This is the sad age we live in, folks, where a major Catholic publisher (indeed, the primary one for Pope Benedict’s books, before and after becoming a pope), expressly ignores his stated wishes for one of their books in which he wrote part of the text. Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI’s personal secretary Archbishop Georg Gänswein, stated today: I can confirm that this morning I acted on instructions from the emeritus pope and I asked Cardinal Robert Sarah to contact... Read more
Christopher Altieri wrote in Catholic Herald (1-13-20): There is not now, nor has there ever been, a proposal “to end priestly celibacy” in the Church. There is a proposal from the [Amazon] synod fathers, now before the Holy Father, asking him to consider relaxing the very long-standing discipline currently in force for secular (roughly “diocesan”) priests in the Latin Church, which impedes married men from receiving ordination to the priesthood. . . . Pope Francis has taken a strong position... Read more
“Past Events Become Present Today”/ Survey of “Remember” in Scripture I have heard that Jews celebrating Passover believe that the past becomes present. As such, the Catholic sees a similarity to our notion of the Sacrifice of the Mass, and Jesus’ death on the cross becoming present, and in a very real sense, transcending time altogether. We also believe that the Last Supper, where the Holy Eucharist was initiated, was a Passover meal. Many common notions could be explored with... Read more
Atheist and anti-theist Bob Seidensticker, who was “raised Presbyterian”, runs the influential Cross Examined blog. He asked me there, on 8-11-18: “I’ve got 1000+ posts here attacking your worldview. You just going to let that stand? Or could you present a helpful new perspective that I’ve ignored on one or two of those posts?” He also made a general statement on 6-22-17: “Christians’ arguments are easy to refute . . . I’ve heard the good stuff, and it’s not very good.” He added in the combox: “If I’ve misunderstood the Christian position or Christian... Read more
St. Ignatius of Antioch (d. c. 107-110) used the term “catholic” (Gk. “katholikos”) in chapter 8 of his letter to the Christians of Smyrna in about 107 A. D.: Wherever the bishop shall appear, there let the multitude [of the people] also be; even as, wherever Jesus Christ is, there is the Catholic Church. I found a very helpful treatment of this topic in The Catholic Encyclopedia (c. 1910): available online (article, “Catholic”). It points out, however, that St. Ignatius’ use is not the technical meaning... Read more
The new pro-life movement is, basically, leftists and Democrats who are pro-life — I don’t deny at all that they are — and who like to run down what they call the “old pro-life movement” and those who push policies that they too often mock as not really pro-life: by derogatorily using quotation marks around the title: “pro-life”. They have been falsely claiming for years that abortions rise during Republican administrations and go down during Democrat ones. This is untrue,... Read more
+ a discussion on apologetics methodology and effectiveness This was a post and exchange originally posted at Facebook. Words of Catholic William C. Michael will be in blue. ***** All four raised the dead, and prayed for them before they were raised; therefore, they prayed for the dead, and it is recorded in Scripture. It’s inescapable logic. 1) Elijah: 1 Kings 17:17-24 (17:21: “Then he stretched himself upon the child three times, and cried to the LORD, “O LORD my... Read more
. . . with special emphasis on the beliefs of the Church Fathers: were they were more “Catholic” or “Protestant”? Pastor Ken Howes (Missouri Synod) is a good friend of mine, with whom I have enjoyed several cordial, constructive dialogues. I have great respect for him. This is a prime example of one of them. He was responding on Facebook to my article, Medieval Catholic Corruption: Main Cause of Protestant Revolt? His words will be in blue. ***** There’s a... Read more
Progress, far from consisting in change, depends on retentiveness. When change is absolute there remains no being to improve and no direction is set for possible improvement: and when experience is not retained, as among savages, infancy is perpetual. Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it. (Philosopher George Santayana [1863-1952], The Life of Reason, 1906) ***** “If the Reagan Pattern Continues, America May Face Nuclear War” (W. Averell Harriman, 1 January 1984, New York Times): This is the grim result of Reagan Administration diplomacy: If present... Read more
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Luther Thought Jesus Committed Adultery w Mary Magdalene?
From a discussion on the public, Protestant-moderated CARM Catholic Discussion Board. Martin Luther’s words will be in green. Evangelical E. L. Hamilton’s words will be in blue. Readers will see me working through the issue, giving Luther the benefit of the doubt from the outset, and eventually reaching my best-educated-guess conclusion. *** I found one citation from Luther along these lines . . . My best guess is that it is a sarcastic, put-on type of comment from Table-Talk or similar sort of writing... Read more