The Thin Veil

Weekly Giveaway (02/10)

2012-02-10T14:38:00.000-05:00

"Find out how much God has given you and from it take what you need; the remainder is needed by others." - St. Augustine

Because I've built up a large collection of duplicate books and resources, each week I'm giving away one or more of these items, absolutely free, no strings attached.

You can enter anytime during the week for this week's giveaway, with a new one beginning each Friday. Check out a list of the past giveaways, go here.

How to Win the Culture War: A Christian Battle Plan for a Society In Crisis
by Peter Kreeft

Today's giveaway is a timely response to the most egregious affront to religious liberty in recent history. Here's Amazon's description of this great book by Dr. Peter Kreeft:

"The battle lines have been drawn. Many Christians have fallen into the trap of proclaiming "Peace! Peace!" when there is no peace. Hiding their eyes from the pressing issues of the day, they believe that resistance to the prevailing culture is useless. At the same time, other Christians have been too quick to declare war, mistaking battlefield casualties as enemies rather than victims.

In How to Win the Culture War Peter Kreeft issues a rousing call to arms. Christians must understand the true nature of the culture war--a war between the culture of life and the culture of death. Kreeft identifies the real enemies facing the church today and maps out key battlefields. He then issues a strategy for engagement and equips Christians with the weapons needed for a successful campaign. Above all, Kreeft assures us that the war can be won--in fact, it will be won. For those who hope in Christ, victory is assured, because good triumphs over evil and life conquers death. Love never gives up. Neither must we."

In order to win this week's giveaway, leave a comment below answering this question:

What should Christians do to win the culture war?

The winning comments will be randomly selected on Friday morning using a random number generator, and the giveaway will be sent out, free-of-charge, shortly thereafter to the three winners.

In the future I'll be giving away many more books and resources--sometimes multiple items per giveaway. So check back next Friday!

(One entry per person, please. The deadline for each entry will be 11:59pm each Thursday. Since I'm covering the shipping costs, only residents within the continental United States will be eligible to win.)

Interview with Dr. Michael Barber - Scripture and New Media

2012-02-09T09:33:00.000-05:00

Today I have the honor of interviewing Dr. Michael Barber, a brilliant theologian whom Scott Hahn calls, "...one of the most promising Scripture teachers in the Church."

Michael is the Professor of Theology, Scripture and Catholic Thought at John Paul the Great Catholic University in San Diego. He is the author of several books, including, Coming Soon: Unlocking the Book of Revelation and Applying Its Lessons Today (Emmaus Road, 2006) and most recently, Genesis to Jesus: Studying Scripture from the Heart of the Church (Servant, 2007), a Bible study co-authored with Kimberly Hahn.

Michael is a Research Fellow for the St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology, founded by Dr. Scott Hahn. He is also he host of Reasons for Faith Live, a weekly radio show on EWTN’s Radio Network. In addition to teaching at John Paul the Great Catholic University, he teaches classes for the Diocesan Institute of San Diego, where he helps to form the future deacons and religious educators of the diocese.

What really excites me, though, and what we'll talk about here, is Michael's use of technology to help people study Scripture. He hosts the popular Sacred Page podcast as well as a blog by the same name, which both offer an in-depth exploration of Biblical theology. His new media work makes him a frontiersman in the so-called Biblioblogging world and a shining example for Catholics.

Q: Why is podcasting such a great tool for Scripture study?

Podcasts are great for a number of reasons. Long before we started The Sacred Page podcast, I became an avid fan of the medium. The number one reason I like them is the fact that you can listen to them while you do other things that have to get done—washing the dishes, driving around town, vacuuming, etc. A great investment is a smart phone or portable mp3 player that you can stick in your pocket and listen to with earphones. The thing is, I never have enough time to read. However, a podcast can turn an activity you dread—e.g., ironing clothes—into a wonderful opportunity to spend time learning.

Other numerous advantages could also be mentioned.

They have no commercials—or at least, very few of them.
They can be listened to over and over again at one’s own leisure.
If you get distracted or if you simply want to hear something again you can do that easily and immediately with the push of a button. This is particularly helpful for podcasts on Scripture. The Bible is rich; sometimes you have to hear an idea a few times before you can really get your mind around it.
Podcasts can be easily recorded and published quickly so you can get great material on recent and upcoming topics: the Sunday readings, new papal encyclicals, new book releases, etc.

Q: How have new media technologies like blogs and podcasts affected your work as a Scripture scholar?

I strongly believe that blogs and podcasts can be useful tools for Scripture scholars. In fact, I presented a paper at the annual meeting of the Society of Biblical Literature on the benefits (and the pitfalls) of blogs in 2010. Specifically, I looked at “biblioblogs”, that is, blogs devoted to the academic study of Scripture. Let me summarize what I said there:

First, the blogosphere (particularly, the “biblioblogging” community) has created a wonderful space for public yet informal conversation. Blogging is not like presenting a paper—it is not a formal academic exercise. Since blogs are not “peer-reviewed” like an academic journal, blog posts can greatly vary in value. Some are well-researched, based in solid scholarship and written by people who have done a great deal of study in their field. Others are half-baked, poorly sourced, and written by self-appointed authorities that know little more about their subject matter than what you see on their blog.

Yet the reality that there are crackpots out there should not obscure the fact that there are a lot of really smart people out there writing and reading blogs. Comment boxes become incredible places of discussion. You can test an idea out on a blog and get incredibly helpful feedback. You can also easily engage other scholars on their blogs about their views. This really helps to sharpen scholarship. Open and honest conversation is always something to be encouraged in my view. I don’t always agree with my friends in the biblioblogging community—many of them aren’t Catholic, so that should not be surprising—but I always enjoy engaging in thoughtful dialogue.

Second, blogs and podcasts can help identify the books and ideas that are really important from those that are less significant. The reality is that there are just too many new books and articles published every year you’d like to read. The on-line community however can help raise the profile of books and articles that really deserve attention. You start seeing multiple blogs and podcasts talking about the same new monograph and you realize, “This is a book I really have to make a priority! It is making a huge splash!”

Third, blogging helps to humanize scholars. Here I will simply quote from the end of my SBL paper on the value of blogging:

"Academics will write serious posts, but also some entries that are just plain silly. Of course, those who dismiss the academic worth of blogging will point to such posts as examples of unscholarly nature of the blogosphere. However, in an indirect way it might be argued that even posts of a personal or inane nature contribute to the improvement of academic discourse.

