Catholic Answers Live

“What Identity Were You Born With?” In this episode, we explore the profound connection between our identity and the Eucharist, alongside questions about the nature of identity itself and the role of sacraments in leading a fulfilling life. We also delve into how to engage in meaningful dialogue with those of different faith backgrounds and the intriguing topic of angels in spiritual warfare. Join The CA Live Club Newsletter: Click Here Invite our apologists to speak at your parish! Visit Catholicanswersspeakers.com Questions Covered: 03:40 – People are obsessed with identity 06:25 – We have to deal with the fact that we are creatures. 08:00 – Where does identity come from? 18:04 – What does it mean that our identity is Eucharistic? 23:35 – His Father is non-denominational and believes that the Catholic church is just a middle ground and not necessary. That he can just go directly to Christ and have a relationship with him. What advice can Father offer for him to better dialogue with his dad? 31:13 – So are the sacraments “the key” to a full life? 35:55 – How do angels do battle? 43:35 – Can I classify “relation” as a transcendental of being given how Ratzinger writes about it? 46:44 – Why has Jesus been portrayed as a white man throughout time and what implications has that had on the Church over time?

“How to keep young people in the faith?” This episode explores essential tips for nurturing faith in youth, along with strategies for catechizing high schoolers beyond traditional Bible studies. We also address challenges like maintaining faith in split households and navigating relationships when commitment seems scarce. Tune in for a thoughtful discussion on these pressing topics. Join The CA Live Club Newsletter: Click Here Invite our apologists to speak at your parish! Visit Catholicanswersspeakers.com Questions Covered: 07:59 – What are the key tips to keeping a young person in the faith? 17:19 – What would be the best strategy to catechize high schoolers without resorting to it being a bible study? 22:28 – How do I navigate keeping my youth in the faith in a split faith household? 33:30 – Struggling with dating when few commit to marriage 42:19 – I’m protestant and my fiance grew up Catholic. He’s wanting to go back to Catholicism. I want to follow him into the Church because I’m being persuaded. How do I know Catholicism is the way? 52:02 – I am a professor teaching nursing students. How do I keep them Catholic?

“Can you avoid purgatory after last rites?” This episode explores the nuances of last rites and their implications for salvation, alongside intriguing questions about the meaning of the Holy Spirit overshadowing Mary and the Church’s teachings on the Nephilim. Tune in for a thoughtful examination of these important topics in Catholic faith. Join The CA Live Club Newsletter: Click Here Invite our apologists to speak at your parish! Visit Catholicanswersspeakers.com Questions Covered: 04:53 – My father received last rites and went to confession. The priest said that if he were to die, he wouldn’t have to go to purgatory. Is this true? 14:46 – What did it mean when the Holy Spirit overshadowed Mary? 21:38 – What are legitimate reasons to not have kids? 40:28 – What’s the Church’s official teaching on the Nephilim? 48:47 – Do you have to believe in all doctrines of the Catholic Church in order to be appointed a priest or bishop? 53:13 – 1 Corinthians 4:6 says to “not go beyond what is written.” Is this evidence for sola scriptura?

“How Does the Vatican Approve Miracles?” This episode explores the significance of Mary in Catholicism, addressing questions about her unique role and the nature of her sinlessness. Additionally, we delve into how the Vatican approves miracles, the reality of the holy fire at the holy sepulcher, and the implications of marriage convalidation for those entering the Church. Join The CA Live Club Newsletter: Click Here Invite our apologists to speak at your parish! Visit Catholicanswersspeakers.com Questions Covered: 04:29 – How Does the Vatican Approve Miracles? 14:30 – I have a lot of Protestant friends who ask me a lot about Mary. I am curious now, why do we venerate Mary at all? If she was born without original sin, how can she be good? She didn’t have the option to be sinful, because she was born without sin. So shouldn’t we venerate saints to a higher degree than her because they had the choice to be sinful and they didn’t, which seems like that makes them even better than her? Also, I also was told by a Catholic that God loves Mary more than any other human he created. Is this true? 24:15 – Do you think the miracle of the holy fire that the Orthodox claim at the holy sepulcher is real? 32:48 – My wife and I are Protestants, and I am in OCIA. She is not interested. Do we have to get marriage convalidated in order for me to be received into the Church? 35:03 – Would it be un-Catholic of me to be superstitious about attending an event where I was hospitalized after I’ve gone? This has happened multiple times. 44:20 – How did the name lucifer become a catchall name for the devil since it’s not in scripture? 50:40 – Does practicing craniosacral therapy go against Church teaching?

