7 Quick Takes Friday (set #99)
This week: Abortion workers from other “clinics” tell how Dr. Kermit Gosnell is not an isolated case. Bioethicist Father Robert Gahl reflects on this case. Megyn Kelly interviews Jack McMahon, Gosnell’s attorney. What a “shacking out cohabitation ceremony” might look like. The drama and terror of some family events. A contraption to dispense communion. Ever wonder how minor car dents are repaired?
Repeat after me: “Dr. Kermit Gosnell is not an isolated case.”
This is what abortion is. Frankly, I do not understand why people are outraged that these doctors are killing babies after they leave the womb. It is absolutely no difference to the child which side they are killed on.
Father Robert Gahl, Professor of Ethics at the Pontifical University of the Holy Cross, reflects on the actions of Dr. Kermit Gosnell in this CNS video:
Megyn Kelly interviews Kermit Gosnell’s attorney. Attorney makes dumb comments, sparks fly:
Fewer and fewer people are getting married. (I won’t even get into the whole gay agenda to redefine and kill it.) Of those who get married, it is obvious that many do not understand the covenant. So, this is often the arrangement:
Family get togethers. Oh, the drama.
Other than Lutherans and Anglicans (/Episcopalians), Protestants believe communion is only symbolic and do not receive it weekly, if at all. No offense meant, but since they lack valid Holy Orders we (Catholics / Orthodox) know it can not truly become the Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of our Lord. It is a good thing however, that they receive communion as best they can. Still, this is a bit sacrilegious is it not?
This contraption is called a Purity Host Dispenser from a company named Purity Solutions. Don’t look for this at your local parish any time soon. This was spotted by The Ironic Catholic.
Did you ever wonder how dents are repaired in cars these days? Usually they don’t require filler, sanding and repainting. This video shows how it is done:
Some random thoughts or bits of information are worthy of sharing but don’t warrant their own full post. This idea was started by Jennifer Fulwiler at Conversion Diary to address this blogging need. So, some Fridays I too participate when I have accumulated 7 worthy items. Thank you Jen for hosting this project!
Denominations
I was a life-long member of 1 Protestant denomination and believed it taught the truth (I know that remains their sincere intention). When we moved, I looked not for the nearest Protestant church but for the nearest church of my denomination. Many Protestants who grew-up in one specific denomination are that way.
Many other Protestants are comfortable changing denominations when they move. They will typically look for a church that is close, at which they “feel” comfortable and that does not preach too contrary to their personal beliefs. This frankly is odd, as Protestant theology varies significantly. On the other hand, the uniquely Protestant doctrine of sola scriptura (invented in the 16th century) ultimately allows each person to determine their own beliefs.
Of this latter group of “denominational hoppers,” one Christian community rarely considered is the Catholic Church. Few can articulate why that is beyond vague misconceptions, but it is often rejected out-of-hand. I know that I did.
In fact, the Catholic Church is not a Christian denomination but is the Christian Church itself. Scripture is clear that Jesus founded 1 Church and history easily shows that to be the Catholic Church. Men such as the reformers (over a millennium after Christ) or modern day preachers opening storefront churches can not create something equivalent to the Church directly founded by our Lord.
To be steeped in history is to cease being Protestant.
Cardinal John Henry Newman (convert)
What is common with our brothers and sisters in various Christian communities (which Catholics call separated Christian communities) is membership in the invisible part of the Church through valid Christian baptism. This is the Mystical Body of Christ, where Christians are members of the body headed by our Lord. On earth, we are also known as the Church Militant reflecting our struggle against the worldly and toward holiness. The Church Militant is part of the Communion of Saints, which also contains those being cleansed for Heaven (in Purgatory; the Church Suffering) and those who are now in Heaven (the Church Triumphant). In this way, ALL Christians are united (even if they do not know this, it is still true).
Where we get into trouble is with the visible part of the Church. The only purpose of which is to make saints (that is, to help as many people as possible get to Heaven). All Christian communities intend this, not just the Catholic Church. However, truth matters.
Jesus then said to those Jews who believed in him, “If you remain in my word, you will truly be my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
Read these verses carefully. To “remain in my word” you must understand *what* the Word means. How can you remain in something correctly if you misunderstand it? I am not being rhetorical here. Stop for a minute and think about this. This entire passage hinges on it.
Remaining in His Word will make you His disciple and you will know the truth. Knowing the Word (correctly) is knowing the truth. Through actual truth you are set free. Being His disciple spreads truth and sets others free. His Word (when properly understood) = truth.
What if another good person of a different (Protestant) denomination has come to know God’s Word differently than you? He or she is absolutely convinced, as are you, that they are correct. They faithfully live their life by their differing understanding of the Word. Does it matter? Of course it does – to believe otherwise is the heresy of indifferentism. Further, “versions of truth” cover a very wide spectrum of mutually exclusive beliefs. If there are multiple versions, then there is no truth at all – only relativism. We are then not remaining in God’s Word but our own. His misunderstood Word ≠ truth.
Jesus instituted 1 visible Church, under Peter, to protect the truth He revealed to mankind. To be effective in her mission of saving souls, that truth, the truth, the only truth, must be steadfastly kept and faithfully taught. Only the Church protected until the end of time as promised by our Lord can do this with certainty. Other Christian communities outside of full communion with Christ’s universal Church do so to varying degrees. While never their intent – the full truth never-the-less is not present, what is taught may suffer from error and some teaching, to be blunt, is flat-out false.
Jesus said to him, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
Jesus alone is the way and the truth and the life. Do you know His truth or another version of it?
