Tag: apologetics

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

Happy Feast of the Sacred Heart!

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!

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