Friday, June 5, 2009
Sunday, May 24, 2009
Early Christianity
For awhile I've read bits and pieces of early Christian writings. I love reading early teachings, from well before we had the canon of the Bible, and seeing how truly Catholic they are.
Lately I've been reading Four Witnesses: The Early Church In Her Own Words. The author, Rod Bennett, joined the Catholic church after undertaking his own study of early Christianity. He fought it at first. Like many people, he had several misconceptions about Catholicism and misconceptions about early Christianity.
This book has been quite enjoyable. Reading what people who learned from the apostles said in their own words (he quotes documents they wrote) is revealing.
If you are Catholic, don't believe it when people tell you we have strayed from the original Church teachings. This book will give you a start, but there are also others on early teaching that are much more comprehensive.
You will also find a few books that try to make the case that what I've just said is not true. Look at them carefully, though, and you'll see that the authors take isolated statements out of context. You'll also find that in reader comments sometimes, though I suspect it's more from lack of understanding than anything. For example, in a review of one book on the early writings, a reader wrote: For instance, the writings of Clement include his statements on salvation as a free gift of God, independent of works (p. 30). This, of course, is said to have anticipated the sola fideo position of the Reformation.
But salvation as a free gift of God is not just from the reformation. It has always been Catholic teaching.
There was also this:
The Fathers also believed that baptism washes away sins. However, Tertullian rejected infant baptism (p. 145).
I haven' read Turtullian's opinion, but the reviewer fails to mention that infant baptism was clearly the practice of the early church.
Obviously early writers sometimes disagreed. Yet, taken as a whole, you will find agreement with each other and you will see what early practices were, practices began in the days of the Apostles, in the days when the Gospels were still referred to as the "memoirs of the Apostles." The end of Four Witnesses correlates what the Church always taught with what it teaches now.
If you are truly looking for the early teachings, you will find them to be Catholic.
Lately I've been reading Four Witnesses: The Early Church In Her Own Words. The author, Rod Bennett, joined the Catholic church after undertaking his own study of early Christianity. He fought it at first. Like many people, he had several misconceptions about Catholicism and misconceptions about early Christianity.
This book has been quite enjoyable. Reading what people who learned from the apostles said in their own words (he quotes documents they wrote) is revealing.
If you are Catholic, don't believe it when people tell you we have strayed from the original Church teachings. This book will give you a start, but there are also others on early teaching that are much more comprehensive.
You will also find a few books that try to make the case that what I've just said is not true. Look at them carefully, though, and you'll see that the authors take isolated statements out of context. You'll also find that in reader comments sometimes, though I suspect it's more from lack of understanding than anything. For example, in a review of one book on the early writings, a reader wrote: For instance, the writings of Clement include his statements on salvation as a free gift of God, independent of works (p. 30). This, of course, is said to have anticipated the sola fideo position of the Reformation.
But salvation as a free gift of God is not just from the reformation. It has always been Catholic teaching.
There was also this:
The Fathers also believed that baptism washes away sins. However, Tertullian rejected infant baptism (p. 145).
I haven' read Turtullian's opinion, but the reviewer fails to mention that infant baptism was clearly the practice of the early church.
Obviously early writers sometimes disagreed. Yet, taken as a whole, you will find agreement with each other and you will see what early practices were, practices began in the days of the Apostles, in the days when the Gospels were still referred to as the "memoirs of the Apostles." The end of Four Witnesses correlates what the Church always taught with what it teaches now.
If you are truly looking for the early teachings, you will find them to be Catholic.
Monday, May 18, 2009
The Dynamics of Celibacy
Knowing I'm Catholic, people like to tell me how unBiblical celibacy for priests is. They make the case that, because most of the apostles were married, it gives the Church no choice but to allow priests to marry.
I've been surprised at the number of people who actually seem angry about this requirement. It doesn't affect them, and the priests willingly make that choice. Not understanding and even disagreeing is one thing, but to get upset about it always surprises me.
Today I read The Dynamics of Celibacy at Catholic Exchange. It's written by a priest. It might be good for those of you with questions to read a priests words about this subject.
I've been surprised at the number of people who actually seem angry about this requirement. It doesn't affect them, and the priests willingly make that choice. Not understanding and even disagreeing is one thing, but to get upset about it always surprises me.
Today I read The Dynamics of Celibacy at Catholic Exchange. It's written by a priest. It might be good for those of you with questions to read a priests words about this subject.
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Former Atheist Writng Conversion Story
My favorite blogger is writing a book. She used to be a pro-choice atheist. Now she's staunchly pro-life and Catholic. Her blog has given her many readers (including me) much to think about. In gratitude, I'll promote her book in any way I can.
Here's the link to the post talking about her book. While you're there, you might want to hang around her blog for awhile.
Conversion Diary: I'm writing a book! - The diary of a former atheist
Here's the link to the post talking about her book. While you're there, you might want to hang around her blog for awhile.
Conversion Diary: I'm writing a book! - The diary of a former atheist
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Anniversaries
The end of this month will mark three years since my Mom passed. It's amazing how difficult some days can still be. Often grief comes totally out of the blue. One moment I'm not particularly thinking about her; the next, her loss is palpable, and I still want to pretend it never happened.
It's funny how important dates become, even when you're not really thinking of them. On February 2, I was driving by the hospital where she died. More than usual, the memories of that final month were vivid in my mind that night. Then I remembered. February 3 was the date she was admitted for the last time.
She left us on February 26, 2006.
I bring this up because, with Mom on my mind so much this month, it was interesting timing to read an article at InsideCatholic.com called The Inheritance of Loss. The author, Armstrong Williams, speaks to the heart of people of a certain age.
It's worthwhile reading. If you've lost someone you love, you might recognize yourself there.
It's funny how important dates become, even when you're not really thinking of them. On February 2, I was driving by the hospital where she died. More than usual, the memories of that final month were vivid in my mind that night. Then I remembered. February 3 was the date she was admitted for the last time.
She left us on February 26, 2006.
I bring this up because, with Mom on my mind so much this month, it was interesting timing to read an article at InsideCatholic.com called The Inheritance of Loss. The author, Armstrong Williams, speaks to the heart of people of a certain age.
It's worthwhile reading. If you've lost someone you love, you might recognize yourself there.
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
The Hour Is Late
This article at CatholicExchange.com is food for thought. I've seen similar writings that confirm what is said here.
The Hour Is Late
Posted using ShareThis
The Hour Is Late
Posted using ShareThis
Thursday, January 1, 2009
Happy New Year
Reading this blog was a great way to begin 2009:
The Raving Atheist Becomes The Raving Theist
Apparently he plans to tell his conversion story at a later day. I can hardly wait!
The Raving Atheist Becomes The Raving Theist
Apparently he plans to tell his conversion story at a later day. I can hardly wait!
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