Mailbag
A reader writes:A Protestant coworker is asking me questions about the seven “extra” books in the Catholic Bible. He recently asked me why in the book of Baruch it says that the Babylonian captivity would last seven generations when in Jeremiah it says it would last 70 years. I could not find an answer to…
Read MoreI have something I want to run past you if you don’t mind. If you don’t have time for this just hit the old delete button, I won’t mind. Since the 2012 elections I have felt like a man without a country and very disappointed, disappointed at my fellow countrymen for pretty much telling me,…
Read MoreA reader writes:Please help me understand more about suicide. I do understand that those who don’t know any better will be judged differently, but what about Catholics? If committed with clear mind, would it be one sin for which there’s no forgiveness? Hope that makes sense. Thank you.Mortal sin requires three things: grave matter (like…
Read MoreA reader:I’ve been reading through the Bible, and I came across this passage in Wisdom which really bugged me, and I was wondering if you could help me make sense of it? It’s from Wisdom 3:11-19: For whoever despises wisdom and instruction is miserable. Their hope is vain, their labors are unprofitable, and their works are useless.Their wives…
Read MoreAn Irish reader writes:A BBC top political correspondent here in Northern Ireland – Martina Purdy – is taking tentative steps towards religious life with the Sisters of Adoration & Reparation. Originally from West Belfast (predominantly a Nationalist/Republican area- not like ‘your’ Republicans…) but reared in Canada she had a high reputation among politicians across the…
Read MoreA reader writes:Does it seem to you that many liberals arguing the loudest for the separation of church and state are really arguing that the state adopt their religion, secular humanism? Religion is not a closed category. A “religion” is any system or scheme of morality. Anytime someone advocates something as “the right thing to…
Read MoreA reader writes:The text “Many are called, few are chosen” is often used to defend the theology of Election and Predestination. How would a Catholic interpret this?I’m not sure how that particular text is used in that discussion (such matters are typically hashed over by converts from Calvinism, not by former Arminians like me). However,…
Read MoreA reader writes:Here in our small southern town, it is difficult for me to give my kids a strong sense of Catholic identity. I do what I can at home, but the vast majority of their friends are Protestant – many anti-Catholic. My children are firmly Catholic, but they have no concept of what it…
Read MoreA reader writes:Here’s a theological question if you need blog material. I have had a pinched nerve in my hip for 5 years. Recently it just stopped hurting. Did the Lord bless me with this, and, if so, why, since I am not at all a good Christian and there are good Christians out there…
Read MoreA reader writes:I have read your article on deuterocanonical books, your reasons on why they should be included in the bible. Can you provide a simplified version of that writing?Sure. Because the Church in union with Peter, the pillar and ground of the truth (1 Timothy 3:15) granted authority by Christ to loose and bind…
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