What is theological retrieval, and how should evangelicals approach it wisely?

In this episode, Dr. Shawn Wright (The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary; Clifton Baptist Church) introduces the concept of theological retrieval and explains why it matters today. Drawing from a recent faculty address, he outlines six key cautions—including the need for humility, the danger of overreaction, and the central importance of justification by faith alone and assurance of salvation. We also discuss why some evangelicals are drawn to Roman Catholic views of the church, how Protestants should respond, and why tradition must never stand above Scripture. Dr. Wright closes with a pastoral warning for those considering Rome.

Episode resource: https://www.sbts.edu/news/shawn-wright-faculty-address/

Support the show

In this episode we discuss the interesting topic of relics and what role they play in Roman Catholicism. What is the theology behind them and how did they develop historically? How do evangelicals respond to the reality of relics? These questions and others are the topic of our discussion.

Episode Links:

https://vaticanfiles.org/en/2026/03/vf252/

https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/calvin-venerating-relics/ 

Support the show

In this episode, Leo, Clay, and Reid discuss Leonardo’s most recent Vatican File, which looks ahead to 2033 and an important initiative of the ecumenical movement. They also discuss the importance of the 1700th anniversary of Nicea and how that relates to 2033.

https://vaticanfiles.org/en/2026/02/vf251-watch-out-2033/ 

Support the show

In this episode we discuss Leonardo’s upcoming Vatican File that reviews a book which was recently translated into Italian. The book was written by the Cardinal Prefect of the Vatican Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, Victor Manuel Fernández, who is number 3 in the Vatican order of magisterial hierarchy. The book was originally published in 2003 in Spanish, but has just recently been made available in Italian. It concerns the doctrine of grace and gives clear insight into the Roman Catholic concept of grace. We discuss how these Roman Catholic concepts of grace differ from how the Bible articulates the doctrine of grace.

Support the show

In this episode we discuss the recent Vatican document published by the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith regarding Mary (Mater Popoli Fidelis) and her title of "Co-redemptrix". How should evangelicals think through this and respond to it? We also discuss Leonardo’s October Vatican File that concerns recent remarks Pope Leo made concerning Mary, and that are therefore relevant to this discussion.

Support the show

In this episode, we discuss Pope Leo XIV’s first Magisterial document, an Apostolic Exhortation titled "Dilexi te," which focuses on the Roman Catholic Church’s mandate to care for the poor. We highlight the theological concerns the document presents for an evangelical reader. We also briefly discuss our recent trip to Istanbul for a conference that commemorated the 1700th anniversary of the Nicene Creed.

Support the show

In this episode, we sit down with Leonardo to talk about his newest book, Tell Your Catholic Friends: How to Have Gospel Conversations With Love (B&H Books, 2025). Together we explore why these conversations matter, how to approach them with clarity and compassion, and what it looks like to point friends and family to the hope of the gospel. Tell Your Catholic Friends is available on Amazon, Kindle, and Audible.

Support the show

In this episode, we discuss the Jubilee of Youth, a Roman Catholic event held in Rome, Italy, from July 29 to August 3, 2025, which attracted nearly 1 million youth from around the world. Much of what has been shared on social media by the Catholic Church is attractive to young evangelicals who are led to believe they can find the answer to their disillusions with faith and church in the Roman Catholic Church. But what is the real message of the Jubilee of Youth? Join us as we respond to this question.

Episode resource:

https://vaticanfiles.org/en/2025/08/vf245-jubilee-of-youth/

Support the show

In this episode, we are joined by Reformanda Initiative Fellow Mark Gilbert (Certainty 4 Eternity) about the new book he co-edited with Leonardo, The Nicene Creed: The Nature of Christian Unity and the Meaning of Gospel Words. We discuss his chapter contribution, which unpacks the clause of the Nicene Creed “We believe in one, holy, catholic and apostolic church,” noting how Roman Catholics and Evangelicals share these words, but do not share the theological interpretation of them.

Support the show

In this episode we (Leonardo and Reid) discuss problematic aspects of the Roman Catholic understanding of the Trinitarian framework, using Leonardo’s chapter in the newly released book “The Nicene Creed: The Nature of Christian Unity and the Meaning of Gospel Words”, of which Leonardo and Reformanda Initiative Fellow Mark Gilbert are editors. This book (and this conversation) coincides  with the 1700th anniversary of the Nicene Creed. The book can be purchased here: https://matthiasmedia.com/collections/latest/products/the-nicene-creed and is available on Kindle.

Support the show

In this episode, we are joined by Reformanda Initiative fellow Robbie Bellis, who walks us through this delicate and essential question using Galatians 1 as a case study. Can Galatians 1 and Paul's anathemas be applied to the Roman Catholic Church and its gospel?

Support the show