New Rules for Evaluating Supernatural Phenomena (Apparitions, Visions, Eucharistic Miracles, Catholic, Vatican, Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith)

The Vatican has released new rules for evaluating reports of supernatural phenomena. Jimmy Akin and Dom Bettinelli conclude their two-part discussion by looking at the rules themselves; the possible categories; and how the investigations are to be carried out.

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Why the Vatican Changed Its Rules for Evaluating Supernatural Phenomena (Apparitions, Visions, Eucharistic Miracles, Catholic, Vatican, Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith)

In May 2024, the Vatican issued new norms for how to evaluate reports of supernatural phenomena. In the first of a two-part discussion, Jimmy Akin and Dom Bettinelli examine how the new rules radically change the way these phenomena are classified.

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Whitley Strieber’s Communion (Aliens, UFOs, Visitors, Abduction)

Whitley Strieber’s 1987 book Communion told his story of alien abductions and became a bestselling book and movie. Jimmy Akin and Dom Bettinelli examine Strieber’s claims about the Visitors he describes and ask what really happened.

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Lost Scripture? Jubilees (Missing Book of the Bible?)

Throughout history, there have been books some people considered scripture and others didn’t. Jimmy Akin and Dom Bettinelli discuss one of those books, Jubilees. What was does it say? Could any of it be true? What should Christians today think of it?

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Deathbed Visions (Afterlife Research)

A deathbed vision is a vision that someone has just before they die and they’ve been reported throughout history. Jimmy Akin and Dom Bettinelli discuss how they’re just being scientifically studied only recently, what they are, what happens in them, and what they might tell us about the afterlife.

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Do Unicorns Exist?

Pop culture imagines unicorns as horses with a single horn in their forehead and associates them with cartoons and rainbows and social movements. Jimmy Akin and Dom Bettinelli explore their deep roots in history and long association with the Christian faith and whether there could be real unicorns.

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The Soul of Frankenstein’s Monster (& More Patron Questions)

We regularly give Patrons the opportunity to ask Jimmy Akin and Dom Bettinelli their mysterious questions and make them available exclusively to Patrons first and then later to the whole audience. This time the questions cover Jesus’ suffering; demons protecting us; Adam’s wife, Lilith; and more.

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Marriage After Civilization Is Destroyed (& More Weird Questions)

It’s a fifth Friday, so Cy Kellett of Catholic Answers Live is asking Jimmy Akin weird questions from listeners, about topics like getting married after civilization collapses; what is Sh’ol; can Padre Pio still absolve living penitents; and more weird questions.

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Terminal Lucidity (Sudden Awakenings, Dementia, Alzheimer’s, Near-Death)

Sometimes, near death, a person with dementia will suddenly regain clarity and lucidity and give loved ones a chance to say goodbye. Jimmy Akin and Dom Bettinelli discuss the phenomenon called terminal lucidity, what could cause it, and whether it tells us anything new about the brain, soul, and consciousness.

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Joe Fisher’s Hungry Ghosts! (Siren Call of the Hungry Ghosts, Guides, Mediumship, Channeling)

Last time, Jimmy Akin and Dom Bettinelli discussed Joe Fisher’s mid-1980s experiences with spirit guides, and they continue to look at what he learned as he researched the guides and their claims and come to their own conclusions about what had entered Joe’s life.

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Joe Fisher’s Spirit Guides (Guides, Mediumship, Channeling, Siren Call of the Hungry Ghosts)

Joe Fisher’s research into spirit guides led him to past life revelations and even a spirit romance. Jimmy Akin and Dom Bettinelli discuss how Joe was encouraged to investigate these paranormal claims, the evidence he found, and what he eventually concluded.

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Adam, Eve, and Early Humans (& More Weird Questions)

It’s the fifth episode of the month, so Cy Kellett of Catholic Answers Live is asking Jimmy Akin weird questions from listeners, about topics like how Adam and Eve relate to other early human ancestors; could dark matter and energy be angelic or demonic; can you pray for souls in hell; and more weird questions.

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The Baghdad Battery (Advanced Technology? Out of Place Artifact? OOPART?)

Some are convinced that an ancient clay pot found in Iraq is an electric battery made 2,000 years ago. Jimmy Akin and Dom Bettinelli examine the claim and whether it might be advanced, ancient technology or even evidence of extraterrestrial contact.

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Analyzing After Death Communications

After hearing many stories of people reporting After Death Communications from deceased loved ones, Jimmy Akin and Dom Bettinelli examine the reports from the faith and reason perspectives. Are they just imagination? Is it the grief talking? Could it be demons?

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After Death Communications (ADCs)

Millions of people report spontaneous experiences of contact with departed loved ones, hearing their voices, seeing their faces again. Jimmy Akin and Dom Bettinelli discuss what After Death Communications are, what they are like, and whether they really could be forms of contacted with our lost loved ones.

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Kinkaid’s Cave (Egypt & the Grand Canyon)

In 1909, G.E. Kinkaid found a cave in the Grand Canyon containing Egyptian and Asian artifacts. Jimmy Akin and Dom Bettinelli discuss the excavations that began at the time and then how the story vanished from the media. What is the truth of Kinkaid’s cave and what did it really contain?

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Klingon Baptisms & More Weird Questions

It’s time for another set of weird questions posed by Cy Kellett of Catholic Answers to Jimmy Akin, including this time: should Elrond have killed Isildur?; reported time travelers; teleportation clones and confession; Klingon baptisms; Gulf War syndrome; and more.

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