How? Such posts humanize scholars. As is becoming increasingly clear in the postmodern period, “pure objectivity” is a myth. Yet even to this day scholars are reluctant to allow much of their personal beliefs, history, and values to emerge in their scholarly exchanges. Even in informal gatherings at professional conferences such as this one—even in interactions outside of paper presentations—scholars typically operate under the assumption that they are best served by engaging in conversations which obscure who they are, as if they are in reality better able to do their work by not getting to know one another. Lest somehow our work be suspected of lacking objectivity, academics tend to hide their core personal beliefs and experiences. Academics will even avoid humor in order to avoid the perception of being frivolous. There seems to be a perception that a serious scholar must remain just that: serious . . . and they must remain so whenever they are around other academics.

Frankly, while I am always an advocate of proper decorum and professional behavior, I do believe that in large part such attitudes reflect an outdated modernist, Enlightenment understanding that still permeates academia, namely, that scholars are not influenced by personal beliefs, personal history, traditions, etc., but derive conclusions solely based on un-interpreted “facts”. It seems to me that such claims are no longer possible. Because of this I whole-heartedly welcome not only “bloggership”—blogging with scholarly aspirations—but also “other types of blogging”, particularly, the posts which reveal the quirky sense of humor of scholars, the entries describing a bloggers’ personal history, the pieces laying out his or her political opinions, the installments that reveal their core personal values, etc.

I do not believe that getting to know each other better is going to undermine our scholarship. Rather, I believe it will make it more honest and therefore more illuminating. It will help us better learn how to work with one another and cultivate better mutual respect, and perhaps that will be the greatest of all the benefits of biblioblogging."

Q: What are some ways that the average Catholic can use technology to study Scripture?

The average Catholic can learn an incredible amount and really deepen their prayer life by using computer and web based technologies to better enter into the mysteries of Scripture. Let me break this down a little bit into different categories. Since you asked about the average Catholic I’ll focus on popular-level resources and not academic websites.

First, I highly recommend, SalvationHistory.com, the website of the St. Paul Center. In the interest of full-disclosure I should explain that I am a Senior Fellow. A little background: the St. Paul Center is an organization founded by Dr. Scott Hahn that promotes Catholic Bible study. I think SalvationHistory.com is the single greatest website out there for Catholics interested in learning more about the Bible.

In addition, your readers should take note: the website hosts free on-line courses in Biblical Theology, Scott Hahn’s podcasts on the Sunday readings, and much, much more. If you go there, you’ll find links to all of the other important and helpful websites.

Second, there is the USCCB’s website which gives you the lectionary readings. You’d be surprised how much more you can get out of Mass if you just spend a little time preparing yourself by meditating on the Scripture readings you’ll hear in the liturgy. Of course, there are also great iPhone and Android apps that help you do this as well. You can even pray the Divine Office on-line, which is a great way to prayerfully enter into Scripture.

Third, there are great online rosary applications, including Scriptural rosaries. I find these so helpful for meditating on Scripture.

Fourth, I should mention the numerous free websites and web-based tools, involving searchable Bibles in different translations, on-line concordances, language tools (Hebrew-English, Greek-English, etc.), charts, etc. Here I’ll mention three:

Fifth, I’d definitely recommend, NewAdvent.org. This site is a goldmine, containing the works of many great fathers and doctors of the Church. It’s all available on-line for free!

Sixth, there is the Vatican website, which has posted numerous Magisterial documents—again, free of charge! (If you haven’t yet read Pope Benedict’s recent document on Scripture, Verbum Domini, you don’t know what you’re missing!)

Seventh, another great tool is Biblia Clerus. This site helps you find what the various early Church fathers and doctors said about different passages in Scripture. You can also look up passages in Magisterial documents (Papal encyclicals, Conciliar documents) as well as in other popular catechisms and commentaries.

Eighth, I’d mention blogs and podcasts like The Sacred Page (shameless plug!). In my opinion, there are not enough popular blogs and podcasts primarily devoted to Catholic Biblical theology! Here let me mention a few good ones, some of which are have slightly broader focus than simply Catholic Scripture study.

Canterbury Tales - Dr. Taylor Marshall
Catholic Hack - Joe McClane
Speaking of Scripture - Mary Healy, Peter Williamson, and several others

Ninth, there are some great websites with mp3 files of Catholic Biblical Theology talks. Here I list my top three picks that offer material specifically on Catholic Biblical Theology:

Saint Joseph’s Communications - Hosts many of Scott Hahn’s excellent Bible Studies (as well as audio sets recorded by myself and others).
Catholic Productions - Hosts sets recorded by my friends Brant Pitre and John Bergsma.
Catholic HD - This is a ground-breaking new site that you’ll be hearing a lot more about. It is sort of like Netflix for Catholics. It boasts an on-line streaming video library that you can have full access to for a monthly subscription. This library is second to none, including videos of talks by Scott Hahn, Fr. Benedict Groeschel, Fr. Mitch Pacwa, and many, many others.

Tenth, I am a huge believer in the value of Catholic Bible software programs. My absolute favorite is Logos Bible Software, which, though originally focused on Protestant audiences, now offers some incredible Catholic packages. You can search the Bible, get pictures, charts, graphs, language tools, commentaries—and much, much more!

Finally, I'd recommend enrolling in courses at JP Catholic. We offer certificate programs and a M.A. Program in Scripture. You can learn Hebrew and Greek. And you can do it all on-line through our state of the art eLearning program. There is nothing like a formal approach to study. You're already reading books and listening to podcasts—why not get some course credit for it? Check us out at JPCatholic.com!

To stay on top of Michael's great work, be sure to subscribe to the The Sacred Page blog and podcast, and follow him on Twitter.

The Most Powerful Tool for Evangelism

2012-02-09T07:00:00.000-05:00

Here's a new video by Fr. Barron that ranks as perhaps my all-time favorite. He asks a very important question: what's the best evangelistic tool that we have? Is it arguments? Ethics? Doctrines? Appeals to authority? No.

It's joy.

Joy is a lure that draws people to wonder about its source. When it's most charged and visible in some person, it both captivates and beguiles. And because of its strange attraction, it's perhaps the best argument for Christianity.

As St. Thomas Aquinas says, everyone ultimately wants joy. Sure we want truth, goodness, beauty, and meaning but only to the extent that they bring us joy. So if Christians want to present a compelling vision of the Christian life, it's joy they must offer and radiate.

Tonight on ABC: A Catholic Response to "Why I Hate Religion, But Love Jesus"

2012-02-08T09:33:00.000-05:00

Tonight at 11:35pm ET, ABC's "Nightline" will be doing a story on the "Why I Hate Religion, But Love Jesus" YouTube video. They'll be focusing on the original viral short, which has garnered more than 18-million views, but they'll also explore some of the responses--including a Catholic one that's received over 340,000 views itself.

