Catholic Answers Live

Did the Declaration of Independence reference the Biblical Creator, or was it a more general idea of God? In this episode, we discuss The Church Against the State with Dr. Andrew Willard Jones, exploring the historical tension between secular and religious authority. Questions Covered:  37:48 – What do you think about the reference to a Biblical creator in the Declaration of Independence? 

What does the Church say about evolution? Dr. Stacy Trasancos explores the compatibility of Darwin’s theory with Catholic teaching and answers more on faith in science, IVF, and ethical fertility treatments. Questions Covered:  13:32 – Do you support the theory of evolution as proposed by Charles Darwin?  17:11 – How has faith related to your work in science? Can you talk about your conversion? How do you talk couples away from IVF?  24:00 – Do you think the acceptance of IVF by Catholics is due to the lack of guidance we have?  28:49 – What alternative treatments do Catholics have for infertility?  35:00 – How do you reconcile survival of the fittest theory with Jesus’ teaching on taking care of the poor and the weak?  38:20 – Because we have probably consumed the atoms that Jesus once consumed, does that make humanity second class relics?  45:25 – How can we be assured of when is a good time to donate organs?  50:29 – Why are we not considering fathers in these conversations about IVF?  51:33 – How can we see things in nature and see how it reflects God? 

If God is omniscient, how can He “forget” sins forgiven in Confession? Jimmy Akin explains this theological mystery and answers more questions on Genesis, Catholic complexity, and divine judgment. Questions Covered:  01:02 – How does the Jubilee Year and forgiveness apply to my divorce and financial situation?  07:39 – How can Catholics believe Genesis is an allegory and a genealogy at the same time?  16:46 – How can I better defend against the claim “Catholicism is too complex”?  21:01 – The Vatican suppressed the Miles Christi order recently. What does that mean for the order and the faithful associated with them?  23:57 – Could pursuit of knowledge of the faith ever be an idol?  29:07 – What is the difference between the particular judgment and general judgment?  33:25 – How can God forget sins forgiven in Confession if He is All-Knowing?  36:01 – I’m cradle Orthodox; what is the best, concise argument against Eastern Orthodoxy? Why should I become Catholic?  46:40 – I’m in OCIA, my spouse is attending a Protestant Church. Am I allowed to continue attending Protestant services with him?  47:59 – I heard that God allows us to go to Hell because we would not be able to stand the beatific vision if we had mortal sin on our soul. Is this true?  51:14 – How did the Lord atone for our sins? 

How do substance and accidents help us understand the Eucharist? Jimmy Akin unpacks Aristotle’s influence on Catholic theology and answers more questions on NFP, venial sin, and returning to the faith. Questions Covered:  05:09 – If someone venially sins in a category that is grave by nature, has one committed a grave offense that he’s only venially culpable for? If so, does one have a similar responsibility to avoid such sins like mortal sins?  08:16 – What is the meaning of Genesis 49:14-15?  13:43 – What is considered a grave reason to use NFP to avoid pregnancy? Would it be a sin to avoid pregnancy for a less than grave reason?  15:10 – Was Yahweh tempted in the desert when Jesus was tempted in the desert?  18:32 – Does the Prime Directive in Star Trek go against Catholic theology?  23:27 – Having been baptized in a different faith, I’m getting ready for my First Reconciliation; could I bring in a list of my sins, or should I confess what’s on my heart?  29:40 – Can you help me understand how recent immigration changes will affect priests from other countries?    34:34 – Is there a good book a Lapsed Catholic could read to relearn all the traditions? Should I go back to confession?  43:23 – I’m an Extraordinary Eucharistic Minister. Can non-Catholics Christians receive ashes on Ash Wednesday?  45:16 – How does Aristotle’s distinction between substance and accidents help explain the concept of transubstantiation?  48:13 – Why is there a response to “The Mystery of the Faith/Mysterium fidei” that doesn’t mention the Resurrection?  51:48 – The Catechism says temporal punishment doesn’t remain after Confession, but my Catechist says otherwise. Who is right? 

Protestants often receive both bread and wine, so why don’t all Catholics? Tim Staples explains this and more, including annulment cases, attending Lutheran Confirmations, and whether Jesus referred to all the apostles as the “rock” of the Church. Questions Covered:  05:10 – To defend our position, is it possible to say that Jesus could have looked at ALL the apostles when he says “upon this rock I will build my church”?  16:03 – Why can’t Catholics receive both species of the Eucharist?  It seems Protestants receive both.  24:56 – How legitimate is it for me to attend a Lutheran Confirmation for family members?  34:59 – Is a spouse dealing with alcohol, drug abuse, or adultery a case for an annulment?  45:09 – Kent Hovind says there’s a flood story in every culture; why do we only hear of the story of Noah?  54:00 – Why aren’t Ash Wednesday and Good Friday Holy Days of Obligation? 

