He's 21! When I was his age, I was as dumb as rock, with ego bigger than mountain and to be honest I'm not much better now. God bless him. Glory be to Jesus Christ, how wonderful his ways are.
When I was 21, I was a scheister and ill tempered. I was suicidal and plagued by procrastination. I was constantly escaping to fantasy or TV or porn. I was probably mentally ill looking back - but that was my fault.
You're so funny Darijo! I was busy partying and trying to be popular. You are not alone. Thank God someone was praying for us. As the Blessed Mother said, many people go to hell because they have no one to pray for them. God bless you!
@@frederickanderson1860 I disagree, and would say that it’s not our way of shoring up the holes in our assurance, but rather our way of recognizing the grace of God. We don’t preach assurance of salvation, for it is not by our works, but by the grace of God. Instead we tell of the hope that is in us. That we are justified by the grace of God so that none may boast. That we participate in sanctifying works by the grace of God through the power and indwelling of the Spirit. Our will free in participation with but subjected to the Spirit working in us. The sacraments as an assistance by the superabundant grace of God. The charism of the Pope given, as all charism, to build the Church, and given, as all charism, by the grace apportioned us by God. Penance and Reconciliation, a mercy we don’t deserve, given in an outpouring of love by the grace of God. We believe we are saved by Grace alone, through Christ alone, for God’s Glory alone. I would also caution against insulting differing theological opinions. If you are right, that is, if have the Word of Truth in you then speak it, but set aside vain insults, which add nothing to it. If you’re wrong you’ve called the Bread of Eternal Life “old manna” and added insult on top of error.
@@frederickanderson1860 We pray because of grace. We pray in Christian Charity, by the empowering of the Spirit, in obedience to the word of God, for God commands us to pray for one another (ie Jas 5:16). We pray to the saints in heaven the same as on earth for there is one Christ, not one in heaven and one on earth. We pray to be conformed to the image of God, for Paul tells us to be imitators of him as he is an imitator of Christ, and he asks for prayers from others constantly. There are only two questions really, can the Saints in Heaven receive our prayers, and do they labor on our behalf. Before telling us the parable of the lost sheep Jesus says to be careful how we treat little ones “for their angels always behold the face of the Lord,” indicating something of the kind that the angels watching over them are in the presence of the Lord (Mt 18:10). In a similar manner he tells us after the parable of the lost coin that “Likewise, I say to you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” (Lk 15:10) Again indicating that those who minister before the Lord can see and celebrate what the faithful do on earth. And in Hebrews 11-12 we are told of the martyrs and patriarchs who came before us and that they surround us as “a cloud of witnesses,” witnesses being those who watch. If they can’t see us, then they aren’t our witnesses. As to the second question, Jesus tells us in the Lord’s Prayer, “Thy will be done on earth as it is in Heaven.” If God’s will is for us to pray for each other on earth then it is His will in Heaven. In 2 Cor Paul tells us that when we are away from the body we are at home with the Lord, and when we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord, and then tells us that “whether away or home, we make it our aim to please Him.” Lastly, in Rev 5:8 we are shown the Elders bringing the prayers Saints before God, that is to say, the Saints in Heaven bring forth the prayers of the Saints on Earth, and in Rev 8:4-6 we see the angels do the same. To do such a thing they must have the ability to receive the prayers, to do such a thing it must be the Lord’s will that they do so.
@@frederickanderson1860 You have a lot of really good questions, but there’re hard questions as well, as such it is difficult to give a short reply, so I apologize for these tiny essays.
@@frederickanderson1860 As to Mary, in terms of the immaculate conception the Church does not declare that she was free from original sin, but that she was preserved from it. That probably seems an obtuse and inconsequential distinction but it makes sense with this analogy: if a man is walking through a forest and about to fall into a pit there are two ways to save him, one to help him after he falls, the other to help him before he’s fallen in. In a like way, Mary needed a Savior as much as us all, but was preserved from original sin by the Grace of God for His Glory.
I had no idea this video would be so profound it would bring me to tears. My conversion story was so frighteningly similar to Suan’s. I truly relate and share the pain he expressed with the way his family rejected him.
God is raising up a huge generation of converts who will defend and promote the unification of Christians under the one, holy, catholic and Apostolic Church. Praise the Lord! I am not an intellectual; my job is to pray and fast for God to raise up those who can do the big intellectual work! Love from India!
I really appreciate Suan's story as an Asian American becoming Catholic. I know exactly the pain on his face starting at 1:16:17 when I told my parents that I was losing the Catholic faith that they worked so hard to raise me up with. It's the pain of telling your difficult Asian parents something they don't ever want to accept or hear. That you have failed them. That you have shamed the family. That they want nothing to do with your life anymore. More importantly though, as Suan brought up, Christ is the single greatest and sufficient reason to be Catholic. He never abandoned us. We can never abandon His Church. Praise God, I am finally home.
Without a doubt a top 5 PWA interview. This has similar profound moments as did sister Miriam James and Mattie. Suan’s intellectual prowess combined with his genuine child like love of Christ is amazing!
Suan here! As usual, let me issue a few notes on what I said: 01:12:48 - If you google "thanatos" you might find a pagan deity (which is not what the Blessed Mother was trying to communicate). As I said in the show, and based on the context of what happened the next day, I looked at the Greek dictionary on google to see how it means simply "death" in Strong's Greek 2288. The part where I added "nonviolent" to "death" is a slip of my memory. 02:12:16 - Proper scripture citation there is Acts 3:22 and NOT 5:32.
Do you think that that word could have had a double meaning, and had been our mother preparing you for your suffering, and the death of your relationships as well? That you would have to undergo a nonviolent death in order to convert to Catholicism?
Hi Suan, I was intrigued by your take on Genesis, evolution and young earth creationism. It would be very interesting if you could invite Robert Sungenis on the show. I was more or less agnostic about the creation story but man…Sungenis really made me consider young earth creationism, both biblically and scientifically. I’m still agnostic and studying the issue but that would be a very fruitful mega show. I don’t know why he’s underrated but he actually has some very good insights.
Is the case for YEC strong or something? I’ve always looked down upon it and never really considered it seeing it as something only fundamentalist protestants believed in. I’m very surprised to see smart people like Robert sungenis and Byzantine scotist believe in it
@@catholic_based534 I’m in the same boat, I used to think it’s whacky stuff, but I have a lot more studying to do. Sungenis has a book on Genesis and creation that I plan to read soon. That’s why I asked Suan if he could bring him on the show. He can make his case and have an audience Q&A. Hopefully, he can consider it….Another guy that believes in YEC is KabaneTheChristian, he used to be an ardent theistic evolutionists. He might be more accessible to talk to than Sungenis.
Two years ago, I lost a dear friend of 30 years because I openly stated I was pro-life (always have been). I was dropped like a hot plate, and our friendship crashed and broke in half. In the meanwhile, I was in RCIA and converting to Catholicism. My conversion was THE BEST DECISION I’ve ever made beside the decision to marry my dear husband 45 years ago. He is in discernment about conversion! All in God’s time!
The idea of being pro-life is fine until one wishes to impose such on others. Abortion is definitely not a good, but is more often than not a lesser of evil for a host of reasons.
I can’t get over how passionate, articulate, smart Suan is. How did he fit in reading so many great books and connecting with great minds in just 21 years? And yay for the common Indian 🇮🇳 connection. God bless you, Suan in your faith and apologetics future snd as we all journey together in our beautiful faith towards Heaven. Going to subscribe and watch your other videos.
As someone who is in the process of converting (in RCIA) Suan’s description of the way his grandmother treated him as embarrassment really hit home. I haven’t known how to categorize the feeing of explaining my faith to my atheist parents until now. It really feels like shame and embarrassment, or like I am being mocked. Interestingly, they used that same quote by Jesus about him coming to separate parents and children as an argument against Christianity. The suffering and confusion of an unsupportive family is tough, but I know that it’s all working to make me stronger in my faith and in love of Christ. ❤️ praying that Suan’s family will come around.
Stick with it! My father is a fanatical protestant. When I became an atheist, years ago, he came at me with a kitchen knife to carve 666 into my forehead! I haven't spoken to him since. I was baptised into the Catholic Church earlier this year and I have a feeling that that would disappoint him even more than me being an Atheist! :-) Don't just convert, learn the faith by continuing to watch videos like this and reading if you're inclined to. Not enough Catholics really know their faith from my, albeit limited, experience. And welcome home! :-)
@@Western-Supremacist Oh my goodness!! I'm so sorry that happened, and I'm also so glad you found your faith. (Even though no one deserves a satanic face carving! lol) I am definitely inclined to research as much as I can. I have been voraciously reading (and listening to podcasts) since I first started feeling drawn to Christ and the Church. I also appreciate the participatory education I'm getting through Mass. (Very excited to one day recieve Communion) It's the craziest jounrey I've ever gone on. But so worth it. I try to trust Christ and what he says about persecution. God bless, thank you for the encouragement, and good luck with your father.
