The Michael Knowles Show: Michael Knowles vs. Matt Fradd – “Christian Heresies" FACE-OFF
Release Date: April 27, 2025
Duration: Approximately 24 minutes

Introduction

In this exhilarating episode of The Michael Knowles Show, host Michael Knowles engages in a spirited intellectual duel with Matt Fradd, a well-known Catholic apologist. Moderated by Ben Shapiro, this "Face-Off" challenges both participants' knowledge of Christian heresies, testing their theological acumen and quick-thinking under pressure.

Face-Off Format and Rules

The segment kicks off with Ben Shapiro outlining the competitive format:

Ben Shapiro [00:24]: "The two men stepping into today's intellectual arena, Michael Knowles and Matt Fradd... we will find out who really knows more about Catholic heresies."

Participants answer a series of multiple-choice questions within a 30-second time frame. The stakes are high: the loser must deliver a 30-second commercial for the winner, conceding that John Calvin had some good points.

Round-by-Round Breakdown

Question 1: The Bone Most Often Broken by Heretics

• Time: [00:00]
• Question: Which Catholic group has been condemned for heretical views and for rejecting the legitimacy of modern popes?
• Options: A) Jesuits, B) Legionnaires of Christ, C) Society of Saint Pius X, D) Opus Dei
• Responses:
  • Matt Fradd [00:13]: "Oh, he's got none of these, right."
  • Michael Knowles [00:15]: "Yeah."

Ben Shapiro reveals the correct answer:

Ben Shapiro [03:04]: "The word we're looking for is the blasphemer."

Both participants grapple with the question, showcasing their differing depths of knowledge.

Question 2: Heresy Concerning Jesus as a Creation of God

• Time: [03:26]
• Question: If someone claims Jesus is a creation of God and therefore distinct from God, what heresy are they guilty of?
• Options: A) Nestorianism, B) Modalism, C) Docetism, D) Arianism
• Responses:
  • Michael Knowles [03:56]: "It's Arianism, right?"
  • Matt Fradd [03:58]: "The easiest of the early church heresies."

Correct Answer: D) Arianism

Question 3: Last Official Execution for Heresy

• Time: [04:17]
• Question: When was the last official execution for heresy?
• Responses:
  • Michael Knowles [04:41]: "I say 1609."
  • Matt Fradd [04:35]: "1452... 380."

Correct Answer: 1612, with the execution of Edward Whiteman in England.

Question 4: Sect That Claimed Jesus Was Only Non-Divine

• Time: [05:38]
• Question: Which heresy claims that Jesus was only a non-divine man who was later adopted as the son of God by the descending Spirit?
• Options: A) Ibnism, B) Adoptism, C) Audainism, D) Unitarianism
• Response:
  • Michael Knowles [06:00]: "Is adoptionism."

Correct Answer: B) Adoptism

Question 5: Heretical Group Rejecting Chocolate (Skipped)

• No record of such a question; possibly a mishearing.

Question 6: Heresy Affirming Jesus as Savior but Rejecting Hebrew Bible

• Time: [09:04]
• Question: Which heresy affirmed Jesus as savior but rejected the Hebrew Bible and described the Old Testament God as a lesser wrathful deity?
• Options: A) Docetism, B) Ebonism, C) Marcionism, D) Adoptism
• Response:
  • Michael Knowles [09:37]: "Marcianism."

Correct Answer: C) Marcionism

Question 7: Rejecting Divinity and Messiahship of Jesus While Adhering to Old Testament Law

• Time: [09:52]
• Question: Which heresy rejected both the divinity and messiahship of Jesus while adhering to Old Testament law?
• Options: A) Gnosticism, B) Arianism, C) Manichaeism, D) Rabbinic Judaism
• Response:
  • Michael Knowles [10:20]: "D, Rabbinical Judaism."

Correct Answer: D) Rabbinic Judaism

Question 8: Year Roman Empire Criminalized Heresy

• Time: [10:50]
• Question: In what year did the Roman Empire criminalize heresy through the Edict of Thessalonica?
• Responses:
  • Michael Knowles [11:20]: "315."
  • Matt Fradd [11:23]: "380."

Correct Answer: 380

Question 9: Priscillian’s Heresy

• Time: [11:48]
• Question: What was Priscillian, the first Christian executed for heresy by Roman officials in 386, formally condemned for?
• Options: A) Denying the Trinity, B) Practicing sorcery, C) Teaching Pelagianism, D) Desecrating sacraments
• Response:
  • Matt Fradd [12:19]: "Frad gets one completely convinced the whole time."

