Do Our Ancestors Watch Over Us?

When someone dies, are they simply lost to us?  Are they absorbed into the Heavenly choir, never to think of us again?  Do they sink into a suspended animation, aware of nothing at all? 

Even for Christians who believe in the promise of eternal life, death can still have a cruel sting for those left behind on earth.  Our loved ones go on to a better place, but we are left with silence.

Short Answer: What Does the Catholic Church Teach Regarding How People are Saved?

Dear Apologist, What is the Catholic perspective on how a person is saved?

Short Answer: What is the Difference Between Divorce and Annulment?

Dear Apologist, what is the difference between divorce and annulment?

Did the Early Church Have a Pope - Part IV - The Later Witnesses

In the previous note I began showing testimony to the role of the successors of Peter in early antiquity.  Today I wanted to conclude with a survey of some witnesses in later antiquity.

Let’s dive in.

Did the Early Church Have a Pope - Part III - The Early Witnesses

In the previous note I surveyed the statements of the early Popes themselves.  Those quotes seemed to express the idea that they were the successors of Peter and had a special ministry to care for the entire Church. 

But I closed with a question; was this ministry recognized by others? 

Did the Early Church Have a Pope - Part II - The Stewards

In the previous note I attempted to resolve the issue of intractable disagreement between bishops.  Drawing on evidence from the Bible, I proposed that the solution was a unique gift of authority and protection given to Peter.  This authority would be passed down to his successors – who resided in Rome - so that there can always be a person to speak with finality on an issue. 

But does early Christian history reflect what I have proposed? 

Today I wanted to begin looking at some testimonial evidence from history.  Specifically, what did the early bishops of Rome say about their own ministry?

Did the Early Church Have a Pope - Part I - The Keybearer

In my previous note series I tried to show how the early Christian church was structured.  It began with Jesus ordaining the Apostles to teach and govern the Church in His name.  These Apostles then passed their doctrine and authority on to successors, called the “bishops”.  And on it goes.

But if this is all there was, I would argue it would still be an incomplete system for delivering of Christian unity and truth. 

What happens when these bishops come to a protracted disagreement over something they all feel is important to the faith?  What happens when factions grow within that college of bishops?

In order to preserve unity AND truth, what is need is a final decision-maker who serves as a living standard-bearer. 

How Was The Early Church Structured? - Part II

Last time I began by asking two questions.
 
1) What means did Jesus establish for the conveyance of the Christian faith? 
2) How was the early Church organized and governed?

I started with some Biblical evidence, but conceded I could have been twisting things out of context.  So today we look at testimonies from the people who were there.

How Was The Early Church Structured? - Part I

Today I wanted to continue looking at various aspects of the early Christian Church.  Specifically, let’s examine two interrelated questions: 

1) What means did Jesus establish for the conveyance of the Christian faith? 

2) How was the early Church structured?

We’ll begin by looking at the Biblical data.

Short Answer: The Popes and Slavery

Dear Apologist, Did the Popes approve of slavery during the colonial era?

"The Church is Full of Hypocrites"

“The Church would be great if we could just get rid of all the sinners.”

That sarcastic little quip comes from the mouth of Patrick Coffin, host of a popular Christian radio show.  It is meant to point out that the pews would be empty if such a task was undertaken.  There would be beautiful architecture, ornate stained glass windows, and nobody there. 

What did Jesus teach about Divorce?

A while ago I wrote a note about the way Christians ought to treat people with same-sex attractions.  I mentioned that if more Christians were willing to speak frankly about things like divorce, then homosexual acts would not be perceived as being a sin above all others.  

Well, today I’ll take my own advice and draft a sketch of a very tough issue.  What did Jesus teach about divorce?

How Old Was Jesus On Christmas?

Is abortion a religious issue?  That depends on who you ask.  Ironically, it is often the religious pro-lifers who are more likely to say this isn’t a religious issue.  Take for instance Jimmy Akin, a famous Christian apologist and writer who produced this video.

However, today I wanted to address the issue from the standpoint of the Christian scriptures.  Is there anything the Bible that tells us how God regards babies in the womb?

Judge Not...

Recently I’ve seen the following picture pop up in a few places:

 Aside from the problematic nature of putting vulgar words into the mouth of Christ, this picture typifies one of the most common and least examined non-sequiters in our culture; the conflation of judging actions and judging people.  Today I’d like to examine that piece of modern wisdom.