“Can you avoid purgatory after last rites?” This episode explores the nuances of last rites and their implications for purgatory, alongside intriguing questions about the meaning of the Holy Spirit overshadowing Mary, the Church’s teachings on the Nephilim, and the reasons for not having children. Tune in for a thoughtful examination of these important topics. Join The CA Live Club Newsletter: Click Here Invite our apologists to speak at your parish! Visit Catholicanswersspeakers.com Questions Covered: 04:53 – My father received last rites and went to confession. The priest said that if he were to die, he wouldn’t have to go to purgatory. Is this true? 14:46 – What did it mean when the Holy Spirit overshadowed Mary? 21:38 – What are legitimate reasons to not have kids? 40:28 – What’s the Church’s official teaching on the Nephilim? 48:47 – Do you have to believe in all doctrines of the Catholic Church in order to be appointed a priest or bishop? 53:13 – 1 Corinthians 4:6 says to “not go beyond what is written.” Is this evidence for sola scriptura?

“How Does the Vatican Approve Miracles?” This episode explores the significance of Mary in Catholic faith, addressing questions about her unique role and the nature of her sinlessness. Additionally, we delve into how the Vatican approves miracles, the reality of the holy fire at the holy sepulcher, and the implications of marriage convalidation for those entering the Church. Join The CA Live Club Newsletter: Click Here Invite our apologists to speak at your parish! Visit Catholicanswersspeakers.com Questions Covered: 04:29 – How Does the Vatican Approve Miracles? 14:30 – I have a lot of Protestant friends who ask me a lot about Mary. I am curious now, why do we venerate Mary at all? If she was born without original sin, how can she be good? She didn’t have the option to be sinful, because she was born without sin. So shouldn’t we venerate saints to a higher degree than her because they had the choice to be sinful and they didn’t, which seems like that makes them even better than her? Also, I also was told by a Catholic that God loves Mary more than any other human he created. Is this true? 24:15 – Do you think the miracle of the holy fire that the Orthodox claim at the holy sepulcher is real? 32:48 – My wife and I are Protestants, and I am in OCIA. She is not interested. Do we have to get marriage convalidated in order for me to be received into the Church? 35:03 – Would it be un-Catholic of me to be superstitious about attending an event where I was hospitalized after I’ve gone? This has happened multiple times. 44:20 – How did the name lucifer become a catchall name for the devil since it’s not in scripture? 50:40 – Does practicing craniosacral therapy go against Church teaching?

“What’s the Church’s stance on unapproved Marian apparitions?” In this episode, we explore the Church’s position on various mystical experiences, along with discussions on the challenges faced by those considering Catholicism, including recent controversies like the LGBT Mass in Rome, and the biblical roots of the Eucharist as a re-presentation of sacrifice. Join The CA Live Club Newsletter: Click Here Invite our apologists to speak at your parish! Visit Catholicanswersspeakers.com Questions Covered: 03:00 – What’s the Church’s stance on unapproved Apparitions? 10:43 – My Protestant friends were looking into Catholicism, but stepped back because they are finding leaders in the Catholic Church to back up non-Catholic ideas like the recent LGBT Mass in Rome 31:05 – My Protestant Objection: Jeremiah 7 mentions idolatry worshipping the queen of heaven in the Temple of God. That seems like how Catholics treat Mary. 44:11 – Where did the idea of re-presenting a sacrifice come from in Scripture with the Eucharist?

