#12506 Why Aren’t You Catholic? Faith, Tradition, and Authority - Joe Heschmeyer

“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: 00:00 – Why Aren’t You Catholic?

“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?

“Can God create evil?” This question opens a discussion on the nature of God and the existence of evil, alongside intriguing topics such as the implications of homeopathic medicine and the relationship between the 4th Lateran Council and Vatican II regarding religious freedom. Other questions include the ethics of AI-generated music and interpretations of Job 2:10. Join the Catholic Answers Live Club Newsletter Invite our apologists to speak at your parish! Visit Catholicanswersspeakers.com Questions Covered: 00:59 – The bible says there will be more people around the throne of God then there are grains of sand or dust or stars. My theory is that God can’t stop creating and continues to create humans everywhere. What are your thoughts on that theory? 15:15 – Is homeopathic medicine from God? 29:26 – Is there a conflict between the 4th Lateran Council and Vatican 2 Lateran promoting expelling heretics and Vatican 2 promoting religious freedom and being free from coercion? 37:11 – Is it ethical to make AI music and share it? 45:40 – Job 2:10. Are we supposed to assume that God creates evil? Is that how Job understood it?

“Is there such a thing as a just war?” This question opens a discussion on the moral implications of warfare, including whether actions taken during war can be justified. Other topics addressed include the interpretation of Genesis 49:10 prophecy and the validity of baptism for those from different Christian backgrounds. Join the Catholic Answers Live Club Newsletter Invite our apologists to speak at your parish! Visit Catholicanswersspeakers.com Questions Covered: 01:30 – Is there such a thing as a just war? If there is, does that mean once you’re in a war you can do whatever? Why do popes no longer tell us when wars are just? 17:43 – How do we interpret Gen 49:10 prophecy? 24:43 – I come from a Baptist background. Why is my baptism valid? 35:41 – Since the Roman Empire didn’t have a king when they gave Herod the title of King of the Jews did, they allow him to rule as absolute monarch? 45:30 – Why do some bible translations leave the word fasting out of Mt. 17:21? 50:14 – Is there a second soul in a person who has the chimera genetic disorder?

“Why Aren’t You CAtholic?” This question opens a discussion on various concerns, including the perception that the Church allows abortion and lacks discipline. Other topics include the challenges faced by those seeking to enter OCIA classes and the complexities of choosing between Catholicism and Eastern Orthodoxy, particularly regarding the Council of Florence. Join the Catholic Answers Live Club Newsletter Invite our apologists to speak at your parish! Visit Catholicanswersspeakers.com Questions Covered: 03:00 – I’m not Catholic because the Catholic Church allows abortion and sexual perversion. The Church doesn’t discipline people. 10:40 – I’m not Catholic because I grew up in a very protestant area. 28:45 – My wife and I have been trying to get into OCIA classes but it’s been difficult. What other options are available? 36:28 – I’m in OCIA. Should I wait to become Catholic until my wife is ready? 45:41 – I’m considering either Catholicism or Eastern Orthodox. I’m told very different things about the Council of Florence. Was it a truly unifying council?

“Why Aren’t You Catholic?” addresses common concerns about Catholic beliefs, including the role of Mary and the saints. The discussion also touches on the significance of the Miraculous Medal, the challenges of baptism in the Catholic Church, and the differences between Catholicism and Eastern Orthodoxy, providing a comprehensive look at these important topics. Join the Catholic Answers Live Club Newsletter Invite our apologists to speak at your parish! Visit Catholicanswersspeakers.com Questions Covered: 03:56 – I’m Lutheran. What is the Miraculous Medal? How does it work? 12:12 – I’m not Catholic because of the idolization of Mary and the saints and the claim that Jesus founded Catholicism? 19:36 – How would you convince an LDS member why you think Mary is the Mother of God? 30:41 – Why is it so difficult to get baptized as a Catholic? 35:47 – My best friend is becoming Eastern Orthodox and I’m becoming Catholic. What are the reasons why I should become Catholic instead of EO? 44:03 – How would Mary and Jesus be different if they were both immaculately conceived? 50:28 – I’m not Catholic because I’ve been lied to about it all my life.