Called to Communion

What is the Holy Spirit?, book recommendations for an aspiring lay Theologian, and can you comment on the Bible and the Pope's allowance for gay blessings?

Seeking the Truth, the Seventh Commandment and how that relates to tax evasion, and why can't a religious brother celebrate Mass?

When did the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist become disputed?, how do you promote social justice?, and do women have a different relationship with Jesus than men do?

Do we have responsibility for other people's Lenten sacrifices?, and I have family members who are oneness Pentecostals. They believe the body of Christ was only human and only Christ's spirit is divine. So, explaining the Eucharist is tough! Any tips?

Is Spiritual Communion a Sacrament?, marriage convalidation, and what is your Catholic opinion on men being friends with women?

The priest's blessing, does the wording Jesus "paid the price for our sins" go against Catholic teaching on the Atonement?, and why were so many people willing to follow the Protestant Reformers and leave the Church?

Is Morality about human flourishing or just what God commands?, and does reception in the hand invalidate consecration?, and do Catholics worship Mary?

Was James Jesus' brother? Why was Cain's offering rejected by God? Should we respect the devil? How should we explain the Catholic view on the Rapture? and more on today's Called to Communion with Dr. David Anders.

How do I explain the existence of God to my son who identifies as a "cultural catholic" yet he does not believe in God. He's been a churchgoing atheist since childhood.

There is no such thing as a Biblical Worldview, and what is the Catholic view of predestination and Molinism vs. Thomism?

Reconcile creation with evolution and how do Catholics relate emotions, desires, and sin?

A caller is having a difficult time understanding what a personal prayer of petition is. Dr. Anders helps explain this plus how Catholic mystics connect with stoicism. In addition, what does it mean to be born again and is this something that Catholics believe in?

(MB) Please help me with mental prayer, looking for a commentary on the Book of Wisdom, why do we need a priesthood?, and why is our eternity determined by such a short time?

How is the Church Christ's body and our Mother?, Catholic man trying to marry a nondenominational woman, and Psalm 51.

Can you explain contemplative prayer?, and a question about the placement of an altar.

Please explain the beatific vision, why does the Catholic faith have dogmas pertaining to Mary?, and why does the Catholic Church place so much importance on St. Thomas Aquinas?

How can Saints hear your prayers in heaven?, and does my Lenten sacrifice count if I put a structure in place to help make the sacrifice easier?

What do each of the 7 Sacraments signify?, is Jesus God?, and can a Catholic priest hear a Protestant's Confession?

Set me straight on free will, put it in the trash, does God curse us like in the Book of Deuteronomy, and Vatican ruling over same-sex blessings.

Why do bad things happen to people in the state of grace.

The Bible is a product of Catholic tradition, God of the Old Testament, and why do we see tradition way the way we do?

Struggling with Catholicism, what do clerical garbs mean?, perception of time in purgatory?, and how do people come to conclude they have assurance of salvation?

What is the wrath of God, and a question about God not having emotions.

Apprehensive about joining the Catholic Church because of sex scandals and how certain Catholic hierarchy dealt with them, why don't we stand for all readings during mass?, and God does not regret things.

What is the Catholic stance on tithing?, are charitable donations part of tithing?, and attachment to sin.

Why does the Church go through the trouble of canonization?, and how did the early Church think of Communion?

Why would God create someone that he knew would reject Him?, Jesus fully God, fully man, and Teilhard de Chardin

How do we know who in the Bible was real vs. who wasn't?, and a caller wants to know why she can't receive Communion as a nonCatholic?

Your e-mails are answered on a special mailbag episode of Called to Communion with Dr. David Anders.

What is theology?, can you please explain the Rapture?, and a question about Christ's presence?

A preference for celibacy goes back to Jesus, if Jesus paid for our sins, why go to a priest?, and who decides which Creed to say at Mass?

Why do we need a new heaven?, and the Apostles and Divine Revelation.

Dr. Anders answers a question about expectations of the Messiah in the 1st Century A.D., where did the legend of St. Veronica come from?, and if Jesus healed so many people why weren't more of them recorded?

Differences between Catholicism and Greek Orthodoxy, Waldensians, cultural Catholicism, plus another question for the podcast man.

How using the Bible Alone as a rule of faith is a category mistake.

(MB) Happy MLK Day. On today's Called to Communion, Dr. David Anders reaches into the mailbag to answer listeners' questions like this one: what is your best advice on developing trust in God?

Does God choose some people to be Catholic?, what is the difference between Purgatory, Hades, And Limbo, and other questions.

Joseph objects to Catholic belief in the Eucharist, to what degree is palliative care allowed in the Church?, and did Jesus ever sin?

What do you receive at confirmation?, why would God allow a false religion to prosper?, do Catholics defer to the council of Chalcedon for understanding of the Incarnation, and do we need priests at all today?

Not Catholic because of Church leadership, and if Jesus didn't sin, why was He baptized by John?

Apocalyptic fearmongering, why do we ask anybody to pray for us?, are the prayers of the Church enchantments or magic?

#Morality and #virtue without #God, how do I approach Satanists?, and does it matter what we call #Jesus?