The Church Doesn't Teach What You Think It Does

Crisis Magazine Interview | May 17, 2024
Original Interview: • The Church Doesn’t Tea...
Today we’ll talk with a man who has publicly defended the Catholic Faith for more than 30 years. We'll find that Catholics often are wrong about what they think the Church definitively teaches.
Guest:
Jimmy Akin is a convert to Catholicism and the author of many books, including Teaching with Authority, The Fathers Know Best, Mass Revision, and The Salvation Controversy. He is a Senior Apologist at Catholic Answers.
Links:
• "Teaching with Authority" (book): shop.catholic.com/teaching-wi...
• Jimmy Akin website: jimmyakin.com
• Jimmy Akin KZbin channel:
/ @jimmyakin
• Jimmy Akin's Mysterious World (podcast): sqpn.com/podcasts/jimmy-akins...

[@saylerja1]

Just wanted to say thank you! My family was received last week as catechumens, and it is in a major way because of your debates and educational material. Thank you Jimmy and God Bless

[@JimmyAkin]

Thank you for saying so. It is my honor to have played a role in your journey. God bless you always!

[@brianw.5230]

​​@JimmyAkin same here, Jimmy! I love Pascal's Wager. I think Pascal's Wager is a good argument because we each have a finite life with an infinite afterlife. We each have a "horse" we're riding until death. Every human is some form of theist, deist, atheist, agnostic, etc. Pascal wrote we "must wager. It is not optional" since we're guaranteed to die. So, a dedicated atheist is wagering their life against all religions and gods. God Bless.

[@tanyadreschel6040]

Jimmy is the most amazing and calm Catholic even Christian apologist I've ever heard! He radiates the love and peace of Christ❤️

[@papuciowy1465]

Do You know Joe Heschmeyer?

[@bubbles581]

I'm not a Christian but I do like Jimmy's style a lot.

[@papuciowy1465]

@@bubbles581 Read about the image at Guadalupe, the story of Gietrzwald, the heart muscle that has survived for 1,200 years in its natural state, Lanciano - scientists have found that "Flesh and Blood share the same blood type, AB. The Body and Blood are 'person' living (i.e. as if they were taken from a currently living person)". Greetings.

[@orangutan8617]

Absolutely! Thank you for saying this.

[@rosedevinakey5184]

“The Church Doesn’t Teach What you Think it Teaches” basically sums up my conversion story. “You mean all those crazy things I was told the Church teaches by my anti-Catholic pastor AREN’T what the Church actually teaches?!”-*becomes Catholic.

[@victoriaeinbinder9487]

Also, "the Church doesn't teach what you were told she teaches in 2nd grade catechism classes."

[@rosedevinakey5184]

@@victoriaeinbinder9487 I’m a convert so I’ll have to take your word for it. 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@brendamyc3173]

Study Sacred Scripture and the Catechism of the Catholic Church

[@jineshfrancis]

Jimmy akin is superhero in catholic apologetics❤❤❤

[@billm1014]

Hi Jimmy, I am a revert to the Faith and it is in large part thanks to your work. I was raised Catholic but fell away from the Faith in High School. When I started thinking more deeply about religion, your work made me see the truth and beauty of the Catholic faith. I also read the Drama of Salvation and thought it was great. You are a wonderful apologist and evangelist! I owe my return to the Church to you. I want to thank you for all your years of service. You are literally brining souls to Christ! Keep up the great work and God bless!

[@JimmyAkin]

Thank you! It is my honor to have played a role in your journey! God bless you always!

[@sdr4701]

God bless Jimmy Akin! Your work is helping to bring me home to Rome.

[@WinterSolstice221]

The fact that "Jimmy" is the name on his birth certificate is country as all get-out. In all seriousness, thank you to Jimmy for all the wonderful work you've done in explaining and defending the Catholic faith. Your work has been a huge help to me in my early days of being a Catholic (my husband, daughter, and I were all received into the Church this easter!)

