A much more in depth treatment of this subject is found in our “The Three Levels of Magisterial Teaching.” The discrepancy in numbering the levels (three vs. four) is explained by the fact that some theologians, apparently following Cardinal Avery … Continue reading
Category: Theology
Father Brian Harrison on the Necessity of Explicit Faith
Father asks: “Can an ‘implicit faith in Christ’ be sufficient for salvation?” He answers “No.”
Father Brian Harrison on the Necessity of Explicit Faith for Salvation
Father asks: “Can an ‘implicit faith in Christ’ be sufficient for salvation?” He answers “No.” And he does so in over thirty pages of serious scholarship, with copious references to Fathers, Doctors, approved theologians, and magisterial pronouncements.
The Old Law as a Preparation for the New
After the Original Sin, man was left in a condition of alienation from God. Whereas before the sin, he enjoyed infused knowledge in his intellect, loving obedience in his will, spontaneous virtue in his emotions, and no sickness or death … Continue reading
Vatican II and Phenomenology
Catholic Family News has just published an informative article in the form of a book review. The review, by Paul Zarowny, Ph.D., delves into the phenomenological method of the Council Fathers, as studied by the Passionist priest, Father John F … Continue reading
The Four Senses of Scripture
There are two basic senses of Holy Scripture: the literal (or historical) and the spiritual. The spiritual sense is further divided into the allegorical, the tropological (or moral), and the anagogical. St. Thomas cites St. Gregory the Great on the … Continue reading
The Council of Trent: Overview of its Importance and Difficulties
The importance of the Council of Trent lies in its being two things at the same time: 1) the heart and soul of the Catholic Reformation (the authentic reform of the Church); and 2) the definitive moment of the Counter … Continue reading
Vatican II and the Levels of Magisterial Teaching
This is another offering from the larger work from which I earlier excerpted “The Three Levels of Magisterial Teaching.” As I said concerning that entry, this is a work in progress, being a section of a larger study on the … Continue reading
Saint Maximus the Confessor, Saint Thomas Aquinas, and Christ’s Two Wills
St. Maximus, the monastic mystic and eminent controversialist of orthodoxy against the Monothelites, earned his title “the Confessor” because he died in exile for his heroic confession. In his defense of the orthodox faith against an heretical emperor and supine … Continue reading
The Three Levels of Magisterial Teaching
Introduction: This is a work in progress. It is a section of a larger work on the various levels of magisterial teaching, the assent due to each, and where Vatican II fits into these categories. According to standards presently employed … Continue reading
The Council of Nicea was Catholic
The headline of this posting may strike readers as comical. It is, of course, a fact.It seems so obvious as to be like asserting that the New England Patriots are a football team. However, there are Protestant polemicists who attempt … Continue reading
Imitating Christ’s Humility: Philippians 2
The Challoner edition of the Douay-Rheims Bible gives a good description of Philippians 2 at the head of the chapter: “He recommends them to unity and humility, and to work out their salvation with fear and trembling.” In broad overview, … Continue reading
The Word was Made Flesh
This offering comes from a favorite author of mine. I will reveal his name at the end.