Correct Answer: B) Practicing sorcery

Question 10: Classification of Heretic Denying Church Teaching Unknowingly

• Time: [12:46]
• Question: If someone denies church teaching unknowingly, what classification of heretic are they?
• Responses:
  • Michael Knowles [13:17]: "Venial sinning heretic."
  • Matt Fradd [13:05]: "Material heretic."

Correct Answer: Material heretic

Question 11: Catholic Group Condemned for Rejecting Modern Popes

• Time: [14:09]
• Question: Which Catholic group has been condemned for heretical views and for rejecting the legitimacy of modern popes?
• Options: A) Jesuits, B) Legionnaires of Christ, C) Society of Saint Pius X, D) Opus Dei
• Response:
  • Matt Fradd [14:39]: "None of these."

Correct Answer: C) Society of Saint Pius X (SPX)

Question 12: Pope Who Declared Heretics Worse Than Muslims

• Time: [17:44]
• Question: Which Pope once declared heretics to be worse than Muslims?
• Options: A) Pope Innocent III, B) Pope Urban II, C) Pope Gregory IX, D) Pope Benedict IX
• Response:
  • Michael Knowles [18:07]: "B, Pope Urban II."

Correct Answer: C) Pope Gregory IX

Question 13: Heresy Targeted by Albigensian Crusade

• Time: [19:13]
• Question: Which heresy did the Catholic Church launch the Albigensian Crusade to suppress?
• Options: A) Montanism, B) Donatism, C) Catharism, D) Nestorianism
• Response:
  • Michael Knowles [19:19]: "Albigensianism."

Correct Answer: C) Catharism

Question 14: Heresy Introduced by Gottfried Thomas Claiming Jesus Gave Up Divine Attributes

• Time: [19:44]
• Question: What was the heresy introduced by Gottfried Thomas that claimed Jesus gave up some divine attributes in his incarnate state?
• Options: A) Mortalism, B) Kenosis, C) Humanic Christianity, D) Removism
• Response:
  • Michael Knowles [20:14]: "Humanic Christianity."

Correct Answer: B) Kenosis

Bonus Question: Heretics Burned During Queen Mary I’s Reign

• Time: [20:59]
• Question: How many heretics were burned at the stake during Queen Mary I of England’s reign? (Estimation)
• Responses:
  • Michael Knowles [21:59]: "90."
  • Matt Fradd [21:53]: "1,000."

Correct Answer: Approximately 280 heretics

Competitive Dynamics and Strategies

Throughout the Face-Off, both Knowles and Fradd exhibit differing levels of expertise and strategic approaches:

• Michael Knowles demonstrates confidence and attempts educated guesses, particularly excelling in the numerical estimations, albeit with mixed success.

  Michael Knowles [05:06]: "I think the Italians are pretty chill."

• Matt Fradd, leveraging his background in Catholic theology, provides correct answers to several complex questions but occasionally falters under time pressure or due to the ambiguity of questions.

  Matt Fradd [14:27]: "I think I got it."

Their banter and mutual respect add a dynamic layer to the competition, highlighting both camaraderie and rivalry.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Ben Shapiro [00:24]: "The two men stepping into today's intellectual arena, Michael Knowles and Matt Fradd... we will find out who really knows more about Catholic heresies."

• Matt Fradd [05:59]: "Well, I can't show him, can I?"

• Michael Knowles [09:37]: "Marcianism."

• Ben Shapiro [18:09]: "The answer is C. Pope Gregory ix."

• Matt Fradd [22:15]: "You win some, you lose some."

Conclusion and Outcome

As the competition intensifies, both Knowles and Fradd find themselves neck and neck. The final bonus question proves pivotal, with Michael Knowles narrowly missing the correct number of heretics burned during Queen Mary I’s reign:

Michael Knowles [21:59]: "I said 90."

Ben Shapiro declares Matt Fradd the winner based on the closest answer:

Ben Shapiro [22:11]: "The correct answer is 280."

In accordance with the rules, Matt Fradd delivers a 30-second commercial praising Michael Knowles, humorously acknowledging Knowles' personable traits despite the competitive exchange.

Final Thoughts

This episode of The Michael Knowles Show showcases a compelling blend of theological discourse and competitive spirit. While Matt Fradd emerges victorious, both participants exhibit a deep-seated knowledge of Christian heresies, making the Face-Off both educational and entertaining for listeners. The respectful yet competitive interaction underscores the show's commitment to intellectual engagement and theological exploration.

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