Category Archives: Theology
Theology
The proper object that theology studies is God. Theos is the Greek word for God. However, in this section are articles not only about God, but about the Faith and moral issues which constitute Church doctrine. Certain articles that appear in this section also appear in other sections, such as that on the “Sacraments,” “Catechisis,” “Faith and Reason,” and “Heresies and Errors.”
Theology is a broad subject. Candidates for the priesthood must complete four years of theology. Theology is divided into natural, supernatural, and pastoral theology. These, in turn, are divided into other related subjects. Natural theology is the study of God as we can know Him by reason alone. Supernatural theology is the study of the God as He revealed Himself to man, in scripture and tradition. Pastoral theology is the study of God in His relation to the members of the Church, His body. Sacramental theology would fall under this category. So would canon law, as part of ecclesiology, the study of the Church.
Other branches of theology are dogmatics, moral theology, biblical theology, and ascetical or mystical theology.
Holy Mary – the Flower of Carmel
Thy head is like Carmel: and the hairs of thy head as the purple of the king bound in the channels. (Cant. 7:5) In the ancient land of Palestine lies Mount Carmel (in Hebrew, Hakkarmel, “the garden”), the crown of a mountain range renowned for its beauty. Adorned with numerous aromatic plants and wild flowers, its heights are also covered with pine, prickly oak, myrtle, … More →
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In Defense of Original Sin
There is a very ambiguous statement in Vatican II’s Dogmatic Constitution on the Church, Lumen Gentium , Chapter 2, paragraph 16. It reads as follows: . . . Those also can attain to salvation who through no fault of their own do not know the Gospel of Christ or His Church, yet sincerely seek God and moved by grace strive by their deeds to do … More →
Saint Paul against the Liberals
Men, brethren and fathers, hear ye the account which I now give unto you. 85 I am a Jew, born at Tarsus in Cilicia, but brought up in this city, at the feet of Gamaliel, taught according to the truth of the law of the fathers, zealous for the law, as also all you are this day. (Acts 22:1,3)
A Better Testament
“But now [Christ] hath obtained a better ministry, by how much also he is a mediator of a better testament which is established on better promises.” (Heb. 8:6) The terms “supersessionism” and “replacement theology” are used by Jews and heterodox Christians alike to signify the traditional teaching that the Old Covenant is no longer in effect, but has been surpassed by a superior Covenant, the … More →
The Ark of the New Covenant
In his Epistle to the Hebrews, St. Paul calls Our Lord the “high Priest of the good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle” (9:11). Greater than the Israelite priests — those who “serve unto the example and shadow of heavenly things” —Christ Our Lord has “obtained a better ministry, by how much also he is a mediator of a better testament … More →
The German Positive School
The Catechism’s first question has to do with the reason for man’s existence on Earth. Q: For what end are we in this world? A: We are in this world that we may know God, love Him, and serve Him, and thereby attain Heaven.
Mary, Advocate Of the Church
“While the prayers of those in heaven have, it is true, some claim on God’s watchful eye, Mary’s prayers place their assurance in a mother’s right. For that reason, when she approaches her Divine Son’s throne, as Advocate she begs, as Handmaid she prays, but as Mother she commands.” — Pope Pius VII, Tanto Studio (1805).
The Epistle of Straw
“St. James’ Epistle is really an epistle of straw, for it has nothing of the nature of the Gospel about it.” — Martin Luther That Martin Luther called the Epistle of St. James “an epistle of straw” is a well-known fact.
Lazarus, Come Forth! — An Easter Meditation
In an earlier issue of From the Housetops (No. 51), Brother Francis wrote an article on the four senses of Holy Scripture. The piece was intended to help readers study Scripture by employing a traditional method used throughout the ages of the Church.
The Second Eve
“Death by Eve, life by Mary” — Saint Jerome (Epistle 22) The standard Protestant attacks on Catholic devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary are generally based on the same false premise. The notion is that devotion to the Blessed Mother has nothing to do with Jesus.
