FACTS

Stephen Boyce
  • 4.8 (58)
  • CHRISTIANITY
  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY

FACTS is a podcast that was started by Dr. Stephen Boyce from Greenville, South Carolina. The primary focus of this program is to cover historical content about the early church Fathers, the Apocryphal accounts, the canon, textual criticism, and the scripture itself. Most episodes are co-hosted by Pat May, among other special guests who are invited on the program. For those who would like to donate to our podcast, here is the link. All donations are tax deductible. Thank you for your all of your support. Grace and Peace https://give.tithe.ly/?formId=6381a2ee-b82f-42a7-809e-6b733cec05a7

  1. 4D AGO

    The Heretic Who Tried to Rewrite Christianity: The Story of Marcion

    In this episode of FACTS, Stephen Boyce and Pat May explore the life and controversy surrounding Marcion of Sinope—one of the most influential and dangerous figures in the history of early Christianity. Arriving in Rome in the mid–second century, Marcion brought with him wealth, influence, and a radical theological proposal. He argued that the God of the Old Testament was not the same God revealed by Jesus Christ. Rejecting the Hebrew Scriptures entirely, Marcion promoted an edited version of the Gospel of Luke and a shortened collection of Paul’s letters as the only legitimate Christian writings. His teachings quickly sparked a crisis within the Church. Around A.D. 144, the Roman church formally expelled Marcion and returned the large donation he had given to the Christian community. Yet the impact of his ideas did not end there. Marcion went on to establish a rival movement that spread throughout the Roman world, forcing early Christian leaders to more clearly articulate the unity of Scripture and the authority of the apostolic writings. In this episode, we examine Marcion’s background, his theology, the events leading to his expulsion from Rome, and why the controversy surrounding him became one of the most important moments in the development of the New Testament canon. #ChurchHistory #Marcion #EarlyChristianity #NewTestament #FACTS If you'd like to donate to our ministry or be a monthly partner that receives newsletters and one on one discussions with Dr. Stephen Boyce, here's a link: https://give.tithe.ly/?formId=6381a2ee-b82f-42a7-809e-6b733cec05a7 Tertullian on Marcion: https://www.newadvent.org/fathers/03121.htm Irenaeus on Marcion: https://www.newadvent.org/fathers/0103304.htm

    55 min

  2. MAR 2

    Reconsidering the Resurrection Narratives

    Were the resurrection accounts contradictory, or are we reading them with the wrong expectations?In this episode, we take a careful look at the resurrection narratives in Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. Rather than forcing harmonization or dismissing differences as errors, we examine how ancient historians wrote, how eyewitness testimony was preserved, and how narrative compression, selective naming, and staggered arrivals help make sense of the details.We explore the role of the women at the tomb, Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and Salome, and consider why their consistent presence across the Gospels matters historically. We also look closely at Peter and John’s visit to the tomb and the significance of the burial cloths described in John’s account.When read within their ancient context, the resurrection narratives do not collapse under scrutiny. Instead, they reflect the texture of remembered events told from distinct but overlapping perspectives.Join us as we reconsider what the Gospels are, and how they should be read.Here's a link to Stephen's newest paper: https://www.academia.edu/164899261/Reconsidering_the_Resurrection_NarrativesIf you'd like to donate to our ministry or be a monthly partner that receives newsletters and one on one discussions with Dr. Stephen Boyce, here's a link: https://give.tithe.ly/?formId=6381a2ee-b82f-42a7-809e-6b733cec05a7

    1h 8m

  3. FEB 21

    A Letter from the Second Century That Shames Modern Christianity

    In this episode of FACTS, Dr. Stephen Boyce explores one of the most beautiful and overlooked writings of the early Church — the Epistle to Diognetus. Written in the second century, this anonymous apology offers a stunning portrait of early Christian identity before Constantine, before the great councils, and before Christianity held cultural influence. What did Christians actually believe about their place in the world? How did they explain themselves to pagan critics? And what does it mean that Christians are described as “the soul in the body” of the world? We’ll examine the historical background of the letter, its theology, its apologetic strategy, and its powerful vision of Christians living as citizens of heaven while dwelling among the nations. Long before Christendom, this text shows us a faith that was confident, distinct, and radically countercultural. If you want to understand how the earliest Christians saw themselves — and what that means for the Church today — this episode is for you. #ChurchHistory #EarlyChristianity #EpistleToDiognetus #Patristics #Apologetics #FACTSPodcast If you'd like to donate to our ministry or be a monthly partner that receives newsletters and one on one discussions with Dr. Stephen Boyce, here's a link: https://give.tithe.ly/?formId=6381a2ee-b82f-42a7-809e-6b733cec05a7 Link to the Letter: https://www.newadvent.org/fathers/0101.htm

    45 min

  4. FEB 18

    Dust and Development: The Historical Roots of Ash Wednesday

    Is Ash Wednesday apostolic? Medieval? Biblical? Or something in between? In this special Ash Wednesday episode of FACTS, Dr. Stephen Boyce examines the historical development of the imposition of ashes, tracing its roots from the biblical symbolism of dust and repentance to the public penitential practices of the early Church, and finally to its formal codification in the medieval West. Were ashes universally practiced in the early centuries? How did Lent develop into a 40-day fast? Why does the East not observe Ash Wednesday in the same way as the West? And does later liturgical development undermine theological legitimacy? Rather than sentimentality or polemics, this episode offers careful historical analysis—grounded in Scripture, the Fathers, and liturgical history. Ash Wednesday may not be apostolic in its fixed form, but its symbolism is deeply biblical and its theology profoundly Christian: we are dust, and we stand in need of repentance. Join Dr. Boyce for a historically grounded exploration of how dust became devotion.

