In this episode of the Art of Catholic Podcast, Matthew Leonard sits down with Catholic Scripture scholar Curtis Mitch to unpack the doctrine of original sin and what actually happened in the Garden of Eden. They explore the biblical account of Adam and Eve, what the Church really teaches about the Fall, and how original sin affects every human person today.

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It's such a simple, familiar story.

The creation of man, the Garden of Eden...and of course, the fall of Adam and Eve.

But what really happened in the Garden?

If Adam was created with a bunch of special gifts, not to mention serious amounts of grace, why did he fall?

Not only that, but why do we have to suffer the consequences of his mistake?

These are big questions because if you don't understand what happened in the beginning, it can seriously mess up your understanding of what we're dealing with right now...not to mention how we're saved from it all.

That's why I invited my good friend, Catholic Scripture scholar extraordinaire Curtis Mitch, back to the Art of Catholic podcast.

In today's episode, we unpack the real doctrine of original sin, discuss what actually happened in the Garden of Eden, and dive into all the ways this simple story affects our ultimate destiny as members of God's family.

My conversation with Curtis explores questions such as:

- What gifts did Adam actually possess in the Garden?

- If he had no inclination to sin, how did Adam fall?

- Why did God allow him to fall?

- Why Original Sin isn't actually the sin of Adam

- If we didn't do it, why do we have to suffer the effects of Adam's fall?

- How Christ gives us more than Adam had

- And a whole lot more!

This is one of those podcasts you're going to return to because it's so rich!

In this episode of the Art of Catholic podcast, Matthew Leonard and author and professor Dr. Daniel Keating explore the astonishing Catholic doctrine of Deification.

🟠 Join Matthew on a MARIAN Shrines PILGRIMAGE to FATIMA, LOURDES, and SPAIN in 2026: https://www.206tours.com/cms/sos/marianshrines/

🟡 Watch Course 1 of the Science of Sainthood: INTRODUCTION TO REAL PRAYER for FREE:

• No credit card required
• No cancellation
• Just sign up and watch: https://www.scienceofsainthood.com

🟠 SUPPORT this podcast and Matthew's work to spread the Catholic faith: https://www.scienceofsainthood.com/donate

The conversation explores what Deification really means, and addresses questions such as:

• How can we possibly become "gods"?
• Is Deification in the Bible or Catechism?
• What the Saints say about Deification
• How Martin Luther & John Calvin believed in Deification
• Does Deification blur the lines between God and man?
• What are the major misunderstandings surrounding Deification?

However you imagine heaven to be, this podcast will open your eyes to an even deeper understanding of God's breath-taking love, and leave you awe-struck at all that he has in store for us.

Chapters:

00:00 Understanding Deification: An Introduction

02:50 The Doctrine of Deification Explained

05:38 The Mechanism of Deification

08:16 Scriptural Foundations of Deification

11:05 The Role of Sacraments in Deification

14:02 Deification in the Old Testament

16:52 Deification in the New Testament

19:47 The Relationship Between Deification and Suffering

22:33 Prayer and Deification

25:22 The Importance of Daily Prayer

28:03 The Role of Participation in Divine Nature

30:58 Eastern vs. Western Perspectives on Deification

33:35 The Transformative Power of Prayer

36:21 Conclusion: Embracing Our Divine Destiny

🔵 Join Matthew on a MARIAN Shrines PILGRIMAGE to Fatima, Lourdes, and more in 2026: https://www.206tours.com/cms/sos/marianshrines/

🟡 Watch Course 1 of the Science of Sainthood: INTRODUCTION TO REAL PRAYER for FREE: https://www.scienceofsainthood.com

🟠 SUPPORT this podcast and Matthew's work to spread the Catholic faith: https://www.scienceofsainthood.com/donate

It's a simple, yet profound question.

Is God a person or an idea to you?

Seriously, take a moment and think about it.

Do you really see him as a person or is he some kind of ethereal idea floating up in the heavens?

For a lot of us - if we're being honest with ourselves - tend to think of him in non-personal terms.

He's this force or idea up above.

Yes, we talk to him on occasion. We ask him for things. We even praise him and receive him in the Eucharist.

But do we know him as a person?

And if not, how can we do that? How can we develop a truly personal, transformative relationship with the Lord?

Well, who better than to ask than a former hermit about how to truly commune with God?

Fr. Wayne Sattler - a former hermit and spiritual director for his entire diocese - is going to help us deepen our relationship with Christ on this powerful episode of the Art of Catholic podcast.

You do NOT want to miss it.

Taking a deep dive into the subject of his new book, Remain in Me and I in You, my wide-ranging conversation with Father Sattler includes:

• How to know God as a person, not just an idea
• What really happens in contemplative prayer
• The crucial difference between agape love and eros
• Why some people never attain higher prayer
• What Christ really meant when he said, "Follow me"
• The fundamental requirement for truly serving God
• And much more!