In this installment of Mary in the Dock, we put the claim of Mary’s perpetual virginity on trial. Many Protestants see the “brothers of Jesus” mentioned in the Gospels and the word “until” in Matthew 1:25 as decisive proof that Mary and Joseph had a normal married life after Jesus’ birth. We examine those objections carefully and then explore the Catholic response — from the broader biblical and Jewish use of the word “brother,” to the idiomatic meaning of “until,” to the early and unanimous witness of the Church Fathers. Far from being a late ascetic invention, the perpetual virginity of Mary emerges as a profoundly fitting expression of her unique role as the New Ark and the Mother of God. Whether you’re wrestling with this teaching or simply want to understand why the Church has always held it, this episode offers a clear and Scripture-centered defense.

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Christus vincit, Christus regnat, Christus imperat.

In recent years, a number of dioceses have moved to remove or ban altar rails, even as some younger priests have begun reinstalling them. These disputes often follow a familiar pattern: one side appeals to history and theology, while the actual arguments on the ground tend to revolve around how a practice makes people feel. This episode steps back from the usual arguments to examine why the language of feelings so often dominates discussions about the liturgy — and why that creates problems on more than one side. Drawing a parallel to the common Bible study question “What does this passage mean to you?”, it argues that both Scripture and the Mass are better approached as a search for what is actually true rather than what feels meaningful in the moment. The result is a call to move beyond generational instincts and cultural assumptions toward a deeper, more consistent engagement with the Church’s tradition.

SUPPORT THIS SHOW Considering Catholicism is 100% listener-supported. If this podcast has helped you on your journey, please become a patron today! For as little as $5/month you get: • Every regular episode ad-free and organized into topical playlists • Exclusive bonus content (extra Q&As, Deep-Dive courses, live streams, and more) • My deepest gratitude and a growing community of like-minded listeners

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CONNECT WITH US • Website & contact form: https://consideringcatholicism.com • Email: consideringcatholicism@gmail.com • Leave a comment on Patreon (I read every one!)

RATE & REVIEW If you enjoy the show, please leave a rating (and even better, a review) on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen — it really helps new listeners find us.

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Christus vincit, Christus regnat, Christus imperat.

In the wake of the Pentagon’s recent effort to simplify its religious affiliation codes — and the resulting controversy when The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was initially listed separately from other Christian groups — Utah senators Mike Lee and John Curtis publicly pushed back, insisting that Latter-day Saints are unequivocally Christian. The online debate that followed highlighted a much larger and older question: In a culture where anyone can claim any label, what does the word “Christian” actually mean? What are the historical and theological criteria, and who has the authority to define them?

Building on our previous episode about the visible criterion for orthodoxy, we trace how the early Church clarified the boundaries of authentic faith amid heresies, through the creeds, councils, and the role of Peter’s successor in safeguarding unity. We examine why self-identification, while sincere, has never been sufficient on its own — and why the same logic that leads some to say “anyone who feels like a Christian is a Christian” creates the same problems we see when words like “woman” are detached from objective reality.

Along the way we look honestly at specific groups: mainline and evangelical Protestants (real but imperfect communion), Mormons (self-identified Christians with a fundamentally different understanding of God and the Trinity), Jehovah’s Witnesses, Unitarians, and various progressive re-interpretations that retain the label while redefining core doctrines. We also address the common pushback that “Mormons are some of the nicest, most moral people you’ll meet” — and why that, while true and praiseworthy, doesn’t settle the theological question (just as being baptized and confirmed Catholic doesn’t automatically make someone a good or moral person).

If you’ve ever wondered how the Church distinguishes between orthodoxy and heresy, or why the Catholic Church doesn’t simply accept every sincere group’s self-definition, this episode offers clear, historically grounded answers with pastoral warmth. The goal isn’t exclusion for its own sake, but clarity — so that the faith Christ actually revealed can be known, guarded, and handed on intact.

SUPPORT THIS SHOW Considering Catholicism is 100% listener-supported. If this podcast has helped you on your journey, please become a patron today! For as little as $5/month you get: • Every regular episode ad-free and organized into topical playlists • Exclusive bonus content (extra Q&As, Deep-Dive courses, live streams, and more) • My deepest gratitude and a growing community of like-minded listeners

➡️ Join now: https://patreon.com/consideringcatholicism (or tap the Patreon link in your podcast app)

One-time gift: Donate with PayPal!

CONNECT WITH US • Website & contact form: https://consideringcatholicism.com • Email: consideringcatholicism@gmail.com • Leave a comment on Patreon (I read every one!)

RATE & REVIEW If you enjoy the show, please leave a rating (and even better, a review) on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen — it really helps new listeners find us.

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Christus vincit, Christus regnat, Christus imperat.