What was in the 95 Theses, Anyway?

This year is 500th anniversary of Martin Luther's posting of the 95 Theses to the door of the Wittenberg Cathedral - an act which many credit as the beginning of the Protestant movement.

But what were the 95 Theses?  What was Martin Luther protesting at point in his career?  Today I wanted to take a look at this most important document from the great man of history.

How Does a Catholic Read: 1 Corinthians 3:10-15

If you listen to Catholic Q&A shows for any length of time, you will hear the topic of Purgatory brought up repeatedly.  The questions usually fall into one of three categories:

1. What is it?
2. Where is it taught in Scripture?
3. How is it reconciled with this Bible passage which I think contradicts it?

Today I wanted to look more closely at the passage most often cited by Catholics to answer the second question.  Namely, I want to examine 1Corinthians 3:10-15 and see if it is reasonable to draw the doctrine of Purgatory from the text.

[I previously made a post explaining the very concept of Purgatory.  You can find that here.]

Praying for the Dead?

A long while ago I was reading an article about the death of Harold Camping - the infamous predictor of the end times.  I left a comment on the article saying: "He was a strange and confused man, but we should pray that he finds rest with the Lord."

The reaction I got from the rest of the Christian audience was  .... unexpected.

Praying for the dead is a completely normal thing within Catholic circles, but is considered by many others to be bizarre and possibly heretical.  So what unfolded in that combox was a long, somewhat exasperating exchange in which I tried to explain the concept.

Why would one pray for the dead?

The Basics of Purgatory

Today I wanted to talk about Purgatory.  What is it?  Is it in the Bible?