Catholic Answers Live

“What makes Isaiah’s prophecies unique?” Isaiah’s writings from the 700s B.C. present some of the first clear and explicit predictions of the Messiah, including titles like “Wonderful Counselor” and “Prince of Peace.” Additionally, the discussion touches on how Daniel 7 influenced Jewish expectations of the Messiah and addresses objections regarding Jesus’ fulfillment of these prophecies.

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Questions Covered:

00:30 – You point to Isaiah, writing in the 700s B.C., as providing the first clear and explicit prophecies of the Messiah: “Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” What makes these passages different from what came before?

20:15 – Some Jews read Daniel 7 and concluded that the Messiah would be a heavenly “Son of Man,” hidden with God before creation. That later became Jesus’ favorite title for himself. What would that title have communicated to his original audience?

34:00 – One major Jewish objection is that Jesus did not establish universal peace, restore the Davidic throne in Jerusalem, or complete everything associated with the messianic age. How can Christians say he fulfilled the prophecies?

42:45 – A skeptic might respond that Jesus intentionally acted out certain prophecies or that the Gospel writers shaped their narratives to make him appear to fulfill them. How much of the evidence can those explanations account for?

“Can historical evidence prove Jesus as Messiah?” This question opens a discussion on the differing claims of Christianity, Judaism, and Islam regarding Jesus. The conversation also touches on the expectations of the Messiah in Judaism at the time of Christ and the significance of the Davidic covenant in shaping messianic hope. Additionally, the role of Isaiah’s prophecies in this context is examined.

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Questions Covered:

02:00 – Jimmy, Christianity, Judaism, and Islam all make different claims about Jesus. Christians say he is the divine Messiah. Judaism does not accept him as the Messiah. Islam calls him the Messiah but denies central Christian beliefs about him. Can historical and biblical evidence help us determine which view is correct?

06:20 – In the introduction, you lay out the book’s argument in four steps . . . Give us the thirty-thousand-foot view of that case.

07:20 – Before we examine Jesus, what did Judaism at the time of Christ actually expect the Messiah to be and accomplish?

19:30 – Everything in the messianic hope seems to hinge on King David and the promise God made him in 2 Samuel 7—that his throne would be established forever. Tell us about the Davidic covenant and why it matters so much.

36:15 – Then came the Babylonian exile, and suddenly there was no son of David on the throne. How did the Jewish people get from that apparently failed promise to the expectation of a future Messiah?

49:25 – You point to Isaiah, writing in the 700s B.C., as providing the first clear and explicit prophecies of the Messiah: “Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” What makes these passages different from what came before?

“Do miracles still happen today?” This question opens a discussion on the nature of miracles in the context of Lourdes and Catholicism. Other topics include the thorough investigations the Church conducts on reported miracles and the significance of the miraculous events at Lourdes, as well as the awareness of our loved ones in heaven regarding our lives.

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Questions Covered:

01:00 – Do Miracles Still happen today?

39:48 – I’m a new Catholic and have a Pentecostal background like Tim. It has been very reassuring to me that the Catholic Church does do so much investigation of these miracles.

42:29 – I’m considering Catholicism. But the Lourdes thing confuses me. Lourdes has millions of visitors per year. Why is 72 out of millions significant?

47:35 – Are our loved ones in heaven aware of the details in our lives?

“How much can a priest change in the Mass?” This question opens a discussion on the boundaries of liturgical modifications, alongside inquiries about the sacrilege of receiving communion in the hand, the optional nature of certain prayers during the Communion rite, and the significance of the priest’s gestures before the Gospel reading.

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Questions Covered:

02:40 – How much is the priest allowed to change things in the mass?

10:40 – How do we answer sedevacantist who say that prior popes made it a sacrilege to receive communion in the hand?

13:00 – In the Communion rite, in the preparation, sometimes there is a prayer the priest says and sometimes there is not — is it optional?

21:35 – i finally have made the decision to come to the Catholic church. Getting to talk to Tom last week about hyperdulia really helped. I was hoping for a book suggestion for Catholic basics.

23:20 – At what point during the Mass does the bread and wine become Jesus?

31:05 – what is the difference between infallibility & indefectability? The English translation for indefectability seems to indicate the Church is without error, but how if Clergy are sinners?

33:00 – When the priest is about to read the gospel, he makes the sign of the cross on his forehead, lips, and heart. What is the significance of that? Are there words that accompany that?

34:38 – I’m in the Reformed tradition. I was taught that Catholic Mass was like sacrificing Jesus over and over again, but I’ve never actually asked a Catholic their view of that. What is the Catholic view of that?

46:54 – If you go to a SSPX Mass after the upcoming illicit consecrations is it a mortal sin?

50:55 – What should an extraordinary minister of holy communion do when people come up with hands crossed for a blessing?

“Is Catholicism a false church?” This question opens a discussion on the validity of Catholicism compared to Eastern Orthodoxy, particularly regarding changes in liturgy and fasting rules. The conversation also addresses whether first-century Christians prayed to saints and explores what Catholics believe about salvation in contrast to the “once saved, always saved” perspective.

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Questions Covered:

04:35 – Considering Catholicism or Eastern Orthodoxy. If the majority of bishops left the RCC, is that a sign they are a false church? Also, if Catholics changed liturgy/fasting rules while EO have been consistent, is that a sign they are a false church?

20:30 – How to Respond to the claim. Did first-century Christians pray to the saints? My protestant friend says it started in the third century.

31:05 – What do Catholics believe they have to do to be saved, and how do I respond to the once saved always saved belief? What are simple verses to refute that?

42:22 – Agnostic Brother Asked thinks Christianity is too Anthropocentric. He has a hard time believing that the universe was made for human beings primarily.

47:20 – Best Friend and brother want to convert to EO because of the filioque. How can I respond?