To hear some Christians, Jesus sounds like some kind of “free love” bell-bottomed hippy from the seventies. This Jesus only cares about tolerance, inclusivity, “love,” and charitable work (feeding the hungry and clothing the naked). Now, Jesus did speak about love and what the Catholic Church calls “the seven corporal acts of mercy,” but He spoke and taught so much more. In fact, some of His teachings (and the teachings of St. Paul) may come off as just plain mean... Read more
In a recent article, I analyzed the applicability of Scripture as an ultimate authority regarding matters of salvation throughout Church history. My analysis showed that, due to almost near universal Christian illiteracy up to the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the Scriptures existed as an inaccessible authority, or God’s Black Box. Its practical use by common Christians depends heavily on Christian literacy. Not mentioned in the article, but also highly relevant, are the multiple layers of scriptural interpretive difficulty... Read more
As we witness the sheer horror of modern warfare in Gaza and Ukraine, and see the widespread suffering, death, devastation, and destruction on our television screens, any right-minded person is forced to confront the question: Is modern warfare ever justified? Catholic teaching on “Just War” doctrine states: The strict conditions for legitimate defense by military force require rigorous consideration. The gravity of such a decision makes it subject to rigorous conditions of moral legitimacy. At one and the same time:... Read more
A recent article by a fellow Patheos writer, and a comment he received from a reader, got me thinking about the relationship between truth and tribalism. In the article, the author juxtaposes knowing “right facts” and “love.” The author states: Charity, not knowledge, saves; if we over-emphasize knowledge, we end up creating ideologies which serve as the basis of conflict instead of promoting the love God wants out of us. Confusing faith with ideology not only promotes tribalism, it suggests... Read more
Recently, I read a comment on Patheos’ Facebook page calling my blog “rad-trad” and my mindset “Protestant.” Honestly, I found the comment humorous. I try to back up my writing with official Church teaching supported by official Church documents. Furthermore, I support the magisterium of Pope Francis. Sure, I may question his appointments, and I do at times request further clarification; however, I DO NOT think the Holy Father teaches heresy. In fact, I applaud the Holy Father’s recent move... Read more
A friend of mine informed me about a new online tool called Magisterium AI (currently in its Beta phase). Created by US entrepreneur, Matthew Sanders, the National Catholic Register quotes Mr. Sander’s goals with the AI: Our core objective is to make Catholic insight and Church teaching available to anyone in the world, on any device, in their native language… In the “About” tab on the site, Magisterium AI makes this claim about itself. Magisterium AI makes accessible the teaching... Read more
Disclaimer: For the record, I hold no ill will towards any Christian, progressive or otherwise. The below reflects one man’s observations and concerns. For me, historical Christianity holds the highest of value, a pearl of the greatest price! Jesus truly saved my life. What started out as a simple faith at the age of fifteen developed into a Catholic faith at thirty, which continues to this day. At Issue According to my observations, progressive Catholicism (and progressive Christianity as a... Read more
In past articles, I addressed the topic of sola scriptura. An issue for me, and others, concerns what stands as the final authority in a Christian’s life. Discussions of this subject between Protestants and Catholics often go down multiple rabbit holes. The Catholic tends to camp on their belief that the Protestant’s appeal to the Bible alone equates to the justification of personal interpretation and theological novelty. On the other hand, Protestants tend to stress that the Bible alone is... Read more
Your Excellencies, On November 11th, 2023, the Holy Father removed one of your brother bishops, Joseph Strickland, from his office. A vocal critic of Pope Francis, Bishop Strickland often challenged the Holy Father in much the same way St. Paul challenged St. Peter at Antioch (Galatians 2:11-13). A consummate defender of the Faith, Bishop Strickland has led his diocese towards greater spiritual and administrative health during his 10-year tenure. According to Catholic News Agency, Bishop Strickland’s diocese current has 21... Read more
As stated, in a previous article in July, “regardless of how the Synod of Synodality turns out, disappointment is the only certain outcome for all involved.” And considering the responses from those hoping for significant change within the Church, the above statement appears prophetic, or at least partially so. Of all the contingents involved, one seemed to exert an uncommonly strong influence over the final document released by Synod of Synodality (SoS). This group, with its strong commitment to Catholic... Read more
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