Nestorius began to defend his priest Anastasius, who had preached that the Holy Virgin should not be called Mother of God, for since she was human she could not bear God. This gave offense to all Christians and they took no other meaning from it than that he held that Christ, born of Mary, was not God, but a mere man, like all of us; and out of this there arose such a state of affairs that the emperor had... Read more
[book and purchase information] Mother of God The ecumenical council of Ephesus in 431 declared Mary the Mother of God (Greek, Theotokos) in order to safeguard the divinity of Christ, which was being attacked by the Nestorians, a heretical group which had recently arisen. Since Christ was God in the flesh (Col 2:9; Jn 1:1,14), Mary is the Mother of God the Son. Both Luther and Calvin (along with all the major Protestant founders) agreed. But she is a creature,... Read more
This series of mini-dialogues (most, frustratingly incomplete and “left hanging,” in my opinion), occurred in a very lively combox on my Facebook page. Karl’s words will be in blue. The sections are not necessarily chronological. He and I are good friends, with mutual respect. I consider him the father of the modern Catholic apologetics movement. *** I don’t read Douthat regularly, but every time I’ve read him I’ve pegged him as a conservative, both politically and religiously–not as a traditionalist... Read more
Currently, there are three pope-bashing books tearing up the charts at Amazon: The Dictator Pope: The Inside Story of the Francis Papacy (Henry Sire) #4,876 in Books #1 in Books > Christian Books & Bibles > Biographies > Popes & the Vatican #4 in Books > History > World > Religious > Religion, Politics & State #4 in Books > Religion & Spirituality > Religious Studies > Church & State Lost Shepherd: How Pope Francis is Misleading His Flock (Philip F. Lawler) #12,877 in Books #6 in Books > Christian Books & Bibles > Biographies > Popes & the Vatican #11 in Books > Christian Books & Bibles > Churches & Church Leadership > Church Leadership #69 in Books > Christian Books & Bibles > Catholicism To Change... Read more
The Bible is very clear about honoring and respecting political rulers and elders. I think by analogy (if not direct strong implication), these injunctions would apply to the pope as well. *** 1 Peter 2:17 (RSV) Honor all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the [pagan, anti-Christian, persecuting] emperor. Exodus 22:28 You shall not revile God, nor curse a ruler of your people. [cited by St. Paul in Acts 23:5 below] Ecclesiastes 10:20 Even in your thought, do not... Read more
This was originally a posting of exchanges that took place on my public Facebook page, in a thread regarding Ross Douthat and his book, To Change the Church. A friend of mine was criticizing (with great vigor!) my critique of Ross Douthat from two years ago: long before his book came out. He objected to my posting his words here, so I have removed them and will now briefly paraphrase (in brackets) his objections, that I counter-respond to. Ross Douthat’s... Read more
Is Douthat’s book of strong criticism of Pope Francis a good or bad thing? This occurred on my public Facebook page. Karl’s words will be in blue. *** Dave, I presume you haven’t read Douthat’s book. I haven’t either. It isn’t due to be released until Tuesday of next week. Yet you haven’t hesitated to condemned the book, sight unseen. You seem to be relying on two things: first and foremost, a kneejerk reaction to anything critical of Pope Francis.... Read more
It’s Ross Douthat who is being used as a puppet of the devil, not Pope Francis. There are many “blessings” that flow from the current slew of best-selling pope-bashing books: Phil Lawler’s Lost Shepherd (see my many articles on that) and Ross Douthat’s To Change the Church: Pope Francis and the Future of Catholicism, that I specifically address now: 1) They help to undermine the faith of the average Catholic (whether they think logically or consistently about it or not) in... Read more
I watched a great documentary about Jimi Hendrix (the greatest rock guitarist ever) last night, called Voodoo Child. It was taken solely from his own words. He noted that his musical influences were not only the great black musicians like Muddy Waters, Jimmy Reed, and Chuck Berry, but also white musicians like Buddy Holly, Eddie Cochran, Elvis, and Bob Dylan (whom he idolized) and he said (close paraphrase): “I don’t see color; I see people.” Indeed, it was white English... Read more
Catholic apologist and author Karl Keating wrote: Nearly all contemporary Catholic music is dreck. That already was old news when Thomas Day wrote Why Catholics Can’t Sing in 1992. I don’t visit Evangelical churches much, but my impression is that, while they may have (relatively) large music ministries, the music is no better. It is Protestant dreck instead of Catholic dreck. It may sound better because performed by larger ensembles with better instrumentation, but it’s still pop music. I don’t necessarily... Read more
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