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In this episode, I'm joined by Catholic apologist and repeat guest, Suan Sonna, to discuss Mary's role in the Early Church. Specifically, we're looking at some sources that I didn't bring up in my own video on the historical record for Marian doctrine and devotion in the early church. These sources include the Odes of Solomon, the Sibylline Oracles, and more. Along the way, we also talk at length about historical methodology and how history and theology intersect. Pre-order my novel, The Long Road to Holy Island: https://amzn.to/4sISAC9 Get access to my book club, one-on-one office hours, show notes, and more:  https://patreon.com/gospelsimplicity Make a one-time donation: https://paypal.me/gospelsimplicity Book a meeting: https://calendly.com/gospelsimplicity/meet-with-austin Read my writings: https://austinsuggs.substack.com 00:00 The Backstory 01:54 Ascension of Isaiah 06:08 History vs. Dogma 16:30 Odes of Solomon 26:00 "Gnosticism"? 35:13 Irenaeus 45:52 Sibylline Oracles 01:05:48 Gregory Thaumaturgus? *Links in the Description may include Affiliate Links, from which I receive a small commission at no extra price for you. Support the show

In this episode, I'm joined by the Rev. Dr. Matthew Olver and the Rev. Dr. Nathan Jennings to discuss their book, Turning Points in Prayer Book History which traces the development of the Book of Common Prayer over the centuries.  Pre-order my novel, The Long Road to Holy Island: https://amzn.to/4sISAC9 Get access to my book club, one-on-one office hours, show notes, and more:  https://patreon.com/gospelsimplicity Make a one-time donation: https://paypal.me/gospelsimplicity Book a meeting: https://calendly.com/gospelsimplicity/meet-with-austin Read my writings: https://austinsuggs.substack.com Read the Book: https://link.amazon/B025gMLW8 00:00 What Would Cranmer Think? 10:14 Elizabethan Compromise 16:03 Via Media Theology 22:46 The Importance of Rubrics 32:54 Optionality in Liturgy 44:57 English vs. Scottish BCP 56:00 What's Next? *Links in the Description may include Affiliate Links, from which I receive a small commission at no extra price for you. Support the show

In this episode, I'm joined by two repeat guests, Dr. Matthew Thomas and Dr. Barnabas Aspray. I've had the pleasure of getting to know both of these men over the last few years, and for almost the entirety of that time, they've insisted that I read one book: The Spirit and Forms of Protestantism by Fr. Louis Bouyer. Finally, after much delay, I've read the book, and the three of us sat down to discuss not only this book, but also two main ideas: 1. Nominalism is at the root of the negative aspects of the Reformation. 2. All the positive aspects of the Reformation can be found within the Catholic Church. Pre-order my novel, The Long Road to Holy Island: https://amzn.to/4sISAC9 Get access to my book club, one-on-one office hours, show notes, and more:  https://patreon.com/gospelsimplicity Make a one-time donation: https://paypal.me/gospelsimplicity Book a meeting: https://calendly.com/gospelsimplicity/meet-with-austin Read my writings: https://austinsuggs.substack.com Read the Book: https://link.amazon/B09FL1iyu Guest Links: Barney's Podcast:  @FaithattheFrontiers  About Barney: https://stmarys.edu/staff/dr-barnabas-aspray/ About Matt: https://dspt.edu/matthew-thomas/ 00:00 The Backstory 11:50 Bouyer's Main Idea 19:47 Reformation Nominalism? 31:25 Still Nominalist? 39:26 What is Nominalism? 46:27 Anglican Exception? 01:07:29 My Reservations *Links in the Description may include Affiliate Links, from which I receive a small commission at no extra price for you. Support the show

