#12768 What Was the Best Argument Against Catholicism? Popes and Faith - Tim Staples

“How do I defend the Trinity?” This question leads to a discussion on the eternal subordination of the Son and how to address claims of heresy. Additionally, the episode touches on where the Church Fathers sourced their Hebrew scriptures, the need for ecclesiastical permission in fictional scenarios, and the Catholic perspective on lying. Join the Catholic Answers Live Club Newsletter Invite our apologists to speak at your parish! Visit Catholicanswersspeakers.com Questions Covered: 01:50 – Where did the Church Fathers get their copies of the Hebrew scriptures? 12:00 – How do I best defend the Trinity against someone who calls it heresy specifically in regards to eternal subordination of the son? 21:00 – Would the ghostbusters need ecclesiastical permission to do what they did in the movies? 28:58 – Is it ever ok to lie from the Catholic perspective? 35:40 – When did it become a custom for religious people to change their names? 42:15 – Does Romans 4 (particularly Romans 4:5) conflict with Catholicism’s doctrines faith, works, and a love? 52:45 – What is the church’s position on simulation theory?

“What did Jesus mean by losing your life?” This question opens a discussion on the profound implications of self-sacrifice in faith. The episode also addresses interpretations of the commandment regarding other gods, the Vatican’s stance on supernatural phenomena, and the availability of grace for salvation, showcasing a rich variety of theological insights. Join the Catholic Answers Live Club Newsletter Invite our apologists to speak at your parish! Visit Catholicanswersspeakers.com Questions Covered: 02:55 – What did Jesus mean when he said, “if you lose your life, you will find it” in Mt 16:25? 13:30 – Can we interpret having “no other gods before me” as not having any angels and saints before God’s presence? 24:20 – Do the new norms of the Vatican exploring supernatural phenomena abrogate the belief in Medjugorje? 32:10 – Does Catholic teaching allow us to tell anyone at any time that grace is sufficient for salvation as always available or is it more limited to certain times? 43:15 – What are your thoughts on the three days of darkness? 47:42 – Is the idea that life begins as conception an idea based on Greek philosophy and not an original Christian principle?

“What was the best argument against Catholicism?” This question leads to a discussion on the challenges faced by Catholics, including how to reconcile difficult moments in Church history, such as the Inquisition, and the role of priests in absolution. Additionally, the conversation touches on maintaining faith during tough times, providing a well-rounded exploration of these important topics. Join the Catholic Answers Live Club Newsletter Invite our apologists to speak at your parish! Visit Catholicanswersspeakers.com Questions Covered: 17:10 – What did you think was the best argument against Catholicism when you were protestant? 22:45 – How do we justify bad things in Church history like the inquisition and bad things that popes did? 33:55 – Why can’t priests absolve themselves? 36:25 – In light of Mark 11:24, how can I maintain faith when things are hard?

“How should Catholics respond to aliens?” This intriguing question opens a discussion on faith and the unknown, while also touching on the significance of the Eucharist as both a meal and a sacrifice. Other topics include the historical basis for apostolic succession and the distinction between hyperdulia and a worship of Mary, showcasing a diverse range of theological inquiries. Join the Catholic Answers Live Club Newsletter Invite our apologists to speak at your parish! Visit Catholicanswersspeakers.com Questions Covered: 02:40 – If you found yourself face-to-face with what appeared to be an intelligent being from another planet, how should you respond as a Catholic? 13:38 – Why is the Eucharist not only a meal but also a sacrifice? 20:30 – I’m LDS but am starting to question the Great Apostacy. There doesn’t seem to be a strong historical basis for it. What is the historical evidence for the Catholic claim of apostolic succession? 33:35 – My friend is an evangelical Protestant but he won’t consider Catholicism unless we give him answers about eschatology. He is a dispensationalist. 41:55 – I don’t understand this distinction between hyperdulia and worship of Mary. 46:32 – I saw this video “New Evidence for Early Popes” that talked about how in the early church history would be dated according to who was pope at the time. Is this a good argument for the papacy? 52:05 – I grew up in the Southern Baptist church believing that baptism is just a symbol. I’m starting OCIA soon. It sounds like the Catholic Church is going to accept my baptism as valid. This doesn’t make sense to me because I believed it was just a symbol.

“Why dialogue with non-Christians?” This question opens a discussion on the importance of engaging with those outside the faith, including how to approach Mormons regarding the Trinity despite their unique beliefs. Additional topics include insights on Daniel 2 and its implications for apostasy, as well as the complexities of Mormon theology concerning Jesus on other planets. Join the Catholic Answers Live Club Newsletter Invite our apologists to speak at your parish! Visit Catholicanswersspeakers.com Questions Covered: 02:20 – Why should we dialogue with people who are not Christians as we see them? 09:40 – How do you talk to Mormons about the Trinity if they reject the philosophy of the apostolic fathers or anything outside the bible? 23:25 – What are your thoughts on Daniel 2 and how it can prove or disprove the apostasy? 46:50 – I cant get mormons to answer if there is a Jesus on every planet. Do you know how this works into their understanding and theology?

“What are three things Mormons get wrong?” This episode addresses key misconceptions about Mormon beliefs, including insights on theosis and how it differs from Catholic teachings. Additional questions cover thoughts on the musical “The Book of Mormon,” advice for visiting a Mormon church, and how to respond to common Mormon perspectives on Jesus. Join the Catholic Answers Live Club Newsletter Invite our apologists to speak at your parish! Visit Catholicanswersspeakers.com Questions Covered: 03:15 – What are Three Things Mormons Get Wrong? 15:45 – Regarding the musical, The Book of Mormon” What are your thoughts on a musical mocking Mormonism? 20:38 – I’m Catholic and a former Mormon. I’m confused about theosis. Where do the beliefs of Mormonism and Catholicism on this topic differ? 35:02 – I’m visiting a Mormon church with a Mormon friend. What should I be prepared with before I go? 45:40 – If the Christian Church was reestablished with the Mormons within the last couple of hundred years, what would have happened with the souls of the Christians during that gap? 49:20 – How do I answer the response from a mormon when they say, we disagree but we all love Jesus so lets just do that?

