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Is Mary Greater than John the Baptist?
One difference I’ve noticed between Eastern Orthodox and Roman Catholics is the latter’s greater emphasis on Mary and the former’s greater emphasis on John the Baptist. Sometimes it’s subtle, other times not so much. For example, Roman Catholicism does give Mary a greater amount of worship (i.e. religious reverence and devotion through religious ritual etc.)[FN1]…
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Lourdes and other "Worthy of Belief" Fictions
Louis asked: But does your church believe this story [the story of “St. Philomena”] is true? Or are they saying that even if this vision [revelation that Maria Luisa di Gesù, a Roman Catholic nun, claimed she received] is a delusional lie (a false sign or wonder), then it is still “not contrary to the…
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An Argument for Fallibility, not Against Infallibility
Yes, while in Malta the pope himself fell asleep during Mass (link to report – caution, some of the advertisements do not comply with Reformation principles of modesty). This doesn’t, in itself, prove that the pope is fallible. It’s certainly not a disproof of infallibility. It is just more evidence that he’s a normal human…
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Of Mary, there is never enough.
The title of this post is the concluding line of this article from Arturo Vasquez (link to article). There are other interesting comments in the article as well. For example, the author concedes that: My grandmothers have always had at least ten images in the house of just the Virgin of Guadalupe, not counting all…
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Mariolatry Exemplified
Steve Hays (and others) have already pointed out a Roman Catholic Psalter to Mary (link to Steve Hays’ post)(link to “psalter”). I’m not sure the depth of the blasphemy involved is fully appreciated by most readers. In the following post, I will give both some high level information as well as a specific example, so…
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Valid or Invalid Comparison?
How dare I suggest that this story (link) about an Indian idol’s problem with folks outdoing themselves by giving their idols large crowns have anything to do either with this photo of an idol to Mary (attempted image of Jesus in the background) or these similar idols (first, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, and…
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Response to Jay Dyer on Calvinism (Part 5 of 13)
This is part 5 of the thirteen part series in response to Jay Dyer. The previous part may be found here (link). Jay Dyer says:4) “[A consistent Calvinist must be] A tri-theist, because God the Father cuts off His own Son in the crucifixion (and maybe the Holy Spirit as well?): but Jesus, in all…
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Response to Jay Dyer on Calvinism (Part 2 of 13)
This is part 2 of the thirteen part series in response to Jay Dyer. The previous part may be found here (link). Jay Dyer says:1) “[A consistent Calvinist must be] Nestorian, in that the Logos cannot assume a fallen human nature.” I answer: a) The Calvinist Position (whether right doctrine or error let Scripture decide)…
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Response to Benedict XVI on Christmas
No, Benedict XVI did not visit this humble blog. No head of state (to my knowledge) has visited this blog. Nevertheless, on December 31, 2008, Benedict XVI provided some comments that are (perhaps) worth addressing: The birthday of Christ, which we are currently celebrating, is entirely suffused with the light of Mary and, even as…
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Follow Mary to Christ
Certain of those who engage in Marian devotion, insist that Mary leads them to Christ. Allow me to suggest that Mary’s example is better followed than anything else, if one wishes to be led by Mary to Christ. One thing seems fairly certain: Mary never prayed the Rosary. On the other hand, do you suppose…