If possible try to appeal to Mother Mary by praying the rosary everyday and offering up your suffering and embarrassment for the conversion of your parents. Also if you feel comfortable with it you can try getting a green scapular for each and putting them if your parents homes/purse/bags etc. Look up the green scapular because it has converted many to the faith.
Suan went from Baptist to agnostic to Catholic to apologetic powerhouse soooo quick, I swear he's living on some kind of sped up time cycle like in a video game
Eh, as such a recent convert, he really should not be so public. This is why I stopped making video myself. He isnt really a apologetics powerhouse either. I like his work, but the information he puts out isnt all that novel, and he is not that good in debates. He is slow, and pulls punches.
While I always watch PINTS WITH AQUINAS, I was absolutely stunned by your presentation, Suan. I'm a life-long practicing Catholic; taught high-school religious ed. for over 30 years (M. Rel. Ed) while intending to teach American History......but luckily I had a double major AND God had other plans. Also, I'm a life-long layman and not an "ex" anything. I was becoming very discouraged & depressed over the past years hearing about all the nonsense in the Church, made worse by the media. Yesterday I watched the 2+ hr. presentation you had with Matt. Today I watched the entire video again. This is the first Sunday in a couple of years that I went to Mass and was a happy, hopeful, THANKFUL Catholic again. A lot of my problem (SLOTH) came from elderly friends passing away, the Covid-lockdown blues, being alone, etc. I thank God everyday that I have no health issues. YOUR DEPTH OF KNOWLEDGE, FAITH, MANNER OF EXPRESSION, AND OPTIMISM REIVIVED A SIDE OF ME THAT HAD GROWN COLD. God bless you, Suan. I'd never leave the Catholic Faith but YOU surely revived my hope and "certainly" in returning me to my former hopeful self. Being from the Chicago area, I hope you enter the Midwest Dominican Province. God bless & keep you......keep that smile going, too. (But I'm a donor to the Eastern Province of St. Joseph.....18 postulants came in this August!) :) ;)
I love St. John Cantius's, Reverend Holy Mass both ordinary English Mass and extraordinary Latin Mass. I don't know if you ever attended their liturgy?
Suan would make a great pope and I would trust him implicitly!!! 😊 I love his child like faith in God, he is so humble and a just beautiful soul ~ The world needs more people like him!!!
Suan’s grandmothers remark reminded me of something Professor Alec Ryrie said: “ Being Anti-Catholic is the last socially-acceptable prejudice in the English-speaking world”.
Suan's story about his family's rejection is my greatest roadblock to crossing the Tiber. I'm so thoroughly convinced of the Catholic truth and convicted that our Lord is calling me home. Yet the division this will cause with my Baptist family, with whom I am very close, scandalizes me. If not for them, I would go running to the Catholic Church today without a second thought.
Hey, Jon. Suan here. I think one thing that helped me anticipate and endure the pain is the fact that in facing the rejection of my own family and friends, I would be, in a unique way, living as the first Christians did and as Christ Himself. The graces I have received from that painful time are incredible - my humility has skyrocketed; I am much gentler but also more firm in the areas where I need to be; I've become a better man and more patient; I love Christ with a greater intensity and simplicity. Honestly, I cannot stress this enough: Jesus is the only reason why I would have ever become Catholic or incurred the rejection of my loved ones. And, in the process of suffering for Him, I have grown to love His Sacred Heart more, and I have gained a greater awareness each day that He loves me. As I said in the video, being Catholic has shown me that a life with Christ and only Christ is more than enough to complete the human soul. Pray for courage!!! I will be praying for you! Matthew 10:37-39 37 Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. 38 And whoever does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. 39 Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.
@@intellectualcatholicism thank you. What you said here is where I find myself settling. I've had time of deep and intimate prayer with our Lord where he comforted me in multiple instances with the knowledge that He is my true father, my true brother, that His Church is my true family. Thank you for your prayers!
Suan, welcome home, I also converted to the Holy Catholic Church. So happy for your sister also. Praying for your grandmother. You will be a beautiful faithful Priest.
Matt thank you for having Suan on your show. What an incredible conversion story. I really felt his pain with his family's response. Suan is emerging as an incredible apologist. God bless
Well said! I’m publishing a weekly UA-cam video on episodes from the life of Don Bosco, entitled ST JOHN BOSCO by JOE ZAMMIT. In this series I’m narrating events and miracles from the splendid life of Don Bosco. St John Bosco used to perform a miracle almost every day, through the intercession of Mary Help of Christians. From the lives of saints we can learn how to love God more and draw closer to him. Thank you
Yeah I've been listening and missed the opportunity to write them down. I'm scrolling trying to find someone who has them listed. I'm almost finished with the art documentary. It was great.
Starting to like n like n like n love your show! I love guests like him today. And I learned a lot too even though I’ve been a catholic since birth but a catholic in name only until year 2007. Still not perfect but getting better and better as I learn, I became a ccd teacher for 10 yrs now and still learning. Thank you for your awesome guest. Please bring more guests like him! I enjoyed the show today. God bless you.
Honestly it would be pretty awesome if Matt could take his place when he retires someday! I know he doesn't want to do Pints with Aquinas forever, so it would be a good little "half way"
An encouragement to young Suan, please reconcile with your grandmother before it is too late. She said those hurtful words to you out of deep love for you and concern for your salvation. She cannot have immediate understanding on something that is so jarring to her. Patience goes a long way, love does prevail. Focus on your mutual love for the Lord Jesus, your Kingdom mindedness and passion for the faith, and your love for each other. We do not have all the time in the world, our days are fleeting.
Captivated from start to finish. I’m actually the music minister at a baptist church in southern baptist country lol. Was searching for a deeper relationship with Jesus, starving for it, and found myself in the Catholic Church. I’m being confirmed very soon. I so appreciated this whole talk.
Absolutely loved the discussion on papacy and Peter. My mind was blown away! I will be telling this to everyone now :P Thank you for an amazing lesson and beautiful conversion story, which really sparks out the lukewarmness of all us, cradle Catholics. God bless
Wow, I couldn’t believe Suan is so young, same age as my dearest niece, Abigail! He seems so wise and mature, given even the choices he had to take at such a young age! God bless you Suan, and hope to see more of you in the weeks to come 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻
This interview is amazing. Suan should release an autobiography. I still can't believe he is only 21, he's so mature and it looks like he's done so much in his life to be only 21. I'm practically the same age as him and I spend my time being on my phone lol.
This interview hits home. So many parallels with Suan and myself, I’m eyeing acceptance into church and baptism next year and been in RCIA since January. Excellent stuff and very impressive guy! I’m a fan now! Thank you!!
Omg, I’m crying listening to how painful and emotional it’s been for this young man. It’s like he’s been crucified by his own (or adopted) grandmother and parents.
Also, to answer your question Matt (this is Suan’s friend Andy), my conversion was largely started by the discovery of Augustine as he was and not as I knew him as a Calvinist. Scott Hahn also raised some great questions for me to investigate.
I love this gentleman being interviewed. What Love for Truth!!What a huge searching heart and mind. I bet Jesus smiles at him. I love the interviewer as well, I could not believe how he did not interrupt! Such a great interview. I had to take a break because a lot of it was over my head. I found Christ with my head and my heart, and it was not an “emotional convenience”, But my emotions felt His reality and His love. Oops it posted before I finished.....I grew up Catholic and found that it was a wonderful foundation for my belief as a Christ follower. In my 40s I gave my life to Christ, in a nondenominational church, not a religion. I hope someday we can all leave our separate denominations out of the equation. Keep our focus on Jesus Christ and serve. Consider ourselves unified in Christ. Let us not forget that Jesus was not a Catholic nor was He, like me, a nondenominational Christian, He was Jewish. Can we please for the sake of Christ unify? we are all gods children if we believe that Jesus Christ is the son of God, that’s what scripture tells me anyway. I’m just a simple gal with simple Faith that loves the Lord. Peace out and God Bless us all!♥️♥️♥️♥️🤗🤗🤗🙋🏻♀️
I like that he has had epiphanies and it was not just an intelectual conversion, I say it is a good sign of God’s Grace molding this young man. Praying for him in his journey towards religious life.
