Catholic Answers Live

By Catholic AnswersReligion & Spirituality Christianity

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Catholic Answers Live episodes

May 15#12719 Can Humans Possess One Another? Purgatory and Ghosts - Jimmy Akin
“Can humans possess one another?” This question opens a discussion on the nature of influence and control, including the implications of brainwashing techniques. Additionally, the episode addresses what happens to souls in purgatory at the end of the world and whether it’s morally acceptable to seek the identity of a ghost that may be trying to communicate. Other intriguing topics include the concept of fallen guardian angels and their replacements.
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Questions Covered:
03:40 – can human beings possess one another? For example: would brainwashing techniques done by the CIA and other government agencies with the use of LSD and other mind-altering drugs count as possession? My understanding is that the subject’s personality is changed, and they become very influenceable. Is this a form of possession by humans?
20:07 – My 9-year-old son loves listening to your show. He is wondering if you could shed any light on what might happen to the souls in purgatory when the end of the world comes. Do they get forcibly zapped through the rest of their purification process?
33:21 – If you have good reason to believe a ghost in purgatory is trying to get your attention, is it morally okay to ask them to reveal their identity? Context: a few years ago I was home alone with my newborn daughter on All Souls Day and heard repeated loud rattling sounds coming from the kitchen. The baby began screaming. I calmly walked out and said, “Whoever is bothering my baby, go away.” The rattling stopped and I have never heard it since. I have had Mass said for the soul, and also for one person I suspect it might have been, but I am not sure. Is it forbidden to ask for such knowledge or should I be content to wait?
44:37 – Are there fallen guardian angels, if so do we get a replacement if our intended guardian angel fell?
56 min
May 15#12718 More Protestant Objections to John 6—Answered - Karlo Broussard
Does John 6 really teach the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist, or are Catholics reading too much into the passage? In this episode of Catholic Answers Live, Catholic Answers apologists continue responding to major Protestant objections to the Catholic interpretation of Jesus’ Bread of Life discourse. The discussion examines whether Jesus’ failure to clarify misunderstandings proves literal intent, how Catholics answer the Old Testament prohibition against drinking blood, and whether John 6 is truly connected to the Eucharist despite John not including the Last Supper narrative. Additional questions address figurative language about never hungering or thirsting, what Jesus meant by promising eternal life, and where the Gospel of John fits among the four Gospels. A detailed biblical defense of the Eucharist and the Catholic understanding of John 6.
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Questions Covered:
10:01 – Catholics argue that since Jesus didn’t clarify the literal thoughts of his listeners then he must have intended his words to be taken literally. But Jesus’ lack of clarification for misunderstandings is nothing new under the sun. He did it in John 2:15-17 concerning his teaching about destroying the temple of his body.
16:37 – Jesus can’t intend us to literally drink his blood because the Bible prohibits the partaking of blood in Leviticus 17:10-12.”
21:22 – Catholics appeal to John 6 to prove Christ’s Real Presence in the Eucharist. But John 6 has nothing to do with the Eucharist at the Last Supper.
30:15 – Where does John Fall among the gospels since John does not contain the last supper?
35:04 – If Catholics take Jesus’ words to eat his flesh literally, then would also have to take his words literally in verse 35 when he speaks of never hungering when we come to him and never thirsting when we believe in him.
45:57 – If Jesus meant his words literally—and intended us to engage in a physical act to eat his flesh, then we’d have to take him literally when he says that we will never die.
56 min
May 14#12717 Every Protestant Objection to John 6—Answered - Karlo Broussard
Do Catholics interpret John 6 consistently, or are Jesus’ words about eating His flesh just symbolic like calling Himself the “gate” or the “vine”? In this episode of Catholic Answers Live, Catholic Answers apologists respond to some of the strongest Protestant objections to the Catholic understanding of the Eucharist. The discussion examines whether John 6 should be interpreted metaphorically, how the surrounding context affects Jesus’ teaching, and what Christ meant when He said “the flesh is of no avail.” The episode also explores why many disciples walked away from Jesus in John 6 and whether their reaction supports or undermines the Catholic doctrine of the Real Presence. A deep and biblical defense of the Eucharist rooted in Scripture, theology, and the words of Christ Himself.
