[Robert Wilson]

Hi Christopher, we have a couple message holy cards in our store. Check em out =)

St. Paul Evangelization Store

I also just emailed you our street evangelization workbook with a bunch of bullet points to help folks craft their own version of the kerygma. Have a great holy week!

[Robert Wilson]

well, Catholics say Jesus died on the cross to atone for our sins, don’t we?

[Robert Wilson]

Answers from our Apologetics Facebook page:

Peter was expressing something showing he wasn’t thinking as God does. It didn’t diminish his role as leader of the church.
Etienne F

Peter had yet to deny the Lord, receive pardon 3 times and confirmed to lift his brothers, plus wait upon the Baptism by fire in Acts 2. Notice that after Acts 2, Peter speaks most of the time.
Jesus Z

Satan and bad spirits tempt us all to create a stumbling block to the Son of Man and Son of God within our lives, that is, in carrying out the will of the Father–the mission of the redeemer… In fact, to cast doubt on the Word of God in the flesh establishing Peter as the rock is a sure sign originating from the infernal headquarters. Repent, believe in the Gospel, believe in the one church, It is the will of God that just as the Father and Son are one, so is the Church in the unity of the Holy Spirit. If you’ve found salvation on earth that grace has flowed from the Catholic Church, He remains within her, the way, truth, and life. If you open the doors of your heart to the Spirit of truth and love, you will find that Jesus still draws all men to Himself within the Church he founded. The world, the flesh, and Satan attempt to prevent this; the Virgin Mother of God, the Virgin Most Powerful, defeats false Christ’s and false churches.
Jimmy E

Satan means accuser, or is someone who tries to stop you from doing God’s will. Satan is not just a person. Anyone can be a Satan in your life, if they try and stop you from doing God’s will. The Devil is the chief accuser of those who obey the will of God.
Donald S

Because Jesus was talking about the temptation to forego the Passion he was about to enter into, he wasn’t calling Peter Satan he was calling the temptation Satan issued. Peter had just said no Lord don’t allow this, not realizing that this was the will of God and the way in which the world would be redeemed. Peter is the Rock because Jesus saw in him that with the help of the Holy Spirit he would be the leader the Church would need and he proved it starting with Pentecost.
Louis J

He had one set of keys to give and Peter was the one the Father picked out and revealed the unique nature of Christ to Peter and likewise Jesus chose that man to change his name, make him the Pope and give him the keys. The proof is that’s without so much as a prayer he killed 2 people in the book of Acts, only God or someone with his authority can do something like that.
Bradlee S

The ROCK of the Church doesn’t mean he can’t do wrong things. (Impeccability.) The ROCK of the Church means he cannot TEACH wrong things. (Infallibility). Teaching and doing are two different things. We’ve had scoundrel popes who did terrible things… BUT NONE OF THEM EVER TAUGHT WRONG DOCTRINE. So being the ROCK of the church means one is INFALLIBLE, not IMPECCABLE.
As Catholics, we need to understand this and know how to defend it.
Joby P

Consider the chronical order of NT events, and which side of Christ’s death and resurrection the biblical passage in question happened. Jesus was the teacher at that time, not Peter being the student disciple concerned for Jesus’ safety.
Peter later became the teacher after Pentecost, and Christ ascended into Heaven after commissioning the apostles to continue His work.
First the apostles were chosen to follow Jesus; were taught by Christ, and they were eye witnesses to His death and resurrection which had to happen first. The apostles were sent (commissioned) by Jesus when the time was right, not before.
Miles M

We all make mistakes and need forgiveness. Peter made some big ones, but Jesus forgave him and can use even the weakest of men to fulfill his will. God oftentimes uses the least qualified people for his jobs.
Janet D

For whom the Lord loveth, he chastiseth; and he scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.
Correction, even harsh correction is not a sign of disfavor.
Nicholas S

[Robert Wilson]

Hello Felipe –

I mention hell sometimes when I’m proclaiming the kerygma.

You can ask someone, “Hey, do you know what we believe as Christians?” or “Do you know what the Gospel message is all about?”

