FACTS

Stephen Boyce
  • 4.7 (77)
  • Christianity
  • Updated Weekly

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 The primary focus of this program is to cover historical content about the early church Fathers, the Apocryphal accounts, the canon, textual criticism, and the scripture itself.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. 2d ago

    Peter Still Lives: The Church That Can’t Be Destroyed

    In 1800, the Catholic Church appeared to be on the verge of collapse. Rome had been invaded, the Papal States seized, and Pope Pius VI had died as a prisoner in France. Yet the cardinals gathered in Venice and elected another successor of Peter: Pope Pius VII.Only two months after his election, Pius VII issued Diu Satis, declaring that Peter “lives in his successors” and that every attempt to overthrow the House of God is ultimately in vain. In this episode, we examine the historical circumstances behind the letter, Pius VII’s appeal to Pope St. Martin I and St. Irenaeus, and his defense of the Church founded upon Peter—the Rock against which the gates of hell will not prevail.We will also consider the remarkable fact that the Vatican was built upon ground once belonging to pagan Rome, with St. Peter’s Basilica standing over the burial place of the apostle himself.Pius VII would eventually live the principles of his own letter. Napoleon had him arrested and held prisoner in France, but after Napoleon’s downfall, the pope protected his family and helped send the priest through whom his former persecutor returned to the sacraments and received the last rites.Napoleon could imprison the pope, but he could not destroy the papacy—and when Napoleon finally fell, Peter’s successor still sought the salvation of his soul.Link to Diu Satis: https://www.papalencyclicals.net/pius07/p7diusat.htm

    Peter Still Lives: The Church That Can’t Be Destroyed

  2. Sep 5

    Gavin Ortlund Is Wrong About the Intercession of the Saints

    Gavin Ortlund claims there are no clear examples of Christians praying to the saints during the first 200 years of Christianity—and that the Bible provides no warrant for the practice.In this episode, Stephen Boyce, Pat May, and William Albrecht respond by examining the biblical and historical evidence. We discuss Revelation 5 and 8, 2 Maccabees 15, Origen, Cyprian, Hippolytus, the Acts of Paul, Victorinus, and the early Christian inscriptions asking Peter and Paul to intercede.Does the evidence really begin 200 years after the New Testament, or is Gavin overlooking sources that directly challenge his argument?Join us as we work through the texts in their historical context.#GavinOrtlund #IntercessionOfTheSaints #ChurchFathers #catholicapologetics

    Gavin Ortlund Is Wrong About the Intercession of the Saints

  3. Aug 29

    Why Do Christians Kiss Relics?

    In this episode of FACTS, Stephen Boyce and Pat May explore the biblical and historical roots of relic veneration in Christianity, while responding to a video by pastor Josh  @LakepointeChurch . Did Christians borrow the practice from paganism, or does the idea already exist within the biblical world? We look at Joseph’s bones, Elisha’s relics, Peter’s shadow, Paul’s handkerchiefs, and the early Christian treatment of the martyrs.We also examine some of the earliest Christian evidence, including the Martyrdom of Polycarp, Gregory of Nyssa, Ambrose, Jerome, and Augustine, alongside pagan critics like Julian the Apostate and Eunapius, who openly mocked Christians for honoring the bones and tombs of the martyrs.The episode asks a simple question: if relic veneration was merely a pagan corruption of Christianity, why were pagans themselves attacking Christians for doing it?https://www.academia.edu/172562474/Jerome_and_Canonical_Authority

    Why Do Christians Kiss Relics?

  4. Aug 22

    “John 6 Is NOT About the Eucharist!” — A Response to NeedGod.net

    In this episode of FACTS, we respond to Ryan from NeedGod.net and his claims concerning John 6 and the Eucharist.Is Jesus simply using figurative language when He says, “My flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink”? Or does John 6 actually point us toward the sacramental and Eucharistic understanding held by the early Church?We walk through the text of John 6 in context, examine Ryan’s interpretation, and compare it with the testimony of the earliest Christians and Church Fathers. Did the Christians closest to the apostolic age understand Christ’s words as merely symbolic—or as a reference to truly receiving His flesh and blood in the Eucharist?Topics include:John 6 and the Bread of Life discourse“Eating” Christ by faith vs. Eucharistic interpretationJohn 6:51–58Why the disciples reacted so strongly to Jesus’ wordsWhether Jesus corrected a supposed misunderstandingThe connection between John 6 and the Last SupperHow the early Church interpreted John 6The testimony of the Church Fathers on the EucharistOriginal video :https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gl0626KgbBsIf you enjoy serious conversations about Scripture, Church history, and the early Christian faith, make sure to like, subscribe, and share.#John6 #Eucharist #Catholic #NeedGod #ChurchFathers #EarlyChurch #RealPresence #Christianity

