Gospel Simplicity Podcast

Austin Suggs
  • 4.9 (73)
  • Christianity
  • Updated Biweekly

The Gospel Simplicity Podcast is centered around the conviction that the gospel is really good news. Here you will find conversations with Christians from various traditions as we seek to unpack the beautiful simplicity and transformative power of the gospel. Gospel Simplicity is known for ecumenical dialogue that is charitable and open to learning from people with whom you might disagree. We believe that God desires for his Church to be one, united in love for God and neighbor, and on mission to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ to all people.

  1. 4d ago

    Neither Capitalist Nor Socialist? An Introduction to Catholic Economics | Dr. Richard A. Gallenstein

    In this interview, I'm joined by Dr. Richard Gallenstein, Associate Professor of Economics and Director of the Master of Public Policy program at The Catholic University of America, to discuss Catholic Social Teaching and what it means for us today. We dive into the Church's teaching on Capitalism, Socialism, and how this relates to questions like wealth inequality, AI, and more.  Pre-order my novel, The Long Road to Holy Island: https://amzn.to/4sISAC9 Get access to my book club, show notes, ad-free episodes and more:  https://patreon.com/gospelsimplicity  Make a one-time donation: https://paypal.me/gospelsimplicity Book a meeting: https://calendly.com/gospelsimplicity/meet-with-austin Read my writings: https://austinsuggs.substack.com 00:00 Intro to Catholic Social Teaching 12:15 Capitalism vs. Socialism 37:10 Private Property & Universal Destination of Goods 48:10 Subsidiarity & Solidarity 01:07:05 Wealth Inequality 01:16:20 AI 01:30:00 Concluding Thoughts Support the show

    1h 33m

  2. May 18

    Virtue and Vice: A Medieval Perspective | Dr. Grace Hamman

    In this video, I'm joined by Dr. Grace Hamman to discuss how Medieval Christians approached spiritual formation. We give special attention to their understanding of virtue and vice, exploring how that might help enrich our modern approaches to the Christian life. We also talk about how to read medieval theologians wisely, and what to do with some of the more extreme examples of piety that might make us uncomfortable today. Pre-order my novel, The Long Road to Holy Island: https://amzn.to/4sISAC9 Get access to my book club, show notes, ad-free episodes and more:  https://patreon.com/gospelsimplicity Make a one-time donation: https://paypal.me/gospelsimplicity Book a meeting: https://calendly.com/gospelsimplicity/meet-with-austin Read my writings: https://austinsuggs.substack.com Get the book: https://amzn.to/3RcUEow Follow Dr. Hamman on Substack: https://gracehamman.substack.com/ Dr. Hamman's website: https://gracehamman.com/ About the Guest: Grace Hamman, Ph.D. (Duke University) is a writer and independent scholar of late medieval poetry and contemplative writing. She is the author of Ask of Old Paths: Medieval Virtues and Vices for a Whole and Holy Life and Jesus through Medieval Eyes: Beholding Christ with the Artists, Mystics, and Theologians of the Middle Ages. Her work has been published by academic and popular outlets, including Plough Quarterly and The Journal of Medieval and Early Modern Studies. She lives near Denver, Colorado with her husband and three young children. Chapters 00:00 The Overlooked Medieval Era 05:07 Personal Journey into Medieval Studies 09:54 Exploring Virtue in Medieval Literature 15:47 Understanding Wholeness and Virtue 20:49 The Interconnectedness of Virtues and Vices 36:22 The Thin Picture of Christian Life 38:45 Pairing Virtues and Vices 42:30 The Richness of Abstinence and Gluttony 47:21 Imagination in Christian Formation 53:00 Navigating Historical Literature 01:30:08 Gateway Texts to the Medieval Period Support the show

    1h 4m

  3. May 11

    The Origins and Development of Christian Liturgies | Rev. Dr. Matthew S.C. Olver

    In this video, I'm joined by the Reverend Dr. Matthew S.C. Olver to discuss the origins and evolution of Christian liturgies. We talk about how Christian liturgies relate to Second Temple Judaism, what we learn from St. Justin Martyr, what happened at Vatican 2, and whether the Episcopalian Eucharistic Prayer C is great or cringe-worthy. Pre-order my novel, The Long Road to Holy Island: https://amzn.to/4sISAC9 Get access to my book club, show notes, ad-free episodes and more:  https://patreon.com/gospelsimplicity Make a one-time donation: https://paypal.me/gospelsimplicity Book a meeting: https://calendly.com/gospelsimplicity/meet-with-austin Read my writings: https://austinsuggs.substack.com The Living Church: https://livingchurch.org/ About the Guest: Fr. Olver is the Executive Director and Publisher of The Living Church Foundation. A priest for more than eighteen years, he was the assistant rector at Church of the Incarnation, Dallas (2006-2013) and has served widely in the Episcopal Church: as the Ecumenical Officer (2005-2010) and on the Executive Council (2008-2011) in the Episcopal Diocese of Dallas; as a member of the Anglican-Roman Catholic Consultation in the U.S. (ARCUSA), the official dialogue between the Episcopal Church and the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (2008-2014); as a member the Task Force on Liturgical and Prayer Book Revision for the Episcopal Church (2018-2021); and as a deputy to General Convention (2022 and 2024). He has also been involved in the Anglican Centre in Rome and regularly teaches a course there on Anglican ecclesiology and ecumenism. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Liturgy and Its Importance 03:09 The Evolution of Early Christian Liturgy 06:00 Diversity in Early Christian Worship 09:10 Key Figures in Liturgical History 12:09 The Impact of the Reformation on Liturgy 15:09 The Second Vatican Council and Its Reforms 31:39 Common Ground in the Gospel 34:00 Scholarly Misjudgments in Liturgical History 35:20 The Impact of Liturgical Reforms 37:25 Eucharistic Prayer C: An Inside Look 42:15 The Distinctiveness of Anglican Liturgy 53:07 The Relationship Between Liturgy and Belief 01:00:15 The Richness of Liturgical Experience Support the show

