(This article was originally published in Helium 11/8/2013) Human beings created the concept of time and neatly divided it into manageable segments including the concepts of the past (any moment that is neither present nor future); the present (right now, this moment and also by extension, today); and future (time that has not yet happened)....
Category: Theology
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The Importance of the Respect for Life
I wrote this article for Helium, a now-defunct ezine in January, 2013. All of the statement are based upon that version of the Catechism on the commandment “Thou shall not kill (murder).” I still hold to these opinions. Please note that all the links to the USCCB comments on the Catechism of the Catholic Church...
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Accepting Suffering Versus Asking for a Miracle of Healing
For years I have been dithering about the pain in my knees. Before my numerous knee replacements and revisions, I never knew whether to pray for the miracle of healing or whether to just accept the suffering from the constant pain or even whether to have the surgeries. My culture tells me/told me that it...
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What is Christian Love?
Christian love is a choice we make every moment of our lives to live up to the example of Jesus and his teachings. Christian love is not a feeling; it is a decision about how to behave toward others. It is difficult to love a God we cannot see. If we are convinced that we...
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Cafeteria Christians or Heretics?
When I read Dale Ahlquist’s book on Chesterton (G. K. Chesterton: The Apostle of Common Sense, Ignatius 2003), especially the chapter devoted to Heretics, I saw many similarities between Chesterton’s description of heretics and my understanding of the concept “Cafeteria Christians.” Cafeteria Christians are people who pick and choose the parts of the Bible they...
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Catholic Devotion to Jesus’ Mother Mary
Devotion to Jesus’ mother is as old as Christianity. When Jesus began his active ministry and traveled all over the Galilee, Judea and beyond, Mary often traveled with him. She was no stranger to his friends. The Catholic Church takes the biblical passages about her very seriously and over the centuries has bestowed upon her...
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On Reading the Bible*
We are celebrating Martin Luther, a Catholic priest, who advocated the idea that everyone should read the Bible. It’s a good idea, especially for those who read it as a devotional exercise. The major problem that I see is people who simply read the Bible without knowing the context of the stories. This can lead...
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Right to Life versus Abortion – continued
I am disappointed by the lack of response to my post asking Catholic Democrats how they justify the Democratic party’s position on abortion. Perhaps it’s because they feel it is none of my business how they believe. And that’s true, it is none of my business. I merely want to understand how someone resolves a...
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An Overview of Christology: The Study of Christ
Christology, as the word implies, is the study of Christ. Christology explores the questions: “Who was or is Jesus?” and, “What did or does Jesus do?” Unlike the other monotheistic religions, Christianity believes in a Trinitarian God composed of the Father, Son (Jesus) and Holy Spirit. Most Christians are radically Christo-centric or Christ centered. The...
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Regretting the Past only Leads to Spiritual Depression
Feelings of regret are not limited to the dying. Nor are they limited to the old. Most people have regrets now and then. Even Job had regrets. In fact, regrets come in all forms: regret over things not done or said; regret over things said and done; regrets over choices made; regrets over wasted talents...
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