#12279 Can Animals Go to Heaven? Popes, Salvation, and Scripture - Jimmy Akin

“Can we take Jesus literally as the Bread of Life?” This episode explores the nuances of interpreting Jesus’ words, addressing the Protestant claim about literalism and metaphor. Additionally, we delve into the nature of hell and God’s mercy, and discuss how to approach conversations with Protestants regarding the intercession of saints. Tune in for a thoughtful exploration of these important topics. Join The CA Live Club Newsletter: Click Here Invite our apologists to speak at your parish! Visit Catholicanswersspeakers.com Questions Covered: 07:29 – Protestant claim we shouldn’t take Jesus literally when he says that he is the bread of life because he also says he is a door. What is the best response to this? 15:37 – How do we know that hell is forever and how do we justify God being merciful with that reality being taken into consideration? 23:26 – What angle can we use when talking to protestants when discussing the intercession of the saints. It seems like they get hung up on the ‘praying to’ wording. 35:21 – Since Jesus is omniscient and omnipotent, did that take away from his suffering? 43:46 – Why is it uncommon to pray to Old Testament saints? 47:16 – I’ve heard it said that the reason Satan fell was because he knew God would become man. Wouldn’t this imply that Satan has some kind of foreknowledge?

“Can animals go to heaven?” This episode explores the intriguing question of animal salvation, alongside discussions on the material sufficiency of Scripture and the Church’s tracing of papal succession back to Peter. Tune in as we delve into these thought-provoking topics and more, providing clarity on faith, works, and biblical interpretations. Join The CA Live Club Newsletter: Click Here Invite our apologists to speak at your parish! Visit Catholicanswersspeakers.com Questions Covered: 05:45 – Why is the material sufficiency view of scripture not self-refuting? 15:37 – How does the Church trace the special status and succession of popes back to Peter? How is it pass on? 23:12 – I always taught my kids that animals don’t go to heaven, though I’ve heard you say that they possibly do. Can you explain your view? 37:21 – I’ve heard you say the Church has never claimed that faith and works lead unto salvation. If so, then what is James talking about? 46:52 – Today’s gospel says “Amen, I say to you, you will not finish the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes.” What does that mean if he is the Son of Man who is presently there? 52:08 – Was Cornelius justified prior to being baptized in Acts 10?

“What Is the Role of Popes in Approving Ecumenical Councils?” In this episode, guest apologist Alex Jurado from Voice of Reason addresses the necessity of papal approval for early councils, explores how Jesus grew in knowledge, and discusses the connection between Mary’s Assumption and 1 Cor. 15:55. Join The CA Live Club Newsletter: Click Here Invite our apologists to speak at your parish! Visit Catholicanswersspeakers.com Questions Covered: 08:59 – How did Jesus grow in knowledge? And did he have knowledge of his passion from a young age? 14:30 – What’s the necessity for popes to convene and approve ecumenical councils particularly the earliest councils of the Church? 17:46 – Is there a connection between Mary’s Assumption and 1 Cor. 15:55? 21:52 – Why did the person who touched the ark dropped dead but people who stole it didn’t. Why is that? 24:24 – Is it ok for a priest to consecrate a large amount of hosts and give them to a homebound person? 30:31 – Has Pope Leo expressed any opinion on Same sex unions? 32:10 – How would you explain to children deep theological questions? 43:40 – How many of the 10 commandments would exist today if there weren’t any religions? 48:48 – Why do Protestants have a different canon of scripture? 52:09 – If Jesus descended into hell to retrieve souls to enter heaven, does that mean those souls were suffering?

