Podcast appearances and mentions of Jimmy Akin

A derelict starship weaponizes its rescuers' worst fears, and Strange New Worlds S4E2 flatly refuses to explain any of it. Dom Bettinelli, Jimmy Akin, and Fr. Jason Tyler ask whether an unsolved mystery makes better television.

“Can modern biblical criticism be accepted?” This question opens a discussion on the complexities of faith and interpretation, addressing concerns about how Catholics reconcile personal beliefs with Church teachings. Other topics include the significance of the Book of Enoch, the concept of Jesus having the odor of sanctity, and guidance for a teenager struggling with belief in God. Join the Catholic Answers Live Club Newsletter Invite our apologists to speak at your parish! Visit Catholicanswersspeakers.com Questions Covered: 03:32 – I sense that you didn't answer Richard’s questions properly but instead framed it in a way where it was dismissed. I have the same questions, and it seems like dismissing scripture almost makes it seem as though it’s preaching a different gospel. 15:00 – I'm confused about the acceptance of modern biblical criticism. How much do Catholics have to believe personally and externally about the teachings of the Church? 28:50 – My friend who is Missouri Synod and asked me about the Bible of Enoch. I've never heard of this. What is it? What can I send her to read? 38:18 – Did Jesus have the odor of sanctity? 44:23 – My 16-year-old nephew is saying he doesn't believe in God anymore. What advice do you have to help with showing God's existence? 50:12 – Why was Mary able to marry Joseph but didn't need to be open to life/ have relations with him for it to be considered valid?

A monk who sold his soul to write a book in one night, the naked man fleeing Jesus' arrest, and whether Jesus was just an alien with good technology: Jimmy Akin takes on eleven listener weird questions with Cy Kellett and Dom Bettinelli. The post The Devil’s Bible, Jesus Was an Alien?, Psychic Powers in Heaven, and Weird Questions appeared first on StarQuest Media.

“Why should secular people consider Catholicism?” This question opens a discussion on the relevance of faith in modern life, alongside inquiries about the different levels of heaven and how one might improve their standing. The conversation also addresses concerns about the role of repetitive prayers in Mass and the Church’s teachings on saints versus direct access to Jesus. Join the Catholic Answers Live Club Newsletter Invite our apologists to speak at your parish! Visit Catholicanswersspeakers.com Questions Covered: 03:10 – Why should secular people consider the Catholic faith? 17:28 – Are there different levels in heaven? If there is, how can you upgrade your position? 33:54 – The repetition prayers at mass bored me. Why don't they teach the bible at mass? The bible says to go to Jesus not the saints. Why does the Church teach people to go to the saints instead of Jesus? 49:01 – I'm not Catholic because of the teaching on mortal sin and the inconsistencies. I don't see how committing a sin like murder would necessarily cut off our relationship from God. His love is greater than that.

A monk who sold his soul to write a book in one night, the naked man fleeing Jesus' arrest, and whether Jesus was just an alien with good technology: Jimmy Akin takes on eleven listener weird questions with Cy Kellett and Dom Bettinelli.

This August, I'm teaching a four-week course for the Rhine Education Center on Psi and Christianity. We'll look at telepathy, clairvoyance, precognition, mind over matter, and the survival of the soul after death. For 2,000 years, Christians have been wrestling with the very phenomena that parapsychologists study today. Audit it or take it for a grade. Tuition $119 ($109 for Rhine members). Visit RhineEdu.org to register.

Sixty-five million years in the past, Pike can save a planet or keep his own future — not both. Dom Bettinelli, Jimmy Akin, and Fr. Jason Tyler take on Strange New Worlds S4E1: dinosaurs, Martians, and the ethics of time travel.

Sixty-five million years in the past, Pike can save a planet or keep his own future — not both. Dom Bettinelli, Jimmy Akin, and Fr. Jason Tyler take on Strange New Worlds S4E1: dinosaurs, Martians, and the ethics of time travel. The post Valles Marineris (SNW) appeared first on StarQuest Media.

