One of the more common Scripture passages used to prove the Catholic understanding of praying to the saints is in error is from Ecclesiastes 9:5-6 -- “For the living know that they will die, but the dead know nothing, and they have no more reward; but the memory of them is lost. Their love and … Continue reading The Saints – Do They “Know Nothing” About What is Happening on Earth?
The Saints, and What it Means to Pray
One thing that separates most Protestants from Catholics (and Orthodox) is the Catholic and Orthodox churches believe in the “communion of the saints,” and this communion is not broken by death but rather is perfected. As a result, we pray to the saints and request their help with our many needs in this life. This … Continue reading The Saints, and What it Means to Pray
The Papacy (Pope), St. Peter in Rome and Other Final Points
“And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the powers of death shall not prevail against it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall … Continue reading The Papacy (Pope), St. Peter in Rome and Other Final Points
The Papacy (Pope), St. Peter’s Weaknesses, and Papal Infallibility
“And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the powers of death shall not prevail against it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall … Continue reading The Papacy (Pope), St. Peter’s Weaknesses, and Papal Infallibility
The Papacy (Pope), St. Peter, and the Jerusalem Council
“And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the powers of death shall not prevail against it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall … Continue reading The Papacy (Pope), St. Peter, and the Jerusalem Council
The Papacy (Pope), St. Peter, and the Keys to the Kingdom
“And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the powers of death shall not prevail against it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall … Continue reading The Papacy (Pope), St. Peter, and the Keys to the Kingdom
The Papacy (Pope) and St. Peter as the “Rock” Part 2
“And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the powers of death shall not prevail against it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall … Continue reading The Papacy (Pope) and St. Peter as the “Rock” Part 2
The Papacy (Pope) and St. Peter as the “Rock” Part 1
“And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the powers of death shall not prevail against it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall … Continue reading The Papacy (Pope) and St. Peter as the “Rock” Part 1
The Papacy (Pope) and St. Peter – An Overview
“And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the powers of death shall not prevail against it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall … Continue reading The Papacy (Pope) and St. Peter – An Overview
Sacred Tradition and the Development of the Old Testament Canon
In my last post I reviewed the development of the New Testament Canon of Scripture, and how the Catholic Church understands that process to be the work of Sacred Tradition. For while the apostles left us many writings, they did not leave us a book we know today as the New Testament. Some books that … Continue reading Sacred Tradition and the Development of the Old Testament Canon
Sacred Tradition and the Development of the New Testament Canon
In 2 Timothy 3:16-17 St. Paul writes “All scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.” What is “all” Scripture? At the time of his writing, St. Paul would have been referring to the … Continue reading Sacred Tradition and the Development of the New Testament Canon
Sacred Tradition and the Reliability of Oral Tradition
In his conversion story, Casey Chalk, a convert to Catholicism from a background of evangelical Christianity provides this perspective of sola-Scriptura and Sacred Tradition: “However, I would like to add a few of my own reflections on the inadequacy of sola scriptura. First, Reformed and other Protestants will often argue that it is better to … Continue reading Sacred Tradition and the Reliability of Oral Tradition
Sacred Tradition – An Overview
The well known Protestant and Reformed pastor R. C. Sproul had this to say about a Protestant understanding of sola-Scriptura: “For the classic Protestant, though the individual believer has the right to the private interpretation of Scripture, he is capable of misinterpreting the Bible. But while he has the ability to misinterpret Scripture, he does not have … Continue reading Sacred Tradition – An Overview
Apostolic Succession in the Early Church
In my last two posts (here and here) I reviewed the letters St. Paul wrote to Timothy. From the Catholic perspective these letters show the concept of apostolic succession. Timothy had worked at Paul’s side for many years, and Paul clearly gave him a mission -- to ensure correct doctrine is known, to teach, to … Continue reading Apostolic Succession in the Early Church
