Why Catholic?

* The Ecumenical Councils of the Catholic Church: A History by Joseph Kelly

SOURCES:

* The First Seven Ecumenical Councils (325-787): Their History and Theology by Leo Davis

* New Advent: 2nd Council of Nicaea

* Papal Encyclicals Online: 2nd Council of Nicaea

* Video: General Councils 7: Nicaea II (Anglican Source)

* Video: Did the Second Council of Nicaea CONDEMN statues?! w/Dr. Fastiggi

* Video: Council of Nicaea II (Dominican Source)

* Episode 127: Gnosticism and the New Testament

* Episode 126: The Three Different Ten Commandments

* Catholic Answers: Relics

* Video: Council of Nicaea II (Dominican Source)

PREVIOUS EPISODES IN THIS SERIES

* Episode 146: Introduction to the 21 Ecumenical Councils

* Episode 147: The World that Led to the Council of Nicaea

* Episode 150: The First Council of Constantinople (381)

* Episode 153: The Second Council of Constantinople (553)

* Episode 154: War Among the Monotheists

* Episode 155: The Third Council of Constantinople (680-681)

Get full access to Why Catholic? at whycatholic.substack.com/subscribe

#155 - The Third Council of Constantinople (680-681) Sep 09, 2025

Show notes

In part 10 of our series on the 21 Ecumenical Councils, Justin Hibbard discusses the efforts to appease the monophysites by inventing two heresies: monoenergism and monotheletism. Why were these Christological positions condemned at the Third Council of Constantinople?

HOW TO SUPPORT THIS PODCAST

* Become a free subscriber or a patron of Why Catholic? and get the next episode and a discount code to the Why Catholic Etsy shop in your email inbox.

* Check out the Why Catholic Etsy shop (all proceeds support this podcast).

* Invite Justin to speak at your next event. Inquire at whycatholic@substack.com.

SOCIAL LINKS

* The Ecumenical Councils of the Catholic Church: A History by Joseph Kelly

SOURCES:

* The First Seven Ecumenical Councils (325-787): Their History and Theology by Leo Davis

* Correspondence between Patriarch Sergius and Pope Honorius

* The Rise of Islam

* New Advent: 3rd Council of Constantinople

* Third Council of Constantinople

PREVIOUS EPISODES IN THIS SERIES

* Episode 146: Introduction to the 21 Ecumenical Councils

* Episode 147: The World that Led to the Council of Nicaea

* Episode 150: The First Council of Constantinople (381)

* Episode 153: The 2nd Council of Constantinople (553)

* Episode 154: War Among the Monotheists

Get full access to Why Catholic? at whycatholic.substack.com/subscribe

#154 - War Among the Monotheists Sep 02, 2025

Show notes

In part 9 of our series on the 21 Ecumenical Councils, Justin Hibbard discusses the pivotal history that occurred over 127 years between The 2nd Council of Constantinople of 553 and the 3rd Council of Constantinople of 680. This episode covers the two major heresies of the day, the Filioque controversy, the war between the Byzantines and the Persians, the Christological gag order, the rise of Islam, and the heresy that led to the Third Council of Constantinople.

HOW TO SUPPORT THIS PODCAST

* Become a free subscriber or a patron of Why Catholic? and get the next episode and a discount code to the Why Catholic Etsy shop in your email inbox.

* Check out the Why Catholic Etsy shop (all proceeds support this podcast).

* Invite Justin to speak at your next event. Inquire at whycatholic@substack.com.

SOCIAL LINKS

* The Ecumenical Councils of the Catholic Church: A History by Joseph Kelly

SOURCES:

* The First Seven Ecumenical Councils (325-787): Their History and Theology by Leo Davis

* New Advent: Henoticon

* Byzantine – Sasanian War of 602–628 DOCUMENTARY

* Orthodoxy Chronicles: The Filioque Controversy - The Orthodox & Catholic Positions

* Prophet Muhammad Explained in 13 Minutes

* St. John of Damascus’ Critique of Islam

* The Rise of Islam

* Episode 113: The Great Popes

* Episode 111: Papal Infallibility

* New Advent: 3rd Council of Constantinople

PREVIOUS EPISODES IN THIS SERIES

* Episode 146: Introduction to the 21 Ecumenical Councils

* Episode 147: The World that Led to the Council of Nicaea

* Episode 150: The First Council of Constantinople (381)

* Episode 153: The 2nd Council of Constantinople (553)

Get full access to Why Catholic? at whycatholic.substack.com/subscribe

#153 - The Second Council of Constantinople (553) Aug 26, 2025

Show notes

In part 8 of our series on the 21 Ecumenical Councils, Justin Hibbard discusses what happened at the 5th Ecumenical Council - The 2nd Council of Constantinople. In this episode, you’ll learn about the schisms that occurred after the Council of Chalcedon, the fall of Rome and the Western Roman Empire, and the rise of the Eastern Roman Empire (aka the Byzantine Empire), as well as the decisions at the 2nd Council of Constantinople.

