[public domain / Wikimedia Commons] *** (12-22-98) ***** The following was a response to an anti-Catholic named Matthew Bell, on an anti-Catholic-dominated discussion list (called “Apologetics,” I believe). Matthew Bell wrote: Twice you have used the designation Xmas in the title of your posts rather than Christmas. Such is erroneous, Christ is not an X, but a title of the Lord Jesus. What would be more appropriate for you to mark with an X or remove is the latter half... Read more
Jesus: detail of the Ghent Altarpiece (1432), by Jan van Eyck (c. 1390-1441) [public domain / Wikimedia Commons] ***** (11-13-07) ***** The “short version” of orthodox Christology is to remember the following formulas (the fine points and details are best left to theologians, as long as they are undeniably orthodox and are teaching opinions in total accord with infallible Catholic dogma): 1) Holy Trinity: God exists eternally in Three Persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit: all eternal... Read more
The Coronation of the Virgin, by Jean Fouquet (1420-1480) [public domain / Wikimedia Commons] *** (8-1-03) ***** Dr. Robert M. Bowman, Jr. is an eminent Protestant evangelical theologian and apologist. His words will be in blue. *** Biblical Evidence: Mary, Paul, and “Spirits” as Distributors of Grace Mary as Mediatrix, or Co-Redemptrix (rightly understood) is no more shocking or unbelievable than Paul in effect calling himself a “savior” and a “steward” of God’s grace: Ephesians 3:2 assuming that you have heard... Read more
Coronation of the Virgin (1324), by Paolo Veneziano [Wikimedia Commons / Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported license] *** (1-30-03) *** In disputes over words, definitions, and proper uses of words, it is always good to consult the dictionary. A simple use of the words mediate, mediatrix, or mediation does not necessarily imply some sort of equation with 1 Timothy 2:5: “there is one mediator between God and man.” My dictionary defines mediate thusly: 1. to be in an intermediate position... Read more
Real idolatry: The Adoration of the Golden Calf (1633), by Nicolas Poussin (1594-1665) [public domain / Wikimedia Commons] ***** (11-22-96) *** An anti-Catholic Protestant evangelical stated in a list I was on: Transubstantiation is a form of idolatry. The Catholic belief in transubstantiation is why when the host is elevated, Catholics bow and pay homage. The charge of idolatry is absolutely wrongheaded. To be an idolater is fundamentally to put something in place of God. An animist who is truly... Read more
Options and Respectful Speculations on the Synod on the Family, Amoris Laetitia and Practical Applications Pope Francis at Varginha in southwest Minas Gerais state, Brazil during World Youth Day (7-27-13). Photograph from Agência Brasil, a public Brazilian news agency. [Wikimedia Commons / Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Brazil license] ***** As most of you who have followed my writings know, I have been a staunch defender of Pope Francis: holding that he is orthodox and has often been grossly misrepresented, for a variety of... Read more
Noah’s Ark Cycle: 3. The Flood (1588), by Kaspar Memberger the Elder (c. 1555-1618) [public domain / Wikimedia Commons] ***** (10-12-12) *** [my Bible citations: RSV] **** Of how little value it is in the sight of God, in regard to all the parts of life, Paul shows, when he says, that we are not “sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves,” (2 Cor. 3:5). He is not speaking of the will or affection; he denies us... Read more
Christ on the Cross (1627), by Francisco de Zurbarán (1598-1664) [public domain / Wikimedia Commons] *** (4-29-10) *** [Important Note: I have now, upon reflection, decided that many of the passages below are weak arguments (see my thoughts on that in the related paper, Dialogue: Does the Bible Teach Limited Atonement?). Therefore, I have removed it from listings of papers on my blog. My revised position is explained in the referenced and linked paper] ***** Luke 19:10 (RSV) For the Son of... Read more
Our Mother of Perpetual Help, a 15th Century Marian Byzantine Icon [public domain / Wikimedia Commons] *** (7-16-07) ***** The following exchange about the Our Lady of Perpetual Help devotion occurred on the Parchment and Pen blog. C. Michael Patton and others have been very gracious and polite in allowing me to give my dissenting viewpoint. I’d like to thank them and express my appreciation for that. C. Michael Patton’s words will be in blue; “Seven”‘s in green, and Vance’s in... Read more
Christmas 1991 (already married for seven years), with our first son Paul (then 8 months old). ***** Many times I’ve reflected, gazing at a sparkling Scotch pine tree or by a cozy fire, How blessed I’ve been with you by my side, during Advent and Christmastime. Each year it’s so lovely to ponder baby Jesus or listen to carols sung by a choir, With the one I adore; sharing our holiday experiences so treasured and sublime. *** At first it was just the two of... Read more
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