I think we have to weigh very carefully whether “business” has become an idol in our lives. It is also something to deeply ponder, for those of us engaged in full-time Catholic apostolate work, or “ministry”: the relationship of “business” to that. In my own life, I try to minimize and avoid the application of pure, secular “business” techniques and outlook to my work. I’m here primarily to follow my calling and to serve others. Yes, I have to make... Read more
There is a long back story here. I don’t want to bore readers with it, but briefly: Catholic apologist Karl Keating and I have disagreed from the outset as regards Phil Lawler’s book, Lost Shepherd (that is highly critical of Pope Francis). I first wrote about it almost exactly a year ago. Karl didn’t like that at all and I dialogued about it with both him and Phil and then with Karl alone. In January 2018 I wrote five lengthy critiques... Read more
The following exchange came about in a combox on my blog, underneath the article, Christmas Trees as Idols?: Silly “Biblical” Arguments. The words of R. Green (possibly a Jehovah’s Witness: he didn’t say) will be in blue. ***** The scriptural understanding of idolatry, especially for Jehovah’s Witnesses, goes much deeper than just ‘worshiping the tree itself as an idol’. For a worshiper of God (as found in the Hebrew and Greek Scriptures,) the real idolatry comes from the replacing the type... Read more
These foolish “arguments” ostensibly drawn from Holy Scripture come up now and then. The Puritans and large sectors of the Protestant Reformed (Calvinist) tradition historically reasoned in this way. These are the same folks who would say that an organ in a church or even a bare cross or statue of Jesus Christ is an idol — as John Calvin and some other early Protestant leaders argued. Jehovah’s Witnesses picked up the same reasoning in the 19th century (the founder,... Read more
Since when have heartwarming fairy-tales been considered “lies”? I think this is a remarkably imagination-challenged mentality: all this business of anti-Santa Claus. Since many fantasies and stories and fairy tales are wonderfully instructive and cultivate the imagination, I don’t see how anyone can say they are lying. They’re examples of fiction. A belief like Santa Claus is simply a means to make them feel that some of the wonderful fantasies actually come true. If the parents control these things so that... Read more
This is an installment of a series of replies (see the Introduction and Master List) to much of Book IV (Of the Holy Catholic Church) of Institutes of the Christian Religion, by early Protestant leader John Calvin (1509-1564). I utilize the public domain translation of Henry Beveridge, dated 1845, from the 1559 edition in Latin; available online. Calvin’s words will be in blue. All biblical citations (in my portions) will be from RSV unless otherwise noted. Related reading from yours truly: Biblical Catholic Answers for John Calvin (2010 book:... Read more
This is an installment of a series of replies (see the Introduction and Master List) to much of Book IV (Of the Holy Catholic Church) of Institutes of the Christian Religion, by early Protestant leader John Calvin (1509-1564). I utilize the public domain translation of Henry Beveridge, dated 1845, from the 1559 edition in Latin; available online. Calvin’s words will be in blue. All biblical citations (in my portions) will be from RSV unless otherwise noted. Related reading from yours truly: Biblical Catholic Answers for John Calvin (2010 book:... Read more
This is an installment of a series of replies (see the Introduction and Master List) to much of Book IV (Of the Holy Catholic Church) of Institutes of the Christian Religion, by early Protestant leader John Calvin (1509-1564). I utilize the public domain translation of Henry Beveridge, dated 1845, from the 1559 edition in Latin; available online. Calvin’s words will be in blue. All biblical citations (in my portions) will be from RSV unless otherwise noted. Related reading from yours truly: Biblical Catholic Answers for John Calvin (2010 book:... Read more
This exchange occurred underneath my post, Reply to Atheists: Defining a [Biblical] “Contradiction”. Words of Stewart Felker will be in blue. He gave even further replies in this thread than what I have recorded below, if anyone is interested. ***** I think you’re being a bit uncharitable with some of this, Dave. Their question of your method for disputing contradictions and suggesting alternatives — particularly, whether you think that the mere possibility of an alternative interpretation alone is enough to counteract claimed... Read more
Mitch / “ProfMTH” (words in blue below) is about 46 years old and is an atheist and former Catholic. In his video, The Book of Job – Part One (at 0:57 – 1:03), Mitch says he was getting ready to graduate from high school in 1981 and at the same time “was considering entering religious life, to study for the priesthood.” In a comment under his August 2009 video, The “Real” Paul, Mitch states, “I teach various law courses and courses on debate.” I... Read more
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