Catholic Answers Live — “Why Didn’t God Make Everyone Sinless? / Why Aren’t You Catholic?”

Host: Cy Kellett (A)
Apologist/Guest: Dr. Karlo Broussard (B)
Date: November 25, 2025
Episode #: 12473

Episode Overview

This episode of Catholic Answers Live continues their engaging series “Why Aren’t You Catholic?”—an open invitation to non-Catholic callers to share their reasons for not joining the Catholic Church. Dr. Karlo Broussard, resident apologist and author, answers questions with charity and detail, focusing especially on the theological question: Why didn’t God make everyone sinless, as He did with Mary? The episode also features questions about the papacy, the nature of hell, community in Catholic parishes, and the role of faith and baptism in salvation.

Key Discussion Points & Callers’ Questions

1. Why Didn’t God Make Everyone Sinless Like Mary? (05:18–14:30)

Caller: Isaiah (Kentucky)

Theological Challenge:

Isaiah, transitioning from Protestantism, asks:

• If God could make Mary sinless without removing her free will, why doesn’t He do so for everyone?
• He references Romans 9 and concerns about predestination/double predestination.

Dr. Broussard’s Response:

• God does not “choose” some for hell in the sense of positively willing it; damnation is only the result of dying in mortal sin, i.e., the abuse of free will. (06:09)
• God’s permission is necessary for sin to occur: “If God were not permitting the sin … there would be no sin because he would be moving the will to obey God's law.” (07:03)
• Mary’s sinlessness: She retained real, metaphysical free will, and could have sinned, but God’s grace moved her perfectly to choose the good. “She had a real potential to choose sin, but due to God's grace moving her to always conform to his will, she never in fact chose sin.” (07:46)
• Romans 9 (Honorable vs. Dishonorable Vessels):
  • God is not obliged to grant supernatural gifts (grace) to all, only what is owed to human nature. “He can give certain supernatural gifts more to some than to others... Paul in Romans 9 speaks of them as being honorable...” (09:41)
  • The permitted evil “contributes to the good of the order” in ways we may not yet understand. (11:31)
• Admits Mystery: There remains a “darkness of mystery” as to why God gives the “Marian grace” uniquely, but bows in humility. (13:53)
• Notable Quote:
  • “Damnation is a result of the abuse of free will alone...” (06:39, Broussard)

2. Is God’s “Lack of Grace” the Reason Some Go to Hell? (12:23–14:31)

Caller: Isaiah (continued)

• Isaiah asks if those who go to hell do so because God withholds the grace He gave to Mary.

• Broussard: “No, it would not be the lack of grace that sends people to hell. It's the abuse of free will that sends people to hell.” (12:43)

  • God's permission is a condition for any act, good or evil.
  • The uniqueness of Mary’s grace is, in part, a mystery, though some theological explanations exist.

3. Is Peter—or Jesus—the Rock of the Church? (17:30–23:59)

Caller: Mackenzie (Washington), Latter-Day Saint

Objection:

• LDS teaching rejects the doctrine that Peter is the foundation of the Church; the Church must belong to Christ, not Peter.

Broussard’s Response:

• Catholics agree: “The church is not Peter's; it's Jesus Christ's church. He says, 'I will build my church.'” (18:34)
• Delegated authority: Jesus appoints Peter as a visible, earthly foundation—just as an owner delegates leadership to a CEO, maintaining ultimate ownership.
• Jesus is the real foundation; Peter is his visible representative.
• Recommends reading Joe Heschmeyer’s “Pope Peter” for Scriptural arguments, and Eric Ibarra’s “The Papacy” for historical context.
  • “Just because you're a center leader...doesn't mean that group belongs to you if you have received delegated authority.” (19:13)
• Unity with Christ and Peter can coexist; “They’re not mutually exclusive.” (20:56)

4. What’s the Nature of Hell? (24:35–38:14)

Caller: Fr. Pat (Columbus, Ohio)

Questions:

• Does hell have to be entirely punitive?
• Does God “respect our choice” for hell at the particular judgment? Is hell “eternal day at the pub” for someone who always chose that over God?
• Paul Thigpen’s “Gehenna” is cited.

Broussard’s Response:

• No new choice at the particular judgment: “That choice is irrevocable... The will is fixed.” (30:41)
• Punitive nature: Hell is necessarily punitive because the damned have chosen a lesser good over God—requiring “displeasure associated with it.” (34:00)
• Punishment/remediation: There may be some remediation—the damned come to know the truth (“sin does not make you happy”), which is a good but not one they can enjoy. (35:45)
  • “The intellect is dispelled of the false notion that sin makes you happy... but... they can’t enjoy the fruits of such an order to God.” (36:57)
• Notable Quote:
  • “For hell... it would be punitive in nature precisely because those numbered among the damned have made a positive act of the will to... will some gravely immoral behavior that's incompatible with divine love...” (34:31)
  • “They can't experience joy from that good or delight in that good because they're so engrossed [in their own sin]...” (37:55)

5. Why Is Catholic Community So Lacking Compared to Protestant Churches? (38:30–43:45)

Caller: Seth (Tennessee)

Objection:

• Coming from vibrant Protestant community, finds Catholic parishes less welcoming; wants to know how Catholic community is lived, especially for newcomers.

