The selection of Senator JD Vance as Donald Trump’s vice presidential candidate on July 15th, 2024, caused fervor of interest in the thirty-nine year old Ohioan and author of Hillbilly Elegy (2016). Many on the Right see in Vance a smart and energetic supporter (and former critic) of the former president. Others, on the left, see a Yale educated white man who betrayed his working-class roots. Some, including Senator Chris Murphy, who see Vance as a dangerous proponent of white... Read more
Guest Contributor: Pilgrim “I rarely look away from the crowd. Had I not done that in that moment, well, we would not be talking today, would we?” – President Donald Trump “Thank you to everyone for your thoughts and prayers yesterday, as it was God alone who prevented the unthinkable from happening.” – President Donald Trump “One hand fired and another hand guided the bullet.” – Pope John Paul II “In the designs of Providence there are no mere coincidences.” – Pope John Paul II History... Read more
*** I wrote this before the assassination attempt on Donald Trump. The fearmongering rhetoric, like that with Project 2025, identifying Trump with Hitler, and an existential threat to democracy, are directly connected to the assassination attempt. Let’s stop the fearful rhetoric. Have you heard of the imminent threat posed by the implementation of Project 2025? If you support President Joe Biden and lament his disastrous debate performance, you most certainly have. The president, tanking in the polls, seeks to reset... Read more
In a recent article, I warned Protestants of the dangers of speaking for God in their endeavor to instruct others in “what the Bible (God) says.” Seeking feedback from my educated Protestant friends, I invited them to weigh in on my warning. As anticipated, most responded with an appeal to Scriptural clarity. One went a bit further in appealing to a “Christ-centered hermeneutic.” For what I gather, a “Christ-centered hermeneutic” requires prayer and humility in interpreting Scripture within one’s chosen... Read more
I recently came across a video on the YouTube channel Gospel Simplicity. Titled, Is a magisterium REALLY necessary to interpret the Bible?, the host (Austin) lays out his case that an infallible interpretive authority within the Christian Church is unnecessary. Furthermore, he also contends that some things in Scripture appear clear (perspicuous) enough for all Christians to understand. Citing the understanding of other historical works, he says, Scripture is unique but hopefully the thing we don’t believe that makes Scripture... Read more
Recently, Catholic apologist Jimmy Akin and former Catholic (now Protestant) apologist Frank Turek discussed Catholic misconceptions on Turek’s YouTube channel. During the exchange, Turek made the following claim: Now, I as you know, as I said, I was brought up Catholic. I went to Catholic High School, and this is just anecdotal…I never heard the word grace from a homily. I never, in hundreds of sermons, ever heard Jesus died for your sins and by trusting in Him you’re justified.... Read more
Sorry for the delay in posting articles. Life got a bit busy at the end of the school year. Those with school-aged kids know this all too well. On the Feast of Corpus Christi, Catholics around the world celebrated the mystery of the body and blood of Christ present in the Eucharist. Western (Roman) Catholics call this mystery transubstantiation. Basically, Catholics believe Christ is hidden, yet substantially present in the Eucharist: body, blood, soul, and divinity. Since the beginning, this... Read more
Below is from my good friend, Matt Graham. He allowed me to share his recent take on former president Donald Trump. Think what you will about Trump, but Matt does make some valid points. Regardless of what you think of Donald Trump you should ask yourself why so many people like him. If your answer is “they like him because they are a bunch of racists” then you haven’t thought about it enough. To the right, Trump is an anti-corruption... Read more
This weekend, I watched the 2021 documentary Building a Bridge, based on the 2018 book of the same name by Fr. James Martin, SJ. As I watched the documentary, I found myself agreeing with some of the points concerning compassion and kindness. However, Building the Bridge left me with more questions than answers as to how the Church ought to build a bridge to the Catholics within the LGBT community, especially if said Catholics see themselves as made by God... Read more
Some on the Catholic Left (and in secular society) think the comments made by Kansas City Chief’s kicker Harrison Butker at Benedictine College do not represent the view of the Catholic Church. Some, think his comments are reflective of “right-wing ideology” masquerading as authentic Catholicism. Frankly, such criticisms are absurd and serve only to reflect the ideological leans of their bearers. Personally, up until now, I stayed out of the sensationalist discussions over obvious Catholic teachings. However, a recent article... Read more
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