Ecclesiasticus 4:28

"Fight to the death for truth, and the Lord God will war on your side."

Ora pro nobis,

Most Blessed Virgin Mary, St. Francis de Sales, St. Thomas Aquinas, and St. Dominic. Amen.

Tuesday, June 20, 2006

Miscellaneous

Posts related to Catholic Apologetics, but which do not fall into another specific category.

Navigating this Site

  • Just a Note... on how to find your way around the INDEX

    Open Fora
  • Open Forum 1
  • Open Forum 2
  • Open Forum 3
  • Open Forum 4

    Gregory's Conversion
  • Latin is My Spiritual Tongue (A general account of my conversion, posted at my other blog, Doubting Thomist.)
  • Journeying into His Real Presence (The story of my conversion, particularly in terms of coming to believe in the Church's teachings on the Eucharist.)

    The Da Vinci Code
  • Adversus Da Vinci--"Just Fiction?" (Introduction)
  • Adversus Da Vinci--"Jesus Christ: The God-Man" (Countering Brown's claims about Christ)
  • Adversus Da Vinci--"The Church: Wheat and Chaff" (Countering Brown's claims about the Church)
  • Adversus Da Vinci--"The Bible: Its Genesis and Revelation" (Countering Brown's claims about Scripture)
  • Adversus Da Vinci--"Jesus Meets the Holy Women" (Countering Brown's claims about the Church's treatment of Women)
  • Adversus Da Vinci--"The Artwork: What's So Controversial about Leonardo?" (Countering Brown's claims about Religious Art)

    The Charismatic Movement
  • Tongues, Cessationism, and the Charismatic Movement (Part 1: Introduction)--A response to an article by Dr. Lehmann Strauss.
  • Tongues, Cessationism, and the Charismatic Movement (Part 2: The Meaning and Ministry of Tongues)--More for Dr. Strauss
  • Tongues, Cessationism, and the Charismatic Movement (Part 3: The Mistakes of Speaking in Tongues)--Final reply to Dr. Strauss, regarding the meat of his argument for Tongues' cessation.

    Fun Stuff
  • I was on the Radio! (My radio interview with Fr. Bill Trusz on Radio Teopoli, AM 530, Toronto)
  • Catholic meme

    • Posted by Gregory at 3:11 pm

    Catholic Devotions

    Posts related to traditional and popular piety and practices within Catholicism, and the make-up and meaning of rituals and ceremonies.

    The Mass

  • Does Catholic Doctrine Contradict the Bible? (Pt 3) (Latin Mass, the Christian Calendar, Iconography and Statuary, and the form of Baptism.)

    Eucharistic Devotions
  • Looking at Jesus (About the Practice of Eucharistic Adoration)
  • Procession (A photologue of an annual Corpus Christi Procession)


    Prayer: Especially Common Catholic Prayers
  • Prayer (Or, If You Could Say It Like Hallmark, You Wouldn't Need Hallmark)

  • The Our Father
  • The Hail Mary
  • The Glory Be
  • The Apostles' Creed
  • Hail, Holy Queen
  • The Fatima Prayer
  • Prayer to St. Michael, the Archangel
  • Come Holy Spirit
  • Act of Faith
  • Act of Hope
  • Act of Love
  • Act of Contrition
  • Angel of God
  • The Angelus
  • The Memorare
  • Prayer to St. Joseph
  • Morning Offering
  • Evening Offering
  • Grace Before and After Meals
  • The Divine Praises
  • Prayer to Jesus Crucified
  • Prayer to Our Mother of Sorrows
  • Anima Christi
  • Prayer Before a Crucifix
  • Prayer to Jesus the Listener
  • The Confiteor
  • Prayer of Adoration
  • Prayer of Self-Dedication to Jesus Christ
  • Prayer for the Missions
  • The Universal Prayer
  • Prayer of St. Francis
  • Prayer of St. Thomas Aquinas
  • Breathe In Me, Holy Spirit
  • Teach Us, Good Lord
  • Prayer for Mildness and Patience
  • Prayer of St. Thérèse of Lisieux
  • Prayer of St. Anselm
  • Litany of the Sacred Heart of Jesus
  • Invocations to the Precious Blood of Jesus
  • Prayer to St. Dominic
  • Litany of Humility

