Mystical Theology of Dionysius: Transcendental God-Talk. Introduction Part One.

Last updated on: July 9, 2018 at 4:16 pm By Henry Karlson

The Mystical Theology, attributed to Dionysius the Areopigate, is an important text in both the theological and spiritual traditions. In it, the author gives a highly condensed representation of his theological vision. In a series of posts, I will be examining the text, offering my own interpretative engagement with it, hopefully helping readers, both new and old, gain some greater understanding of where Dionysius’ theology can lead us in our engagement with God. To do this, I will first offer... Read more

Christians Must Oppose Racism If They Are To Follow Christ

Last updated on: January 24, 2018 at 12:48 pm By Henry Karlson

Pope Benedict XVI was concerned with the rise of racism in the 20th and early 21st centuries: How important it is, especially in our time, that every Christian community increasingly deepens its awareness of this in order also to help civil society overcome every possible temptation to give into racism, intolerance and exclusion and to make decisions that respect the dignity of every human being! One of humanity’s great achievements is in fact its triumph over racism. However, unfortunately disturbing... Read more

Do Not Misunderstand Prophecy

Last updated on: January 22, 2018 at 1:50 pm By Henry Karlson

God, in his love for humanity, desires all of us to be saved (cf. 1 Tim. 2:4; Titus 2:11; 2Ptr. 3:9). The incarnation reveals the depths of God’s love. When we were still sinners turning our backs on God, we caused our own pain and sorrow as we disconnected ourselves from the source of every good, God. Nonetheless, God desired to help us, to give us every opportunity to open ourselves back up to him and receive his deifying grace.... Read more

We Must Oppose Any Injustices Promoted By Capitalism

Last updated on: January 18, 2018 at 12:21 pm By Henry Karlson

Would that gold – the cursed craving of which the Poet spoke – could be removed completely from human life, for all decent people have reviled it, as taught by the example of Crates the Theban. According to St. Jerome Against Jovinian (though Laertius gives a different version), Crates threw a great weight of gold into the sea and said: Sink, evil desires; I will drown you and not be drowned by you. What he did was right, surely, for... Read more

Lose Yourself in Prayer

Last updated on: January 17, 2018 at 10:04 am By Henry Karlson

And so that you might see the disposition that is associated with true prayer, I shall offer you not my own but blessed Antony’s opinion. We know that he sometimes prayed at such length that frequently, when he was in an ecstasy of mind while praying and the rising of the sun was beginning to shine forth, we would hear him declaring in his fervor of spirit: ‘Why are you hindering me, O sun, you who are rising now in... Read more

St. Gregory the Theologian’s Concerns About Bishops Remain True Today

Last updated on: January 15, 2018 at 3:03 pm By Henry Karlson

When early Christian communities needed a new bishop, the community was small, allowing the people within were able to know and suggest the best candidates for the position. This made it much easier to follow the recommendations for the bishopric found in Scripture: For a bishop, as God’s steward, must be blameless; he must not be arrogant or quick-tempered or a drunkard or violent or greedy for gain, but hospitable, a lover of goodness, master of himself, upright, holy, and... Read more

Plurality In Catholic Thought Allows For Radical Changes In Theological Understanding

Last updated on: January 11, 2018 at 10:44 am By Henry Karlson

Catholicism, despite its dogmas, allows for a great variety of theological opinions. This is important because it means Catholicism is not about reducing the faith to one or another particular school of theological opinion. It does not force people to stand behind what many believe to be true so long as what is believed does not contradict the core dogmas of the faith. Sometimes, a school of thought becomes so well-known, so well-employed, that many confuse its particular positions as... Read more

Do Not Let Injustice Dehumanize The Oppressed

Last updated on: January 22, 2018 at 3:15 pm By Henry Karlson

The world is full of strife. We are called to compassion, to help those who suffer as a result of evil. When there is oppression, we are to strive for liberation; when there is injustice, we are to render right judgement and install justice in the world: And the word of the LORD came to Zechariah, saying, “Thus says the LORD of hosts, Render true judgments, show kindness and mercy each to his brother, do not oppress the widow, the... Read more

The Holy Spirit

Last updated on: January 8, 2018 at 2:21 pm By Henry Karlson

Of the three persons of the Holy Trinity, the Holy Spirit tends to be the most misunderstood. The relationship between the Father and the Son sometimes becomes confused, to be sure, because the conventions of Father and Son are read from the human perspective instead of seeing them as analogous terms representing some truth of the persons themselves. The relationship of the two is at least generally understood as indicating that the Father properly is the source and origin from... Read more

The Light Shines

Last updated on: January 5, 2018 at 10:36 am By Henry Karlson

Even though spiritual darkness covered the land, the light remained. The darkness fought against the light, but nothing the darkness did could snuff it out. The light could be hid, the light could be dimmed, but the darkness could not completely overcome the light. Where the light shined, there it revealed glimpses of beauty which was so pure, it had to be good. Where the light shined, the truth which the darkness tried to hide was revealed, even if in... Read more

What does "Apostle" mean in Greek?