    “John 6 Is NOT About the Eucharist!” — A Response to NeedGod.net

  5. Aug 15

    The Nun Who Changed Beer: St. Hildegard of Bingen

    St. Hildegard of Bingen was one of the most remarkable women of the Middle Ages—a Benedictine abbess, mystic, theologian, composer, writer, and student of the natural world. But she also has an unexpected connection to something many people still enjoy today: beer. In this episode of FACTS, we explore the life of St. Hildegard, from her childhood visions and monastic formation to her rise as one of the most influential religious voices of the twelfth century. We’ll look at her writings, her relationship with figures such as St. Bernard of Clairvaux and Pope Eugene III, her work in medicine and natural science, her music, and the remarkable influence she exercised over bishops, popes, and political leaders. We’ll also examine the story behind “The Nun Who Changed Beer.” Hildegard did not invent beer or hops, but in her Physica she recorded one of the most famous medieval observations concerning hops and their ability to keep beverages from spoiling. At a time when monasteries were important centers of agriculture, medicine, hospitality, and brewing, Hildegard’s writings give us a fascinating glimpse into the development of medieval beer. So how much did St. Hildegard actually change brewing? Why is she so closely associated with beer today? And how did a twelfth-century Benedictine nun eventually become a Doctor of the Church? 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

    The Nun Who Changed Beer: St. Hildegard of Bingen

  6. Aug 8

    Wes Huff Is Wrong About the “Catholic Bible”

    Did Cardinal Francisco Ximenes actually reject the Deuterocanonical books as Scripture?In this episode of FACTS, Stephen Boyce responds to recent claims by Wes Huff concerning Ximenes, the Complutensian Polyglot, and the biblical canon before the Council of Trent.We examine Ximenes’ famous phrase libri extra canonem (“books outside the canon”), his statement that these books were nevertheless “received by the Church,” his dependence on St. Jerome, and the broader canonical witness of Rome, Hippo, Carthage, Pope Innocent I, Florence, and Trent.Did Trent create a new Catholic canon—or formally define one the Church had long received?#Catholic #Bible #Apocrypha #Deuterocanon #CouncilOfTrent #WesHuff #CardinalXimenes🎁 Support our ministry: If you'd like to donate to our ministry or be a monthly partner that receives newsletters and one on one discussions with Dr. Boyce, here's a link: https://give.tithe.ly/?formId=6381a2ee-b82f-42a7-809e-6b733cec05a7Link to Wes's initial video: https://www.instagram.com/reels/DbEZLjby7Jr/CHAPTERS0:00 Introduction1:43 Wes Huff’s Argument4:31 What Wes Gets Right6:37 What Cardinal Ximénez Actually Said14:14 The Complutensian Polyglot22:06 Who Was Cardinal Ximénez?25:41 Ximénez and St. Jerome35:39 Does This Prove Wes’s Point?37:18 Did Trent Invent the Catholic Canon?40:10 Rome, Hippo, and Carthage42:43 Pope Innocent I45:39 The Council of Florence48:11 What Actually Happened at Trent?53:36 The Final Question55:23 Conclusion

    Wes Huff Is Wrong About the “Catholic Bible”

  7. Aug 2

    The Papacy in the First Two Centuries

    For many Christians, the papacy is one of the greatest points of disagreement between Catholics, Orthodox, and Protestants. But what did the earliest Christians actually believe? Tonight we’ll examine the evidence from the first two centuries of Christianity—before Nicaea, before Constantine, and long before the medieval papacy. We’ll look at the writings of Clement of Rome, Ignatius of Antioch, Hegesippus, Irenaeus, and the Muratorian Fragment to ask a simple historical question: What role did the Church of Rome and its bishop play in the earliest generations of Christianity?   We’ll discuss: The authority of Clement’s letter to CorinthWhy Ignatius says Rome “presides”Hegesippus’ investigation into apostolic successionIrenaeus’ famous statement that every church should agree with RomeWhether these sources support, challenge, or complicate modern claims about the papacyWhether you’re Catholic, Orthodox, Protestant, or simply interested in Church history, this livestream is designed to engage the primary sources directly. 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

    The Papacy in the First Two Centuries

  8. Jul 25

    The Seven Female Saints of Rome’s Ancient Eucharistic Prayer

    Why does the Roman Canon—the Roman Church’s ancient Eucharistic prayer—preserve the names of seven women? In this episode, Stephen and Pat continue their exploration of the female saints of the Roman Canon by turning their attention to Agatha, Lucy, Agnes, Cecilia, and Anastasia. Together, they examine what history tells us about these remarkable martyrs, distinguish early historical evidence from later tradition, and explore why the Church has commemorated these women in her liturgy for well over sixteen centuries. Their stories of courage, fidelity, and sacrifice continue to inspire Christians today and offer a fascinating window into the faith of the early Church. Whether you’re Catholic, Orthodox, Protestant, or simply interested in Christian history, this episode provides a deeper appreciation for the women whose names have been preserved in one of Christianity’s oldest Eucharistic prayers. 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

    The Seven Female Saints of Rome’s Ancient Eucharistic Prayer
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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
    236
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Stephen Boyce
  • Show Website
    FACTS

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