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In this episode of Weighed in the Balance, Jonathan Brooks makes the case that justification by faith alone (sola fide) and salvation through Christ alone (solus Christus) are not two doctrines—but one glorious truth seen from different angles.
Drawing on Romans 3 and the Ten Commandments, Jonathan shows how the law exposes our sin and drives us to Christ’s finished work, not our cooperation with grace. While Roman Catholic theology teaches that grace enables human effort toward salvation, the biblical gospel proclaims that Christ’s obedience alone saves—from start to finish.
This episode isn’t just theology—it’s a call to rest in the Savior who kept the law perfectly, died in our place, and left nothing undone.

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In this episode of Weighed in the Balance, Jonathan Brooks returns to Joe Heschmeyer’s “Ranking the Best and Worst Arguments Against Catholicism” — and this time, the topics cut right to the heart of Rome’s teaching. From the Immaculate Conception and Marian dogmas to indulgences and the sacrifice of the Mass, Jonathan breaks down where these doctrines came from, how they developed, and why even Catholic apologists can’t defend them consistently.

Along the way, he shows how the early church’s high view of Christ — not Mary — gave rise to legitimate theological development, while later dogmas crossed into dangerous territory. From Greek grammar in Luke 1 to Vatican II’s teaching on salvation, this episode challenges the listener to think biblically, historically, and critically about what the Church of Rome claims — and what Scripture actually says.

If you’ve ever wondered how the Reformation’s core convictions still matter today, this is a conversation you won’t want to miss.

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Catholic apologist Joe Heschmeyer just made a stunning admission — and he probably didn’t even realize it. In this episode of Weighed in the Balance, Jonathan Brooks reacts to Heschmeyer’s claim that the Bible’s canon was known long before it was ever “infallibly defined.” What does that mean for Rome’s argument that Protestants need an infallible Magisterium to know which books belong in Scripture? Jonathan breaks it all down with sharp analysis, historical insight, and a bit of irony that you won’t want to miss.

Timestamps
00:00 – The “Worst” Catholic arguments ranked
03:15 – Assurance of salvation and confusion with “once saved, always saved”
08:00 – Why Protestants say “Roman Catholic” instead of “Catholic”
13:00 – The real meaning of the Whore of Babylon
16:00 – Did Rome really kill millions in the Dark Ages?
20:00 – Did Catholics add books to the Bible?
26:00 – The line Joe Heschmeyer shouldn’t have said
27:15 – Why his admission undercuts Rome’s entire canon argument

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We love our heroes of the Reformation—Luther, Calvin, Knox, Zwingli—but if church history teaches us anything, it’s that even the greatest defenders of the gospel still needed the gospel themselves. In this episode of Weighed in the Balance, Jonathan Brooks reminds us that the same grace these men preached was the grace they depended on. Their flaws don’t discredit the Reformation; they magnify the mercy of God who saves sinners through faith in Christ alone. From the pride of reformers to the failures of modern Christians, Jonathan draws a straight line to the only One who never failed.

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In this episode of Weighed in the Balance, Jonathan Brooks digs deep into one of the most explosive truths of the Christian faith—justification by faith apart from works. While Rome insists grace must be earned through cooperation and merit, Scripture declares the opposite: that the sinner contributes nothing to salvation except the sin that made it necessary. Drawing from Paul’s letters, the Reformers, and the ongoing debates about faith and works, Jonathan explains why this “offensive” gospel is actually the best news imaginable.
If you’ve ever wondered why sola fide was worth dying for—or why it still divides the church today—this episode is for you.

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In this episode of Weighed in the Balance, Jonathan Brooks reacts to Joe Heschmeyer’s video ranking “arguments against Catholicism”—and exposes the confusion at the heart of Rome’s dogma. What’s the difference between doctrine and dogma? Why does Rome make salvation hinge on believing things Scripture never commands? And how do Protestants balance biblical truth with genuine assurance of salvation? Jonathan unpacks these questions while showing why the Reformation’s message of faith alone is not an excuse for complacency but the only path to real peace with God.

Find Joe's original video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rwim4iDSKe4&t=1378s

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What is faith? Protestants confess that we are justified by faith alone—but unless we know what faith actually is, that claim means very little. In this episode of Weighed in the Balance, Jonathan Brooks unpacks Philip Melanchthon’s definition of justifying faith in the Apology to the Augsburg Confession. Is faith just historical knowledge? Or is it the living trust that clings to Christ’s promise of forgiveness? Along the way, Jonathan exposes how the Roman Catholic system either puffs people up with self-righteousness or drives them into despair—and why only the gospel of Christ offers true comfort. If you’ve ever wrestled with the question of faith, works, and justification, this episode cuts through the confusion and gets to the heart of the matter.

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Roman Catholic apologist @JosephHeschmeyer has built a reputation for producing short, punchy videos that claim to deal “devastating” blows to Protestant theology. But are his arguments as airtight as they sound in sixty seconds? In this episode of Weighed in the Balance, Jonathan Brooks takes a careful look at some of Heschmeyer’s most popular shorts—on topics like purgatory, Luther, and the authority of Scripture—and shows why they collapse under scrutiny. Far from being devastating, these arguments rely on selective quotes, rhetorical sleight of hand, and historical half-truths. The Reformation wasn’t built on sound bites, but on the enduring truth of God’s Word. If you’ve ever been unsettled by a slick Roman Catholic video online, this episode will help you see why the gospel of grace still stands firm.

Find Joes original videos here: https://youtube.com/shorts/L_r8dtaO_NA?si=oVBegzJsdwaay_aJ

https://youtube.com/shorts/s0kdTYRyDoo?si=4dpiKmXbdNA4P8pK

https://youtube.com/shorts/KmdCJKG1hMg?si=opZVKMQb6nNVjYbk

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