The brilliant reply came from Fr. Claude Burns (aka Fr. Pontifex) and is titled "Why I Love Religion, And Love Jesus". It was filmed by Rob Kaczmark and his Spirit Juice Studios and if you haven't seen it, check it out here:

You might know Spirit Juice through their pro-life films, their epic video trailers, or their stunning design work. When it comes to film and design, they're perhaps the best example of compelling Catholic art. Their work shines not just because it's Catholic, but because it's first and foremost good art. It's as beautiful and creative as anything you'll find in the secular world.

If you have any design projects, consider Spirit Juice Studios. They helped create the Church and New Media book website and I can personally testify to their talent and professionalism. And be sure to keep tabs on their new work by following them on Facebook and Twitter.

Should authors have a blog?

2012-02-07T14:55:00.000-05:00

Jon Acuff makes a great case that authors, and prospective authors, should have a blog:

Weekly Giveaway (02/03)

2012-02-03T09:16:00.000-05:00

This week's giveaway is copy of Christopher West's brand new book, At the Heart of the Gospel: Reclaiming the Body for the New Evangelization (Image books, paperback, 304 pages). Below is a summary from the publisher:

"The sexual revolution brought a terribly distorted vision of the body and sex into the mainstream. How should Christians respond? With his illuminating Theology of the Body, Pope John Paul II challenged the modern world not to stop at the surface, but to enter the depth of the "great mystery" that the body and sex reveal: a mystery that lies at the heart of the Gospel itself.

Since he first discovered John Paul II’s teaching in 1993, Christopher West has devoted himself to sharing its life-transforming message with the world. In this highly anticipated work, West leads us into the depth of Christ’s "nuptial union" with the Church, demonstrating how authentic Catholic teaching on the body and sex saves us from both the libertine perspective of popular culture and the cold puritanism that has sometimes infected Christianity. In the process, West provides a blueprint for reaching our sexually broken world in the "new evangelization.""

Be sure to check out my review of the book and the video interview I did with Christopher.

In order to win this week's giveaway, leave a comment below answering this question:

Why would you like to read this book?

The winning comments will be randomly selected on Friday morning using a random number generator, and the giveaway will be sent out, free-of-charge, shortly thereafter to the three winners.
In the future I'll be giving away many more books and resources--sometimes multiple items per giveaway. So check back next Friday!

Update: The drawing is closed for the week of Friday, February 3. Congratulations to Bridget A. for winning this week! Check your e-mail for instructions on receiving the book. If you don't see an e-mail from me, check your spam box--apparently e-mails with "giveaway" in the subject line often end up there.

Want to be a better parent? Hang up the phone.

2012-02-03T07:00:00.021-05:00

My latest article at FathersForGood.com:

"About once a week, my wife and I take our kids to a local indoor playground. We usually know what to expect: dozens of kids running around and screaming chaotically. If you closed your eyes, you wouldn’t be able to tell whether you were in an orangutan exhibit or the midst of the apocalypse.

But something else strikes me each time we go. After setting our kids loose, I glance around at the other parents and almost to a person, each one sits in the same odd position: head bent down at a 45-degree angle, eyes glued to a small screen, fingers quickly tapping as if they were playing a miniature piano.

Despite the fact that the most surprising and wonderful creatures in the world are zig-zagging right in front of them, their attention is locked onto their iPhones. In fact, one day I was sitting next to a mom who was playing Space Invaders on her phone for half an hour. Her son came up to her several times, tugging on her forearm and begging for her to watch him do what can only be described as a mix between Irish dancing and karate, but she waved him off again and again.

Because she was too busy. With Space Invaders."

Read the rest.

(Photo: Son of the South)

The Personal (Library) of the Future

2012-02-02T09:03:00.000-05:00

....which of course sends shivers down my biblio spine.

(HT: Tim Challies)

How does the 'theology of the body' fit in with same-sex attraction?

2012-02-02T07:00:00.001-05:00

I wasn't planning to devote the whole week to Christopher Wests's new book, At the Heart of the Gospel, but I had to post this. After reading my book review, Richard Evans shared a moving story in the comment box. He gave me permission to post it here:

"I heard Christopher speak two times when I first returned to the Church, approximately one year apart, and I spoke to him briefly at the first event. Over a year later at the next one, which was more of an an in-depth seminar, I approached him again to ask a question during a break. His first words, before I even said anything, were "I remember you." I'm not that memorable! But he remembered me.

I asked him my real question, which had to do with SSA (same-sex attraction) and how the 'theology of the body' fits in with that--and it surely does. I mentioned that it was/is a struggle for me, but it was his reaction to me, not his answer in particular, that I wish to share: he just stretched out his arms, held me silently, and wouldn't let go--this man, with another man, in a public place, gave the most loving embrace I can ever recall receiving.

There was nothing erotic about his overt demonstration of love, obviously, and no preaching or heavy advice from him of how to "clean up my demons" or whatever. Just pure love soaking into me from a pure man of God, and making me more of a man, not less.

No hesitation, no embarrassment, no wishing me to "shut up and go away." And those are all reactions I've heard at times. The vast majoriy are very kind to me, but sometimes people act all "inspired" and then keep me at arm's length. And a person with SSA can tell when that is happening, I assure you.

It was this gesture from Christopher that convinced me, more than his books or seminars, of the truth of the 'theology of the body' and its cleansing and healing power when put into practice. Later, when the criticisms came and he was on sabbatical during those months, I managed to write a note which got to him and reminded him of this incident--and to thank him for it, something I had never really done. Weeks later, I heard back from him and he shared with me how healing my simple note had been to him during that crucial time for him. So in a very small way I was able to return the favor.

This is the kind of man he is. He will always be my hero for these and many other reasons. He loves our Lord immensely and it shows. I look forward to this book."

Be sure to check out Richard's own blog and his conversion story,which he shared at WhyImCatholic.com.

Interview with Christopher West

2012-02-01T12:56:00.000-05:00

On Monday I reviewed Christopher West's new book, At the Heart of the Gospel: Reclaiming the Body for the New Evangelization. Today I'm featuring an interview I did with Christopher in which he covers a range of interesting topics.

Watch the video or stream the audio below (sorry for the choppy picture--still getting the hang of it):

AUDIO

Download the mp3 here (27-minute interview)

Topics Discussed:
0:42 - What is the 'theology of the body'?
3:35 - Insights from Christopher's six-month sabbatical
5:07 - Criticism surrounding the depth of 'original sin'
6:45 - Is it possible to overcome concupiscence in this life?
11:00 - Some concrete solutions to lust
12:24 - Why is Ephesians 5 so important to the 'theology of the body'?
14:11 - One Bible passage that sums up all that God wants to tell us
16:53 - The 'theology of the body' and the "New Evangelization"
19:00 - Nuptial union with God
20:51 - What role does Mary play in the 'theology of the body?
22:29 - Mary shows us the meaning of our deep longing for love
24:59 - What one thing would Christopher say to the modern world?

