Catholic Answers Live

Latest Episodes:

#12853 Farewell Tim Staples: His Impact, Faith Growth, and Retirement - Tim Staples Aug 18, 2026

Show notes

“Farewell Tim Staples” reflects on his significant impact and faith journey. The discussion touches on his time in radio, his contributions to the post-conciliar Church, and the growth of faith in Australia, alongside personal anecdotes about traveling with Steve Ray. This episode honors a remarkable apologist and his legacy.

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Questions Covered:

01:00 – Farewell Tim
09:00 – Tim’s time on the radio
17:30 – Tim’s contribution to the post-conciliar Church
30:00 – The growth of the faith in Australia
45:00 – The necessity of relationship
50:00 – Traveling with Steve Ray

#12852 Why Reject Sola Fide? Justification and Church Practices - Brayden Cook Aug 18, 2026

Show notes

“Why reject Sola Fide?” This question opens a discussion on the key reasons against the doctrine of justification by faith alone, including insights into Luther’s self-justification for his rebellion. The conversation also addresses the apparent contradictions between Romans 4 and James 2 regarding justification, as well as challenges about the Eucharist practices in different parishes.

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Questions Covered:

03:33 – What are the top three reasons to reject Sola Fide?
17:17 – How did Luther justify the rebellion to himself?
24:18 – Why should I believe the Romans 4 says the exact opposite of James 2. Romans 4 is about justification before GOD, James 2 is justification before MEN.
47:35 – Protestant friend challenges me with the following. He claims the church is inconsistent cause parishes give just the bread, and others give the bread and wine.

#12851 Why Reject Sola Scriptura? Tradition and Mary Explained - Steve Ray Aug 17, 2026

Show notes

“Why Reject Sola Scriptura?” This episode addresses key concerns about the authority of Scripture versus Tradition, including the top reasons to reject sola scriptura and the implications of Mary’s sinlessness for those exploring Catholicism. Additional questions tackle the interpretation of Acts 17:11 and whether Jesus criticized Tradition, providing a comprehensive look at these important topics.

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Questions Covered:

03:20 – Top 3 reasons to Reject Sola Scriptura
16:20 – I’ve heard Protestants cite Acts 17:11 in support of sola scriptura: “they received the word with all eagerness, examining the scriptures daily to see if these things were so.” Is that a good translation?
22:30 – My friend believes in sola scripture, and is interested in Catholicism, but can’t get over our belief in the sinlessness of Mary. How can I help him?
29:15 – Does Jesus speak badly of Tradition?
33:30 – Would John 21 verse 25 (that not everything Jesus did could not be contained in books) be a good citation in refuting sola scriptura?
36:18 – Which of the Bible writers were Protestant? If none, why are the Protestants trying to claim it is their bible?
45:35 – In my Church there are some “traditions” that are not part of the Mass but are done during Mass anyway.
48:29 – My evangelical friend told me there are books in the Catholic Bible that were written 400 years before Jesus was born, and that’s where Catholics get all their crazy teachings. He says they are not divinely inspired but Catholics put them in there.
51:55 – My niece told me she left the Church because it was founded by the Romans, and that her priest didn’t know scripture.

#12850 Why Did People Live So Long in the Bible? Weird Questions - Jimmy Akin Aug 15, 2026

Show notes

Why do people in the Bible appear to live for hundreds of years, and how should Catholics understand those extraordinary ages? In this episode of Catholic Answers Live, Jimmy Akin explores possible ways of interpreting the long lifespans found in biblical genealogies before turning to several unusual questions involving history, science, and theology. He discusses the mysterious Michigan Melon-head legends and their possible Catholic connection, the evidence for extraordinary charismatic gifts today, and whether elective cosmetic surgery can amount to mutilation. The episode also tackles a fascinating time-travel scenario involving a priest celebrating Mass before the institution of the Eucharist, along with the ethics of using living human neurons and brain cells to power computers and robots.

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Questions Covered:

01:36 – Could the extreme ages of people in the genealogies of the Bible refer to the length years of one man’s successive generations in real time, rather than the single person’s actual age at death? How are these extreme ages of people in the Bible to be understood?
16:50 – I would like to know more about the Catholicism of the Michigan Melon-heads. I heard they may be Catholic since they likely originated from a Catholic orphanage.
22:01 – How much evidence is there for extraordinary charismatic gifts nowadays and which is the strangest?
29:00 – Is surgery for non-medical reasons on the human body considered mutilation. If done just for cosmetic reasons for example breast implants
45:28 – What would happen if a validly ordained Catholic priest went back in time to before the Birth of Jesus and said a mass and transubstantiated the Eucharist before Jesus instituted that sacrament? What if he went back in time to when Jesus was alive, but before He instituted the Eucharist? Would Jesus know that this time traveling priest was turning bread and wine into His body and blood?
52:33 – I’ve seen some robotics and computing developments online where scientists are already using human brain neurons and cells to run computers and robots. I’ve discovered a similar, already existing idea in science fiction called headcheese if you’re familiar with that. I’m wondering about the ethics of this and what a Catholic should make of it. I also wonder if creating new human neurons or keeping an existing person’s brain cells alive to run a computer would impede them from crossing over to the afterlife or not. Thank you.