    26 min

  5. FEB 15

    Sola Traditio (Tradition Alone): The Missing Sola of the Reformation

    Stephen Boyce and Pat May examine Against Heresies Book III, chapters 3–4 from Irenaeus of Lyons to explore a bold claim: that the early Church could have sustained itself in faith and practice even if the apostles had never left written texts.According to Irenaeus, the apostolic tradition was deposited in the successors of the apostles and preserved publicly in the churches. So much so that even illiterate “barbarians,” without a Bible in hand, were able to refute heretics by holding fast to the rule of faith they had received.#SolaTraditio #TraditionAlone #MissingSola #ReformationDebate #ChurchHistory #EarlyChurch #Irenaeus #AgainstHeresies #apostolictradition Link to Irenaeus: https://ccel.org/ccel/irenaeus/against_heresies_iii/anf01.ix.iv.v.htmlIf you'd like to donate to our ministry or be a monthly partner that receives newsletters and one on one discussions with Dr. Stephen Boyce, here's a link: https://give.tithe.ly/?formId=6381a2ee-b82f-42a7-809e-6b733cec05a7

    1h 1m

  6. FEB 10

    Did the Church Condemn Origen—or Origenism?

    In this co-recorded discussion with Susan Sonna, we take a careful, historically grounded look at Origen of Alexandria, cutting through centuries of caricature and polemics to ask a more basic question: Who was Origen actually, and how should the Church understand his legacy?Rather than treating Origen as either a misunderstood saint or a condemned heretic, this conversation focuses on primary sources, historical context, and reception history. We explore Origen’s role as a foundational biblical exegete, his influence on the Nicene Fathers, and the crucial distinction between Origen’s own theology and the later Origenist controversies that erupted centuries after his death.Special attention is given to: • Origen’s method of biblical interpretation • His Christology and doctrine of the eternal Word • How figures like Athanasius and the Cappadocians engaged him • The difference between speculative exercises and settled doctrine • And why later condemnations often reflect sixth-century debates, not third-century realitiesThe goal of the discussion is not to rehabilitate Origen uncritically, but to redeem the historical conversation—to read him as the early Church read him: critically, appreciatively, and with theological discernment.This episode is for listeners who want a more precise, historically responsible account of Origen, beyond soundbites and inherited assumptions.If you'd like to donate to our ministry or be a monthly partner that receives newsletters and one on one discussions with Dr. Stephen Boyce, here's a link: https://give.tithe.ly/?formId=6381a2ee-b82f-42a7-809e-6b733cec05a7

    1h 17m

  7. FEB 1

    The Reliability of the Pastoral Epistles (1–2 Timothy, Titus) | Full Interview

    I joined John DeRosa on Classical Theism to discuss the reliability and authorship of the Pastoral Epistles—1 Timothy, 2 Timothy, and Titus—and why the traditional view that St. Paul wrote them remains historically strong. In this conversation we walk through: How I got into New Testament textual criticism and early patristic sources What the “Pastorals” are and why scholars group them together Modern scholarly views on the Pauline corpus The earliest evidence for Pauline authorship (and why it matters) Major objections: vocabulary, church structure, and “developed theology” Additional lines of evidence often ignored in popular treatments Permission granted to share this interview on my channel. Here is the interview on John's Channel: https://www.classicaltheism.com/facts/ If you'd like to donate to our ministry or be a monthly partner that receives newsletters and one on one discussions with Dr. Stephen Boyce, here's a link: https://give.tithe.ly/?formId=6381a2ee-b82f-42a7-809e-6b733cec05a7

    1h 10m

  8. JAN 24

    Excommunicated: How Pope Pius V Declared Queen Elizabeth I a Heretic

    Was England’s break with Rome really about religious freedom—or about power and authority? In this controversial episode, Pat and Stephen uncover what actually happened between the English monarchy and the papacy during the Reformation. Drawing on the scholarship of Eamon Duffy, we challenge the familiar narrative of “Bloody” Mary I and tolerant Elizabeth I, showing instead that Catholic faith in England remained vibrant and deeply rooted long after the Reformation began. We examine Elizabeth I’s Acts of Supremacy and Uniformity, the suppression of the Catholic Mass, and the enforcement of religious conformity—revealing a slow, reluctant reform imposed from above. At the center of the episode is Pope Pius V’s 1570 bull, Regnans in Excelsis, which formally excommunicated Elizabeth I, declared her a heretic, and released her subjects from allegiance. Finally, we explore how the bull backfired—strengthening Elizabeth’s rule, hardening persecution of Catholics, and cementing the schism between England and Rome that still exists today. Link to the Papal Bull: https://www.papalencyclicals.net/pius05/p5regnans.htm If you'd like to donate to our ministry or be a monthly partner that receives newsletters and one on one discussions with Dr. Stephen Boyce, here's a link: https://give.tithe.ly/?formId=6381a2ee-b82f-42a7-809e-6b733cec05a7

    1h 22m
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4.8
out of 5
58 Ratings

About

FACTS is a podcast that was started by Dr. Stephen Boyce from Greenville, South Carolina. The primary focus of this program is to cover historical content about the early church Fathers, the Apocryphal accounts, the canon, textual criticism, and the scripture itself. Most episodes are co-hosted by Pat May, among other special guests who are invited on the program. For those who would like to donate to our podcast, here is the link. All donations are tax deductible. Thank you for your all of your support. Grace and Peace https://give.tithe.ly/?formId=6381a2ee-b82f-42a7-809e-6b733cec05a7

Information

  • Creator
    Stephen Boyce
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2026
  • Episodes
    207
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Stephen Boyce
  • Show Website
    FACTS

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