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 … Continue reading
Category: Theology
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 … Continue reading
Saint Paul against the Liberals
Men, brethren and fathers, hear ye the account which I now give unto you. 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 … Continue reading
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 … Continue reading
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 … Continue reading
Reply to a Liberal: Conclusion
Modern liberalism, which makes membership in the Catholic Church unnecessary for salvation, undermines something more than the dogma that there is no salvation outside the Catholic Church. In postulating the existence of an Invisible Church, or in suggesting that membership … Continue reading
Reply to a Liberal Part III: Baptism
Contents : 1. Baptism is Absolutely Necessary for Salvation. 2. Is Baptism by Itself Sufficient for Salvation? 3. Baptism of Blood and Baptism of the Holy Spirit.
Reply to a Liberal Part II: Outside the Church There is No Salvation
Contents : 1. Explicit Faith in the Catholic Church and in Her Teaching is Necessary for Salvation. 2. there Two Kinds of Membership in the Church? 3. Can a Person Who Remains Separated from the Church be Saved? 4. Are … Continue reading
Reply to a Liberal Part I: Answer to Five Minor Points
I It seems to be a habit of liberal theologians to give more weight to the opinions of theologians of their own type than to the infallible definitions of the Church. Some of them never quote the Scriptures and the … Continue reading
Reply to a Liberal – Introduction
We have been asked many times to explain what we mean by the term “liberal Catholic.” Articles in each issue of From the Housetops have referred to these “liberals,” accusing them of religious indifferentism, or lack of concern for the … Continue reading
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, … Continue reading
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, … Continue reading
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 … Continue reading
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 … Continue reading
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 … Continue reading