Check out Christopher's new book, At the Heart of the Gospel: Reclaiming the Body for the New Evangelization, and learn more about his work at ChristopherWest.com.

What do you think about the 'theology of the body'?

Learning from God's Wonderful Joke

2012-01-31T06:00:00.000-05:00

Today we continue our monthly series here at The Thin Veil called "Learning from the Saints". Our guide is saint-expert Bert Ghezzi, a dear friend of mine and the author of numerous books including Voices of the Saints, Saints at Heart, and Adventures In Daily Prayer. His newest book is Discover Christ: Developing a Personal Relationship with Jesus. You can learn more about Bert and his work at www.BertGhezzi.com.

Today, Bert shares the story of St. John Bosco, a great example of priestly fatherhood for a Church still reeling from the sex abuse crisis. Read below to learn more.

God must have laughed heartily at the joke he played when he gave St. John Bosco (1815-1888) to the nineteenth century. Don John Bosco was a man of great faith in an age of great unbelief. He was a wonder worker who routinely performed miracles, was guided by dreams, read people's consciences and accurately predicted the future.

However, Don Bosco was mainly an evangelist, educator, and leader of men. He used all of his gifts, both spiritual and natural, for others. For nearly half a century, he evangelized, catechized and cared for homeless youths in Turin, Italy. And he founded a religious order that has extended his ministry throughout the contemporary world.

In 1841, a newly ordained priest, he came to Turin to study theology. From there he launched his mission. Hundreds of street youths began to gather around him. First they flocked to his Sunday events for fun, games, food, catechism, and worship. Over the next 15 years he collected abandoned youths in a rag tag, but impressive community. With nothing but faith, he built them residences, workshops, schools and churches.

But the most valuable thing Don Bosco gave his boys was love. Most of the children soaked up his affection and responded by getting their lives on track. In a letter to a colleague, the saint explained the role of charity in his educational method:

"It is better to punish our own impatience and pride than to correct the boys. We must be firm but kind and patient with them. Take as a model the charity of Paul which he showed to his new converts. They often reduced him to tears and entreaties when he found them lacking docility and even opposing his loving efforts.

"See that no one finds you motivated by impetuosity or willfulness. It is difficult to keep calm when administering punishment, but we must do so if we are to keep ourselves from spilling out our anger.

"Let us regard the boys as our own sons. Let us not rule over them except for the purpose of serving them better. This was the method Jesus used with the apostles. He put up with their ignorance and roughness and even their infidelity. He treated sinners with a kindness and affection that caused some to be shocked, others to be scandalized, and still others to hope for God's mercy. And so he bade us to be 'gentle and humble of heart.'

"They are our sons, and so in correcting their mistakes we must lay aside all anger and restrain it so firmly that it is extinguished entirely.

"There must be no hostility in our minds, no contempt in our eyes, no insult on our lips. We must use mercy for the present and have hope for the future, as is fitting for true fathers who are eager for real correction and improvement."

A small band of priests joined Don Bosco and in 1854, at a time when Italian anti-clericals were banning religious orders, he successfully organized them into a community. He named them "Salesians" after St. Francis de Sales, his favorite saint.

In 1883 Don Bosco had an incredible vision of his brothers traveling to the ends of the earth via automobiles, freeways and airplanes! As a fitting testament to his holiness, that dream has now come true, as today there are about 2,000 Salesian communities in 113 countries.

(Image credit: Catholic.org)

Read more from Bert at his website, www.BertGhezzi.com, or check out his many books on Amazon.

"At the Heart of the Gospel" - Review

2012-01-30T16:12:00.000-05:00

In addition to my review, I’ll be posting an interview with Christopher West this Wednesday. And this Friday I’ll be giving away a copy of his new book, "At the Heart of the Gospel". So stay tuned!

You should also check out the Patheos Book Club this month for more great discussion about this book.

Chances are when you hear the phrase ‘theology of the body’, Christopher West is one of the first people you think of. West has written several books on the topic and has helped thousands of people unpack these teachings from Pope John Paul II, which primarily concern the purpose of our bodies and the meaning of love.

Yet with all of his success, he has attracted some criticism. Some moral theologians, like Dr. Alice von Hildebrand and Dawn Eden, say West reduces the ‘theology of the body’ to sex, and that he sees the whole of Christianity through that narrow lens—everything from Mary, to the Easter candle, and even the Eucharist.

Others lament his presentation style, claiming it’s too graphic or irreverent. West wasn’t helped by a 2009 Nightline interview in which he compared John Paul II to Playboy-founder Hugh Hefner, explaining how both men rebelled against prudish Victorianism. When it finally aired, the interview misconstrued his comments and made it seem as if West had an equal respect for both men.

All of this criticism, combined with West’s own burnout and workload, finally convinced him to take a sabbatical in mid-2010. For six months he stepped away from the limelight. He got some rest and spent time with his family. And he reflected on his approach to the ‘theology of the body’.

The fruit of that sabbatical is a new book titled At the Heart of the Gospel: Reclaiming the Body for the New Evangelization (Image books, paperback, 304 pages). One endorsement describes the book as “West’s Apologia Pro Vita Sua”, an allusion to John Henry Newman’s classic text on his journey toward Catholicism.

Like Newman’s book, At the Heart of the Gospel responds to specific questions and criticisms. And like Newman, West responds to this criticism with great humility. He doesn't case it aside without engagement but wrestles with it. His sincere intention is to present the ‘theology of the body’ as authentically as possible and he'll accept whatever help he can get.

At the Heart of the Gospel summarizes much of West's past work. It includes several long quotes from his other books and readers will find familiar themes like “the great mystery” from Ephesians 5, the divine symbolism in the Song of Songs, and the “wound of Puritanism”, which still haunts the modern culture. West considers the ‘theology of the body’ to be the cure for this particular wound and for the other extreme: the idolization of the body.

As in the Pope's original teachings, the book places a strong focus on “the great analogy of spousal love”. In fact, according to West, this is the “central proclamation of John Paul’s ‘theology of the body’.”:

“(This analogy concerns) the ‘great mystery’ of creation as male and female and the call of the two to become one flesh, (which) was created by God to be the primordial sign of his own ‘Great Mystery’: his eternal exchange of Love and our destiny to share in that exchange through the holy nuptials of Christ’s union with the Church.”

One roadblock to entering this ‘great mystery’ is what theologians call concupiscence—the tendency toward sin. In the sexual realm, concupiscence often appears in the form of lust, and it’s here we arrive at a major point of controversy. Some theologians believe that, at least in this life, concupiscence is insurmountable; it’s an inevitable condition of our fallen nature. No matter how hard we try, we can’t overcome our tendencies toward lust, pride, greed, and the like.

