Learning to Swim the Tiber

How Protestants Misunderstand Paul

We are launching a brand new series on how Protestants misunderstand Paul. In this first episode, we cover Romans 1–3 and one of the most misunderstood phrases in Pauline theology: “works of the law.” Many modern Christians read Paul as though he were condemning all forms of obedience, good works, or cooperation with grace, but is that actually what Paul meant in his first-century Jewish context?In this episode, we examine Romans 1–3 in context, the meaning of “works of the law” (ἔργα νόμου), the Dead Sea Scroll document 4QMMT, covenant identity and Torah observance, boasting and justification, and the relationship between Jew and Gentile in Romans. We also look at how the early Church Fathers interpreted Paul, including Irenaeus and John Chrysostom. Was Paul opposing obedience itself, or was he opposing boasting in the Law apart from Christ? This episode challenges many modern assumptions about justification, grace, faith, and the Law.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#Romans #Paul #BibleStudy #ChurchHistory #Catholic #Protestant #DeadSeaScrolls #Justification #FACTSPodcast

Learning to Swim the Tiber

Tonight on the FACTS Podcast, Dr. Stephen Boyce sits down with author and podcast host Hannah Crews for a conversation on faith, history, conversion, and what it means to begin “learning to swim the Tiber.” From wrestling with Protestant assumptions to discovering the depth of the early Church, this discussion dives into the personal and theological questions that often reshape a person’s understanding of Christianity. Hannah Crews is an author, social media personality, and the host of The Lighten Up Podcast. As a former journalist and a lover of Jesus Christ, she has spent the last eight months researching early Church history. That journey has led her to a deep interest in and reverence for the Catholic Church. She now creates content focused on addressing Protestant misconceptions and interviews converts to Catholicism on her podcast. Here's how to follow Hannah: https://m.youtube.com/@hannahcrewsblog?ra=m https://www.amazon.com/shop/hannahcrews.blog/list/2PB2I38GARM1E?ref_=aipsflist 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 #Catholic #ConversionStory #ChurchHistory #FACTSPodcast #HannahCrews #StephenBoyce #Catholicism #Protestant #EarlyChurch #SwimTheTiber Music in the intro: https://youtu.be/N3c8JAK1u2A?si=wcPiycnAnczeexrT

Was the Pope Hidden in Ignatius’ Letter to Rome?

Did Ignatius of Antioch believe there was a bishop in Rome? One of the most common arguments against early Roman primacy is that Ignatius never explicitly mentions a bishop in his Letter to the Romans while repeatedly emphasizing bishops everywhere else. But is the argument really that simple? In this episode, Stephen Boyce examines the historical context surrounding Ignatius’ journey to Rome under arrest during the reign of Trajan, the unique language Ignatius uses for the Roman Church, and whether the silence surrounding the bishop of Rome may actually reflect the dangerous political realities facing Christians in the imperial capital. We will also examine: • Ignatius’ famous “presiding” language • The significance of Peter and Paul in Romans 4 • Whether Rome already possessed a recognized authority distinct from other churches • The possible identity of the bishop of Rome during Ignatius’ imprisonment • Why Ignatius treats the Roman Church differently from every other church in his corpus • Whether the “no bishop mentioned” argument creates more problems than it solves Was the pope hidden in Ignatius’ Letter to Rome? Or does the letter actually undermine later claims about Roman primacy? Join us as we walk carefully through the historical, textual, and theological evidence surrounding one of the most debated letters in early Christianity. 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 My paper on Ignatius: https://www.academia.edu/129081682/The_Quest_for_Ignatius_of_Antioch_Untangling_History_and_Tradition #IgnatiusOfAntioch #ChurchHistory #JamesWhite #JoeHeschmeyer #Papacy #EarlyChurch #ChristianHistory #Catholic #Orthodox #Patristics #Episcopacy #Rome

The Making of the Rosary

What is the Rosary—and where did it actually come from? In this episode of FACTS, Stephen Boyce and Pat May break down the real history behind one of the most misunderstood devotions in Christianity. Was the Rosary invented in the Middle Ages? Did Saint Dominic really receive it in a vision? And how do the The Gospel According to Luke, early monastic prayer, and centuries of Christian tradition all come together to form what we know today? We walk through the development step-by-step—from the Desert Fathers and repetitive prayer, to the formation of the Hail Mary, to the rise of the mysteries, and the global spread of the Rosary through figures like Pope Pius V and Saint Louis de Montfort. This isn’t surface-level history. This is the making of the Rosary. 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 #Rosary #ChurchHistory #Catholic #FACTSPodcast #StephenBoyce #PatMay

Was Augustine Catholic or Calvinist?

Did John Calvin faithfully follow Augustine of Hippo, or did he selectively use him for Reformation purposes? In this episode of FACTS, we examine the real historical relationship between Calvin and Augustine on grace, justification, the Church, apostolic succession, the Eucharist, prayer for the dead, and purgatory. Many claim Augustine was basically Protestant before the Reformation. But is that anachronistic? The better question may be whether Calvin was truly a good Augustinian. We walk through direct quotations, historical context, and where Calvin aligns with Augustine—and where he sharply departs. Topics include: Augustine on grace and free will Calvin on predestination and human inability Justification: made righteous or counted righteous Authority of the Catholic Church The Eucharist and sacramental realism Prayer for the dead Purgatorial purification Was Augustine closer to Catholicism or Calvinism? 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 #Augustine #JohnCalvin #Reformation #ChurchHistory #Catholic #Protestant #Calvinism #Theology #Eucharist #Purgatory #EarlyChurch #FACTSPodcast