HOW TO SUPPORT THIS PODCAST

* Become a free subscriber or a patron of Why Catholic? and get the next episode and a discount code to the Why Catholic Etsy shop in your email inbox.

* Check out the Why Catholic Etsy shop (all proceeds support this podcast).

* Invite Justin to speak at your next event. Inquire at whycatholic@substack.com.

SOCIAL LINKS

* Details and map of the fall of the Western Roman Empire

SOURCES:

* The Ecumenical Councils of the Catholic Church: A History by Joseph Kelly

* The First Seven Ecumenical Councils (325-787): Their History and Theology by Leo Davis

* New Advent: Henoticon

* History of the Popes Podcast (Series on West Meets East - beginning with episode 52)

* History of the Popes Podcast (Episode 74: Everyone Hates Vigilius)

* The Tome of Pope Leo I

* Episode 113: The Great Popes

* New Advent: 2nd Council of Constantinople

* Papal Encyclicals Online: 2nd Council of Constantinople

* New Advent: Three Chapters

* Pontifacts: 61. Vigiliius

* Pontifacts: Council Episode - The Second Council of Constantinople

PREVIOUS EPISODES IN THIS SERIES

* Episode 146: Introduction to the 21 Ecumenical Councils

* Episode 147: The World that Led to the Council of Nicaea

* Episode 150: The First Council of Constantinople (381)

Get full access to Why Catholic? at whycatholic.substack.com/subscribe

#152 - The Council of Chalcedon (451) Aug 19, 2025

Show notes

In part 7 of our series on the 21 Ecumenical Councils, Justin Hibbard discusses what happened at the 4th Ecumenical Council - The Council of Chalcedon. What happened when the theological sheriffs Cyril of Alexandria and John of Antioch died? How did the Second Council of Ephesus almost become the fourth ecumenical council? And what major theological debate did the Council of Chalcedon decide on that is accepted by almost all Christian sects?

HOW TO SUPPORT THIS PODCAST

* Become a free subscriber or a patron of Why Catholic? and get the next episode and a discount code to the Why Catholic Etsy shop in your email inbox.

* Check out the Why Catholic Etsy shop (all proceeds support this podcast).

* Invite Justin to speak at your next event. Inquire at whycatholic@substack.com.

SOCIAL LINKS

* Map of the Roman Empire in the 5th Century

SOURCES:

* The Ecumenical Councils of the Catholic Church: A History by Joseph Kelly

* The First Seven Ecumenical Councils (325-787): Their History and Theology by Leo Davis

* History of the Popes Podcast (Series on West Meets East - beginning with episode 52)

* The Tome of Pope Leo I

* Episode 113: The Great Popes

* Episode 111: Papal Infallibility

* New Advent: Robber Council of Ephesus

* New Advent: First Council of Chalcedon

* Papal Encyclicals Online: Council of Chalcedon

* Early Christian Schisms - Ephesus, the Robber Council, and Chalcedon - Extra History - Part 4

* Charlie Kirk on Mary as the Solution to Toxic Feminism

PREVIOUS EPISODES IN THIS SERIES

* Episode 146: Introduction to the 21 Ecumenical Councils

* Episode 147: The World that Led to the Council of Nicaea

* Episode 150: The First Council of Constantinople (381)

Get full access to Why Catholic? at whycatholic.substack.com/subscribe

#151 - The Council of Ephesus (431) Aug 12, 2025

Show notes

In part 6 of our series on the 21 Ecumenical Councils, Justin Hibbard discusses what happened at the 3rd council - The Council of Ephesus. Now that Arianism was finally dying out, what was the major debate happening among Churches? How did tensions between the major hubs of Christianity play a role in the theological divisions? And how did the understanding of the Blessed Virgin Mary help settle this Christological debate?

HOW TO SUPPORT THIS PODCAST

* Become a free subscriber or a patron of Why Catholic? and get the next episode and a discount code to the Why Catholic Etsy shop in your email inbox.

* Check out the Why Catholic Etsy shop (all proceeds support this podcast).

* Invite Justin to speak at your next event. Inquire at whycatholic@substack.com.

SOCIAL LINKS

* Map of the Roman Empire in 5th Century

SOURCES:

* The Ecumenical Councils of the Catholic Church: A History by Joseph Kelly

* The First Seven Ecumenical Councils (325-787): Their History and Theology by Leo Davis

* History of the Popes Podcast (Series on West Meets East - beginning with episode 52)

* Council of Ephesus | Church Councils Explained (Part 3)

* New Advent: First Council of Ephesus

* Papal Encyclicals Online: Council of Ephesus

PREVIOUS EPISODES IN THIS SERIES

* Episode 146: Introduction to the 21 Ecumenical Councils

* Episode 147: The World that Led to the Council of Nicaea

* Episode 150: The First Council of Constantinople (381)

Get full access to Why Catholic? at whycatholic.substack.com/subscribe

#150 - The First Council of Constantinople (381) Aug 05, 2025

Show notes

In part 5 of our series on the 21 Ecumenical Councils, Justin Hibbard discusses what happened at the First Council of Constantinople. What did they accomplish that the Council of Nicaea left incomplete? Which heresies did they address? And why is this council sometimes referred to as an “unecumenical council?”

