I’m very excited to offer my thoughts about Bishop Robert Barron‘s new offering, The Word on Fire Bible, Volume I: The Gospels: published on 15 June 2020: just a week ago as I write. First off, before I begin my own analysis, let me introduce you to this fabulous Bible with some words from Brandon Vogt, the Content Director at Word on Fire Catholic Ministries, and a very fine and influential apologist in his own right: [It’s] an extraordinary project... Read more
[written on 25 April 1982] *** I found this by accident in a box of old cards that I gave to my wife Judy (during friendship, courting, engagement, and being newly married), that we were reading through (with great interest!) today. It expresses a sort of “evangelical” piety and relational spirituality that is part of my Christianity as well, though not often expressed in my apologetics, since I am always having to dispute doctrinal points. But it’s there, and nothing... Read more
[originally posted in 1996] *** Gentleness is a very godly trait (Gal 5:22). Jesus was “meek and lowly of heart” and gentle with the woman at the well, and the woman caught in adultery (cf. 2 Cor 10:1). A gentle (or “soft”) answer turns away wrath (Prov 15:1). Gentleness is mercy: the kind treatment of the penitent or even the still-sinning sinner. Gentleness is understanding and forbearance: a listening ear, a hand on the shoulder, the empathetic smile, a shoulder... Read more
with Ryan Grant The following is from a Facebook discussion (3-9-17) about the paper, Mary’s Perpetual Virginity “In Partu” (a Miraculous, Non-Natural Childbirth) is a Binding Catholic Dogma [9-24-08; expanded on 9-21-15]. Words of Ryan Grant will be in blue; those of Phillip Campbell in green. ***** What does it mean, then, to be a virgin “during” the birth? If the traditional language is “before, during, and after” I say that “during” makes no sense unless it is talking about physical virginity... Read more
(written in 1997) *** [This is one of my own very favorite papers] * * * A Catholic friend asked me: Hey, I’ve got an apologetics question that I’ve been trying to answer for months (from my wife). She has trouble identifying with Mary because of Mary’s Immaculate Conception. In my wife’s mind, the special graces given to Mary through the perfect relationship she had (has) with God, make it impossible for the rest of us to emulate/imitate her. She... Read more
[compiled and edited in 1994] *** Who can conceive, my brethren, that God should so repay the debt, which He condescended to owe to His Mother, for the elements of His human body, as to allow the flesh and blood from which it was taken to moulder in the grave? . . . Or who can conceive that that virginal frame, which never sinned, was to undergo the death of a sinner? Why should she share the curse of Adam,... Read more
[originally posted on 11-17-17] *** I’m delighted to see liberals and/or feminists starting to do the same thing now. The fact of these recent revelations shouldn’t surprise anyone in the slightest: not one bit. The only surprise is: why did it take liberals and mainstream (largely liberal and secular) society so long to finally say “enough is enough“? Could it be, it’s because the very sexual revolution that liberals have championed for so long, has arguably played a key role in bringing... Read more
Matthew 1:24-25 (NRSV) . . . Joseph . . . took her as his wife, [25] but had no marital relations with her [RSV: “knew her not”] until she had borne a son . . . This would involve probably six months, bare minimum. We don’t know at what stage he was aware that she was pregnant. All we know is that it was after they were “betrothed” (Mt 1:18). The word “until” does not necessarily imply that Mary and... Read more
On my Romantic and Imaginative Theology web page I have many Harry Potter links. The articles / books / audio files are from all perspectives: some favor the series, some oppose it, and some offer both sides, or ambiguous or uncertain or neutral opinion. Almost all of the links are from a Christian perspective (Catholic, Protestant, and Orthodox alike; for example, John Granger: a leading proponent, is Orthodox). Ultimately, then, I am not “against” Harry Potter, yet I would strongly... Read more
Protestant apologist Steve Christie (a nice guy, not an anti-Catholic, and worthy debate opponent) asked on my Facebook page (words in blue henceforth): Just out of curiosity, which ecumenical council was infallible – The second ecumenical council of Nicaea In 787 that affirmed the Councils of Hippo and Carthage in the fourth century, which stated 1 Esdras was Scripture and part of the Old Testament, or the later ecumenical councils of Florence and Trent which stated it wasn’t? Which of... Read more
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