A very vigorous discussion on my Facebook page has already taken place, and continues. I have collected my own thoughts, for ease of access: if anyone wonders about my own reasoning (as a pretty liturgically traditional Catholic apologist) in this respect. *** Reactionary zealot Taylor Marshall, in his infinite wisdom (greater than virtually all of the Church fathers, east and west), has now opined that if he has to take Holy Communion in the hand, he would choose to not... Read more
From a Facebook discussion, dated 7-8-13, initially about an earlier version of my paper, Holy Communion in the Hand (Norm till 500-900 AD). Words of Fr. John Abberton will be in blue, and Benjamin Baxter’s in green. *** The facts of the matter of early practice are undeniable, but it’s how they are interpreted in light of the present debate which is interesting. Lots of legalism and emotionalism in equal measure . . . I’m clearly being objective about it because I... Read more
Johns Hopkins University Coronavirus Pandemic Stats (as of 10 AM ET, 3-13-20): Confirmed cases worldwide: 137,066 Total deaths: 3,337 (2.4%) Total recovered: 64,374 (47%) *** Cases in US: 1701 (it was 1663 12 hours earlier) Deaths in US: 40 (2.4%) (31: Washington state, 4: California, 2: Florida, 1: Georgia, 1: New Jersey, 1: South Dakota) 22 (or 23) of the deaths (71% or 74%) in Washington (and 55% or 58%of all US deaths) occurred in one nursing care... Read more
As I’ve stated many times; I receive kneeling, on the tongue, but I don’t believe an argument can be made for one way being intrinsically superior to another. It is culturally relative to some extent, but ultimately comes down to the attitude in one’s heart: the interior disposition, leading to reverence or not, whatever our posture. That, in the early Church, the faithful stood when receiving into their hands the consecrated particle can hardly be questioned. . . . St. Dionysius of... Read more
From one of my blog comboxes: underneath my article, Dialogue w Orthodox on Why Catholics Become Orthodox. Words of “Kshos23” will be in blue. ***** With regards to Orthodox accusing Catholicism of rationalism — I suspect the main reason behind that is that Orthodox and Orthodox spirituality does want to give the faith more mystery. I remember an Eastern Orthodox monk once said that most eastern Church Fathers don’t speak of the Resurrection of Christ directly and exhaustively, unlike some other things... Read more
The following exchanges with an Orthodox apologist from ROCOR (Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia: a group that considers itself “traditionalist” and non-ecumenical), took place on my public “Apologetics/Ecumenism” discussion list in 1998. It is edited somewhat (i.e., both sides of certain portions, equally) in order to eliminate extraneous or irrelevant material. My Orthodox friend’s words will be in blue. ***** There is a school in Orthodoxy which does not view ‘heterodox’ (I mean that kindly) as Christians in the visible sense... Read more
From my book, Orthodoxy and Catholicism: A Comparison : 3rd revised edition, 2015; co-author: Fr. Deacon Daniel G. Dozier, whose words below will be in blue. This was drawn from chapter five: pp. 75-103. *** The following is directly based on a discussion with two Orthodox Christians on a public Internet board. I will do my best to reproduce their arguments and to not misrepresent them. The differences here are important, I think, in understanding the different approaches to theology and philosophy... Read more
This was from public debates on my old Internet discussion group, with a former Catholic Orthodox: from 1997. His words will be in blue. ***** Dave’s essay [see link] . . . is based upon a view which, though normal in Roman Catholicism and Protestantism, is wholly different than that found in Orthodox Catholic Christianity. “Wholly?” Where does that leave us, then, outside the fold altogether, according to you? Or are the Eastern Catholics in the fold because they share... Read more
This is an exchange with four people: from my old Internet discussion group (3-20-99). Words of the first person (Catholic) will be in brown, two Orthodox participants’ words in blue and green, and a Protestant in purple. ***** A Catholic wrote:*I was thinking about this Catholic/Orthodox, or Orthodox/Catholic, thing last night and I started wondering . . . Why is it that you see Catholic Christians leaving the Catholic Church for the Orthodox Church but you never see Orthodox Christians... Read more
From: Lectures on the Present Position of Catholics in England (London: Longmans, Green and Co., 1918; originally 1851), Lecture IV: pp. 129-132-133, 136, 138. I’ve added some paragraph breaks. ***** I allow there are true charges which can be brought against us; certainly, not only do I not deny it, but I hardly could deny it without heresy. I say distinctly, did I take upon me to deny everything which could be said against us, I should be proving too... Read more
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