I Don’t Believe You (Bob Dylan, 1964; excerpts) . . . I wish she’d unlock her voice once an’ talk ‘Stead of acting like we never met If she ain’t feelin’ well then why don’t she tell ‘Stead of turnin’ her back to my face? . . . But now something has changed for she ain’t the same She just acts like we never have met If I didn’t have to guess, I’d gladly confess To anything I might’ve tried If... Read more
Popes can err if they are not talking in the limited circumstances in which we believe papal infallibility applies to them, per the 1870 dogma. The pope is not some kind of inspired oracle, like a walking Bible. If, for example, the pope said over lunch, “The earth is flat,” that would not be in line with the special conditions of what we define as “infallible” because it was merely a private remark and has nothing to do with faith... Read more
God’s Providence and Permissive Will, and Hebrew Non-Literal Anthropomorphism 2 Samuel 12:9, 13-15, 18 (RSV) Why have you despised the word of the LORD, to do what is evil in his sight? You have smitten Uri’ah the Hittite with the sword, and have taken his wife to be your wife, and have slain him with the sword of the Ammonites. . . . [13] David said to Nathan, “I have sinned against the LORD.” And Nathan said to David, “The LORD also... Read more
This article scrutinizes two-thirds of the signatories of the latest controversial (and in my opinion, disgraceful and scandalous) “Easter Letter” charging Pope Francis with heresy. Catholic apologist Jimmy Akin has written a strong critical article about it, and three follow-up pieces (one / two / three). Even strong papal critic Phil Lawler thinks it fails in its purpose, as does Canon lawyer Ed Condon in Catholic Herald: a venue known for its strong criticisms of Pope Francis as well, and canon... Read more
Fr. George W. Rutler‘s words will be in blue; Jimmy Akin’s in green. ***** This is very disappointing indeed. Akin wrote a piece at National Catholic Register in which he claimed that the recent effort charging the pope of heresy is inaccurate and wrong. The well-known Fr. Rutler wrote the following comment underneath it: repeatedly referring to Akin as ” ‘Jimmy’ Akins” and states: I am unfamiliar with this man, but from what information I could find, he is from the... Read more
This is an extraordinarily strong statement. If I had put it in these terms, myself, I’d be accused of intolerably blurring the line between God and man (as indeed I just was accused in the last two days in a dialogue on invocation of the saints). But here is Luther saying this amazing stuff. It’s a striking confirmation of traditional Catholic “both/and” thinking. Kudos, Fr. Martin! I’ve always said, “when he’s right, he’s really right, and eloquent. This one letter turned... Read more
This is from the combox for my National Catholic Register post, “50 Reasons Why Martin Luther Was Excommunicated” (11-23-16). Peter Aiello’s words will be in blue. ***** So now we’re doing the 1001 questions / Bible hopscotch routine? Why are there even any shocking prayers to Mary? Because there are Protestants who completely misunderstand the “genre” and nature of Catholic Marian piety. How could these prayers be indisputably Christ-centered prayers when they are directed at her? Because Catholics think in biblical,... Read more
Men Leviticus 4:35 (RSV) . . . and the priest shall burn it on the altar, upon the offerings by fire to the LORD; and the priest shall make atonement for him for the sin which he has committed, and he shall be forgiven. (cf. 4:20, 26, 31) Leviticus 5:5-6 When a man is guilty in any of these, he shall confess the sin he has committed, [6] and he shall bring his guilt offering to the LORD for the sin which he... Read more
Data from 16 Protestant Commentaries (1992-2016) Links go right to the relevant passages in the commentaries / books. Very few commentaries appear to be certainly against his being dead. I didn’t include those, for brevity’s sake; but there weren’t many. ***** Dead or Likely Dead 1) Jouette M. Bassler, Abingdon New Testament Commentaries: 1 & 2 Timothy and Titus (Abingdon Press: 2011). 2) Gordon D. Fee, 1 & 2 Timothy, Titus (Understanding the Bible Commentary Series) (Baker Books:... Read more
Dave Gass was an evangelical pastor for some forty years. He took to Twitter recently [but he has now restricted access] — starting on 4-30-19 — in order to proclaim that he had forsaken Christianity. I make replies to his claims below. His words will be in blue. I have no beef with him saying he’s sorry to his former congregants, etc., and so I will not critique those sorts of statements; only reasons he gives for his decision. ***** For... Read more
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