Catholic Tradition is confusing to some non-Catholics, so I thought I’d briefly address the issue. Sacred Tradition is binding to Catholics, and for good reason: the Bible says it is. In 2 Thessalonians 2:15, Paul instructs his readers to “stand firm, and cling to the traditions that you were taught by us, either by word… Continue reading Tradition, pt. 1: Scripture & Tradition
Tag: apologetics
What the Road to Damascus Taught St. Paul
It’s the year of St. Paul. – for those of you who aren’t aware or are not Catholic, the pope declared a year, from June 28, 2008 to June 29, 2009, to celebrate St. Paul’s unique contributions to the faith. There really is at least a year’s worth of discussion one could do just on… Continue reading What the Road to Damascus Taught St. Paul
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?
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
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