Yeah that was encouraging. I had a mix of intellectual and spiritual in my conversion 3.5 years ago, but have been very afraid to speak about the spiritual aspect and only the intellectual. I am trying to be more open with the spiritual aspect now, but it feels so subjective to share personal story, but God doesn't just work on our intellect. Pray for me to be more open with my personal conversion not just information and history.
@@Stygard yeah for sure, I also had several spiritual experiences and a couple answered prayers during my conversion. The intellectual side came later, and I give thanks to God that the intellectual side is also deep and beautiful. But do use caution on how you explain your personal revelation. I have found people people start looking at me sideways when I share that with them. Like you said it is subjective and when you share it make sure that people know that and you’re not trying to start something new like Joseph Smith or Muhammad etc. Anyways prayers for you.
@@johns.9659 yeah that has been what has kept me quite about the spiritual "subjective" parts of my journey. I need to find balance, and I know I focus way more on the intellectual side. Even saying this next statement makes me feel "weird" expressing :" I am going to pray for God to help me be more open to talk about my spiritual experiences."
I am so amazed by this intelligent man Suan Sonna, who searched for truth through so much difficulty from his family, then became Catholic. So honest and emotional, and beautiful. Thank you! God bless you always. Suan I would be happy to be your Catholic Grandmother.🙏
Thank you Suan for your testimony. I was expecting to watch 5 minutes and be put off by an intellectual conversation but the interview was so accessible. May God bless you and your ministry abundantly.
I pretty much repeat myself on every comment on your channel, Matt, but thank you, again, for doing this important work. Its a true blessing to so many of us.
God has already Blessed you Suan, he has given you an incredible mind, humility and Faith and we're all called to be Saints. Saint Suan for the future.
I’m so glad to see a young, intelligent and passionate scholar from my kindred tribesmen! So proud of you Suan! I hope your intellectual journey doesn’t stop here. May the annointing of the Lord be upon you as you continue to seek Him and walk in the path of truth.
Really interesting. Really good episode. I love Suans commitment to his relationship with Jesus. I'll pray for your family and your repair of that relationship.
Wow! I’m loving this. He is so smart, I’m completely blown away. I’m only about 45 minutes in, I’ve been watching 5 - 15 minutes at a time and then turning it off so that I can digest it.
Thank you, so very much, Suan, for your truly amazing interview. Your knowledge of the Bible, Christology, History and the Catholic Church is outstanding and beautifully expressed
Also find it funny that I too, a young twenty something, also began to turn more conservative after hearing Roger Scruton so eloquently wax poetic about beauty and tradition.
So very interesting and I'm very impressed by Suan's intellect! Suan, I don't know if you see these comments, but I was wondering if anyone has mentioned to you about getting a Conditional Baptism. I had one since there was a question if my baptism in a Protestant denomination was valid as it was only considered as a symbol. I looked up what Baptists believe about Baptism and here is what I found: "It is important to realize that there is nothing magical about baptism. It is a rich symbol, not an act that is powerful in itself." This was from Eden Baptist Church website. Apparently to Baptists, it imparts no saving grace. As you know, the Catholic Church teaches that it is a Sacrament...a vehicle of God's grace. It removes original sin and imparts to the soul the theological virtues of Faith, Hope, and Charity. It leaves an indelible mark on the soul. It is far more than a "rich symbol." If this definition of being merely a "rich symbol" was the intention of the person baptizing you, then, for peace of mind, I recommend a Conditional Baptism which is given in case the Baptism was invalid.
You are a very special person Suan, I can see you are on fire for Christ and a brilliant guy. May God bless you. I’m sorry you are about to be wrapped up in smoke coming from Matt’s cigar... 🥴
🎯 Key Takeaways for quick navigation: 00:00 📺 Swan Sonna was a leftist Baptist before his conversion to Catholicism. 01:20 🧪 Swan Sonna specializes in philosophy, ethics, and the papacy's intersection with scripture. 05:15 🔄 In high school, Swan adopted liberal beliefs, including pro-choice views, influenced by his peer group. 08:07 🤔 Charles challenged Swan's pro-choice stance, leading Swan to reconsider his beliefs on abortion. 11:52 💬 Swan reached out to Dr. William Craig for guidance during his period of doubt and agnosticism. 16:08 🌍 Swan believes in a historical Adam and Eve as special creations, with other humans evolving naturally under divine providence. 18:43 📖 Suan Sonna, a Catholic writer, discusses his journey from a Baptist upbringing to becoming a Conservative Catholic. 19:09 🌍 Suan highlights his growing interest in Catholic philosophy and theology, despite initial disagreements on topics like the papacy and justification. 21:12 ❤️ Suan's emotional transformation is influenced by his adopted grandfather's example of showing love and respect to people in the LGBT community, despite differing beliefs. 23:32 📚 Suan discovers the works of Sir Roger Scruton and is deeply inspired by the idea of beauty as a central concept in life. 25:53 🙏 Suan shares a touching exchange with Sir Roger Scruton before the latter's passing, suggesting that Scruton may have had a hidden belief in God. 30:04 🐘 Suan clarifies that conservatism is more than just political affiliation and encompasses a recognition of human limitations, a moral law, and a commitment to societal well-being. 35:11 📜 Suan delves into his studies of Thomas Aquinas and natural law theory through various contemporary philosophers. 38:12 💥 Suan's ego is humbled after being rejected by Princeton University, leading to personal growth and a deeper spiritual journey. 38:25 🎓 Suan Sonna faced challenges and misery during his first year at college. 39:05 📜 Suan's ministry initially focused on cultural evangelism and reaching people in a secular world. 39:33 📚 His perspective on secularism changed after taking a class on medieval political and social thought, which discussed how the Protestant Reformation contributed to secularism. 40:15 🧩 Suan's summary of Charles Taylor's argument that the Reformation led to secularism through a rupture of tradition and individualism. 41:54 ⛪️ The separation of the material world and the supernatural realm in Protestantism contributed to secularism. 42:48 🌍 The shift towards a mechanistic view of reality during the Scientific Revolution furthered secularism. 43:46 📖 Suan's journey included working with his father's ministry, gaining a deeper understanding of humanity and hospitality. 45:24 🙏 Suan's introduction to Catholicism started with an invitation to attend Mass from a friend named Olivia. 46:06 🕊️ Suan began attending both Baptist and Catholic services, keeping it a secret initially. 48:53 🤝 Suan started asking questions about Catholicism and received guidance from a friend named Andy, who was a former Calvinist turned Catholic. 49:08 🙌 Suan's biggest struggle was deciding whether to become Catholic or remain a Protestant. 51:57 📜 Suan's theological background helped him understand and accept Catholic doctrines like justification and the Eucharist. 54:05 🕊️ Suan began to appreciate typology, particularly the connection between Mary as the Ark of the New Covenant and the Old Testament Ark. 55:42 💭 Suan's main challenge was grappling with the decision to convert to Catholicism rather than specific theological objections. 57:05 ⚖️ Suan noticed that some Protestant beliefs logically led to positions similar to Catholicism, despite protests against being "works-based." 57:19 🙏 Misunderstanding of salvation: The Council of Trent emphasizes that salvation is initiated by Christ, and there's no initial justification through works; faith is a gift from God. 58:02 📜 Scripture on justification: Scripture (2 Timothy 2:12) mentions our goal is to reign with Christ, but also warns that rejection of Christ leads to rejection. 58:28 📚 Catholic understanding of certainty: The Council of Trent didn't deny Catholics the moral certainty of salvation, just infallible certainty. 01:00:03 👼 Year of Jubilee for Kids: Scott Hahn's idea of granting children amnesty for their wrongdoings was impactful. 01:01:27 🤝 Andy's Conversion: Andy's journey towards Catholicism involved challenges, questions, and gradual understanding. 01:03:49 🌟 Finding Home in Catholicism: The Catholic Church and its traditions became a vital part of the speaker's identity and heritage. 01:08:03 🙏 Guidance from God: A profound experience led the speaker to the conviction that he was meant to become Catholic. 01:09:41 📜 The Papacy Research: The speaker delved into the study of the papacy, particularly the Isaiah 22-Matthew 16:19 parallel. 01:14:10 😢 Family and Faith: The speaker faced challenges, humiliation, and family disapproval during his conversion journey but remained firm in his faith. 01:15:34 🧐 The journey towards Catholicism involved a challenging decision for Suan Sonna to choose between Christ and his parents. 01:16:30 😢 Suan Sonna's adopted grandfather played a crucial role in his spiritual journey, but his grandmother's disapproval was painful. 01:17:03 🤝 Suan's relationship with his parents has improved over time, with his dad even hosting a Catholic priest for dinner. 01:17:46 🕊️ Suan's sister joined the Catholic Church, influenced by his ministry and strong marian devotion. 