[@mrjeffjob]

It would be southern country if his name was Jim-Bob. 🥰

[@kimfleury]

Please pray for the repose of my Mom's soul. She died a little more than 20 hours ago. I'm listening to this to calm my mind so I will be able to sleep. During the funeral planning, one relative-by-marriage who was there asked about the Catholic funeral, admitting ignorance. Sadly, this person wasn't curious, but rolled eyes, saying, "I don't follow the man-made. I have a problem with... Well, I just follow the Word." I chose to remain silent at that time, but I sure did want to retort, "If you followed the Word you'd be Catholic." May the Lord lead us all to all truth.

[@umaikeruna]

God bless you. Sorry to hear about your loss. Its so hard to lose a parent. Hope you have support during this difficult time. Take care.

[@papuciowy1465]

The fact that a teaching is not infallible does not mean that a Catholic can reject it.

[@TheBurningWarrior]

They specifically say as much in this very interview.

[@caterinadc5567]

... I need to go to bed and return for a listen tomorrow, because my brain is only latching onto the early chat about Jimmy's name, and my mind is only going to: "But can I call you Jimothy?"

[@marley8560]

Wow this was so awesome! This clarifies so much for me. We live in very confusing times. Thank you and God bless you.

[@honestabe4161]

Love your content, Jimmy! Keep up the great work! 👏👏👏

[@kathyweiland4732]

Jimmy I absolutely love you in debates! You explain your side so well with theological facts. I no you are responsible for many conversions to Catholicism

[@davidiancrux]

Thank you so much Jimmy!

[@terimaea]

I love Jimmy Akin, because he is sooo interesting and always explains things so effortlessly. I also love "Catholic Answers". Thank you all. Theresa M (75 yr old) returned to the Catholic church a little over 1 yr ago.

[@lo5182]

Thank you Jimmy for all your great content.

[@alicewoodhurst5154]

Jimmy always broadens your horizon! More videos please 😊

[@MrsNiz1]

This is my support comment. Thank you for the great content Jimmy!!

[@ladysaffire4006]

I am fascinated by Mr. Akin

[@marknovetske4738]

Wonderful content as always 😊

[@StringofPearls55]

Great video, Jimmy. Thank you.

[@ginasalis5880]

Thank you for calmly and concisely explaining a lot of things. I’m a cradle Catholic , I really learn a lot about our faith from your excellent videos. Thank you for all you do. 🙏

[@joaquincapiro8919]

Great video!

[@mleslielesliechiplis3648]

Learn from your shows. Thank you

[@shervdesouza5189]

Love all your vids! 😊

[@michaelmcgrath6054]

Great content so informative 👏

[@omy323]

Love your videos Jimmy.

[@antcan25]

Another awesome episode!

[@MrDoyle07]

Chalk up another one. Excellent talk! 🙏🏼

[@ricdimarco1499]

One of the biggest obstacles in coming to the faith as an adult was, for me, all the thousands of different things-large and small-that different Catholics proclaimed was “part of Catholicism!” Through study, you find that what the Catholic Church actually teaches/is bears in some cases very little resemblance to the religion most of the Catholic faithful perform. A lot of the very superstitious, very legalistic stuff (on the one hand) and the very squishy, very sappy stuff (on the other) you see out there has no more basis in the teaching of the Church than what kinds of Christmas decorations people choose to put up in December (or when they put them up at all…another supposed matter of Catholic teaching!).

[@3kiw]

Thanks, Jimmy.

[@atrifle8364]

Excellent discussion! Given the what I understand of the host organization POV, I was concerned when I hit play. The conversation went well. It seemed like a few statements threw the host just a bit.

[@paul_321]

Just starting and commenting 🤝

[@oliverjamito9902]

Thank you for attending unto our OWN!

[@oliverjamito9902]

Who come here in front! And remind! Without Thy Time given? Who can't be shared "i" AM! Gratitude and Honor

[@cat.nova74]

Love the dog in the background! Hi Luna!

[@rhannyuzarraga5885]

Thank you Jimmy

[@ruachstav7519]

Love it Jimmy

[@tiamdaeoconghail7770]

Thank you

[@mrjeffjob]

Every Jimmy I know is a stand up guy.

[@gpbessa1]

Thank you.

