This is from my book, The Catholic Verses (Sophia Institute Press, 2004, pp. 63-68). ***** James 2:24:“You see that a man is justified by works and not by faith alone” (cf. 1:22, 2:14, 17, 20, 22, 26). Catholics believe in an organic relationship between faith and works. Far from being intractably opposed to one another, they are in fact inseparable. Faith is necessary to produce truly good works, and works in turn are the evidence of a true faith. This... Read more
This took place in the combox of my blog post, “Catholic Sex & Heterodoxy Scandals: Long-Term Causes.” “HematitePersuasion” is an atheist. His words will be in blue. *** Do you believe, then, that the various abuses with then RCC are a modern phenomena? That this sort of abuse and coverup was absent, pre-Vatican II? Looking at the pattern of abuse suggests to me that not only was it endemic, but the opportunity to abuse was engineered into Church culture (presumably by... Read more
[the following is from my book, The One-Minute Apologist (Sophia Institute Press, 2007; available for as low as $2.99 in several e-book formats] ***** How could true Christianity pollute the teachings of Jesus with pagan images, rituals, and ideas? THE ONE-MINUTE APOLOGIST SAYS: Truth is truth wherever it is found. The Catholic Church, following St. Paul’s example, makes use of existing practices to spread Christ’s message. All of God’s creation is good. An act or practice (not including those that are immoral,... Read more
[the following is from my book, The One-Minute Apologist (Sophia Institute Press, 2007; available for as low as $2.99 in several e-book formats] ***** The individual with his Bible has all that’s necessary to be saved. He doesn’t need a church or “tradition.” THE ONE-MINUTE APOLOGIST SAYS: The Bible does not teach this doctrine. And the history of Protestantism, with its many doctrinal divisions, argues strongly against it. How could a perspicuous Bible lead so many believers to so many... Read more
A Presbyterian woman commented on the Coming Home Network forum (her words will be in blue, and those of a second in green): Why is the Catholic Church the subject of such hatred from other Christians? I’ve noticed that except for the hard-core fundamentalists who suspect (and shun) anyone outside their own congregations, most Christians will give other denominations the benefit of the doubt, even if they know nothing about what those other denominations teach. I as an evangelical Presbyterian... Read more
“BWL” attends a Lutheran church. His words will be in blue. * * * * * The argument you are making is that sola Scriptura doesn’t work because of the divisions among those who claim to adhere to it and the absence of any way (and especially any authority) to end said divisions. But churches who deny sola Scriptura and claim to adhere to Tradition are also in the same boat. First of all, let everyone note what was done... Read more
A lot more people than just Pope Francis are implicated in lack of action to stop these scandals, and I dare say that that includes the four previous popes as well (saints or no). I think a good case can be made now that the traditionalist (not reactionary) complaint that too little was and is being done about heterodoxy and dissenters (and abusers, as it were) in the Church was correct, and that we should have cleaned house long ago.... Read more
The following came about on the Coming Home Network board, which I moderated from 2007-2010, as a result of my answering queries. The first instance (where someone asked about the propriety of attending Stravinsky’s ballet, The Rite of Spring) was private, but the second public, so I can ethically include the other person’s arguments there (two other people’s comments will be in blue and green). * * * * * The Rite of Spring is fabulous. It’s one of my... Read more
[from Facebook comments: originally stimulated by singer Amy Winehouse’ death; slightly modified and revised presently] *** If we know a loved one who is addicted to (or is a “victim” of) substance abuse, it’s our responsibility to exercise tough love and to not be enablers. It’s very difficult and uncomfortable, but we have to do it. If all these poor people who die due to drugs had someone who loved them enough to get them the help they need, things... Read more
These replies are more in-depth than what was eventually compiled in my book, Biblical Catholic Answers for John Calvin. I literally responded line-by-line to almost all of Book IV of John Calvin’s Institutes of the Christian Religion, which runs about 500 pages. The original series (#1-55) was completed in 2009, for Calvin’s 500th birthday. I have slightly revised and abridged them, and added or updated links. I have since added nine other installments as well. John Calvin is just about... Read more
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