01:18:30 💪 Suan Sonna aims to personally connect with and help individuals in their faith journeys rather than treating them as mere numbers. 01:19:12 🤔 Suan briefly considered Orthodoxy but ultimately embraced the Catholic faith, emphasizing the importance of Scripture. 01:19:40 🕊️ Suan Sonna's discussion with Matt Fradd delves into the papacy, examining its biblical foundation and historical context. 01:35:40 📜 Peter's significance in the New Testament is evident, with him being mentioned 195 times, far more than any other apostle. 01:36:09 💬 Some Protestant scholars have attempted to deny the primacy of Peter, but most now recognize his role as the primary spokesman and leader among the disciples. 01:37:05 📖 Peter frequently speaks on behalf of all the apostles in the New Testament, reflecting his leadership role. 01:37:19 ⛪ Peter is referred to as the rock upon which Christ builds His church, highlighting his foundational role. 01:38:00 ☠️ In Acts chapter 5, Peter is the only human agent in the New Testament who can bring about death with his rebuke, demonstrating his unique authority. 01:41:10 🗝️ The parallel between Peter in Matthew 16:19 and Eliakim in Isaiah 22:22 suggests a significant comparison, emphasizing Peter's authority. 01:45:22 🏛️ Both Peter and Eliakim receive their keys before the destruction of Jerusalem, signifying an apocalyptic theme. 01:49:02 🗝️ The uniqueness of Peter's role is emphasized in Matthew 16:19 by the use of singular language, distinct from the collective authority given to the other apostles in Matthew 18:18. 01:52:44 ⚖️ Peter's binding and loosing authority is dramatically expressed in Acts chapter 5, demonstrating the divine backing of his judgment. 01:53:41 📜 Apostolic succession is a concept that suggests a continuous line of successors to the apostles in the leadership of the Church, and it can be supported both by theological arguments and historical evidence. 01:54:40 📖 Typology in Catholic theology involves finding parallels between events, figures, or symbols in the Old and New Testaments, demonstrating how they connect and foreshadow each other. 01:55:34 ✋ Typology should begin with orthodoxy, basing it on what is true about Christ and clear in Scripture. 01:57:26 📜 The parallels between Jesus and the Old Testament figures are so strong that typology doesn't require explicit identifications but can be inferred from the evidence. 02:00:57 🌟 The centralization of authority in Rome in the history of the papacy was not about denying Rome's primacy but about how to reconcile it with other apostolic sees like Antioch or Alexandria. 02:13:31 🕊️ Swan Sonna experienced a significant spiritual moment where he heard a voice promising intimate access to Christ's body during confession before Pentecost. 02:28:20 🙏 Swan Sonna felt a strong calling to religious life, particularly with the Dominican order, viewing it as a marriage to God. Swan Sonna emphasizes the beauty of poverty, chastity, and obedience in his vocation, focusing on serving Christ and others, rather than material appearances. Swan Sonna's commitment to celibacy is driven by his desire to show the world that a complete and fulfilled life is possible through Christ, regardless of marital status. 02:32:35 🌟 Swan Sonna experienced a profound spiritual moment, feeling called to be a priest and embrace spiritual fatherhood. Swan Sonna emphasizes that complete happiness can be found in Christ alone, even without worldly possessions or marriage. Swan Sonna plans to continue his academic pursuits, apply to seminary, and work on completing his book about the papacy. In an upcoming podcast episode, Swan Sonna will discuss a conservative vision of economic justice with philosopher Daniel Bonovic. He also recently had an episode discussing Vatican I and the first millennium, demonstrating that the East accepted the supremacy and infallibility of the pope during an ecumenical council. Made with HARPA AI
Oh! My God and my Lord! Thank you for Your great Love and Mercy to this ignorant generation sent this bright young man as a harvester in His vineyard! God's Love and Mercy are unfathomable!! I wish Suaan can help all my nieces and nephews who turned away from Catholic to agonstic. Every one of them is ( have 15) now none practicing Catholic It's so sad my heart is bleeding!
Thank you for your perspective Suan. I’ve had a former Catholic friend bring up the corruption of the church and papacy recently after I told her I was thinking of converting to Catholicism and I kind of gave her a same argument. I totally forgot about the Matthew 23:2-3 verse, I’ll have to keep that in mind. But your insight on turning to Catholicism and becoming American is spot on. If that is where Jesus is, despite all the messiness, then we have to step into it and have faith Christ will protect His bride. Praying for your parents and family, Suan.
He's 21!
When I was his age, I was as dumb as rock, with ego bigger than mountain and to be honest I'm not much better now.
God bless him. Glory be to Jesus Christ, how wonderful his ways are.
Great confession Darijo; you are forgiven !!! :)
When I was 21, I was a scheister and ill tempered. I was suicidal and plagued by procrastination. I was constantly escaping to fantasy or TV or porn. I was probably mentally ill looking back - but that was my fault.
@@claymcdermott718 🙏🙏🙏
Ditto
You're so funny Darijo!
I was busy partying and trying to be popular.
You are not alone. Thank God someone was praying for us. As the Blessed Mother said, many people go to hell because they have no one to pray for them. God bless you!
This guy is an emerging beast in the Catholic apologetics world, such a bright mind following the truth where it leads. God bless you brother Suan.
I just discovered him and he is an impressive intellectual force. It’s hard to believe he’s that young.
@@frederickanderson1860 I disagree, and would say that it’s not our way of shoring up the holes in our assurance, but rather our way of recognizing the grace of God. We don’t preach assurance of salvation, for it is not by our works, but by the grace of God. Instead we tell of the hope that is in us. That we are justified by the grace of God so that none may boast. That we participate in sanctifying works by the grace of God through the power and indwelling of the Spirit. Our will free in participation with but subjected to the Spirit working in us. The sacraments as an assistance by the superabundant grace of God. The charism of the Pope given, as all charism, to build the Church, and given, as all charism, by the grace apportioned us by God. Penance and Reconciliation, a mercy we don’t deserve, given in an outpouring of love by the grace of God. We believe we are saved by Grace alone, through Christ alone, for God’s Glory alone. I would also caution against insulting differing theological opinions. If you are right, that is, if have the Word of Truth in you then speak it, but set aside vain insults, which add nothing to it. If you’re wrong you’ve called the Bread of Eternal Life “old manna” and added insult on top of error.
@@frederickanderson1860 We pray because of grace. We pray in Christian Charity, by the empowering of the Spirit, in obedience to the word of God, for God commands us to pray for one another (ie Jas 5:16). We pray to the saints in heaven the same as on earth for there is one Christ, not one in heaven and one on earth. We pray to be conformed to the image of God, for Paul tells us to be imitators of him as he is an imitator of Christ, and he asks for prayers from others constantly. There are only two questions really, can the Saints in Heaven receive our prayers, and do they labor on our behalf. Before telling us the parable of the lost sheep Jesus says to be careful how we treat little ones “for their angels always behold the face of the Lord,” indicating something of the kind that the angels watching over them are in the presence of the Lord (Mt 18:10). In a similar manner he tells us after the parable of the lost coin that “Likewise, I say to you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” (Lk 15:10) Again indicating that those who minister before the Lord can see and celebrate what the faithful do on earth. And in Hebrews 11-12 we are told of the martyrs and patriarchs who came before us and that they surround us as “a cloud of witnesses,” witnesses being those who watch. If they can’t see us, then they aren’t our witnesses. As to the second question, Jesus tells us in the Lord’s Prayer, “Thy will be done on earth as it is in Heaven.” If God’s will is for us to pray for each other on earth then it is His will in Heaven. In 2 Cor Paul tells us that when we are away from the body we are at home with the Lord, and when we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord, and then tells us that “whether away or home, we make it our aim to please Him.” Lastly, in Rev 5:8 we are shown the Elders bringing the prayers Saints before God, that is to say, the Saints in Heaven bring forth the prayers of the Saints on Earth, and in Rev 8:4-6 we see the angels do the same. To do such a thing they must have the ability to receive the prayers, to do such a thing it must be the Lord’s will that they do so.
@@frederickanderson1860 You have a lot of really good questions, but there’re hard questions as well, as such it is difficult to give a short reply, so I apologize for these tiny essays.
@@frederickanderson1860 As to Mary, in terms of the immaculate conception the Church does not declare that she was free from original sin, but that she was preserved from it. That probably seems an obtuse and inconsequential distinction but it makes sense with this analogy: if a man is walking through a forest and about to fall into a pit there are two ways to save him, one to help him after he falls, the other to help him before he’s fallen in. In a like way, Mary needed a Savior as much as us all, but was preserved from original sin by the Grace of God for His Glory.
