Almost Not Catholic

The End Is Here

2013-02-27T06:06:00.000-05:00

All, So you are wondering, where have you been? That's a fair question, but it's one that I really won't take any more digital space to answer other than to say, working -- family, job and the occasional night out with the Mrs. Anyways, this blog has given me a moment. That moment has passed. My Catholic faith has informed me in such a way to realize that your work can be your apologetic. For

Shameless Plug

2013-02-05T05:16:00.000-05:00

HERE and here

In the Words of Cardinal Dolan...

2013-01-23T08:27:00.000-05:00

...as he so elegantly explains the counter-cultural nature of the Catholic Church. The piece is simply brilliant: Jesus, His Church and "the uns"

Bye-Bye Trinity

2013-01-09T19:53:00.001-05:00

I want to bring to your attention an interesting conversation over at Called to Communion. If you think certain dogmas are "too central" to Christianity to be disregarded by "mainstream Christians", think again. Without the Church, provincial versions of Christianity are headed for dogmatic nihilism (i.e., you can "know nothing for certain"). Or to put it more softly, mere Christianity will get

Merry Christmas!

2012-12-25T06:09:00.000-05:00

Emmanuel!

Protestant Idolatry

2012-12-23T05:22:00.000-05:00

No, I'm not talking about Bibliolatry. I'm talking about that time of the year when almost every Protestant goes into the woodshed and retrieves this: "It's Christmass. The time of yearwhen we all get to act like Catholics." And this collection of plastic statues will be placed directly in front of the protesters home or place of worship. Some even put them in their place of worship. And, to

Love & Newtown: A Perspective

2012-12-17T20:26:00.000-05:00

I'm over here contemplating what good we can learn, as parents, in the face of senseless tragedy.

I Agree, Let's "Stand to Reason"!

2012-12-12T04:46:00.002-05:00

A kind reader wrote to me recently: source I understand that in Catholic teaching one can't work their way to salvation, however on Greg Koukl's radio show podcast, "Stand to Reason," on 10/15/2012 at 24:40, he and a caller talk about how "modus tollens" proves that the Catholic view of justification is "justification by works." They assert the following based on 1 Corinthians 9:27:

Blessed Scotus, You da man!

2012-12-09T04:47:00.001-05:00

Did you know that Blessed John Duns Scotus made a lively, erudite and simple defense of the Immaculate Conception? Doctor Maria So there, Faber. If you would like to read more about his arguments, I've found a well documented piece here.

Do You Worship The Child?

2012-12-02T13:47:00.001-05:00

Infant of Prague If not, why? It is not too difficult for me to travel back in the not-so-distant-past and remember. Remember when I did not worship The Child. Many do not worship Him. I am ready to admit that it is not some deep theological insight that keeps so many Christ-lovers from loving Him as The Child. They simply do not. Don't search for a significant reason. It is liking asking

Cardinal Arinze on Mortal Sin

2012-11-30T05:31:00.000-05:00

I love this guy. Catholicism -- unfiltered.

Some Thoughts About the Canon and Participation

2012-11-27T05:00:00.000-05:00

A Fragment of The Dead Sea Scrolls Let's place ourselves in the 1st century, and do a little thought experiment. If... 1. There is no such thing as Sacred Tradition -- the Bible is the sole rule of faith AND 2. The Jews had the right to canonize the Old Testament -- and they did 3. Therefore (from #1), the canon of the New Testament (not a particular book) is a tradition of men 4. If it

A Thanksgiving Conversion Story

2012-11-22T06:23:00.000-05:00

These are the images you find when you search "Social Studies" This is a republish from last year with some slight modifications. Some 11 years ago, I started teaching. My first set of classes included an eleventh grade Bible class and a seventh grade "social studies" course. The phrase "social studies"-- I explained recently to a visiting priest in our parish from Oxford -- is the American

Simplifying the Simply Simple

2012-11-21T06:16:00.002-05:00

"Take this and eat it. This is my body." this apologetics moment brought to you by: Jesus Christ."I am the king of the universe and created the world,so why don't you think I can do that up there?"

Going Crazy Over The Pope

2012-11-19T20:41:00.003-05:00

Go read my post at Ignitum! (it is old-school, almost-not-catholic, apologetics)

What To Do About Cultural Catholics (Part II)

2012-11-12T05:48:00.001-05:00

In a previous installment on this blog, I discussed the phenomenon that is cultural catholicism. Like being a fan of the New York Yankees, cultural catholicism guarantees that the adherent owns some kind of lucky charm, but has no idea who is actually on the team, the batting average of even one player, or what the team record is. This all translates into that awkward moment where you introduce

What Happens When Contraception Fails...

2012-11-06T06:41:00.003-05:00

...and the back up plan fails. Particularly pay attention to 3:50 and thereafter. Lord, Have Mercy On Us.

Election 2012!

2012-10-23T06:38:00.003-04:00

I'm here.

Man Made Traditions

2012-10-21T10:55:00.001-04:00

"Making void the word of God by your own tradition, which you have given forth. And many other such like things you do." - Mark 7:13 FOR EXAMPLE: 1. Baptism that does nothing on the inside. - 1 Peter 3:21 2. A Eucharist that is a mere symbol. - Luke 22:19 3. Marriage that confers no grace. - Verses 4. Pastors without Holy Orders. - 1 Corinthians 11:24 5. Singles struggling without

A New Book...

2012-10-15T19:38:00.002-04:00

...by Dr. Taylor Marshall.

The Catholic Church is Full of Sinners

2012-10-10T20:27:00.002-04:00

The Catholic Church is full of sinners because she is a hospital. The Catholic Church is full of saints because the medicine works. Treatment.

He's Back

2012-10-06T14:31:00.006-04:00

maybe I was wrong...

Marian Dogma: Kiddie Style

2012-09-28T20:04:00.000-04:00

Dear Protestant Friends, Today, I would like to ask of you a favor. I would like for you to ask your child -- or some child -- the question, "Who is Jesus?" After you listen to the answer, I'm sure you will respond with many wonderful things for which we agree. I would request that you would only be careful to mention that Jesus is our brother (Hebrews 2). This news should delight the child.

About NFP

2012-09-25T06:31:00.000-04:00

I am here (it will be worth the click).

Why I Do Not Respond to Everybody

2012-09-21T06:24:00.000-04:00

1. I somehow missed your comment. "I can answer your question,don't you know." - internet person 2. I do not have time to respond. If you need a response, that is what the internets is for. I'm sure there is someone out there in the internets who would be happy to talk to you. 3. Your comment is not worth a response. That means, your argument is not strong enough to even consider putting my