“Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.” – Matthew 28:19-20. Every person in the Bible who encounters God is sent on a mission. From Abraham and Moses to Peter and Paul, to encounter God is to be tasked with doing His work. This holds not just at the level of the... Read more
God is simple. It seems almost blasphemous to write those words, so ingrained is the belief that simplicity often connotes a negative term. A thing is considered simple if it is unsophisticated. This interpretation is not, however, what theology means, and the term Divine simplicity is a crucial concept in the Catholic understanding of God. In this paper, I will endeavor to explain what Divine simplicity means, its significance in understanding God, and some of the difficulties associated with Divine... Read more
As a convert to Catholicism, I am always amazed by the faith’s beauty and traditions. Yet one of the most startling and, if I may be allowed, strange practices held by Catholicism are those of relics. In this essay, I will explain this unusual and ancient tradition and the biblical basis for its use. I will begin by exploring what exactly relics are and their purpose. Lastly, I will review the types of relics maintained by the Catholic Church and... Read more
Is Catholicism a living thing? The idea (analogous though it may be) of the Catholic Church as a living entity is not unknown in the Bible. The analogy of bride and groom to refer to the Church (as the bride) and Jesus (as the groom) is used in various verses (e.g., Ephesians 5:22-33; Matthew 9:15). Uniquely, the theologian and Cardinal John Henry Newman likened the Catholic Church to an organism that appropriates what is good and deters what is harmful... Read more
God is truth, Scripture tells us. And if that is the case, then a logical consequence of that fact is that the Church He founded is responsible for promulgating that truth and militating against any false teachings. In this paper, I will provide an outline of the most prominent claims and teachings contrary to the truth that the Church has been entrusted with. These claims and teachings are known as heresies. Before commencing, it is beneficial to note that the... Read more
One of the more controversial doctrines in Catholicism is papal infallibility. The concept has been and continues to be a source of confusion for Catholics and a source of criticism of the Church. In this paper, I will endeavor to explain this uniquely Catholic claim. I will begin by providing a synopsis of infallibility and the significance of apostolic succession on infallibility. I will then examine the doctrine and conclude by reviewing the conditions for a Pope to claim infallibility.... Read more
The words orthodox and orthodoxy are frequently used in religion and theology. Depending on how the terms are used and the object(s) that they refer to, the meanings of orthodox and orthodoxy can vary widely. In this paper, I will endeavor to define the standard by which a belief is considered orthodox. I will discuss what is called regula fidei and how it is understood within the Catholic Church. First, however, it is necessary to understand what Catholicism means by... Read more
Some wit once wrote that faith is believing something one knows isn’t true. Of course, this is not how the mind works, but it raises a question. In issues of faith, whether that is faith in one’s own abilities or a transcendent God, what constitutes evidence? Put differently, what is sufficient proof to persuade someone to have faith in God? In this paper, I will explain what Catholicism means by faith. I will then examine the various forms of reasoning... Read more
The prophet Isaiah wrote of Jesus that He is a “Man of sorrows.” (Isaiah 53:3). Sorrow was something His mother experienced quite a lot of as well. In this article, I will discuss the Seven Sorrows of Mary. I will provide the biblical basis for each of the sorrows and seek to explain their context and significance. The Seven Sorrows The first sorrow is reported in Luke’s Gospel and is known as the prophecy of Simeon. “Simeon blessed them and... Read more
“Brothers, I could not talk to you as spiritual people, but as fleshly people, as infants in Christ. I fed you milk, not solid food, because you were unable to take it. Indeed, you are still not able, even now.” – 1 Corinthians 3:1-2. God is truth, and it is the work of the Church that He created – the Catholic Church – to teach of Christ and the truths that God wants to be known. Despite this, at some... Read more
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