#12849 Can You Force Someone to Convert to Christianity With Mind Control? Weird Questions - Jimmy Akin Aug 14, 2026

Show notes

If it were possible to control another person telepathically or psychokinetically, could you force them to convert to Christianity—and would that conversion even be valid? In this episode of Catholic Answers Live, Jimmy Akin tackles unusual questions at the intersection of Catholic theology, science, history, and pop culture. He examines whether baptisms performed by the character Mr. Eko on Lost would be valid, whether Jesus received DNA from Mary, and how Catholics should respond to ancient-alien theories that reinterpret God, angels, and biblical events as extraterrestrial encounters. Jimmy also discusses the credibility of controversial claims made by Malachi Martin and breaks down the differences between Newtonian physics, special relativity, and general relativity. Join the Catholic Answers Live Club Newsletter Invite our apologists to speak at your parish! Visit Catholicanswersspeakers.com Questions Covered: 05:34 – Let’s suppose for a moment here that it is possible to either telepathically or psychokinetically link up to another person to the point of being able affect their bodily motions or in other words, let’s suppose that possessing other humans can be done. Let’s suppose the host is a non-Christian and the possessor a Christian. If the possessor, while inside of the host’s body, pilots them into going to confession and declares Christ as Lord and Savior, is this a conversion and additionally would this be permitted? Why or why not? 17:10 – On the show LOST: are the baptisms performed on the island by “Father Eko” valid? The usual “desert island scenario” does not quite cover it. Eko is not a priest but is only impersonating one. And neither of the baptized was in imminent danger of death (although Charlie thought so on the basis of a dream) but survived at least into Season 5. 21:01 – I know this will be speculation, but do we have any proof one or the other whether the Holy Spirit used one of Mary’s eggs so there would be a DNA connection between them? Or is the general understanding that the Holy Spirit implanted an embryo in her, independent of her DNA? 28:42 – I saw an interview with Giorgio A. Tsoukalos, the ancient alien theorist on National Georgraphy YouTube… He claimed dozens of alien species have been with humanity for millions of years… Sodom and Gomorrah were destroyed not by the Wrath of God but by a UFO. Tsukalos and other co-working theorists hold to the idea that we were visited by aliens during the pyramid era. For example, Tsukalos says that the Aztecs have carvings saying they saw huge giant snakes flying thousands of years ago (flying planes)… or floating turtles hovering over them (flying UFO discs) he claims it simply came down to misinterpreted technology from aliens for their lack of better words and explanations of what they saw… and therefore calling them Gods. This makes a lot of sense to me. Is it blasphemous to think or call God (the father) and his angels… aliens? What do you think about this misinterpreted technology? 44:34 – Malachi Martin made some weird complaints about things allegedly happening in the Vatican. How credible was he? 49:11 – What does the theory of relativity add or detract from the galelei-Newton system of coordinates? Was it just factoring in light speed? I’m reading through the theory now and I don’t even get the difference between general and special (specific?) relativity.

#12848 Are Catholics Misled by Leftist Groups? Sunday Shopping and Trials - Joe Heschmeyer Aug 14, 2026

Show notes

“Are Catholics misled by leftist groups?” This question opens a discussion on the naivety some Catholics may have regarding social justice issues. The conversation also touches on the positive impact of refraining from Sunday shopping and draws parallels between personal trials and those faced by Christ, highlighting the diverse challenges and reflections within the faith.

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Questions Covered:

02:00 – I think Catholics have to understand they are being coopted by these leftist organizations. A lot of Catholics are very naive about social justice issues.
07:40 – We stopped going to businesses to do any shopping on Sundays and it has been a good change.
17:30 – Joan’s trial tracks very closely with that of our Lord.
22:00 – I’ve been a widow for 11 years. Before he died my favorite gift to give him was flannel shirts (he was a logger). I still wear his shirts. It has meant so much to me to watch Catholic Answers and the Flannel Panel.
29:40 – Why are companies open on Sundays anyway when they know they won’t get business from a lot of Christians?

#12847 Mark Twain’s Joan of Arc? Mark Twain and Abortion Issues - Joe Heschmeyer Aug 13, 2026

Show notes

Mark Twain’s Joan of Arc? This question leads to a discussion about her life and legacy, alongside insights into Mark Twain’s views and the role of Isabelle Romée. The conversation also touches on contemporary issues, including Amnesty International’s stance on abortion, providing a rich exploration of faith and morality.

