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.
Soloviev’s Meditation on the Papacy
Vladimir Soloviev gives this wonderful meditation on the Petrine office in Russia and the Universal Church (reprinted as The Russian Church and the Papacy). He is writing about St. Peter’s being made the Rock of the Church by our Lord and then, almost immediately, being called “Satan” (Mt. 16:18, 23).
Psychology and Salvation
In New Ideas on the Church and Salvation, I addressed the positions taken by Dr. Jeffrey Mirus in his piece, Salvation for Non-Catholics: Not a New Idea. Here, I will make some observations concerning the first of his two follow-ups: Sound Off! Comments on Salvation for Non-Catholics. Dr. Mirus proffers the opinion that, to be damned for their unbelief, not only do people need to … More →
Romano Amerio Defends Tradition from the Grave
Sandro Magister brings our attention to the volume Zibaldone, a posthumously published work of the great Swiss-Italian Philosopher, Romano Amerio. The work is edited by Amerio’s student, Professor Enrico Maria Radaelli, whom we have mentioned on this site before. Like his Iota Unum — which is subtitled “a study of the changes in the Catholic Church in the twentieth century” —
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Liberalism: An Evil Defined
The following excellent explanation of liberalism is taken from: Parente, Pietro; Piolanti, Antonio; and Garofalo, Salvatore, Dictionary of Dogmatic Theology, translated by Emmanuel Doronzo, O.M.I., S.T.D., Ph.D. (Milwaukee: The Bruce Publishing Company, 1951) p. 163 and 164. I have provided only the linked references and one small note in brackets. Liberalism. A doctrinal current, quite complex and changeable, which has had various interpretations and practical … More →
The ‘Conciliar Church’ Does Not Exist
There are certain labels people use to brand things they talk about frequently. Often these are a mere convenience, but often they indicate the understanding (or misunderstanding) that exists in the mind of the label-user about the reality he is labeling. If you use the label “the guy with the big nose” with an audience that grasps the relative nasal proportions of all the people … More →
Saint Thomas Aquinas
Brief intro: Brother Thomas Mary wrote this gem of a tribute to the Angelic Doctor in 1948 for an early issue of From the Housetops. The quote from the Preface alone, which Saint Thomas wrote for his work, is worth savoring. Even if you’ve never read the Summa you will, I am sure, appreciate our late Brother’s tribute. It is usually forgotten that Saint Thomas Aquinas … More →
Pope Speaks of Mary as Contemplator of Holy Face
Zenit: “Thus,” he reflected, “in Mary’s heart was carried the mystery of the face of Christ, a mystery of death and of glory. From her we can always learn how to look upon Jesus with a gaze of love and of faith, to recognize in that human countenance, the Countenance of God.” Read more here.
Interview With Msgr. Brunero Gherardini, Author of “Ecumenical Council Vatican II, A Much Needed Discussion”
Very interesting interview by Yves Chiron, Editor of Aletheia, Letters of Religious Information, with renowned Roman theologian, last of the great Thomists, and critic of Vatican II. Rorate Caeli has it here.
