Catholic Answers Live

Some claim Jesus was Muslim, but what does history—and Jesus’ own words—actually show? We break down how to respond to this argument and also explore topics like Halloween costumes, the woman in Revelation 12, sacred art, and purgatory. Join The CA Live Club Newsletter: Click Here Questions Covered: 13:36 – Toddler wants to dress up as a witch for Halloween, is it ok, would like more clarification on what the church teaches? 20:16 – Sheol is hell not Purgatory, could clarify this statement? 24:10 – I run into folks who argue that Jesus was Muslim, I attempt to tell them he was not, that Jesus was of Jewish descent. How can I more adequately speak to them? 30:18 – Revelation 12, who is the woman, and passage regarding birth pangs and representing Mary? And is it ok to interpret the woman as representing the Church and not Mary? 36:45 – Why in sacred images is God the Father sometimes depicted with a body when scripture says he has no body 42:05 – Travels for work, attends Latin Mass and sees a lot of young people at Mass, would like Joe’s thoughts on why that is 49:16 – How does purgatory relate to plenary indulgences? 50:48 – My daughter passed away 3 years ago. She professed being a Christian on her deathbed. Was this enough?

Is it valid or even permissible to attend a Mass led by an excommunicated priest or bishop? We explore this complex issue and also dive into questions on Mary’s perpetual virginity, altar calls at Pentecostal services, and the meaning behind “baptism for the dead.” Join The CA Live Club Newsletter: Click Here Questions Covered: 04:55 – My wife is Pentecostal and I attend early morning Mass and then Pentecostal service with wife and children I want to know if it is ok  to go up to altar call with my wife and children?  14:53 – How to refute quantum mechanics disproving the Aristotelian proof of God and Causality  18:22 – Perpetual Vigirnity of Mary. Is it reasonable to think that St. Joseph did not know that Mary had taken a vow of Virginity?  24:30 – St. Paul, scripture, baptism for the dead, he has a theory of what it means, wants to get Joe’s take…He thinks baptism for those who are dead in their sin  32:50 – Why does St. Paul go against the Council of Jerusalem when he says some Christians can eat meat sacrificed to idols?  36:25 – Can I attend a Mass that is being celebrated by an excommunicated priest or bishop?  42:41 – Mary’s role as intercessor in light of Lukes passages on sword piercing her soul, and the Magnificat.  47:04 – Girlfriend died 3 years ago, he led her to Christ, wants to know if he can still pray to her, even though she may be in Purgatory, and can he ask her to pray for him  52:04 – Calling back with follow-up question, his wife does not want the kids baptized in the Catholic Church. Should he still passively participate? 

Some claim Catholic practices resemble idol worship—but is that true? Joe Heschmeyer explores the distinction, along with the role of Marian dogmas, the qualifications to be an altar server, and advice for those returning to the Catholic faith. Join The CA Live Club Newsletter: Click Here Questions Covered: 04:51 – I’m in OCIA. What are the qualifications to be a server at the altar?  13:28 – I’m returning to the Catholic Faith. Do I still proceed to return or wait until I clear up my lack of understanding?  24:09 – I’m a convert. How is what we do, not considered idol worship?  37:14 – What is the relevance of Marian dogmas for Christians? 

Struggling with scrupulosity and unsure how it fits within the Catholic faith? Joe Heschmeyer explores how to navigate this challenge, along with preparing for OCIA, understanding the Eucharist in John 6, and the biblical basis for praying to saints. Join The CA Live Club Newsletter: Click Here Questions Covered: 10:51 – I’m looking into Catholicism. What should I be doing in preparation for starting OCIA classes? 29:33 – I’ve been told that I have really bad scrupulosity, and I don’t see how that is compatible with Catholicism. 38:30 – Are Catholics wrong about the Eucharist because of John 6:60-63? 41:51 – I’m in OCIA. What do candidates do if they sin since they can’t go to confession? 46:35 – Why do Catholics pray to the saints? Is there a scriptural basis for it?

