#11875 Ask Me Anything - Joe Heschmeyer

Questions Covered: 01:20 – Why did they stop writing books into the bible? 15:45 – Doctrinally how do the differences work in the east and west regarding infant communion? 30:51 – How would a protestant align intercession of the saints and a belief in soul sleep? 45:39 – Why doesn’t the 9th commandment state coveting thy neighbor’s husband only thy neighbor’s wife? 50:06 – In cases where one has discerned that certain media doesn’t impact one poorly, but it will affect others. Can one still listen to it? …

Questions Covered: 02:23 – How do we make sense of how we are not crucifying Christ during the mass? 18:38 – I’ve noticed that some Catholics and Protestants are acting as though we are in the end times. How do I go about talking with them? 35:19 – I need help responding to some saying that Mary disproves the Eucharist? 47:41 – Why does a bishop have to give permission to perform an exorcism? …

Questions Covered: 02:34 – When we choose our investments for retirement, can a Catholic invest in companies who we know are contributing money to Planned Parenthood? 11:26 – Since James was writing before the events of Acts 15, did he fully understand the gospel? 17:14 – How would you talk to someone for the World Mission Society, Church of God? 22:34 – How do I evangelize my agnostic brother? 29:19 – Can you recommend a source on the history of communion? 34:18 – Is it permissible to bless my home with blessed oil? 36:22 – Why do Catholics keep using the word pray when it comes to communicating with the saints? If they change the wording it may not cause as much confusion? 43:06 – Do you think an individual blessing given during communion is in violation of Fiducia Supplicans? …

Questions Covered: 07:35 – What is Marian Consecration and how do I go about doing it? 14:40 – How do I explain the sign of the cross to a 4-year-old from a different faith background? 20:19 – Considering the Church calls abortion evil, why hasn’t the Church sanctioned Catholic politicians who are vocally pro-abortion? 31:52 – Where do Catholics get the idea of honoring Mary in the rosary? 41:19 – Why is it that it takes ordained ministry to celebrate most sacraments but not marriage and baptism? 45:17 – Why is it that we are seeing a spike in celebrity conversions? 51:58 – Could you clarify what you mean by visible Church and invisible Church in your book Pope Peter? …

Questions covered: 02:17 – It seems like a lot of non-Catholic religions in which people speak in tongues. Why don’t Catholics do that? And what is the Catholic position on speaking in tongues?  11:49 – What must one do to be saved?  16:49 – What are the rewards that we can obtain in heaven?  19:29 – Why are we still split with the Orthodox over the filioque when Greek is no longer the dominant language in the Church?  24:53 – Can you help me understand the Church’s current teaching on the death penalty in relation to its older teachings? It seems like it’s done a complete 180, not a development.  44:32 – If someone knowingly votes for a person who supports abortion and then dies before confessing, does he go to hell?  49:59 – Why is an infertile person allowed to be married but an impotent person is not? …

Questions covered 09:19 – Why doesn’t the New Testament refer to priests with the Greek word hiereus? 22:06 – Why are so many people fascinated by exorcisms, especially in horror movies? 18:06 – It seems like there are so many things you have to do and rules to follow in Catholicism. 41:01 – if everything happens according to god’s will/plan, which is what it says in the bible, then people have no freewill. 46:49 – Why do Catholics revere relics? 49:30 – In Luke, the word kecharitomene is rendered “full of grace” and I always thought Luke made up that word. Someone told me the same word in the masculine is used in Sirach and it’s translated “gracious.” Why is it translated differently? …

Questions Covered: 01:36 – I’m a Baptist. If I attend a Catholic service why can’t I receive communion? 17:16 – How do we harmonize intercession of the saints and purgatory? 41:10 – It’s hard for me to get over the idea of the Eucharist being the body and blood of Jesus as a nondenominational Christian, because I feel like I would deify the wafer. How can I get over this hurdle? 51:41 – I was told that some of the saints may be pagan gods and goddesses like St. Brigid. Is this true? …

Questions Covered: 08:03 – My wife and I aren’t confirmed yet. Does practicing do anything yet since we’re not fully initiated into the Church? 25:25 – I’m Jewish. What is the Catholic interpretation of Psalm 110? 36:47 – Why can’t we have premarital intercourse? 50:29 – Why does the show prompt there’s a non-optional requirement to be Catholic? Why does the Church think that it bears any weight in an individual’s relationship with God? …