There are many ideologies in the world. Populism, Libertarianism, Communism, Capitalism, Anarchism, and the list goes on. Whenever Catholics encounter one, we inevitably ask if there can be a Catholic version of it. And so it goes with Feminism.
Today I want to ask the question... can there be a Catholic Feminism?
I'm a member of an ecumenical men's group. Every now and again one of the men sends out a text message with a prayer to encourage us. I like to respond with a silly benediction of my own. Namely, I like to invent benedictions based on the silly animal stories in the Bible.
Today I'd like to share four which I've come up with. So let's get a mooooooove on.
Years ago I made a [post] about why the Council of Trent had to reject Luther's doctrine of Faith Alone. The issue had nothing to do with the role of "works". But rather, a flawed concept of what was entailed in a "saving faith".
In short, Luther's concept of "saving faith" sounds just fine until you ask the question:
What happens if a man lives a life of grave sin - with no intention to change - but still believes firmly that Jesus is the divine savior who forgives our sins? Is that man still saved?
While our intuitions say he shouldn't be, a close examination of the Lutheran definition of "saving faith" says otherwise. Going by their definition, it is impossible to explain how that hypothetical fella is any less saved than Saint Stephen.
That's the real issue. The Protestant concept of "faith alone" (defined as it is) provides no barrier against this libertine attitude... and almost points us toward it.
I presented that thesis to an acquaintance - a Baptist pastor - and he had an interesting reply. It went like this:
"Well, maybe that means Luther was on the right track. Maybe the true Gospel DOES kinda tempt one toward that attitude. Why else would Paul feel the need to say:
'Should we continue in sin in order that grace may abound? By no means! How can we who died to sin go on living in it?' (Romans 6:1-2)
Why would Paul feel the need to stipulate that? Maybe it is because his Gospel matches Luther's, but he doesn't want people to take that road."
That is what I'd like to look at today. Why did Paul feel the need to say that?
I've been working on some Biblical projects lately. One of these has made me look up some of the ways the word "grace" is used in the New Testament epistles. Specifically, I was looking for instances which jive with the Catholic notion of a "habitual grace".
The Catechism (CCC 2000) defines "Habitual grace" as a permanent disposition to live and act in keeping with God's call. As with all things called "grace", this is a gift from God. It inheres within you, and enables you to live out your vocation.
Let's take a look.