[@sacredartsource8297]

Another remarkable phenomenon is when people who formerly lived pagan lifestyles and had rejected the Church thinking that they knew everything, but then have a religious conversion to the Church, suddenly go from pagans living in mortal sin, to super apostles who go around with a magnifying glass looking at all the defects of others, and appoint themselves teachers and authorities judging and condemning other ; it’s almost as if they went from being in the grip of of the ones that formerly belonged to him the devil in their past lives, to becoming tools of the devil in the Church and causing divisions and schisms. One has to be careful as the devil is astute, and adapts to the person; he’s not letting go of the soul so easily but finds ways to slither back into the lives of those who formerly belonged to him. The only antidote to this is humility, and the resolution to having a true conversion to Christ. rather than a merely a conversion to religious theological truths? A true personal relationship¡hip with Christ is to allow God to kill the old self, so that He can give us a new self, that is, Himself. If not, all the religious ardor can simply lead to the spirit of schism and division.

[@suburbanbanshee]

People who have amended their lives often have a "tender conscience" that shines light on their own faults, but also the faults of others. Beyond that, sometimes people with new info and love of the Church will feel bitter regret over the lost time, and bitter anger over lack of guidance, being taught untruth, and so on. It is very easy to turn that outward as well as inward. It is even natural, as people do not want the same ignorance affecting others; but it is easy to go too far with it.

[@sacredartsource8297]

@@suburbanbanshee agreed. One thing is for sure, and that is that Christ teaches that we must bless those who curse us, pray for those who persecute us and to love our enemies; yet many of the modern super apostles seem to hate their bishops and wage war of disinformation against the pope, and making a business out of it. Maybe instead they could look upon those wayward ones and remember that God was patient when they themselves were wayward. Like the story of the prodigal son

[@atrifle8364]

​@@sacredartsource8297- Yes, absolutely. For sure I have become impatient at times with the super apostles of social media. It also comes at times with a sense of familial offense, as I am a revert. Who are these late comers here to tell me that the sincere faithful of my childhood had it all wrong? Or even the well meaning Catholics I know now? But God was patient with me and He is with all humanity. It needs to be returned. 🙂🙏

[@mrjeffjob]

Some good points there.

[@Eye_of_a_Texan]

I have never heard what in the Catechism of Trent needed to be revised and why. The bit I have read seems very well written and relevant to this day.

[@tonyl3762]

Sometimes I just can't wait till you post it to your channel to watch. I'm sure you understand. But I still try to give you a comment and like ❤

[@raymk]

ah... another chill day with Jimmy Akin I'm gratfeul for

[@claireobenson6327]

I'd like to hear Jimmy Akin's analysis of the tv show, "Lost".

[@bernob9770]

Amen!

[@YTmoney88]

Like, comment, already subscribed.

[@wednesdayschild3627]

Protestantism glorifies rebellion. Rebellion sometimes happens, but obedience is a virtue.

[@WH6FQE]

I grew up as a child in the Romanb Catholic Church and left as a teenager to find something that matched what I read in the Bible and the writings of the apostles, disciples, and anti-nicene fathers. Briefly a while back I thought about the possibility of coming back to the RCC, but then I started seeing the recent decisions that Francis has been making and that solidified my determination that the RCC was not the way for me to go.

[@SeleneStarr]

So, you left the Catholic Church (which compiled the Bible) to look for a church which uses the Bible and the writings of the apostles, disciples and Church fathers--all of whom were Catholic. 😃

[@WH6FQE]

@@SeleneStarr No, I left the Roman Catholic Church to follow the teachings of Yeshua and the 12 apostles, which are quite different than that of the Roman Catholic Church.

[@number1xurkitreefan261]

Being Catholic doesn’t mean agreeing entirely with Pope Francis’s decisions. The Pope has authority, but the highest authority in the Church is Jesus. This is the best I understand it and I’m certain others can explain it better.

[@davidroggensees7878]

That is a well behaved pup in the background behind Jimmy. I love the critical thinking emphasis.

[@theyoungrider5449]

Hello jimmy, is it okey to receive the eucharist even if you are late in mass,, watching you here in japan, arigatou gozaimashita

[@JimmyAkin]

Yes. There is no requirement that you be at Mass for any particular length of time in order to receive Communion.

