Catholic Answers Live #12649 Responding to Claims that Jesus used Racial Slurs - Jimmy Akin
Mar 27, 2026
Jimmy Akin, senior apologist and author known for Catholic biblical interpretation, tackles tricky scripture questions. He examines whether Jesus used a slur in Matthew 15 and explains ancient vs modern concepts of ethnicity. He discusses Paul on faith and works, how Catholics view justification, the meaning of 2 Corinthians 5:8 and purgatory, and practical tips for formal Bible study.
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Ancient Race Language Differs From Modern Race
- The term race in antiquity meant ethnic origin, not the 19th-century biological race concept, so modern racial categories don't map onto New Testament language.
- Akin warns against seeing race under every rock and shows 'dog' wasn't an established Jewish slur for Gentiles.
Respond To Parables With Persistent Faith
- Treat Jesus' exchange with the Canaanite woman as a teaching moment: persistence in faith elicits healing despite an initial parabolic refusal.
- Note Matthew records her reply about crumbs and Jesus praises her great faith and heals her daughter instantly.
The Kentucky Meat Shower Story From Mysterious World
- Jimmy Akin recounts the 1876 Kentucky meat shower as the topic of his Mysterious World podcast, showing his interest in odd historical phenomena.
- He summarizes the event where meat rained for 1–2 minutes and scientists of the time analyzed samples.
