C4E exists to help people share the good news about Jesus with people from a Roman Catholic background.
Join us to hear insightful conversations for grown-ups and teens so that you can better understand Catholicism and have better conversations with your Catholic friends
John Diacos on the Truth About the Rise of Orthodoxy & Catholicism
Why are so many young Christians becoming Roman Catholic or Eastern Orthodox?
Recent reports have highlighted growing numbers of young people, particularly young men, exploring historic Christian traditions. In this conversation, former Roman Catholic Mark Gilbert and Eastern Orthodox backgrounded John Diacos explore why this is happening, the six most common reasons people convert, and how Christians can thoughtfully and lovingly respond.
Rather than relying on stereotypes or internet debates, this discussion examines the deeper spiritual questions drawing people toward Catholicism and Orthodoxy, including truth, community, spiritual discipline, history and the search for certainty.
Whether you're Protestant, Catholic, Orthodox, or simply exploring Christianity, this conversation aims to help you better understand these movements and keep the focus on the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Timestamps
00:00 Why are so many becoming Catholic & Orthodox?
00:47 Meet John Diacos & Mark Gilbert
01:16 The surprising rise in conversions
02:00 Six reasons people convert
06:18 Why young people want historic Christianity
11:36 How social media is influencing conversions
18:59 Should Protestants evangelise Catholics?
27:13 Can people outside the Church be saved?
32:04 Roman Catholicism and salvation
40:04 Salvation vs Theosis
44:31 Do the sacraments save?
59:36 Apostolic succession explained
1:10:50 The best way to share the gospel
1:13:41 Closing prayer
John's Youtube Channel:
@EvangelisingEasternOrthodoxy (https://studio.youtube.com/channel/UCXncj2zJGADfgI10cJ0c9GQ)
John's Training Course
eeo.net.au (http://eeo.net.au)
Certainty for Life
certaintyforlife.com (http://certaintyforlife.com)
#Catholic #Orthodox #Christianity #Protestant #Apologetics
💬 Got a question? Leave it in the comments or DM us on socials. We might feature it in an upcoming episode!
📲 Stay Connected
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👍🏼 Like this video 🔔 Subscribe for fortnightly episodes 💬 Comment with your questions
📣 Share with friends curious about Catholicism & Christianity
🔔 If this video raised questions for you about Roman Catholicism or talking with Catholic friends about Jesus, check out Mark's published resources, including "Stepping Out in Faith", a collection of 11 stories from former Catholics. https://matthiasmedia.com.au/search?type=product&q=mark+gilbert (https://matthiasmedia.com.au/search?type=product&q=mark+gilbert)
13 Aug 2026
The Best Books for Understanding Roman Catholicism
How do you share the gospel with your Catholic friends if you don't fully understand Catholicism yourself?
In this episode of the Certainty4Eternity Podcast, Mark and Rayne share the books, Bible studies, courses and online resources that have helped thousands of Protestants better understand Roman Catholic theology and have clearer, more loving conversations about Jesus.
From Gregg Allison's Roman Catholic Theology and Practice, Leonardo De Chirico's books, or our very own Mark Gilbert's The God Who Saves, Talking with Catholics About Jesus, and other practical evangelism resources, this episode is designed to equip Christians who want to faithfully proclaim the gospel while accurately understanding Roman Catholic teaching.
Whether you're a pastor, youth leader, Bible study leader, or simply have Catholic family and friends, these recommendations will help you move beyond common misconceptions and communicate the gospel with confidence and compassion.
In this episode:
Why many Protestants struggle to understand Catholicism
Why young Christians are being drawn toward Catholicism
The best books on Roman Catholic theology
Bible studies to use with Catholic friends
Resources for pastors, churches and small groups
Practical advice for sharing the gospel with Catholics
If you enjoy these conversations, please like this video, subscribe, and share it with your church, pastor or Bible study group so more Christians can be equipped to speak about Jesus with clarity and love.