In this episode, I'm joined by the Rev. Dr. Michael Niebauer to discuss his new book, From Word to Worship, which is all about learning to read the Bible in accord with the lectionary, noticing the way it connects Scripture and presents it as a unified story with Christ at the center. Over the course of the conversation, we cover things like hermeneutics, preaching advice, the history of the lectionary, and much more. Pre-order my novel, The Long Road to Holy Island: https://amzn.to/4sISAC9 Get access to my book club, one-on-one office hours, show notes, and more:  https://patreon.com/gospelsimplicity Make a one-time donation: https://paypal.me/gospelsimplicity Book a meeting: https://calendly.com/gospelsimplicity/meet-with-austin Read my writings: https://austinsuggs.substack.com Guest Links: Read the book: https://link.amazon/B0j1PA3cV Substack: https://substack.com/@michaelniebauer 00:00 What is a Lectionary? 08:59 How are Readings Selected? 14:34 The Church Calendar 21:01 Three Year vs. One Year 26:50 Don't Just Preach the Gospel Text 30:20 Doctrine and Exegesis 36:41 The Church's Book 45:50 Examples 50:45 Living the Text 58:30 Preaching Advice *Links in the Description may include Affiliate Links, from which I receive a small commission at no extra price for you. Support the show

In this episode, I'm joined by Bonnie Kristian to discuss her new book, In Defense of Evangelicalism: A Response to its Cultured Despisers. Over the course of the interview, we discuss what makes Evangelicalism unique, why its become a punching bag in American discourse, its entanglement with politics, and much more. Pre-order my novel, The Long Road to Holy Island: https://amzn.to/4sISAC9 Get access to my book club, one-on-one office hours, show notes, and more:  https://patreon.com/gospelsimplicity Make a one-time donation: https://paypal.me/gospelsimplicity Book a meeting: https://calendly.com/gospelsimplicity/meet-with-austin Read my writings: https://austinsuggs.substack.com Guest Links: Read the book:https://amzn.to/3VfDtEw Find Bonnie on Substack: https://substack.com/@bonniekristian 00:00 Why Now? 03:30 What is Evangelicalism? 18:43 Cultural Criticism of Evangelicals 24:14 Evangelical Self-Criticism 27:27 Evangelical Egalitarians 33:30 Tackiness 40:49 Global vs. American Evangelicalism 45:00 Evangelical Politics 51:29 One Thing to Know about Evangelicals Support the show

In this episode, I'm joined by the Rev. Dr. Thomas Plant to discuss his new book, King Oswald's Heirs, which is a meditation on the 1662 BCP Catechism applied to the questions of re-enchantment and Christianity in a modern/post-modern world. It's a fascinating combination and well-worth reading. In this discussion, Fr. Thomas discusses the importance of embracing the traditions we've been given, whether the Reformation caused secularism, and much more. Pre-order my novel, The Long Road to Holy Island: https://amzn.to/4sISAC9 Get access to my book club, one-on-one office hours, show notes, and more:  https://patreon.com/gospelsimplicity Make a one-time donation: https://paypal.me/gospelsimplicity Book a meeting: https://calendly.com/gospelsimplicity/meet-with-austin Read my writings: https://austinsuggs.substack.com Guest Links: Read the book: https://amzn.to/4x16Esi 00:00 The Reformation and Modernity 11:00 Post-Christianity 22:00 The Saints 27:00 Particular and Universal 47:30 Identity Support the show

In this episode, I'm joined by Dr. Brendan Case to discuss his new book, Doubting Thomas (UND Press), which covers a host of debates between St. Thomas Aquinas and his Franciscan counterparts, especially St. Bonaventure. In this discussion, Dr. Case shares a few instances where he thinks Bonaventure got the better of Thomas. Moreover, he shares why these debates matter and how they might better help us understand the place of Thomas in modern theology. Pre-order my novel, The Long Road to Holy Island: https://amzn.to/4sISAC9 Get access to my book club, one-on-one office hours, show notes, and more:  https://patreon.com/gospelsimplicity Make a one-time donation: https://paypal.me/gospelsimplicity Book a meeting: https://calendly.com/gospelsimplicity/meet-with-austin Read my writings: https://austinsuggs.substack.com About the Guest: Brendan W. Case, Th.D., serves as the Associate Director for Research at the Harvard Human Flourishing Program. A Christian theologian by training, Case’s work brings theology and philosophy into conversation with the empirical social sciences to understand the nature, distribution, and determinants of a good life. Dr. Case is the author or co-author of five books: The Gentleness of Wisdom: A Christian Ethics of Charity, Anger, and Enmity (Routledge, 2026); Doubting Thomas: Early Franciscan Disputes with Aquinas (University of Notre Dame Press, 2026); The Justification of the Sinless: Supralapsarian Christology and the Goodness of the Incarnation (Baker Academic, 2026); The Accountable Animal: Justice, Justification, and Judgment (T&T Clark, 2021), and (with William Glass) Least of the Apostles: Paul and His Legacies in Earliest Christianity (Pickwick Press, 2022). Guest Links: Read the book: https://amzn.to/3UnrxQQ The Justification of the Sinless: https://amzn.to/4ccbZFP Learn more: https://hfh.fas.harvard.edu/team/brendan-case Chapters 00:00 The Place of St. Thomas in Theology 04:46 St. Bonaventure's Approach 10:01 Reception of Thomas in his time 20:04 The Trinity and divine relations 25:12 The Ontological Argument 30:07 Implications of different theological emphases 35:05 Bonaventure today 39:55 Beyond the Summa 45:13 Mystical theology in Bonaventure 49:48 Historical and contemporary views on Thomas and Bonaventure 54:57 The future of theological study Support the show

