You, your Soul, and God

A long while ago I did a series of classes on classical and modern arguments for the existence of God.  At the outset of the first class I went around the room and asked the students, “Why do you believe in God?”

One student replied, “Because I know I have a soul.”

It was a profound observation.  The student’s answer is one of the primary intuitions that send mankind in search of its Creator. 

Today I wanted to talk about the soul, some of the reasons we have the sense of having a soul, and why it points us to God.

How to Get Misinformed About the Catholic Faith

Maybe I should not be commenting upon this while it is so fresh in my mind, but ... I think enough time has gone by to at least blog about some facts involved.

Ten Lessons From Five Years of High School Youth Ministry

It was roughly five years ago that I took over the high school youth ministry Bible Study / Discussion Group at Our Lady of Mount Carmel.  Today I wanted to write out some general thoughts and lessons I've learned:

Transgenderism, Compassion, and Nature of the Human Person

There was this staggering scene in the new Robocop movie in which the protagonist sees the extent of his injuries.  His robotic parts are gradually stripped away until nothing is left but two lungs, a heart, and his head.  The protagonist demands to be killed, stating, "Holy Christ, there is nothing left."

The doctor who created the robotic exosuit comforts him by saying his real identity - the entirety of his personhood - rests in his mind.  So as long as his mind is intact, he is whole.  It was a massive philosophical statement which can easily go over a viewer's head.

This is what I think about as I see the attention given to Bruce/Caitlyn Jenner and his transition from man to woman.  It ought not have been such a big news story.   A man was changing his name, wardrobe, and having cosmetic surgery.  So what?  Well, underneath all of this discussion are deeper questions:

"What is a human person?  And what is the relationship between mind and body?"

If the Modern Media Covered the Arian Controversy

The whole empire is buzzing with controversy started by the courageous theologian Arius.  He is the leader of a new, energetic movement in Christianity offering a fresh look at ancient doctrines.  One which he believes will help people relate better to Jesus.