If Christ is our sole mediator, why does the Church encourage prayer to saints? We explore the biblical foundation for intercession, along with Catholic teaching on mediums, Purgatory, and receiving glorified bodies in Heaven. Questions Covered: 07:21 – What is the Catholic stand about mediums? 15:29 – Can we speak to people in the past in any other way apart from pagan means? 18:57 – Why do we pray to Saints when Jesus says there is only one intercessor? 37:27 – Did Pope John Paul II originate the idea of receiving our glorified bodies in Heaven? 47:00 – Can you explain what Purgatory is like for people? Can you pray for yourself in Purgatory

Many employers struggle to find skilled and confident young workers—Jacob Imama, Founder of the College of St. Joseph the Worker explores why this is happening. We explore the challenges in hiring today’s workforce, along with advice for carpenters on pricing their work, words of encouragement for tradesmen, and biblical insights on land surveying. Questions Covered: 20:11 – 45-year machinist wants to give Jacob words of encouragement and is thrilled about the College of St. Joseph the Worker.   28:20 – I am a carpenter who just started my own business. How do I appropriately price my work for clients, so it is fair but also takes care of my family?   32:24 – I find it hard to find and hire capable young men. Boys and young men just don’t seem confident to learn or try.    41:41 – What are your thoughts on the practice of land surveying as it appears in the bible?  

Some Protestants argue that Catholicism is a cult—how should you answer? Andrew Petiprin tackles this common objection and discusses misconceptions about the Church, early Christian history, and the differences between Catholicism and other denominations. Questions Covered: 12:25 – I’m Protestant. How would you respond to the claim that the Catholic Church is a cult? 23:04 – Why do people have misconceptions about Catholicism, especially to other Christians faiths? 35:45 – What do you recommend doing to dispel someone from the idea that Catholicism is just another denomination? 44:35 – How would I respond to the claim that the Church for the first 700 years was trying to limit its ideas? 52:05 – I’m Protestant but my son is Catholic. My daughter’s father-in-law told me that he was going to go to hell for not converting me. How do I respond?

When should you rely on faith alone, and when is it time to seek professional help? Gary Zimak tackles questions on giving up worrying for Lent and more, including Scripture recommendations,  and accepting life’s crosses. Questions Covered: 15:00 – How do we give up worry in a case where one has clinical depression? 18:44 – What good scripture and writing from the Church Fathers do you recommend I read? 23:12 – I’ve used therapy, and it never helped. Now that I follow faith it’s been a huge change. Should I still continue traditional therapy? 34:45 – I want to improve my faith life before seeking professional help for anxiety. How do I know whether or not I need to seek professional help, or I’m simply just not trying enough with my faith life? I feel like getting professional help would be “failing” or giving up on trying to solve my anxiety with Jesus. How do I know when I’ve tried hard enough that I need outside help? 42:17 – I worry about a friend who has basically given up in life. How do I help or stop worrying? 46:57 – How does one accept that life will have crosses, and that life is not always happy? 49:11 – I personally went through a period of terrible anxiety due to a traumatic event. I was given medication, and it helped so much! Both prayer and medication can be from God.

Could a dream about purgatory have spiritual significance, or is it just the mind at work? Jimmy Akin explores how to approach such dreams and answers more on the Eucharist, spiritual warfare, and hyper-charismatic movements.   Questions Covered:  01:08 – I’ve had a frightening dream about purgatory. How should I approach or interpret it? 12:43 – Is water witching a form of divination? 22:00 – How would you introduce the truth of the Eucharist to a layperson who doesn’t believe or objects? 29:00 – Could you explain lesser Yahweh and how it relates to the figure Yahoel and the angel Metatron? 34:36 – My son joined a hyper-charismatic group. What can I do to help besides praying for him? Is there a book that would help me defend the faith? 44:01 – How could I as a Non-Denominational Christian seek help with spiritual warfare? 52:56 – My estranged son is trying to get married by a friend who is “ordained” by the internet. Should I attend this?

If God created human life on other planets, would original sin apply to them? Jimmy Akin explores this fascinating question and more, including papal authority, Friday fasting rules, and Confession in non-church marriages.   Questions Covered:  03:56 – How do I approach my non-ecclesiastical marriage in terms of the martial embrace and Confession? 11:23 – Can you explain why Christians should be subject to the pope? 13:40 – I had collagen mixed with my coffee today. Is that against the Friday fast and abstinence? 17:13 – Did priests celebrating the Mass at the time of RFK Sr.’s funeral celebrate in English and Latin? 19:20 – Was concelebration allowed before Vatican II? 20:46 – What do you think about the claim “God tortures people in hell for eternity”? 29:22 – My estranged daughter was diagnosed with borderline personality disorder; how should I react to this? Should I go to Confession? 37:34 – If God created human beings on other planets, would the sin of Adam and Eve affect those humans? 42:46 – Can priests forgive excommunications centered around abortion? 46:30 – A pastor I know said that in Hebrews, it proves we no longer need priests; how do I respond to this? 50:44 – How do I remain consistent with my faith while having ADHD and commitment issues?