Broussard’s Response:

• Candidly admits this is an unfortunate reality in many parishes, but not all. (39:28)
• The primary reason to be Catholic: Obedience to Christ, not community feeling—community is a fruit, not the root, of faith. (41:07)
• Be the change: Possibly the Holy Spirit is prompting convert-minded people (like Seth) to be the catalysts for community renewal in parishes. (41:59)
• “We as Catholics should be the ones with the most vibrant community, because we have the principle of life itself, Jesus in the Eucharist.” (39:34)
• Notable Quote:
  • “If you are one to see that there is a lack of communal experience... that could very well be a prompt of the Holy Spirit that God is calling you to do something about it, my friend.” (41:59)

6. Isn’t Belief Enough? Why Do Catholics Add Baptism, Repentance, Etc.? (47:07–54:07)

Caller: Thomas (Omaha, Nebraska)

Concern:

• Gospel of John says “believe” for eternal life—no mention of Marian dogmas, sacraments, or needing the Church. Why does Catholic soteriology seem more complicated?

Broussard’s Response:

• Both/And approach: Faith and baptism.
  • “Belief is necessary for salvation... but part of that revelation is that baptism has been instituted by Christ as the ordinary way through which we receive the initial grace of salvation.” (48:55)
• Scripture supports both:
  • John 3:5 (born of water and spirit)
  • 1 Peter 3:21 (“Baptism now saves you”)
  • Romans 6:3-7 (justification through baptismal death)
  • Acts 2:38 (repent and be baptized for the forgiveness of sins)
• Faith brings us to baptism; baptism is the ordinary means by which we receive saving grace and the fuller theological virtues (faith, hope, charity).
• Responds to objection that Jesus in John simply tells people to “believe”:
  • “We agree Jesus goes around saying, 'you got to believe.' ... further instruction would be given to 'repent and be baptized for the forgiveness of your sins'” (54:07)
• Notable Quote:
  • “Being Catholic is primarily about love of Jesus, love of Christ, insofar as we believe and are convinced that Christ started the Catholic Church.” (41:07)

Notable Quotes & Highlights

• On Predestination & Sinlessness:
  “God is not bound to give us any graces that are over and above our nature... He can give certain supernatural gifts more to some than to others...” (09:44, Broussard)

• On Hell:
  “Hell must be punitive in nature precisely because those numbered among the damned have made a positive act of the will to either reject God outrightly or to will some gravely immoral behavior...” (34:31, Broussard)

• On Catholic Community:
  “If you are one to see that there is a lack of communal experience... that could very well be a prompt of the Holy Spirit that God is calling you to do something about it, my friend.” (41:59, Broussard)

• On Faith and Salvation:
  “Faith brings us to baptism; baptism is the ordinary means by which we receive saving grace and the fuller theological virtues (faith, hope, charity).” (51:50, paraphrased)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:00–04:45 — Thanksgiving banter and introductions
• 05:18–14:31 — Isaiah (Why aren’t we all made sinless?; Romans 9; Mary and predestination)
• 17:30–23:59 — Mackenzie (Papacy and authority: Peter as the rock vs. Christ)
• 24:35–38:14 — Fr. Pat (Nature of hell; punitive vs. remedial aspects; choice at judgment)
• 38:30–43:45 — Seth (Catholic parish community vs. Protestant)
• 47:07–54:07 — Thomas (Gospel of John: belief, baptism, and salvation)

Memorable Moments

• Dr. Broussard’s humility in admitting theological mystery:
  “Let me just bow in humility and accept that darkness of mystery... as to why God ordered this order of Providence where he’s only given that grace to Mary in the way that he did.” (13:53)

• Friendly challenge to converts:
  “Do not let the lack of communal experience... be an impediment ... being Catholic is primarily about love of Jesus, love of Christ...” (41:07–41:28)

• Clear scriptural defense of Catholic doctrine, with rapid-fire citations and practical recommendations for further reading.

Resources Mentioned

• Pope Peter by Joe Heschmeyer (on papal foundations)
• The Papacy by Eric Ibarra (history of the papacy)
• Baptism Now Saves You by Karlo Broussard

Tone & Language

Dr. Broussard’s responses are pastoral, charitable, and philosophically rigorous, balancing doctrine and compassion (“I know that’s a lot, but you gave me three items there...” 11:44). The tone is both apologetic and inviting: callers are thanked, recommended resources, and encouraged to continue seeking and dialoguing.

Summary for the Listener

Whether you're wrestling with the mystery of sin and grace, questioning papal authority, seeking a more welcoming church family, or pondering the precise nature of salvation, this episode thoughtfully examines major objections and struggles faced by inquirers and offers concrete, scripturally-rooted Catholic responses. Dr. Broussard demonstrates knowledge, patience, and openness to dialogue, making the Catholic worldview both accessible and intellectually honest—even where some mysteries must remain.

If you’re wondering why the Church teaches what it does—and what remains a divine mystery—you’ll find both clarity and humility in this episode.