What did the earliest Christians believe about the Virgin Mary? That's what I'll cover in this video, looking at both orthodox and heterodox groups, as well as written and material evidence. This is the longest and most detailed video yet in my ongoing series on the history of Marian doctrine and devotion.  Join Me on the Camino!: https://www.gospelsimplicity.com/pilgrimage Pre-order my novel, The Long Road to Holy Island: https://amzn.to/4sISAC9 Get access to my book club, one-on-one office hours, show notes, and more:  https://patreon.com/gospelsimplicity  Make a one-time donation: https://paypal.me/gospelsimplicity Book a meeting: https://calendly.com/gospelsimplicity/meet-with-austin Read my writings: https://austinsuggs.substack.com Videos Referenced:  Protevangelium: https://youtu.be/rgHV-leh6P8?si=cseP3b3EpdPoSqCk Dormition/Assumption: https://youtu.be/0ylKNQmE1oE?si=DSHGJLl_yXO75-4J Rejecting Mary? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aCZ-ZK8e17c&list=PLPYmFzsNDDO-WMGWwl6gTofsw_J-k_Bcd&index=4 Recommended Secondary Sources:  Yale Dura Europos Website: https://duraeuropos.artgallery.yale.edu/ Stephen Shoemaker, Mary in Early Christian Faith and Devotion Miri Rubin, Mother of God 0:00 Introduction 012:28 Ascension of Isaiah 06:03 St. Ignatius of Antioch 07:38 St. Justin Martyr 09:52 Protevangelium of James 13:52 St. Irenaeus of Lyons 20:23 Gnostics on Mary 24:44 Tertullian 26:35 St. Clement of Alexandria 27:48 Origen of Alexandria 30:53 Third Century Summary 31:23 Sub Tuum Praesidium 36:37 Mary in Early Christian Art 40:49 The Book of Mary's Repose 43:19 Concluding Thoughts Disclaimer: Links in the description may contain affiliate links, from which I receive a small percentage of the purchase. Support the show

Since its definition as a dogma in 1950, Mary's Bodily Assumption has been a point of tension between Protestants and Catholics. For some, it's the beautiful telos of the other Marian dogmas. For others, it's a bewildering act of dogmatizing something that seems unnecessary.  This video isn't about who's right. Instead, this video is a look at the historical development of Christian belief in Mary's Bodily Assumption through three sources: St. Epiphanius of Salamis, apocryphal Dormition/Assumption narratives, and liturgical history.  This video is deeply indebted to the work of Dr. Stephen Shoemaker. You can find the links for his work in the resources section below.  Join Me on the Camino!: https://www.gospelsimplicity.com/pilgrimage Pre-order my novel, The Long Road to Holy Island: https://amzn.to/4sISAC9 Get access to my book club, one-on-one office hours, show notes, and more:  https://patreon.com/gospelsimplicity  Make a one-time donation: https://paypal.me/gospelsimplicity Book a meeting: https://calendly.com/gospelsimplicity/meet-with-austin Read my writings: https://austinsuggs.substack.com References: Stephen Shoemaker, Ancient Traditions of the Virgin Mary's Dormition and Assumption: https://academic.oup.com/book/27239 Stephen Shoemaker, Mary in Early Christian Faith and Devotion: https://amzn.to/4zotIUo Matthew Levering, Mary's Bodily Assumption: https://amzn.to/4bLfP8E 0:00 Background 05:53 St. Epiphanius, 4th c. 13:32 Dormition/Assumption Apocrypha 29:19 Liturgy 31:55 Conclusion Disclaimer: Links in the description may contain affiliate links, from which I receive a small percentage of the purchase. Support the show

