Author: Joe Heschmeyer

St. Jerome on the Deuterocanon

Catholic Bibles, as you probably know, are larger than Protestant Bibles. Or more specifically, we Catholics have the following books, which Protestants don’t: Tobit, Judith, Wisdom, Sirach (a.k.a. Ecclesiasticus), Baruch, and 1st and 2nd Maccabees. In addition to that, we have longer versions of Esther and Daniel. And finally, we have the Letter of Jeremiah.… Continue reading St. Jerome on the Deuterocanon

Assurance of Salvation?

A number of Protestants find it singularly compelling that they “know” that they’re eternally saved. I’ve always found this line of reasoning sort of strange. To the last individual, they’ve argued or admitted that: The saved can know that they’re saved; The damned often think that they’re saved, but they aren’t (obviously); Even those saved… Continue reading Assurance of Salvation?

Life Changes, and the Marvellous Hand of God

The last couple months have been pretty hectic for me, personally. Long-time readers of the blog know the basic backstory. Late April to Mid-May was finals season for me, in my last semester at Georgetown Law. Four of my five classes for the semester had writing requirements, instead of tests. I did this intentionally, because… Continue reading Life Changes, and the Marvellous Hand of God

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Fourth Century Icons of Jesus and the Apostles Found

This is a pretty cool story. Underneath an office building in a working-class part of Rome, they’ve discovered some ancient ruins (probably a noblewoman’s tomb) containing the oldest icons dedicated to Peter, Paul, Andrew, and John.* The icons date to the early 300s. Since it’s Rome, it’s fitting that these four followers of Christ were… Continue reading Fourth Century Icons of Jesus and the Apostles Found

Fr. Robert Barron on the Trinity

One of the best and simplest explanations of the Trinity is explained by Fr. Barron here:He notes that only if you affirm the Trinity can you affirm the notion that “God is Love” (1 John 4:8).

A Utilitarian Argument for Catholic Sexual Ethics

Mary Catelli writes in response to my last post, One would also need omniscience to be a true utilitarian. How can you know what the results of your actions are? I have heard of people who justify sexual escapades on the grounds that no one got hurt — and when asked how they knew that,… Continue reading A Utilitarian Argument for Catholic Sexual Ethics

John Knox, John Calvin, and King Henry VIII’s Royal Hypocrisy

Two of the larger Protestant denominations, Presbyterianism (started by John Knox) and Anglicanism (started by Henry VIII) were started not only invalidly, but blatantly hypocritically. They are joined in this, less directly, by Calvinism (not technically a denomination, I know). The reason I bring this up is that origins matter. The Catholic Church can trace… Continue reading John Knox, John Calvin, and King Henry VIII’s Royal Hypocrisy

Five Quick Points on Young Earth Creationism

I know a lot of faithful Christians subscribe to some variation of the idea that Creation occurred in six literal twenty-four days, followed by God resting – a belief for which they’re ruthlessly mocked by a faithless culture. I wanted to break away from that trend, and make it clear that while I don’t subscribe… Continue reading Five Quick Points on Young Earth Creationism

Florida’s Abortion Ultrasound Law

Governor Charlie Crist just Stupaked Florida, vetoing a law which would have required women to get an ultrasound before having an abortion. Three things: 1. Ultrasound Laws Should Transcend Abortion Politics First, if you’re genuinely pro-choice, you should support this sort of measure. When people say that they’re for choice in any area besides abortion,… Continue reading Florida’s Abortion Ultrasound Law