    1h 3m

  4. Apr 27

    Jesus and the Fulfillment of the Jewish Law | Dr. Paul Sloan

    In this conversation, Dr. Paul Sloan discusses the relationship between Jesus and the law, challenging common misconceptions about the Pharisees and the nature of ritual purity. He emphasizes that Jesus' teachings and actions should be understood within the context of Israel's restoration and the covenantal framework established in the Old Testament. The discussion highlights the importance of understanding the law not as a means of works righteousness but as a reflection of God's covenantal love and grace. In this conversation, Paul Sloan discusses the relationship between Christ, the law, and the concept of restoration in the context of eschatology. He emphasizes that Christ's ministry is a fulfillment of the law rather than an abolition, and that the restoration of Israel involves a new heart and obedience to the Torah. The conversation also explores the implications for Gentiles regarding the law, particularly in light of Acts 15, where the early church debated the obligations of Gentile believers. Sloan argues that while the law remains significant, its application differs for Jews and Gentiles, and he highlights the importance of understanding Paul's writings in this context. Pre-order my novel, The Long Road to Holy Island: https://amzn.to/4sISAC9 Get access to my book club, show notes, ad-free episodes and more:  https://patreon.com/gospelsimplicity Make a one-time donation: https://paypal.me/gospelsimplicity Book a meeting: https://calendly.com/gospelsimplicity/meet-with-austin Read my writings: https://austinsuggs.substack.com Buy the book: https://amzn.to/4sRM0cd Dr. Sloan's Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/jesus-and-jewish-law/id1791111864 Follow Dr. Sloan on X: https://x.com/paulthomasloan About the Guest: Paul Sloan, Ph.D. (University of St. Andrew's) is Associate Professor of Theology at Houston Christian University. He is the author of Jesus and the Law of Moses: The Gospels and the Restoration of Israel within First-Century Judaism. His research interests include the literature of the New Testament and 2nd Temple Judaism. Current research focuses on Leviticus, the sacrificial system, and sacred space, and the reception of those motifs in 2nd Temple texts. 00:00 Introduction to Jesus and the Law 06:19 Understanding the Role of the Pharisees 13:44 Ritual Purity and Impurity Explained 24:43 Jesus' Authority and Restoration Eschatology 42:57 The Restoration and Eschatological Agenda 45:04 Christ's Fulfillment of the Law 46:27 Obedience to the Torah in the New Covenant 51:03 The Role of Gentiles in the Law 53:33 Acts 15: The Council and Its Implications 01:05:01 Understanding Paul and the Law Support the show

    1h 24m

  5. Apr 21

    Historical Anglican Theology and Modern Debates | Sean Luke

    In this interview, I'm joined by Sean Luke of  @anglicanaesthetics to discuss how historic Anglican theology can address some of our contemporary debates about sola scriptura, Protestantism, and more. We discuss whether Anglicans really believe in sola scriptura, how Anglicans have viewed historic schisms, and whether the development of the Church of England was itself schismatic. Prepare to come out of this interview with a long reading list! Pre-order my novel, The Long Road to Holy Island: https://amzn.to/4sISAC9 Get access to my book club, show notes, ad-free episodes and more:  https://patreon.com/gospelsimplicity Make a one-time donation: https://paypal.me/gospelsimplicity Book a meeting: https://calendly.com/gospelsimplicity/meet-with-austin Read my writings: https://austinsuggs.substack.com Find Sean on Substack: https://substack.com/@anglicanaesthetics Books Mentioned:  Richard Hooker - Laws of Ecclesiastical Polity: https://amzn.to/4tFes1F William Chillingworth - The Religion of the Protestants: https://amzn.to/4cDpxun John Tillotson - The Rule of Faith:  00:00 Introduction 02:00 Sola Scriptura in Anglican Thought 03:50 The Role of Tradition and Ecumenism 06:59 Historical Anglican Approaches to Church Authority 12:45 The Church Schism and Anglican Continuity 20:45 The Caroline Divines and Anglican Identity 28:45 Sola Scriptura in Anglican Debates 40:55 The Authority of Scripture and Church Tradition 50:40 The Discontinuity and Continuity of the Rule of Faith 01:00:48 Recommended Resources and Final Thoughts Support the show

