Jennifer Lawrence defended taking nude photos for her ex-boyfriend by saying that “either your boyfriend is going to look at porn or he’s going to look at you.” That’s exactly the problem. Jennifer’s response exposes four of the biggest lies we tell ourselves about pornography, including that it’s a victimless vice.
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Aim at Mary, Hit Jesus
Many of the most popular attacks on Mary (both by Protestants today, and by figures like Nestorius throughout the history of the Church) end up being attacks on Jesus. This post looks at three specific examples: (1) “all have sinned” as a denial of the Immaculate Conception; (2) “no one greater than John the Baptist”; and (3) refusing to acknowledge Mary as Mother of God.
Does Jesus Rebuke His Mother at the Wedding of Cana?
In John’s Gospel, Mary sparks Jesus’ public ministry by requesting the changing of water into wine at the Wedding of Cana. Does Jesus rebuke her for this? Or is He warning her?
The Good Shepherd and the Great Apostasy
Some Protestants view John 10 as rendering the Church unnecessary (for example, for setting the canon of Scripture), since Jesus says that “My sheep hear My voice.” In fact, this passage is actually a ringing endorsement of the necessity of the Church.
Is Praying to the Saints Idolatrous?
Praying to the Saints isn’t just not idolatry. It’s the opposite of idolatry.
Idolatry relies upon the idea that God is impotent, or at least not powerful or loving enough. Prayer to the Saints relies upon the idea that God is sovereign, and powerful or loving enough to answer the prayers we’re asking the Saints to make for us. So the logic of prayer to the Saints and the logic of idolatry are diametrically opposed.
So. Much. Popery!
I have two big pieces of news to share: 1) As you might have noticed, I’ve got a new blog layout and a new web address. I’ve switched over from Blogspot to WordPress, which should give me a little more flexibility in designing the page. All of this was made possible by John Lamansky, a seminarian for… Continue reading So. Much. Popery!
Do You Need God to Know That Abortion is Wrong?
The New Republic’s latest “contribution” to the abortion debate is remarkable, in that, despite getting virtually everything it says factually wrong, it still raises an interesting problem for pro-choicers and atheists. Here’s the Twitter teaser to the piece that started it all: How the anti-choice platform is fighting to stay alive: http://t.co/m8kuGANs2Q pic.twitter.com/fxTeRyj444 — The New… Continue reading Do You Need God to Know That Abortion is Wrong?
Stump the Seminarian, Holy Week Edition
Today’s question, from Ian, is a timely one. It gets to the heart of the Paschal Mystery, and the relationship between the Mass, the Last Supper, and Good Friday: “The Mass is referred to as the “unbloody” re-presenting of the sacrifice on Calvary. But how do we square this description with the fact that the… Continue reading Stump the Seminarian, Holy Week Edition
Pardon Our Dust!
If you visited the blog over the weekend, you may have been surprised at what you say. That’s because I’ve decided to undertake a long-overdue site redesign. I have three goals in undertaking this redesign: To cultivate a space for beauty. Beauty and truth belong together. In the words of Pope Francis, “In every age… Continue reading Pardon Our Dust!
From Abel to Zechariah: Did Christ Confirm the Protestant Canon?
Michelangelo, Zechariah the Prophet, Sistine Chapel (1512) Did Jesus confirm the Protestant canon of Scripture in Matthew 23:35 and Luke 11:51? Several Protestants scholars have claimed that he does, and their argument is convincing… on the surface. For example, F.F. Bruce said: It appears that the order of the Hebrew Bible which has come down… Continue reading From Abel to Zechariah: Did Christ Confirm the Protestant Canon?