FACTS

Women’s Orders: Why the SBC is Correct—But Can’t Defend It

The Southern Baptist Convention recently voted to move forward with a constitutional amendment formally prohibiting women from serving as pastors. In this episode, I examine the SBC’s decision, the reaction it sparked, and why I believe they arrived at the correct conclusion—but for the wrong reasons. Using the SBC article and Pope St. John Paul II’s Ordinatio Sacerdotalis as a point of comparison, I explore a much deeper question: What is the nature of the ministerial office in the Church, and who has the authority to define it? The problem with the SBC’s position is not necessarily its conclusion regarding women’s ordination. The problem is that within a Baptist framework, the debate ultimately becomes an issue of biblical interpretation. If Scripture alone is the final authority, and individual churches or denominations possess the authority to interpret it differently, then the argument over women’s ordination becomes difficult to settle in any lasting way. Historically, the Church’s rejection of women’s ordination was not based solely on isolated proof texts. It was rooted in a sacramental understanding of the priesthood, apostolic succession, ecclesiastical authority, and a consistent tradition maintained throughout Christian history in both East and West. The early Church Fathers, the historic episcopate, and the universal practice of Christianity all provide a much broader framework than a simple appeal to competing interpretations of Scripture. In this episode, we’ll examine the SBC vote, the theological assumptions behind it, what Ordinatio Sacerdotalis actually argues, and why the larger issue is not women’s ordination itself—but the authority of the Church to define and preserve the offices Christ established. 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 #SouthernBaptistConvention #WomensOrdination #WomenPastors #OrdinatioSacerdotalis #CatholicChurch #ChurchHistory #ChurchFathers #ApostolicSuccession #Ecclesiology #FACTSPodcast

Baptism Through the Eyes of St. Ambrose

In this episode of FACTS, we step into the fourth century and examine one of the most important witnesses to early Christian baptism: St. Ambrose of Milan. Drawing directly from Chapters 2–4 of On the Mysteries, Ambrose takes us inside the baptismal rites of the ancient Church and explains what newly baptized Christians experienced as they entered the waters of regeneration. Far from viewing baptism as a mere symbol, Ambrose presents it as a sacrament through which God truly acts—washing away sins, imparting new life, and incorporating believers into Christ. In this study, Stephen Boyce and Pat May explore: • Why Ambrose compares baptism to the crossing of the Red Sea • The significance of renouncing Satan before entering the waters • How Ambrose interprets Old Testament events as foreshadowing Christian baptism • The connection between baptism, forgiveness of sins, and spiritual rebirth • Why Ambrose believed baptism accomplished something real, not merely symbolic • What his testimony reveals about the faith and practice of the fourth-century Church Whether you are Catholic, Orthodox, Protestant, or simply interested in the history of Christianity, Ambrose’s words provide a remarkable window into how the early Church understood the sacrament of baptism. 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 Here is a link to the Mysteries:https://ccel.org/ccel/schaff/npnf210/npnf210.iv.v.iii.html #StAmbrose #Baptism #ChurchFathers #EarlyChurch #Catholic #Orthodox #ChristianHistory #Patristics #AncientChristianity #FACTSPodcast

How Protestants Misread Paul's Doctrine of the Church

Paul’s doctrine of the Church was never built on modern religious individualism. In this episode, we examine how many Protestants misunderstand Paul’s ecclesiology by reducing the Church to a voluntary gathering of believers rather than the visible, apostolic, and sacramental Body of Christ. Drawing from key Pauline texts such as 1 Corinthians 12, Ephesians 1–2, and 1 Timothy 3:15, we explore Paul’s repeated “in Christ” language and why it points to incorporation into a corporate reality rather than merely a private relationship with Jesus. We also examine the apostolic foundation of the Church, the meaning of the Body of Christ, and why Paul’s theology cannot be reduced to “just me and my Bible” Christianity. In this episode, Stephen Boyce and Pat May challenge modern assumptions about the Church and asks an important question: does the ecclesiology taught by Paul actually resemble modern Protestant individualism? 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 #Paul #ChurchHistory #Christianity #Bible #Catholic #Protestant #Ecclesiology #EarlyChurch #Theology #FACTSPodcast

Which Religion Has the Best Historical Case?

Join us for a fascinating discussion with Dr. Tavo San Abri as we explore one of the biggest questions in theology, philosophy, and history: Which religion has the best historical case? In this episode, we walk through Tavo’s Comparative Theological Framework (CTF), a massive evidential approach that compares major world religions across categories such as attestation lags, witness density, archaeological verification, codicological speed, hostile source testimony, intellectual legacy, and cross-traditional recognition. Rather than arguing from emotion or personal background, the framework asks what a rational and culturally neutral observer would conclude when weighing the historical evidence comparatively. We discuss why Christianity stands apart in areas such as early creedal development, archaeological grounding, hostile attestation, enemy conversions, and the rapid spread of the early Christian movement. We also examine how the standards used to dismiss Christianity would often undermine accepted ancient history itself. Whether you agree or disagree, this conversation challenges listeners to think carefully about evidence, historical methodology, and the origins of religious belief. Follow Dr. Tavo San Abri: https://www.instagram.com/tavosanabri https://www.youtube.com/@tavosanabri Discord: @tavosanabri https://www.facebook.com/tavosanabri Here's a link to the slide deck on slideshare.net: https://www.slideshare.net/slideshow/the-comparative-theological-framework-ctf-argument-evaluating-christianity-s-evidential-strength-across-religions/287715449 #Christianity #Apologetics #History #Jesus #Religion #Debate #Theology #HistoricalEvidence #CTF #TavoSanAbri

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