis recently made headlines for allegedly claiming that the Ten Commandments are not moral “absolutes.” In response, Taylor Marshall released videos accusing Francis of committing Lutheran heresies. For years, Traditional Catholics have gravitated to Taylor Marshall’s YouTube channel, making him an internet sensation and household name in the TLM community. In this episode, we demonstrate
Mass of the Ages, Part 1 : A Review
On Sunday, August 15 2021, Horselord Films released its first episode in a documentary Trilogy called “Mass of the Ages.” Apart from a cameo in the film by our very own Daniel Alspach, here the Brothers offer their reaction to the first episode and their ultimate hope for the full documentary!
Prophecy in the Early Church, Part 2
As profound changes are afoot in Israelite religion at the time of Jesus, the prophetic tradition continues to wane among the religious establishment but begins to flourish among the Nazarenes. This episode is ALL THINGS PROPHECY— what was the place of the early Christian prophetic office? Who were some first and second century prophets? What did Christian prophecy sound like? What were its forms?
Prophecy in the Early Church, Part 1
Let’s take a deep dive into the charismatic gift of Prophecy and how it functioned in the life of the earliest Christian communities. In this first of two parts, the brothers retrace how the Holy Spirit moved the prophetic office in Israelite history, leading seamlessly into the life of the New Testament communities.
The Day I Saw St. Peter's Bones!
In this fascinating episode, Daniel recounts the day that he was brought face to face with the actual bones of Saint Peter while on a trip to Rome! You won’t want to miss this riveting story and the Brothers’ reflections on its significance, personally, theologically, and historically.
Was Peter the First Pope?
Was Peter the first Pope of Rome? Protestants, Catholics, and Orthodox have debated this pivotal question for centuries. The Brothers offer their perspective here— leave your own thoughts in the comments!
The Fall of Jerusalem (Part 2)
In Part 2, the Brothers discuss the destruction of Jerusalem and the effects that this cataclysmic event had on the future of two surviving forms of Judaism: Rabbinical and Christian. In addition, the fall of the Jerusalem Christian community signaled a shift in the broader Church’s center of gravity.
The Fall of Jerusalem (Part 1)
In this (Part 1 of 2) Zoom, the Brothers recount the structure, influence, and eventual fall of the Jewish Christian community gathered around James, the brother of Jesus.
A First Century Baptism, (Part 2)
No episode on Baptism would be complete without a treatment of infant baptism. In this Episode, the Brothers address the “who” of first century baptisms and describe the very early tradition of administering milk and honey in the newly baptized person’s first Eucharist.
A First Century Baptism (Part 1)
What did a first century baptism actually look like? In this fascinating two-part episode, the Brothers commence reconstructing the rite of Baptism as the first Christians would have practiced it by drawing upon textual, archaeological, epigraphic, and historiographical sources.
Baptism According to the Apostles
Daniel and Steven present the apostolic view(s) of Baptism in the first century. Where did this ritual come from? What did it mean for the first Christians? And how was the sacrament structured? Join the conversation!
On Bishop Barron and "Word on Fire"
In his article published March 2, 2021, Bishop Robert Barron positioned his "Word on Fire" ministry somewhere between the liberal Catholics on one end and the "arch-traditionalists" on the other. In this off-the-set Zoom session the Brothers review the Bishop's article and offer up their perspective on liberals, Word on Fire, and the "arch-traditionalists."
The Council of Jerusalem
For a topic of monumental importance for the future of Christianity, the Council of Jerusalem is often given only a cursory treatment by scholars and podcasters alike. Here, the Brothers reconstruct the council and flesh out the details.
Who was there? Where was it held? What were the arguments all about? And, finally, what was the resolution?
UPON REVIEW: The Little Mermaid, Good or Bad for Youngsters?
