In yesterday’s post, I stated my intention to set the issue of whether or not Peter was the “Rock” in Matthew 16:18 aside to have a more fruitful discussion on Christ’s promises in that passage. It didn’t quite work out that way in the comments, which have almost all been about … whether or not Peter was… Continue reading St. John Chrysostom and St. Augustine on Matthew 16:18 and the Papacy
Tag: church structure
What Does it Mean that the Gates of Hell Won’t Prevail?
In Matthew 16:18, Jesus says to Simon: “And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” Lots of ink (and blood) has been spilled on the issue of Peter’s role as the Rock, and that’s… Continue reading What Does it Mean that the Gates of Hell Won’t Prevail?
Does the Council of Nicea Reject Women’s Ordination to the Diaconate?
In yesterday’s post, I said that Canon 19 of the First Council of Nicea “ended any controversy” over whether or not women could be sacramentally ordained to the diaconate. In the comments, a few people protested that the broader context of the canon made it seem that the problem wasn’t that the would-be ordained were… Continue reading Does the Council of Nicea Reject Women’s Ordination to the Diaconate?
Can the Catholic Church Ordain Female Deacons?
I explained last week the basic reasons that the Catholic Church can’t ordain female priests. In response, Tess asks, Joe, what are the Catholic Church’s reasons for not allowing women to be permanent deaconesses? Deaconesses seem much more justifiable both scripturally and by early Tradition. Are different arguments used against them, or the same (ie that the Twelve were… Continue reading Can the Catholic Church Ordain Female Deacons?
Sheep Without a Shepherd
If Scripture is as clear as Protestants claim it is, and we Christians are left with sola Scriptura (“Scripture alone”) to determine the authentic content of the faith, why can no two groups of Protestants seem to agree what exactly our beliefs as Christians are supposed to be? In response to yesterday’s post, Drew (a… Continue reading Sheep Without a Shepherd
“Why Did Jesus Build His Own Church?” and Other Reflections on Matthew 16
This past Sunday’s readings were on the papacy. The First Reading was from Isaiah 22:19:23, in which the LORD to Shebna, master of the palace: “I will thrust you from your office and pull you down from your station. On that day I will summon my servant Eliakim, son of Hilkiah; I will clothe him… Continue reading “Why Did Jesus Build His Own Church?” and Other Reflections on Matthew 16
Lying Our Way Through the Creed
Elizabeth Erazo, a Protestant well on her way into becoming either Orthodox or (if she can brave it) Catholic, made a great point about Creedal Protestantism: It’s a curious thing — a lot of well-informed Protestants will talk very much about how historical context is vital to properly understanding the Bible. This is so true,… Continue reading Lying Our Way Through the Creed
Mark Driscoll and Gerry Breshears’ Faulty Case for the Protestant Canon
A reader e-mailed me a few questions regarding arguments raised by Mark Driscoll and Gerry Breshears, in their book Doctrine: What Christians Should Believe. It’s a good example of how important it is to check out the facts of those people trying to disprove Catholicism. For example, they start out their argument for the Protestant Bible… Continue reading Mark Driscoll and Gerry Breshears’ Faulty Case for the Protestant Canon
The Funniest Religious Joke of All Time? Or a Painful Truth?
This is an old joke by Emo Philips, once ranked as the funniest religious joke of all time: Once I saw this guy on a bridge about to jump. I said, “Don’t do it!” He said, “Nobody loves me.” I said, “God loves you. Do you believe in God?” He said, “Yes.” I said, “Are… Continue reading The Funniest Religious Joke of All Time? Or a Painful Truth?
Can Catholics and Orthodox Pray Directly to the Father?
I stumbled upon a Presbyterian blog which reminded me once more of how much work needs to be done in making sure people have some idea what Catholics believe – and don’t. The blogger, Benjamin Glaser, remarking on 1 Timothy 2, said: Nothing separates us more from our Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox brothers and… Continue reading Can Catholics and Orthodox Pray Directly to the Father?