Timestamps
00:00 Why Protestants need better resources on Catholicism
02:12 An email from a pastor asking for help
05:18 Why Protestants often talk past Catholics
11:19 Gregg Allison's Roman Catholic Theology and Practice
12:50 Leonardo De Chirico's best books
16:51 The God Who Saves Bible study
25:38 The Road Once Travelled
29:00 Talking with Catholics About Jesus course
31:29 The Nicene Creed and understanding Catholicism
37:20 How you can help equip more Christians
Gregg Allison's Book:
Roman Catholic Theology & Practice, an Evangelical Assessment
https://www.amazon.com.au/Roman-Catholic-Theology-Practice-Evangelical/dp/1433501163 (https://www.amazon.com.au/Roman-Catholic-Theology-Practice-Evangelical/dp/1433501163)
Leonardo De Chirico's Books:
Same Words, Different Worlds
https://www.amazon.com.au/Same-Words-Different-Worlds-Evangelicals/dp/1789743605 (https://www.amazon.com.au/Same-Words-Different-Worlds-Evangelicals/dp/1789743605)
Tell Your Catholic Friend
https://tinyurl.com/sfc29wwd (https://tinyurl.com/sfc29wwd)
Christian's Pocket Guide to the Papacy
https://tinyurl.com/msepjxw6 (https://tinyurl.com/msepjxw6)
Mark Gilbert's Books & Resources:
https://matthiasmedia.com.au/search?type=product&q=mark+gilbert (https://matthiasmedia.com.au/search?type=product&q=mark+gilbert)
Reformanda Initiative Podcast:
https://www.youtube.com/@UCmfC5IWjlhJ7owMhT-ESIJA (https://www.youtube.com/@UCmfC5IWjlhJ7owMhT-ESIJA) or search Reformanda Initiative wherever you get your podcasts
💬 Got a question? Leave it in the comments or DM us on socials. We might feature it in an upcoming episode!
📲 Stay Connected
📸 Instagram @certainty4eternity | 📘 Facebook Certainty4Eternity
👍🏼 Like this video 🔔 Subscribe for fortnightly episodes 💬 Comment with your questions
📣 Share with friends curious about Catholicism & Christianity
18 Jul 2026
Why Catholics Do These Things: Mary, the Rosary, Relics & Lent
Why do Catholics pray to Mary? Why do they use rosary beads? What are relics? Why do Catholics celebrate Ash Wednesday and Lent? And where do these practices come from?
In this episode of Certainty for Eternity, Mark Gilbert and Rayne Orange explore some of the most recognisable practices in Roman Catholicism - not simply to critique them, but to understand why they exist and what they reveal about Catholic theology.
Joined by Dr Lauren Montenegro, a Protestant researcher completing her PhD on Marian apparitions while living in France, the discussion explores the history, theology and lived experience behind Catholic devotion to Mary.
Topics include:
• Why Catholics pray to Mary
• The history and purpose of the Rosary
• Ash Wednesday and Lent explained
• Relics and miraculous medals
• Marian apparitions and pilgrimage
• The Stations of the Cross
• Martin Luther, repentance and the Reformation
• How Protestants can have gracious conversations with Catholic friends
Whether you're Protestant, Catholic, or simply curious about Christianity, this conversation aims to replace assumptions with understanding while keeping Jesus at the centre.
Subscribe for more conversations helping Christians make sense of Catholicism through Scripture, history and gracious dialogue.
Timestamps
0:00 Introduction
1:11 Catholic culture and why Mary matters
4:45 Ash Wednesday, Lent and penance explained
22:47 Stations of the Cross
26:51 Relics and Catholic devotion
43:15 Dr Lauren Montenegro joins the conversation
50:42 The Rosary and praying to Mary
59:26 Statues, miraculous medals and Marian devotion
1:12:03 Should Protestants keep Catholic souvenirs?
1:17:28 How to lovingly talk with Catholic friends
We'd love to hear from you:
Which Catholic practice surprised you most?
💬 Got a question? Leave it in the comments or DM us on socials. We might feature it in an upcoming episode!
📲 Stay Connected
📸 Instagram @certainty4eternity | 📘 Facebook Certainty4Eternity
👍🏼 Like this video 🔔 Subscribe for fortnightly episodes 💬 Comment with your questions
📣 Share with friends curious about Catholicism & Christianity
🔔 If this video raised questions for you about Roman Catholicism or talking with Catholic friends about Jesus, check out Mark's published resources, including "Stepping Out in Faith", a collection of 11 stories from former Catholics.https://matthiasmedia.com.au/search?type=product&q=mark+gilbert (https://matthiasmedia.com.au/search?type=product&q=mark+gilbert)
📖 Want to learn more about engaging conversations with Catholics and Mark's Ministry with C4E?Visit:https://encministries.org.au/ministry/ministry-to-roman-catholics/ (https://encministries.org.au/ministry/ministry-to-roman-catholics/)
#Catholicism
#Protestant
#Christianity
#Mary
#Rosary
#CatholicChurch
#Apologetics
#Reformation
#Bible
#Jesus
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