“Can Protestants understand infant baptism and purgatory?” This episode explores the nuances of these topics, including what the Protestant view on infant baptism reveals about their understanding of sin, and how Catholics interpret purgatory in light of scripture. Additionally, we delve into the significance of saints’ relics and the complexities of baptismal regeneration. Join The CA Live Club Newsletter: Click Here Invite our apologists to speak at your parish! Visit Catholicanswersspeakers.com Questions Covered: 02:45 – Some Protestants don’t believe in infant baptism, what does that tell us about their understanding of sin and how does that compare to the Catholic view? 12:16 – I understand the Catholic teaching on cremated remains is to not separate them. But if that’s the case, why do we have cases where certain saints’ body parts are in different locations? It seems like that contradicts the policy on cremated remains. 20:20 – How do Catholics understand Purgatory in light of Hebrews 9:27? 24:44 – How do you determine what a saint is a patron of? Like how does someone become patron saint if pilots when airplanes weren’t even invented yet when they lived? 34:45 – Can you comment on the different translations of Luke 1:28, why Protestant Bibles say “greetings o favored one” and why Catholic bibles say “hail full of grace”? 44:45 – What is the Catholic interpretation of 1 John 5:1 with regard to baptismal regeneration? I’m struggling to square “if you believe you’ve been born of God” with having to be baptized. 51:50 – I practice no meat on Fridays. How do I keep up this practice during times when there are lots of feast days or solemnities on Fridays?

“Why do Catholics call priests Father when the Bible clearly says, ‘call no man father’?” This episode delves into this common question while also addressing the Great Apostasy claim by Latter Day Saints, the real presence in Communion for those exploring Catholicism, and the interpretation of Catechism 841 regarding salvation. Join The CA Live Club Newsletter: Click Here Invite our apologists to speak at your parish! Visit Catholicanswersspeakers.com Questions Covered: 12:10 – How would a Catholic respond to the Latter Day Saints claim of the Great Apostasy? 19:12 – I’m Protestant and exploring Catholicism. I’m starting to believe in the real presence. Should I stop receiving Communion in my Protestant church? 32:01 – How would you respond to a claim of once saved always saved? 41:30 – Are there some principles to applying scripture to our lives? It seems like I’m getting signs from God in these verses that come to me and I read. 50:15 – CCC 841 seems to imply that Muslims are included in the plan of salvation. I don’t believe they worship the same God. How do we interpret that Catechism paragraph?

“Who were the Desert Fathers and their impact on Catholicism?” This episode explores the lives and teachings of these early Christian ascetics, while also addressing questions like why Mother Angelica has not been beatified and how to interpret the recent LGBT pilgrimage to Rome. Tune in for a rich discussion on the early church and its relevance today. Join The CA Live Club Newsletter: Click Here Invite our apologists to speak at your parish! Visit Catholicanswersspeakers.com Questions Covered: 12:35 – why has Mother Angelica not been beatified? 14:45 – How should we interpret the recent LGBT pilgrimage to Rome? 18:15 – If the early church had martyrs, are those martyrs saints. Also, if Charlie Kirk is considered a martyr, could one day he be considered a saint? 22:40 – Did the early church interpret Genesis literally, and then after we realized it doesn’t really correspond to our scientific knowledge, we just started saying it’s not literal? (this is what her son is claiming) 31:12 – I was raised in an independent fundamentalist Baptist church. I’m looking at Catholicism. I want to read writers of the early church. Where do I find that and how do I know if it’s a good translation? 34:30 – How do we know if the early church fathers were Catholic? Because Protestants quote them too. How do we know St. Augustine wasn’t Protestant? 41:15 – I understand for a sin to be mortal we need have knowledge that the act is sinful. But do we have to know the act is specifically a grave offence, or do we just need to know that it is sinful. For example, if one commits a grave offense, but things that act is only venially sinful, would it still be a mortal sin? 46:28 – The Bible says that Mary visited Elizabeth in her sixth month. I saw a video that says that means the sixth month of the year, not Elizabeth’s sixth month of pregnancy. Which way does the Church teach? 50:40 – Were some of the early church fathers Eastern Orthodox? I know the Eastern Orthodox have their church fathers, so whose are right?