Can we know for certain that souls exist? Trent Horn explores this fundamental question and more, including the meaning of the filioque, the fate of aborted babies, and how the Council of Trent would respond to Protestant objections. Questions Covered: 04:41 – What does the filioque really mean?  14:21 – Regarding your video on Evangelicals and Trump, could you clarify the argument you used?  19:10 – How do we know or is there any proof that we have a soul?  29:20 – How would Trent respond to the Protestant claim “He died once and for all” in Hebrews?  41:30 – Where do aborted babies go after death? 

If you were baptized in a Protestant church, do you need to be re-baptized after becoming Catholic? Jimmy Akin explains Church teaching and answers more questions on the Great Apostasy, Torah observance, and whether being late to Mass is a sin. Questions Covered:  01:55 – A Jewish friend said that everything went wrong after the Apostles. Was that the Great Apostasy? How should I respond?  07:21 – How is sedevacantism, the SSPX, and the Fatima Secret related to Malachi Martin?  14:22 – I heard once that the unforgivable sin is becoming an atheist. What is the Catholic stance on this?  20:42 – What is the relationship between the Knights of Columbus and the Catholic Church? Is it okay to celebrate deceased parents and loved ones and say they are together in heaven?  28:50 – If I was baptized in a Protestant church and then converted to Catholicism, is my baptism valid?  31:19 – How do I reach my brother who has recently converted to Torah observance?  38:23 – My LDS friends would say “know them by their fruits” as a reason to convert to Mormonism; how do I respond to that?  46:45 – Is it a sin to be late to Mass?  49:58 – How do I respond to the claim “Jesus’ crucifixion paid all debts, including temporal ones”? 

Engaging in debates can be challenging, especially when opponents use unfair tactics. Joe Heschmeyer shares his approach to ethical debate and answers more questions on Purgatory, Catholic traditions, and even motorcycle club members joining the Church. Questions Covered:  14:00 – Where can I find the original source of the phrase “Source and summit of the Christian life”? It seems that Catechism is quoting something.  16:39 – What can be said of the Baby Boomer Catholics that is good? It seems there’s a lot of dislike of them due to circumstances.  22:25 – Considering your recent debate, how do you prepare to engage with someone who may use “unethical debate tactics”?  29:42 – I have ashes of a loved one (Catholic, family non-practicing) given to me. Is it okay to have these ashes?  41:59 – Are people in Purgatory conscious of the fact that they are in Purgatory?  44:20 – Were the Apostles saved at Pentecost? If not, is there a Catholic position on when the Apostles were saved?  49:22 – Can a member of a 1% Motorcycle Club join the Catholic Church?  51:48 – In response to a previous caller, I want to note that the Baby Boomers are the ones who show up to Mass and are offering Masses up for the younger generation. 

Does Matthew 1:25 contradict the belief in Mary’s perpetual virginity? Karlo Broussard unpacks this theological question and answers more “why” questions on penance, fasting, and why the New Testament wasn’t written like the Ten Commandments. Questions Covered: 03:58 – Why do we do penance to satisfy the temporal debt of our venial and mortal sins rather than indulgences?  10:28 – Why is Catechism vague about what “an act of charity” is that works towards sanctification? Why don’t they have a concrete list?  15:02 – Why are there so many rules or regulations in Catholicism when in the New Testament, Paul discourages making it hard to be a believer?  31:18 – What am I to do if I am not given penance?  35:14 – Why do we only fast during Lent and not all the time?  44:13 – Why did God not write out the New Testament in the same way the Commandments were?  48:43 – It seems that Mary and Joseph didn’t have relations until AFTER they had Jesus. Why do we call Mary ever-virgin? 

Why does the Church take fasting so seriously, and how do we know if something is a grave matter? Dr. Karlo Broussard answers this and more, including First Communion rules, missing Mass, and salvation outside the Church. Questions Covered:  03:55 – Why is breaking the fast on a Friday considered a grave matter? How do we know if something is a grave matter?  12:42 – Why do I have to be in second grade to receive my First Communion (I’m currently in first grade)?  17:30 – Why does the Church dogmatize beliefs that are not pertinent to salvation (Immaculate Conception)?  32:24 – Why is missing Church (Sundays and Holy Days of Obligation) considered a mortal sin?  40:52 – Why do we believe that Jesus had one criminal crucified on his right and one on his left versus more criminals?  45:15 – Why is Catholicism the true faith (quick response to someone who doesn’t know anything about Catholicism)?  49:59 – Why does the Church say people outside the church can be saved?