Catholic Tradition And The Bible

4/19/2024

On today's show, Dr. Anders discusses Catholic Tradition and the Bible, the purpose of monastic life and who was Mary wife of Clopas? Plus, more questions and callers.

Marriage Questions And More

4/18/2024

Dr. Anders answers questions about marriage, validity and more.

If You Play Chess With A Catholic Philosopher

4/17/2024

If you play chess with a Catholic philosopher, you just might become Catholic after.

Can Saints Hear All Prayers Simultaneously?

4/16/2024

Can Saints Hear All Prayers Simultaneously? and how are they efficacious?

Are Tradition And The Magisterium Reliable?

4/15/2024

Your e-mails are answered on a special mailbag episode of Called to Communion with Dr. David Anders. Dr. Anders answers a question about Tradition and the Magisterium.

Why Does Jesus Still Have Wounds?

4/12/2024

(MB) Why does Jesus still have wounds after His resurrection?, is it possible for God to command us to do evil?, and during the Transfiguration, how did the disciples know who Jesus was talking to?

Do We Need To Meet In A Church Building?

4/11/2024

Do we need to meet in a Church building, what is the difference between mortal and venial sin, and is abortion ok for babies with Trisomy 13 and Trisomy 18?

Zen, Virtues & Trinity Coeternal

4/10/2024

Today Dr. Anders shares his insights into Zen, Souls in purgatory after Christ return, theological & cardinal virtues as well as answering a little girls question where did God come from?

Purgatory & Penance

4/9/2024

Today Dr. Ander answers your questions about the Catholic faith including: Was John the 1st martyr?, what did Jesus do on Holy Saturday?, how do we minimize our time in purgatory?, and what's the best Catholic Bible and the origins of penance?

Jesus's Ascension Into Heaven

4/8/2024

A question about Jesus's ascension into heaven.

Don't Need Religion To Love Others

4/5/2024

How do you respond when someone says they don't need religion to love others.

Questions About Mary.

4/4/2024

Questions About Mary.

Why Have Holy Days Of Obligation?

4/3/2024

Why do we have holy days of obligation?, would there have been a resurrection of the body without the Fall, and if I become Catholic, how far back do I have to go to confess my sins?

Understanding Faith, Facts, And Feelings

4/2/2024

As a new Catholic I'm having a real problem in my understanding of faith, facts and feelings, and is Easter a pagan holiday?

Holy Easter Monday

4/1/2024

On Today's Called to Communion, Dr. David Anders discusses the answer to all liturgical questions, talking about repetitive sin, prayer variations, does a good Catholic have to agree with the Pope's decisions?

The Answer To All Liturgical Questions

3/28/2024

On Today's Called to Communion, Dr. David Anders discusses the answer to all liturgical questions (especially during Holy Week And the Sacred Triduum).

What is Spy Wednesday?

3/27/2024

What is Spy Wednesday?

Jesus The Suffering Servant

3/26/2024

Why at the end of His suffering on the Cross did Jesus say, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?"

Did Jesus Eat His Own Body?

3/25/2024

Did Jesus eat His own Body?, fewness of the saved vs. habitual sin, what does one do if a doctor tells you to get an abortion for medical reasons?, and Immaculate Conception question.

Called to Communion - Friday

3/22/2024

Today on Called to Communion, Dr David Anders hears from a caller with concerns over his cousin's conversion to Islam, a listener who questions culpability if you "feel you're doing the right thing", a question on the Seventh Day Adventist, and much more!

Vocation & Deciding Between Two Goods

3/21/2024

Vocation: how do you decide between two goods?, God is not an accountant, and I was wondering why you call priests "Father.

How Do I Explain Redemptive Suffering?

3/20/2024

How do I explain redemptive suffering?, and is there anything in the Bible that will better help me to understand the True Presence?

Becoming Like gods?

3/19/2024

Why does Catechism 460 say we become gods?, my son thinks I'm judging him for marrying outside the Church and General Absolution question.

God's Will And Suffering

3/18/2024

God's will and suffering.

Purpose Of Incense Burners At Mass

3/15/2024

(MB) Dr. Anders reaches into the mailbag to to answer listener questions and discusses the purpose of incense burners at mass.

Is Belief Alone The Answer?

3/14/2024

Is belief alone the answer?, and does God still listen to our prayers if we are not in a state of grace?

How Do I Imitate Christ In A Chat Room?

