#12371 How Do I Learn About Catholicism? – Why Aren’t You Catholic? - Joe Heschmeyer

“How should I talk with my non-Catholic friends?” This episode explores effective communication strategies for those considering conversion, while also addressing intriguing questions like the nature of the Eucharist, the existence of Satan, and the challenges of Sola Fide arguments. 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: 04:37 – How should I talk with my non-Catholic friends and family as I think about converting myself? 14:28 – The Eucharist seems like magic to me. 21:05 – Some people I know are not Catholic because of the very existence of Satan and the fact that God allowed man to fall. 35:40 – I am a Protestant becoming Catholic, but I do not know how to rebut Sola Fide arguments. 45:02 – I get hung up on intercessory prayers and praying to the saints in general 51:20 – I am Catholic, but I disagree with a lot of orthodox teachings.

“How Do I Learn About Catholicism?” This episode explores the significance of Mary in Catholic teaching and the papacy, addressing questions like why some reject Catholicism due to the papacy, how non-Catholics can begin their journey of faith, and where to find biblical support for Mary’s perpetual virginity. Join The CA Live Club Newsletter: Click Here Invite our apologists to speak at your parish! Visit Catholicanswersspeakers.com Questions Covered: 08:17 – My friend is not Catholic because popes have been wicked or corrupt. 14:16 – I am not a Catholic but want to learn more. How do I go about doing this? 19:34 – Where can I find Mary’s perpetual virginity in the Bible? I am a lapsed Catholic. 34:50 – Does Joseph have a body and soul in Heaven? 37:40 – I’m not sure if I’m Catholic; if I have a godfather, does that mean that I am? 43:04 – To play Devil’s advocate, could all the secular accounts of Jesus be mentions of Christian texts and not Christ himself?

“Does God Punish Us By Afflicting Family? ” This episode explores the complex relationship between divine justice and human suffering, addressing questions like whether continuous sin can lead to a loved one’s illness and how the Church can effectively evangelize to those with disabilities. Additionally, we delve into the implications of the death penalty and the miraculous nature of St. Paul’s recoveries. Join The CA Live Club Newsletter: Click Here Invite our apologists to speak at your parish! Visit Catholicanswersspeakers.com Questions Covered: 01:12 – Is it possible that God punishes my continuous sin through my son’s disease? 04:19 – Can a Catholic hold to the Genesis Gap Theory? Or is it heretical? 12:41 – How can the Church evangelize to those with disabilities? What are good resources that can help me get started? 19:28 – Can we in good conscience support the death penalty? I can’t seem to understand why the church changed this. In theory can’t the church’s teaching on this revert? 28:37 – Is there a miraculous quality to St. Paul recovering from the stoning at Lystra or from all of the other beatings he suffered? It seems any number of the rods, stonings, etc. could have disabled him and made his long-distance travel impossible. 32:49 – How does setting a prayer intention before praying a rosary differ from just praying for that intention directly without praying a rosary, does it have something to do with the merit involved with praying a rosary? Thank you! 36:40 – Why can’t Catholicism be just another denomination among the denominations? I think Protestants see Catholicism as a Christian denomination, thus no need to make the move if they are already happy where they are. 43:02 – If priests have the sacramental power to ordain, why has this actually happened so rarely in Church history? 46:50 – Why is it mandatory to go to a priest for confession before one can go for Holy Communion. Why isn’t going to God directly sufficient for this? If someone sits on his seat because he hasn’t gone for confession, everyone would see that he hasn’t gone to confession, it would elicit some kind of shame on this person.