West disagrees. In his new book, he reaffirms that we can overcome this stain, even in the here and now. West is quick to point out that John Paul himself agrees with this view in his original ‘theology of the body’ talks:

“Christ has redeemed us! This means he has given us the possibility of realizing the entire truth of our being; he has set our freedom free from the domination of concupiscence.”

Neither West nor the Pope teaches that this freedom comes easy. It’s hard. Pope Benedict XVI says it involves an “undeniably painful transformation.” West explains, however, that it is nevertheless possible through heroic discipline, constant prayer, and a correct understanding of our body. Channeling the wisdom of many saints and mystics, his book unveils a threefold solution which includes purgation (the rejection of sin), illumination (a turning of the mind and will toward God), and finally union (that ecstatic connection with God where sin can’t exist).

One new area West explores in the book is suggested in the subtitle: the intersection between the ‘theology of the body’ and the “New Evangelization”. West sees the ‘theology of the body’ as a powerful “touch point” by which believers can connect with the secular world. Our culture is so charged with sexual desire that these teachings can act as a signpost, pointing to the real object of their yearnings—Jesus Christ. However, engaging the secular world may require language that strikes some as irreverent.

"[The New Evangelization sometimes] means using a language with which a more pious and refined audience might take issue with, so that a much less pious and refined audience might be reached."

In trying to find the right language, West aligns himself with Pope Benedict XVI who says, “one has to meet listeners halfway, one has to speak to them in terms of their own horizon.” Finding this balance is hard, as West freely admits. It’s a process of trial and error. “We must correct errors when we err,” West says, not if we err.

And that’s what West does through his new book. At the Heart of the Gospel is not a staunch rebuttal from a man sticking to his theological guns. It’s a humble reflection from someone who welcomes criticism and uses it to refine his own work. It will provide new insights for beginners and experts alike and continue the discussion surrounding John Paul's magnificent teachings.

Be sure to check back Wednesday for a special interview with Christopher West. And on Friday, enter for your chance to win a copy of his new book, "At the Heart of the Gospel".

Also check out the Patheos Book Club this month for more great discussion about this book.

In which the dead Christ lies

2012-01-29T05:54:00.001-05:00

Caryll Houselander:

"We should never come to a sinner without the reverence that we would take to the Holy Sepulchre. Pilgrims have traveled on foot for years to kiss the Holy Sepulchre, which is empty. In sinners we can kneel at the tomb in which the dead Christ lies."

Weekly Giveaway (01/27)

2012-01-27T08:46:00.001-05:00

"Find out how much God has given you and from it take what you need; the remainder is needed by others." - St. Augustine

Because I've built up a large collection of duplicate books and resources, each week I'm giving away one or more of these items, absolutely free, no strings attached.

You can enter anytime during each week for that week's giveaway, with a new giveaway beginning each Friday. To see a list of past giveaways, go here.

This week's giveaway is themed around the recent March for Life. One winner will receive a copy of Blessed Pope John Paul II's magnificent encyclical, The Gospel of Life (Evangelium Vitae). Written in 1995, it grounded the Catholic Church in its embrace of life at all stages. Here's more from OFWC Media:

"Beginning with an overview of threats to human life both past and present, the encyclical gives a brief history of the many Biblical prohibitions against killing. The encyclical then addresses specific actions in light of these passages, including abortion (quoting Tertullian, who called abortion "anticipated murder to prevent someone from being born"), and euthanasia (which John Paul II calls "a disturbing perversion of mercy").

The encyclical then addresses social and ecological factors, stressing the importance of a society which is built around the family rather than a wish to improve efficiency, and emphasizing the duty to care for the poor and the sick."

In order to win this week's giveaway, leave a comment below answering this question:

If John Paul was still alive today, what do you think he would say to the world?

The winning comments will be randomly selected on Friday morning using a random number generator, and the giveaway will be sent out, free-of-charge, shortly thereafter to the three winners.

In the future I'll be giving away many more books and resources--sometimes multiple items per giveaway. So check back next Friday!

Update: The drawing is closed for the week of Friday, January 27. Congratulations to Rita for winning this week! Check your e-mail for instructions on receiving the book. If you don't see an e-mail from me, check your spam box--apparently e-mails with "giveaway" in the subject line often end up there.

The Rebellion

2012-01-25T09:24:00.000-05:00

As he did last year, the gifted Marc Barnes made a highlight reel from the annual March for Life. The March took place yesterday and depending on your source, somewhere between 200,000-500,000 people braved the inclement weather to support life in our nation's capitol.

If there's one thing that's clear it's this: the culture is turning toward life. Look at the people in this video. They're young, joyful, and filled with hope; that's the future of this country. On the other hand, the pro-abortion radicals are few and far between. They're the polar opposite: they're mostly old, angry, and sullen and their own philosophy--that children are a burden, not a gift--is the very thing that's led to their own demise. Simply put, the pro-life movement is growing while the culture of death is sterile.

I'm convinced that in my lifetime we'll see the overturning of Roe vs. Wade, the most deadly and misguided legislation in the history of our country. And I don't think we'll have to wait much longer.

The Rebellion has already begun.

Tonight: "Your Family and Cyberspace: Raising Saints in a Digital Age"

2012-01-23T07:00:00.030-05:00

If you're in the Orlando area tonight, come out to St. Mary Magdalen Catholic Parish at 7:00pm. In the main church I'll be giving a talk titled, "Your Families and Cyberspace: Raising Saints in a Digital Age" which will help parents understand and master new media technology and use it to raise virtuous children. The talk will be followed by some time for Q&A.

If you can't make it out tonight, we're hosting a duplicate event this Saturday morning (1/28) at 10:00am, same topic, same place.

And for a taste of what to expect, check out my latest article for FathersForGood.org:

"Navigating the dangerous waters of the web with your kids is difficult but not impossible.

Like Alice, who passed through the mirror and found herself in Wonderland, many of us dads have also been swept into a strange new world —a world of Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, blogs, text messages, and more. What makes this world even more daunting is that it’s loaded with young people who speak an unfamiliar language.

It’s definitely scary. Almost every day we hear internet horror stories: children being cyberbullied to death; kids surfing into pornography; teenagers addicted to cell phones and social media; the malignant spread of distraction and narcissism. What’s a parent to do? These tools seem to be only growing in force, and placing a wedge between parent and child. So how can we raise saints in this digital world?"

Read the rest of the article here.

Weekly Giveaway (01/20)

2012-01-21T13:33:00.001-05:00

"Find out how much God has given you and from it take what you need; the remainder is needed by others." - St. Augustine

Because I've built up a large collection of duplicate books and resources, each week I'm giving away one or more of these items, absolutely free, no strings attached.