Apostolic Succession and Paul’s Second Letter to Timothy
In my last post I reviewed St. Paul’s first letter to Timothy, and how we see in that letter Paul is giving Timothy a mission -- to ensure correct doctrine is known, to teach, to instruct, to command certain behavior from his flock, to correct flawed doctrine and to make sure qualified leaders are appointed … Continue reading Apostolic Succession and Paul’s Second Letter to Timothy
Apostolic Succession and Paul’s First Letter to Timothy
In St. Paul’s first letter to Timothy, we find what I consider to be one of the most moving lines in all of Scripture. Paul writes to him, “O Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to you.” (1 Timothy 6:20) St. Paul often writes in his role as an apostle how he has been entrusted … Continue reading Apostolic Succession and Paul’s First Letter to Timothy
Apostolic Succession – the Old Testament Model
One of the first items of business we see take place in the New Testament Church is for the apostles to replace Judas among their ranks. In leading the apostles to select the replacement of Judas, St. Peter quotes Psalm 69 – “Let his habitation become desolate, and let there be no one to live … Continue reading Apostolic Succession – the Old Testament Model
Biblical Authority — What the Bible Teaches About Church Organization
There is a common view that the Catholic Church is steeped in an organizational, institutional hierarchy of great depth. That view can even be found among Catholics. But is it true? As one who has spent my career in the corporate world, I am amazed when I consider how “flat” the structure of the Church … Continue reading Biblical Authority — What the Bible Teaches About Church Organization
Biblical Authority — What the Bible Teaches About The Church
Jesus begins his public ministry in Mark’s Gospel with the pronouncement “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent, and believe in the gospel.” (Mark 1:15). He then calls the twelve apostles into ministry with him. The “kingdom of God” is not a future concept in the mind of Christ, … Continue reading Biblical Authority — What the Bible Teaches About The Church
Biblical Authority — The Authority to Teach Part 2
In my last post I covered the perspective of many Protestants Christ did not establish a teaching authority, but rather individual believers are to rely on the Scriptures and the Holy Spirit to guide them. One primary verse used to support this is 1 John 2:26-27 where the apostle says “I write this to you … Continue reading Biblical Authority — The Authority to Teach Part 2
Biblical Authority — The Authority to Teach Part 1
The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches this about the Magisterium: CCC85 The task of giving an authentic interpretation of the Word of God, whether in its written form or in the form of Tradition, has been entrusted to the living teaching office of the Church alone. Its authority in this matter is exercised in … Continue reading Biblical Authority — The Authority to Teach Part 1
Biblical Authority — The Authority Given to the Apostles
In my last post I covered the difference between being a disciple, and being an apostle. While all apostles are disciples, not all disciples are apostles. Nor are all disciples given the authority Christ shares with his apostles. As we begin to review the passages that provide an understanding of true Biblical authority, for reasons … Continue reading Biblical Authority — The Authority Given to the Apostles
Biblical Authority — Apostleship versus Discipleship
In my last several posts I have reviewed the primary Scriptures that Protestants use to promote a doctrine of sola-Scriptura. My next several posts will review the authority that Christ gives to the apostles, and to his Church. But before doing that, we need to look at the difference between being an apostle, and being … Continue reading Biblical Authority — Apostleship versus Discipleship
Sola-Scriptura and the Availability of Scripture
In “The Gospel According to Rome” (an anti-Catholic work), James McCarthy writes: “Confident of the Spirit’s teaching ministry, biblical Christianity treats the Bible as an open book – a book of the people. Personal study, interpretation and application are encouraged. The same was true in the early church. Long before anyone had ever heard of … Continue reading Sola-Scriptura and the Availability of Scripture
Sola Scriptura and “Do Not Go Beyond What is Written”
Another passage generally used to try to prove the Protestant doctrine of sola-Scriptura is 1 Corinthians 4:6 – “I have applied all this to myself and Apol′los for your benefit, brethren, that you may learn by us not to go beyond what is written, that none of you may be puffed up in favor of … Continue reading Sola Scriptura and “Do Not Go Beyond What is Written”
Between the Farm and the Cross 