#12287 When Can Prayer to Saints Become Superstitious? - Adrian Lawson

“Why doesn’t the pope make more infallible statements and settle more issues?” This episode explores the complexities of papal authority and decision-making, while also addressing what factors are considered in electing a new pope, the reasons behind Pius XII’s suppression of liturgical octaves, and the intriguing question of why there has never been a Pope Peter II. Join The CA Live Club Newsletter: Click Here Invite our apologists to speak at your parish! Visit Catholicanswersspeakers.com Questions Covered: 21:47 – Why doesn’t the pope make more infallibile statements and settle more issues? 31:23 – What do they consider when electing a new pope? 35:40 – What was the reason for Pius XII to suppress so many liturgical octaves? 43:34 – Can you comment on Pope Pius XII’s position during WWII and why he wasn’t more vocal? 51:30 – Why has there never been a Pope Peter II?

“Can saints intercede for us?” This episode delves into the role of saints in prayer and tradition, addressing common concerns such as explaining intercession to Protestant family members and understanding why only the priest consumes from the chalice. We also explore the line between intercessory prayer and superstition, along with tips for inviting fallen-away Catholics back to the Church. Join The CA Live Club Newsletter: Click Here Invite our apologists to speak at your parish! Visit Catholicanswersspeakers.com Questions Covered: 12:26 – I come from a protestant family and am about to start OCIA. The obstacle I find is explaining the intercession of saints to my family. 19:56 – I struggle with not being able to consume from the chalice. Why does only the priest consume from the chalice? 24:36 – When does Intercessory prayer become a superstitious tradition? 39:48 – How do I approach my fallen away Catholic friend about returning to the Church?

“Can non-Catholics be saved?” This episode explores the complexities of salvation and the Catholic faith, addressing questions like the role of Mariology, the fear of the Lord, and the implications of Vatican II. Tune in as we also discuss concerns about worship practices and the challenges of unity among different Christian denominations. Join The CA Live Club Newsletter: Click Here Invite our apologists to speak at your parish! Visit Catholicanswersspeakers.com Questions Covered: 02:08 – I’m not Catholic because I don’t believe in Mariology and I don’t worship her. 18:33 – Are you supposed to be afraid of the Lord? 22:23 – I want to convert but my wife won’t. Would I be able to receive communion if she doesn’t convert? 30:01 – I’m not Catholic because the bible tells us to worship Saturday not Sunday. 33:34 – I’m Orthodox. I have issues with the changes of Vatican 2 and the claim that Muslims are saved. 48:29 – I’m not Catholic because of the divisions I see. It’s difficult to figure out which Church is true.

“Why doesn’t the Church embrace the Spirit like Pentecostals?” This episode explores the differences in spiritual expression between traditions, while also addressing questions about the necessity of dogmas in Catholicism, the misconceptions surrounding the Roman curia, and the significance of icons in the faith. 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: 05:36 – Why doesn’t the Church field the Spirit the way Pentecostals do? 12:17 – I’m not Catholic because the Church requires you to believe in all its dogmas. 23:00 – How do I debunk the claim that the Roman curia is run like the mafia? 37:30 – Could you explain Icons to me and the history of their veneration? 47:26 – My family’s obstacle to the faith is that God preserved the true Church as a remnant and not a big visible church.

“How is original sin passed down through evolution?” This episode explores the intersection of faith and science, addressing questions like how to respond to claims about Mary and Jesus in Revelation 12, and whether enjoying earthly pleasures contradicts the call to be a saint. Tune in for a thoughtful discussion on these important topics and more. Join The CA Live Club Newsletter: Click Here Invite our apologists to speak at your parish! Visit Catholicanswersspeakers.com Questions Covered: 02:54 – How is the original sin passed down within the framework of evolution? 11:12 – My husband is not Catholic. He took issue with Rev. 12 and claimed that it cannot be Mary and Jesus. He said that it was all false. How can I respond? 14:35 – Is there any contradiction in enjoying earthly pleasures like watching football and playing cards and fulfilling the call of being a saint? 24:28 – Can the devil have power over people after death? Is there any benefit for having masses said for people we can assume are already in heaven? 31:50 – Siying’s conversion story 35:51 – I just joined the Church. I know there is a 1 hour fast before communion. Can we drink coffee? 37:40 – If my friends don’t know Church teaching or misconceptions, but love God, what are they responsible for? 45:01 – Why did Mary have to be sinless and why do we have to follow that line of thinking? 52:06 – What’s the historical doctrinal development of transubstantiation and what does substance actually mean?