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Questions Covered:

06:00 – Mark Twain’s Joan of Arc
16:50 – Mark Twain
21:50 – Isabelle Romée
28:00 – CA books translated
36:50 – Amnesty International and abortion

#12846 Every Questions on Confession Answered Part 2 - Karlo Broussard Aug 13, 2026

Show notes

Does the thief on the cross prove that Confession and the entire sacramental system are optional? In this episode of Catholic Answers Live, Catholic Answers apologists respond to major objections to the Sacrament of Confession, including whether private confession is a medieval invention and whether the seal of confession dangerously protects criminals. The discussion examines whether penance amounts to works-righteousness, whether Confession encourages a cycle of “sin, confess, repeat,” and why receiving absolution is not an attempt to earn forgiveness. They also address concerns about women confessing sexual sins to celibate male priests, explain why Confession should be understood as good news rather than a burden, and explore what Catholics receive in the confessional that they would miss by simply asking God for forgiveness privately.

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Questions Covered:

01:20 – Doesn’t the thief on the cross prove the whole sacramental system is optional? So why should any of us bother with the sacrament?
06:16 – Isn’t private confession a medieval invention, not something apostolic? (Doesn’t history show the confessional isn’t apostolic at all?)
15:01 – Isn’t the seal of confession a dangerous rule that shields criminals? (How is that not dangerous — protecting criminals and endangering the public?)
22:37 – Isn’t assigning penance works-righteousness that denies ‘Christ paid it all’? (Isn’t penance just topping up a payment Jesus already made in full?)
41:51 – But confession, penance, absolution sounds like works you perform to earn your way back. Isn’t that the opposite of the gospel?
34:05 – Doesn’t confession give a license to sin — sin, confess, repeat? (If it’s that easy to reset, why would anyone take sin seriously?)
44:49 – Is it appropriate for a woman to confess sexual sins to a celibate man? (Is it even against God’s design to have a woman confess her sexual sins to a man — and a celibate one at that? Doesn’t that put her in a humiliating position?)
47:00 – Why is confession good news, not a burden?
50:20 – For the person who says ‘I can just tell God I’m sorry from my kitchen table’ — what does the Catholic receive in that confessional that they’d otherwise miss?

#12845 Every Questions on Confession Answered Part 1 - Karlo Broussard Aug 12, 2026

Show notes

Why do Catholics confess their sins to a priest instead of going directly to Jesus? In this episode of Catholic Answers Live, Catholic Answers apologists respond to major Protestant objections to the Sacrament of Confession. They explain how a priest can say “I absolve you” without claiming to be God, why the priesthood of all believers does not eliminate the ministerial priesthood, and whether John 20 gives the apostles the authority to actually forgive sins or merely announce God’s forgiveness. The discussion also examines how this authority was passed on after the apostles, what the Bible means when it commands Christians to confess their sins, and whether perfect contrition makes sacramental confession unnecessary.

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Questions Covered:

01:51 – Why do I have to confess to a priest — can’t I go straight to Jesus?
5:00 – Because priests are not God, when a priest says ‘I absolve you,’ how is that not the blasphemy the scribes accused Jesus of?
07:45 – Why a special priest at all — aren’t all believers priests? (The priesthood of all believers — doesn’t that make every Christian a priest, with no need for an absolving clergy-caste?)
18:30 – Doesn’t John 20 just mean the apostles announce forgiveness, not absolve? (Couldn’t that just mean they PROCLAIM God’s forgiveness — preach it — rather than personally absolve?)
24:50 – Even if it’s real absolution power God gave the Apostles, why think it passed on after the apostles died? (Where does Scripture say it passes on, instead of dying with the Twelve?)
38:38 – When the Bible instructs us to confess our sins isn’t that a reference to mutual accountability among believers — not kneeling before an ordained man?
49:31 – If perfect contrition already forgives, isn’t the sacrament unnecessary?

#12844 Whats the Best Defense for Catholicism? Bible and Sola Scriptura - Joe Heschmeyer Aug 12, 2026

Show notes

“What’s the best defense for Catholicism?” This episode addresses key arguments, including the best argument for the Catholic Bible and how a Protestant can reconcile objections while exploring Catholicism. Other topics include the Church’s stance on heretics, tips for evangelizing secular friends, and navigating challenging biblical passages.

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Questions Covered:

02:00 – What’s the Best Argument for the Catholic Bible?
10:20 – As a protestant, how can I bridge the gap in my objection on the assumption with my interest in Catholicism?
22:00 – Prop 33 from papal bull Exsurge Domine regarding heretics being burned. Does God want heretics to be burned?
29:08 – What tips do you have for a college student majoring in psych on how to evangelize my secular friend?
34:58 – How do we defend against Sola Scriptura rather than solo scriptura?
44:55 – My fiance has several painful chronic conditions. Would having a surgery to relieve her pain go against God’s will for her?
50:15 – Sirach seems to be very anti-woman. Sirach 25:19 seems like a contradiction on the Church’s understanding of women. How do I sort through verses like this?

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