FACTS

How Christians Misunderstand Israel: Antisemitism, Anti-Zionism & Dispensationalism

In this episode of FACTS, Stephen Boyce and Pat May take a deep dive into one of the most complicated conversations happening in the Church today: the relationship between antisemitism, anti-Zionism, and dispensationalism. Christians often talk about Israel, prophecy, and end-times events, but the terms are rarely defined, and the theology behind them is frequently misunderstood. In this episode, Stephen Boyce unpacks the history, theology, and modern implications of these ideas—showing how confusion in these areas leads to real harm in both the Church and the Jewish community. We begin by clearly defining antisemitism and anti-Zionism and exploring where legitimate political critique ends and ethnic or religious hostility begins. From there, we examine how dispensational theology reshaped the American evangelical view of Israel, creating a system that divides God’s people, misreads prophecy, and misunderstands the purpose of Ezekiel’s temple. Along the way, we address: • Why antisemitism still appears in Christian spaces • How anti-Zionism can overlap with centuries-old prejudices • Why dispensationalism produces confusion about Israel and the Church • Why Ezekiel’s temple cannot be understood as a literal future building • How Christians can love the Jewish people without adopting end-times sensationalism • Why historic Christianity offers a better, more coherent approach to Israel If you'd like to donate to our ministry or be a monthly partner that receives newsletters and one on one discussions with Dr. Boyce, here's a link: https://give.tithe.ly/?formId=6381a2ee-b82f-42a7-809e-6b733cec05a7

The Seven Ecumenical Councils, Part 4: Chalcedon (451)

Join Stephen Boyce and Pat May on FACTS as we continue our series on the Seven Ecumenical Councils with a deep dive into the Council of Chalcedon (451 AD) — the largest and one of the most influential councils in the history of the Christian Church. With over 520 bishops in attendance, Chalcedon delivered the definitive teaching on the two natures of Christ, reversed the chaos of the Robber Council of 449, and shaped the theological world of Christianity for centuries. In this episode, we break down: • The background and controversies leading up to Chalcedon • Eutyches, Flavian, Dioscorus, and the fallout from the Latrocinium • Pope Leo’s Tome and its role in defining orthodox Christology • The Chalcedonian Definition: fully God, fully man. • Canon 28 and the Constantinople–Rome tension • The rise of the Oriental Orthodox Churches (Coptic, Syriac, Armenian) • Why Chalcedon still matters for Catholics, Orthodox, and Protestants today Whether you’re studying church history, Christology, or exploring the roots of Christian doctrine, this episode provides a clear and accessible guide to one of the most important events in the ancient Church. If you'd like to donate to our ministry or be a monthly partner that receives newsletters and one on one discussions with Dr. Stephen Boyce, here's a link: https://give.tithe.ly/?formId=6381a2ee-b82f-42a7-809e-6b733cec05a7 ⸻ #CouncilOfChalcedon #SevenEcumenicalCouncils #ChalcedonianDefinition #ChurchHistory #Christology #PopeLeo #TomeOfLeo #Eutyches #Dioscorus #CopticOrthodox #OrientalOrthodox #Patristics #EarlyChurch #ChristianTheology #FACTSPodcast #StephenBoyce

Did the Vatican Just Clarify Mary’s Role in Salvation?

In this episode of The FACTS Podcast, Stephen Boyce breaks down the Vatican’s newest doctrinal note, Mater Populi Fidelis, issued by the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith in November 2025. This document reaffirms Christ as the sole Mediator while clarifying the Church’s language about Mary’s cooperation in redemption and her unique maternal role in the life of the Church. We examine why the Vatican discourages titles such as Co-Redemptrix and Mediatrix of All Graces, how this statement fits into historic Marian teaching, and what it means for theology, devotion, and ecumenical dialogue going forward. Article: https://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/congregations/cfaith/documents/rc_ddf_doc_20251104_mater-populi-fidelis_en.html #FACTSPodcast #StephenBoyce #MaterPopuliFidelis #VaticanDocument #MarianDoctrine #Mariology #CatholicTeaching #MaryAndSalvation #VaticanClarification #DoctrinalNote #CatholicTheology #MaryMotherOfGod

Stop Saying “We Don’t Have Priests”—Scripture and History Disagree

Many modern Christians insist, “We don’t have priests — only pastors.” But both Scripture and the early Church tell a different story. In this episode, Dr. Stephen Boyce of The FACTS Podcast uncovers how the Bible and the earliest Christian writings describe bishops, presbyters, and deacons as the new Temple order — high priests, priests, and Levites serving Christ, our Great High Priest. From the Book of Hebrews to 1 Peter, Revelation, the Didache, and 1 Clement, we see a consistent pattern: the Church understood her ministers as participating in Christ’s priesthood, not replacing it. Discover how the first Christians viewed the Eucharist as a true offering, how bishops inherited the role of high priest, and why denying the priesthood of pastors ignores both biblical typology and apostolic history. If you’ve ever heard someone say “we don’t have priests,” this episode will show why Scripture and history disagree — and why reclaiming the language of priesthood restores the Church’s true identity as a kingdom of priests. If you'd like to donate to our ministry or be a monthly partner that receives newsletters and one on one discussions with Dr. Stephen Boyce, here's a link: https://give.tithe.ly/?formId=6381a2ee-b82f-42a7-809e-6b733cec05a7 #StephenBoyce  #FACTSPodcast  #ChristianHistory  #BiblicalPriesthood  #EarlyChurch  #Hebrews  #1Peter  #Revelation  #Didache  #1Clement  #KingdomOfPriests  #ApostolicSuccession  #Catholic  #Anglican  #Patristics  #ChurchFathers

The Seven Ecumenical Councils, Part 3: Ephesus (431)

Join Dr. Stephen Boyce and Pat May on the FACTS Podcast as they unpack one of the most defining moments in Christian history—the Council of Ephesus (431 AD). This historic gathering of bishops from across the early Church settled the question: Who is Jesus Christ, and why is Mary called the “Mother of God”? Discover the theological debates, political drama, and spiritual insights behind the Third Ecumenical Council, where the Church declared that the one born of Mary is truly God made flesh. #ChristianHistory #CouncilofEphesus #Theotokos #CyrilofAlexandria #Nestorius #EarlyChurch #TheFACTSPodcast #StephenBoyce