Did you know that as late as 1850, people in Italy could still be arrested for owning a Bible and imprisoned for giving Bibles to others? This is what happened to a Florentine couple who were arrested for owning two copies of the Bible, and were imprisoned under suspicion that they were reading it or distributing it to others. And this was not an isolated story. The Roman Catholic Church could even kidnap children from Jewish or Protestant families! How did Protestants survive this difficult time, and when did it end? Find out answers to all this and more as Grace, Sean, and Isaac talk with Dr. Mario Cignoni, General Secretary of the Bible Society in Italy and author of many books.

Show notes

Articles written by Simonetta Carr about this time period:

https://placefortruth.org/francesco-and-rosa-madiai/

https://placefortruth.org/bible-italy-council-trent-italian-republic/

Have you ever heard Roman Catholics say that the pope is infallible? It sounds like something they always believed, but in reality, this became their official teaching only in 1870! What did they believe before then, and why did they add this to their list of teachings? And why did the Roman Catholic Church oppose Bible societies? Explore these questions and more with Grace, Sean, and Isaac as they talk with Dr. Leonardo De Chirico, pastor of the church Breccia di Roma, in Rome, Italy, and Vice Chairman of the Italian Evangelical Alliance.

Show Notes

https://www.brecciadiroma.it/

Our young hosts have just finished their exploration of church history in the 18th century and have a lot to say about their discoveries and lessons learned. Like other wrap-up episodes, it is great fun for everyone involved! It's also an occasion to welcome our new host, Isaac, and to say goodbye to three pillars of the podcast: Emma, Trinity, and Sophia, who have just turned 18 or will turn 18 soon. Feel free to send a note to these lovely young ladies, and we'll be sure to pass it along!