What is apostolic succession, and why does it matter? In this edition of Ask the Church, we explore how the Early Church understood the passing on of apostolic authority and why succession is about preserving the faith, not institutional prestige. Apostolic succession connects the Church today to the Apostles by safeguarding both doctrine and sacramental life. It is ultimately about faithfulness to Christ and the gospel entrusted to His Church.

What does it mean to “mortify” sin? In this edition of Ask the Church, we explore the biblical command to “put to death” the deeds of the flesh and explain how mortification differs from mere suppression. Drawing on Romans 8 and Colossians 3, we look at how the Holy Spirit empowers believers to actively fight sin as part of sanctification. Far from leading to despair, mortifying sin leads to freedom and new life in Christ.

Why do many Anglican Christians place ashes on the forehead on Ash Wednesday? This edition of Ask the Church explores the biblical symbolism of ashes as a sign of repentance and mortality, alongside the Church’s historic practice of beginning Lent in humility. We discuss how the words “Remember that you are dust” orient us toward both repentance and hope in Christ. Listen to learn the meaning behind this solemn and powerful Christian tradition.

What is the Book of Common Prayer, and why is it central to Anglican worship? This edition of Ask the Church traces its origins to the English Reformation, when Thomas Cranmer translated and revised the Church’s liturgy into English so the people could fully participate. It explains how the Prayer Book preserves inherited Christian worship while rooting it deeply in Scripture. Listen to learn how praying in common shapes what we believe and how we live.

What is substitutionary atonement, and why does it sometimes generate controversy among Christians today? This edition of Ask the Church explores the biblical meaning of Christ bearing our sins and clarifies common misunderstandings that portray the doctrine unfairly. We also learn how substitutionary atonement fits alongside other biblical images of salvation, rather than replacing them.

Who is Satan, and how does he tempt human beings? In this edition of Ask the Church, we explore a biblical understanding of Satan, emphasizing both the reality and the limits of his power. We learn how temptation most often works through deception rather than coercion, and why Christians need not live in fear.

What does it mean to be made in the image of God? This edition of Ask the Church explores the biblical teaching that human dignity flows from God’s creative purpose, not from our abilities or achievements. The image of God is expressed through our relationships and responsibilities as we seek to faithfully represent God in the world.

What are the Creeds, and why do Christians continue to say them week after week? This edition of Ask the Church introduces the Nicene, Apostles’, and Athanasian Creeds, explaining their origins, purposes, and place in Christian worship. We also address a common concern: what should we do when reciting the Creeds begins to feel rote rather than heartfelt? Listen to learn how the Creeds summarize the gospel, guard our faith, and unite Christians across all ages.

Why do Anglicans baptize babies while some other Christian traditions do not? In this edition of Ask the Church, we explore how these differences flow from an understanding about the nature of baptism itself—whether it is primarily a human symbol or a sacramental action of God. Drawing on Scripture and biblical parallels with circumcision, we see that infants are included in the covenant while still being called to grow into faith and obedience.

What is the Feast of the Epiphany, and why do Christians celebrate it on January 6? On this edition of Ask the Church, we learn how Epiphany marks the revelation of God in Jesus Christ—especially to the Gentiles—and why it has been celebrated since the earliest centuries of the Church. We also discover how Epiphany opens the season of Ordinary Time, inviting Christians to reflect on how God’s self-revelation transforms everyday life. Listen in and join us in discovering why this ancient feast still matters today.

Why did God become man? In this edition of Ask the Church, we explore the Christian teaching that the Incarnation is about far more than Christ’s death on the cross. Drawing from Ephesians 1, we see how Jesus’s entire life replays and renews human history on our behalf, uniting heaven and earth in Himself. Join us to learn how the Incarnation reveals God’s plan to remake humanity through Christ’s life, death, resurrection, and ascension.

What are the Thirty–Nine Articles of Religion, and why do they matter for Anglicans today? In this edition of Ask the Church, we seek to explain how the Articles emerged during the English Reformation to address key theological questions and how they continue to serve as an authoritative statement of Anglican belief. Although not a complete confession of faith, the Articles—together with Scripture, the Creeds, the liturgy, and the Ordinal—form a central part of Anglican doctrine.

What is Advent, and why do Christians prepare before celebrating Christmas? In this edition of Ask the Church, we trace the season back to the early centuries of the Church and explain why preparation—fasting, prayer, and repentance—comes before joy. Advent reminds us of the three comings of Christ: His birth in Bethlehem, His coming into our hearts, and His promised return. Read more to discover the meaning behind the season’s themes of longing, hope, and holy preparation.

Why is thanksgiving such an important Christian virtue? Far more than a seasonal theme, gratitude is the basic posture of the soul that trusts God. Scripture shows that giving thanks is “faith in action,” shaping us into people marked by humility, dependence, and hope. This edition of Ask the Church explores why thanksgiving lies at the heart of the Christian life and how practicing it helps form the heart even when gratitude feels difficult.

Why do Anglicans use real wine at Communion rather than grape juice? In this edition of Ask the Church, we trace the story from the temperance movement and the invention of pasteurization, to the historical reasons Port became common in Anglican churches. We also address the question of what to do if you struggle with alcohol or gluten, and discuss why, if receiving only bread or only wine, we still participate fully in Communion.

Do Anglicans believe in Purgatory? Article XXII of the Anglican Articles of Religion rejects the medieval doctrine as “repugnant to the Word of God.” But that doesn’t end the conversation. In this edition of Ask the Church, we explore what Anglicans believe about Purgatory, why Christ’s sacrifice on the cross is sufficient, and how God’s sanctifying work continues in the lives of His people.