    1h 5m

  6. Apr 21

    Rethinking the Atonement and the Meaning of Sacrifice | Dr. David Moffitt

    In this interview, I'm joined by Dr. David Moffitt, one of the world's leading experts on the atonement and the book of Hebrews. We discuss how the ascension is a critical, yet overlooked, part of Christ's atoning work, how misunderstanding Jewish sacrifice causes us to misunderstand the cross, and why Hebrews is every bit as important as Romans for understanding the atonement.  Pre-order my novel, The Long Road to Holy Island: https://amzn.to/4sISAC9 Get access to my book club, show notes, ad-free episodes and more:  https://patreon.com/gospelsimplicity Make a one-time donation: https://paypal.me/gospelsimplicity Book a meeting: https://calendly.com/gospelsimplicity/meet-with-austin Read my writings: https://austinsuggs.substack.com Buy the book: https://amzn.to/3OEKmwe About the Guest: Dr. David Moffitt’s research focuses on the variety of ways the earliest Christians understood Jesus and their own identities in relation to Jewish scripture, practices, and beliefs. His core areas of ongoing research concern the Epistle to the Hebrews, the ways this early Christian sermon develops claims about Jesus’s person in high-priestly and sacrificial terms, and ancient practices of and beliefs about sacrifice. Beyond Hebrews, Prof. Moffitt has particular interests in the ways the early Christian confession of Jesus’s resurrection and ascension influence the theologies of the various books of the New Testament. Learn more: https://www.st-andrews.ac.uk/divinity/people/dm206/ 00:00 Introduction to Atonement and Hebrews 04:19 The Role of Hebrews in Atonement Discussions 10:47 Broad vs. Narrow Understanding of Atonement 16:17 The Significance of the Ascension in Atonement 26:35 Ongoing Ministry of Christ and Its Implications 31:41 The Significance of Jesus' Death and Resurrection 36:41 Early Church Fathers and the Interpretation of Hebrews 41:02 Understanding Sacrifice in the Context of Atonement 50:21 The Multifaceted Nature of Atonement 59:50 The Ongoing Intercession of Christ Support the show

    1h 3m

  7. Apr 6

    The State of Sola Scriptura Debates | Kevin Fernandez

    In this interview, I'm joined by Kevin Fernandez of  ⁨@SinceAD33⁩ for a friendly discussion about the current state of the sola scriptura debate to see if there are ways in which Protestants and Catholics can productively move the conversation forward. And part of moving forward, we find, is looking backwards, retrieving the best of the past for fruitful discussion in the present. Pre-order my novel, The Long Road to Holy Island: https://amzn.to/4sISAC9 Get access to my book club, show notes, ad-free episodes and more:  https://patreon.com/gospelsimplicity Make a one-time donation: https://paypal.me/gospelsimplicity Book a meeting: https://calendly.com/gospelsimplicity/meet-with-austin Read my writings: https://austinsuggs.substack.com 00:00 - Where we're at 05:06 - Learning from the Past 11:19 - The Real Differences 17:12 - Infallibility 25:15 - The Role of the Magisterium 34:14 - Is this Getting Too Complicated? 44:13 - The Trouble with Contradictions 55:21 - How to Debate Well 01:05:11 - Going Deeper Support the show

    1h 10m

  8. Mar 30

    Is Infallible Dogma Necessary for Christianity? | Fr. James Dominic Rooney

    In this interview, I'm joined by Fr. James Dominic Rooney O.P. to discuss the role of infallibility and dogma in Christianity based upon his book, Whoever Hears You Hears Me? In essence, Fr. JD argues that all Christians--not just Catholics--need some form of infallibility to make their theological systems work. Pre-order my novel, The Long Road to Holy Island: https://amzn.to/4sISAC9 Get access to my book club, show notes, ad-free episodes and more:  https://patreon.com/gospelsimplicity Make a one-time donation: https://paypal.me/gospelsimplicity Book a meeting: https://calendly.com/gospelsimplicity... Read my writings: https://austinsuggs.substack.com About the Guest: Fr. James Dominic Rooney is an assistant professor of philosophy at Hong Kong Baptist University whose work is primarily in metaphysics, medieval philosophy, Chinese philosophy (程朱理学), and philosophy of religion.  He is also a Dominican friar of the Province of St. Albert the Great (Chicago, IL) and a Catholic priest. Support the show

    1h 9m
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About

The Gospel Simplicity Podcast is centered around the conviction that the gospel is really good news. Here you will find conversations with Christians from various traditions as we seek to unpack the beautiful simplicity and transformative power of the gospel. Gospel Simplicity is known for ecumenical dialogue that is charitable and open to learning from people with whom you might disagree. We believe that God desires for his Church to be one, united in love for God and neighbor, and on mission to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ to all people.

Information

  • Creator
    Austin Suggs
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    128
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Gospel Simplicity Podcast
  • Show Website
    Gospel Simplicity Podcast

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