011: How (Not) to Become a Catholic (w/ Dr. James Tonkowich)

In this episode of The Cordial Catholic Podcast, I'm joined by Dr. James Tonkowich, popular commentator on religion in the public square and a convert to Catholicism to share his essay, "How to Not Become Catholic in 9 Easy Steps." 

In aplum and charity, Dr. Tonkowich unpacks his own journey as a Presbyterian pastor into the Catholic Church and shares 9 "rules" to follow if you want to avoid his fate: 

1. Assume that all Catholics are idiots
2. Get all your information about the Catholic faith second hand
3. Avoid being "Deep in History"
4. Do not read the Church Fathers
5. Affirm the "Great Tradition" but don't ask what's included
6. If you're Evangelical–ignore the sin of schism
7. If you're a Mainline Protestant–assume the schism is someone else's fault
8. Believe the Catholic Church and the Bible don't mix
9. Keep insisting that Catholicism is a grace-free, works-based religion

Listen to Dr. Tonkowich share his rules on the podcast.

Dr. Tonkowich's ebook is available for free from the Coming Home Network International.

Visit  Wyoming Catholic College for more information about their programs, including the incredible (and free!) online courses they're offering coming up.

Listen to Dr. Tonkowich on The After Dinner Scholar. A podcast featuring faculty, board members, advisors, and guests talking about their books and the ideas that make up with curriculum at Wyoming Catholic College.

For more, visit The Cordial Catholic. Send your feedback to [email protected].

This podcast is 100% listener supported. For more information about sponsoring the show, keeping this podcast going, and helping me to continue to deliver quality content please visit the Patreon page.  All of your support is welcomed, even $1/mo helps.

Theme music is "Sandbox Jingle" by Scott Holmes. 

This show is brought to you in a special way by our Patreon Co-Producers. Thank you to Elli and Tom, Fr. Larry, Gina, Heather, James, Michelle, Noah, Robert, Shelby, Susanne and Victor, and William. 

Support the show

Find and follow The Cordial Catholic on social media:

Instagram: @cordialcatholic
Twitter: @cordialcatholic
YouTube: /thecordialcatholic
Facebook: The Cordial Catholic
TikTok: @cordialcatholic