Talks Offered by Our Speakers
Authority: The Foundation For Apologetics
Jim Blackburn

We will explore the early formation of the authoritative Magisterium of the Catholic Church, Apostolic succession, and the continuing need for apologetics in the Church today.  We will consider these important topics:

•         What is the Magisterium?
•         What is Sacred Tradition?
•         What is Apologetics?
•         Why do we need apologetics in the Church today?
•         Who has God-given authority to teach the Christian faith today?
•         And more!
The Bible: Its History, What It Is, And What It Is Not
Jim Blackburn

We will examine the development and canonization of the bible, as well as what the bible has to say about itself, and how to respond to anti-Catholic claims about the bible that just aren't supported by the scriptures.  We will address these topics:

•         Who determined which books go in the bible (the canon)?
•         When was the canon settled?
•         What are bible manuscripts?
•         Why so many different versions of the bible?
•         How should the bible be interpreted?
•         What are the various “senses” of scripture?
•         And more!
The Sacraments: Challenges To Them; Evidence For Them In Scripture
Jim Blackburn

We will hit head-on many common challenges to the Catholic faith, including non-Catholic questions about - and anti-Catholic assaults on - the sacraments: The life-giving signs of grace instituted by Christ and entrusted to the Catholic Church.  We will examine evidence for the sacraments in scripture and the writings of early Christians to equip participants to charitably explain and defend these precious God-given gifts. Topics addressed include:

•         Why is baptism necessary?  Why not just be "born again"?
•         Why do Catholics baptize infants?
•         Why do you call your priests "Father" when Jesus said, "Call no 
           man Father"?
•         Why do you confess your sins to a priest instead of going directly
           to God?
•         Why can't women be priests?
•         Why doesn't the Catholic Church allow priests to get married?
•         Why do you believe that Jesus' body and blood are present in the 
           communion wafer and wine?
•         Why doesn't the Church recognize civil divorces?
•         Why do you consider Confirmation to be a sacrament?
•         Why do you consider Anointing of the Sick to be a sacrament?
•         And more!
The Faith: Common Objections With Concise Answers
Jim Blackburn

We will address many of the most common challenges to the faith faced by Catholics today, including these intriguing topics:

•         How can one God be three persons?
•         How could Mary be a perpetual virgin when the bible tells us
           Jesus had brothers?
•         Do Catholics worship Mary?
•         Why do Catholics pray to saints?
•         Are works necessary for salvation?
•         What's wrong with "once saved, always saved" like Saddleback
           Church teaches?
•         Does the Church really teach that there is no salvation outside the
           Catholic Church?
•         Why does the Church teach about purgatory when the word is not
           mentioned in the bible?
•         What are indulgences?
•         Why should I be a Catholic after the priest abuse scandal?
•         And more!
Moral Issues: Abortion; Homosexuality; Contraception
Jim Blackburn

We will address Church teaching on today’s three hottest moral topics and consider these controversial questions:

•         Is abortion murder?
•         What about in the case of rape or incest?
•         What if the mother's life is in danger?
•         What does the bible really teach about homosexuality?
•         Why would God make gays and lesbians if homosexuality is
           immoral?
•         How should I treat a gay or lesbian friend or relative?
•         Should I attend a gay wedding?
•         Why is contraception immoral?
•         Must I follow the Church's teaching on birth control?
•         Did Pope Benedict say condoms are okay in some cases?
•         And more!
Marriage Issues: Weddings; Divorce; Annulment; Remarriage
Jim Blackburn

As the author of “101 Quick Questions with Catholic Answers: Marriage, Divorce, and Annulment”, Jim gets to the heart of this widely misunderstood area of Church teaching.  During this talk we will consider these simple questions that even most Catholics can’t answer:

•         Can Catholics marry non-Catholics?
•         Does the Church allow divorce?
•         Can divorced Catholics receive communion?
•         Can they remarry?
•         Aren't annulments just Catholic divorces?
•         Can I attend a wedding outside the Church?
•         Why so many rules about marriage?
•         And more!
Vatican II: What Really Happened?
Jim Blackburn

We will examine the foundation for ecumenical councils, explore a brief history of the councils leading up to Vatican II, and then delve into council teaching and post-conciliar controversies.  We will consider these topics:

•         Why did we need Vatican II?
•         What is Ecumenism?
•         Did Church teaching change at Vatican II?
•         What about “Outside the Church there is no salvation”?
•         Are the popes since John XXIII really valid popes?
•         Were the post-conciliar changes to the Mass licit?
•         Should I follow my conscience or Church teaching?
•         What is moral relativism?
Scandal In The Church: There Is Nothing New Under The Sun
Jim Blackburn

We will address the priest abuse scandal in the United States, explore what really happened as well as the Church’s response to it, and how faithful Catholics should react today.  Topics covered include:

•         When did the bulk of the abuse occur?
•         What was the nature of the abuse – pedophilia or homosexuality?
•         What has the Church done to correct the problem?
•         How should the scandal affect my faith?
•         How should faithful Catholics respond to anti-Catholics on this
           issue?
•         And more!
Defending Your Faith: Catholic Apologetics
Jim Blackburn

This talk is similar to “Authority: The Foundation for Apologetics” but it is geared toward high school students and young adults.  We will explore the teaching authority of the Catholic Church, the difference between Catholic worship and Megachurch worship, and the need for junior apologists in the Church today.
Why Our Belief In The Real Presence Matters More Than Ever
Jim Blackburn

We will explore evidence for the Real Presence in scripture and the writings of early Christians as well as refute common challenges to the Eucharist brought by non-Catholics.  We will consider these questions:

•         Is the Eucharist foreshadowed in the Old Testament?
•         Where is the Real Presence evidenced in the New Testament?
•         What did the Church Fathers say about it?
•         How do I explain transubstantiation?
•         Didn't Paul condemn tabernacles?
•         Why must we eat Jesus?
•         Are Catholics cannibals?
•         Must I partake of both the body and the blood?
•         Is communion in the hand okay?
•         And more!
 

Speakers and Events

For additional information or to book a speaker contact a Seminars Representative.

"If you should acknowledge and love Christ you would give up not only all the treasures of this life, but even the glory of your crown itself to win eternal life."

~ Pope Urban II, at the Council of Benevento (A.D. 1091); explaining the boundaries of Holy Orders as set forth in Holy Scripture and in the authentic writings of the Apostolic Fathers (from the article "Subdeacon")