“What Is the Origin of the Hail Mary Prayer in Catholicism?” Join Colin Donavan as he explores the roots of this beloved prayer, along with intriguing questions about the letter from Jesus King to Abgar and the nature of free will in relation to Eve and Mary. Join The CA Live Club Newsletter: Click Here Invite our apologists to speak at your parish! Visit Catholicanswersspeakers.com Questions Covered: 04:19 – What do we make of the letter from Jesus to King Abgar as recorded in Eusebius’ Church History? 07:02 – There was a supposedly leaked document from the Vatican about the TLM and it claims that the reasons why it was banned were fabricated. What do we know about that? 16:12 – Where did the prayer of the Hail Mary come from since it’s not in the bible? 24:37 – Did Eve have free will? If she did and didn’t fall, would we have had Mary? 41:52 – Did Pope Francis change church doctrine on capital punishment?

A caller shares that his coworker refuses to take direction from a female supervisor, citing Scripture as justification. In this episode, Catholic apologists respond with clarity on what the Church teaches about gender roles, authority, and human dignity. Discover how Catholic teaching affirms the equal dignity of men and women while refuting misuse of Scripture to justify sexism. Join The CA Live Club Newsletter: Click Here Invite our apologists to speak at your parish! Visit Catholicanswersspeakers.com Questions Covered: 02:35 – The Church recently rolled out the final document on the Synod on Synodality and I cannot intellectually accept it. Am I essentially no longer Catholic? 12:16 – Why is marriage between a man and a woman? 18:08 – At what point did Jesus declare that all animals are clean to eat? 24:49 – What is the Catholic stance on eugenics? 32:45 – My supervisor said he would refuse to submit to his supervisor because she is a woman. He used scripture to justify this. How do we approach this as Catholics? 42:41 – Regarding the year of Jubilee, when you visit 7 churches, do you receive 1 indulgence or an indulgence for every church you visit?

A listener asks whether it’s morally permissible to attend the wedding reception of a Catholic getting married outside the Church. In this episode, Catholic apologist Joe Heschmeyer explains the difference between supporting the person versus appearing to support an invalid union, and how to navigate these situations with charity, clarity, and fidelity to Church teaching. Join The CA Live Club Newsletter: Click Here Invite our apologists to speak at your parish! Visit Catholicanswersspeakers.com Questions Covered: 15:43 – Is there a small document that describes the latest eucharistic miracles from a scientific perspective?  21:38 – Is it ok to attend the reception of an invalid marriage of a confirmed Catholic who is not getting married in the Church?  28:38 – Melchizedek in Genesis. Where did he come from and what happened to him?  37:11 – If a laicized priest becomes an Anglican priest, is the host consecrated the body of Christ?  45:44 – What is your view on AI and what is the intersection between the Church and AI? 

A caller asks whether Muslims truly worship the same God as Christians. In this episode, Catholic apologist, Dr. Karlo Broussard, explains the Church’s teaching from Lumen Gentium and the Catechism, clarifying how Islam’s incomplete understanding of God still refers to the one true Creator. The conversation also touches on key differences between the faiths and what authentic interreligious respect looks like. Join The CA Live Club Newsletter: Click Here Invite our apologists to speak at your parish! Visit Catholicanswersspeakers.com Questions Covered: 03:04 – If we can’t control how people see us, how is it then that we can be culpable for the sin of scandal?  11:50 – Does the lack of understanding of a mortal sin mitigate something being a mortal sin? For example, if a person views pornography but doesn’t believe it’s a mortal sin, is it still a mortal sin?  21:02 – How does the pope calling the crusades and saying going on a crusade forgives sins, fall into the doctrine of the papacy?  29:23 – Can you explain how Muslims worship the same God even with an incomplete understanding of him?  37:04 – I’m not Catholic. I was shocked to hear that Catholics believe that the biblical story of the flood is allegorical. Is this true?  45:48 – Are we obligated to forgive those who have not repented of sinning against us?  50:34 – Why does a person who wants to be baptized have to wait until going through class up until Easter?

