Holy Saturday sometimes gets lost in the mix in Roman-Rite Catholicism. Holy Thursday is huge (the Institution of the Eucharist and the priesthood), Good Friday is huge (Christ removing the curse of sin on the Cross), and Easter Sunday is huge (the Resurrection). And Easter Vigil on Saturday night is the biggest Mass of the… Continue reading Jerusalem Matins: a Beautiful Way to Celebrate Holy Saturday
Tag: Church
Can Protestants Accept the First Council of Nicea?
I noted in an earlier post that Reformed folks like Keith Mathison condemn Evangelicals for not caring about Ecumenical Creeds and Councils, while rejecting the teachings of those same Creeds and Councils themselves. Before, I talked about the Second Council of Nicea, which Calvin openly rejected. But let’s consider the First Council of Nicea, the… Continue reading Can Protestants Accept the First Council of Nicea?
The Magnetic Eucharist (or, Why the Eucharist Matters More than Justification)
I. Why Does it Matter if the Catholic Church Has the Authority to Define Orthodoxy? On Monday, Jon Anthony asked, Ok, here’s what I don’t get, maybe I’m missing something: Even granting that the Roman Catholic Church has the authority to define orthodoxy (merely for the sake of argument), why should you care what Christian… Continue reading The Magnetic Eucharist (or, Why the Eucharist Matters More than Justification)
Where Can We Find the Church?
Austin asked, Even if we are to listen to the Church that Christ established as the rock of doctrine, how are we supposed to know what church this is? Perhaps in antiquity it was clear that Rome was that church. But now it surely isn’t. The evidence for this is nowhere clearer than in the… Continue reading Where Can We Find the Church?
Jesus Plus the Church: The “Total Christ” (Christus Totus)
On Saturday, I was reading in the Catechism about how Jesus, when united with the Church, forms the “whole Christ” or “total Christ” (Christus totus). The phrase comes from the writings of St. Augustine. Here’s what the Catechism says on it: 795 Christ and his Church thus together make up the “whole Christ” (Christus totus).… Continue reading Jesus Plus the Church: The “Total Christ” (Christus Totus)
The Sign of Jonah
Wednesday, the Gospel at Mass was from Luke 11:29-32, in which Jesus speaks of the cryptic “Sign of Jonah”: While still more people gathered in the crowd, Jesus said to them, “This generation is an evil generation; it seeks a sign, but no sign will be given it, except the sign of Jonah. Just as Jonah became a sign… Continue reading The Sign of Jonah
Should We Fear an “Authoritative” Church?
In yesterday’s post, I noted that Mathison contrasted what he described as the Evangelical view of the Church, which he claims leads to “anarchy,” and the Catholic view of the Church, which he claims leads to “tyranny.” My friend Cary writes in response: love it, great timing too, as I have a discussion going w/… Continue reading Should We Fear an “Authoritative” Church?
Keith Mathison and John Calvin on Ecumenical Creeds and Councils
I’ve talked at some length about Calvinist author Keith Mathison’s book The Shape of Sola Scriptura, but enough thoughtful and intelligent Protestants rely on this book that it’s worth responding to again, and from a different direction than before. I. Mathison’s Two-Front War In a nutshell, Mathison argues that there are four views of Tradition. There’s Tradition 0, the… Continue reading Keith Mathison and John Calvin on Ecumenical Creeds and Councils
Pope Peter, Part V: Upon This Rock
This is the fifth and final post in the “Pope Peter” series which set out to establish Peter’s primacy from Scripture. Monday looked at the ministry Jesus assigned Peter to, in caring for the Twelve, in Luke 22; Tuesday showed that Peter was the shepherd Jesus promised in John 10; Wednesday showed Jesus tethering Himself to Peter,… Continue reading Pope Peter, Part V: Upon This Rock
Pope Peter, Part IV: “Peter and the Eleven”
This is the fourth in what I hope will be five daily posts on Peter’s primacy this week. Monday’s post explored Peter’s unique ministry from Luke 22 to lead and care for the other Apostles; Tuesday’s post followed it up by showing that Peter is the shepherd that Jesus promised in John 10; and yesterday’s post looked at… Continue reading Pope Peter, Part IV: “Peter and the Eleven”