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 todayWhether 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
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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
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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
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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
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What Is the Anglican Ordinariate—and Should Anglicans Join It?
What exactly is the Anglican Ordinariate — and should Anglicans join it?In this episode of The FACTS Podcast, Stephen Boyce explores one of the most fascinating developments in modern Christianity: Pope Benedict XVI’s creation of the Ordinariate, a home for Anglicans entering full communion with the Catholic Church while preserving the beauty of their own liturgical and spiritual heritage.We’ll unpack what the Ordinariate is, why it was founded, how it functions today, and the real questions Anglicans face when discerning whether to remain in the Communion or cross the Tiber.Whether you’re an Anglican curious about Catholic unity, a Catholic intrigued by Anglican tradition, or simply someone passionate about church history and Christian unity—this episode is for you.👉 Subscribe, share, and join the conversation as we ask:What does unity look like without losing identity?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 #AnglicanOrdinariate #PopeBenedictXVI #AnglicanorumCoetibus #AngloCatholic #AnglicanPatrimony #OrdinariateOfTheChairOfStPeter #OurLadyOfWalsingham #OurLadyOfTheSouthernCross #AnglicanismAndCatholicism #JoiningTheCatholicChurch #AnglicanLiturgy #AnglicanCatholicUnity #AnglicanTradition #Ecumenism #ChristianUnity #FACTSPodcast #StephenBoyce
FACTS is a podcast that was started by Dr. Stephen Boyce from Greenville, South Carolina. The primary focus of this program is to cover historical content about the early church Fathers, the Apocryphal accounts, the canon, textual criticism, and the scripture itself. Most episodes are co-hosted by Tyler West, among other special guests who are invited on the program.
For those who would like to donate to our podcast, here is the link. All donations are tax deductible. Thank you for your all of your support. Grace and Peace https://give.tithe.ly/?formId=6381a2ee-b82f-42a7-809e-6b733cec05a7
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