In this episode, I'm joined by Dr. Zachary Wagner, author of Men of Virtue, to discuss the crises men are facing, the problematic solutions being offered, and why embracing a Christian vision of virtue is the answer. Pre-order my novel, The Long Road to Holy Island: https://amzn.to/4sISAC9 Get access to my book club, one-on-one office hours, show notes, and more:  https://patreon.com/gospelsimplicity Make a one-time donation: https://paypal.me/gospelsimplicity Book a meeting: https://calendly.com/gospelsimplicity/meet-with-austin Read my writings: https://austinsuggs.substack.com About the Guest: Zachary Wagner is an author, ordained minister, and New Testament scholar. He earned a DPhil from Oxford in 2025. He published his first book, Non-Toxic Masculinity: Recovering Healthy Male Sexuality, in 2023 with InterVarsity Press. His second book, Men of Virtue: How the Fruit of the Spirit Forms Male Character in the Modern World, will release from Brazos Press in May 2026. He is currently pursuing publication for his DPhil thesis, as well as a further writing and research projects on Christianity and Stoicism. Guest Links: Book: https://amzn.to/3TBoAfg Substack: https://substack.com/@zacharywagner Website: https://www.zacharycwagner.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zacharycwagner Support the show

You might have heard that C.S. Lewis believed in Purgatory, and that's true. But his vision of Purgatory is unique, combining Protestant and Catholic sensibilities. In this video, I unpack what Lewis taught about Purgatory in Letters to Malcom and The Great Divorce, looking specifically at the theological foundation for his views and what that means for us today. Join Me on the Camino!: https://www.gospelsimplicity.com/pilgrimage Pre-order my novel, The Long Road to Holy Island: https://amzn.to/4sISAC9 Get access to my book club, one-on-one office hours, show notes, and more:  https://patreon.com/gospelsimplicity Make a one-time donation: https://paypal.me/gospelsimplicity Book a meeting: https://calendly.com/gospelsimplicity/meet-with-austin Read my writings: https://austinsuggs.substack.com Videos Referenced: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WXsyqFRVIh4&t=314s 00:00 Lewis on Purgatory 01:35 Letters to Malcolm 04:11 The Great Divorce 07:55 Theological Foundations 13:53 Implications for Protestants Disclaimer: Links in the description may contain affiliate links, from which I receive a small percentage of the purchase. Support the show

In this episode, I'm joined by Rev. Hannah Miller King to discuss how understanding the Eucharist can change how we see the entirety of the Christian life. We talk about grief, community, and divisions in the church along the way as we explore what the Eucharist really means.  Join Me on the Camino!: https://www.gospelsimplicity.com/pilgrimage Pre-order my novel, The Long Road to Holy Island: https://amzn.to/4sISAC9 Get access to my book club, one-on-one office hours, show notes, and more:  https://patreon.com/gospelsimplicity Make a one-time donation: https://paypal.me/gospelsimplicity Book a meeting: https://calendly.com/gospelsimplicity/meet-with-austin Read my writings: https://austinsuggs.substack.com About the Guest: Hannah Miller King is a priest and writer in the Anglican tradition. She has been a campus minister among conservatory musicians, an apartment minister in downtown Dallas, and a parish pastor in Northern Virginia and South Carolina. She currently serves as the Associate Rector at The Vine Anglican Church in Western North Carolina. She is a contributing writer for Christianity Today and Holy Post Media, and her work has appeared in Fathom Magazine, Mere Orthodoxy, The Living Church and Smoky Mountain News.  Her first book was published by InterVarsity Press in February 2026.  Hannah holds a Bachelor of Arts in Music from Westminster Choir College and a Master of Arts in Religion from Redeemer Seminary. She is currently being schooled in the minutia of Star Wars (and other galactic battles between good and evil) by her three kids.  Find Rev. Hannah on Substack: https://hannahmillerking.substack.com/?utm_campaign=profile_chips Support the show