[@RebeccaLynne2046]

Jimmy, you said there's no official list of infallible teachings. Where could we go to find all the infallible teachings to put a list together? Also, are female Eucharistic ministers allowed? I don't care for it, but I was asked to by my priest. I'm not sure how to respond.

[@JimmyAkin]

The standard resource that would be likely to contain all infallible teachings (and even more noninfallible ones) is called "Denzinger" after the guy who originally did it. It's also known as Denzinger's Enchiridion Symbolorum (i.e., "Handbook of Creeds"), and it has gone through many editions and been updated by many later editors. Ignatius Press carries a recent edition with English translation. However, it's massive, and going through Denzinger and trying to filter out just the infallible teachings would be a huge undertaking (which I may some day do). It also would require a significant level of expertise in determining when something is infallible and when it is not. For that, the best resource I can recommend is my own book Teaching With Authority, which I wrote because there wasn't another individual book like it in explaining how to interpret and determine the weight of statements in Church documents. I hope this helps, and God bless you!

[@RebeccaLynne2046]

​@@JimmyAkinI'll definitely be ordering your book. Good luck with compiling all the infallible teachings. It would be amazing to have that as a resource!

[@ginasalis5880]

You are awesome Jimmy….btw I really loved the X-Files too ☺️

[@zipppy2006]

The difficulty with something like women's ordination is that the Church only uninfallibly said that women's ordination is infallible, and Ratzinger, in "Concerning the CDF Reply Regarding Ordinatio Sacerdotalis," confirmed that _Ordinatio Sacerdotalis_ did not teach infallibly (37:06). So what you have is JPII uninfallibly claiming that the ordinary universal Magisterium infallibly prohibits women's ordination. All parties agree that JPII could technically be wrong in his uninfallible claim. This is a good example of the way that secondary objects _do not_ ever get defined in the way that Akin claims (even though they could, in principle, be so defined). So when Akin says that the prohibition on women's ordination to the priesthood is an infallible teaching, what he is really saying is that it is an infallible teaching that is not infallibly known to be infallible. This is why women's ordination is still a live option: because _Ordinatio Sacerdotalis_ did not make any infallible claims. I would love to hear Akin address such quandaries.

[@Delfino_Enjoyer]

Ordinatio Sacerdotalis is definitive and infallible. He just says it's not a matter of divine revelation. In the future it could be raised to the status of divine revelation but it can't go the other way around.

[@tafazziReadChannelDescription]

I think the opposite of iinfallible is fallible, not uninfallible. Also that's an interesting point!

[@JimmyAkin]

@@tafazziReadChannelDescription The Holy See avoids using the term "fallible" to help the faithful avoid thinking that noninfallible teachings are simply optional and don't have their own authority. The standard term used instead is "noninfallible." I hope this helps, and God bless you!

[@tafazziReadChannelDescription]

@@JimmyAkin Thanks, today I learned yet one more thing from you, Jimmy! I have lost count months ago

[@zipppy2006]

@@tafazziReadChannelDescription Well, natural langauge has a much larger spectrum of meaning than logic does, but I think Akin gave a good response here. The interesting question is, "Why didn't JPII just define it infallibly?" In my opinion the answer to this question is extremely complicated.

[@oliverjamito9902]

Many looking like a MILLION BUCKS! LORD, LORD, LORD! Yet, students shared "i" AM will say, THEIR HEARTS ARE SO FAR AWAY! Beloved...remember let not Thy HEARTS far away? Why? With sincere tears! Rather replace with joy! How? Students will say, depart from me! Filling the blank! Yes, HE rather not say "DEPART FROM ME"? Why Students?

[@oliverjamito9902]

Students will say after have eaten the bread and the fish! Will thirst in front of HIM?

[@patricpeters7911]

Based on the title, I thought this was going to be about misunderstood Catholic beliefs. Instead it was a defense of a certain view of infallibility and the magisterium, with an eye towards rebuking more progressive Catholics.

[@oliverjamito9902]

My beloved don't mind the SON holding a BASKET OF BREAD AND A FISH!

[@rinkevichjm]

I thought it taught the gospel embodied in the Lord’s Prayer and the obedience to God’s will mentioned in it.

[@oliverjamito9902]

Students command my TIME TO COME IN FRONT OF WHO?