You can enter anytime during each week for that week's giveaway, with a new giveaway beginning each Friday. To see a list of past giveaways, go here.

This week's giveaway is a copy of Tereso Tomeo's new book, Extreme Makover: Women Transformed By Christ, Not By Culture. Here's an excerpt from my recent review:

"Author Meg Meeker claims that "Extreme Makeover will be one of the most significant books for women in the 21st century. It pulls back the curtain on why every woman feels confused and hurt."

I completely agree with that. Extreme Makeover is the key for young women to unlock the prison of false womanhood--a true guide to feminine freedom. It's valuable, timely, and should be in the hands of every young woman you know."

In order to win this week's giveaway, leave a comment below answering this question:

If you could say one thing to a young woman today, what would it be?

The winning comments will be randomly selected on Friday morning using a random number generator, and the giveaway will be sent out, free-of-charge, shortly thereafter to the three winners.

In the future I'll be giving away many more books and resources--sometimes multiple items per giveaway. So check back next Friday!

Update: The drawing is closed for the week of Friday, January 20. Congratulations to Robert K for winning this week! Check your e-mail for instructions on receiving the book. If you don't see an e-mail from me, check your spam box--apparently e-mails with "giveaway" in the subject line often end up there.

5 Reasons Why You Should Wake Up Early

2012-01-19T00:09:00.000-05:00

This article is a follow-up to Jen Fulwiler's excellent piece today at the Register. With her usual clarity and wit she makes several great arguments for waking up early, even though she's a self-proclaimed night owl. If you aren't reading Jen's blog on a regular basis you're missing out on some really great stuff. Check it out!

I've always been a morning person, though in the past that meant waking up at 7:00am. With that schedule, I was getting out of bed just a few minutes before the average American, who according to one survey rises at about 7:15am each day. But three months ago, I made a drastic change:

I decided to wake up at 4:45am every single day.

So far it's been one of the best decisions I've made. I'm able to get so much done before the official workday begins--productive writing, a solid workout, and even daily Mass. And I'm able to devote most nights to my wife and family.

Here's a look at my typical morning schedule (click to enlarge):

Now I know the thought of rising early can send shivers down the spines of most night-owls--here's looking at you, Jen Fulwiler. I know that as soon as you see 4:45am the warning bells start ringing and the internal censor shouts, "I could never wake up that early!"

However there's plenty of data--and even a whole blog--showing that rising early is really a beneficial move. Each morning person has their own reasons for waking up early, but here are my top five:

1. Most saints woke up early--and so did Jesus.

Let's just begin with the ultimate early-bird trump card which, for many people, is reason enough. If you scan each century of Church history you'll find that most holy people consistently woke before dawn. Jen points to St. Josemaria Escriva as one example, but there are plenty more.

St. Benedict is one. He was known to rise in the early hours to recite the Psalms, a practice he eventually commended to his entire religious order. Even today many monastic orders wake up at 3:00am or 4:00am for communal prayer. Mother Teresa's nuns, the Missionaries of Charity, are early birds, too. They start their busy schedule each day at 4:30am.

If that's not enough, consider this: Christ himself liked to wake up early:

"Rising very early before dawn, he left and went off to a deserted place, where he prayed." - Mark 1:35

"Each day Jesus was teaching at the temple, and each evening he went out to spend the night on the hill called the Mount of Olives, and all the people came early in the morning to hear him at the temple." - Luke 21:37-38

So if nothing else, waking up early puts you in very good company. But there are more reasons.

2. You'll begin the day satisfied.

One of the best parts of rising early is that you're able to knock out so much work. Instead of slogging through the day lamenting all you have to do that night, you can bask in the satisfaction of your morning accomplishments.

As Jen confesses, "When I’ve drifted back onto my natural schedule of staying up late and sleeping late, there’s always a question mark looming over my day as to whether I’ll use my quiet time for something fruitful."

I'll tell you, if I plan to work-out, write, or pray at night-time, it can be extremely daunting after a long day at work. Even though I know I'll be glad after I do those things, their specter hangs over my day like a dark cloud and it's tough to summon the will-power I need. When I wake up early and conquer those activities first thing in the morning, that cloud fades and my day is bright and clear.

As usual, Jen articulates it well: "A prayerful and productive morning gives me a sense of accomplishment that I can carry with me throughout the day, no matter what else may go wrong."

3. Your work will be constrained.

This one didn't strike me until recently. Yet if you're waking up early in order to read or write, it's huge. Think about this. When you work at night, there's no time limit pressing you to work efficiently. What's the difference between working until midnight, or 1:00am, or 2:00am? Either way you're going to wake-up tired so there's no real urgency to wrap up your work. Even more, without external pressure to finish your work by a certain time, it's much easier to surf the web, slow down, or become distracted by other things.

Mornings are different, however, since they with a built-in constraint. When I begin writing at 4:45am, I know that no matter where I am in my work, I have to stop at 5:55am to eat breakfast and help with the kids. Each morning has a built-in deadline that forces me to focus and not waste time. For me, that's been extremely helpful and it's led to more productive writing.

4. Mass and exercise.

OK, technically I'm squeezing two reasons into one, and at first glance they may not seem to have much in common. But I think they're two sides of the same coin--one is fuel for the spirit, the other for the body. So consider this my hypostatic argument (there's one or my fellow theo-nerds).

First, we'll talk about Mass. Now any Mass you go to, whatever the time, is phenomenal. You're meeting Jesus Christ in the flesh and participating in the Heavenly Banquet. Since every Mass is equally fruitful, there's no inherent benefit to going in the morning instead of at night. Practically speaking, however, more parishes offer daily Mass in the morning instead of the afternoon or evening. So if your main goal is to attend Mass each day--and I couldn't recommend it more--the morning typically gives you more options to choose from.

When it comes to exercise, morning is best here, too. Several studies show that exercising at night can have disastrous effects on your sleep. Because your heart rate and bloodflow are so high, it's difficult to drift into sleep, but even when you do you'll typically face a restless night.

Exercising in the morning is just the opposite. Raising your heart rate and moving your body starts your day with spring and vivacity. In my own experience, I have much more energy during the days I work out, especially in the early afternoon when I otherwise begin to fade.

5. Good dreams require hustle.

The other four reasons are good, but for me this is the ultimate one. Don Miller, in his phenomenal book, A Million Miles in a Thousand Years, talks a lot about conflict. Every good story has it. Every good tale has some sort of resistance, or push-back, or moment when it looks like the hero isn't going to make it.

However in the face of impossible odds, he somehow does. He somehow overcomes his opposition and gets the girl, destroys the Ring, defeats the villain, or saves the world. His victory does come at a price. It's hard and tiring, painful and perilous, and it usually requires every last ounce of energy.

