Catholic Answers Live - podcast cover

Catholic Answers Live

Catholic Answerswww.catholic.com
Catholic Answers LIVE is a daily, call-in radio program of Catholic apologetics and evangelization airing live from 6-8 pm ET.

Episodes

#12118 How Do We Know Jesus Wasn’t Muslim? And More Questions - Joe Heschmeyer

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 th...

Mar 21, 2025

#12117 Can I Attend Mass Celebrated by an Excommunicated Priest? - Joe Heschmeyer

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...

Mar 20, 2025

#12116 How Are Catholic Practices Not Idolatry? And More Questions - Joe Heschmeyer

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...

Mar 20, 2025

#12115 Is Scrupulosity Compatible with Catholicism? And More - Joe Heschmeyer

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&...

Mar 19, 2025

#12114 Why Do Catholics Pray to Saints If Jesus Is the Only Intercessor? - Karlo Broussard

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 ...

Mar 19, 2025

#12113 Catholicism and Trade Work in the Modern Era - Jacob Imam

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. 2...

Mar 18, 2025

#12112 How Do You Respond to the Claim That the Catholic Church Is a Cult? - Andrew Petiprin

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...

Mar 18, 2025

#12111 Is Seeking Professional Help for Anxiety a Sign of Weak Faith? - Gary Zimak

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 fait...

Mar 17, 2025

#12110 How Should I Interpret a Frightening Dream About Purgatory? And More - Jimmy Akin

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 bel...

Mar 15, 2025

#12109 Would Adam and Eve’s Sin Affect Humans on Other Planets? And More - Jimmy Akin

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...

Mar 14, 2025

#12108 How Do You Defend Papal Primacy Using Scripture? And More - Joe Heschmeyer

How Do You Defend Papal Primacy Using Scripture? And More What biblical evidence supports the Pope’s authority and the early Church’s foundation in Rome? Joe Heschmeyer explores this question and more from the audience at SEEK 2025, including Sheol’s transformation after Christ, infant baptism, and the Real Presence in Anglican and Orthodox churches. Questions Covered: 05:46 – What did it actually mean to go to Sheol and how did that change with Christ? 07:42 – How do I defend papal ...

Mar 14, 2025

#12106 Did Jesus Die at 33, or Was He Closer to 50? And More Questions - Tim Staples

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

#12105 How Can We Defend the Faith Without Anxiety? And More Questions - Tim Staples

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

#12104 How Do We Know If Catholic Doctrine Has Changed or Developed? - Karlo Broussard

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

#12103 How Do You Explain Temporal Punishment for Sin? - Karlo Broussard

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

#12102 Did the Declaration of Independence Reference the Biblical Creator? - Andrew Willard Jones

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

#12101 Do Catholics Have to Accept Darwin’s Theory of Evolution? - Stacy Trasancos

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

#12100 Does God Really Forget Our Sins If He Is All-Knowing? - Jimmy Akin

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

#12099 How Does Aristotle’s Philosophy Explain Transubstantiation? - Jimmy Akin

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

#12098 Why Can’t Catholics Receive Both Species of the Eucharist? - Tim Staples

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

#12097 Is There Proof That We Have a Soul? And More Questions - Trent Horn

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

#12096 Is a Protestant Baptism Valid After Converting to Catholicism - Joe Heschmeyer

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

#12095 How Do You Handle Unethical Debate Tactics? And More Questions - Joe Heschmeyer

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

#12094 Why Is Mary Called Ever-Virgin? And More Questions - Karlo Broussard

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

#12093 Why Is Breaking the Friday Meatless Fast a Grave Matter? - Karlo Broussard

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

#12092 Did Jesus’s Guardian Angel Have the Easiest Job Ever? - Jimmy Akin

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 &#821...

Mar 04, 2025

#12091 Would Jesus Have Multiple Bodies If He Incarnated on Other Planets? - Jimmy Akin

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

#12090 Why Does God Allow Suffering? Understanding Its Purpose in Faith - Jimmy Akin

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

#12089 Does ‘Meek’ Mean ‘Equipped for Battle’? And More Questions - Jimmy Akin

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