Saint Benedict in Glory (1748), by Johann Jakob Zeiller (1708-1783) [public domain / Wikimedia Commons] ***** (6-23-07) ***** The following illustrates the logical structure of biblical arguments in favor of contact with the dead under special and specific circumstances and indirectly for the invocation of the saints in heaven (at least how I myself make the argument): 1. We ought to pray for each other (much biblical proof). 2. The prayer of a righteous man has great power in its... Read more
+ Lutheran Confessional Agreement The Annunciation (1850), by Dante Gabriel Rossetti (1828-1882) [public domain / Wikimedia Commons] *** (11-1-08) *** From discussion on the Coming Home Network forum. The woman whose words are in blue is married to a Lutheran, who has a hard time accepting many Catholic beliefs. * * * * * Dave Armstrong, I just read your article about this, the one in which you gave an apologetic argument to some Protestants on this topic. You mentioned... Read more
23 boys at Crumpsall Workhouse, circa 1895-1897: sent there, no doubt, by wicked conservative pro-lifers [public domain / Wikimedia Commons] ***** Mark Shea wrote, in his article, What Does the New Prolife Movement Look Like in Action? (12-5-16): As it happens, Texas Republicans did me the favor of demonstrating my point by, in their utter passion for human life from conception to birth, voting to kill Medicaid funding for kids with disabilities–ten days before Christmas. These guys, Good Christian Prolifers all,... Read more
The Virgin Annunciate, by Carlo Crivelli (c. 1435-c. 1495) [public domain / Wikimedia Commons] *** (11-3-08) ***** Dr. Ludwig Ott, in his Fundamentals of Catholic Dogma, a standard theological reference source, states (pp. 203-207) that Mary’s virginity, before, during, and after the birth of Jesus (i.e., the perpetual virginity of Mary) is de fide dogma (the highest level). One can search the book to some extent and see these passages, via the Amazon Online Reader function. Ott in turn cites Denzinger’s... Read more
St. Louis-Marie Grignion de Montfort (1673-1716) [public domain / Wikimedia Commons] (2009) ***** St. Louis de Montfort’s Mariology is often misinterpreted, just as, unfortunately, many, if not most books about devotion to Mary are misunderstood by non-Catholics, and not a few Catholics as well. Anti-Catholic Protestants (a small, fringe wing of Protestantism) often seize on these works and cite things out of context, making it appear that Catholics have practically raised Mary to the Godhead. All things have to be... Read more
BLU-82 Daisy Cutter Fireball [public domain / Wikimedia Commons] *** Original title: “Man-Centered” Sacramentalism: The Remarkable Incoherence of James White: How Can Martin Luther and St. Augustine Be Christians According to His Definition? *** (11-26-03) ***** Bishop James White (one of the most vociferous critics of Catholicism today) and I engaged in a vigorous postal exchange in 1995. I have his letters in my possession, and the “debate” has been posted on my website for many years, with the good bishop’s... Read more
Main door of the Church of Saint George in Sopot, Poland. [Wikimedia Commons / Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported license] ***** (10-7-08) ***** A Lutheran woman who is considering Catholicism brought up a question regarding the Sunday Mass obligation: My therapist and his wife – formerly life-long Evangelicals – became part of the RC church last Easter. That was a real heads up for me. I totally respect both of them, their research and study, their morals and values,... Read more
The Heart of Mary, by Leopold Kupelwieser (1796-1862) [Wikimedia Commons / Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International license] *** (11-23-10) *** On the Coming Home Network board where I am the head moderator, a person (Catholic convert since 1997) wrote, asking about both the sacred heart of Jesus and immaculate heart of Mary devotions: In several devotions attached to private revelations which have become popular over the last couple of centuries, I hear prayers being addressed to a body part... Read more
Engraving of John Wesley preaching outside a church. Wesley was a key figure in a true spiritual revival that occurred in England in the 18th century, resulting in massive societal change in spirituality and theology, morals, and laws. [Wikimedia Commons / Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International license] ***** The New Pro-Life Movement (NPLM) is not particularly new at all. It’s simply a revival of the old “seamless garment” approach to pro-life (basically, or broadly speaking, a politically liberal pro-life standpoint).... Read more
Image by PeteLinforth [Pixabay / CC0 public domain] *** Regarding the present controversy between Pope Francis and Cardinal Burke, I think only good can come from answering the questions, or “dubia” raised by Burke and three Cardinals Emeritus. This is a big reason why we have the pope in the Church: to give the “final say” at times, when it is sorely needed. The “buck” needs to stop somewhere. What better place than with him? I stated many times in the... Read more
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