Origen says treat opponents mildly: Church Fathers, Day 350

Last updated on: July 1, 2015 at 9:09 am By Pete Socks

Treat opponents mildly Answering the pagan Celsus, who wrote a tirade against the Christians, Origen admits that there are divisions among us. But Christians worthy of the name treat their opponents mildly, remembering how Christ said, “Blessed are the peacemakers.” Celsus goes on to say, “And they even say the most shameful things of one another; they would not make the least concession in the interests of harmony; for they utterly detest one another.” To reply: even in philosophy, as... Read more

CBB Interview: Brian Kennelly and Tan Homeschool

Last updated on: June 28, 2015 at 11:16 am By Pete Socks

PETE: Brian, what is your role with TAN books and their new homeschooling initiative? BRIAN KENNELLY:I’ve done a lot for TAN over the last two years, doing sales, writing, and editing, but in the last six months my primary focus has been to launch TAN Homeschool, serving as the Director for this new division of TAN Books. PETE: Can you tell readers a little about the new homeschooling endeavor by TAN Books’ new division TAN Homeschool? BRIAN KENNELLY: TAN Books... Read more

Church Fathers, Day 349: St. Ephrem the Syrian says learn persuasion from the Lord

Last updated on: June 27, 2015 at 7:43 am By Pete Socks

Learn persuasion from the Lord Simon the Pharisee was not rebuked sternly when he misunderstood the Lord’s mission, says St. Ephrem the Syrian. Instead, the Lord used a parable to lead him gently to the truth. But why instead of a stern reproof did our Lord speak a parable of persuasion to that Pharisee? He spoke the parable to him tenderly, so that he, though headstrong, might without realizing it be enticed to correct his perversities. For the waters that... Read more

Church Fathers, Day 348: St. Augustine advises us to pray for conversions

Last updated on: June 27, 2015 at 7:32 am By Pete Socks

Pray for conversions In his youth, St. Augustine fell into the Manichean heresy, and used his formidable rhetorical skills to defend it. His Catholic mother begged a prominent bishop to talk her son out of it, but the bishop told her to wait and pray. Meanwhile, you, God, gave her another answer. My mother begged a priest of yours, a certain bishop brought up in your Church and well versed in your books, that he would have a talk with... Read more

Church Fathers, Day 347: St. Dionysius of Alexandria says welcome the straying when they turn back

Last updated on: June 27, 2015 at 7:11 am By Pete Socks

Welcome the straying when they turn back In the time of persecutions, some Christians thought those who abandoned the Church could never be forgiven. But Dionysius says that we should follow Christ’s example, welcoming the penitent with open arms. But now we’re doing the opposite. Christ, the Good Shepherd, goes out looking for one who strays, and calls him back when he runs away, and carefully takes him up on his shoulders when he finds him. On the other hand,... Read more

CBB Giveaway – The Story of the Bible: The Old Testament

Last updated on: June 28, 2015 at 10:20 am By Pete Socks

This week publisher Tan Books’ division Tan Homeschooling sponsors the giveaway. One lucky winner will receive a copy of The Story of the Bible: The Old Testament pack (you can read my review here). This pack includes the Old Testament: Text Book, Test Book, Audio Drama. I use Rafflecopter to run my giveaways which makes it simple for you and me! Enter below. The contest starts at midnight tonight EST and will end 12AM EST 7/10 with a winner being announced later that day. a Rafflecopter... Read more

Church Fathers, Day 346: St. Gregory the Great urges us to pray for the straying

Last updated on: June 27, 2015 at 6:56 am By Pete Socks

Pray for the straying St. Gregory the Great urges his congregation not to fall into the trap of the Manichean heresy. But he also urges them to pray for the heretics. We should pray constantly that all who have strayed will be brought back to the Lord. We deplore the blasphemy of those who deny that Christ was truly human—about whom the blessed Apostle John forewarned us in a crystal-clear saying: “every spirit which confesses that Jesus Christ has come... Read more

CBB Review – The Story of the Bible: The Old Testament

Last updated on: June 24, 2015 at 11:05 am By Pete Socks

TAN Books has just released two new book sets telling The Story of the Bible for children – one on the Old Testament and one on the New Testament. Now there are dozens of Bible storybooks for kids on the market – So my question was, “What makes this one so special?” Well, I’ve had the pleasure of viewing The Story of the Bible Volume I – The Old Testament and much to my delight this set is pretty exceptional.... Read more

Church Fathers, Day 345: St. Ignatius of Antioch tells us to never stop praying for others

Last updated on: June 27, 2015 at 6:44 am By Pete Socks

Never stop praying for others No matter how wicked they may seem to be, says St. Ignatius of Antioch, all the people around us are our brothers. We need to imitate Christ and return gentleness for their cruelty. And pray on behalf of others without ceasing. For there is hope of repentance in them: they may still make it to God. Make sure that they can learn from your works, if in no other way. Be meek in response to... Read more

Church Fathers, Day 344: St. John Cassian advises let your struggles help others

Last updated on: June 27, 2015 at 6:25 am By Pete Socks

Let your struggles help others The desert fathers, St. John Cassian tells us, had a custom of revealing their most intimate spiritual struggles to beginning monks. By revealing our own struggles, we can help others facing the same problem. I thought it was a good idea to mention these things in this little work of mine, so that we might learn, not only by reason, but also by examples, about the force of temptations and the order of the sins... Read more