Course Overview
Evidence for the Church will equip you to defend Holy Mother Church and to bring souls to Jesus Christ through the institution he established on Earth. Catholic Answers Director of Apologetics and Evangelization Tim Staples shares hard-won insights into the apologetics of ecclesiology that will empower you to defend the Catholic Church to anyone.
Topics covered in this course:
Before you can start helping others, you need to be equipped with the knowledge and skills required to share the truth with gentleness and reverence. Here's some of what Tim Staples covers in this course:
-
Tim explores in depth the Church as “the fullness of [Jesus Christ]” (Eph. 1:22-23) in the world as a foundation to understanding its divine authority.
-
He shows how the Church is visible, hierarchical, and authoritative—as opposed to the invisible, fallible church of Protestantism.
-
He reveals why Jesus chose not to “name” his Church but rather gave it four unmistakable marks.
-
He explains the scriptural doctrine of apostolic succession, the foundational teaching of the Christian faith that has been lost to countless Protestant Christians.
-
He calls upon Eastern Catholicism’s concept of theosis as a key to understanding many of the Church’s most controversial claims.
-
Throughout, he makes what was once difficult to understand surprisingly easy.
Watch a Free Sample Lesson
Tim Staples explains how the Catholic Church was sent by Jesus Christ to act in his place.
Meet your Instructor
-
Instructor
Tim Staples
Tim Staples, a well-known speaker in the Catholic world, is a senior apologist at Catholic Answers, but he was not always Catholic. Tim was raised a Southern Baptist and studied his way back to the Church as an adult. He has been passionate for the faith and apologetics ever since.
Course curriculum
-
1
Download the Course Study Guide
- Download the Course Study Guide (Optional)
-
2
What is "the Church"?
- Lesson 1: The Definition of “Church” as a Visible Hierarchical Reality in the World FREE PREVIEW
- Quiz: The Definition of “Church” as a Visible, Hierarchical Reality in the World
- Lesson 2: Jesus Sent by the Father—Prophet of Prophets
- Quiz: Jesus Sent by the Father—Prophet of Prophets
- Lesson 3: Jesus, the One Priest/Victim Who is Able to Save Us
- Quiz: Jesus, the One Priest/Victim Who is Able to Save Us
- Lesson 4: Jesus as King of kings and Lord of lords
- Quiz: Jesus as King of kings and Lord of lords
- Lesson 5: Jesus as the Sole Savior of Mankind
- Quiz: Jesus as the Sole Savior of Mankind
- Lesson 6: The Church Sent by Christ to Act in His Place
- Quiz: The Church Sent by Christ to Act in His Place
- Jesus, the One Priest/Vicitm Who is Able to Save Us
-
3
Sola Scriptura—Fatally Flawed Model for Church Authority
- Lesson 7: Sola Scriptura and Common Sense—the Role of Scripture in the Church
- Quiz: Sola Scriptura and Common Sense— the Role of Scripture in the Church
- Lesson 8: Sola Scriptura and II Tim. 3:16-17
- Quiz: Sola Scriptura and II Timothy 3:16–17
- Lesson 9: Sola Scriptura and Jesus’ Encounter with Lucifer in Matt. 4:1-11
- Quiz: Sola Scriptura and Jesus’ Encounter with Lucifer in Matt. 4:1–11
- Lesson 10: Sola Scriptura and II Peter 1:20-21
- Quiz: Sola Scriptura and II Peter 1:20–21
- Lesson 11: Sola Scriptura, the Canon of Scripture and more
- Quiz: Sola Scriptura, the Canon of Scripture, and More
-
4
The Church as a Divine Foundation for the People of God
- Lesson 12: Does the Church Have a Name?
- Quiz: Does the Church Have a Name?
