[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
This exchange with my friend Karl Keating: the father of the modern Catholic apologetics movement, occurred on my Facebook page, under my recent article, “Pope’s Chilean Abuse Apology Troubles Simcha Fisher.” Karl’s words will be in blue. *** The only good thing (if there is any) is that the true colors of the pope bashers are being shown (more and more) very clearly: manifest for all to see and to decide where they want to stand. Sin has a way of... Read more
Simcha writes in her article, “Pope Francis’ troubling apology” (4-11-18): The Pope’s apology is encouraging, but also troubling. He sets an irreplaceable example of how to respond humbly when confronted with personal error, but he also appears to deflect personal responsibility. We look forward to clarification, after he meets with the Chilean victims, about why he didn’t believe the victims’ accusations, why he felt it was appropriate to denigrate the victims publicly, and whether he intends to be more circumspect... Read more
I have written a book defending Pope Francis as well, called Pope Francis Explained: Survey of Myths, Legends, and Catholic Defenses in Harmony with Tradition. That was published relatively early in his papacy (January 2014), but I think I still amply illustrate the false premises, dubious “facts” and inadequate logic and faulty interpretation often utilized in the ongoing critiques and outright bashing. I wrote two articles that might be regarded as mildly critical of the pope. It has been my position... Read more
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