I had no idea this video would be so profound it would bring me to tears. My conversion story was so frighteningly similar to Suan’s. I truly relate and share the pain he expressed with the way his family rejected him.
God is raising up a huge generation of converts who will defend and promote the unification of Christians under the one, holy, catholic and Apostolic Church. Praise the Lord! I am not an intellectual; my job is to pray and fast for God to raise up those who can do the big intellectual work! Love from India!
Thank you for praying and fasting for the Church!!
God bless you brother ❤️🔥
God bless
@@frederickanderson1860 : There is a hierarchy in the body…big time! The head is more important than the toe! You can cut off the toe and still live.
@@frederickanderson1860 : St Paul compares the Church to a human body which has a hierarchy.
I really appreciate Suan's story as an Asian American becoming Catholic. I know exactly the pain on his face starting at 1:16:17 when I told my parents that I was losing the Catholic faith that they worked so hard to raise me up with. It's the pain of telling your difficult Asian parents something they don't ever want to accept or hear. That you have failed them. That you have shamed the family. That they want nothing to do with your life anymore.
More importantly though, as Suan brought up, Christ is the single greatest and sufficient reason to be Catholic. He never abandoned us. We can never abandon His Church.
Praise God, I am finally home.
Wow. How are you now ?
Praise God!
6
@@lonelyberg1808 6
@@intellectualcatholicism nn
Without a doubt a top 5 PWA interview. This has similar profound moments as did sister Miriam James and Mattie. Suan’s intellectual prowess combined with his genuine child like love of Christ is amazing!
Absolutely agree!
Indeed! God bless this young man.
Well said!!!
Perfectly stated!! Suan is amazing, simply put! He is transparent!
Suan here!
As usual, let me issue a few notes on what I said:
01:12:48 - If you google "thanatos" you might find a pagan deity (which is not what the Blessed Mother was trying to communicate). As I said in the show, and based on the context of what happened the next day, I looked at the Greek dictionary on google to see how it means simply "death" in Strong's Greek 2288. The part where I added "nonviolent" to "death" is a slip of my memory.
02:12:16 - Proper scripture citation there is Acts 3:22 and NOT 5:32.
Great interview! You should do a debate or discussion with the Byzantine Scotist on Genesis (hes a YEC)
Do you think that that word could have had a double meaning, and had been our mother preparing you for your suffering, and the death of your relationships as well? That you would have to undergo a nonviolent death in order to convert to Catholicism?
Hi Suan, I was intrigued by your take on Genesis, evolution and young earth creationism. It would be very interesting if you could invite Robert Sungenis on the show. I was more or less agnostic about the creation story but man…Sungenis really made me consider young earth creationism, both biblically and scientifically. I’m still agnostic and studying the issue but that would be a very fruitful mega show. I don’t know why he’s underrated but he actually has some very good insights.
Is the case for YEC strong or something? I’ve always looked down upon it and never really considered it seeing it as something only fundamentalist protestants believed in. I’m very surprised to see smart people like Robert sungenis and Byzantine scotist believe in it
@@catholic_based534 I’m in the same boat, I used to think it’s whacky stuff, but I have a lot more studying to do. Sungenis has a book on Genesis and creation that I plan to read soon. That’s why I asked Suan if he could bring him on the show. He can make his case and have an audience Q&A. Hopefully, he can consider it….Another guy that believes in YEC is KabaneTheChristian, he used to be an ardent theistic evolutionists. He might be more accessible to talk to than Sungenis.
This kid is brilliant! He’s only 21? Have a wonderful life! You are good for our church, young man.
Prayers for his grandmother and his parents. Also going to ask for prayers for myself in coming clean to my own family about my conversion. 🙏
🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽
Thank you, and I will be praying for you. - Suan
Praying 🙏🏽
🙏
From someone who has been where you are going - I am praying for you!
Two years ago, I lost a dear friend of 30 years because I openly stated I was pro-life (always have been). I was dropped like a hot plate, and our friendship crashed and broke in half. In the meanwhile, I was in RCIA and converting to Catholicism. My conversion was THE BEST DECISION I’ve ever made beside the decision to marry my dear husband 45 years ago. He is in discernment about conversion! All in God’s time!
Praise God for your journey!
The idea of being pro-life is fine until one wishes to impose such on others. Abortion is definitely not a good, but is more often than not a lesser of evil for a host of reasons.
I can’t get over how passionate, articulate, smart Suan is. How did he fit in reading so many great books and connecting with great minds in just 21 years? And yay for the common Indian 🇮🇳 connection.
God bless you, Suan in your faith and apologetics future snd as we all journey together in our beautiful faith towards Heaven. Going to subscribe and watch your other videos.
As someone who is in the process of converting (in RCIA) Suan’s description of the way his grandmother treated him as embarrassment really hit home. I haven’t known how to categorize the feeing of explaining my faith to my atheist parents until now. It really feels like shame and embarrassment, or like I am being mocked. Interestingly, they used that same quote by Jesus about him coming to separate parents and children as an argument against Christianity. The suffering and confusion of an unsupportive family is tough, but I know that it’s all working to make me stronger in my faith and in love of Christ. ❤️ praying that Suan’s family will come around.
Stick with it! My father is a fanatical protestant. When I became an atheist, years ago, he came at me with a kitchen knife to carve 666 into my forehead!
I haven't spoken to him since.
I was baptised into the Catholic Church earlier this year and I have a feeling that that would disappoint him even more than me being an Atheist! :-)
Don't just convert, learn the faith by continuing to watch videos like this and reading if you're inclined to. Not enough Catholics really know their faith from my, albeit limited, experience.
And welcome home! :-)
@@Western-Supremacist Oh my goodness!! I'm so sorry that happened, and I'm also so glad you found your faith. (Even though no one deserves a satanic face carving! lol)
I am definitely inclined to research as much as I can. I have been voraciously reading (and listening to podcasts) since I first started feeling drawn to Christ and the Church. I also appreciate the participatory education I'm getting through Mass. (Very excited to one day recieve Communion) It's the craziest jounrey I've ever gone on. But so worth it. I try to trust Christ and what he says about persecution. God bless, thank you for the encouragement, and good luck with your father.
If possible try to appeal to Mother Mary by praying the rosary everyday and offering up your suffering and embarrassment for the conversion of your parents. Also if you feel comfortable with it you can try getting a green scapular for each and putting them if your parents homes/purse/bags etc. Look up the green scapular because it has converted many to the faith.
Pray and fast for them, they will soften with time.
Suan went from Baptist to agnostic to Catholic to apologetic powerhouse soooo quick, I swear he's living on some kind of sped up time cycle like in a video game
The Rosary will do that to you! Spiritual steroids, thank you Immaculata!
Eh, as such a recent convert, he really should not be so public. This is why I stopped making video myself. He isnt really a apologetics powerhouse either. I like his work, but the information he puts out isnt all that novel, and he is not that good in debates. He is slow, and pulls punches.
@@st.michaelsknight6299 Brother, you should be more respectful to Suan. Why do you find it necessary to diminish the praise given to him?
@@CatholicDwong Because what I say is true? He's been Catholic for less then two years and admits himself he has with ego
@@st.michaelsknight6299 Brother, we must love one another more deeply. We should take this to prayer.
While I always watch PINTS WITH AQUINAS, I was absolutely stunned by your presentation, Suan. I'm a life-long practicing Catholic;
taught high-school religious ed. for over 30 years (M. Rel. Ed) while intending to teach American History......but luckily I had a double major AND God had other plans. Also, I'm a life-long layman and not an "ex" anything. I was becoming very discouraged & depressed over the
past years hearing about all the nonsense in the Church, made worse by the media. Yesterday I watched the 2+ hr. presentation you had with Matt. Today I watched the entire video again. This is the first Sunday in a couple of years that I went to Mass and was a happy, hopeful, THANKFUL Catholic again. A lot of my problem (SLOTH) came from elderly friends passing away, the Covid-lockdown blues, being alone, etc. I thank God everyday that I have no health issues. YOUR DEPTH OF KNOWLEDGE, FAITH, MANNER OF EXPRESSION, AND OPTIMISM REIVIVED A SIDE OF ME THAT HAD GROWN COLD. God bless you, Suan. I'd never leave the Catholic Faith but YOU surely revived my hope and "certainly" in returning me to my former hopeful self. Being from the Chicago area, I hope you enter the Midwest Dominican Province.