And that's what makes the pursuit worth chasing.

That kind of difficulty is what makes some goals worthy and others vain, and it's a sign that you're on the right path. Simply put, if it's a dream worth chasing, you're going to face resistance--internal or external--and that resistance demands a sacrifice.

Now I have many goals. I want to write another book. I want to get in shape for my wife and kids. I want to draw as close to God as possible. And to accomplish those things I know I'll have to fight. I'll have to sacrifice and struggle and push from all directions.

Waking up early to accomplish my goals is that type of action. Call it what you will--hustle, discipline, will-power, grit. Whatever you call it, it's the energy you need to fuel your dreams. It's what gets you out of bed when the covers beg you to stay and the voice in your head says, "You'd much rather be sleeping." It's what forces you to write even though you're empty and you're sure nothing good will come of it. It's what separates dreamers from doers and visions from visionaries. Choosing to wake up early says, "even though my goals seems daunting, they're worth the daily struggle of rising in the dark."

The good news is that the battle isn't even as tough as it seems. When all is said and done, all you have to do is move three short feet from your bed to the floor. That's it.

If you can rise as soon as your alarm clock rings--if you can master St. Josemaria's 'heroic minute'--you've already won. And you've proven your dream is worth the chase.

Now I know some night-owls will read this and remain skeptical. Some people, they'll claim, are just wired to be late-risers. I get that. And I also understand the biology--your blood sugar levels are at their lowest in the morning, which makes many people groggy and lethargic.

So I won't go so far as to say early-rising is objectively the best way to go. But if you can muster the will, if you can train your body and conquer your mental resistance, the benefits are incredible. I've only been doing this for three months, but I've already decided to make it a lifelong habit.

How about you? When do you wake up and why?

Slicing Salvation In Half

2012-01-18T19:09:00.000-05:00

A YouTubing priest who loves religion answers a young man who hates it:

Fr. Barron does a bang-up job explaining why this video has gone viral. The video, he notes, is the result of the American emphasis on 'freedom'. Properly understood, freedom is a great thing. Freedom from oppression, indignity, bondage, and sin are all noble pursuits. But in today's lingo, 'freedom' usually boils down to 'liberation from rules, obedience, commands, structures, and--most importantly--anything that rankles my comfort.' Since religion can be challenging, and since it doesn't always console and affirm, it's often thrown under the bus by proponents of this pseudo-freedom.

That's an interesting insight, but even more intriguing are his remarks regarding 'justification by faith' and the success of this video. Adding a little clarification to what Fr. Barron said, Catholics actually agree with Protestants that we're "justified by faith through grace"--so long as "faith" is understood not just as intellectual assent but as faith-working-in-charity.

As Fr. Barron points out, this understanding of faith is particularly evident in Matthew 25, which shows faith must be tied to action. Yet the core idea of 'justification by faith' resonates throughout Scripture, especially in the writings of St. Paul:

"For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not from you; it is the gift of God." - Ephesians 2:8

"For we consider that a person is justified by faith apart from works of the law." - Romans 3:28

(Note: When St. Paul is devaluing"works of the law", he's referring to the Old Testament Levitical requirements, not good works in general.)

So both Protestants and Catholics agree that we're justified (saved) by faith. The split occurs then when Protestants claim we're justified by faith alone, sola fide, where faith is nothing more than interior assent. As Fr. Barron suggests, the operative word here is "alone", which stands as the proverbial line in the sand between Catholics and Protestants--and between religion and spirituality.

Most Protestants are unaware that the word "alone" is actually an artificial addition to Scripture. It was inserted into Romans 3:28 by none other than Martin Luther, the leading Protestant reformer. Luther popped the word into his personal translation so as to align Scripture with his own beliefs. Here's Luther's own reasoning:

"You tell me what a great fuss the Papists are making because the word 'alone' in not in the text of Paul…say right out to him: 'Dr. Martin Luther will have it so,'…I will have it so, and I order it to be so, and my will is reason enough. I know very well that the word 'alone' is not in the Latin or the Greek text." - Martin Luther, as quoted in Rebuilding a Lost Faith by J. Stoddard

Which takes us back to the YouTube video. As Fr. Barron explains, the young poet really channels the spirit of Luther as he echoes the sixteenth-century claim that faith alone is enough. You don't need any of those messy additions like charity, churches, sacraments, or commandments.

Catholics say otherwise--and they have for 2,000 years. Catholicism says that true faith is not merely personal belief, though that's important. Instead, it's grounded in the Incarnation.

Therefore our faith--and our salvation--is wrapped in the mess and grime of the physical world. It now permeates our institutions, our hierarchies, our art, and our theology and is inseparable from so-called religion. The Incarnation binds all this together as Fr. Barron explains in Catholicism: A Journey to the Heart of the Faith:

"Catholics sense the Incarnation in the oil, water, bread, imposed hands, wine, and salt of the sacraments; they appreciate it in the texts, arguments, and debates of the theologians; they sense it in the graced governance of popes and bishops; they love it in the struggles and missions of the saints; they know it in the writings of Catholic poets and in the cathedrals crafted by Catholic architects, artists, and workers."

Most of all, we sense the Incarnation in salvation. When Jesus became man, salvation became physical. He connected personal faith to the grit of religion and established a Church to hold both together.

Through adding the word 'alone', Luther cut these two in half. Four hundred years later, a YouTube poet is wielding the same sword and he's slicing salvation down the same line.

(If you're looking or a great book on the Catholic and Protestant views of salvation, check out Jimmy Akin's Salvation Controversy. I'm about halfway through it an it's helped clarify many sticky theological questions. Jimmy is a clear, careful writer who, as a convert from Protestantism, know both sides of the fence.)

MLK: A Hero and a Prophet

2012-01-16T09:50:00.001-05:00

Today we celebrate one of my greatest heroes who, despite many personal failings, stood as perhaps the twentieth century's greatest prophet (I think John Paul II holds the only rival claim). Like Christ, this man chose non-violence in the fight against hate and, in line with Catholic social teaching, recognized the dignity of all people--friends and enemies alike.

Today we honor this great justice leader, a modern Isaiah who showed words still have power, and a man from whom my son gets his middle-name:

Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr.

If you want a great taste of King's prophetic writings, my favorite book is A Testament of Hope: The Essential Writings and Speeches of Martin Luther King, Jr. At a hefty 736 pages, the tome includes several of his speeches, letters, sermons, and writings, including his famous "Letter from Birmingham Jail." It lets you see all sides of King--poet, prophet, preacher, philosopher, and theologian.

But King can't be simply read; he must be seen and heard. If you've never watched any of his speeches in full, you owe it to yourself. Sit down today and watch one. The obvious choice is his famous "I Have a Dream" masterpiece.

