church structure – Page 8 – Shameless Popery

A Fascinating Proposal for Catholic-Orthodox Reunion

The North American Orthodox-Catholic Theological Consultation is a group made up of representatives from both the Catholic Church and Eastern Orthodox Church who have explored the question of under what conditions full union between what John Paul II referred to as the two “lungs” of the Body of Christ might be possible. On October 2,… Continue reading A Fascinating Proposal for Catholic-Orthodox Reunion

Was Authority in the Early Church Global or Local?

I’ve heard it claimed quite frequently that the organized structural Church is a post-Apostolic invention, and that in the early Church, things were much more disorganized. For a long time, I believed this myself, but it turns out, it’s a pretty warrantless assumption. I was reminded of this recently, when I was reading T.S. Eliot’s… Continue reading Was Authority in the Early Church Global or Local?

The King’s Messenger: A Thought Experiment

I’ve constructed a short thought experiment to explain why “cafeteria-Catholicism” isnt’ a possible option for those wishing to follow Christ: I. The King’s Messenger: The Thought Experiment Imagine that it’s the Middle Ages, and you’ve just learned that your King has sent you official notice via a messenger with detailed instructions on what you are… Continue reading The King’s Messenger: A Thought Experiment

A Distinction With a Difference

Both Protestants and Catholic often refer to the Church as a Body: you’ll frequently hear Protestants use the term “body of believers,” while Catholics use terms like “the Mystical Body of Christ.” Despite using the same (or similar) terms, I think we mean different things. Princeton’s WordNet has these as the top two definitions of… Continue reading A Distinction With a Difference

Soccer and Catholicism

Yesterday was my friend Carlos’ birthday, and he’s been asking me for weeks to do a post about “how soccer is like Catholicism,” without giving me even a hint where he’s seeing a connection. After giving it some thought, here’s what I’ve got: Catholicism is very diverse, but not in the way that Protestantism or… Continue reading Soccer and Catholicism

Daniel 2’s Proof for Jesus Christ and His Church

One of the great Christological prophesies is found in Daniel 2, and it involves the Babylonian king Nebuchadnezzar’s recurring nightmare. The back-story is worth reading, but for the sake of brevity, I’ll cut to the chase. Daniel, the Jewish Prophet, is able to not only interpret the dream, but tell him what he dreamed in… Continue reading Daniel 2’s Proof for Jesus Christ and His Church

Is There Salvation Outside of the Church? And Other Questions.

Leon Suprenant was asked the following question on his blog: I have a Protestant friend who has asked me two questions. I was wondering if you could help me with them. Thanks!!! First, the conclusion of the Papal Bull “Unam Sanctam” states: “Further, we declare, say, define, and pronounce it to be altogether necessary for… Continue reading Is There Salvation Outside of the Church? And Other Questions.

Can a Catholic Be Pro-Life?

That question hopefully seems absurd. A Catholic cannot not be pro-life. But an anonymous blogger named “Steve” has further polluted the Internet with a post over at the hateful-Reformed blog Triablogue about Frank Beckwith. If you’re not familiar, Beckwith was head of the Evangelical Theology Society (ETS), but after reading up on the Early Church… Continue reading Can a Catholic Be Pro-Life?

Gamaliel’s Challenge

On Friday, the First Reading was from Acts 5:34-42, which describes the trial of the Apostles before the Sanhedrin: A Pharisee in the Sanhedrin named Gamaliel,a teacher of the law, respected by all the people,stood up, ordered the Apostles to be put outside for a short time,and said to the Sanhedrin, “Fellow children of Israel,be… Continue reading Gamaliel’s Challenge