I then I proclaim the Kerygma:
God loves you and created you. You are precious, unique and unrepeatable. He wants to be in a relationship with you forever and has a plan for your life.
The bad news is that due to sin, we were separated from God and our human nature was wounded. That means our intellect was darkened, our wills became weak, and sin became attractive. The consequence of sin is eternal death in hell.
The good news is that God’s Son, Jesus, became man, atoned for our sins by dying on the cross and rose from the dead for our salvation.
We receive the Holy Spirit and the gift of salvation when we put our faith in Jesus, repent of our sins, get baptized and become His disciples.
Jesus established the Catholic Church to teach with his authority, to empower us with his grace, and to bring us back to life if we commit a deadly sin.

Have you had conversations with people about hell before? how did they go?

[Robert Wilson]

Here’s a great resource for pamphlets that SPSE doesn’t have:
http://evangelizationstation.com/Pamphlets/free_downloadable_pamphlets.htm

Here’s one I found on hell:
http://evangelizationstation.com/Pamphlets/491%20Hell%20from%20the%20Diary%20of%20Saint%20Faustina.pdf

[Robert Wilson]

Answers from our SPSE Catholic Apologetics Facebook page:

That’s like saying “I’m never going to have lights in my house because I can’t believe a company would let people sit in the dark, cold, and unable to cook on their stove if they don’t pay some stupid bill”. So you’re going to sit in the dark, protesting the light/electric company? You’re only hurting yourself by choosing to be in perpetual darkness and by protesting what is fair. By the way, God isn’t the electric company: He actually doesn’t let you sit in the dark. You actually have to RUN AWAY from His light, which is free for everyone.
Toni A

It’s not about going to church, it’s about showing love for our Creator. If one can’t be bothered to spend 1 hour out of 168 a week worshiping his/her Creator, they probably don’t love God, and if we refuse to love God, He won’t force us to be with Him for all eternity.
David R

You have that all wrong, God doesn’t send us anywhere we do that all by ourselves we are all free to do what we want if we are Catholics the church has rules as we all do if we have a home you keep them if you want to stay, the church has commandments as Catholics we keep them if we choose not to and live in sin you choose your own road.
Lucy K

God does not send anyone to hell. They choose it with the decisions they make.
Ann B

The fourth commandment, given to Moses directly from God, is pretty clear on this subject. It’s his rule, because it’s his gate. You can choose to do what you please; however, you will always be held accountable for those choices. If the 4th commandment requires you to keep holy the sabbath and the early church knew that to mean you had, in part, to actual go to church on the sabbath as part of keeping that day holy, then that’s part of the rules for getting into heaven. You don’t have to go to heaven if you don’t want to.
Anthony F

[Robert Wilson]

Answers from our SPSE Catholic Apologetics Facebook page:

I agree it does look like that especially when you see people waving hankies at a statue, it is something as a Catholic I struggle with, and yet what I believe is that they are a tool to remind us of what we are about, a creative way of praying.
Kevin A

I’m Catholic and I’ve never prayed to a statue! I prayed in front of a statue but my heart and soul was praying to The Father, Son and the Holy Spirit. I do often ask our Blessed Mother and the Saints to pray for me and others.
Dominika V

I’m Catholic and don’t pray to a an idol. People who pray to an idol believe it can actually hear you. When I pray (talk) to our Blessed Mother, I may sit or stand by a “representation” made of wood or ceramic, but that doesn’t mean I believe the wood or ceramic has any power.
Garry W

The context of the prohibition on making statues in the Bible was at a time when statues were being made to be worshiped (idols).
In the book of Exodus, chapter 25, God commanded Moses to make a statue of a Cherub out of gold in order to lead people to God. The Catholic Church uses statues of saints for the same purpose, to lead others to God.
Martua C

Have you a photo in your house to remind you of a person? The Statues are their to help us focus our minds on Almighty God.
Anthony J

I’d likely say something like ”Oh, I totally understand!” Then while pulling up a picture say… “not to change the subject but have you seen what’s happening in the news?” And show them images of a flag burning.
As soon as they find it upsetting, ask “Why should this bother us? It’s just a piece of fabric, right?”
The point is that any decent American will react to a burning US flag. And it makes it much easier for them to begin understanding that it’s not about the thing/image, it’s about what it represents/symbolizes.
For us, embracing an image of Jesus or His mother is just saying that we love Him and His mother. The love isn’t for the plastic, plaster or wooden object we hold. Much like the love we have for our country isn’t the same as love for a flag.
Brad S

