https://www.according2sam.comhttps://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!i3Pz!,w_256,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fd0add253-daed-4b1b-bddc-e5eaa66cfeba_400x400.jpeghttps://www.according2sam.comSubstackMon, 15 Jun 2026 10:49:42 GMThttps://www.according2sam.com/p/election-crisishttps://www.according2sam.com/p/election-crisisFri, 12 Jun 2026 22:45:22 GMTThe recent California primary election took nearly a week to certify the winners. In an age of modern technology and rapid transportation, that is a considerable amount of time. Many jurisdictions with fewer resources than California, and with similar or even larger numbers of voters, are able to certify their election results within 24 hours of the polls closing. This has caused some people to have argued that California’s election process increases the potential for fraud or other irregularities because of the length of time required to certify the results. President Trump has been among the most prominent voices expressing this concern, but many other California residents have also voiced distrust in the election process. How does California’s mail-in voting system contribute to the time required to certify election results, and is mail-in voting trustworthy? Join the conversation and get answers to this question and more on According2Sam episode #415.

]]>https://www.according2sam.com/p/heresieshttps://www.according2sam.com/p/heresiesTue, 09 Jun 2026 02:08:18 GMTOver the weekend, a controversy erupted when Utah Senator Mike Lee posted a photo of the Pentagon’s revised list of religions it recognizes for observance. Lee wrote, “Can anyone tell me why The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was left out of the list of Christian churches?” The Pentagon had added the word “Christian” to the names of several denominations but listed only The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints without a Christian designation. He argued that the LDS Church should have received the same label. His post sparked widespread discussion and debate over whether the LDS Church should’ve been included with other Christians. What did Joseph Smith teach about other Christian denominations? Did he view the LDS Church as simply another Christian denomination, or did he see it as a distinct, unique, church? Join the conversation and get answers to these questions and more on According2Sam episode #414.

]]>https://www.according2sam.com/p/simon-magushttps://www.according2sam.com/p/simon-magusFri, 05 Jun 2026 23:13:09 GMTSimon Magus, also known as Simon the Sorcerer, is a figure mentioned in the Book of Acts. He was a Samaritan who, according to Acts, amazed the people of Samaria with his sorcery and claimed to be someone great. The passage states: “All the people, both high and low, gave him their attention..." When the Apostle Philip came to Samaria and performed signs and miracles through the power of the Holy Spirit, Simon was astonished and professed belief. Later, he offered the Apostle Peter money in exchange for the ability to confer the Holy Spirit on others. Peter sharply rebuked him for this attempt to purchase the Holy Spirit. According to early Christian tradition, what became of Simon Magus after these events, and which early Christian heresy is he believed to have founded? Join the conversation and get answers to these questions and more on According2Sam episode #413.

]]>https://www.according2sam.com/p/against-heresieshttps://www.according2sam.com/p/against-heresiesTue, 02 Jun 2026 02:06:21 GMTFrom the 2nd through the 4th centuries, many different Christian movements, or denominations, emerged throughout the Roman Empire. These included the Gnostics, Marcionists, Modalists, Arians, and many others. Most of these groups were considered heretical by the broader Christian community, but some began to attract increasing numbers of converts and grew in influence. As these movements spread, there arose a need to distinguish their teachings from the doctrine handed down by the Apostles. This concern motivated Irenaeus, Bishop of Lugdunum, when he wrote ‘Against Heresies’ around AD 180. How did Irenaeus develop the concept of apostolic succession, and how did he use it to argue for the authority of the Christian Church to be in Rome? Join the conversation and get answers to these questions and more on According2Sam episode #412.

]]>https://www.according2sam.com/p/road-less-traveledhttps://www.according2sam.com/p/road-less-traveledFri, 29 May 2026 23:03:51 GMTThe Road Less Traveled is a very popular nonfiction book that was published in 1978. Since then, it has sold millions of copies. It was written by the late Morgan Scott Peck, a clinical psychiatrist. Peck was raised in a Quaker family in New York City, which means he grew up familiar with the Bible. In The Road Less Traveled, he attempts to combine his knowledge of the Bible and the teachings of Jesus with psychiatry. Written during the era of the self-help movement, the book sought to teach people how to achieve the benefits of Christianity without Jesus. This is why it is called The Road Less Traveled. What did Jesus say about the broad road and the narrow road, and how does that relate to Peck’s book? Join the conversation and get answers to these questions and more on According2Sam episode #411.