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Questions Covered:
06:23 – Catholics aren’t consistent in their interpretation of John 6. They interpret Jesus’ words about eating his flesh and drinking his blood literally in John 6, but they don’t do that when it comes to his words about being the “gate” in John 10:9 or the “vine” in John 15.
15:52 – Catholics ignore the preceding context in verse 35 where 3. Jesus uses the metaphors of eating and drinking for coming to and believing in him. If Jesus used those images as metaphors there, then he must have used them as metaphors when he speaks of eating his flesh and drinking his blood.
30:05 – Catholics ignore verse 27 where Jesus moves away from a physical mentality and takes things in a spiritual direction. Here’s what he says, “Do not labor for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to you.” This distinction between spiritual and physical food serves as the basis for interpreting Jesus’s words about eating his flesh figuratively rather than literally.
35:50 – Catholics argue that Jesus never clarified his audience’s literal thoughts. But that’s not true. He does it in John 6:63, where he says, “It is the Spirit that gives life; the flesh is of no avail. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life.”
50:20 – Catholics argue that because Jesus let his disciples leave based on their literal interpretation of his command to eat his flesh and drink his blood that meant Jesus meant the words literally. But the disciples didn’t leave because of Jesus’ teaching. Rather, they left because of Jesus’ teaching in verse 65 that no one comes to him unless the Father draw him.
56 min
May 14#12716 Can We Know God Is Personal Without Revelation? AMA: Dropped Calls - Joe Heschmeyer
Can human reason alone lead us to the conclusion that God is personal, even without divine revelation? In this episode of Catholic Answers Live, Catholic Answers apologists tackle deep philosophical and theological questions about God, authority, and the Church. The discussion explores whether Eastern Orthodoxy has a singular teaching authority comparable to the papacy, why Catholics often receive only the host and not the chalice at Communion, and whether extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion are sometimes overused. Additional topics include whether Adam was a single historical person or a group, how to evangelize someone immersed in New Age spirituality, and whether the early Church taught any doctrines no longer held today. A thoughtful conversation on Catholic theology, Church practice, and apologetics.
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Questions Covered:
12:36 – Is there a way to arrive at the conclusion of the personhood of God without resorting to revelation?
21:46 – Does Eastern Orthodoxy have a singular authority like we do?
29:07 – How come everyone takes the host for communion but not everyone gets the chalice?
32:07 – Are extraordinary ministers of holy communion only to be used in emergency situations? My priest doesn’t always give communion at mass. He lets the EMs do it. Is that an abuse?
39:35 – Was Adam one man or a group of men?
43:00 – How do you start a conversation with someone who’s kind of a “new age junkie?” Like they’re always looking for a spiritual high or buying the next big self-help book, but can’t be bothered to open the Gospels?
48:54 – Is there something that the early church believed in terms of doctrine that isn’t taught today?
56 min
May 13#12715 Why Is the Resurrection So Important? AMA: Dropped Calls - Joe Heschmeyer
Why did the Pharisees and Sadducees fiercely disagree about the resurrection, and why is the resurrection so central to Catholic belief? In this episode of Catholic Answers Live, Catholic Answers apologists explain the theological importance of bodily resurrection before tackling questions about the Protestant and Jewish biblical canons, including why Maccabees is missing despite its connection to Hanukkah. The discussion also explores common misunderstandings about Catholic teaching on salvation, including accusations of “works-based salvation,” how justification can grow even while Christians still commit venial sins, and the connection between the Bread of Life discourse and Christ’s Passion. The episode concludes with pastoral advice for someone in OCIA facing family conflict about becoming Catholic and attending Mass.
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Questions Covered:
04:22 – Why was there a dispute between the Pharisees and Sadducees on resurrection, and why is it so central to Catholic teaching?
11:14 – Is the protestant bible based off of the Jewish translation of the bible? Why doesn’t the Jewish bible have Maccabees, since those books contain the origin of Hanukkah?