“How can I explain Purgatory and the Eucharist to my son?” This question opens a discussion on the nature of suffering in Purgatory and the significance of the Eucharist, while also addressing concerns about interpretations of Scripture, such as the differing translations of 1 Timothy 3:15 and the implications of miracles related to the Eucharist. Join the Catholic Answers Live Club Newsletter Invite our apologists to speak at your parish! Visit Catholicanswersspeakers.com Questions Covered: 02:18 – How can I explain to my 18-year-old son Purgatory and why there is suffering there? 10:10 – I think it to be expected that the crowd in John 6 wouldn’t take Jesus literally about the Eucharist, because they would have thought of that as cannibalism. 22:40 – Can you explain why 1 Tim 3:15 is translated differently? The RSV says the Church is pillar and bulwark, and the NIV says pillar and foundation. 28:55 – I’m Christian. Does the Church know what the most important wedding is mentioned in Rev. 19:9? 33:55 – In the miracles of the eucharist, science comes back with results of a specific part of the heart of a living man. How do we clarify this with your understanding of the real presence of the Eucharist? 43:07 – I’m a returning Catholic and bringing my protestant husband along. Is there a “basics” book you recommend because it’s overwhelming for him? 46:40 – I’m Protestant because of Act 2:42-47. I think the protestant vision of it is closer to that then modern-day Catholicism. 50:20 – Is part of the problem for Catholics evangelizing all the requisites to enter the Church?

“Can we pray for lost babies?” This question opens a heartfelt discussion about the Church’s teachings on salvation and the hope for lost infants. Additionally, the episode addresses the historical invocation of saints, the apparent contradictions in salvation teachings from different Church councils, and the complexities of praying to saints in light of biblical texts. Join the Catholic Answers Live Club Newsletter Invite our apologists to speak at your parish! Visit Catholicanswersspeakers.com Questions Covered: 02:15 – We don’t have any indication that Christians invoked the saints until the fourth century. That’s too late for it to be part of the apostolic faith. 13:28 – My husband and I just lost a baby through miscarriage. We understand the Church has hope for lost babies’ salvation. But is there anything in Church teaching that would prohibit us from praying for our child’s soul? 18:45 – At the first Vatican Council they said outside of the Catholic Church there is no salvation. The Second Vatican Council said that salvation could be found in Protestant liturgy. Isn’t that a contradiction? 29:28 – I’m former New Age, and when I became Protestant I realized a lot of those practices were not right. I’m wondering how praying to the saints is okay, given that the Bible says not to speak to the dead. 41:55 – In the finding in the temple when Jesus says did you not know I would be in my Father’s house, is that a prefigurement the Eucharistic Jesus in the tabernacle? 51:17 – I consider myself Christian, but not Protestant or Catholic. When Jesus says if you don’t leave your father and mother you’re not worthy to call yourself his disciple, does that apply just to Catholics or to Christians as well?

“Why do Eastern Orthodox apologists reject doctrinal change?” This question opens a discussion on the objections many Eastern Orthodox apologists have regarding doctrinal development. The conversation also touches on the appeal of Orthodoxy’s power structure, strategies for guiding friends toward Catholicism, and the complexities surrounding the filioque controversy. Join the Catholic Answers Live Club Newsletter Invite our apologists to speak at your parish! Visit Catholicanswersspeakers.com Questions Covered: 02:20 – Why Do Many Eastern Orthodox Apologists Object to Doctrinal Development? 18:28 – We are Catholic but are considering Orthodoxy. One argument is that in Orthodoxy there is less emphasis on power structure so less chance of corruption. 23:40 – My non-denom friends are looking into Orthodoxy. How can I steer them towards Catholicism instead of Orthodoxy? 37:15 – There are two Patriarchs of Jerusalem, the Greek Orthodox and the Latin. The Latin one goes back to the Crusades, and the Greek Orthodox one goes back to the New Testament. I think it was schismatic act for the Latins to set up a separate one. 50:44 – The Eastern Orthodox argument against the filioque makes it seem like the Father and the Son have abilities that the holy spirit doesn’t have, which would seem to put him in a subservient position. Would you agree with that?

“Why is the Apostolic Age not a well-known part of Church history?” This question opens a discussion on the significance of early Church writings, including the role of the Church Fathers and the authenticity of the Apostolic Fathers’ texts. Other topics include the importance of listening to the Church Fathers and the historical context of early Christian martyrdom. Join the Catholic Answers Live Club Newsletter Invite our apologists to speak at your parish! Visit Catholicanswersspeakers.com Questions Covered: 02:45 – “Why is the Apostolic Age not a well known part of Church history? 20:00 – Why listen to the Church Fathers? 23:00 – How do we know the writings of the Apostolic Fathers are real? 38:00 – What is the spelling of the names of the writings you mention? 43:40 – Did Paul write things down in the Bible that Jesus didn’t tell him? 45:55 – Has Steve been on an archaeological dig? If so, what did he see? 47:15 – What did these Apostolic Fathers believe? 52:03 – How did it go from the apostolic fathers being martyred to Catholics killing Protestants at the Reformation?