3/13/2024

How do I Imitate Christ in a chat room?, forgiveness vs reconciliation, and how does sin entering the world bring out a greater good?

Explaining The Real Presence

3/12/2024

Explaining the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist and more.

Why Emphasize Christ's Suffering?

3/11/2024

Why emphasize Christ's suffering?

Inescapable Reality Of Religion In Civilization

3/8/2024

The inescapable reality of religion in civilization, is spiritual discernment the same for Catholics and protestants?, and if Jesus experienced the Beatific Vision at every moment, how did He suffer?

God Did Not Punish Jesus For Our Sins

3/7/2024

God did not punish Jesus for our sins.

How Can We Lift A Squatter's Curse?

3/6/2024

How can we lift a squatter's curse?, what is the difference between being Lutheran and Catholic, and are we all Catholic?

What Is The Holy Spirit?

3/5/2024

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 Truth

3/4/2024

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 Become Disputed?

3/1/2024

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?

Responsibility For Other's Lenten Sacrifices?

2/29/2024

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?

2/28/2024

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

The Priest's Blessing

2/27/2024

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?

2/26/2024

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

Catholic View of the Rapture

2/23/2024

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.

Churchgoing Atheist Since Childhood

2/22/2024

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.

No Such Thing As Biblical Worldview

2/21/2024

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

2/20/2024

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

What Is Personal Prayer?

2/19/2024

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?

Mental Prayer

2/16/2024

(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 & Our Mother?

2/15/2024

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?

2/14/2024

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

Please Explain The Beatific Vision

2/13/2024

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 You In Heaven?

2/12/2024

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 The 7 Sacraments Signify?

2/9/2024

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

2/8/2024

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?

2/7/2024

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

The Bible A Product Of Catholic Tradition

2/6/2024

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

2/5/2024

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?

2/2/2024

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

Sex Scandal And Catholic Hierarchy

2/1/2024

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?

1/31/2024

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

Why Go Through Canonization?

1/30/2024

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

Why Would God Create...?

1/29/2024

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

Who In The Bible Was Real?

1/26/2024

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?

Mailbag

1/25/2024

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

What Is Theology?

1/24/2024

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

Celibacy Goes Back To Jesus

1/23/2024

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?

1/22/2024

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

Expectations Of The Messiah

1/18/2024

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 & Greek Orthodox

1/17/2024

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

The Bible Alone

1/16/2024

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

Best Advice On Developing Trust In God

1/15/2024

(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?

1/13/2024

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

I Object To Belief In The Eucharist

1/11/2024

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?

1/10/2024

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

1/9/2024

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

Apocalyptic Fear Mongering

1/8/2024

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

1/5/2024

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

What Are Catholic Devotions?

1/4/2024

What are Catholic devotions and what is their purpose?, my family goes to a Lutheran Church named St. Paul, wasn't he a Catholic?, and why the name Catholic?

Memory And Confession Of Sins

1/3/2024

#Memory and #Confession of sins, how do you reconcile Adam & Eve's existence with #evolution?, and is this good enough to be #Catholic? #faith

Do I Have To Be Rational?

1/2/2024

Do I have to be rational?, who is crushing the head of satan in the Book Of Revelation?, why doesn't God reveal himself to us physically?, and Catholicism and Science.

Devoting Yourself To Wisdom In The New Year

1/1/2024

(MB) Tanner asks about how to find a devotion to #wisdom for the New Year, #Catholics can experience the #HolySpirit too, and what are the role of the cardinal virtues in moral judgement, and correcting our perceptions of the #Bible.

Be Like Christ

12/29/2023

Is it imperative that as Catholics we try to persuade our Christian friends to become Catholic? Why do Catholics believe that Mary is Co-Redemptrix? Are we allowed to disagree on Purgatory? and more on today's Called to Communion with Dr. David Anders.

Does God Chastise People?

12/28/2023

Is the Eucharist a means to forgive sins or must your sins be forgiven before approaching the sacrament? Is it impossible to avoid purgatory? How should we address the priestly scandals of the past? and more on today's Called to Communion with Dr. David Anders.

Covenantal Sacrifices

12/27/2023

When God made a covenant with Abraham didn’t he have Abraham sacrifice some animals? If so, why? What constitutes a valid Baptism? Why does God want us to have faith and to believe in him without seeing him? and more on today's Called to Communion with Dr. David Anders.