- Lesson 13: The Church is One
- Quiz: The Church is One
- Lesson 14: The Church is Holy
- Quiz: The Church is Holy
- Lesson 15: The Church is Catholic
- Quiz: The Church is Catholic
- Lesson 16: The Church is Apostolic
- Quiz: The Church is Apostolic
- Lesson 17: The Church in the Book of Ephesians
- Quiz: The Church in the Book of Ephesians
- Lesson 18: The Church as Divine Arbiter of Truth and Discipline in Matt. 18:15-18 I Tim. 3:15
- Quiz: The Church as Divine Arbiter of Truth and Discipline in Matt. 18:15-18 I Tim. 3:15
-
5
The Papacy as Jesus' Established Foundation in the Foundation of the Church
- Lesson 19: Peter and the Rock in Matt. 16:18-19 Pt. 1
- Quiz: Peter and the Rock in Matt. 16:18-19 Pt. 1
- Lesson 20: Peter and the Rock in Matt. 16:18-19 Pt. 2
- Quiz: Peter and the Rock in Matt. 16:18-19 Pt. 2
- Lesson 21: Peter Beyond the Rock—Matt. 14:23-33 Pt. 1
- Quiz: Peter Beyond the Rock— Matt. 14:23–33 Pt. 1
- Lesson 22: Peter Beyond the Rock Pt. 2—More from St. Matthew
- Quiz: Peter Beyond the Rock Pt. 2—More from St. Matthew
- Lesson 23: Petrine Authority in St. Luke’s Gospel
- Quiz: Petrine Authority in St. Luke’s Gospel
- Lesson 24: Petrine Authority in St. John’s Gospel
- Quiz: Petrine Authority in St. John’s Gospel
-
6
The Papacy in the Book of Acts
- Lesson 25: Peter’s Role in Choosing a Replacement (Successor) for Judas in Acts 1
- Quiz: Peter’s Role in Choosing a Replacement (Successor) for Judas in Acts 1
- Lesson 26: Peter’s Prominence in Acts Chapters 2 through 5
- Quiz: Peter’s Prominence in Acts Chapters 2 through 5
- Lesson 27: Peter’s Leadership in Acts Chapters 8 through 12
- Quiz: Peter’s Leadership in Acts Chapters 8 through 12
- Lesson 28: Acts 15 and the First Church Council
- Quiz: Acts 15 and the First Church Council
- Lesson 29: Was James or Peter the Leader of the Church?
- Quiz: Was James or Peter the Leader of the Church?
- Lesson 30: Jesus Backs his Church
- Quiz: Jesus Backs his Church
-
7
Apostolic Succession
- Lesson 31: Apostolic Succession as Taught in Scripture Pt. 1
- Quiz: Apostolic Succession as Taught in Scripture Pt. 1
- Lesson 32: Apostolic Succession as Taught in Scripture Pt. 2
- Quiz: Apostolic Succession as Taught in Scripture Pt. 2
- Lesson 33: Apostolic Succession in the First 200 years of Church History
- Quiz: Apostolic Succession in the First 200 years of Church History
- Lesson 34: Apostolic Succession from the Third Through the Fifth Centuries
- Quiz: Apostolic Succession from the Third Through the Fifth Centuries
- Lesson 35: Teaching with Authority… and Sanity!
- Quiz: Teaching with Authority . . . and Sanity!
-
8
The Importance of Theosis in Understanding Ecclesiology
- Lesson 36: False Either/Or Propositions—the Foundation for a Multitude of Errors
- Quiz: False Either/Or Propositions—the Foundation for a Multitude of Errors
- Lesson 37: Why Call Priests Father?
- Quiz: Why Call Priests Father?
- Lesson 38: Jesus, our One Teacher, Leader, Pastor, Bishop, and Intercessor
- Quiz: Jesus, our One Teacher, Leader, Pastor, Bishop, and Intercessor
- Lesson 39: “Extra Ecclesiam Nulla Salus”—No Salvation Outside of the Church
- Quiz: “Extra Ecclesiam Nulla Salus”—No Salvation Outside of the Church
- Lesson 40: Pastoral Implications of “Extra Ecclesiam Nulla Salus”
- Quiz: Pastoral Implications of “Extra Ecclesiam Nulla Salus”
- Lesson 41: What About Holy Days? Does St. Paul Exclude them in Romans 14:5?