“Do Catholics believe in the rapture?” This question opens a discussion on Catholic eschatology, addressing where the idea of the rapture originated and its connection to dispensationalism. The conversation also touches on the Illumination of Conscience, the concept of the Antichrist, and the significance of the mark of the beast, providing a comprehensive look at these intriguing topics. Join the Catholic Answers Live Club Newsletter Invite our apologists to speak at your parish! Visit Catholicanswersspeakers.com Questions Covered: 05:30 – Do Catholics believe in the rapture? 15:07 – Where did the idea of the Rapture come from? 16:26 – What is dispensationalism, and is it ancient or a modern invention? 21:10 – What is the Illumination of Conscience (or “the Warning”)? What is it, and when might it happen? 29:10 – The Three Days of Darkness—what is it, and does the Church require belief in it? 34:29 – What—or who—is the Antichrist? 44:50 – What does “666,” the mark of the beast, actually mean? 51:25 – As Catholics, what are we supposed to do with all this? Should we be afraid?

Dozens of unrelated children said shining, winged figures stood over them as an EF5 tornado destroyed Joplin. Jimmy Akin and Dom Bettinelli weigh cryptids, trauma, folklore, and guardian angels behind the butterfly people. The post The Butterfly People of Joplin, Missouri appeared first on StarQuest Media.

“Are we living in the end times right now—the ‘last days’?” This question opens a discussion on the signs that may precede Jesus’ return, alongside insights into Catholic beliefs about the Book of Revelation and whether Jesus got the end-of-the-world prophecies wrong. The conversation covers a range of perspectives on these significant topics. Join the Catholic Answers Live Club Newsletter Invite our apologists to speak at your parish! Visit Catholicanswersspeakers.com Questions Covered: 02:59 – Are we living in the end times right now—the “last days”? 14:40 – What are the signs that will precede the return of Jesus? 34:58 – What do Catholics believe about the Book of Revelation? Is it a coded timeline of the future? 48:00 – Did Jesus Get the End-of-the-World Prophecies Wrong?

Dozens of unrelated children said shining, winged figures stood over them as an EF5 tornado destroyed Joplin. Jimmy Akin and Dom Bettinelli weigh cryptids, trauma, folklore, and guardian angels behind the butterfly people.

“What did the early church believe about the Eucharist?” This question opens a discussion on foundational beliefs, while also addressing the serious implications of Church teaching on moral responsibilities, such as the obligation to care for those in need, and the perceived disparities in how the Church treats traditional versus liberal interpretations of faith. Join the Catholic Answers Live Club Newsletter Invite our apologists to speak at your parish! Visit Catholicanswersspeakers.com Questions Covered: 01:45 – What did the early church believe about the Eucharist? 16:23 – The Catechism says it’s a mortal sin to let a child die of starvation if you have the financial means to feed them. I don't know anyone who does this. Is this really Church teaching? 32:40 – Why does it seem that the Church is coming down unfairly on those who hold a more orthodox/traditional stance of church teaching and allows those who take a more liberal take on the faith run freely?

Radiation from a black hole turns the crew into a shipful of obsessives in Enterprise S2E9, "Singularity." Dom Bettinelli, Jimmy Akin, and Fr. Jason Tyler ask whether you can really build a whole plot on a pun.

Radiation from a black hole turns the crew into a shipful of obsessives in Enterprise S2E9, "Singularity." Dom Bettinelli, Jimmy Akin, and Fr. Jason Tyler ask whether you can really build a whole plot on a pun. The post Singularity (ENT) appeared first on StarQuest Media.

“Why do Catholics believe in no divorce when Jesus says that there is an exception for sexual immorality?” This question opens a discussion on the Church’s teachings about marriage, alongside inquiries about the idea of the gift of tears experienced during Mass, the implications of Bishop Gasser's relatio on doctrinal decisions, and the validity of baptisms in diverse church contexts. Join the Catholic Answers Live Club Newsletter Invite our apologists to speak at your parish! Visit Catholicanswersspeakers.com Questions Covered: 00:01 – Why do Catholics believe in no divorce when Jesus says that there is an exception for sexual immorality? 14:48 – Is the gift of tears real? I had an experience of crying for no reason at Pentecost Mass this year? 28:40 – Does Bishop Gasser's relatio necessitate many ex cathedra doctrinal decisions in the past? 40:58 – I grew up in a oneness church, where some believed in the Trinity; others did not. For baptism, if the two people in the church involved in the baptism believed in the Trinity and baptized in the trinitarian formula, would that baptism be valid? 45:25 – If we hold Mary to be the most exalted creature, how do we handle Matthew 11:11 that says no one born of woman is greater than John the Baptist?