God bless & keep you......keep that smile going, too. (But I'm a donor to the Eastern Province of St. Joseph.....18 postulants came in
this August!) :) ;)
I love St. John Cantius's, Reverend Holy Mass both ordinary English Mass and extraordinary Latin Mass. I don't know if you ever attended their liturgy?
Wow! This guy is a walking encyclopedia. I'm going to seek more of his stuff. What a bright, articulate young man!
"hey...if that's Jesus, I wanna eat Him!"
😂 Oh my. God bless him. ❤️🔥
I’m just a little bit closer to being convinced of Catholicism because of this guy.
That’s such a cool comment! Are you home yet? Peace be with you
@@jemsmom97 yes!! I received my first communion and confirmation on Easter Vigil!!! 🙏🏻 so happy to be Catholic now, I truly feel at home!
welcome back home! god bless you
Welcome home and welcome to the family ✝️🙏🏼✨🕯️ May God guide you in growing your faith further and further 🙏🏼
oh my gosh! Congratulations! I love the follow-up comment. Praise God for your journey. Merry Christmas!
Suan would make a great pope and I would trust him implicitly!!! 😊 I love his child like faith in God, he is so humble and a just beautiful soul ~ The world needs more people like him!!!
Yes! May God raise up such awesome men in his church!!! For such a Time as this!!!! 🙏🏻❤️🙏🏻
Suan’s grandmothers remark reminded me of something Professor Alec Ryrie said: “ Being Anti-Catholic is the last socially-acceptable prejudice in the English-speaking world”.
When man touched the Ark of the Covenant they were struck dead. The New Ark of the Covenant was "untouched" by man.
Suan's story about his family's rejection is my greatest roadblock to crossing the Tiber. I'm so thoroughly convinced of the Catholic truth and convicted that our Lord is calling me home. Yet the division this will cause with my Baptist family, with whom I am very close, scandalizes me. If not for them, I would go running to the Catholic Church today without a second thought.
Ouch my heart. 💔😭 God bless you!
Hey, Jon. Suan here.
I think one thing that helped me anticipate and endure the pain is the fact that in facing the rejection of my own family and friends, I would be, in a unique way, living as the first Christians did and as Christ Himself. The graces I have received from that painful time are incredible - my humility has skyrocketed; I am much gentler but also more firm in the areas where I need to be; I've become a better man and more patient; I love Christ with a greater intensity and simplicity. Honestly, I cannot stress this enough: Jesus is the only reason why I would have ever become Catholic or incurred the rejection of my loved ones. And, in the process of suffering for Him, I have grown to love His Sacred Heart more, and I have gained a greater awareness each day that He loves me.
As I said in the video, being Catholic has shown me that a life with Christ and only Christ is more than enough to complete the human soul. Pray for courage!!! I will be praying for you!
Matthew 10:37-39
37 Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. 38 And whoever does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. 39 Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.
@@intellectualcatholicism thank you. What you said here is where I find myself settling. I've had time of deep and intimate prayer with our Lord where he comforted me in multiple instances with the knowledge that He is my true father, my true brother, that His Church is my true family. Thank you for your prayers!
Oh my! you both made my day. Christians are still being persecuted in broad daylight in civilized places aren't we? God bless you both.
@@intellectualcatholicism Suan, you can tell your grandmother, the rest of us see you as Pope material!
Woah! He’s only a year older than me! What am I doing with my life..?! Hahah. Phenomenal interview 👏🏻
We need an updated broadcast with Suan.
His testimony made me cry. God is definitely calling him to become a Priest.
What a wonderful interview and conversation. I am amazed at the things I learn from those who are drawn to convert to Catholism. Thank you
Suan’s combo of knowledge and faith is admirable.
Suan, welcome home, I also converted to the Holy Catholic Church. So happy for your sister also. Praying for your grandmother. You will be a beautiful faithful Priest.
Matt thank you for having Suan on your show. What an incredible conversion story. I really felt his pain with his family's response. Suan is emerging as an incredible apologist. God bless
Kia Ora! Really enjoyed this! Beautiful to see a young intellect defend the faith so fervently. Praying for you both 🙏
Stunning episode. Pints with Aquinas is a real blessing for the Church. ✝️❤️🔥
Certainly one of the best talks I have ever heard! Thank you both for sharing your research and knowledge and perspective!
Well said! I’m publishing a weekly UA-cam video on episodes from the life of Don Bosco, entitled ST JOHN BOSCO by JOE ZAMMIT. In this series I’m narrating events and miracles from the splendid life of Don Bosco. St John Bosco used to perform a miracle almost every day, through the intercession of Mary Help of Christians. From the lives of saints we can learn how to love God more and draw closer to him. Thank you
thats so cool! he said how God overshadowed the arc of the covenant is the same wording as how God overshadowed Mary!
beautifully spoken!
What a beautiful testimony to the Gospel of Jesus Christ! Thank you, Suan and Matt.
Thanks!
This episode needs a booklist attached! So many great leads! Listening and adding to my Amazon cart as I go along.
Yeah I've been listening and missed the opportunity to write them down. I'm scrolling trying to find someone who has them listed. I'm almost finished with the art documentary. It was great.
Suan you are so brave and God Bless you, it's not easy being a Catholic you know that more than more.
Starting to like n like n like n love your show! I love guests like him today. And I learned a lot too even though I’ve been a catholic since birth but a catholic in name only until year 2007. Still not perfect but getting better and better as I learn, I became a ccd teacher for 10 yrs now and still learning. Thank you for your awesome guest. Please bring more guests like him! I enjoyed the show today. God bless you.
Another conversion story, Matt Fradd is turning into Marcus Grodi 😛. JK
I love it! Keep them coming! 😁
Lol!
Honestly it would be pretty awesome if Matt could take his place when he retires someday! I know he doesn't want to do Pints with Aquinas forever, so it would be a good little "half way"
From down under! He’s Australian! 🇦🇺 and I’m kiwi from New Zealand 🇳🇿 God Bless You Matt🙏📿🌹🇳🇿
lol!
One of my favorite PWA episodes to date! Suan is a delight.
Suan, nice bro... Can't believe you're so young. I'm very humbled by your knowledge and fervor!
This is my 3rd time listening to this.
It's really a great story, and I truly believe Swan is off to a beautiful future! 🌹
An encouragement to young Suan, please reconcile with your grandmother before it is too late. She said those hurtful words to you out of deep love for you and concern for your salvation. She cannot have immediate understanding on something that is so jarring to her. Patience goes a long way, love does prevail. Focus on your mutual love for the Lord Jesus, your Kingdom mindedness and passion for the faith, and your love for each other. We do not have all the time in the world, our days are fleeting.
Captivated from start to finish. I’m actually the music minister at a baptist church in southern baptist country lol. Was searching for a deeper relationship with Jesus, starving for it, and found myself in the Catholic Church. I’m being confirmed very soon. I so appreciated this whole talk.
Wow ! Fabulous xx 😍 God Bless.
I love listening to conversion stories. I pray my faith as a cradle Catholic will grow more fully.
Absolutely loved the discussion on papacy and Peter. My mind was blown away! I will be telling this to everyone now :P Thank you for an amazing lesson and beautiful conversion story, which really sparks out the lukewarmness of all us, cradle Catholics. God bless
Wow, I couldn’t believe Suan is so young, same age as my dearest niece, Abigail! He seems so wise and mature, given even the choices he had to take at such a young age! God bless you Suan, and hope to see more of you in the weeks to come 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻
He said he was born in 2000 ?!!!! Impossible ! He is so young and so mature
I’ve heard him in a debate on the gospel simplicity channel and I thought he was in his 30s at most but never would’ve expected him to be 21
This kid is amazing everything he says brings me to tears, truth vs grace and seeing people in heaven blew me away
This interview is amazing. Suan should release an autobiography.
I still can't believe he is only 21, he's so mature and it looks like he's done so much in his life to be only 21. I'm practically the same age as him and I spend my time being on my phone lol.
This interview hits home. So many parallels with Suan and myself, I’m eyeing acceptance into church and baptism next year and been in RCIA since January. Excellent stuff and very impressive guy! I’m a fan now! Thank you!!
Hi Suan, I'm too from N E India, I am happy that you found the precious stone in Catholic Church, congratulation Suan
Listened once, time to listen again. This was amazing.
I might become a patron because of this glorious interview
Omg, I’m crying listening to how painful and emotional it’s been for this young man. It’s like he’s been crucified by his own (or adopted) grandmother and parents.
Yes, Suan’s smart. But we need to also stop and consider that he’s also the best-looking apologist in the game.
First time hearing this man. He is a smart cookie, no doubt, and muy suave
Also, to answer your question Matt (this is Suan’s friend Andy), my conversion was largely started by the discovery of Augustine as he was and not as I knew him as a Calvinist. Scott Hahn also raised some great questions for me to investigate.
