Patrick Madrid | Stump the Apologist | 2023 Defending the Faith Conference

The speaker introduces the 'Stump the Apologist' workshop, a platform for answering any question to the best of his ability, with honesty about not knowing if necessary. The session begins with a question about the hymn 'Amazing Grace' and its theological appropriateness in Catholicism, specifically regarding the timing of Grace reception, contrasting Protestant and Catholic views on baptism and sanctification.

The discussion moves to the impact of residential schools on indigenous communities in Canada, the trauma experienced, and the participant's personal struggle sharing his Catholic faith with his daughters who have embraced their indigenous heritage. The speaker empathizes with the difficulty and suggests looking at historical events, like the Spanish Inquisition, to understand how truth can be exaggerated, and the importance of acknowledging and addressing past wrongs.

The speaker emphasizes the importance of prayer in living out one's faith and in apologetics, the defense of the faith. He suggests using a 'pocket guide to apologetics' to annotate the Bible with relevant scripture references for effective discussions about the faith. The conversation also touches on the importance of practice in learning to communicate the faith effectively.

A hypothetical question about the salvation of a person who travels back in time, loses their memory, and dies without remembering their faith prompts a discussion on sin, intention, and the nature of salvation. The speaker explains that sin requires a conscious choice and that the loss of memory does not equate to a sinful act.

The conversation explores the mystery of the Eucharist and the question of why, if the sacrifice of the Mass is the same as that of Calvary, it is still considered 'finished'. The speaker clarifies that the Mass does not recreate the sacrifice but makes the single, complete sacrifice of Christ present in a mystical way.

The speaker discusses the alleged apparitions and prophecies from Garabandal, Spain, noting the lack of official Church approval and sharing the essence of the messages, which include warnings of global chastisement and a great miracle. He expresses caution about the authenticity of these events and the need for discernment.

A sensitive question about the fate of unborn children's souls in the event of abortion leads to a clarification that the soul is not owned by anyone, especially not the devil. The speaker expresses trust in God's mercy for innocent souls and the belief that God provides a way for them to receive sanctifying grace.

The speaker views the complexity and informational nature of DNA as a pointer to the existence of God, using the analogy of a code requiring a coder. He sees DNA as a tool in apologetics that supports the reasonableness of belief in God, without claiming it as definitive proof.

The speaker discusses the Big Bang Theory and its implications for apologetics, suggesting that the origin of the universe points towards an intelligent designer. He contrasts this with the idea of natural forces creating the universe and finds the latter implausible, reinforcing the argument for God's existence.

The conversation delves into the power of God's grace to transform lives, even in the face of sin. The speaker discusses the importance of repentance and the role of God's mercy in salvation, highlighting the biblical message that emphasizes the necessity of repentance to avoid perishing.

The speaker opens the floor to questions about the Catholic faith, engaging with a diverse range of topics including the Third Secret of Fatima, the role of sacraments, and the process of becoming Catholic. He provides guidance and resources for those seeking to understand or join the Catholic Church.

The speaker attributes the strong faith of his family to the influence of a Catholic upbringing, where faith was a part of daily life and identity. He describes this as 'osmosis', where faith was absorbed naturally through the family's practices and environment.

The speaker recommends the works of Scott Hahn for those interested in Catholic perspectives on soteriology and eschatology, highlighting Hahn's ability to communicate complex theological concepts clearly and compellingly.

The speaker concludes the session by expressing gratitude for the opportunity to engage in dialogue and answer questions about the faith. He provides contact information for his radio show as a resource and extends an invitation for further discussion.