Satire can be done well, or badly. I critique an example of the latter. ***** First of all, let me preface this by saying that I love satire and sarcasm (done in the right way). I’ve analyzed it, and I’ve often utilized it in my apologetics. I’ve satirized atheists, and caught hell for doing that. I did a very pointed satire of theological liberals, using Silent Night as my vehicle. In December 2017, this latter article was vastly misunderstood when... Read more
Constructive, amiable Protestant-Catholic discussion on many key aspects of salvation. [see the original, somewhat longer Facebook exchanges, with a few more helpful participants, too] ***** This dialogue was kicked off when I cited Blessed John Henry Cardinal Newman on the difference between Protestant and Catholic doctrines of original sin: Catholics hold that Original sin is mainly an external evil, Protestants an internal. According to us, it is not propagated in the way of cause and effect, but by an act... Read more
I coined the term, “Radical Catholic reactionary” on 3 August 2013. “Daniel” wrote (underneath a Chris Ferrara post of 12-31-17 that trashed myself and Karl Keating): “I think Michael Voris got the credit in using the Communist term “reactionary” in describing all faithful Catholics who refuse to follow the teachings of Francis so now all Novus Ordo Catholics want to be like Voris.” Not correct. I was the one who coined the term, “Radical Catholic reactionary.” It was on 3... Read more
Excerpts from the second chapter of my book, Catholic Church Fathers, entitled, “Salvation, Justification, Penance, and Related Issues”. * * * * * Protestant Definitions of Justification by Faith Alone Justification, as thus defined, is therefore a declarative act, as distinguished from an efficient act; an act of God external to the sinner, as distinguished from an act within the sinner’s nature and changing that nature; a judicial act, as distinguished from a sovereign act; an act based upon and logically... Read more
vs. Kristo Miettinen Who better represents (in terms of history of doctrine) the legacy of the Church fathers: Lutherans or Catholics? *** Kristo Miettinen (words in blue) offered a response to my challenge (whereas previously it was met with rancor and hostility and severe personal insult, when posted on a Lutheran board): I came across your blog and your questions to Lutherans, and feel like attempting to answer half of your challenge (the half about Lutheran changes). The stuff about Cyril is interesting,... Read more
Bombings such as Hiroshima and Nagasaki are clearly covered in the conciliar prohibition. *** I’ve been pondering this issue quite a bit. To me it seems obvious. Yet other perfectly orthodox Catholics, in good faith, and with concern for just war ethics, sincerely disagree. Out of mainly intellectual curiosity, then, I wanted to take a look around the Internet and see if I could find any further material on this particular aspect of the ethical / military question. I want... Read more
God immediately judged Onan for the “anti-child” sin of contraception. ***** This discussion began as a result of a blog post from 9 February 2004: Why Did God Kill Onan? (The Bible on Contraception). I posted a section of my book, The Catholic Verses, and vigorous discussion ensued. I also make reference to the article (in both my book and this post): “The Sin of Onanism Revisited,” by Fr. Brian Harrison. My dialogue opponent was a self-described “liberal” Catholic. His words will be in blue. *** Genesis... Read more
Guest Post by Canonist Pete Vere We must help revive the consciences of Catholic young people towards marriage and family. ***** Oh. My. Goodness! The Holy Father’s strategy behind Amoris Laetitia suddenly makes sense. And it takes Jesuit cunning to a new level–namely that of the Pope’s universal appeal as a Christian leader. Zenit just published Pope Francis’s 2018 address to the Roman Rota. This is an annual tradition anticipated by canonists each January as it helps us better understand... Read more
Fresh new approaches to old Catholic truths are suspected to be intended heterodoxy. ***** I think of, for example, my hero, Cardinal Newman, who was accused for decades of being a theological liberal (supposed proponent of the heretical evolution of dogma), when he was not at all. He strongly protested any such notion when he received the Cardinal’s hat in 1879. Cardinal Newman was simply a fresh and brilliant innovator in presenting timeless Catholic truths. Even Pope St. Pius X defended him... Read more
The anti-Catholics always readily supply Catholic apologists with nonsense and silliness . . . [Eric Svendsen’s words will be in blue; ecumenical Reformed scholar Paul Owen’s in green; James White’s in purple] *** As a Catholic apologist, I have a constant, readily-available supply of nonsense from the anti-Catholics; particularly their big “champions” and leading lights. No satire I could come up with would be remotely as silly and funny as what these people say on their own. I thought nothing... Read more
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