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.
Review of Harvard to Harvard: Part III
This is the final installment of our review of Abbot Gabriel’s book. The “Regularization.” When Abbot Gabriel told me that there would be things Brother Francis would not agree with in his book, I assumed that these would be matters pertaining to the “regularization,” that is, the process by which many of the brothers and some of the sisters had apparent canonical censures removed from … More →
Review of Harvard to Harvard: Part II
In the last edition, I mentioned that my review of Abbot Gabriel’s book would cover both its positive and its negative aspects. I also mentioned that, should the parts we view as less favorable get more attention, it is not because those outnumber the good parts. Most of the book is a delight to read.
Review of Harvard to Harvard: Part I
The Abbot of St. Benedict Abbey in Still River has made an important contribution to the historical literature on Father Feeney and his Crusade. Abbot Gabriel Gibbs, O.S.B., one of the early members of the Slaves of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, has told “the story of Saint Benedict Center’s becoming Saint Benedict Abbey,” to quote the book’s subtitle.
What’s in That Latin Footnote?
Videtur etiam Ecclesiam catholicam inter illas Communiones comprehendi, quod falsum esset. Don’t get it?
The General Relationship between the Virtues and the Gifts of the Holy Ghost
The gifts of the Holy Ghost resemble the infused virtues in a number of ways. Both are operative habits which have God as their efficient cause and the perfection of man as their final cause.
Cardinal Ratzinger: Theology is Not Private Idea of Theologian
This article is from the English Weekly Edition of L’Osservatore Romano : N. 27 — 2 July 1990 — Page 5.1 It takes up nearly all of that page, with only a few “News briefs” at the bottom.
Hans Urs von Balthasar’s New Theology
This page contains some links to articles about Hans Urs von Balthasar, the theologian perhaps most known for undermining the Church’s doctrine on hell. The links are further down.
A Letter to Bedfordshire (in Response to Mr. Thomas Sparks)
(240K PDF version of this same article. ) Introduction. Mr. Thomas Sparks, of Bedfordshire, England, has posted an “Open Letter” to me on his web site. The present offering is my reply.
Posted in Articles, Outside the Church there is no Salvation, Theology 2 Comments
What is Development of Doctrine?
An explanation of authentic doctrinal development. We hear a lot about doctrinal development. All too often, it is in the context of articulating some novelty that something is called a “development of doctrine.”
The Contradiction of Core
And immediately as he had made an end of speaking, the earth broke asunder under their feet:85 And they went down alive into hell . . . and they perished from among the people. — Num. 16:31,33 The book of Numbers records the details of a rebellion violently suppressed by God Himself.
Catholic Teaching Concerning a Just War
Editor’s Introduction: Catholic doctrine is never an “untimely” thing. However, certain doctrines come to the fore from time to time due to circumstances in the Church and the world.