[@atrifle8364]

Question: Was there a gap in your work with Catholic answers? Joining in 1983 is more than 30 years of work.

[@JimmyAkin]

No gap. I joined in 1993.

[@atrifle8364]

​@@JimmyAkin- Ah, misheard, thank you!

[@pavman42]

Winner winner chicken dinner!

[@Bob.W.]

Cardinal George said American Catholics are to some extent Calvinists, or something to that effect. :)

[@atrifle8364]

He's correct

[@migueljose5673]

Was the papal bull, known as the "Unam Sanctam", issued by Pope Boniface VIII on 18 November 1302, an infallible declaration? in particular, the concept of" plenitudo potestatis" in which Pope Boniface declared "Furthermore, we declare, we proclaim, we define that it is absolutely necessary for salvation that every human creature be subject to the Roman Pontiff." I don't think the Church agrees with this today.

[@LooweeCalma]

Why not? And at what point in Church history do you think it deviated?

[@migueljose5673]

@@LooweeCalma Such an unqualified and I must add unbiblical declaration of temporal power ("plenitudo potestatis") seems to have been problematic with bishops from the time it was first issued. I doubt any pope in the last 200 years would agree with it.

[@Tonytonytone582]

01:15:32 Bigfoot sighted

[@Bob.W.]

Here in Minnesota we knew about the pedophile (more correctly ephebophile) priest scandal from the late 80s, iirc. The Church basically circled the wagons at that point and didn't really address it. The trial lawyers forced the Church to act. The bishops never would have until they got sued.

[@tradcath2976]

Hockey is not "sports ball."

[@f8888gkcfyfgjfjhgjfcju]

Absolutely correct! It’s puck ball

[@cal2224]

We can’t say In Your face pope Francis

[@dsonyay]

Jimmy is a Blessing .. so mich talent, patience, knowledge. And I really dig his style of dress.

[@justinking3558]

Maybe bigfoot can open portals

[@oliverjamito9902]

Many will say Why HE is not wearing SUITS looking like look at me! Looking like a 'MILLION BUCKS"!

[@jeffreal3184]

I’m surprised to see this. I thought Sammons had gone sedevacantist

[@jD-je3ry]

Quite glad that the regular host is not presenting it, cannot stand his way of talking and presenting.

[@atrifle8364]

I was a tad worried when I saw the organization. It went well considering. As it is, there were moments when it appeared the blood drained out of the face of the host. My impression of the organization is that they make a living questioning the Church over issues under it's clear authority.

[@oliverjamito9902]

Not knowing many suits under WHO'S FEET? GNASHING OF TEETH!

[@oliverjamito9902]

Not knowing many suits under WHO'S FEET? GNASHING OF TEETH!,

[@user-fi1pe4dg3u]

It teaches worst

[@johndoe1909]

irs amazing what bullshit people believe....m

[@julzee111]

"The Catholic crusade against the Albigenses in Southern France (from 1209-1229), under Popes Innocent III., Honorius III. and Gregory IX., was one of the bloodiest tragedies in human history. … The number of Albigenses that perished in the twenty years‘ war is estimated at from one to two millions. -- Cushing B. Hassell, History of the Church of God, Chapter XIV"

[@Jilli8310]

It's unfortunate those events took place, but it doesn't take from the theology or dogma, the Church that Jesus himself started. Human beings did those things. No one is perfect. May the peace of God be with you. ❤

[@tafazziReadChannelDescription]

The sources in living memory of the crusade are few and poor, the "millions" figure is speculative. The principle that a violent uprising needs to be crushed to maintain social order is correct, they called it a "crusade" because France appealed to the pope for help.

[@suburbanbanshee]

Dude. (Or dudette.) You do realize that the entire population of Europe was tiny at the time, only 20 million people or so. Where did the millions of knights and men at arms come from, to slaughter these millions of people who comprised one twentieth to one tenth of Europe?

[@argelbargel7680]

This cut-and-paste citation is taken from a crackpot work published in 1885. Only a thorough ignoramus would cite it as an authority on medieval history. An "estimated" two million Albigenses? Estimated by whom and by what methodology?

[@julzee111]

@@argelbargel7680 crackpot, according to who , Catholics?

