Tradition says Jesus was 33 when He died, but did early Church Fathers like St. Irenaeus suggest otherwise? Tim Staples explores this question and more, including Mary’s virginity, swearing as a sin, and historical accounts of Jesus’ miracles. Questions Covered: 08:39 – Can you explain Jesus’ age when he died? St. Irenaeus seems to say Jesus died around the age of 50? 17:08 – Is there a list of spiritual faculties? 29:45 – Did Jesus know Mary was a virgin? Did he introduce her ...
Mar 13, 2025
Sharing and defending Catholicism can be overwhelming—how can we do it with confidence and peace? Tim Staples offers practical advice and answers more on the Wailing Wall prophecy, Eucharistic Adoration, and the role of the Trinity in Baptism. Questions Covered: 08:15 – Why is a Wailing Wall leftover from the temple (Mt 24, there will not be a stone leftover)? 19:31 – What is Joseph referring to in Gen 50:19? 23:58 – How can we defend the faith and not be anxious? 42:00 –...
Mar 12, 2025
What’s the difference between change and development in Catholic teaching? Karlo Broussard explains how the Church maintains continuity and answers more on First Confession, receiving Communion, and the first miracle of creation. Want more free exclusive content? JOIN THE CA LIVE CLUB NEWSLETTER Questions Covered: 03:08 – What are we supposed to confess at First Confession? 05:30 – What is the standard to know if Catholic Doctrine has changed versus developed? 14:51 – Why can’t...
Mar 12, 2025
Why do sins have consequences even after the forgiveness of sins? Karlo Broussard breaks down the concept of temporal punishment and provides more answers on OCIA preparation, early Christian persecution, and proving the Resurrection to skeptics. Want more free exclusive content? JOIN THE CA LIVE CLUB NEWSLETTER Questions Covered: 06:31 – I find more people coming to OCIA with no knowledge of Jesus Christ? How would you approach this? 22:08 – How do I explain to others the temporal p...
Mar 11, 2025
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?...
Mar 11, 2025
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 C...
Mar 10, 2025
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 to...
Mar 08, 2025
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 4...
Mar 07, 2025
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 ...
Mar 07, 2025
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 woul...
Mar 06, 2025
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 &#...
Mar 06, 2025
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?...
Mar 05, 2025
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? W...
Mar 05, 2025
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...
Mar 04, 2025
With Jesus being perfect, did His guardian angel have an easy assignment, or was there more to it? Jimmy Akin explores this curious question and tackles more topics, including the nature of Hell, the resurrection of the body, and what would happen if Rome became uninhabitable. Questions Covered: 01:08 – I’ve heard some folks claim that Hell is where God isn’t present, but isn’t that impossible if God is omnipresent? 10:42 – Did Jesus’s guardian angel have the easiest job? 16:03 ̵...
Mar 04, 2025
If Christ took on flesh in multiple alien worlds, would He have more than one glorified body? Would He sit on multiple thrones? Jimmy Akin explores this fascinating theological question and answers more on baptism, the death penalty, and even the mystery behind his own accent change! Questions Covered: 02:34 – I have a weird question for Jimmy. What happened to Jimmy between episode 314 and 315? The YouTube video on “The Soul of Frankenstein’s Monster” is an audio only ve...
Mar 03, 2025
Why does God let us go through pain, like breakups, when it feels pointless? Jimmy Akin explores this tough question and answers more on Sunday obligations, Church hierarchy, and Catholic history. Questions Covered: 02:52 – What would obligations for Sunday Mass be if you were in a Ground Hog’s Day scenario? 08:38 – Do we jump around with the readings at Mass? 14:13 – How do I know the difference between a bishop, an archbishop, and a cardinal? 20:39 – When did Jesus mean...
Mar 01, 2025
Jimmy Akin explores the surprising etymology of “meek” and answers more intriguing questions on faith, morality, and Church authority. Questions Covered: 05:01 – If we had technology that could let us live forever, would it be immoral to use? 08:28 – How should I interpret Romans 10:13? 12:18 – How do the nihil obstat and the imprimatur work in terms of Church authority and infallibility? 17:44 – What is the etymology of the word meek? Someone claimed it to me...
Feb 28, 2025
Questions Covered:
Feb 28, 2025
Fr. Tad Pacholozcyk dives into complex ethical and moral questions surrounding IVF, infertility, and bioethics. He discusses how to approach conversations about IVF with struggling couples, the Church’s stance on embryo adoption, and the moral implications of CRISPR technology. Tim also examines the influence of Catholic politicians on these issues and guides those who have undergone IVF and are seeking healing. Plus, discover resources to help infertile couples understand the Church’s teachings...
