Shameless Popery

A sharp takedown of an 8,000-word article promoted by a senator and why that matters for Catholic discourse. A close look at signs the piece reads like AI output and the factual errors it contains. Discussion of mislabeling political figures and the claim that foreign influence drives religious shifts. Exploration of debates around Israel, Palestinian Christian voices, and changing evangelical theology.

A deep dive into the Exodus plagues as spiritual warfare against Egypt's gods. Discussion of how specific plagues humiliate animal deities and confront mythic stories like Sekhmet. Exploration of why Israel had to leave Egypt to worship safely and the link between Passover imagery and later Christian symbolism.

Joe sits down today with Anna Sutton and chats finding your Catholic Wife, everyday apologetics and a lot more! Transcript: Joe: Welcome back to Shameless Popery. I’m Joe Heschmeyer here to have a cup of Joe with my friend, Anna Sutton. Anna, welcome. Anna: Thank you. It’s so exciting to be here. Joe: And of course, as always, metal Mike. Mike, welcome. Mike: Good morning. Joe: I have to make an immediate disclaimer despite the name, Cup of Joe, which is centered around having a coffee and a conversation. Today, I’m fighting off a cold. I thought I’d infect Anna in pers...

Explores competing theories about Noah’s flood and whether the story borrows from older Mesopotamian traditions. Considers three explanations for widespread flood tales and debates if the event was global or regional. Discusses how biblical language might use mythic framing while retaining historic claims. Ends by tracing theological symbolism: the ark as an image of salvation, baptism, and the church.

Austin Suggs, creator of Gospel Simplicity and former Moody theology student, explores Anglican, Catholic, and Orthodox theology. He recounts his shift from evangelical roots to liturgical worship. He traces cycles of curiosity about Catholicism, wrestles with papal infallibility, and explains why Anglo-Catholic liturgy now fits his sensibilities. Conversations touch on Eucharistic theology, tradition, and doctrinal development.

A defense against the claim that Catholics are modern Pharisees, unpacking how critics misread both Jesus and Catholic practice. A clear look at Pharisaic legalism versus spirit, including Sabbath examples and the Korban oath issue. Discussion of how charity and salvation can take priority over strict rule-keeping and why tradition differs from mere rule obsession.

Isaac Hess, a former Latter-day Saint who converted to Catholicism, shares his journey from LDS mission and BYU to conversion. They discuss the controversy sparked by a prior interview, tensions around doctrinal reversals like Adam-God and priesthood history, and how to fairly evaluate Mormon theology through philosophy, lived faith, and prophetic authority.

A point-by-point rebuttal to claims that Catholic practices come from Babylonian or pagan roots. Careful discussion of scripture, the original meaning of tradition, and historical mistranslations. Examination of shaky sources like The Two Babylons and pan-Babylonian theories. Review of early church evidence for intercession, priesthood, Eucharistic practice, and how authority and tradition developed.

A lively debate on whether morality needs a divine foundation. They probe whether goodness can exist without God and explore natural law and conscience. Cultural history, original sin, and motivations for moral behavior come up. Practical tips on persuading others using shared moral intuitions end the conversation.

A lively guide to using fasting, prayer and almsgiving to tackle the three temptations named in 1 John: bodily desires, covetousness, and pride. Clear distinctions are drawn between lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes, and pride of life. Practical advice covers private piety, pairing fasting with charity, and humble prayer as tools to repair relationships with God, self, and neighbor.