Sarah Babbs is a fellow writer at Patheos. She wrote an article entitled, “Pro-Life: Have You Earned It?”, which is largely a critique of what is called the “old” pro-life movement. As a proud member of that group since 1982, I thought I would highlight that our agreements are far greater and significant than any differences. I can only speak for myself, but I don’t regard myself as an atypical “old” pro-lifer. What I will express is what I understand to be... Read more
[Agnostic Ed Babinski’s words will be in blue] *** In an earlier paper I made note of my post and portion of a book of mine (about 100 passages): “The Bible’s Teaching on Abortion.” [ME, in the last dialogue] Psalm 51:5 Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me. [What was conceived was David (“me”). As soon as he began to exist, he had iniquity (original sin)] The “I” and “me” of a blastula that is... Read more
[for the necessary background, see my paper, Mary’s Perpetual Virginity “In Partu” (a Miraculous, Non-Natural Childbirth) is a Binding Catholic Dogma. The comments below were my related thoughts in a vigorous Facebook thread] *** 1. An intact hymen was how virginity was historically defined; not as simply the absence of intercourse. 2. An intact hymen means that birth was miraculous. The whole point is to preserve the utterly miraculous nature of the virgin birth: in conception and in the process of... Read more
[this started on a thread under an article of mine on the perpetual virginity of Mary. I paraphrase the words of my Protestant critic (first two exchanges). Then I had further public exchanges (below)] *** Protestant: It bothers me that perpetual virginity indicates an opinion that sex is sinful. I see. So you are equally concerned, I imagine, when Paul (in 1 Corinthians 7) praises those who are voluntarily celibate for the sake of undistracted devotion to the kingdom (i.e.,... Read more
Eric Svendsen is a prominent anti-Catholic polemicist. This discussion took place on Bishop “Dr.” [???] James White’s sola Scriptura discussion list, on 1 and 4 June 1996. Eric’s words will be in green; my older cited words in blue. *** I believe in inerrancy (always have). Is this your idea of an answer? Yes, Eric. Sorry if the honesty of it disappoints you. But your charge was that no one had answered it at all, as I recall. That is a different proposition than critiquing... Read more
[see the related paper, Anthropopathism and Anthropomorphism: Biblical Data] *** St. Ignatius of Antioch (50 – c. 110) * Look for Him who is . . . impalpable and impassible, yet who became passible on our account; and who in every kind of way suffered for our sakes . . . (Epistle to Polycarp, 3, 2; ANF, vol. 1; cf. Epistle to the Ephesians, 7, 2) Aristides of Athens (fl. c. 140) . . . God . . is without beginning and eternal, immortal and lacking... Read more
God the Father is Immutable (Unchangeable) and Doesn’t Change His Mind Aristides of Athens (fl. c. 140) . . . God, who is incorruptible and unchangeable and invisible, but who sees all things and changes them and alters them as He wills. (Apology, 4; in JUR-1, 49) St. Justin Martyr (100-165) * For they proclaim our madness to consist in this, that we give to a crucified man a place second to the unchangeable and eternal God, the Creator of all; for they do... Read more
Foreknowledge and determination are two different things. I have a pretty good knowledge that the sun will rise tomorrow, but I don’t cause it. I am pretty sure that my three sons will rise out of bed tomorrow, and that they will play outside if it is nice. But I don’t cause that. So God knowing, in His omniscience, how we will respond to His grace does not determine our response. He simply knows the response we will make (being... Read more
I’ve already seen the film. It was good. As an eleven-year-old in 1969 (when I was apolitical) I remember thinking that “the Kennedys have already suffered so much [RFK’s assassination was only a year earlier]. He had an unfortunate accident. We should have mercy on him!” Apparently the people in his state felt the same, and he won his next election with two-thirds of the vote. I was unaware that there were so many different theories as to what happened... Read more
The perpetual virginity of Mary “matters” because it was fitting and proper, and preserved the miracle of the virgin birth and the uniqueness of the incarnate God. If she had had other children, then that miracle would be doubted. And would anyone really want a brother Who was God? Talk about sibling conflicts and an inferiority complex! We’re not required by the Church to intuitively “feel” this doctrine, but we have to accept it as a de fide dogma of the... Read more
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