#12510 Why is Judas’s Death Different in Acts? Original Sin & Mary’s Role - Jimmy Akin

“Why is Judas’s Death Different in Acts?” This episode addresses the differences in accounts of Judas’s death found in Matthew and Acts, while also delving into how a non-literal interpretation of the creation story affects the concept of original sin. Additional questions include the implications of kneeling at statues and why God sent Jesus long after Adam and Eve. Join the Catholic Answers Live Club Newsletter Invite our apologists to speak at your parish! Visit Catholicanswersspeakers.com Questions Covered: 03:39 – Can you clear up why Judas’s death differs in Matthew 27 and Acts? 05:47 – Does Revelation 22:8-9 where John bows down and worships the angel prove kneeling at a statue can be considered worship? 19:40 – Can you explain how if the creation story is not literal how would this impact original sin? 31:43 – Why did God send Jesus long after Adam and Eve not right after? 34:42 – Did Jesus participate in the last supper? Did he eat the bread with his disciple? 39:00 – How could you explain Mary’s need for a cleansing in the bible when she was without sin? 46:15 – Are translations considered inspired? Was this protected by the Holy Spirit? 51:55 – When the angel appeared to Zachariah and Mary they both seem to show disbelief. Why did only Zachariah get punished?

“Why Isn’t The Book of Enoch Canonical?” This question opens a discussion on the nature of scriptural authority, while also addressing varied topics such as the significance of Acts 27:34-36 in relation to the Mass, and whether intelligent life on other planets could receive the Sacraments. Additionally, the conversation touches on the implications of discovering ancient biblical documents and the concept of Divine Inspiration in scripture. Join the Catholic Answers Live Club Newsletter Invite our apologists to speak at your parish! Visit Catholicanswersspeakers.com Questions Covered: 02:35 – Should we consider the book of Enoch canonical? 22:51 – Can you explain if Act 27:34-36 storm of the sea, is considered the institution of the Mass. 32:45 – Is there any biblical direction on if another planet with intelligent life could they receive the Sacraments. 37:47 – Can the bible be added to if we found ancient documents? (Matthew’s Gospel – in Hebrew) 45:50 – How many copies might there have been of Mark’s gospel? 52:23 – What does the church mean by the text being Divinely Inspired? What does that entail?

“Does God love some people more?” This question opens a discussion on divine love and justice, addressing whether God favors certain individuals over others. The conversation also touches on why God created the devil, the validity of non-Catholic wedding ceremonies for baptized Catholics, and the implications of a bishop’s directive on kneeling during Holy Communion. Join the Catholic Answers Live Club Newsletter Invite our apologists to speak at your parish! Visit Catholicanswersspeakers.com Questions Covered: 02:00 – Does God really love some people more than others, does he hate certain people? —and if so, in what sense? Help me make sense of this 07:55 – Why did God make the devil? 15:10 – Can two baptized Catholics have a non-Catholic wedding ceremony, presided over by someone who is not a priest, inside a Catholic Church? 18:06 – I’m in the Charlotte diocese. The bishop just asked us not to kneel during Holy Communion. Why is the norm to stand and not to kneel? 30:20 – If someone is baptized and raised Catholic, but leaves the Church and become Protestant, but they still love Jesus, can they be saved? 42:12 – How do we know that the Mass is a continuation of what Jesus did at the Last Supper? 50:08 – I have a friend who gave me a Saint Benedict medal and told me it was extra powerful. Actually she gave me three of them and told me to put them around the house. This seems like superstition to me.

“Why Did the Charlotte Diocese Bishop Banning Altar Rails?” This question opens a discussion on the various practices surrounding Communion, including the history of receiving in the hand versus kneeling and the implications of obedience to bishops. Other topics include the fate of those who died before the Resurrection and the Church’s view on civil marriages. Join the Catholic Answers Live Club Newsletter Invite our apologists to speak at your parish! Visit Catholicanswersspeakers.com Questions Covered: 01:44 – What’s the history of receiving in the hand vs, kneeling, and why would a bishop want to promote one over the other? How Are We Allowed to receive communion? Is Obedience Owed to the bishop here? 13:28 – Did anyone who died before the Resurrection go to Purgatory? 15:55 – What does the Church think of marriages that are just done civilly? What does an invalid marriage mean? 20:49 – In the reading of the Genealogy of Christ, why are there only two women mentioned? 23:30 – Why do Catholics worship Mary and the saints by praying to them? 32:55 – If someone is married by the Church and divorced civilly, are they in perpetual sin until one of them dies? 37:30 – What is the US Bishops stance on receiving the Eucharist through intinction? 43:05 – I was baptized Catholic but not raised Catholic after that. My parents are atheist. But I’d like to learn about being a practicing Catholic because I am drawn toward it. 49:40 – How long are you supposed to pray for a loved one in Purgatory? 52:39 – What happens to the victims of people victimized in a satanic dark mass? Do they go to hell?

“Why Aren’t You Catholic?” addresses the complexities of faith, tradition, and authority within the Catholic Church. The discussion also touches on the role of personal experience in faith, the significance of the sacraments, and how different denominations interpret scripture. These topics provide a comprehensive look at the reasons behind various beliefs. Join the Catholic Answers Live Club Newsletter Invite our apologists to speak at your parish! Visit Catholicanswersspeakers.com Questions Covered: 01:45 – My friend who isn’t Catholic struggles with the paradox that God can’t make a boulder so big that He can’t move it 08:08 – Why are Catholics required to believe in Dogmas? 22:10 – Can you suggest how to pick a confirmation Saint? 29:16 – What apostolic faith should you follow? 36:53 – I don’t become Catholic because Catholics don’t evangelize. 44:53 – I don’t see Catholic practices in the Bible?