]]>https://www.according2sam.com/p/petroshttps://www.according2sam.com/p/petrosTue, 26 May 2026 03:06:54 GMTAn analogy often used in the Bible for the Christian Church is the human body. The Church is called the Body of Christ, though it is not a literal body; the description is figurative. Catholic doctrine teaches that the Pope is the head of the Church, and therefore, within the analogy, the Pope would be the head of the body. Catholics believe that Jesus made the Apostle Peter the head of the Church when He said, “I tell you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church...” Because Peter was first Pope, each successive Pope is viewed as the new head of the Church and, by extension, the head of the figurative body. However, is the Pope truly the head of the body, or does the Bible identify someone else as the head? According to Scripture, who is the head of the Church? Join the conversation and get answers to these questions and more on According2Sam episode #410.

]]>https://www.according2sam.com/p/breaking-newshttps://www.according2sam.com/p/breaking-newsTue, 19 May 2026 00:01:58 GMT“Breaking News” used to mean something truly urgent — major events unfolding in real time that were important enough to interrupt whatever you were doing. That’s what “breaking” meant. News outlets were literally breaking into regular programming because the public needed the information immediately. But in the age of modern communication — with the internet, social media, and 24-hour news networks — “Breaking News” has become more about cutting through media overload and grabbing attention than signaling something truly extraordinary. How did people share important news before all this technology — before radio, television, or the internet? And how did the most significant breaking news story in human history spread across the world without any of it? Join the conversation and get answers to these questions and more on According2Sam episode #409.

]]>https://www.according2sam.com/p/authorityhttps://www.according2sam.com/p/authorityFri, 15 May 2026 21:23:16 GMTFor 50 years, the Society of Saint Pius X (SSPX) has been requesting an audience with the Vatican to discuss efforts to modernize the Catholic Church since the Second Vatican Council in the 1960s. They have pushed for this dialogue during the papacies of John Paul II, Benedict XVI, and Francis, but have been denied. Now, during the papacy of Leo XVIII, things have come to a head. They will likely be excommunicated from the Catholic Church on the first day of July after consecrating new bishops within their society outside the authority of the Holy See. The SSPX seems prepared to accept this excommunication and does not appear to be particularly troubled by it. Does excommunication from the Church mean they will also be separated from Jesus? If not, why would excommunication be viewed as a threat? Join the conversation and get answers to these questions and more on According2Sam episode #408.

]]>https://www.according2sam.com/p/come-out-of-herhttps://www.according2sam.com/p/come-out-of-herTue, 12 May 2026 00:33:23 GMTMany Protestant groups—particularly during and after the Protestant Reformation—identified the Catholic Church and/or the papacy with Babylon the Great from the Book of Revelation, viewing it as a corrupt religious power opposed to true Christianity. The Puritans, among the earliest English Protestants to settle North America, shared this belief, and the idea spread throughout the New England colonies. As the United States emerged as a new nation, the belief became widespread and contributed to an anti-Catholic sentiment that persisted well into the 20th century. Why did Protestants associate the Catholic Church with Babylon the Great, and is there any meaningful connection between the Church and the imagery or character of biblical Babylon? Join the conversation and get answers to these questions and more on According2Sam episode #407.

]]>https://www.according2sam.com/p/infiltrationhttps://www.according2sam.com/p/infiltrationFri, 08 May 2026 22:23:25 GMTThe Catholic Church released a Synod report on homosexuality this week, further driving a wedge between those in the Church who support moderation and more traditional Catholics who believe the Church has gone off course since the Second Vatican Council. One such traditionalist group is the Sons of the Most Holy Redeemer, also known as the Transalpine Redemptorists. On the feast of St. Athanasius last week, the Redemptorists issued a public declaration stating that they reject every pope since the Second Vatican Council. The first reason listed in their declaration was: “The Church has been infiltrated by enemies from at least the time of Pope Gregory XVI.” Although they issued this declaration prior to the recent Synod report on homosexuality, the report only reinforced their concerns. What challenges is Pope Leo facing as he begins the second year of his pontificate, and how are those challenges threatening unity within the Church? Join the conversation and get answers to these questions and more on According2Sam episode #406.

