Catholic Answers Live

Does the thief on the cross prove that Confession and the entire sacramental system are optional? In this episode of Catholic Answers Live, Catholic Answers apologists respond to major objections to the Sacrament of Confession, including whether private confession is a medieval invention and whether the seal of confession dangerously protects criminals. The discussion examines whether penance amounts to works-righteousness, whether Confession encourages a cycle of “sin, confess, repeat,” and why receiving absolution is not an attempt to earn forgiveness. They also address concerns about women confessing sexual sins to celibate male priests, explain why Confession should be understood as good news rather than a burden, and explore what Catholics receive in the confessional that they would miss by simply asking God for forgiveness privately.

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Questions Covered:

01:20 – Doesn’t the thief on the cross prove the whole sacramental system is optional? So why should any of us bother with the sacrament?

06:16 – Isn’t private confession a medieval invention, not something apostolic? (Doesn’t history show the confessional isn’t apostolic at all?)

15:01 – Isn’t the seal of confession a dangerous rule that shields criminals? (How is that not dangerous — protecting criminals and endangering the public?)

22:37 – Isn’t assigning penance works-righteousness that denies ‘Christ paid it all’? (Isn’t penance just topping up a payment Jesus already made in full?)

41:51 – But confession, penance, absolution sounds like works you perform to earn your way back. Isn’t that the opposite of the gospel?

34:05 – Doesn’t confession give a license to sin — sin, confess, repeat? (If it’s that easy to reset, why would anyone take sin seriously?)

44:49 – Is it appropriate for a woman to confess sexual sins to a celibate man? (Is it even against God’s design to have a woman confess her sexual sins to a man — and a celibate one at that? Doesn’t that put her in a humiliating position?)

47:00 – Why is confession good news, not a burden?

50:20 – For the person who says ‘I can just tell God I’m sorry from my kitchen table’ — what does the Catholic receive in that confessional that they’d otherwise miss?

Why do Catholics confess their sins to a priest instead of going directly to Jesus? In this episode of Catholic Answers Live, Catholic Answers apologists respond to major Protestant objections to the Sacrament of Confession. They explain how a priest can say “I absolve you” without claiming to be God, why the priesthood of all believers does not eliminate the ministerial priesthood, and whether John 20 gives the apostles the authority to actually forgive sins or merely announce God’s forgiveness. The discussion also examines how this authority was passed on after the apostles, what the Bible means when it commands Christians to confess their sins, and whether perfect contrition makes sacramental confession unnecessary.

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Questions Covered:

01:51 – Why do I have to confess to a priest — can’t I go straight to Jesus?

5:00 – Because priests are not God, when a priest says ‘I absolve you,’ how is that not the blasphemy the scribes accused Jesus of?

07:45 – Why a special priest at all — aren’t all believers priests? (The priesthood of all believers — doesn’t that make every Christian a priest, with no need for an absolving clergy-caste?)

18:30 – Doesn’t John 20 just mean the apostles announce forgiveness, not absolve? (Couldn’t that just mean they PROCLAIM God’s forgiveness — preach it — rather than personally absolve?)

24:50 – Even if it’s real absolution power God gave the Apostles, why think it passed on after the apostles died? (Where does Scripture say it passes on, instead of dying with the Twelve?)

38:38 – When the Bible instructs us to confess our sins isn’t that a reference to mutual accountability among believers — not kneeling before an ordained man?

49:31 – If perfect contrition already forgives, isn’t the sacrament unnecessary?

“What’s the best defense for Catholicism?” This episode addresses key arguments, including the best argument for the Catholic Bible and how a Protestant can reconcile objections while exploring Catholicism. Other topics include the Church’s stance on heretics, tips for evangelizing secular friends, and navigating challenging biblical passages.

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Questions Covered:

02:00 – What’s the Best Argument for the Catholic Bible?

10:20 – As a protestant, how can I bridge the gap in my objection on the assumption with my interest in Catholicism?

22:00 – Prop 33 from papal bull Exsurge Domine regarding heretics being burned. Does God want heretics to be burned?

29:08 – What tips do you have for a college student majoring in psych on how to evangelize my secular friend?

34:58 – How do we defend against Sola Scriptura rather than solo scriptura?

44:55 – My fiance has several painful chronic conditions. Would having a surgery to relieve her pain go against God’s will for her?

50:15 – Sirach seems to be very anti-woman. Sirach 25:19 seems like a contradiction on the Church’s understanding of women. How do I sort through verses like this?

“How can you become an apologist?” This episode shares practical tips and personal stories, including Trent Horn’s own journey into apologetics and insights on how Matt Fradd found his path. Additionally, discover valuable advice on building a supportive team and the importance of engaging directly with the community.

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Questions Covered:

02:00 – Trent Horn’s origin story

29:00 – How Matt Fradd became an apologist

35:00 – Tips for becoming an apologist

40:00 – How Trent met Laura

42:50 – Tip Two: Build a team around you

49:10 – Tip 3: Get in the trenches

“Why Does It Take So Long to Become Catholic?” This question opens a discussion on the intricacies of the Catholic initiation process. Other topics include the concerns of a Jewish individual raised atheist who loves Jesus but hesitates to join the Church, and how Catholics can defend their faith without being apologists.

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Questions Covered:

02:29 – Why is the process to become Catholic so long?

14:13 – I’m Jewish but I was raised atheist. I love Jesus but I’m afraid to go to the Church.

29:14 – I struggle with defending the faith. How should a Catholic defend the faith without needing to be an apologist?

42:01 – Regarding Papal Infallibility in Vatican 1. What historical documents affirm this doctrine?

47:45 – I’m joining OCIA because of the Church fathers and apostolic succession. Do Episcopalian have apostolic succession?

49:58 – I’m reading the Early Church Father and I’m not Catholic because I’m trying to figure what my next step is.