If I get on my knees and pray at my bed before going to sleep am I worshipping my pillow and linens?
Dei G

Icons are not idols since icons follow the Apostolic tradition. Idols don’t.
Atheists have idols. We have Holy Icons from Apostolic tradition.
Mea K

[Robert Wilson]

Answers from our Catholic Apologetics Facebook page:

Wearing saint medals and scapulars will only become superstitious when the level of occult is injected as part of “transaction” for favors, instead of blessings.
Petra A

The Blessed Mother promised that anyone who wears the scapular will be saved by her intercession to Her Son.
In an exorcism, despite the faith of the victim, the devil inside the victims gets agitated in the presence of the sacramentals even before the initiation of the prayers.
Ran T

It is superstitious only if you believe the scapulars and medals have power of their own. But if God’s power can work though sacred people, then surely his power can work though sacred things and there is no superstition in that.
Joby P

For me it’s a reminder to be W.O.P.I. W-to Witness God’s love to me and others and to the Saints whom the medal was attributed. O-Obedience to God’s commandment to love God and my neighbor by the example of the Saint in the medal. P-Protection from sinful act and situation. I- identity as a Catholic who believes in the true church that Jesus has founded and its magisterium.
Ritche C

I carefully announced to the people I put the miraculous medal on, that it is blessed, so it is a “sacramental” meaning you are carrying something deemed holy, like holy water, but the medal reminds you to say, “Mary, help me.” Your faith in Mary’s help and Jesus’ help is what brings the miracles.
Donna B

[Robert Wilson]

Answers from our SPSE Catholic Apologetics Facebook page:

Catholics can have a level of certitude, but it isn’t absolute. No Protestant I know actually believes in complete assurance either. That fellow they THOUGHT was saved but then sinned … well, he wasn’t *really* saved to begin with. Are you sure you are now sinless and ready for heaven?
Michael C

We’ll you would have to explain why from chapter 1 and up to chapter 5 there are 25 ‘if’s’:
1:8 If we say…
2:1 if we sin…
2:3 If we keep his commandments
2:4 If someone says…
2:5 if you keep his word
2:6 If someone says…
2:15 If someone loves the world…
2:19 if they had been one of ours…
3:20 if our conscience reproaches us…
That’s a lot of ‘If’s?
If you examine this chapter carefully you cannot come to the easy conclusion that you imply in regards to 5:13…
Jose R

The Greek word for knowledge in 1 John 5:13 does not necessarily equate to absolute certainty. We use the verb know the same way in English. For example, I may say I know I am going to get an A on my exam tomorrow. Does that mean I have metaphysical certainty of this? Not at all. What I mean and what the verb know can be used to indicate is that I have confidence that I will get an A on my test tomorrow because I have studied the material thoroughly and I know it well.
Gary G

[Robert Wilson]

Why is the Catholic Church against gay marriage?

Because God instituted marriage to be a life-long covenant between a man and woman that’s ordered toward the well-being of the spouses and to the procreation and upbringing of children. Using it in any other way will always end up hurting people. So we’re against gay marriage because we don’t want people to get hurt.

[Robert Wilson]

Answers from SPSE Catholic Apologetics Facebook page:

Why is the Catholic Church against gay marriage?

Any sex out of the sacrament of marriage is a mortal sin. I would explain that straight single men fight the same temptation of having sex out of marriage. And God can heal them from their temptations. I would talk about friends who are struggling with same sex attraction and the God is healing them through confession the Eucharist and praying the rosary.
Paul L

A conversation like this cannot be had without an understanding of chastity as it is understood by the Church.
If chastity is absent from the conversation, then it becomes about behaviors and “who can do what” – and this makes it impossible to escape accusations of discrimination.
Meanwhile, chastity (which is not the same as abstinence or celibacy) is proposed to all people, regardless of state in life, age, or marital status. It is a proposal for everyone, and it is people who choose to reject the proposal of chastity, not the church rejecting people.
Chastity (and successful integration) need to be looked into.
So to answer the question, I would say: The Church supports that which helps us grow in holiness and the fullness of virtue. However, to understand that more profoundly, we need to have conversations about the meaning of holiness, virtue, sin, and conscience.
Most importantly, we need to have conversations about where we place the authority of the Church when it comes to faith and morals – as in, do we place the authority of the Church above or below our own.
Hudson B