    The Rosary
  • I Shall Not Walk Alone (The centrality of Christ in Marian dogmas and a step-by-step instruction in praying the Rosary)
  • Letting God do the Work (Quoting a dear friend's comments about praying the Rosary, and giving the Blessed Virgin's own promises to those who pray it, as revealed to St. Dominic and Blessed Alan de la Roche)
  • Through Her Eyes (A Rosary CD recommendation and further thoughts on praying it)
  • The History of the Rosary (Part 1) (The development of the Rosary from the Early Church to the Ministry of Saint Dominic)
  • The History of the Rosary (Part 2) (The development of the Rosary from the Ministry of Blessed Alan de la Roche until the Present day)
  • Does Catholic Doctrine Contradict the Bible? (Pt 1) (Calling priests "father"; Rosary as vain repitition?; Blessed Virgin Mary)

  • Like Any Good Mystery, You Just Can't Put It Down
  • The First Joyful Mystery: The Annunciation
  • The Second Joyful Mystery The Visitation
  • The Third Joyful Mystery The Nativity of Jesus
  • The Fourth Joyful Mystery The Presentation in the Temple
  • The Fifth Joyful Mystery Finding Jesus in the Temple
  • The First Luminous Mystery The Baptism of Jesus
  • The Second Luminous Mystery The Wedding at Cana
  • The Third Luminous Mystery The Proclamation of the Kingdom of God
  • The Fourth Luminous Mystery The Transfiguration
  • The Fifth Luminous Mystery The Institution of the Holy Eucharist
  • The First Sorrowful Mystery The Agony in the Garden
  • The Second Sorrowful Mystery The Scourging at the Pillar
  • The Third Sorrowful Mystery The Crowning with Thorns
  • The Fourth Sorrowful Mystery Jesus Carries His Cross
  • The Fifth Sorrowful Mystery Jesus' Crucifixion and Death
  • The First Glorious Mystery The Resurrection of Jesus
  • The Second Glorious Mystery The Ascension of Jesus
  • The Third Glorious Mystery The Descent of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost
  • The Fourth Glorious Mystery The Assumption of Mary
  • The Fifth Glorious Mystery The Coronation of Mary

    The Stations of the Cross


  • Lectio Divina


  • Art and Images in the Church
  • Does Catholic Doctrine Contradict the Bible? (Pt 3) (Latin Mass, the Christian Calendar, Iconography and Statuary, and the form of Baptism.)

    Relics, Scapulars, and Medals


  • Consecrated Life: Monasticism and Religious Life


  • Mysticism and Contemplative Prayer


  • The Importance and Role of the Laity

    • Posted by Gregory at 3:00 pm

    Catholic Distinctives

    Posts related to distinctively Catholic beliefs--especially apologetic articles dealing with topics about which Protestants have the most problems.

    The Sacraments



  • Baptism
  • Confirmation
  • The Eucharist
  • Reconciliation


  • Anointing of the Sick
  • Holy Matrimony
  • Holy Orders
    • Mary, Mother of God The Communion of Saints Purgatory

    Posted by Gregory at 2:48 pm

    Soteriology

    Posts related to the theology of how we are saved.

    Salvation

  • Was (or is) the Reformation Necessary? An examination of Protestantism's doctrinal Pillars: Sola Scriptura and Sola Fide -- 5 (3rd Interlude, Does the Church teach Universalism?)
  • Was (or is) the Reformation Necessary? An examination of Protestantism's doctrinal Pillars: Sola Scriptura and Sola Fide -- 6 (4th Interlude, Does the Church teach Universalism? -Pt.2)
  • Response to CQ--The New Birth Experience (What does "being Born Again" mean in Scripture?)
  • Does Catholic Doctrine Contradict the Bible? (Pt 4) (Original Sin, the Perpescuity of Scripture, an "everyday Catholic's" willingness to evangelise, and Tradition, and the Conclusion.)
  • On Faith, Works, and Weather Reports (An analogous look at Sola Fide)
  • "Religion" vs. "Relationship"? (Are the two in competition?)