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]]>https://www.according2sam.com/p/court-of-romehttps://www.according2sam.com/p/court-of-romeTue, 05 May 2026 02:02:50 GMTThe Roman Curia is the administrative body of the Roman Catholic Church. It is composed of many individuals serving in a variety of roles to carry out the functions of the Holy See. As an institution, it has provided continuity for the Church for centuries. As popes have come and gone, the Curia has helped sustain its governance and operations. Although its development was gradual, its structure began to take recognizable shape during the papacy of Pope Urban II in the 11th century, and it has evolved significantly since then. Its longevity and deep institutional roots have made it a powerful entity; in some respects, it can be more powerful than the man who occupies the See of St. Peter. How has the Curia at times resisted or complicated papal initiatives, and to what extent is meaningful reform of the institution possible? Join the conversation and get answers to these questions and more on According2Sam episode #405.

]]>https://www.according2sam.com/p/sola-scripturahttps://www.according2sam.com/p/sola-scripturaFri, 01 May 2026 23:07:00 GMTRodrigo de Borja was elected Pope Alexander VI in 1492. He died in 1503, and 14 years after his death, Martin Luther composed his Ninety-five Theses, launching the Protestant Reformation. Alexander VI was a member of one of the most powerful families in Spain. His uncle had been pope before him, and he used his authority as pope to increase his family’s power. His papacy is often marked by corruption and is considered a low point in the history of the Roman Catholic Church; much of this corruption contributed to the movement that later split the Church. The corruption continued after Alexander, and by 1517, when Luther had finally had enough, a pope from another powerful family was using the office to increase his personal wealth and his family’s influence. How did these popes make the Reformation necessary, and why was the Church so reluctant to reform? Join the conversation and get answers to this question and more on According2Sam episode #404.

]]>https://www.according2sam.com/p/simon-bar-jonahhttps://www.according2sam.com/p/simon-bar-jonahTue, 28 Apr 2026 02:58:35 GMTThe true identity of Jesus has been a subject of debate for over 2,000 years. His identity was debated even among those who lived during his ministry, listened to his teachings, and witnessed him perform miracles. Despite experiencing these events firsthand, not everyone agreed on who he was. Some even claimed that he performed miracles by the power of Beelzebub. Since Jesus walked the earth, a wide variety of beliefs about his identity have emerged. The Gnostics believed he was a phantom who never truly existed in human form. Islam teaches that he was a messenger and that he was never crucified or resurrected from the dead. How did the Apostle Peter answer the question of Jesus’s true identity, and how was his answer used to establish one of the most influential seats of power in human history? Join the conversation and get answers to this question and more on According2Sam episode #403.

]]>https://www.according2sam.com/p/red-prayer-rughttps://www.according2sam.com/p/red-prayer-rugFri, 24 Apr 2026 21:32:01 GMTCharlie Kirk was an evangelical Christian and identified himself as such up until moments before he was assassinated. Speaking to the crowd at Utah Valley University just before the shot rang out, he said, “I’m an evangelical Christian… but I’m not one of those guys that hates on Mormons.” That was the last time he publicly described himself that way, though he had done so many times before. However, after his tragic death, several people began claiming that Kirk was in the process of converting to Catholicism. Candace Owens, for example, said he was attending Mass daily and praying the rosary, and she also claimed to know for a fact that he received a Catholic burial. She is not the only one to make such assertions. Why is there such a push to make people believe Charlie was converting to Catholicism, and is there any evidence that he actually was? Join the conversation and get answers to this question and more on According2Sam episode #402.

