The Counsel of Trent

#1199 - How One of My Smartest Critics Returned to Faith in God

August 25, 2026·2h 6m
Episode Description from the Publisher

In this episode Trent sits down with former agnostic Joe Schmid @MajestyofReason to discuss his reversion to Catholicism. To support this channel: https://www.patreon.com/counseloftrent [NEW] Counsel of Trent merch: https://shop.catholic.com/apologists-alley/trent-horn-resources/ Be sure to keep up with our socials! https://www.tiktok.com/@counseloftrent https://www.twitter.com/counseloftrent https://www.instagram.com/counseloftrentpodcast 00:00 Joe Schmid Returns to Catholicism 02:39 Why Joe Responded to Trent’s Arguments 05:55 Charity, Confidence, and Serious Debate 09:16 Divine Hiddenness and the Search for Truth 12:50 Joe’s Catholic Upbringing 16:10 Evolution and the First Wobble in Faith 18:36 The Problem of Evil and Deconversion 23:32 New Atheism, Skepticism, and Intellectual Pride 27:30 From Atheism to Agnosticism 29:37 Josh Rasmussen and Serious Theistic Arguments 35:35 Why Theism Became a Live Option Again 40:23 Choosing Philosophy Over Biology 44:41 Joe’s Years as an Agnostic 48:54 Fine-Tuning, Psychophysical Harmony, and Miracles 55:20 Changing the Mind vs Changing the Heart 1:00:30 Miracles, Naturalism, and the Case for God 1:04:33 Eucharistic Miracles, Lourdes, and Catholic Evidence 1:10:11 Why Joe Wasn’t Ready for Catholicism 1:13:07 The Problem of Evil and Animal Suffering 1:22:41 Fatima, Padre Pio, and the Pull Toward Catholicism 1:23:44 The Saints and the Change of Heart 1:35:12 The Call to Sainthood and Leaving Sin Behind 1:38:10 Fatima and Padre Pio as Catholic Evidence 1:42:40 Why Catholic Miracles Point to Catholicism 1:50:50 Testing Miracles by Their Fruits 1:57:22 Catholic Miracles and the Resurrection 2:01:41 What Comes Next for Joe Schmid? 2:06:11 Final Encouragement and Closing

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