“How should Catholics approach Muslims?” In this episode, we explore effective evangelization strategies and discuss the complexities of interfaith dialogue, including the implications of Muslims worshipping in churches and the beliefs of Ahmadi Muslims in India. We also tackle the historical context of the Crusades and the differing perspectives on their necessity. Join The CA Live Club Newsletter: Click Here Invite our apologists to speak at your parish! Visit Catholicanswersspeakers.com Questions Covered: 05:30 – How do we approach a Muslim when evangelizing? 12:14 – How do you feel about Muslims worshipping in churches? 15:26 – Ahmadi Muslims in India, they believe that their messiah lives on earth today, and that Jesus went to India and died in India and is buried there. What does William think of this? 19:40 – Muslims believe that Allah is all loving, but their faith teaches against Christianity and Judaism so how can their followers believe in an all loving God. 29:05 – How can he respond to his Muslim friends who use John 20:17, as an argument to him as a contradiction of the Catholic Faith. How can Jesus be a God if he has a God (his Father)? 34:46 – How should Catholics view the Crusades, there seems to be two extremes of thoughts, secular thought is that they were a terrible thing perpetuated by the Church, His Catholic friends take a hard line that they were absolutely necessary and there was no issue with them 40:45 – Why doesn’t the Catholic Church publish a document detailing the evils and false truths of Islam? 46:36 – 20 yr Son told him last week that he wants to convert from Christianity to Islam 52:40 – What is the mindset of folks who would convert from Christianity to Islam?

In this interview, Catholic Answers Producer Edgar Lujano talks about Islma with Muslim to Catholic convert Ismail Youseff. Join The CA Live Club Newsletter: Click Here Invite our apologists to speak at your parish! Visit Catholicanswersspeakers.com Questions Covered: 02:00 – You don’t hear of a lot of Muslim Convert 04:00 – What would It take to Evangelize a Muslim Effectively? 05:40 – What are the most effective arguments for a Muslim? 07:35 – What does the saying “without reason” mean? 10:45 – How is the person of Jesus himself an argument against Islam? 15:30 – What is meant by “The Muslim Dilemma”? 17:45 – Is Islam pretty unified or divided? 19:45 – Has the Koran been changed? 21:46 – How does the Muslim view of heaven compare with the Christian view? 29:10 – Why did you decide to start sharing your testimony? 30:35 – Growing up as a Muslim in Canada 32:40 – Watching the livestream of the killing of the Coptic martyrs. 34:02 – Slavery in the Koran 37:05 – I asked Jesus if Christianity is true. 40:15 – How did your family react to you leaving Islam? 45:17 – How did the Christian missionaries introduce you to Jesus? 47:55 – How would you invite a Muslim to consider Christianity? 51:00 – Every religion has to deal with Jesus.

“How should I talk with my non-Catholic friends?” This episode explores effective communication strategies for those considering conversion, while also addressing intriguing questions like the nature of the Eucharist, the existence of Satan, and the challenges of Sola Fide arguments. Tune in for a thoughtful exploration of these important topics. Join The CA Live Club Newsletter: Click Here Invite our apologists to speak at your parish! Visit Catholicanswersspeakers.com Questions Covered: 04:37 – How should I talk with my non-Catholic friends and family as I think about converting myself? 14:28 – The Eucharist seems like magic to me. 21:05 – Some people I know are not Catholic because of the very existence of Satan and the fact that God allowed man to fall. 35:40 – I am a Protestant becoming Catholic, but I do not know how to rebut Sola Fide arguments. 45:02 – I get hung up on intercessory prayers and praying to the saints in general 51:20 – I am Catholic, but I disagree with a lot of orthodox teachings.

“How Do I Learn About Catholicism?” This episode explores the significance of Mary in Catholic teaching and the papacy, addressing questions like why some reject Catholicism due to the papacy, how non-Catholics can begin their journey of faith, and where to find biblical support for Mary’s perpetual virginity. Join The CA Live Club Newsletter: Click Here Invite our apologists to speak at your parish! Visit Catholicanswersspeakers.com Questions Covered: 08:17 – My friend is not Catholic because popes have been wicked or corrupt. 14:16 – I am not a Catholic but want to learn more. How do I go about doing this? 19:34 – Where can I find Mary’s perpetual virginity in the Bible? I am a lapsed Catholic. 34:50 – Does Joseph have a body and soul in Heaven? 37:40 – I’m not sure if I’m Catholic; if I have a godfather, does that mean that I am? 43:04 – To play Devil’s advocate, could all the secular accounts of Jesus be mentions of Christian texts and not Christ himself?

