Course Overview
The split between Catholics and Eastern Orthodox Christians is one of the oldest and most misunderstood divisions in Church history. In Answering Orthodoxy, Michael Lofton—himself a former Orthodox Christian—guides you through the real theological and historical roots of the East–West schism. You’ll learn how to address common Orthodox objections to papal primacy, infallibility, the filioque, and ecumenical councils, while discovering how the early Church and the Fathers understood Rome’s authority. By the end, you’ll be equipped to explain and defend the Catholic vision of Church unity with clarity, confidence, and charity.
Topics covered:
Explore the theological and historical roots of the East–West schism, addressing Orthodox objections to papal authority, the filioque, ecumenical councils, and the Church Fathers’ understanding of unity and infallibility.
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Papal primacy and infallibility
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The filioque controversy
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Authority of ecumenical councils
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The Church Fathers on unity
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Understanding the East–West schism
Watch a Free Sample Lesson
Jesus is the head of the Church, not the pope.
Meet Your Instructor
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Instructor
Michael Lofton
Michael Lofton is a graduate of Christendom College Graduate School of Theology, where he received his Master of Arts in Theological Studies (Cum Laude) in 2018. He is currently working on a doctorate in Theology with Pontifex University and is writing a dissertation on the Magisterium of the Catholic Church. Michael is the founder of Reason & Theology, where he has interviewed many of the leading figures in modern theology. He has also appeared on EWTN, Catholic Answers, SiriusXM Radio, and Radio Maria and has contributed frequently to various newspapers and websites.
Course curriculum
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1
Introduction to Answering Orthodoxy
- Introduction
- Study Guide
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2
Answering Orthodoxy
- Lesson 1: The History of the Catholic and Orthodox Divide (Part 1)
- Quiz: The History of the Catholic and Orthodox Divide (Part 1)
- Lesson 2: The History of the Catholic and Orthodox Divide (Part 2)
- Quiz: The History of the Catholic and Orthodox Divide (Part 2)
- Lesson 3: Jesus is the head of the Church, not the pope! FREE PREVIEW
- Quiz: Jesus is the head of the Church, not the pope!
- Lesson 4: Every bishop is a successor of St. Peter, not just the pope!
- Quiz: Every bishop is a successor of St. Peter, not just the pope!
- Lesson 5: The pope was merely a first among equals in the first millennium.
- Quiz: The pope was merely a first among equals in the first millennium.
- Lesson 6: Rome's primacy in the early church (Part 1)
- Quiz: Rome's primacy in the early church (Part 1)
- Lesson 7: Rome's primacy in the early church (Part 2)
- Quiz: Rome's primacy in the early church (Part 2)
- Lesson 8: The papal claims are historically dependent on forgeries.
- Quiz: The papal claims are historically dependent on forgeries.
- Lesson 9: Canon 6 of Nicaea I is incompatible with the pope's claim to universal jurisdiction.
- Quiz: Canon 6 of Nicaea I is incompatible with the pope's claim to universal jurisdiction.
- Lesson 10: James led the Council of Jerusalem, not Peter. This goes against papal primacy.
- Quiz: James led the Council of Jerusalem, not Peter. This goes against papal primacy.
- Lesson 11: Rome, Alexandria, and Antioch were all considered Petrine sees and thus equal in authority.
- Quiz: Rome, Alexandria, and Antioch were all considered Petrine sees and thus equal in authority.
- Lesson 12: Eastern Christians never really accepted that the pope had authority in the East.
- Quiz: Eastern Christians never really accepted that the pope had authority in the East.
- Lesson 13: Pope Gregory the Great denied universal jurisdiction.
- Quiz: Pope Gregory the Great denied universal jurisdiction.
- Lesson 14: The Eastern Churches in the first millennium never accepted papal infallibility.
- Quiz: The Eastern Churches in the first millennium never accepted papal infallibility.
- Lesson 15: Papal Infallibility makes ecumenical councils obsolete.
- Quiz: Papal Infallibility makes ecumenical councils obsolete.
- Lesson 16: The case of Pope Honorius disproves papal infallibility.
- Quiz: The case of Pope Honorius disproves papal infallibility.
- Lesson 17: The Church Fathers did not teach the filioque
- Quiz: The Church Fathers did not teach the filioque
- Lesson 18: The Council of Ephesus forbade alterations to the Creed
- Quiz: The Council of Ephesus forbade alterations to the Creed
- Lesson 19: The Catholic Church accepted Constantinople IV 879-880's rule against the insertion of the filioque clause
- Quiz: The Catholic Church accepted Constantinople IV 879-880's rule against the insertion of the filioque clause
- Lesson 20: Catholics believe in a literal purgatorial fire
- Quiz: Catholics believe in a literal purgatorial fire
- Lesson 21: Catholics believe all men are guilty of Adam's sin
- Quiz: Catholics believe all men are guilty of Adam's sin
- Lesson 22: If the Immaculate Conception were true, it would mean Mary did not die
- Quiz: If the Immaculate Conception were true, it would mean Mary did not die
- Lesson 23: The Immaculate Conception implies Mary had a different nature from the rest of humanity
- Quiz: The Immaculate Conception implies Mary had a different nature from the rest of humanity
- Lesson 24: Orthodox claim that created grace makes God a created being
- Quiz: Orthodox claim that created grace makes God a created being
- Lesson 25: Development of doctrine means Tradition can change
- Quiz: Development of doctrine means Tradition can change
- Lesson 26: Technically, Jesus forgives sins, not a priest
- Quiz: Technically, Jesus forgives sins, not a priest
- Lesson 27: Indulgences are an innovation of the second millennium
- Quiz: Indulgences are an innovation of the second millennium
- Lesson 28: Eucharistic adoration is not a practice established by Jesus
- Quiz: Eucharistic adoration is not a practice established by Jesus
- Lesson 29: Catholics changed the order of the sacraments of initiation
- Quiz: Catholics changed the order of the sacraments of initiation
- Lesson 30: Catholics changed the apostolic administration of baptism
- Quiz: Catholics changed the apostolic administration of baptism
- Lesson 31: Catholics venerate some Orthodox saints but claim Orthodox are schismatics
- Quiz: Catholics venerate some Orthodox saints but claim Orthodox are schismatics
- Lesson 32: Catholics have liturgical abuses in their liturgy
- Quiz: Catholics have liturgical abuses in their liturgy
- Lesson 33: Catholics use unleavened bread for the Eucharist
- Quiz: Catholics use unleavened bread for the Eucharist
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3
Conclusion
- Conclusion
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4
Next Steps
- More resources for you
- Before you go