@@andybrandt836 We must get you on PWA now!
BANG
The man has mad game.
Such a profound and inspirational conversion story. So pleased that you are attending Kansas State, my Alma mater!
I love this gentleman being interviewed. What Love for Truth!!What a huge searching heart and mind. I bet Jesus smiles at him. I love the interviewer as well, I could not believe how he did not interrupt! Such a great interview. I had to take a break because a lot of it was over my head. I found Christ with my head and my heart, and it was not an “emotional convenience”, But my emotions felt His reality and His love. Oops it posted before I finished.....I grew up Catholic and found that it was a wonderful foundation for my belief as a Christ follower. In my 40s I gave my life to Christ, in a nondenominational church, not a religion. I hope someday we can all leave our separate denominations out of the equation. Keep our focus on Jesus Christ and serve. Consider ourselves unified in Christ. Let us not forget that Jesus was not a Catholic nor was He, like me, a nondenominational Christian, He was Jewish. Can we please for the sake of Christ unify? we are all gods children if we believe that Jesus Christ is the son of God, that’s what scripture tells me anyway. I’m just a simple gal with simple Faith that loves the Lord. Peace out and God Bless us all!♥️♥️♥️♥️🤗🤗🤗🙋🏻♀️
I like that he has had epiphanies and it was not just an intelectual conversion, I say it is a good sign of God’s Grace molding this young man. Praying for him in his journey towards religious life.
Yeah that was encouraging. I had a mix of intellectual and spiritual in my conversion 3.5 years ago, but have been very afraid to speak about the spiritual aspect and only the intellectual. I am trying to be more open with the spiritual aspect now, but it feels so subjective to share personal story, but God doesn't just work on our intellect. Pray for me to be more open with my personal conversion not just information and history.
@@Stygard yeah for sure, I also had several spiritual experiences and a couple answered prayers during my conversion. The intellectual side came later, and I give thanks to God that the intellectual side is also deep and beautiful. But do use caution on how you explain your personal revelation. I have found people people start looking at me sideways when I share that with them.
Like you said it is subjective and when you share it make sure that people know that and you’re not trying to start something new like Joseph Smith or Muhammad etc. Anyways prayers for you.
@@johns.9659 yeah that has been what has kept me quite about the spiritual "subjective" parts of my journey. I need to find balance, and I know I focus way more on the intellectual side. Even saying this next statement makes me feel "weird" expressing :" I am going to pray for God to help me be more open to talk about my spiritual experiences."
An /amazing/ conversation! I'm definitely going to go subscribe to Suan, and check out his work. God bless his discernment!
Hearing this guy speak helped me realize just how little I actually know, lol.
What a brilliant mind. God’s gift to our world. I can’t wait to see what God’s plans are for him! Thank you for this episode!
This young man has now entered the Dominican Order as a novitiate. Deo gratias!
I am so amazed by this intelligent man Suan Sonna, who searched for truth through so much difficulty from his family, then became Catholic.
So honest and emotional, and beautiful. Thank you! God bless you always. Suan I would be happy to be your Catholic Grandmother.🙏
Paying the price of wisdom in blood, i am so enthusiastic to see where he goes and the work he produces. May you be richly blessed Suan.
So many thanks to Matt and team for bringing us these rich people and topics.
Thank you Suan for your testimony. I was expecting to watch 5 minutes and be put off by an intellectual conversation but the interview was so accessible. May God bless you and your ministry abundantly.
I pretty much repeat myself on every comment on your channel, Matt, but thank you, again, for doing this important work. Its a true blessing to so many of us.
So young, so bright and so full of the Holy Spirit. Wow ! God bless you Suan.
God has already Blessed you Suan, he has given you an incredible mind, humility and Faith and we're all called to be Saints. Saint Suan for the future.
I’m so glad to see a young, intelligent and passionate scholar from my kindred tribesmen! So proud of you Suan! I hope your intellectual journey doesn’t stop here. May the annointing of the Lord be upon you as you continue to seek Him and walk in the path of truth.
Hi dude. Is he from Lamka?
@@janglalgoupiak1891 Yes his dad used to be Principal of Rayburn College before they migrated to the States.
@@ssongate cool. Nice to see him reach such a broad audience.
Really interesting. Really good episode. I love Suans commitment to his relationship with Jesus. I'll pray for your family and your repair of that relationship.
GENIUS, GENIUS, GENIUS!!!!!!!! Welcome home Suan!
Wow! I’m loving this. He is so smart, I’m completely blown away. I’m only about 45 minutes in, I’ve been watching 5 - 15 minutes at a time and then turning it off so that I can digest it.
Amazing interview Matt, thank you
Love this episode. Very inspirational conversion story of Suan. God works in mysterious ways 🙏.
You are a beautiful and blessed man of God!!!! I totally agree that you can be totally happy and fully filled with Christ.
This is wonderful. I love conversion stories. Thank you for sharing!
God’s hand is strongly on this man and preparing him for an important mission when the church needs it most🙏🏼
Suan, you are just brave and awesome and Grampa loves you. Talk to Grama again.
Wow!!! This guy is a brilliant biblical scholar and teacher
Big fan of Suan 👍🏼
Inspirational follower of Christ 😇🙏
Thank you, so very much, Suan, for your truly amazing interview. Your knowledge of the Bible, Christology, History and the Catholic Church is outstanding and beautifully expressed
I think we have a budding Thomas Aquinas in our midst. God bless you Suan - look forward to your book.
I'm not worthy to be compared to St. Thomas, but I appreciate the compliment dearly! - Suan
Also find it funny that I too, a young twenty something, also began to turn more conservative after hearing Roger Scruton so eloquently wax poetic about beauty and tradition.
Awesome and so Inspiring!
Wonderful testimony and sharing of faith!
So very interesting and I'm very impressed by Suan's intellect! Suan, I don't know if you see these comments, but
I was wondering if anyone has mentioned to you about getting a Conditional Baptism. I had one since there was a question if my baptism in a Protestant denomination was valid as it was only considered as a symbol. I looked up what Baptists believe about Baptism and here is what I found: "It is important to realize that there is nothing magical about baptism. It is a rich symbol, not an act that is powerful in itself." This was from Eden Baptist Church website. Apparently to Baptists, it imparts no saving grace. As you know, the Catholic Church teaches that it is a Sacrament...a vehicle of God's grace. It removes original sin and imparts to the soul the theological virtues of Faith, Hope, and Charity. It leaves an indelible mark on the soul. It is far more than a "rich symbol."
If this definition of being merely a "rich symbol" was the intention of the person baptizing you, then, for peace of mind, I recommend a Conditional Baptism which is given in case the Baptism was invalid.
Díky!
I can’t believe we got a brother in Christ like him that I wasn’t aware of till now, such a gem. I’ll mention you in my prayers, brother. 💛💙
Suan your testimony to the Catholic faith is awesome and most inspirational. 😘😘😘
Paused the video, and watched “why beauty matters” documentary! Loved it! Highly recommend as well.
THIS IS A BRILLIANT INTERVIEW!!!!
You are a very special person Suan, I can see you are on fire for Christ and a brilliant guy. May God bless you.
I’m sorry you are about to be wrapped up in smoke coming from Matt’s cigar... 🥴
Wonderful conversation. Surprisingly profound and moving. Only thing missing is the Beard of the Fradd™️
This is a lovely conversation. Thank you.
Loved this interview!
this dude is incredibly smart... i have to watch it twice
🎯 Key Takeaways for quick navigation:
00:00 📺 Swan Sonna was a leftist Baptist before his conversion to Catholicism.
01:20 🧪 Swan Sonna specializes in philosophy, ethics, and the papacy's intersection with scripture.
05:15 🔄 In high school, Swan adopted liberal beliefs, including pro-choice views, influenced by his peer group.
08:07 🤔 Charles challenged Swan's pro-choice stance, leading Swan to reconsider his beliefs on abortion.
11:52 💬 Swan reached out to Dr. William Craig for guidance during his period of doubt and agnosticism.
16:08 🌍 Swan believes in a historical Adam and Eve as special creations, with other humans evolving naturally under divine providence.
18:43 📖 Suan Sonna, a Catholic writer, discusses his journey from a Baptist upbringing to becoming a Conservative Catholic.
19:09 🌍 Suan highlights his growing interest in Catholic philosophy and theology, despite initial disagreements on topics like the papacy and justification.
21:12 ❤️ Suan's emotional transformation is influenced by his adopted grandfather's example of showing love and respect to people in the LGBT community, despite differing beliefs.