He spent his career debunking fake mesmerists and mediums — then dreamed his brother's funeral weeks before it happened. Jimmy Akin and Dom Bettinelli trace Mark Twain's strange turn toward telepathy and ask what the Catholic has to say about it. The post Mark Twain Super-Psychic: His Shocking Telepathy & Death Dream appeared first on StarQuest Media.

“What is schism and heresy?” These concepts are explored alongside questions about the nature of sin and forgiveness, including how a priest forgives sins. The discussion also touches on the implications of making a slasher movie, the fate of souls after death, and the role of guardian angels, 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: 02:15 – What is Schism and Heresy? 18:23 – Is it objective grave matter to make a slasher movie? 30:30 – How does it work for a priest to forgive sins? 32:35 – My atheist friend is asking where are people who have died? If Christ hasn't come to judge yet then they couldn't be in heaven or hell. 38:30 – Would it be a stretch to say that Saint Paul might have wrote the first few chapters of Hebrews, with one of his followers finishing it after he was executed? 46:15 – What happens to your guardian angel when you die? 49:13 – Why do Catholics believe in no divorce when Jesus says that there is an exception for sexual immorality?

He spent his career debunking fake mesmerists and mediums — then dreamed his brother's funeral weeks before it happened. Jimmy Akin and Dom Bettinelli trace Mark Twain's strange turn toward telepathy and ask what the Catholic has to say about it.

This episode of Focus, the podcast of Catholic Answers, features guest Jimmy Akin, a Catholic convert, author, podcast host and long-time senior apologist with Catholic Answers. Support the show

A powerful alien telepath locks Voyager's crew in private hallucinations and then vanishes without explanation. Dom Bettinelli and Jimmy Akin on whether "Persistence of Vision" earns its mystery.

A powerful alien telepath locks Voyager's crew in private hallucinations and then vanishes without explanation. Dom Bettinelli and Jimmy Akin on whether "Persistence of Vision" earns its mystery. The post Persistence of Vision (VOY) appeared first on StarQuest Media.

“Does the Bible teach the invocation of saints?” This question opens a discussion on the role of saints in Catholic belief, alongside inquiries about the end of animal sacrifice in Scripture, the presence of archangels, and the interpretation of 2 Corinthians 5:8 regarding Purgatory. The conversation also touches on the differences in Gospel accounts of Judas’s betrayal. Join the Catholic Answers Live Club Newsletter Invite our apologists to speak at your parish! Visit Catholicanswersspeakers.com Questions Covered: 06:05 – Does the Bible teach the invocation of saints? 13:30 – Where in the Bible is the end of animal sacrifice? And why was it ended? 20:15 – Where are the archangels in the Bible? 23:58 – Matthew, Mark, and Luke all have Judas kissing Jesus. John does not. Which one is true? 32:55 – 2 Cor.5:8 says to be absent with the body is to be present with Christ. Do protestants think that they all go to heaven? What about Purgatory? 41:35 – Is the Deuterocanon read in the same way the rest of the Old Testament is? 48:32 – Regarding Isaiah 37:36 records the siege of Jesusalem by the Assyrians. Was the Angel that was sent to save Jerusalem actually a pharaoh from Egypt? Is it possible that the bible recorded the pharaoh and his army as an angel from God?

The U.S. government holds real patents for putting voices in people's heads — and thousands say it's happening to them. Jimmy Akin and Dom Bettinelli separate the real physics from psychiatry, internet lore, and outright fraud. The post EXPOSED: The Government’s Patented Way to Put Voices in Your Head appeared first on StarQuest Media.