“Does God Punish Us By Afflicting Family? ” This episode explores the complex relationship between divine justice and human suffering, addressing questions like whether continuous sin can lead to a loved one’s illness and how the Church can effectively evangelize to those with disabilities. Additionally, we delve into the implications of the death penalty and the miraculous nature of St. Paul’s recoveries. Join The CA Live Club Newsletter: Click Here Invite our apologists to speak at your parish! Visit Catholicanswersspeakers.com Questions Covered: 01:12 – Is it possible that God punishes my continuous sin through my son’s disease? 04:19 – Can a Catholic hold to the Genesis Gap Theory? Or is it heretical? 12:41 – How can the Church evangelize to those with disabilities? What are good resources that can help me get started? 19:28 – Can we in good conscience support the death penalty? I can’t seem to understand why the church changed this. In theory can’t the church’s teaching on this revert? 28:37 – Is there a miraculous quality to St. Paul recovering from the stoning at Lystra or from all of the other beatings he suffered? It seems any number of the rods, stonings, etc. could have disabled him and made his long-distance travel impossible. 32:49 – How does setting a prayer intention before praying a rosary differ from just praying for that intention directly without praying a rosary, does it have something to do with the merit involved with praying a rosary? Thank you! 36:40 – Why can’t Catholicism be just another denomination among the denominations? I think Protestants see Catholicism as a Christian denomination, thus no need to make the move if they are already happy where they are. 43:02 – If priests have the sacramental power to ordain, why has this actually happened so rarely in Church history? 46:50 – Why is it mandatory to go to a priest for confession before one can go for Holy Communion. Why isn’t going to God directly sufficient for this? If someone sits on his seat because he hasn’t gone for confession, everyone would see that he hasn’t gone to confession, it would elicit some kind of shame on this person.

“Can excommunicated Catholics be saved?” This episode explores the complexities of salvation and excommunication, while also addressing the morality of IVF and the Church’s perspective on good deeds in different faiths. Additionally, we delve into the workings of the Holy Spirit in our lives and clarify the role of sacramentals versus talismans. Tune in for a thoughtful discussion on these important topics. Join The CA Live Club Newsletter: Click Here Invite our apologists to speak at your parish! Visit Catholicanswersspeakers.com Questions Covered: 02:30 – I understand IVF is immoral even if there is only one child created and implanted, but should it also be illegal? Where is that line? 13:41 – How would the church differentiate between a work a saved person does versus a non-saved one. (context: good deeds in Islam vs works in Catholicism.) 28:40 – How does the Holy Spirit work in our daily lives? After confirmation, why do so many youths lose the guidance of the Holy Spirit? 33:25 – Can a baptismal candle be used for everyday purposes (like when the power goes out)? 36:28 – James IV of Scotland was excommunicated by Pope Julius II for breaking the Treaty of Perpetual Peace with England in favor of the much older “Auld Alliance” with France when Henry VIII of England participated in the “Holy League” against France via a military invasion. James IV of Scotland later perished in the Battle of Flodden field against England and his excommunication had never been rescinded. Did James (or any excommunicate for that matter) have any hope for salvation after dying while formally excommunicated? Are there distinctions between spiritual vs. politically motivated excommunications? I understand this requires context provided by James’ private conscience, which we can only speculate on. 45:00 – How do we think about the Trinity when directing our prayers? Should I be developing a prayer rapport with each person of the Trinity or am I overthinking this? 51:31 – How do you explain sacramentals to someone when they say it’s basically like having a magic talisman? I’ve understood it as God’s grace working through the sacramental, but how can we make a better distinction between sacramentals and talismans?

“Is NFP just Catholic Birth Control?” In this episode, we explore the nuances of Natural Family Planning and its distinction from contraception. Additionally, we tackle questions about the salvation of non-Catholics who have committed mortal sins and the criteria for canonizing laypeople like Carlo Acutis. Tune in for a thoughtful examination of these important topics. Join The CA Live Club Newsletter: Click Here Invite our apologists to speak at your parish! Visit Catholicanswersspeakers.com Questions Covered: 10:05 – Is NFP ‘Catholic Contraception? 22:23 – Can someone who is not Catholic and committed mortal sin at some point in their life still be saved? 45:07 – What would be the grounds for canonizing a person who is not a priest, bishop, religious or martyr like Carlo Acutis?