I would say the Catholic Church is for marriage the way God instituted marriage. Any marriage outside of what God instituted is not valid because it’s outside of what God instituted. God makes the rules whether we like it or not, and there are consequences for breaking God’s rules.
Carlos T

Because a life-giving one-flesh union is not possible.
Kathryn T

Something cannot change even if the Church is tempted by the worldly values to change God’s laws which are eternal. What will Christ say about gay marriages? Only God can judge our eternal destiny (heaven or hell) but it’s also our duty to offer fraternal correction for conversion.
Francis K

Marriage is intended by God as the union of wills between a man and a woman to be united by God as one in the Sacrament of Matrimony in order to further the creating power of God by naturally bearing children.
Marriage is not the mere legalization of love, joint ownerships, romance, and sex by law.
God is the principal authority to validate a marriage.
Chito S

[Robert Wilson]

Answers from the SPSE – Catholic Apologetics Facebook group:

I’d say, “Are you sure?” and then I may add, “that could be true, I don’t know, I’m not God, but why would you want hamburger when you can have filet mignon?” Jesus, in the Eucharist, gives us His flesh to eat, and He said unless you eat His flesh, you have no life in you. That sounds like a big deal! That why we need to be Catholic. The Catholic Church has the true Eucharist. Why would anyone want to be without such a gift?
Suzanne C

I would ask “Where’s THAT in the Bible?” If they give an answer, I’d ask them if their fallible interpretation. They will typically admit they are not infallible.
Michel C

Jesus said, “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’
So, it seems to me that Christians won’t all end up in the same place.
Martua C

I would remind them that at the end of our lives we’re all going to stand before Jesus and be judged on how we lived our lives. In the parable of the sheep and goats in Matthew’s Gospel, chapter 25, Jesus separated people based on whether they helped others or not. The people who fed the hungry, or gave drink to the thirsty, or welcomed the stranger and things like that inherited the kingdom of heaven. The people who did not do those things were sent away into eternal punishment. So, what saves us, ultimately, is putting the grace Jesus give us into action.
Bobby B

[Robert Wilson]

ANSWERS FROM OUR CATHOLIC APOLOGETICS FACEBOOK PAGE:

Why do you think you’re not welcome in the Catholic Church because you’re divorced?
This question may open up the door to explain the true teachings about marriage and annulments.
Rob L

Even if you’re remarried, you’re welcome in the Catholic church. You wouldn’t be allowed to receive communion, but you can pray an act of spiritual communion. Here’s an example of one: My Jesus, I believe that You are present in the Most Holy Sacrament. I love You above all things,
and I desire to receive You into my soul. Since I cannot at this moment receive You sacramentally, come at least spiritually into my heart. I embrace You as if You were already there and unite myself wholly to You. Never permit me to be separated from You. Amen.
I know of many divorced Catholics very active in their church community. We are all sinners in one way or the other.
Marie V

Divorce does not prevent anyone from becoming Catholic or returning to the Church. If you were married outside of the Church your marriage isn’t valid, but that doesn’t mean the situation can’t be rectified. You can and should discuss your situation with a priest. Can I help you with that?
Louis J

You should really be in the church Jesus established. Are you married now? If you’re divorced and re-married outside of the Catholic Church, you should seek to have your first marriage annulled. It’s pretty straight forward and, through experiences of people I know who were in the same boat, 100% worth the extra headache if you want to get right with God, which you totally should.
Kevin N

The Annulment process in the Church can be a very healing process. If the church declares your first marriage null, then you should have your current marriage convalidated in the Church. The Church has made a path to come Home. We just have to choose to walk that path.
I speak from experience.
Jimmy T

Was he married in the Church or by a Christian minister? Has he remarried? Knowing the answers to these questions are key to giving good advice. If the answer is ‘no’ to the first question, no problem. If it’s ‘no’ to the second question, invite him to an enquiry session at your parish. That’s probably the best place to start. If married in another Christian denomination, an annulment can be filed with the diocese. If remarried, get married in the Church.
Lynda P

