Was the Power of Binding and Loosing Meant to Continue? and More

In this episode, Jimmy Akin tackles a wide range of thought-provoking questions on Catholicism, from biblical authority to moral theology. He explains whether the power of binding and loosing was meant to continue indefinitely, how the Church supports veterans burdened by war, and whether suffering requires consciousness. He also addresses apologetics strategies, the rationale behind infant baptism, and why we call Jesus’ return the “Second Coming.” Other key topics include attending ecumenical services, the possibility of Jesus manifesting in different cultures, the moral distinction between contraception and medical technology, and whether polygamy was ever part of God’s permissive will.

Questions Covered:

• 04:19 - Was the power of binding and loosing meant to be passed down indefinitely?
• 14:16 - How does the Church minister to veterans who carry the burden of the memories of war?
• 20:11 - Does suffering necessitate consciousness?
• 22:35 - Could we use historical claims in favor of Catholicism as an apologetical strategy?
• 29:10 - How do I explain the idea of infant baptism to a protestant who is considering Catholicism?
• 36:01 - Why do we refer to Jesus returning as the second coming if technically it would be the third if we count his resurrection as another coming?
• 40:57 - I’m moving to a retirement community where they only offer one mass a month and don’t have the ability to drive. Is it okay for me to attend ecumenical services?
• 44:18 - Could Jesus have manifested through a different cultural lens in other places of the world?
• 46:28 - If technologies like contraception are bad then how come other technologies like pacemakers are good and permissible?
• 51:59 - Was polygamy a part of God’s permissive will?