From my book, A Biblical Defense of Catholicism (completed in 1996, published by Sophia Institute Press in 2003; pp. 39-50, minus a lengthy citation of Al Kresta). ***** 1 Corinthians 6:11 (RSV): “And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God.” There is much here that indicates the Catholic view of the doctrines under present consideration: washing (baptismal... Read more
From my book, The Catholic Verses (Sophia Institute Press, 2004, pp. 135-138). ***** Hebrews 12:1: “Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us.” Catholics believe that the saints in heaven are aware of happenings on the earth. They are not isolated and removed from earthly realities, but intimately involved in them, as... Read more
From my book, The Catholic Verses (Sophia Institute Press, 2004, pp. 133-135). ***** 1 Corinthians 4:16 (RSV): “I urge you, then, be imitators of me.” [cf. 11:1] Philippians 3:17: “Brethren, join in imitating me, and mark those who so live as you have an example in us.” [cf. 4:8-9] 2 Thessalonians 3:7-9: “For you yourselves know how you ought to imitate us; we were not idle when we were with you, we did not eat anyone’s bread without paying, but with toil... Read more
… Includes Extensive Discussion on the “Hard Case” of Pregnancy by Rape Sogn Mill-Scout’s words will be in blue. He is a Christian. I have edited and shortened the original exchange by about one-third. It was originally 18,700+ words. Sogn actually changed his opinion, away from “pro-choice” (about halfway through the dialogue), to pro-life with exceptions for rape and other “hard cases” only. It is possible; many have done so. But it’s rare that they concede the basic point right during... Read more
Luke 11:42 (RSV) “But woe to you Pharisees! for you tithe mint and rue and every herb, and neglect justice and the love of God; these you ought to have done, without neglecting the others.” Matthew 23:24 “You blind guides, straining out a gnat and swallowing a camel!” The latest tempest-in-a-teapot with regard to opposition to Pope Francis had to do with whether he wants people to kiss his ring or not. All the usual radical Catholic reactionary suspects came out... Read more
All of this Trump-bashing and Trump-hatred is expressly against scriptural admonitions. St. Paul and St. Peter both stated that we should honor and obey the emperor and the government. At the time, that was the pagan Roman Empire, that was killing Christians, and Emperor Nero. If we wanna talk about someone who was truly mad and nuttier than a fruitcake, that was Nero, who had both Peter and Paul killed. Then we have the example of how David treated Saul,... Read more
I have long noted as regards deconversion stories from Christian to atheist, that, very often, these accounts of an exodus out of Christianity have the following characteristics: 1) an initial fundamentalist belief, which is thought to be the sum total of Christianity (as if there are no other more thoughtful and nuanced species of it). 2) rejection of various straw men, which do not represent the most informed versions of Christianity; “throwing the baby out with the bathwater.” 3) highlighting... Read more
From my book, The Catholic Verses (Sophia Institute Press, 2004, pp. 124-126). ***** 1 Corinthians 11:27-30: “Whoever, therefore, eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of profaning the body and blood of the Lord. Let a man examine himself, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup. For anyone who eats and drinks without discerning the body eats and drinks judgment upon himself. That is why many of you are... Read more
From my book, The Catholic Verses (Sophia Institute Press, 2004, pp. 79-83). ***** 1 Corinthians 9:27 (RSV): “I pommel my body and subdue it, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.” 1 Corinthians 10:12: “Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall.” Galatians 5:1: “For freedom Christ has set us free; stand fast, therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.” Galatians 5:4: “You are severed from Christ, you who would... Read more
From my book, The Catholic Verses (Sophia Institute Press, 2004, pp. 37-40). ***** 1 Corinthians 11:2 (RSV): “I commend you because you remember me in everything and maintain the traditions even as I have delivered them to you.” 1 Thessalonians 2:13: “And we also thank God constantly for this, that when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men but as what it really is, the word of... Read more
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