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The Reception of St. Paul in the Works of Joseph Ratzinger/Benedict XVI
I have recently published an article entitled “The Reception of St. Paul in the Works of Joseph Ratzinger/Benedict XVI” in the journal Letter and Spirit edited by Scott
Wisdom and the Renewal of Catholic Theology
Just this month a new book has been published entitled Wisdom and the Renewal of Catholic Theology: Essays in Honor of Matthew L. Lamb. I have
“Let Justice Roll down like Waters”
The Fellowship of Catholic Scholars puts out a wonderful monthly publication called Teaching the Faith. This is a great resource for homilists and faithful alike who wish to
Benedict XVI’s Hermeneutic of Reform: Towards a Rapprochement of the Magisterium and Modern Biblical Criticism
Even a cursory overview of Benedict XVI’s exegetical approach reveals dramatic contrasts with magisterial teaching of previous epochs. With appropriate reservations and criticisms, Benedict strongly
The Salvation of Atheists and Catholic Dogmatic Theology
My review of Stephen Bullivant’s outstanding volume The Salvation of Atheists and Catholic Dogmatic Theology came out in this quarter’s edition of Nova et Vetera. If you
Dark Passages Reviewed in Nova et Vetera!
Well, it’s been some time since I’ve posted any scholarship on here. Alot has happened in the last six months: I had open-heart surgery, a
Extra Ecclesiam Nulla Salus & the Substance of Catholic Doctrine: Towards a Realization of Benedict XVI’s “Hermeneutic of Reform”
Over the past fifty years, there have been dissenting Catholics of various stripes who based their rejection of the Magisterium on the seeming contradiction between what Vatican II
Integral Ecology and the Ecological Virtues in Pope Francis’s Laudato Si’
Over the past couple years of Francis’s pontificate, I have had fielded innumerable questions from college students, colleagues, and parishioners who are confused by our reigning pope’s
Benedict XVI, Catholic Doctrine and the Problem of an Imminent Parousia
Look up the following texts and ask yourself whether they ring true: 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 1 Corinthians 7:29 and 15:51-52 Mark 13:26-33 Today I am
How to Read the Bible and Still Be a Christian
If God exists, he is not the God of the Christian Bible. At least this is the conclusion drawn by many prominent authors and cultural
In the Beginning: Reading Genesis with Benedict XVI and Thomas Aquinas
Today our outstanding Benedictine College class of 2015 graduated, and with that summer begins for us here in Atchison, KS. Just in time for summer,
Christian Discernment of Divine Revelation: Benedict XVI and the International Theological Commission on the Dark Passages of the Old Testament
“Violence is incompatible with the nature of God.” In his 2006 Regensburg Address, Pope Benedict XVI penned this line as part of his ongoing effort
The Bible and the Question of Miracles: Towards a Christian Response
My previous post at Strange Notions underscored the often-unacknowledged philosophical premises at work when believers and non-believers sit down to debate about things biblical. In the course
Bart Ehrman, Benedict XVI, and the Bible on the Question of Miracles
At its core, the debate about modern exegesis is not a dispute among historians: it is rather a philosophical debate.” – Joseph Ratzinger (Pope Benedict
Benedict XVI’s Theology of Beauty and the New Evangelization
“I have often affirmed my conviction that the true apology of Christian faith, the most convincing demonstration of its truth…are the saints and the beauty
This Year’s Book Reviews
Now that our semester here at Benedictine College is coming to a close, I am able to take some moments to update on recent happenings
Authentic Freedom Comes from Accepting the Cross: A Meditation for the Exaltation of the Holy Cross
Summer is over and things are back in full academic swing here at Benedictine College. As a result, I now resume the work of sharing
Benedict XVI on Freedom in Obedience to the Truth: A Key for the New Evangelization
Our recent popes have made it clear that today’s prevailing western culture is confused over what the reality which we call “freedom” truly means. As
The Gods of Israel: Does the Bible Promote Polytheism?
“What great nation is there that has a god so near to it as the LORD our God is to us, whenever we call upon
Psalm 137: Is God Pro-Life or Pro-Death?
Read Psalm 137. Read it all the way through, including its final few lines: O daughter of Babylon, you devastator! Happy shall he be who
BC Summer Theology in Rome!
For those of you whom I’ve directed to this post, here you’ll find the most important info about the upcoming trip-course abroad. The application packet may
Thoughts for December: The Dark Passages & The Birth of Jesus
This month I have a variety of thoughts to share with my readers which I am linking to below. First, you can hear my short
Did God Command Genocide?
This is not an easy question to answer when you look at all the evidence honestly, but there are answers out there! This is a
Farewell to the Devil?
The existence of the devil is not very compatible with modern thinking. Such is the view confronted by Benedict XVI in a response he once