Reading Time: < 1 minute “Each conciliar document has a fundamentally different intention, the former focusing on Christian unity with the East, not formally commenting on the subject of other religions, and the latter systematically and thoroughly commenting on that matter; given their different intentions, there is clearly no contradiction here. The assumptions each council makes are also starkly different. The former assumes that its audience has no excuse to leave the visible Church because the Gospel has been thoroughly embedded into society. The latter, on the other hand, addresses a ..read more

Reading Time: < 1 minute “Lumen Gentium 16 holds considerable magisterial weight in its theology of other religions. It was carefully crafted by a commission of bishops and theologians, approved by a consensus of bishops from across the world and in union with the pope, contains sententia fidei proxima teachings, intends to comment directly on the relationship between Catholicism and other religions, operates with a historically refined concept of other religions, teaches to the universal Church, has been persistently defended by subsequent popes, and relies on an impressive library of refe ..read more

Reading Time: < 1 minute “This episode has demonstrated that it would be problematic to categorize Cantate Domino’s expression of No Salvation Outside the Church as an infallible statement. Though it was endorsed by a council and pope, neither the council fathers nor the pope actually drafted it. It seems to present a widespread theological opinion, or a sententia ad fidem pertinens, rather than a de fide doctrine, does not seek to define any soteriological or eschatological doctrines, makes changeable assumptions about other religions, and it is aimed at a very small portion of the Christ ..read more

Reading Time: < 1 minute “Analyzing the source, type, intention, assumption, scope, reception, and interrelation of magisterial statements can help to distinguish their abiding principles from their changeable expressions and applications. These criteria can also be used to evaluate whether two seemingly incompatible magisterial statements are discontinuous with each other, which is precisely what the following chapters will attempt to do with Cantate Domino from the Council of Florence and Lumen Gentium from the Second Vatican Council.” The post How to Analyze Catholic Doctrine appeared f ..read more

Reading Time: < 1 minute “This episode has demonstrated that the Church is not only obligated to restate or reapply its fundamental principles to changing situations but that failing to do so would ironically yield discontinuity. This is why the theologian Henri Bouillard writes, “a theology which is not up to date is a false theology.” Read more here! The post How Doctrine Develops appeared first on Clarifying Catholicism ..read more

Reading Time: < 1 minute “That said, several Church Fathers considered the Hebrew prophets of the Old Testament and pagan philosophers like Socrates to be within the confines of the Church, since Christ was partially revealed to them as universal wisdom, or logos. However, once a Jew or pagan had heard the Gospel, their conversion was required for their salvation. Christianity’s legalization accelerated this idea.” Read more here! The post A Brief History of No Salvation Outside the Church appeared first on Clarifying Catholicism ..read more

Reading Time: < 1 minute “Theologian Richard John Neuhaus observes, ‘The irony is in the agreement between Lefebvre and the liberal party of discontinuity.’ Additionally, the consequences of either side being correct are similar. If even one conciliar principle is demonstrably discontinuous, it could throw into question several other conciliar statements, as well as the Church’s claim to infallibility altogether.” Read more here! The post The Opponents of Vatican II appeared first on Clarifying Catholicism ..read more

Reading Time: < 1 minute “In episode one of this series, we justified the Church’s teaching authority by exploring scripture. Specifically, we explored the biblical basis for bishops, who were ordained by a ritual called the “Laying on of Hands,” which evolved into what Catholics today call the Sacrament of Holy Orders. However, there are some people who have expressed doubts about the role bishops are supposed to play in the Church. So, today we will be exploring a few challenges to the office of bishops that have been invoked to undermine their authority.” The post Four Misconceptions ab ..read more

Reading Time: 9 minutes By Peter Johnson, University of Dallas             The fundamental claim of Christianity is that, “when the fullness of time had come, God sent his Son” (Gal. 4:4), who “became flesh and made his dwelling among us” (Jn. 1:14). However, when this claim becomes commonplace for Christians, it becomes easy to overlook the connections made between the eternal, changeless God and temporal, mutable creatures. One must ask how it is that the Father’s sending of the Son does not cause a change within God Himself. But while o ..read more

Reading Time: 8 minutes By Theresa Dwane, Christendom College INTRODUCTION The theme of the Suffering Servant is portrayed and developed throughout Mark’s gospel, fulfilling what was prophesied in Isaiah’s four suffering servant songs. Beginning with Peter’s confession of Jesus as the Messiah all the way to the Passion itself, Jesus makes known the suffering and resurrection that he must undergo for the redemption of sinners, while also revealing aspects of His identity. He manifests that although He is Lord and King, He is also ultimately a servant. PETER’S CONFESSION AND THE FIRST PASSION ..read more