20:10 – How would we respond to someone who pushes back when we say don’t believe in a works-based salvation? They say that we would claim someone loses their salvation if they miss Mass.
30:20 – How do we reconcile a justification that progresses and still commit venial sin?
37:01 – How close in time was the bread of life discourse to the Passion of Christ?
51:30 – I’m in OCIA and my husband doesn’t agree with my decision. If I were to become Catholic and I can’t make it to mass because of issues at home, will I be in mortal sin?
56 min
May 13#12714 How Is the Eucharist Not Cannibalism? Holy Spirit and Sin - Karlo Broussard
“How is the Eucharist not cannibalism?” This question opens a discussion on the nature of the Eucharist, addressing misconceptions while also touching on the movement of the Holy Spirit in communities, the need for an infallible interpreter of scripture, and the concept of mortal sin in Catholic teaching.
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Questions Covered:
04:24 – How is the Eucharist not cannibalism?
15:30 – I think the Pentecostal belief in the real movement of the Holy Spirit within the community was pretty convincing. What is the best response to this?
22:31 – How do I answer the following: The Catholic argument that we need an infallible interpreter for scripture would not work because then you would need an infallible interpreter of the infallible interpreter and so on.
37:08 – For Catholics almost anything can be a mortal sin but for Jesus there is one mortal sin.
43:00 – What was lacking in Jesus that made the Jews reject Jesus as the Messiah in the early church?
52:15 – How do we interpret the magisterium? How do we know when we are interpreting the magisterium correctly?
56 min
May 12#12713 What’s Your Best Argument for Protestantism? - Karlo Broussard
“How do we know Mary is a perpetual virgin?” This question leads to a discussion on the implications of Luke 1:34 and the differing views between Catholics and Protestants. Other topics include whether Jesus fulfilled all Mosaic sacrificial offerings and the nature of baptism, specifically if it refers to the baptism of the Holy Spirit rather than water.
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Questions Covered:
06:40 – In support of the belief that Mary was a Perpetual virgin, Catholics appeal to Luke 1:34 where Mary asks Gabriel how she’s going to conceive a child since she doesn’t “know man,” the implication being she hasn’t had sexual relations with Joseph. But some Protestants counter that Mary asked this because she wasn’t yet married to Joseph. How do we respond?
13:29 – Regarding Jesus’ sacrifice, did he fulfill all Mosaic sacrificial offerings? Or just specific offerings?
21:19 – Is baptism actually the baptism of the holy spirit, not that of water, and is the evidence speaking in tongues?
29:49 – Were Mary and Joseph actually married but just hadn’t consummated it?
41:35 – Mark 9:38-41 is the best argument for Protestantism.
51:15 – What is the connection between the coronation and the bodily assumption?
56 min
May 12#12712 Every Orthodox Objection to Catholicism—Answered Part 2 - William Albrecht
Did Vatican II introduce harmful changes to the Catholic Church, and does Catholic theology go too far in defining mysteries like the Eucharist? In this episode of Catholic Answers Live, Catholic Answers apologists respond to major Orthodox objections to Catholicism, covering theology, Church history, and doctrine. The discussion examines Catholic teaching on remarriage and original sin, the necessity of the Immaculate Conception, and the Christological differences between the Catholic Church and the Oriental Orthodox Churches. Additional topics include whether transubstantiation “overdefines” the Eucharist, why Orthodox and Catholic biblical canons differ, and whether Catholic theology lacks the Orthodox essence–energies distinction. A thoughtful and charitable look at some of the deepest divisions between East and West.
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Objections Covered:
02:12 – Vatican II introduced harmful theological and liturgical changes.
05:51 – Catholic teaching on remarriage is too rigid.
13:36 – Catholic original sin wrongly teaches inherited guilt.
17:14 – The Immaculate Conception is unnecessary and unfounded.
28:52 – What does one say about the Christological differences between the Oriental Orthodox Churches and the Catholic. They claim they hold to the early definitions of Ephesus that we have abandoned.