7 Quick Takes Friday (set #98)
This week: On “gay marriage,” Piers Morgan continues his brave challenge against rational thought. Ex-lesbian Linda Jernigan discusses true peace and its absence in the homosexual lifestyle. Pope Francis marches for life. The Sisters of Mary backgrounder for the American Bible Challenge. Ronald Davis – not a “bum” but a human being. Faith vs. Reason explored by Peter Kreeft. You’re dead, now what?
A debate on “gay marriage” was recently conducted on TV. Ryan Anderson articulates clearly and effectively what marriage is. Piers Morgan again shows his winning interview style.
BTW, a petition on the White House website was created to deport Piers Morgan. It received FOUR TIMES the number of signatures required for an official response. The response was, of course, as expected. No word yet on Morgan’s promise to deport himself.
Linda Jernigan, has a lot to say about homosexuality and true peace. I love this woman! She is faithful, articulate and genuine. Genuine because she knows what she talks about. Start watching this 6½ minute video and I bet that you watch all of it.
Pope Francis surprised participants of the Italian March for Life last Sunday by unexpectedly joining them!
There are nuns and sisters under investigation by the Vatican (the LCWR; easily identified by their lack of habits, non-orthodox beliefs, opposition to the Church, silence on abortion, silence on “gay marriage”, silence on religious liberty, lack of vocations, etc.). Then their are all the other nuns and sisters, such as the Dominican Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist (pretty much the exact opposite of the LCWR leadership).
Not invisible at all, but the face of Jesus among us.
Then the king will say to those on his right, “Come, you who are blessed by my Father. Inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, a stranger and you welcomed me, naked and you clothed me, ill and you cared for me, in prison and you visited me.”
Is belief in God irrational? Does atheism make sense? Dr. Peter Kreeft explains why believing in God is far more rational than atheism.
You’re dead, now what? A nice little video presenting eschatology 101:
Marcel LeJeune spotted this over at his always excellent Aggie Catholics. He has a great set of links to brief essays on a dozen related topics. Definitely worth a look if you have any questions (how could you not???).
Some random thoughts or bits of information are worthy of sharing but don’t warrant their own full post. This idea was started by Jennifer Fulwiler at Conversion Diary to address this blogging need. So, some Fridays I too participate when I have accumulated 7 worthy items. Thank you Jen for hosting this project!
Not in scripture: Holy Scripture vs. Church
Catholics believe our Lord founded His Church, unlike any other organization — both the invisible (the Mystical Body of Christ) and the quite visible. The visible Church infallibly proclaims His unchanging Word and offers His sacraments until the end of time. He gave us no book from which to know truth, only His Church.
When, by who and under what authority then was the canon of the Holy Bible determined? It was definitively and infallibly declared around AD 400 by the Catholic Church (as she had been known for 300 years at that point) by the authority given to Her by our Lord. The canon of Holy Scripture (the Bible) is the fruit of Sacred Tradition and the Magisterium. St. Jerome’s original translation from that time remains the official canon for the Catholic Church today. Unchanged always, in word and interpretation.
Creating the canon of Holy Scripture was not a terminal act of the Church. She did not cease to exist at that point or suddenly become prone to errors of faith and morals. Jesus explicitly promised otherwise. Let’s take a look at what the Bible itself says and does not say. Not in scripture are words shown in strike through. Words shown in bold actually are in scripture.
Institution of the Church
And so I say to you,
I have built my invisible church not upon any man, but upon my word alone as known individually to you through the spirityou are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it.For I hold the keys to the kingdom. Whatever I alone bind are bound in heaven; and whatever I alone loose are loosed in heaven.I will give you the keys to the kingdom of heaven. Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.”
Resolving Disagreements
“If your brother sins [against you], go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have won over your brother. If he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, so that “every fact may be established on the testimony of two or three witnesses.” If he refuses to listen to them,
discern together the word, respecting how each is guided by the Holy Spirit to receive it differently.tell the church. If he refuses to listen even to the church, then treat him as you would a Gentile or a tax collector.
Authority of the Church
Amen, I say to you,
when I have departed to the Father, authority to bind in heaven is mine alonewhatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, andtoo shall the authority to loose remain with me alonewhatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.
[Jesus] said to them again, “Peace be with you.
As I have been sent by the Father.As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the holy Spirit.Your sins are forgiven.Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain are retained.”
Be wary of any who speak in my name for the truth is not in them.Whoever listens to you listens to me. Whoever rejects you rejects me. And whoever rejects me rejects the one who sent me.”
Through scripture alone one belongs to God, while anyone who does not belong hears also the voice of men speaking in his name.We belong to God, and anyone who knows God listens to us, while anyone who does not belong to God refuses to hear us. This is how we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of deceit.
The Pillar and Foundation of Truth
I am writing you about these matters, although I hope to visit you soon. But if I should be delayed, you should know how to behave in the household of God,
known to you alone by the scripture which reveals the living God to you individuallywhich is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of truth.
Paul’s Farewell Warning
Keep watch over yourselves and over the whole flock of which the holy Spirit has
descendedappointed you overseers, in which you tendthe word of Godthe church of God that he acquired with his own blood. I know that after my departure savage wolves will come among you, and they will not spare the flock. And from your own group, men will come forward perverting the truth to draw the disciples away after them.
The above verses only touch on this topic. There is much, much more. An excellent resource is ScriptureCatholic.com. They provide many detailed citations.
The specific word of God notwithstanding, sometimes folks read Holy Scripture as if certain words and phrases have been removed – or as if others have been added. I am here to help!
I call this series not in scripture. These are Bible quotes with a twist: words and phrases not actually present are shown with strike-through. Scripture simply does not say that! Conversely, words that are actually in scripture (but sometimes overlooked) are shown in bold.