“What book had the most controversy?” This question leads to a discussion about the canon’s acceptance, alongside inquiries about the historical evidence for the papacy beyond key scripture, the appropriateness of having a menorah in a Catholic home, and the reasons behind variations in biblical translations. Join the Catholic Answers Live Club Newsletter Invite our apologists to speak at your parish! Visit Catholicanswersspeakers.com Questions Covered: 05:35 – What book in the canon had the most controversy about its acceptance? 16:21 – I'm considering Catholicism but am not convinced by the historical and scriptural evidence for the papacy. Beyond Matthew 16 and Luke 22, what is the strongest evidence that the early church recognized the papacy? 20:45 – The book of Exodus mentions a menorah. It's not necessarily a Catholic symbol, but since it's in the Bible is it okay to have a menorah in your house? 29:20 – Why is Matthew 17:20 (“But this kind is not cast out but by prayer and fasting”) excluded from certain translations? The Douay Rheims has it and the RSV-CE does not. And how might that affect the nihil obstat? 36:33 – Why do people think Catholics worship Mary? 43:25 – Is there any truth to the claim that ancient Jews thought there were two powers in heaven? They cite Genesis referring to “us.” 51:00 – How do I answer when people say that Jesus didn't judge, especially in regard to immoral behavior?

The U.S. government holds real patents for putting voices in people's heads — and thousands say it's happening to them. Jimmy Akin and Dom Bettinelli separate the real physics from psychiatry, internet lore, and outright fraud.

When Klingons destroy the conference she was headed to, Kira ends up teaching guerrilla tactics to a demoted Dukat. Dom Bettinelli and Jimmy Akin unpack DS9 S4E14's moral complexity, Damar's debut, and whether Dukat is tragic or just evil.

When Klingons destroy the conference she was headed to, Kira ends up teaching guerrilla tactics to a demoted Dukat. Dom Bettinelli and Jimmy Akin unpack DS9 S4E14's moral complexity, Damar's debut, and whether Dukat is tragic or just evil. The post Return to Grace (DS9) appeared first on StarQuest Media.

Was Jesus Christ the Messiah that the world was waiting for? In his new book, "Evidence for Christ: How We Know That Jesus Is The Messiah" author Jimmy Akin presents an array of reasons to believe that Jesus is truly the Messiah. He joins The Morning Blend to tell us more.Purchas a copy from Catholic Answers Press.Subscribe to the Morning Blend on your favorite podcast platform.Find this show on the free Hail Mary Media App, along with a radio live-stream, prayers, news, and more.Look through past episodes or support this podcast.The Morning Blend is a production of Mater Dei Radio in Portland, Oregon.

A Liverpool merchant spent 30 years tunneling beneath his own neighborhood and never said why. Jimmy Akin and Dom Bettinelli weigh seven theories about Joseph Williamson and his mysterious underground labyrinth. The post Joseph Williamson’s Tunnels appeared first on StarQuest Media.

A Liverpool merchant spent 30 years tunneling beneath his own neighborhood and never said why. Jimmy Akin and Dom Bettinelli weigh seven theories about Joseph Williamson and his mysterious underground labyrinth.

A separatist leader kidnaps Beverly Crusher and makes arguments the Enterprise crew can't quite answer. Dom Bettinelli, Jimmy Akin, and Fr. Jason Tyler on TNG's toughest terrorism episode: "The High Ground" (S3E12).

A separatist leader kidnaps Beverly Crusher and makes arguments the Enterprise crew can't quite answer. Dom Bettinelli, Jimmy Akin, and Fr. Jason Tyler on TNG's toughest terrorism episode: "The High Ground" (S3E12). The post The High Ground (TNG) appeared first on StarQuest Media.

“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. Join the Catholic Answers Live Club Newsletter Invite our apologists to speak at your parish! Visit Catholicanswersspeakers.com 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?

A bottomless pit in central Washington, 80,000 feet deep and impossible to fill. In 1997, one phone call to Art Bell turned a piece of local folklore into a national mystery. Jimmy Akin and Dom Bettinelli investigate Mel's Hole. The post Mel’s Hole appeared first on StarQuest Media.

“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. Join the Catholic Answers Live Club Newsletter Invite our apologists to speak at your parish! Visit Catholicanswersspeakers.com 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?

A bottomless pit in central Washington, 80,000 feet deep and impossible to fill. In 1997, one phone call to Art Bell turned a piece of local folklore into a national mystery. Jimmy Akin and Dom Bettinelli investigate Mel's Hole.