- Quiz: What About Holy Days? Does St. Paul Exclude them in Romans 14:5?
-
9
The Certainty of Faith that Only Exists in the Catholic Church
- Lesson 42: Infallible Certainty—Necessary to Fulfill the Gospel Mandate
- Quiz: Infallible Certainty—Necessary to Fulfill the Gospel Mandate
- Lesson 43: The Question of the Canon—Used Against Us?
- Quiz: The Question of the Canon—Used Against Us?
- Lesson 44: Levels of Certainty in the CDF’s Commentary on the 1998 Professio Fidei Pt. 1
- Quiz: Levels of Certainty in the CDF’s Commentary on the 1998 Professio Fidei Pt. 1
- Lesson 45: Levels of Certainty in the CDF’s Commentary on the 1998 Professio Fidei Pt. 2
- Quiz: Levels of Certainty in the CDF’s Commentary on the 1998 Professio Fidei Pt. 2
- Lesson 46: Levels of Certainty in the CDF’s Commentary on the 1998 Professio Fidei Pt. 3
- Quiz: Levels of Certainty in the CDF’s Commentary on the 1998 Professio Fidei Pt. 3
- Lesson 47: Why We Can Trust Both the Teachings and Disciplines of the Church
- Quiz: Why We Can Trust Both the Teachings and Disciplines of the Church
-
10
The Church as God's Instrumental Cause of Salvation: The Sacraments
- Lesson 48: The Sacraments are Necessary for Salvation
- Quiz: The Sacraments are Necessary for Salvation
- Lesson 49: At the Heart of the Church’s Saving Role—Baptism
- Quiz: At the Heart of the Church’s Saving Role—Baptism
- Lesson 50: The Eucharist
- Quiz: The Eucharist
- Lesson 51: Confession and the Anointing of the Sick
- Quiz: Confession and the Anointing of the Sick
- Lesson 52: Holy Matrimony
- Quiz: Holy Matrimony
- Lesson 53: Holy Orders
- Quiz: Holy Orders
- Lesson 54: Confirmation
- Quiz: Confirmation
Reviews
Here's what people are saying about Evidence for the Church:
-
Evidence for the Church
Robert Jacoby
The Church's authority is clearly on display and verified positively by Christ in The Book of Revelation
The Church's authority is clearly on display and verified positively by Christ in The Book of Revelation
Read Less -
Getting better all the time
Richard Brenz
The quality of instruction and test questions are much improved.
The quality of instruction and test questions are much improved.
Read Less -
This is as good as it gets
Kyle Marx
This lesson is as good as it gets. As a convert, this is one of those "Proof" text that is unrefuteable. Thank you Tim.
This lesson is as good as it gets. As a convert, this is one of those "Proof" text that is unrefuteable. Thank you Tim.
Read Less -
Evidence for the Church - Great title, great course, grea...
Terry Crestwell
What a brilliant course, This is what should be taught in Catholic schools. It should be part of the standard curriculum. Here at schools in Australia they t...
Read MoreWhat a brilliant course, This is what should be taught in Catholic schools. It should be part of the standard curriculum. Here at schools in Australia they teach everything other than Catholic teaching. No wonder young people fall away as soon as they can :( Imagine if school kids were armed with this sort of knowledge. What an army of Christians we would have :) Thank you Tim for presenting an awesome course. I learnt a huge amount. God bless. Terry
Read Less -
Apostolic Succession
CATHY WIELAND
Such a thorough teaching. Thank you.
Such a thorough teaching. Thank you.
Read Less -
So much great information!
Denise Smith
Wow, I learned a ton more about my Catholic faith, and how to defend it to others. The course also strengthened my love and enthusiasm for the teachings of t...
Read MoreWow, I learned a ton more about my Catholic faith, and how to defend it to others. The course also strengthened my love and enthusiasm for the teachings of the Church!
Read Less -
Evidence for the Church
Paul Watkins
Straight forth solid information. Tim Staples did a wonderful job of presenting...
Straight forth solid information. Tim Staples did a wonderful job of presenting...
Read Less