How Can I Be Certain God Exists?

12/26/2023

Merry Christmas from the CTC team. Dr. Anders and Thom address some questions about Christmas, how can I be certain about God's existence, sharing the Gospel with nominally Catholic friends, Confession question and about St. Paul.

Morality in the Old Testament

12/22/2023

Was polygamy and keeping concubines permissible under the Old Testament? When the Catechism speaks of us participating in the Lord's sacrifice on the cross via the Eucharist, exactly what does this mean? and more on today's Called to Communion with Dr. David Anders.

Blessings and Prayers

12/21/2023

Is Purgatory a place of punishment or healing? How would someone know if they have the Holy Spirit? What is the difference between a blessing and a prayer? and more on today's Called to Communion with Dr. David Anders.

Priest, Prophet, and King

12/20/2023

Does Mathew 1:18-25 leave room for the possibility that Mary was not a virgin in perpetuity? In reading the Divine Office, the Antiphon was "Offer to God the sacrifice of praise". What does that mean? and more on today's Called to Communion with Dr. David Anders.

Defending Maccabees

12/19/2023

Why do you use Maccabees, which isn't in the Bible, to defend the doctrine of Purgatory? I am born-again. Why would I want to be Catholic? Should I become a Catholic if aliens are real? and more on today's Called to Communion with Dr. David Anders.

Dark Night of the Soul

12/18/2023

When does a twin's soul develop? Why do we have to go to Mass on a Sunday? How should I understand the Vatican's statement on blessing for same-sex couples? What is the dark night of the soul? and more on today's Called to Communion with Dr. David Anders.

Hard Time Believing In A God Who Allows...

12/15/2023

Having a hard time believing in a God who allows bad things to happen, Christian involvement in the Crusades, and please tell me about atonement and plenary indulgences.

Did Jesus Have A Guardian Angel?

12/14/2023

Did Jesus have a guardian angel?, can a nonCatholic be canonized? and Modalism, Modalism, Modalism.

Romans 2

12/13/2023

Romans 2, what do the Catholics teach when it comes to once saved, always saved?, and can we ask for intercession from souls in purgatory?

The Catholic Church On Tithing

12/12/2023

The Catholic Church on tithing, question on the Church's stand on modern-day Israel, explain the Catholic view of Salvation vs Protestant view, and if we say a prayer in our minds, does Mary hear it?

How Do I Explain The 144,000?

12/11/2023

How do I explain the 144,000 in the Book of Revelation?, is there a formula for Absolution?, what is the Church's teaching on the Rapture?, and a question the sinlessness of Mary.

3 Weeks Away From Getting Married

12/9/2023

(Mailbag) Gabriel and his fiancée are 3 weeks away from getting married and want to know more about the sacramental nature of marriage, also Mark is going to be ordained a priest soon and wants to know how to handle a tricky situation, and significant barriers preventing Eastern Orthodox from entering into full communion with Rome.

Where Did Baptism Come From?

12/7/2023

(Mailbag)Where did Baptism come from? what does the word, "Hosts" mean?, and discussing total depravity.

31 Years Old, Married, And Want To Be Catholic

12/6/2023

Nick is 31 years old, married, and wants to be Catholic, and wants advice on how to go about this, blasphemy against the Holy Spirit, beneficial to have masses said for someone who died in mortal sin, and the Church's teaching on Luke 17 and the Rapture.

Is It A Sin If I Take Someone To Court?

12/5/2023

Is it a sin if I take someone to court?, why did you choose Catholicism over Orthodoxy?, and is it a mortal sin to vent, complain, or grumble to yourself about something or someone?

Do You Go To Heaven Before The Judgment?

12/4/2023

Do you go to Heaven before the judgment?, do our sins disappear after they are forgiven?, and what is meant by charity?

Dealing With Division And Fake News Surrounding The Pope

12/1/2023

What do I do about the disunity and the fake news around the pope?, it has to be your choice, does God love some more than others?, and confused about God's justice.

Is There A Place In Christianity For Introverts?

11/30/2023

Is there a place in Christianity for introverts?, the laity cant consecrate the Eucharist, Pope Francis has been pretty darn clear when it comes to his response to the Dubia, and how does the Penance tie into Reconciliation?

The Season Of Advent

11/29/2023

The season of Advent, were any books of the Bible written by a woman?, why have a penance if you have to go purgatory?, and here is what the Church thinks about the death of Christ.