“Can excommunicated Catholics be saved?” This episode explores the complexities of salvation and excommunication, while also addressing the morality of IVF and the Church’s perspective on good deeds in different faiths. Additionally, we delve into the workings of the Holy Spirit in our lives and clarify the role of sacramentals versus talismans. Tune in for a thoughtful discussion on these important topics. Join The CA Live Club Newsletter: Click Here Invite our apologists to speak at your parish! Visit Catholicanswersspeakers.com Questions Covered: 02:30 – I understand IVF is immoral even if there is only one child created and implanted, but should it also be illegal? Where is that line? 13:41 – How would the church differentiate between a work a saved person does versus a non-saved one. (context: good deeds in Islam vs works in Catholicism.) 28:40 – How does the Holy Spirit work in our daily lives? After confirmation, why do so many youths lose the guidance of the Holy Spirit? 33:25 – Can a baptismal candle be used for everyday purposes (like when the power goes out)? 36:28 – James IV of Scotland was excommunicated by Pope Julius II for breaking the Treaty of Perpetual Peace with England in favor of the much older “Auld Alliance” with France when Henry VIII of England participated in the “Holy League” against France via a military invasion. James IV of Scotland later perished in the Battle of Flodden field against England and his excommunication had never been rescinded. Did James (or any excommunicate for that matter) have any hope for salvation after dying while formally excommunicated? Are there distinctions between spiritual vs. politically motivated excommunications? I understand this requires context provided by James’ private conscience, which we can only speculate on. 45:00 – How do we think about the Trinity when directing our prayers? Should I be developing a prayer rapport with each person of the Trinity or am I overthinking this? 51:31 – How do you explain sacramentals to someone when they say it’s basically like having a magic talisman? I’ve understood it as God’s grace working through the sacramental, but how can we make a better distinction between sacramentals and talismans?

“Is NFP just Catholic Birth Control?” In this episode, we explore the nuances of Natural Family Planning and its distinction from contraception. Additionally, we tackle questions about the salvation of non-Catholics who have committed mortal sins and the criteria for canonizing laypeople like Carlo Acutis. Tune in for a thoughtful examination 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: 10:05 – Is NFP ‘Catholic Contraception? 22:23 – Can someone who is not Catholic and committed mortal sin at some point in their life still be saved? 45:07 – What would be the grounds for canonizing a person who is not a priest, bishop, religious or martyr like Carlo Acutis?

“How did people travel in the time of Jesus?” This episode explores the transportation methods of the era, including the quality of Roman roads around Jerusalem. Additionally, we delve into intriguing topics such as the existence of two tombs of Jesus and the significance of Mount Tabor, offering a rich perspective on life in biblical times. Join The CA Live Club Newsletter: Click Here Invite our apologists to speak at your parish! Visit Catholicanswersspeakers.com Questions Covered: 2:00 – How did people travel in the time of Jesus? 10:38 – Were there high quality Roman roads around Jerusalem? 14:50 – Jesus followed Mary twice a day for 1/4 mile to get water every day — imagine little Jesus “Wait up for me, Mom!” 19:30 – Are there 2 tombs of Jesus? Which one is the real one? 29:19 – Have you done the full walk of Mount Tabor? 32:43 – What are your thoughts on the flight to Egypt? 40:20 – What place in the Holy Land inspires you the most? 46:42 – I’ve heard there is a lot of demonic activity there. The holier the place the more demonic activity. Is this true? And what can one do to protect themselves when visiting? 48:42 – Is the Eye of the Needle a real gate into the city of Jerusalem? 50:00 – What’s the Sea of Galilee like? What would fishermen’s life be like? 52:26 – How large was the temple where Jesus was lost?

“What are the earliest writings about the Mass?” Discover the historical roots of this central Catholic practice, along with discussions on the early Church’s interpretation of 1 John 5:13 and the significance of healing in the Bible. Join us as we explore these foundational topics and more in this enlightening episode. Join The CA Live Club Newsletter: Click Here Invite our apologists to speak at your parish! Visit Catholicanswersspeakers.com Questions Covered: 03:00 – What are the earliest writings about the mass that we have? 04:30 – Would you consider writing a book on justification? 12:26 – What are the earliest Catholic Church buildings and where was the altar located in those churches? 16:25 – Jesus promises to heal in the bible but people deflect and say that healing happens in the next life. What are your thoughts on that? Does God want you to suffer here to get more reward in heaven? 22:34 – What was the early Church’s interpretation of 1 John 5:13? 28:30 – Continued – Jesus promises to heal in the bible but people deflect and say that healing happens in the next life. What are your thoughts on that? Does God want you to suffer here to get more reward in heaven? 44:26 – What are the earliest writings about the mass that we have? 50:38 – Did the writing of the same Shepard Hermas hold the same weight as the Didiache, writing of St. Clemente of Rome and others?