36:14 – Transubstantiation overdefines the Eucharistic mystery.
39:57 – Why do Orthodox Churches differ with us on the canon of Scriptura?
47:57 – Catholicism lacks the essence–energies distinction.
0 min
May 11#12711 Every Orthodox Objection to Catholicism—Answered Part 1 - William Albrecht
Are papal supremacy and papal infallibility later inventions unknown to the early Church? In this episode of Catholic Answers Live, Catholic Answers apologists respond to some of the most common Orthodox objections to Catholicism. Topics include whether the papacy is biblical, if the Filioque was an illegitimate change to the Nicene Creed, and whether mandatory clerical celibacy reflects apostolic Christianity. The discussion also examines claims that purgatory and indulgences are Western corruptions, whether doctrinal development preserves or distorts the faith, and if Rome’s actions caused the East–West Schism. Finally, the episode addresses whether Vatican I contradicts the structure and authority of the early Church. A deep and charitable exploration of the major theological divisions between Catholicism and Eastern Orthodoxy.
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Objections Covered:
02:34 – Papal supremacy is unbiblical and unknown in the early Church.
12:00 – Papal infallibility is a late doctrinal invention. Papal authority undermines conciliar Church governance.
18:45 – The Filioque is both unauthorized and theologically incorrect. Rome illegitimately altered the Nicene Creed.
24:20 – Mandatory clerical celibacy is non-apostolic.
30:33 – Purgatory is a Western innovation without early consensus.
36:37 – Doctrinal development is corruption, not preservation.
42:07 – Indulgences distort repentance and were historically abused.
45:40 – The East–West Schism was caused by Rome’s overreach.
49:42 – Vatican I contradicts the structure of the early Church.
0 min
May 09#12710 Was Jesus an Alien? Weird Questions - Jimmy Akin
Could Jesus have been an alien using advanced technology—and how can Christians know that’s not true? In this episode of Catholic Answers Live, Jimmy Akin tackles some of the strangest and most fascinating questions listeners have ever asked. He explains whether receiving Communion affects Ash Wednesday fasting rules, what kinds of abilities resurrected bodies may have, and why theories about Jesus as an extraterrestrial don’t hold up historically or theologically. The discussion also explores why Rome is called the Church founded by Christ despite Jerusalem coming first chronologically, whether dinosaur cancer challenges traditional understandings of the Fall, and what Christians should think about pets and the end times. A fun and thoughtful episode blending theology, science, apologetics, and the unusual questions Jimmy Akin is famous for addressing.
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Questions Covered:
04:04 – In the case of Ash Wednesday, when fasting and abstinence are required, would receiving communion break one’s fast or count as a smaller meal? In other words, can one receive communion in addition to eating one full meal and two smaller meals? Thanks, Jimmy!
12:24 – Hi Jimmy. You’ve previously mentioned Aquinas and the possibility that humans have low-level psychic ability.. Will our resurrected body have other abilities, such as telekinesis or telepathy? Will I be able to fly like Superman? Jesus ascended, and there are stories about Saints “levitating”, so will the body get any potential flying or levitating abilities, or what other abilities might we get?
23:48 – How can we be sure that Jesus wasn’t actually an alien talking about his “father in heaven” who is actually in outer space and his spaceship is actually his kingdom? And the eternal life that we get from following Jesus to his kingdom is from advanced alien technology that keeps you alive forever? And the immaculate conception was by an alien that performed IVF on Mary, and the “angels” in the Bible are actually all just aliens too? This question has really been the only thing challenging my faith, even though it seems preposterous.
40:59 – How is the Church of Rome considered “the first church” or “the church that Christ founded”, when (chronologically) the first church was in Jerusalem?
44:38 – I watched a video with a young earth creationist who claimed that there are dinosaur fossils that show evidence of cancer, which was, in his opinion, proof that dinosaurs existed after the fall because cancer wouldn’t have existed until after the fall. The question has kind of bothered me ever since. If dinosaurs went extinct before humans existed, why would they have had cancer?
50:22 – What will happen to our pets after the Rapture?
56 min