Substantial change, creation, and evolution are commonly acknowledged to be topics in philosophy, theology, and science, respectively. The integration of theology with philosophy within human knowledge is clearly manifest in Catholic seminary education, which places the study of philosophy prior to the study of theology. In contrast to philosophy and theology, which are primarily concerned […]
INTRODUCTION In this post, I examine whether I, as a faithful Catholic, and as a scientist who holds that miracles are possible must believe that the Creation account given in Genesis is literally true, without modification, and thereby exclude what science tells us about common descent and cosmology. In a way, it’s the other side […]
It’s curious how people who claim to have faith in science criticize Christians for believing in God based on faith. Yet, what science has to offer has become a belief system, itself (e.g. religion.) And this “religion” fails to offer any sound, unchanging, and omnipotent foundation. While science is supposed to be based upon logic, […]
Christianity has had a somewhat rocky relationship with science these last few centuries. While many people would argue that there are no real contradictions between our faith and genuine scientific findings, not everyone agrees. There are some who believe that several tenets of modern science, such as evolution and heliocentrism, contradict the teaching of Scripture. […]
The purpose of revelation is not to confirm what man can know of material and immaterial things through his own natural capacity. The purpose is to inform man of the supernatural plan of God: “His will that men should have access to the Father, through Christ, the Word made flesh, in the Holy Spirit and […]
As children, all Catholics are taught the Ten Commandments. We learn that it is wrong to kill, to steal, to commit adultery, to worship other gods, etc. The Ten Commandments come from the Old Testament, and for the most part they transfer over to Christianity quite seamlessly. However, there is one exception: the third commandment […]
In the encyclical, FIDES ET RATIO (Faith and Reason) Pope St. John Paul II explains how faith and reason are the foundation for human wisdom. He begins by referencing the Greek philosophical dictum, ‘Know thyself’ and then goes on to explain how revelation builds upon and completes human wisdom. In the New Testament, Jesus Christ […]
On February 22, Pope Francis continued his catechesis on the importance of Christian hope in the face sin during his weekly General Audience. Although his reflections focused on the corruption of creation, they are not the opinions of a left-leaning environmentalist but the profound insights of a man of God. The Environment Unfortunately, many Catholics will most […]
This month marks the first anniversary of the publication of Pope Francis’ encyclical Laudato si’. Upon reading it, I was struck by certain parallels of thought between it and something I had not initially expected to be relevant: Pope St. John Paul II’s Theology of the Body. However, if we are to emphasise the importance of […]
The Book of Genesis outlines material creation focused on the earth. Material creation is in stages with the final stage, the creation of man. A seventh stage, the Sabbath, is not creational. The Sabbath emphasizes the fact that material creation has ceased. The era of the Sabbath is post-creational, except for the continued spiritual creation […]
If we were to follow Richard Dawkins as our guide, we would conclude that living creatures are not created. Opposing Arguments Differ in Defining Design The point to which Dawkins’ position is a counterpoint is the argument for God, dubbed “Intelligent Design”. Both arguments are based on mathematical probability, but reach opposite conclusions. Biology […]
“The best remedy for those who are afraid, lonely or unhappy is to go outside, somewhere where they can be quite alone with the heavens, nature and God” – Anne Frank Last Saturday, I was running errands around Denver. Grocery store, check. Gas, check. Bank, check. I had a handful of things I could work […]
When someone talks about a cathedral or church, we often think about a building. Stained glass windows, candles, crucifixes and tabernacles might come to mind. Words like “chapel” invoke different imagery for different people, but there are similar themes and descriptors. These physical places of prayer are important. However, Christians sometimes forget there is another […]
“The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork.” Psalm 19A (KJV). “The laws of nature themselves tells us that not only can the universe have popped into existence like a proton and have required nothing in terms of energy but also that it is possible that nothing caused the big bang. ” […]
Conspiracy Theories and Catholicism is a series of posts about things like albino assassin monks, secret Bible books, pagan Santas and secret councils— popular culture related to Catholicism, sometimes in unexpected ways. If you have a suggestion for a future article, please leave a message in the comments or email me. Prior posts available by […]
\”Happy those who feast on wisdom and savor her knowledge, She will nourish and refresh them.\” Happy Those Who Feast on Wisdom, Hymn for the Office of Readings, 28th August Who is your favorite saint? Mine is St. Augustine (Hippo), whose feast day was last Wednesday, August the 28th . Rather than giving his biography and conversion […]
Most of us love a good mystery. PBS has issued “spoiler alerts” this week for their popular series Downtown Abbey. The younger generation has taken mystery a step further with fantasy worlds of trolls, wizards, dragons, and werewolves. But why do we find it difficult to accept a mystery in real life? St. Augustine famously […]
The Doctrine of the Real Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist
The Real Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist has been believed by Christians since the time of the Apostles. Understanding this metaphysically and describing our belief in human terms has been a development over time, but the teaching that Jesus – Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity – is present in the bread and wine after […]
Cdl. McCarrick and the Conspiracy of the Well-Meaning
If you ask me what I know of the accusations against the archbishop emeritus of Washington, D.C., Cdl. Theodore McCarrick, I must reply, very little. I know he’s accused of sexually abusing at least one minor and three adults; while accusation isn’t proof, the reports seem credible enough to take his guilt as a working […]
Some Thoughts on Freedom and Truth
Some 242 years ago Thomas Jefferson wrote the Declaration of Independence and the United States of America was born. We declared our freedom from the tyranny of King George. It’s been an interesting 242 years, to say the least. And the country – and the world – has come a long way since then. But […]
The Greatest Challenge to the Catholic Faith
This column is about worldview (metaphysics and epistemology) although it touches on social justice and politics as well. It is about the greatest challenge to the Catholic Faith and gets to the very root of the polarization both outside and inside the Church. The greatest challenge to the Catholic Faith is Postmodernism, which is […]
Principles for Your Spiritual Life: Insights from the Carmelite Rule
Here then are a few points I have written down to provide you with a standard of conduct to live up to; but our Lord, at his second coming, will reward anyone who does more than he is obliged to do. See that the bounds of common sense are not exceeded, however, for common sense […]
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