“How did people travel in the time of Jesus?” This episode explores the transportation methods of the era, including the quality of Roman roads around Jerusalem. Additionally, we delve into intriguing topics such as the existence of two tombs of Jesus and the significance of Mount Tabor, offering a rich perspective on life in biblical times. Join The CA Live Club Newsletter: Click Here Invite our apologists to speak at your parish! Visit Catholicanswersspeakers.com Questions Covered: 2:00 – How did people travel in the time of Jesus? 10:38 – Were there high quality Roman roads around Jerusalem? 14:50 – Jesus followed Mary twice a day for 1/4 mile to get water every day — imagine little Jesus “Wait up for me, Mom!” 19:30 – Are there 2 tombs of Jesus? Which one is the real one? 29:19 – Have you done the full walk of Mount Tabor? 32:43 – What are your thoughts on the flight to Egypt? 40:20 – What place in the Holy Land inspires you the most? 46:42 – I’ve heard there is a lot of demonic activity there. The holier the place the more demonic activity. Is this true? And what can one do to protect themselves when visiting? 48:42 – Is the Eye of the Needle a real gate into the city of Jerusalem? 50:00 – What’s the Sea of Galilee like? What would fishermen’s life be like? 52:26 – How large was the temple where Jesus was lost?

“What are the earliest writings about the Mass?” Discover the historical roots of this central Catholic practice, along with discussions on the early Church’s interpretation of 1 John 5:13 and the significance of healing in the Bible. Join us as we explore these foundational topics and more in this enlightening episode. Join The CA Live Club Newsletter: Click Here Invite our apologists to speak at your parish! Visit Catholicanswersspeakers.com Questions Covered: 03:00 – What are the earliest writings about the mass that we have? 04:30 – Would you consider writing a book on justification? 12:26 – What are the earliest Catholic Church buildings and where was the altar located in those churches? 16:25 – Jesus promises to heal in the bible but people deflect and say that healing happens in the next life. What are your thoughts on that? Does God want you to suffer here to get more reward in heaven? 22:34 – What was the early Church’s interpretation of 1 John 5:13? 28:30 – Continued – Jesus promises to heal in the bible but people deflect and say that healing happens in the next life. What are your thoughts on that? Does God want you to suffer here to get more reward in heaven? 44:26 – What are the earliest writings about the mass that we have? 50:38 – Did the writing of the same Shepard Hermas hold the same weight as the Didiache, writing of St. Clemente of Rome and others?

“Do Non-Catholics Go to Heaven?” This episode explores the complexities of salvation and the teachings of the Early Church. Tune in as we address questions about the necessity of listening to the Early Church Fathers, the implications of a nun’s claim regarding non-Catholics and heaven, and the early Church’s views on the Immaculate Conception and Assumption. Join The CA Live Club Newsletter: Click Here Invite our apologists to speak at your parish! Visit Catholicanswersspeakers.com Questions Covered: 01:00 – Charlie Kirk 15:00 – Do we have to listen to the Early Church Fathers? Are their statements doctrine because they tell us what the early Church believed? 28:30 – My son was told in school by a nun that non-Catholics don’t go to heaven. I’m shocked, is this true? 37:43 – How did the early Church view the immaculate Conception and Assumption? 48:00 – What resources can you point to to help put the Didache in its appropriate cultural context? 04:30 – Would you consider writing a book on justification? 12:26 – What are the earliest Catholic Church buildings and where was the altar located in those churches? 16:25 – Jesus promises to heal in the bible but people deflect and say that healing happens in the next life. What are your thoughts on that? Does God want you to suffer here to get more reward in heaven? 22:34 – What was the early Church’s interpretation of 1 John 5:13? 28:30 – Continued – Jesus promises to heal in the bible but people deflect and say that healing happens in the next life. What are your thoughts on that? Does God want you to suffer here to get more reward in heaven? 44:26 – What are the earliest writings about the mass that we have? 50:38 – Did the writing of the same Shepard Hermas hold the same weight as the Didiache, writing of St. Clemente of Rome and others?