    • Justification
  • The Council of Trent: Canons on Justification (With comments for clarification, by Gregory)
  • The Art of Grace: A Biblical Study of Ephesians 2:1-10 - Part 1 (The Introduction to a 4-Part series examining a key prooftext for the Protestant doctrine of Sola Fide in context, in order to refute it, with an examination of the authorship, audience, and purpose of the Epistle to the Ephesians.)
  • The Art of Grace: A Biblical Study of Ephesians 2:1-10 - Part 2 (An overview of the Book of Ephesians and a consideration of the Protestant doctrine of Sola Fide and the use of Ephesians 2:8-9 in support of it.)
  • The Art of Grace: A Biblical Study of Ephesians 2:1-10 - Part 3 (A thorough examination of Ephesians 2:1-10, placing verses 8-9 in context to determine what the text really says.)
  • The Art of Grace: A Biblical Study of Ephesians 2:1-10 - Part 4 (Concluding remarks, including the importance of a true understanding of the doctrine of Justification, with Bibliography.)

  • Was (or is) the Reformation Necessary? An examination of Protestantism's doctrinal Pillars: Sola Scriptura and Sola Fide -- 7 (Sola Fide?)

  • Dialogue on Salvation and Justification, Part 1 (A debate between a Catholic, three Protestants, a soon-to-be-Catholic, and a Mormon)
  • Dialogue on Salvation and Justification, Part 2 (Contra "Peter")
  • Dialogue on Salvation and Justification, Part 3 (Second reply to "Peter")
  • Dialogue on Salvation and Justification, Part 4 (Contra "Ryesin")
  • Dialogue on Salvation and Justification, Part 5 (Contra the Mormon)
  • Dialogue on Salvation and Justification, Part 6 (Back to Peter, for a third reply)






    • Sanctification






    • Glorification






    • The Four Last Things
  • Death

  • Judgement

  • Heaven

  • Hell

    • Posted by Gregory at 2:40 pm

    The Scriptures

    Posts related to the Authority, Canon, and Value of the Scriptures in the Catholic Church.

    Scriptural Authority

  • Sentire Cum Ecclesia: Principles for the Interpretation of Scripture (Part 1) (Interpreting Scripture the Catholic way: Outline, Introduction, and Principle #1)
  • Sentire Cum Ecclesia: Principles for the Interpretation of Scripture (Part 2) (Principle #2)(Coming Soon)
  • Sentire Cum Ecclesia: Principles for the Interpretation of Scripture (Part 3) (Principles #3 and #4, Conclusion, and Bibliography)(Coming Soon)

  • Sola Scriptura (Scripture Alone) -- Really?
  • Was (or is) the Reformation Necessary? An examination of Protestantism’s doctrinal Pillars: Sola Scriptura and Sola Fide -- 1 (Sola Scriptura?)
  • Was (or is) the Reformation Necessary? An examination of Protestantism’s doctrinal Pillars: Sola Scriptura and Sola Fide -- 2 (Sola Scriptura?)
  • The Reasonability of the Bible as the Word of God
  • Does Catholic Doctrine Contradict the Bible? (Pt 4) (Original Sin, the Perpescuity of Scripture, an "everyday Catholic's" willingness to evangelise, and Tradition, and the Conclusion.)



    • The Canon of Scripture



    • The Importance of Scripture

    • Posted by Gregory at 12:06 pm

    Ecclesiology

    Posts related to the Catholic Church: its structure, authority, and history, as well as its relationship to the world, other religions, and other forms of Christianity.

    The Authority of the Church

  • Was (or is) the Reformation Necessary? An examination of Protestantism’s doctrinal Pillars: Sola Scriptura and Sola Fide -- 4 (2nd Interlude, looking at the authority of the Church)
  • Does Catholic Doctrine Contradict the Bible? (Pt 4) (Original Sin, the Perpescuity of Scripture, an "everyday Catholic's" willingness to evangelise, Tradition, and the Conclusion.)

