If you follow Catholic (or even political) news, you’ve probably already heard about the recent scandal at Notre Dame University. ND has a generally proud Catholic tradition, (although there have been a few notable missteps), and has suffered greatly for the actions of her president, Fr. John Jenkins. Fr. Jenkins decided that the appropriate way… Continue reading Georgetown: Caesar > Jesus?
Mea Maxima Culpa
A few apologies I felt were in order: Mea Culpa: I managed to write about papal infallibility with hardly a reference to the Early Church Fathers. The ECFs are probably the strongest support for the papacy, and papal infallibility. For example, St. Irenaeus, in his book Against Heresies (Book 3, Chapter 3, section 2) written… Continue reading Mea Maxima Culpa
Which Came First, James or Romans?
A friend of mine asked: You’ve frequently said that James was a commentary on people’s reception of Paul’s theology. It has always bothered me, and I was wondering what source material you base that on… the most common protestant view is that it was one of the earliest epistles written (c. 47, no later than 49). Considering that, I… Continue reading Which Came First, James or Romans?
Easter Recap
Easter Triduum was mostly excellent. Saw a lot of family (which is great), including a ton of adorable babies (well, 4, although #5 is on his/her way). The Good Friday service was very good, although it was very long (an hour and forty minutes) and I had no seat. Still, I love seeing a packed… Continue reading Easter Recap
Il Papa! Papal Infallibility, pt. 4: Q & A
This is the last in a four-part series I wrote, upon request, about the papacy and papal infallibility. Part 1 examined what papal infallibility, and is not; Part 2 briefly explains how papal infallibility flows from the idea of a papacy, before examining Matthew 16:17-19, the foundational text for the papacy, in depth; Part 3… Continue reading Il Papa! Papal Infallibility, pt. 4: Q & A
Well said, Mark!
We interrupt this program… …to bring you Mark Shea’s two-part post on why comparing Obama to Hitler is inaccurate, or as he puts it, “crazy beyond comparison.” He’s a little edgy on his blog, but I think his overall point is a really important one, and his sort of over-the-top style expresses that, although “with… Continue reading Well said, Mark!
Il Papa! Papal Infallibility, pt. 3: The Good Shepherd Calls a Shepherd
This is part three of an exploration of the origins of the papacy and the idea of papal infallibility. Yesterday, we looked at how papal infallibility is the natural result of a Holy Spirit protected Church lead on Earth by one man. This raised the obvious question: did Christ establish a Church to be lead… Continue reading Il Papa! Papal Infallibility, pt. 3: The Good Shepherd Calls a Shepherd
Il Papa! Papal Infallibility, pt. 2: Jesus Establishes His Church (and Pope).
Now that we’ve established what papal infallibility is, and more importantly, isn’t, let’s look at the merits of infallibility. Papal infallibility is the protection of Church teachings by the Holy Spirit. This infallibility isn’t really a power of the pope’s, at all: it’s a power of the Holy Spirit, used to prevent the pope from… Continue reading Il Papa! Papal Infallibility, pt. 2: Jesus Establishes His Church (and Pope).
Il Papa! Papal Infallibility, part 1: What it is and isn’t.
I think the role of the papacy and more specifically, the idea of papal infallibility, serves as one of the bigger barriers between Catholics and non-Catholic Christians, and I think it’s been the subject of a lot of misunderstanding and even misinformation. One Protestant I spoke to recently said, “I just have issues with the… Continue reading Il Papa! Papal Infallibility, part 1: What it is and isn’t.
Retreat Notes, pt. 4
Properly understood, the Christian world is one of extreme hierarchy, albeit in an unusual way. Christ, God Himself, comes to Earth and model complete obedience to His Father. The Good Shepherd, willing to lay down His life for the sheep, is also the Paschal Lamb of God. All of us, likewise, are called to be… Continue reading Retreat Notes, pt. 4