Join Jimmy Akin, a senior apologist and creator of "Jimmy Akin's Mysterious World," as he dives into fascinating questions about faith and philosophy. He explores the compatibility of determinism and free will, challenges misconceptions about the rapture, and discusses the emotional impact of Jesus' crucifixion. Listeners hear heartfelt inquiries about conditional baptism and the importance of individual choice in faith. Plus, whimsical musings on whether there will be bacteria in Heaven! A blend of serious theology and lighthearted dialogue awaits.
The podcast discusses the interplay between determinism and free will, emphasizing that humans possess the agency to make genuine choices amidst predeterminism.
Jimmy Akin clarifies that the rapture lacks solid biblical foundation, contrasting it with the belief in the second coming of Jesus as the definitive eschatological event.
Deep dives
The Nature of Free Will and Determinism
Determinism posits that all events are predetermined based on prior factors, leading to the ability to predict outcomes with certainty. Free will is generally understood in two main perspectives: compatibilism, which suggests that free will exists as long as individuals are not coerced into acting against their desires, and libertarian free will, which asserts that individuals can make genuine choices independent of predetermined circumstances. The Catholic Church leans towards the libertarian perspective, emphasizing that humans have the capacity to make choices that are not strictly determined. This highlights the belief that while some aspects of the universe may be predetermined, human agency remains a distinct and integral part of moral responsibility.
Understanding God's Consciousness and Existence
God's omniscience means He possesses complete knowledge of all realities and possibilities, affirming that He cannot be merely a brain in a vat. The podcast explains that God's nature is fundamentally spiritual and non-physical, thus He transcends physical limitations and exists independently of the material world. This understanding emphasizes that God's awareness of His own reality is not subject to external doubts or conditions. Hence, God's knowledge clarifies the essence of His being, ensuring He is not confined to earthly constraints or scenarios.
The Emotional Impact of Jesus's Crucifixion on God
The emotional response of God the Father to Jesus's crucifixion is multifaceted; He is both deeply saddened by humanity's need for redemption due to sin and affirming of His divine plan. In one sense, the crucifixion was an inevitable part of the divine plan for salvation, which does not elicit sadness from God. However, recognizing the necessity of sacrifice due to humanity's free choices evokes sorrow, as it represents the consequences of sin. This complex interplay of emotions suggests that while God orchestrated salvation history, He is not indifferent to the suffering involved.
The Origins and Misunderstandings of the Rapture
The concept of the rapture, popularized in the 19th century, particularly by John Nelson Darby, has questionable biblical support. While the rapture is often referenced as a moment when believers are taken up before a tribulation period, scriptural evidence largely points to Jesus's second coming as an event that culminates in the end of the world, rather than a separate occurrence. Additionally, many interpretations misread biblical texts, conflating direct references to historical events, like the destruction of the Temple, with future eschatological events. This highlights a need for critical examination of scriptural interpretation concerning eschatology within Christian theology.
Questions Covered:
03:33 – What are your thoughts on determinism and free will, can they be combined?
7:20 – How does God know he’s not a brain in a vat?
08:14 – My 5-year-old asked “Did Jesus’ death on the cross make God the Father sad?”
12:44 – Where does the idea of “the rapture” come from? I’ve heard that it isn’t actually biblical, but pop culture and many Protestants would claim otherwise.
19:30 – I am a later in life convert and I did not baptize my two now young adult children as infants. Is it possible to conditionally baptize them due to their other parent preventing their baptisms? The situation they are in is not typical I gave birth to them within a same sex marriage prior to conversion and then I was radically converted. The same sex marriage ended 10 years ago I am now married to a man in the Catholic Church. Neither of the children desire to attend Catechism classes and my son is 17 and my daughter is 20. I pray a Novena daily for Baptism for them to occur. It’s the Saint Therese of Lisieux Novena asking for her prayers for my children. Thank you Jimmy and God bless you.
21:47 – Hello Jimmy, i am Catholic from Africa how can I help people around me who refuse to be Christian or Catholic saying it is because it is an invention to keep Africa poor calling it « the white man’s religion »
28:40 – Hi Jimmy, someone had asked if there would be bacteria in Heaven and you said it’s possible if God allows us to eat and Heaven is like a big banquet with the saints. So if we eat in Heaven does that mean there’s death in Heaven since things would have to die for us to eat it?
36:44 – What would the Church do to celebrate the Eucharist in the event of a blight that killed all wheat on the planet?
42:41 – How should Christians understand these words of Jesus: “For truly I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or stroke of a letter shall pass from the Law, until all is accomplished! Therefore, whoever nullifies one of the least of these commandments, and teaches others to do the same, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever keeps and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.” Doesn’t this mean the Law of Moses still applies to Christians?
46:30 – In a previous AMA, you said in response to someone’s question that if a person were assimilated by the Borg, the state of their soul adjacent to confession would remain unchanged. If someone were assimilated, could they conceivably receive anointing of the sick?
47:55 – To what extent can a priest alter the words of the mass? For example, a priest at a chapel I go to says “This is Jesus, the Lamb of God” instead of “Behold the Lamb of God”, which I think is quite beautiful, but I am unsure if it’s correct.
49:17 – Doesn’t the act of naming someone a pope fit the definition of a sacrament? It’s 1-a rite 2-Instituted by Jesus (Matthew 16) 3-to convey grace (infallibility)
52:59 – Are orthodox bishops and old catholic bishops and sedevacantist bishops real bishops?
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