[@julzee111]

But there is more ... "In addition to the Jesuit or Catholic atrocities of this century already enumerated with some particulars, they massacred 400 Protestants at Grossoto, in Lombardy, July 19th, 1620; are said to have destroyed 400,000 Protestants in Ireland, in 1641, by outright murder, and cold, and hunger, and drowning; … -- Cushing B. Hassell, History of the Church of God, Chapter XVII"

[@iron7956]

I suggest you to read "Bearing False Witness: Debunking Centuries of Anti-Catholic History". It is written by a protestant named Rodney Stark. It is really good, when he has to criticize the Catholic Church he doesn't hesitate, but he is really fair and objective in his assessment

[@julzee111]

Let's continue "The following quotation is from The Glorious Reformation by S. S. SCHMUCKER, D. D., Discourse in Commemoration of the Glorious Reformation of the Sixteenth Century; delivered before the Evangelical Lutheran Synod of West Pennsylvania, by the Rev. S. S. Schmucker, D.D., Professor of Theology in the Theological Seminary at Gettysburg. Published by Gould and Newman. 1838. Need I speak to you of the thirty years‘ war in Germany, which was mainly instigated by the Jesuits, in order to deprive the Protestants of the right of free religious worship, secured to them by the treaty of Augsburg? Or of the Irish rebellion, of the inhuman butchery of about fifteen millions of Indians in South America, Mexico and Cuba, by the Spanish papists? In short, it is calculated by authentic historians, that papal Rome has shed the blood of sixty-eight millions of the human race in order to establish her unfounded claims to religious dominion (citing Dr. Brownlee‘s ―Popery an enemy to civil liberty‖, p. 105). "

[@atrifle8364]

A history told by virulent anti-Catholics will be anti-Catholic. What do want people to say about it? Have you ever read Hilliare Belloc?

[@atrifle8364]

Every source cited obviously has an extreme bias. Why would I believe any of the accusations? Has a history by an intelligent Catholic been read?

[@julzee111]

@@atrifle8364 So, let's imagine they are 25% off. Does that clear your conscience? How bout 59%. Because we know every one of those events took place. Not shocked that someone wud actually come to the defense of the papacy even knowing the truth of these events. Just sit with that a moment

[@atrifle8364]

​@@julzee111- I don't believe any of it. Why should I?

[@atrifle8364]

​@@julzee111- Any reasons at all? I am serious. Has a Catholic historian been read, in order to at least get an opposing POV?

[@julzee111]

"W. E. H. Lecky says: "That the Church of Rome has shed more innocent blood than any other institution that has ever existed among mankind, will be questioned by no Protestant who has a competent knowledge of history. The memorials, indeed, of many of her persecutions are now so scanty, that it is impossible to form a complete conception of the multitude of her victims, and it is quite certain that no power of imagination can adequately realize their sufferings." -- "History of the Rise and Influence of the Spirit of Rationalism in Europe," Vol. II, p. 32. London: Longmans, Green, and Co., 1910. " Anyone who actually knows history and has a conscience should ask themselves how they could belong to a "church" wit this shameful & horrofic history.

[@tafazziReadChannelDescription]

This book you're citing from is so bad historically that it could be called fiction.

[@BigA047]

I will have to check out that book after I go to Mass this morning. God Bless.

[@atrifle8364]

​@@BigA047- The books so far have screamed "I despise Catholics" They sound like entertaining reading if one is looking for fiction.

[@Bob.W.]

Lol. Queen Mary executed under 300 heretics and got the moniker Bloody Mary. Her dad executed between 50,000 to 80,000 of his subjects, mostly because they wouldn't convert to protestantism. Who writes the history and controls the message? In England and US history its English Protestants.

[@betrion7]

And whom do you belong to julzee? From which clan history are you coming from and where are you headed?

[@frederickanderson1860]

15:13 people change their beliefs thats our fallen human nature. And ur opinions are not always authoritive. You go by church traditions and fall back on its same narratives. The sexual scandals did no deter his search for truth!!! Has he forgotten jesus words " suffer the children to come to me, for such is the kingdom " ..he is making poor excuses, imagine jesus and his apostles hiding such crimes and protecting the perpetrators.