“How can there be no salvation outside the Church?” This question opens a discussion on the essential teachings of Catholicism, touching on the simplicity of Jesus’ message of love and compassion, the role of confession in forgiveness, and the challenges faced by those seeking to return to the Church after personal decisions like sterilization. Join the Catholic Answers Live Club Newsletter Invite our apologists to speak at your parish! Visit Catholicanswersspeakers.com Questions Covered: 03:30 – The core message of Jesus is so simple—love and compassion—but the Church overcomplicates it. 05:50 – How can you be forgiven for anything through confession with a priest? 17:10 – How can I come into the church if I went through a sterilization? 24:08 – I struggle with teaching on old and new law 49:51 – How can there be no Salvation outside the Catholic church?

“What is the role of the Holy Spirit in our lives?” This question opens a discussion on the transformative presence of the Holy Spirit in believers’ lives. Additionally, the episode addresses how to explain purgatory to non-Catholics and why Catholics pray to saints, providing a well-rounded exploration of key Catholic teachings. Join the Catholic Answers Live Club Newsletter Invite our apologists to speak at your parish! Visit Catholicanswersspeakers.com Questions Covered: 03:00 – What is the role of the Holy Spirit in the lives of believers? 10:15 – How can I explain the concept of purgatory to a non-Catholic? 18:45 – Why do Catholics pray to saints instead of going directly to God? 25:30 – Can you clarify the Church’s teaching on the Eucharist and transubstantiation? 32:10 – What should I do if I feel unworthy to receive Communion? 40:05 – How do we reconcile the existence of evil with a good God? 47:20 – What is the significance of the Immaculate Conception?

“How can hell be loving?” This question opens a discussion on the nature of hell and its compatibility with God’s love, addressing concerns about annihilationism and the role of confession. Other topics include the implications of seeking forgiveness from a priest and the understanding of Satan’s presence in hell, providing a comprehensive look at these challenging theological issues. Join the Catholic Answers Live Club Newsletter Invite our apologists to speak at your parish! Visit Catholicanswersspeakers.com Questions Covered: 15:11 – The idea of going to a priest for forgiveness troubles me. 23:35 – Isn’t Satan already in hell? The St. Michael prayer asks God to cast him into hell since he’s roaming the world? 28:50 – How is hell consistent with God’s loving nature? 44:26 – Not being able to go to confession until I receive confirmation troubles me. I’m in OCIA. 50:55 – I’m having trouble. How do we partake in sacrificing the Eucharist? Jesus did it, what do we do?

“How can I return to the Church?” This question is central for many facing addiction and recovery. In this episode, we also address concerns about balancing church attendance with recovery meetings, the role of the 12-step program in relation to Catholicism, and the nature of compulsions in alcoholism. Join the Catholic Answers Live Club Newsletter Invite our apologists to speak at your parish! Visit Catholicanswersspeakers.com Questions Covered: 03:00 – How does someone with addiction come back to Church? 12:30 – I have a sponsor who thinks I’m going to Church too much and not enough to attend meetings. What is your advice? 18:38 – I have a brother in recovery. Is the 12-step program a substitute for Catholicism? 23:08 – How common are compulsions in alcoholism? Can they eventually become an OCD problem? 30:35 – Why do AA meetings refer to God as high power? 37:23 – How do you stay sober? 41:40 – I’ve been to CIR meetings, I love the fact that it is Catholic! 45:20 – What’s your opinion on Anne Grace and the help she offers? 49:16 – I’m a recovering addict and am Catholic. What ways do you think we can build our community back in 12-step programs? 52:32 – Have you read Fulton Sheen’s description of alcoholism?

“Was Jesus born in a barn?” This question leads to a discussion about the circumstances of Christ’s birth, including the uncertainty surrounding the exact location. Other topics include the number of wise men mentioned in St. Matthew, the implications of December 25th for the nativity, and the significance of lambs wrapped in swaddling bands as a symbol of Jesus as the Lamb of God. Join the Catholic Answers Live Club Newsletter Invite our apologists to speak at your parish! Visit Catholicanswersspeakers.com Questions Covered: 04:00 – Jesus was born in a barn? 10:00 – We really have no idea where Jesus was born 14:45 – There were exactly three wise men in St. Matthew 17:00 – Can’t be Dec 25 because it is winter and no sheep are in the fields. 18:43 – We shouldn’t celebrate Christmas because it is based on a pagan festival. 22:36 – Pagans have denied the virgin birth — claiming Jesus was an illegitimate birth. 29:15 – Lambs were wrapped in swaddling bands — thus pointing to Jesus as the Lamb of God 33:30 – Angels were all hovering in the air above the Shepherds 36:42 – Did St. Francis get the idea of the Christmas nativity scene from German? 41:58 – Was the virgin birth actually in a house? 46:02 – Was Jesus already named Jesus prior to being born? 48:08 – How do we respond to the claim that Mary was not a virgin and was forced upon by a Roman soldier?