An alien observer who detaches his own body parts puts Kirk and Spock through their paces in TAS S2E2. Dom Bettinelli, Jimmy Akin, and Fr. Jason Tyler weigh whether "Bem" earns its strange premise — and how this episode named James Tiberius Kirk.

An alien observer who detaches his own body parts puts Kirk and Spock through their paces in TAS S2E2. Dom Bettinelli, Jimmy Akin, and Fr. Jason Tyler weigh whether "Bem" earns its strange premise — and how this episode named James Tiberius Kirk. The post Bem (TAS) appeared first on StarQuest Media.

“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?

The most famous lost object in history — the Ark of the Covenant — vanished from Scripture before 586 BC and was never seen again. Jimmy Akin and Dom Bettinelli examine what it was, trace its history, and weigh nine theories for where it went. The post What Really Happened to the Lost Ark of the Covenant? appeared first on StarQuest Media.

“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?

The most famous lost object in history — the Ark of the Covenant — vanished from Scripture before 586 BC and was never seen again. Jimmy Akin and Dom Bettinelli examine what it was, trace its history, and weigh nine theories for where it went.

No Christmas special. No showrunner. No production partner. The BBC has put Doctor Who out to competitive tender, and Dom Bettinelli and Jimmy Akin weigh what the shake-up means for Billie Piper, the Timeless Child, and the show's next era.

Does a growing human population dilute demonic influence per person? Plus: the Magi's star, Mary after Pentecost, leavened Eucharist history, God's timelessness, and the serpent of Genesis 3. Jimmy Akin and Dom Bettinelli answer patron questions. The post What Mary Knew; God’s Choices; Autism & Names in Afterlife; & More appeared first on StarQuest Media.

“Why are Esther’s chapters not sequential?” This question leads to a discussion about the structure of the Book of Esther, addressing why it begins with chapter 10 and revisits earlier events. Other topics include the meaning of Romans 5:7, the implications of modern technology as a new Tower of Babel, and advice for those new to reading scripture. Join the Catholic Answers Live Club Newsletter Invite our apologists to speak at your parish! Visit Catholicanswersspeakers.com Questions Covered: 04:47 – I'm reading the RSV of the Book of Esther. Why are the chapters not sequential? It starts with chapter 10 (or so) and then later goes back to chapter 1. 12:50 – What does Romans 5:7 mean? “Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die.” 20:26 – Could modern technology be a new Tower of Babel? 33:28 – What is the best scholarly work that refutes Bart Ehrman's view that the gospels are not reliable? 42:05 – I am grew up, but I have not actually read much scripture before. I would like to start. What is the best way to start? I get bored easily, and I don't want to start and then lose momentum. 50:20 – On the road to Emmaus, one of the disciples is named and the other is not. I've heard speculation that is because the other was his wife. What do you make of this speculation?

Thousands of star-like flashes flicker across sky-survey plates shot before any satellite existed — some clustered, some lined up, some on famous UFO nights. Jimmy Akin and Dom Bettinelli weigh five explanations for the pre-Sputnik transients. The post Pre-Sputnik Transients appeared first on StarQuest Media.

“Are any parts of the Bible taken from other cultures?” This question opens a discussion on the influences surrounding biblical texts, while also addressing intriguing topics such as the possibility of ensouled humans mating with un-ensouled humans and the role of Nicodemus in the burial of Jesus. Additionally, the dating of 2 Peter is examined, providing a rich exploration of scriptural context. Join the Catholic Answers Live Club Newsletter Invite our apologists to speak at your parish! Visit Catholicanswersspeakers.com Questions Covered: 02:00 – Are any parts of the Bible taken from other cultures? 16:16 – In the beginning of humanity, could ensouled humans have mated with un-ensouled humans? If so, would it have been sinful for them to do so? 34:28 – When I was a kid I was told that Nicodemus helped take Jesus' body off the cross. But it doesn't mention him specifically in John 19:39. Is there any truth to this? 45:00 – When do you think 2 Peter was written? A lot of scholars place it after 70 AD and I am wondering if you would place it earlier.