“What did the Early Church say about Mary?” In this episode, we explore the significance of Mary in early Christianity, addressing questions about her extraordinary nature, the evidence for her Assumption beyond Revelation, and the historical context of groups like the Pelagianists who downplayed her role. Tune in for a rich discussion on these pivotal topics. Join The CA Live Club Newsletter: Click Here Invite our apologists to speak at your parish! Visit Catholicanswersspeakers.com Questions Covered: 03:00 – What did the Early Church say about Mary? 13:01 – Was Mary ordinary and made extraordinary because of her actions or was she extraordinary from the beginning? Does Simeon’s prophecy that the hearts of many would be revealed mean she would hear all of our prayers? 18:30 – Besides the book of Revelation, what other evidence for the Assumption of Mary? 22:30 – I’m reading St. Louis de Monforte, and he mentions a group who didn’t care to talk about Mary. I think it was the Pelagianists. What happened to them and their denial of her? 29:51 – I was taught that ever since the flood there was no evil seed. And that sin was passed on through man seed in conception. How can the Catholic Church claim she was preserved from sin if she was conceived through ordinary means? 41:38 – To what extent did Mary know about the sufferings that Jesus would endure at the passion? 45:55 – Can we accept the apparition of Our Lady of La Salette or did the later issues with the children taint the whole message? 50:19 – How do we refute the Protestant claim that the title Queen of Heaven is not of a pagan goddess from the Old Testament?

“Can non-Catholics receive Communion?” This episode explores the nuances of this question while also addressing topics such as the inclusion of the apocrypha in the canon, the Church’s approach to blending faith with different cultures, and the authorship of the Acts of the Apostles. Tune in for a thoughtful examination of these important issues. Join The CA Live Club Newsletter: Click Here Invite our apologists to speak at your parish! Visit Catholicanswersspeakers.com Questions Covered: 02:05 – I’m LDS. How do you justify including the apocrypha in the canon? 05:45 – How does the Church justify mixing the faith with foreign cultures? 11:40 – What is your view on the authorship of Acts of the Apostles? Act 2:1-11 What was the atmosphere in the room on Pentecost? 17:43 – How do I explain to a Protestant why they can’t receive communion in a Catholic Church? 23:33 – How do you really know God is real? 32:47 – how do protestants ignore the obvious verse in the New Testament where Jesus says Peter is the rock? 37:10 – When a non-Catholic attends mass, can the person receive a blessing? 44:25 – What exactly happens at a consecration? When the priest consecrates the host, what do believe is the range for consecration? Can the host be across the room for it to be validly consecrated? 50:02 – How do I learn to properly read the Bible?

“How do we know indulgences are valid?” This episode explores the authority behind indulgences and the merits of saints, while also addressing questions about responding to critiques of Church scandals, the meaning of Christ’s words on the cross, and the practice of bowing to statues. 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: 17:06 – How do we know we have the authority to apply the merits of the saint in indulgences? 22:47 – I have a lot of protestant family. How do I respond to the valid critiques when it comes to Church scandals? 29:07 – What did our Lord mean when he said It is finished on the cross? 37:10 – Why do Catholics bow to statues since Exodus condemns it? 46:35 – If God gave Mary a special grace in which she still has free will but will always choose Him, why doesn’t God give us that same grace?

“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?