A civil divorce does not equal divorce in the Church. Catholics married in God’s eyes remain married in God’s eyes. Catholics married to each other are allowed to live apart. Remarriage is not okay, unless it proceeds as brother and sister without sexual intimacy. If someone is remarried, sexual intimacy is adultery. Anything beyond these basics should be discussed with a priest because every situation is different.
Lori Q

[Robert Wilson]

We are all Christians (believers) so we will all end up in the same place anyways.
That’s not necessarily true. Jesus will judge each one of us separately when we die, and He said “Not every one who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.”
So while being a believer in Jesus is essential, it’s the ones who do the will of the Father that will be saved.

All I need is the bible or I cant find that in the bible or that is not in the bible.
Where in the Bible does it say all we need is the Bible? The Bible calls the church the pillar and foundation of the truth (1 Timothy 3:15) and Jesus says to take disagreements to the church (Matthew 18:15-17), He never says anything about the Bible. Did you ever ask yourself where the idea came from that says we should only use the Bible to figure out what’s true?

I was raised Catholic but now I am….
away from home? Would you like to come back to Mass with me? or confession? you know, Jesus established the Catholic Church in order to save souls.

I pray to Jesus directly I don’t need the saints, Mary, etc…
The prayers of Mary, and the other saints in heaven are more powerful and effective than ours. We would be wise to ask them to pray for us.
When you get to heaven, are you going to say to those other folks, “I don’t need you”?

Why doesn’t the Catholic Church allow women to be priests?
Because Jesus chose 12 men to be the first priests. We aren’t going to go against what Jesus did.

I don’t need pray beads/rosary to guide me in prayer I do it on my own.
The rosary is a powerful meditation on the life of Jesus. Give it a try, it gives me great peace and helps me to do good and to avoid evil. Many great Christians can attest to it’s power.

I can save myself. I can forgive my own sins.
Really? You can save yourself from death? Mind if I ask how?

[Robert Wilson]

Here’s the best responses from the SPSE – Catholic Apologetics Facebook group

Because God was very clear in the Old Testament as to how the Jews could offer atonement and sacrifice for their sins. Jesus is the fulfillment of all Old Testament prophecies. If a perfect, spotless, blameless lamb was needed for atonement and sacrifice, who could be more blameless, spotless, and perfect than God’s own Son. Who else could atone for the sins of ALL mankind? There could be no human perfect enough for this; only God Himself could do it. And, how lucky and thankful we are for His mercy and generosity. He showed us what true love and sacrifice looks like; we have seen the face of God. And, His son not only died for us, He gave us His body and blood! What a gift!
Suzanne C

Our sins are grievously ugly, and our sins cause great suffering in the world. What kind of father would we have if he didn’t teach us the ugliness of our actions while remaining outside of our own suffering in order to teach us something?
God doesn’t want to remain outside of His children’s lives: including the suffering that we have brought upon ourselves brought about by our own sins. He wants to share in our lives in every way possible including human suffering so that we may understand how to conquer sin and death in our own lives—by uniting our suffering to His, which is REDEMPTIVE. Then to put icing on the redemptive cake: Christ resurrected from the dead to teach us that we, too, will share in His Resurrection and glory one day. This is so very beautiful : God is our Father who teaches us and loves us SO MUCH that He is willing to do absolutely anything so that we can have perfect Union with Him in heaven.
Toni A

God is good and merciful. But what we don’t hear said often enough nowadays is that God is also JUST. He doesn’t mince words: The wages of sin is death. There’s no two ways about it. Nothing impure can stand in the presence of a holy God. Therefore Christ, the sinless one, willingly laid down his life and took the full punishment for our sins, thus fulfilling the demands of divine justice and rendering true honor to the absolute holiness of God. It is at Calvary where “…justice and mercy have embraced…” Ps. 85:11 and the wondrous thing theology calls the “Divine Exchange” occurred.
Steve K

I am not sure that we should say God required it. Let’s say Jesus freely, voluntarily offered His life on behalf of us to His Father. The Father and the Son are one God, therefore, in complete harmony and union so I would think the Father is not requiring anything. Jesus reconciles us with the Father’s love. God has always had a plan.
Clarence B

[Author]

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