HOW TO SUPPORT THIS PODCAST

* Become a free subscriber or a patron of Why Catholic? and get the next episode and a discount code to the Why Catholic Etsy shop in your email inbox.

* Check out the Why Catholic Etsy shop (all proceeds support this podcast).

* Invite Justin to speak at your next event. Inquire at whycatholic@substack.com.

SOCIAL LINKS

* Episode 146: Introduction to the 21 Ecumenical Councils

SOURCES:

* Episode 147: The World that Led to the Council of Nicaea

* Map of the Roman Empire Under Constantine

* The Ecumenical Councils of the Catholic Church: A History by Joseph Kelly

* The First Seven Ecumenical Councils (325-787): Their History and Theology by Leo Davis

* History of the Popes Podcast (Series on the Arian Century - beginning with episode 39)

* First Council of Constantinople | Church Councils Explained (Part 2)

* New Advent: First Council of Constantinople

* Papal Encyclicals Online: First Council of Constantinople

* Nicene-Constantinopolitan Creed

Get full access to Why Catholic? at whycatholic.substack.com/subscribe

#149 - From Nicaea to Constantinople Jul 29, 2025

Show notes

In part 4 of our series on the 21 Ecumenical Councils, Justin Hibbard discusses what happened in the aftermath of the Council of Nicaea? Did the Church become unified, or did it devolve into disarray and abandon Nicene Christianity? Why was the 4th century perhaps one of the most pivotal centuries for Christianity? And what led the Church to once again gather for a second council, this time in Constantinople?

HOW TO SUPPORT THIS PODCAST

* Become a free subscriber or a patron of Why Catholic? and get the next episode and a discount code to the Why Catholic Etsy shop in your email inbox.

* Check out the Why Catholic Etsy shop (all proceeds support this podcast).

* Invite Justin to speak at your next event. Inquire at whycatholic@substack.com.

SOCIAL LINKS

* Episode 146: Introduction to the 21 Ecumenical Councils

SOURCES:

* Episode 147: The World that Led to the Council of Nicaea

* Map of the Roman Empire Under Constantine

* The Ecumenical Councils of the Catholic Church: A History by Joseph Kelly

* History of the Popes Podcast (Beginning with Episode 27)

* First Council of Nicaea | Church Councils Explained (Part 1)

* First Council of Constantinople | Church Councils Explained (Part 2)

* New Advent: First Council of Nicaea

* Papal Encyclicals Online: First Council of Nicaea

* Original Nicene Creed of 325

Get full access to Why Catholic? at whycatholic.substack.com/subscribe

#148 - The First Council of Nicaea (325) Jul 22, 2025

Show notes

In Part 3 of our series on the 21 Ecumenical Church Councils, Justin Hibbard discusses the first ecumenical council in Church history - the Council of Nicaea. What does Santa Claus have to do with this council? Who attended this council? What did this council decide? And how did this council change the course of history while also failing to be all that effective within the next few decades?

HOW TO SUPPORT THIS PODCAST

* Become a free subscriber or a patron of Why Catholic? and get the next episode and a discount code to the Why Catholic Etsy shop in your email inbox.

* Check out the Why Catholic Etsy shop (all proceeds support this podcast).

* Invite Justin to speak at your next event. Inquire at whycatholic@substack.com.

SOCIAL LINKS

* Episode 146: Introduction to the 21 Ecumenical Councils

SOURCES:

* Episode 147: The World that Led to the Council of Nicaea

* Best St. Nicholas Memes

* The Might be Giants - Istanbul (not Constantinople)

* Map of the Roman Empire Under Constantine

* The Ecumenical Councils of the Catholic Church: A History by Joseph Kelly

* History of the Popes Podcast (Beginning with Episode 27)

* First Council of Nicaea | Church Councils Explained (Part 1)

* New Advent: First Council of Nicaea

* Papal Encyclicals Online: First Council of Nicaea

* Original Nicene Creed of 325

* Excursions on the Canons of the Council of Nicaea

Get full access to Why Catholic? at whycatholic.substack.com/subscribe

#147 - The World that Led to the Council of Nicaea Jul 15, 2025

Show notes

In part 2 of our series on the 21 Ecumenical Church Councils, Justin Hibbard discusses some of the challenges in the early church particularly in the third to early fourth centuries that led to the Council of Nicaea. Why was an ecumenical church council really only possible in the early fourth century? What were some of the key places, people, and events that led to the church desperately needing to meet in order to keep the Church (and the Roman Empire) from splitting apart?

HOW TO SUPPORT THIS PODCAST

* Become a free subscriber or a patron of Why Catholic? and get the next episode and a discount code to the Why Catholic Etsy shop in your email inbox.

* Check out the Why Catholic Etsy shop (all proceeds support this podcast).

* Invite Justin to speak at your next event. Inquire at whycatholic@substack.com.

SOCIAL LINKS