“Do Non-Catholics Go to Heaven?” This episode explores the complexities of salvation and the teachings of the Early Church. Tune in as we address questions about the necessity of listening to the Early Church Fathers, the implications of a nun’s claim regarding non-Catholics and heaven, and the early Church’s views on the Immaculate Conception and Assumption. Join The CA Live Club Newsletter: Click Here Invite our apologists to speak at your parish! Visit Catholicanswersspeakers.com Questions Covered: 01:00 – Charlie Kirk 15:00 – Do we have to listen to the Early Church Fathers? Are their statements doctrine because they tell us what the early Church believed? 28:30 – My son was told in school by a nun that non-Catholics don’t go to heaven. I’m shocked, is this true? 37:43 – How did the early Church view the immaculate Conception and Assumption? 48:00 – What resources can you point to to help put the Didache in its appropriate cultural context? 04:30 – Would you consider writing a book on justification? 12:26 – What are the earliest Catholic Church buildings and where was the altar located in those churches? 16:25 – Jesus promises to heal in the bible but people deflect and say that healing happens in the next life. What are your thoughts on that? Does God want you to suffer here to get more reward in heaven? 22:34 – What was the early Church’s interpretation of 1 John 5:13? 28:30 – Continued – Jesus promises to heal in the bible but people deflect and say that healing happens in the next life. What are your thoughts on that? Does God want you to suffer here to get more reward in heaven? 44:26 – What are the earliest writings about the mass that we have? 50:38 – Did the writing of the same Shepard Hermas hold the same weight as the Didiache, writing of St. Clemente of Rome and others?

“Are catechumens who died before receiving baptism saved?” This episode explores the nuances of baptism and salvation, addressing questions such as the implications of a parent’s desire for their children’s baptism, the validity of baptisms outside traditional norms, and the differences between baptism and christening. Join The CA Live Club Newsletter: Click Here Invite our apologists to speak at your parish! Visit Catholicanswersspeakers.com Questions Covered: 01:27 – Are catechumens who died before receiving baptism saved? If my wife doesn’t want our children baptized but I do, does my desire for their baptism save them? 12:00 – How do you answer Baptism and protestants pointing to Acts 10:47 as evidence for receiving the Holy Spirit before baptism? 19:00 – How would you determine whether a baptism is valid outside form, matter and intention? Would the priest contact that particular protestant church? 24:45 – What’s the difference between baptism and christening? 30:00 – If baptism is valid even if it’s illicit, why would that not apply to marriage? 41:07 – Is immersion baptism the correct way of doing it and not sprinkling? 45:55 – Council of Florence Session 11 did pronounce that the only remedy for the salvation of children is baptism. 50:20 – What’s the difference in receiving the gifts of the Holy Spirit in baptism and confirmation?

“Is infant baptism necessary and what does the Bible say?” This episode explores the significance of baptism, addressing questions like where infant baptism is found in Scripture and what it means for babies in terms of salvation. Additionally, we delve into the Protestant perspective on baptism as a saving sacrament and the role of emergency baptisms. Join The CA Live Club Newsletter: Click Here Invite our apologists to speak at your parish! Visit Catholicanswersspeakers.com Questions Covered: 03:50 – What made you think we needed a book on baptism? 06:30 – Where is infant baptism in the bible? 18:02 – If babies need to be baptized, what are they being saved from? 24:26 – Do Protestants agree baptism is a saving sacrament? 32:10 – Can any person baptize in an emergency situation? 36:42 – Can you clarify the presbyterian position on baptismal regeneration? 44:40 – Does the book of Revelation say anything about baptism? 50:45 – My wife and I are fostering a child. Can we baptize this child in the Church? The biological father is Catholic, and we are not sure if we are going to adopt them or if reunification will happen.