]]>https://www.according2sam.com/p/universalismhttps://www.according2sam.com/p/universalismTue, 21 Apr 2026 02:05:25 GMTMany Catholics were surprised when the Pope called for unity between Christians and Muslims, especially at a time when Christians in some parts of the world face persecution by Muslims. The Pope did not merely call for tolerance or coexistence, but for communion—something that some conservative Catholics argued was at odds with Church doctrine. However, this criticism overlooks what the Church actually teaches. The Second Vatican Council states: “The plan of salvation also includes those who acknowledge the Creator, in the first place amongst whom are the Muslims; these profess to hold the faith of Abraham, and together with us they adore the one, merciful God...” This is the Catholic Church’s official teaching on its relationship with Muslims, and Pope Leo is in continuity with it, but is this teaching consistent with the Bible? Join the conversation and get answers to this question and more on According2Sam episode #401.

]]>https://www.according2sam.com/p/communionhttps://www.according2sam.com/p/communionFri, 17 Apr 2026 22:06:43 GMTThe message of Christian–Muslim unification is emerging from many different directions, but it has not appeared out of nowhere. Pope Leo is currently touring Africa with the stated mission of improving relations between Christians and Muslims. During his visit to Algeria, he reiterated his belief that Christians and Muslims can live together and be friends. He also wrote on social media, “Communion between Christians and Muslims takes shape under the mantle of Our Lady of Africa.” However, Leo’s predecessor, Pope Francis, also promoted stronger ties between Christians and Muslims, inviting prominent Muslim leaders to the Vatican on several occasions before passing the keys to Prevost. Who else is advocating for Christian–Muslim unification, and why is this movement gaining so much momentum right now? Join the conversation and get answers to this question and more on According2Sam episode #400.

]]>https://www.according2sam.com/p/profanehttps://www.according2sam.com/p/profaneTue, 14 Apr 2026 00:48:24 GMTThe decision to attack Iran has drawn widespread criticism, much of it directed at President Trump. Some critics argue that he was influenced by Israel and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, but ultimately, the decision was his alone. As Commander in Chief, he makes the final call—and he chose to proceed with the attack. That decision is now being second-guessed not only by Democrats, but also by prominent right-wing podcasters who supported him during his reelection campaign. In addition, Trump has faced criticism from Catholic bishops and Pope Leo, who have argued that the war is unjust. In response, the president has pushed back against his critics, including the podcasters and the pope. His remarks about Pope Leo, in particular, have sparked controversy, raising questions about whether his response crossed a line. Did it cross a line? Join the conversation and get answers to this question and more on According2Sam episode #399.

]]>https://www.according2sam.com/p/american-popehttps://www.according2sam.com/p/american-popeFri, 10 Apr 2026 23:16:13 GMTWhen Bishop Robert Francis Prevost was selected as the new pope in May 2025, President Trump was just over 100 days into his second term. Many people believed Prevost’s selection was a response to Trump’s reelection, with the idea that an American pope might be better positioned to challenge an American president. Nearly a year into Pope Leo’s papacy, he has indeed taken positions that appear to challenge the president on several key issues. For example, he recently criticized the policy of attacking Iran, though he did not mention either the president or the conflict directly. Instead, he stated that Jesus does not listen to the prayers of those who wage war—an apparent reference that many interpreted as directed at Trump. Is the relationship between the first American pope and the president of the United States getting off to a rocky start? Join the conversation and get answers to this question and more on According2Sam episode #398.

]]>https://www.according2sam.com/p/replacementshttps://www.according2sam.com/p/replacementsTue, 07 Apr 2026 03:01:31 GMTSupersessionism—the belief that Christians have replaced the Jewish people as the chosen people and heirs of God’s covenant—has a long history within the Catholic Church. Many early Church Fathers taught that Christianity had superseded Judaism and that the Church was the “new Israel.” For this reason, the doctrine is often referred to as “replacement theology,” reflecting the idea that the Church has taken the place of Israel. While highly controversial today, it was not always regarded as such. Among those commonly associated with this teaching are Justin Martyr, Irenaeus, Origen, Augustine, and others. However, did the Apostles—who were themselves Jewish and the earliest followers of Jesus—teach that Christians replaced the Jewish people, or did they teach that the Body of Christ replaced the Temple? Join the conversation and get answers to this question and more on According2Sam episode #397.

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