23:32 📚 Suan discovers the works of Sir Roger Scruton and is deeply inspired by the idea of beauty as a central concept in life.
25:53 🙏 Suan shares a touching exchange with Sir Roger Scruton before the latter's passing, suggesting that Scruton may have had a hidden belief in God.
30:04 🐘 Suan clarifies that conservatism is more than just political affiliation and encompasses a recognition of human limitations, a moral law, and a commitment to societal well-being.
35:11 📜 Suan delves into his studies of Thomas Aquinas and natural law theory through various contemporary philosophers.
38:12 💥 Suan's ego is humbled after being rejected by Princeton University, leading to personal growth and a deeper spiritual journey.
38:25 🎓 Suan Sonna faced challenges and misery during his first year at college.
39:05 📜 Suan's ministry initially focused on cultural evangelism and reaching people in a secular world.
39:33 📚 His perspective on secularism changed after taking a class on medieval political and social thought, which discussed how the Protestant Reformation contributed to secularism.
40:15 🧩 Suan's summary of Charles Taylor's argument that the Reformation led to secularism through a rupture of tradition and individualism.
41:54 ⛪️ The separation of the material world and the supernatural realm in Protestantism contributed to secularism.
42:48 🌍 The shift towards a mechanistic view of reality during the Scientific Revolution furthered secularism.
43:46 📖 Suan's journey included working with his father's ministry, gaining a deeper understanding of humanity and hospitality.
45:24 🙏 Suan's introduction to Catholicism started with an invitation to attend Mass from a friend named Olivia.
46:06 🕊️ Suan began attending both Baptist and Catholic services, keeping it a secret initially.
48:53 🤝 Suan started asking questions about Catholicism and received guidance from a friend named Andy, who was a former Calvinist turned Catholic.
49:08 🙌 Suan's biggest struggle was deciding whether to become Catholic or remain a Protestant.
51:57 📜 Suan's theological background helped him understand and accept Catholic doctrines like justification and the Eucharist.
54:05 🕊️ Suan began to appreciate typology, particularly the connection between Mary as the Ark of the New Covenant and the Old Testament Ark.
55:42 💭 Suan's main challenge was grappling with the decision to convert to Catholicism rather than specific theological objections.
57:05 ⚖️ Suan noticed that some Protestant beliefs logically led to positions similar to Catholicism, despite protests against being "works-based."
57:19 🙏 Misunderstanding of salvation: The Council of Trent emphasizes that salvation is initiated by Christ, and there's no initial justification through works; faith is a gift from God.
58:02 📜 Scripture on justification: Scripture (2 Timothy 2:12) mentions our goal is to reign with Christ, but also warns that rejection of Christ leads to rejection.
58:28 📚 Catholic understanding of certainty: The Council of Trent didn't deny Catholics the moral certainty of salvation, just infallible certainty.
01:00:03 👼 Year of Jubilee for Kids: Scott Hahn's idea of granting children amnesty for their wrongdoings was impactful.
01:01:27 🤝 Andy's Conversion: Andy's journey towards Catholicism involved challenges, questions, and gradual understanding.
01:03:49 🌟 Finding Home in Catholicism: The Catholic Church and its traditions became a vital part of the speaker's identity and heritage.
01:08:03 🙏 Guidance from God: A profound experience led the speaker to the conviction that he was meant to become Catholic.
01:09:41 📜 The Papacy Research: The speaker delved into the study of the papacy, particularly the Isaiah 22-Matthew 16:19 parallel.
01:14:10 😢 Family and Faith: The speaker faced challenges, humiliation, and family disapproval during his conversion journey but remained firm in his faith.
01:15:34 🧐 The journey towards Catholicism involved a challenging decision for Suan Sonna to choose between Christ and his parents.
01:16:30 😢 Suan Sonna's adopted grandfather played a crucial role in his spiritual journey, but his grandmother's disapproval was painful.
01:17:03 🤝 Suan's relationship with his parents has improved over time, with his dad even hosting a Catholic priest for dinner.
01:17:46 🕊️ Suan's sister joined the Catholic Church, influenced by his ministry and strong marian devotion.
01:18:30 💪 Suan Sonna aims to personally connect with and help individuals in their faith journeys rather than treating them as mere numbers.
01:19:12 🤔 Suan briefly considered Orthodoxy but ultimately embraced the Catholic faith, emphasizing the importance of Scripture.
01:19:40 🕊️ Suan Sonna's discussion with Matt Fradd delves into the papacy, examining its biblical foundation and historical context.
01:35:40 📜 Peter's significance in the New Testament is evident, with him being mentioned 195 times, far more than any other apostle.
01:36:09 💬 Some Protestant scholars have attempted to deny the primacy of Peter, but most now recognize his role as the primary spokesman and leader among the disciples.
01:37:05 📖 Peter frequently speaks on behalf of all the apostles in the New Testament, reflecting his leadership role.
01:37:19 ⛪ Peter is referred to as the rock upon which Christ builds His church, highlighting his foundational role.
01:38:00 ☠️ In Acts chapter 5, Peter is the only human agent in the New Testament who can bring about death with his rebuke, demonstrating his unique authority.
01:41:10 🗝️ The parallel between Peter in Matthew 16:19 and Eliakim in Isaiah 22:22 suggests a significant comparison, emphasizing Peter's authority.
01:45:22 🏛️ Both Peter and Eliakim receive their keys before the destruction of Jerusalem, signifying an apocalyptic theme.
01:49:02 🗝️ The uniqueness of Peter's role is emphasized in Matthew 16:19 by the use of singular language, distinct from the collective authority given to the other apostles in Matthew 18:18.
01:52:44 ⚖️ Peter's binding and loosing authority is dramatically expressed in Acts chapter 5, demonstrating the divine backing of his judgment.
01:53:41 📜 Apostolic succession is a concept that suggests a continuous line of successors to the apostles in the leadership of the Church, and it can be supported both by theological arguments and historical evidence.
01:54:40 📖 Typology in Catholic theology involves finding parallels between events, figures, or symbols in the Old and New Testaments, demonstrating how they connect and foreshadow each other.
01:55:34 ✋ Typology should begin with orthodoxy, basing it on what is true about Christ and clear in Scripture.
01:57:26 📜 The parallels between Jesus and the Old Testament figures are so strong that typology doesn't require explicit identifications but can be inferred from the evidence.
02:00:57 🌟 The centralization of authority in Rome in the history of the papacy was not about denying Rome's primacy but about how to reconcile it with other apostolic sees like Antioch or Alexandria.
02:13:31 🕊️ Swan Sonna experienced a significant spiritual moment where he heard a voice promising intimate access to Christ's body during confession before Pentecost.
02:28:20 🙏 Swan Sonna felt a strong calling to religious life, particularly with the Dominican order, viewing it as a marriage to God.
Swan Sonna emphasizes the beauty of poverty, chastity, and obedience in his vocation, focusing on serving Christ and others, rather than material appearances.
Swan Sonna's commitment to celibacy is driven by his desire to show the world that a complete and fulfilled life is possible through Christ, regardless of marital status.
02:32:35 🌟 Swan Sonna experienced a profound spiritual moment, feeling called to be a priest and embrace spiritual fatherhood.
Swan Sonna emphasizes that complete happiness can be found in Christ alone, even without worldly possessions or marriage.
Swan Sonna plans to continue his academic pursuits, apply to seminary, and work on completing his book about the papacy.
In an upcoming podcast episode, Swan Sonna will discuss a conservative vision of economic justice with philosopher Daniel Bonovic. He also recently had an episode discussing Vatican I and the first millennium, demonstrating that the East accepted the supremacy and infallibility of the pope during an ecumenical council.
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Oh! My God and my Lord! Thank you for Your great Love and Mercy to this ignorant generation sent this bright young man as a harvester in His vineyard!
God's Love and Mercy are unfathomable!! I wish Suaan can help all my nieces and nephews who turned away from Catholic to agonstic. Every one of them is ( have 15) now none practicing Catholic
It's so sad my heart is bleeding!
My Goodness, what a brilliant mind for the faith. God is Good.
Thank you for your perspective Suan. I’ve had a former Catholic friend bring up the corruption of the church and papacy recently after I told her I was thinking of converting to Catholicism and I kind of gave her a same argument. I totally forgot about the Matthew 23:2-3 verse, I’ll have to keep that in mind. But your insight on turning to Catholicism and becoming American is spot on. If that is where Jesus is, despite all the messiness, then we have to step into it and have faith Christ will protect His bride.
Praying for your parents and family, Suan.
What a wonderful holy young man! He will do great things for God!!!!
Suan is of Indian origin that makes me love this interview even more