Taking a brief reprieve from their First 500 Years series, the brothers team up with Johnny Rokosz of Whiteball Productions for UPON REVIEW. This month they critique another childhood favorite, The Little Mermaid. Culturally, artistically, and theologically, what sort of message did this Disney classic communicate to children?
When the Apostles Disagreed
It may come as a great surprise to some that the Church’s first major debate did not happen after the apostles ministry but that it happened among the apostles themselves! Join the brothers as they unpack a moment of great division within the nascent Jerusalem Church and lay out just what was at stake in this quarrel.
The First Teachings of the Apostles
The Brothers move on to the next aspect of the “threefold pattern:” The Teaching of the Apostles. What was the gist of the Apostles’ first preaching campaigns and what really propelled them to boldly proclaim this message in Jerusalem? Lastly, what dangers lie ahead as the Apostles begin to consider the implications of their message?
A First Century Mass
Join the Brothers as they imagine the first Christian liturgies! They’ve mined the New Testament, archeological discoveries, and other first century sources to give us a glimpse into the primitive Mass, while offering some pertinent takeaways for today’s Church.
How Did The Apostles Worship?
The Brothers now turn to the “breaking of the bread.” What was this new Christian meal? How did it emerge? What was its significance in the eyes of the Apostles? These questions and more are addressed in this 3rd episode of “The First 500 Years.”
How did the Apostles Pray?
Many have ideas about what it may have looked like when the Apostles gathered for daily prayer. In this episode of “THE FIRST 500 YEARS,” the Brothers actually mine the sources to reconstruct the prayer life of the Apostles.
The Judaism(s) of Jesus
The Catholic Brothers kick off their 2021 dialogue series, “THE FIRST 500 YEARS,” by placing us within the Jewish landscape of Jesus and the Apostles. From this surprisingly diverse religious context will emerge the faith of the first Christians, the “Nazarenes.”
UPON REVIEW: Does 'Rudolph' Send a Worthy Message to Children?
Once each month, The Catholic Brothers team up with Johnny Rokosz of White Ball Productions for an episode of UPON REVIEW, where they take a second look at the music and movies we are all familiar with and find out if we should still love them. For this Christmas Eve episode, the guys put ‘Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer’ through the Catholic ringer.
Christmas: Humanity's Most Ancient Hope
Much of the hope, and religious content, of Judaism climaxed in the birth of the Messiah in Bethlehem. But was Jesus’ birth more than that? Is it possible that the Incarnation of the Son of God signaled the fulfillment of all religions and philosophies? Join Daniel and Steven as they address this fascinating question! (And Merry Christmas!)
The Myth of December 25th (PART 2)
In part 2, the Brothers turn from the ‘pagan question’ and consult ancient biblical and Patristic sources to determine just how ancient it is to celebrate the birth of Christ on December 25th.
Debunking the Myth of December 25th (PART ONE)
Was December 25th originally a pagan holiday? This oft-recycled theory comes under scrutiny in this two-part dialogue on dating the birth of Christ. Join the Catholic Brothers as they weigh the evidence!
What is 'Advent' All About?
Daniel and Steven here discuss the history, meaning, and importance of the Christian season of Advent. In the midst of a culture that celebrates Christmas far too early and for far too long, it can be very easy for Christians to forsake the penitential season of Advent altogether. So, just what exactly is this Advent thing all about, and how can we observe it well?
The Separation of Church and State?
“Keep your religion to yourself” “Keep your God out of politics” “Don’t shove your religion down everyone’s throat” We hear things like this often. But what does the Catholic Church believe about the so called “separation of church and state?” In the wake of a hotly contested political season, Daniel and Steven tackle this contentious (and often misapplied) principle for the Feast of Christ
5 Things to Know About the New Mass
For most Catholics living today, the Novus Ordo Missa (or the 'New Mass') of Pope Paul VI is the one that they are most familiar with. In this dialogue, Daniel and Steven briefly critique characteristics of the New Mass and offer 5 important facts that every Catholic should know about it.