Feb 27, 2025
The Flannel Panel takes on the news from the Catholic perspective including NPR’s take on previous popes and their accomplishments. Topics Covered: 01:30 – Movies 06:00 – National Geographic 14:10 – NPR 30:00 – What did Pope John XXIII do? 42:20 – What did Pope Paul VI do? 47:03 – What did Pope John Paul II & Benedict XVI do?
Feb 27, 2025
The Flannel Panel takes on the news from the Catholic perspective, including the current state of Pope Francis, The upcoming Academy Awards and the process of sainthood. Topics Covered: 02:00 – Pope Francis 09:10 – Academy Award Best Picture Nominations 18:15 – Indigenous Man 28:30 – How to Pull off Sainthood 34:00 – Mailbag 43:45 – Jesus Christ Superstar
Feb 26, 2025
Why don’t we witness miracles like burning bushes or pillars of fire today? Jim Blackburn of Catholic Questions explains the Catholic perspective on divine manifestations and why they seem less frequent. He also answers questions on living a celibate life when a spouse has Alzheimer’s, why bishops prefer standing over kneeling for Communion, and when to stop debating with Protestants. Questions Covered: 04:02 – Why do we not see or hear of burning bushes, rocks being split in two or pillar...
Feb 26, 2025
Is killing always intrinsically evil? Fr. Paul Keller, OP, explores the Catholic Church’s teaching on the morality of killing and when, if ever, it can be justified. He also answers pressing faith questions, including whether Catholics can date a divorced non-Catholic and many more. Questions Covered: 05:50 – Is killing an intrinsically evil act? 16:43 – Can a Catholic date a divorced person that was not married in the Catholic Church? 20:54 – I’m Catholic and was just married ...
Feb 25, 2025
Dr. Karlo Broussard takes calls about Catholicism from Non-Catholics, including how to explain conversion to Protestant friends, why some people reject God despite knowing the proofs, and whether Judas was forgiven. He also discusses the restoration of souls for politicians who promote sinful laws, the reliability of saint stories, and whether purgatory acts as a second chance for salvation. Tune in for deep insights into Catholic faith and theology! Questions Covered: 04:01 – I’m a Protes...
Feb 25, 2025
This episode tackles common Protestant objections, including John 6, the nature of the Eucharistic meal, and how non-Catholics can be saved. Questions Covered: 05:40 – Where can I learn more about St. Stephen, the proto-martyr? 19:37 – How does devotion to Mary’s Immaculate Heart not take away from Jesus? 29:26 – Does John 6:37 contradict the Catholic view of Salvation? 40:53 – Why are Catholics allowed to marry non-Catholics including non-Christians with a dispensation? ...
Feb 24, 2025
Questions Covered: 04:57 – How do I get my OCIA students more interested in the topics we discuss? 13:55 – What do we make of Jesus, Mary and Joseph getting expensive gifts from the magi but still only making the poor persons’ offering at the temple? Wouldn’t they have been rich? 22:16 – How do Catholics respond to people who are interested in Wesley Huff and what he teaches about the canon of scripture? 36:33 – What does the Catechism mean when it says that togeth...
Feb 22, 2025
Live from the Los Angeles Religious Education Congress. Fr. Agustino Torres, CFR, joins us to talk about evangelization and Gen Z. Questions Covered: 12:50 – How can I expand the youth group I lead? I am a youth coordinator, how can I get kids to live what they learn out in the world? 18:30 – How do we evangelize to someone who is at peace with their life in their own religion? 46:54 – How do we use social media to move young people to person-to-person communication and the Euc...
Feb 21, 2025
Dr. Karlo Broussard answers common objections and questions about Catholicism, including whether the Church is too focused on rules, how to explain to Protestants that they also rely on tradition, and whether Catholics interpret “until” inconsistently in Scripture. He also discusses reconciling Catholic and Protestant views of Jesus and clarifies what tradition means in the Catholic faith. Questions Covered: 06:05 – Catholicism seems to be rules obsessed. 17:52 – How do I explain to ...
Feb 21, 2025
Dr. Karlo Broussard answers key questions on Catholicism, including how to refute the claim that Jesus had brothers, why marriage is indissoluble while salvation can be lost, and what the Catholic mysteries are. He also discusses whether Protestants misuse the term “altar,” their culpability regarding mortal sin, how to handle anti-Catholic rants at Protestant funerals, and what the Syllabus of Errors controversy is about. Questions Covered: 05:54 – Help me respond to Protestan...
Feb 20, 2025