There you'll see a master orator at work, weaving cadences, parallelisms, and rich imagery into an energizing call to arms, a poetic vision that captivated a nation.

I imagine that when Jesus delivered the Beatitudes, he spoke with the same electricity. And, like King, his provocative words cost him his life. Would they we all have the courage and power to speak truth.

And here's Fr. Robert Barron explaining why King still matters:

(A couple years ago on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, I shared some of my experiences with solidarity in my local community.)

More Responses to "Why I Hate Religion, But Love Jesus"

2012-01-15T18:45:00.000-05:00

As the viral "Why I Hate Religion, But Love Jesus" video crosses the 10 million-view mark, the responses keep rolling in. This one's my favorite as I think it's both cogent and charitable:

Marcel LeJeune has a running list of video and textual responses, while apologist Jimmy Akin has posted his own cleverly-titled rebuttal, "Why I Hate People Hating on Religion".

Weekly Giveaway (1/13)

2012-01-13T06:06:00.001-05:00

"Find out how much God has given you and from it take what you need; the remainder is needed by others." - St. Augustine

Because I've built up a large collection of duplicate books and resources, each week I'm giving away one or more of these items, absolutely free, no strings attached.

You can enter anytime during each week for that week's giveaway, with a new giveaway beginning each Friday. To see a list of past giveaways, go here.

How to Win the Culture War: A Christian Battle Plan for a Society in Crisis
by Peter Kreeft

Today's giveaway is a timely book by one of my favorite writers. Here's the description from Amazon:

"The battle lines have been drawn. Many Christians have fallen into the trap of proclaiming "Peace! Peace!" when there is no peace. Hiding their eyes from the pressing issues of the day, they believe that resistance to the prevailing culture is useless. At the same time, other Christians have been too quick to declare war, mistaking battlefield casualties as enemies rather than victims.

In How to Win the Culture War Peter Kreeft issues a rousing call to arms. Christians must understand the true nature of the culture war--a war between the culture of life and the culture of death. Kreeft identifies the real enemies facing the church today and maps out key battlefields. He then issues a strategy for engagement and equips Christians with the weapons needed for a successful campaign. Above all, Kreeft assures us that the war can be won--in fact, it will be won. For those who hope in Christ, victory is assured, because good triumphs over evil and life conquers death. Love never gives up. Neither must we."

To win this week's giveaway, leave a comment below answering this question:

What do you think is the best way to counter the "culture of death"?

The winning comments will be randomly selected on Friday morning using a random number generator, and the giveaway will be sent out, free-of-charge, shortly thereafter to the three winners.

In the future I'll be giving away many more books and resources--sometimes multiple items per giveaway. So check back next Friday!

Update: The drawing is closed for the week of Friday, January 20. Congratulations to Carleen for winning this week! Check your e-mail for instructions on receiving the book. If you don't see an e-mail from me, check your spam box--apparently e-mails with "giveaway" in the subject line often end up there.

"I want Jesus, not religion."

2012-01-12T16:27:00.001-05:00

There's a beautiful, well-made video making the rounds that's become a sort of manifesto for the "spiritual-but-not-religious" folk. The video echoes the views of many "emergent Christians" and modern evangelicals, bemoaning dusty old "religion"--that dated, slavish system which shackles us to mindless ritual and obedience.

I used to believe the same way as this guy. I was convinced that Jesus didn't establish--or continue--a religion. In my mind, Scripture was clear that Jesus was against all tradition, ritual, and rote prayer. I was confident that he didn't want to "tie us down" with empty Rosaries, liturgies, and systematic theologies. After all, he did say his "burden was light". Yet most of the Christianity I saw seemed uncomfortable and demanding.

Even more than that, I thought the supreme distortion of religion were those that were most institutional, with complex hierarchies and leadership structures, and those whose authority was centralized in one place or among a certain people.

Or to say it another way, the Catholic Church.

Though our man in the video doesn't explicitly mention Catholicism, he's no doubt aiming his barbs toward Rome. His dichotomies are simply veiled potshots at the Faith, comparisons of the "empty religion" of Rome with true faith in Christ.

I was preparing a line-by-line commentary on the video, but to my chagrin I found that two of my favorite writers have already answers brilliantly.

Here's Marcel LeJeune over at Aggie Catholics asking, "Does Jesus Hate Religion? Should You?":

"I can't see how Jesus would hate a set of beliefs, a moral code or ritual observances, when he came to teach us these things. The sermon on the Mount, the Last Supper, the parables, etc. all teach us these things. So, Jesus certainly doesn't hate them.

Furthermore, Jesus wouldn't want us to be taught these things and then not follow them or observe the practice of them.

So, the problem isn't with religion, but hypocricy - saying you are a Christian and living far from him. This is a different argument.

Jesus certainly didn't come to "abolish religion". You might say he came to complete it, purify it, raise it up, etc. He certainly didn't want to do away with it."

And here's the erudite Marc Barnes--self-admitted Bad Catholic--who deconstructs the video with hilarity and poise:

"A common theme throughout the video is our man’s complaint that religion is just behavior modification, a list of rules to follow, and thus doesn’t get to the core of the matter — the call to love Christ as a response to his sacrifice on the cross. First of all, this is an absolutely valid critique of what religion should not be. If it is just a set of rules and not a love affair, it is dead. You can’t have works without faith any more than you can have faith without works. But the idea that following rules is inherently contradictory to loving Christ flies in the face — yet again — not of religion, but of Christ. He says, “If you love me, keep my commandments.” Love of Christ requires obedience to his commands. You cannot have one without the other.

Our man then clarifies — He loves the Bible. This is interesting. Did Christ hand out Bibles before he ascended into Heaven? No. The Bible is the product of a religion. A religion called Catholicism."

Baptize Your Child's Imagination

2012-01-10T18:52:00.000-05:00

My latest at FathersForGood.org:

"One day while waiting at a train station, a young atheist wandered over to a bookrack. He browsed the selections, picked up a small fairy tale on a whim, then sat down and began reading. He was immediately hit with odd sensations. It felt like a waterfall had engulfed him. Suddenly his mind was washed with wonder and life. And all of his boredom and cynicism felt as if they were being wiped away.

Some years later the young man marked the event as his “baptism of imagination.” This one book — a fantasy story — ignited his wonder and forever changed his view of the world. A few years later, the young man renounced his atheistic views and became a devout Christian.

Most of us can probably relate to the great power of stories. From our boyhood we remember being drawn into tales of pirates and knights, soldiers and cowboys. Most of us can still recall the great adventures, enchanting mysteries, and exciting journeys that captivated us as children."

Read the rest here.

(Image: ColekColek)

The Joy of Books

2012-01-10T12:47:00.000-05:00

HT: Marcel at Aggie Catholics