Uploaded April 2026 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago
Did the early Church really believe confession was made directly to God alone—or is there biblical and historical evidence for confession through the Church’s ministers? In this episode, Trent responds to objections raised in his exchange with Ruslan and Gavin Ortlund and unpacks the Catholic case for sacramental confession.
Response to Redeemed Zoomer: youtube.com/watch?v=QUS4zikocRM
To support this channel: patreon.com/counseloftrent
[NEW] Counsel of Trent merch: shop.catholic.com/apologists-alley/trent-horn-resources
Be sure to keep up with our socials!
tiktok.com/@counseloftrent
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00:00 Intro:
00:20 Bless God Summit Clip
01:12 Does 1 John 1:9 mean confessing directly to Jesus?
04:25 The Greek word for “confess” and scholarly support
06:11 Was private confession invented in the Middle Ages?
07:24 Public penance vs. public confession
08:00 Augustine, Cyprian, and Irenaeus on confession
09:13 James 5, presbyters, and forgiveness of sins
10:05 Ambrose, baptism, and priestly authority to forgive
10:57 Final thoughts
Did the early Church really believe confession was made directly to God alone—or is there biblical and historical evidence for confession through the Church’s ministers? In this episode, Trent responds to objections raised in his exchange with Ruslan and Gavin Ortlund and unpacks the Catholic case for sacramental confession.
Response to Redeemed Zoomer: youtube.com/watch?v=QUS4zikocRM
To support this channel: patreon.com/counseloftrent
[NEW] Counsel of Trent merch: shop.catholic.com/apologists-alley/trent-horn-resources
Be sure to keep up with our socials!
tiktok.com/@counseloftrent
twitter.com/counseloftrent
instagram.com/counseloftrentpodcast
00:00 Intro:
00:20 Bless God Summit Clip
01:12 Does 1 John 1:9 mean confessing directly to Jesus?
04:25 The Greek word for “confess” and scholarly support
06:11 Was private confession invented in the Middle Ages?
07:24 Public penance vs. public confession
08:00 Augustine, Cyprian, and Irenaeus on confession
09:13 James 5, presbyters, and forgiveness of sins
10:05 Ambrose, baptism, and priestly authority to forgive
10:57 Final thoughts