    The Make-up of the Church
  • What Is It? (Christopher's probing question...)
  • What It Truly Means to Be a Catholic (Gregory's wife Melissa answers Chris' question)
  • Do I Gotta Go? (A response to a friend's question about the necessity of regular church attendance)


  • Was (or is) the Reformation Necessary? An examination of Protestantism’s doctrinal Pillars: Sola Scriptura and Sola Fide -- 3 (First Interlude, looking at the notion of The Body of Christ and the Church as an Institution)



    • Christian History
  • The Gnostic Crisis, p.I
  • The Gnostic Crisis, p.II
  • The Gnostic Crisis, p.III
  • The History of the Rosary (Part 1) (The development of the Rosary from the Early Church to the Ministry of Saint Dominic)
  • The History of the Rosary (Part 2) (The development of the Rosary from the Ministry of Blessed Alan de la Roche until the Present)



    • A Light to the World
  • Evangelisation (What is Evangelisation, and how do we go about it as Catholics?)
  • Does Catholic Doctrine Contradict the Bible? (Pt 4) (Original Sin, the Perpescuity of Scripture, an "everyday Catholic's" willingness to evangelise, and Tradition, and the Conclusion.)
  • Notes on a Scandal (A response to the clerical sex abuse scandal.)


    Extra Ecclesiam Nulla Salus
  • The Church and non-Christian religions
  • The Church and other Christian denominations

    • Posted by Gregory at 11:54 am

    Christology

    All topics related to Jesus, particularly His earthly life, death, resurrection, and saving action.

  • It's all about You (Salvation through Christ alone, and Intimate Friendship with Him)
  • Response to CQ--Christ, Our Full Salvation

    • Posted by Gregory at 11:52 am

    Theology Proper

    The index of posts related to the Study of God:

    God in general

  • Proving the Existence of God: St. Thomas Aquinas' "Five Ways" Examined (Part 1) (An introduction to the five proofs for God's existence laid out in the Summa Theologica I.2.3)
  • Proving the Existence of God: St. Thomas Aquinas' "Five Ways" Examined (Part 2) (An examination of the first three of St. Thomas Aquinas' five proofs for God's existence.)
  • Proving the Existence of God: St. Thomas Aquinas' "Five Ways" Examined (Part 3) (Looking at the Fourth Way of St. Thomas Aquinas)
  • Proving the Existence of God: St. Thomas Aquinas' "Five Ways" Examined (Part 4) (Focussing on the Fifth Way of St. Thomas Aquinas)
  • Proving the Existence of God: St. Thomas Aquinas' "Five Ways" Examined (Part 5) (Concluding remarks, summing up what the Five Ways teach us about God, and challenging the open-minded to follow the logic to its conclusion.)
  • The Stone Paradox: A Response (Is the conundrum "Can God make a stone so big that He can't lift it?" a valid question?)
  • In Defense of the Ontological Argument
  • The Reasonability of the Bible as the Word of God (Begins with an examination of competing notions of Who God Is, and whether He communicates.)



    • The Holy Trinity:
  • On the Holy Trinity (A response to strict monotheistic arguments against the Trinity)
  • The Trinity: Letters to Eric (Part 1) (Beginning a series of dialogues responding to "On the Holy Trinity".)
  • The Trinity: Letters to Eric (Part 2) (Defining "Love" and applying it to "God is Love".)
  • The Trinity: Letters to Eric (Part 3) (Responding to controversy regarding the definition of "Love".)
  • The Trinity: Letters to Eric (Part 4) (Reiterating the point [again] that if God is Love, then God must be Trinity.)
  • The Trinity: Letters to Eric (Part 5) (Defining "Good" as it pertains to "Love", and venting frustrations.)
  • The Trinity: Letters to Eric (Part 6) (The eternality, necessity, and "purpose" of the Three Persons of the Trinity.)
  • The Trinity: Letters to Eric (Part 7) (Back to the definition of "Love" and whether the Early Church "got it wrong".)
  • The Trinity: Letters to Eric (Part 8) (Revisiting the concept of "Good" and approaching the Trinity from the Creation of Man in God's Image.)
  • The Trinity: Letters to Eric (Part 9) (Whether or not God must do Good.)
  • The Trinity: Letters to Eric (Part 10) (Against a Modalistic or Sabellian understanding of the Trinity.)
  • The Trinity: Letters to Eric (Part 11) (The importance of faith in the Trinity and the relationship of Dogma to Intimacy with God.)
  • The Trinity: Letters to Eric (Part 12) (On whether Dogma should be clarified for better understanding, and whether Dogma can be changed.)
  • The Trinity: Letters to Eric (Part 13) (Conclusion: Tentative Agreement, and an utter change of topic.)

    God the Father



    • God the Son--Jesus Christ
  • It's all about You (Salvation by Christ alone, and Intimate Friendship with Him)



    • God the Holy Spirit

    • Posted by Gregory at 11:35 am

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