Last week, the Priestly Society of Saint Pius X consecrated four bishops without papal mandate, and 24 hours later, the Vatican pronounced that the SSPX clergy had incurred excommunication and warned that laypeople who formally adhere to the SSPX could be guilty of excommunication as well. It was major news, but at first, I thought I'd just leave it to the Catholics and SSPX to sort this out. However, as I was tracking the discourse on this, I became intrigued by one particular thread of the conversation: the comparisons between the SSPX and the Reformation. As a Protestant, this interested me. It also put me in an odd situation. I disagree with the SSPX on a number of things, not least of which is their assessment of the theological emphases of Vatican 2. However, much of the structure of their argument, especially the idea of the state of necessity felt familiar. Indeed, it has interesting overlaps with the Reformation. And it's those overlaps that I decided to explore in this video. Join Me on the Camino!: https://www.gospelsimplicity.com/pilgrimage Pre-order my novel, The Long Road to Holy Island: https://amzn.to/4sISAC9 Get access to my book club, one-on-one office hours, show notes, and more:  https://patreon.com/gospelsimplicity Make a one-time donation: https://paypal.me/gospelsimplicity Book a meeting: https://calendly.com/gospelsimplicity/meet-with-austin Read my writings: https://austinsuggs.substack.com SSPX Quotes referenced came from the following article: https://sspx.org/en/state-necessity-30464 00:00 The News 01:20 The SSPX 02:38 The State of Necessity 05:53 Reformation Similarities 07:40 Dissent from a Council 09:25 Rejecting Innovations 13:18 Appealing to a Higher Authority 15:39 The Crux of the Issue Disclaimer: Links in the description may contain affiliate links, from which I receive a small percentage of the purchase. Support the show

In this video, I'm joined by Dr. Jordan Steffaniak to discuss Classical Theism, what it is, how it's Biblical, and why all Christians, Protestants included, should hold to it. If you've ever wondered why things like Divine Simplicity or impassibility matter, this video is for you. Pre-order my novel, The Long Road to Holy Island: https://amzn.to/4sISAC9 Get access to my book club, show notes, ad-free episodes and more:  https://patreon.com/gospelsimplicity Make a one-time donation: https://paypal.me/gospelsimplicity Book a meeting: https://calendly.com/gospelsimplicity/meet-with-austin Read my writings: https://austinsuggs.substack.com About the Guest: Jordan L. Steffaniak (PhD, University of Birmingham, UK) is President of the London Lyceum and Publisher for Hanover Press. He owns and operates Professor Lending, a residential mortgage brokerage and teaches at several institutions. He has a wonderful wife and three sons. Get the book: https://amzn.to/4eLRTDV Learn more: https://thelondonlyceum.com/ 00:00 Introduction to Classical Theism 08:50 Classical Theism & Happiness 12:01 Is it Practical? 18:00 Aseity 21:01 Simplicity 39:53 Impassibility 51:10 Immutability 59:23 Classical Theism and Protestantism Support the show

In this video, I'm joined by Fr. Matthew C. Dallman to discuss the distinctive elements of Anglican Spirituality as well as major figures within the Anglican spiritual tradition. Fr. Matthew Dallman is the leading expert on Martin Thornton, and has published a new book on him, alongside republishing his works. Find him on Substack: https://substack.com/@frmcdallman Akenside Institute for English Spirituality: https://www.akensideinstitute.org/ Pre-order my novel, The Long Road to Holy Island: https://amzn.to/4sISAC9 Get access to my book club, show notes, ad-free episodes and more:  https://patreon.com/gospelsimplicity Make a one-time donation: https://paypal.me/gospelsimplicity Book a meeting: https://calendly.com/gospelsimplicity/meet-with-austin Read my writings: https://austinsuggs.substack.com 00:00 Anglican Spirituality 02:51 Role of the BCP 06:10 Benedictine Spirituality 12:04 The Riches of Anglican Spirituality 18:02 Influential Figures 26:52 The Impact of Saints 43:13 Martin Thornton's Legacy 01:10:18 The Need for Spiritual Direction Support the show