What does Scripture mean when it says Christ was “made sin for us”? In this episode, Catholic apologists address a Protestant caller’s concern about Psalm 51 and the Catholic rejection of penal substitution. Learn how the Church understands Christ’s sacrifice—not as punishment in our place, but as a redemptive offering rooted in love and union with humanity. Join The CA Live Club Newsletter: Click Here Invite our apologists to speak at your parish! Visit Catholicanswersspeakers.com Questions Covered: 08:01 – I’m Protestant. I’ve listened to a lot of Catholic radio. I’ve had no change. Is this lack of movement of desire to change from Satan? 18:38 – How do we catechize older boomers who prioritize politics and social views over religion? 23:32 – What evidence do we have that the Catholic Church is the true Church? 34:09 – in Friday morning’s psalm prayer it says, “He who knew no sin was made sin for us to save us and restore us to your friendship” Psalm 51. We don’t believe in Calvinism substitutionary atonement. So, in what way was Christ made sin for us? 40:45 – Is there any point in saying “If God wills it, it will happen?” Especially if he has two wills? 48:22 – Is it possible for a person to sin in purgatory or if they have not died?

In this episode, Catholic bioethicist Fr. Tad Pacholczyk tackles tough moral questions about teenage medical consent, frozen embryo implantation in older women, and the ethics of sustaining life through new technologies. Hear a thoughtful Catholic perspective on where moral lines are drawn in modern medicine and why intention, consent, and dignity matter in every case. Join The CA Live Club Newsletter: Click Here Invite our apologists to speak at your parish! Visit Catholicanswersspeakers.com Questions Covered: 20:24 – What are the reasonable limits to sustaining a pregnancy, such as the case you were discussing vs embryos conceived in IVF?  30:03 – Regarding the Georgia situation, since keeping dead person vitals going a new technology, would this be done only at the consent of the mother? Would that solve the dilemma?  34:59 – I have a 13-year-old son. We were told that at 14 we would be asked to leave the room for our son to decide if he wanted to make his own medical decisions alone with the doctor. Are you familiar with this situation and would this be ethical?  44:19 – Would it be ethical to implant a frozen embryo in a woman who is 60 years of age knowing that the pregnancy would probably not be viable? 

Can someone with a water allergy be baptized? Why do priests receive both species of the Eucharist while the laity often don’t? In this episode of Catholic Answers Live, we take on some of the most thought-provoking questions about Catholic doctrine and tradition. Topics include evangelizing Jewish people, the theological necessity of Marian dogmas, recognizing divine inspiration in Scripture, and reconciling the joy of heaven with the loss of loved ones. We also address questions about God’s providence versus coincidence, and near-death experiences involving deceased relatives. Whether you’re exploring Catholic teachings or deepening your faith, this Q&A offers clear, faithful answers rooted in Church teaching. Ideal for those curious about baptism, Eucharistic theology, salvation, and how Catholics understand prophecy and the afterlife. Join The CA Live Club Newsletter: Click Here Invite our apologists to speak at your parish! Visit Catholicanswersspeakers.com Questions Covered: 02:10 – How would the Church baptize someone with a topical allergy to water, where contact with water causes hives but drinking it is fine? 08:15 – Did the Old Testament prophets know they were prophets? Did the New Testament writers know they were divinely inspired when writing? 18:22 – How can heaven be a place of perfect joy if a loved one, such as a child, does not attain eternal life? Wouldn’t we notice their absence and grieve? 22:15 – What is the Church’s current teaching on evangelizing Jewish people? Does God’s promise of the land to the Jewish people still apply under the New Covenant? 29:45 – Why is the Eucharistic cup often withheld from the laity? Jesus instructed us to eat His body and drink His blood. If the host contains both, why does the priest still consume both species separately? 34:58 – Why are the dogmas of the Immaculate Conception, Bodily Assumption, and Perpetual Virginity necessary for salvation from a theological standpoint? What core gospel truths are denied if these are rejected? 43:43 – If someone nearing death sees and speaks to deceased family members, does that mean those individuals are in Heaven or could they still be in Purgatory? What if certain people don’t appear—does that imply anything about their final destination? 50:01 – Is everything part of God’s plan, or do coincidences exist?