I. The Sacred Heart of JesusToday’s the Feast of the Sacred Heart, a special reminder that Jesus loves us. Talking about sin, hell, and damnation is important, and has a vital place in our Faith — particularly given how much secular culture has forgotten about the reality of Hell — but it shouldn’t occupy the… Continue reading Happy Feast of the Sacred Heart!
Author: Joe Heschmeyer
Pope Benedict XVI on the Sex Abuse Scandal
The pope addressed the sex abuse scandal again, and the New York Times coverage was plenty fair, particularly because it put everything into context. The tendency, even amongst good journalists, seems to be that abuse case coverage has been referential: that is, coverage on abuse cases would mention other abuse cases, giving it the appearance… Continue reading Pope Benedict XVI on the Sex Abuse Scandal
The Five-Fold “Empty Tomb” Argument for the Resurrection
Two days ago, I laid the foundation for the Empty Tomb argument: namely, that the New Testament consists of first-century, seemingly first-hand accounts of the Life, Death, and Resurrection of Jesus Christ. The New Testament claims to be an eyewitness account, and is making some mighty bold claims about what the authors saw and heard.… Continue reading The Five-Fold “Empty Tomb” Argument for the Resurrection
Matthew 23:37 and Calvinism, Revisited
Fr. William Most has some great commentaries from Grace, Predestination, and the Salvific Will of God on the issues I was discussing last week: namely, that Matthew 23:37 only makes sense if there’s some sort of real ability to accept or reject Christ at some point in the salvation process. Well, Fr. Most addresses this… Continue reading Matthew 23:37 and Calvinism, Revisited
The Bible as History and The Empty Tomb
I was asked on Friday what I thought the most compelling arguments for God to use against atheists were. I cited two: Aquinas’ First Cause argument (although upon further reflection, his First Mover argument is probably better); and the evidence from the empty Tomb. The First Cause/First Mover line of argumentation is cosmological and deals… Continue reading The Bible as History and The Empty Tomb
Christ is Passing By!
Yesterday was the Feast of Corpus Christi, celebrating the Body and Blood of Christ in the Eucharist. After Mass (in which we did part of the incredible Lauda Sion), there was a procession from the church to the cemetary, where we prayed a rosary. Along the way, we sang Pange Lingua. It was beautiful and… Continue reading Christ is Passing By!
The Church and Copernicus
Copernicus, without a doubt one of the most important scientists in history, has become a pawn, centuries after his death, in attacks on the Church. For years, those attacking the Church for being “anti-science” had a single person they could point to: Galileo. And those defending the Church pointed to Copernicus, who came some seventy… Continue reading The Church and Copernicus
Is There Salvation Outside of the Church? And Other Questions.
Leon Suprenant was asked the following question on his blog: I have a Protestant friend who has asked me two questions. I was wondering if you could help me with them. Thanks!!! First, the conclusion of the Papal Bull “Unam Sanctam” states: “Further, we declare, say, define, and pronounce it to be altogether necessary for… Continue reading Is There Salvation Outside of the Church? And Other Questions.
It’s National Donut Day!
Two words: free donuts. At Krispy Kreme. Okay, more than two words.
How Can Bad Priests Consecrate the Eucharist?
I. How Can Pedophile Priests Turn Bread and Wine into the Living God? A Protestant on a Catholic forum I was reading had some serious issues with the idea that evil (particularly pedophile) priests were still able to consecrate bread and wine into the Body and Blood of Christ. He quoted a former priest named… Continue reading How Can Bad Priests Consecrate the Eucharist?