Every time a mainstream reporter or pundit opens his or her yap about the church, the pope, conclave, the next pope, or pretty much anything having to do with religion, brain cells die. Save the brain cells and turn to ElectingthePope.net, thoughtfully compiled for your convenience by Catholic …
The end of this pontificate, like the beginning, is a sign of contradiction to those who see every human action in the cynical categories of power and willfulness. (h/t Cardinal Dolan) What Popes Are For
Ideally, this exercise in “Conclave 101”will help make sense of what we’ll be seeing and hearing between now and that magic moment when white smoke rises from a small chimney above the Sistine Chapel, proclaiming to the world that a new pope has been elected. The man to follow, until the smoke is …
One sometimes forgets the power of simple phrases such as “I remember…” for opening and sharing an experience. Benedict on Vatican II: “I remember I was a young professor of theology…”
One of the best rundowns I’ve seen; highly recommended for any of my students. Reno on contemporary Catholic theology
Deconstructing the economic incompetence of The Economist when it comes to understanding the Catholic Church. TL;DR is “The Church is not Wal-Mart.” Nineteen Sixty-four: Spot the difference…
John Allen’s column at NCR is a fairly significant proof for the theology of the saving remnant. Essential Friday reading, every week. The church's deep pockets, the butler did it, and myths about atheism - John Allen
I don’t want to spoil the surprise, but I have a new Exhibit A for when I tell my students that mainstream media know nothing of religion or theology. Click the link. The New York Times’ embarrassing error
Time to check the settings; one of those recurrent FB tasks that everyone should do on a regular schedule. Checking Your Facebook Privacy (Again) - ProfHacker
Good piece from Fr. Robert Barron looking back on the Council through Congar’s diary. Diary from Vatican II
Christians are, as the Koran says, “People of the Book”; in which case we might want to ask what will become of Christianity if “the book” is radically transformed or abandoned altogether. The New Atlantis » Christianity and the Future of the Book
many of the Bible-related archaeological claims made in recent years have been tainted with “exaggeration and speculation the likes of which haven’t been seen since pieces of the ‘true cross’ were found all across Europe in the Middle Ages.” Raiders of the Lost Relics
As I would not opine seriously on the best procedures to follow with respect to open-heart surgery (as I have absolutely no medical training), why are so many others who have never had anything to do with religion so quick to comment on serious matters of religion? So very, very many. Interesting …
There is ample room for exploration on Catholic theology; for if theology is not religious studies, neither is it catechism. But for that exploration to be authentically Catholic — and thus of use to the Church — it has to take Scripture and Tradition as its baseline, and it has to begin from the …
It’s the 21st century, I really should try to do this. Going Paperless on a Mac - ProfHacker
Lincoln saw his first telegraph key only three years before he ran for president, in a hotel lobby while riding circuit in Pekin, Ill. Always fascinated with technology, he peppered the operator with questions. In the spirit of Abraham Lincoln, Vampire Hunter, but entirely non-fictional! The First …
Every five years or so, by tradition, the bishops of a given country make ad limina visits to Rome. Centuries old, the practice is a way of maintaining communion with the universal Church. It also offers the pope a chance to comment on the state of the Church in that country. The bishops of the …
Wonderful post in this graduation month of May; it definitely reflects my experience of these past ten years as I look back and see where our BAC majors have gone. What can you do with a degree in theology?
Fr. Thomas Williams (no relation) on Catholic social teaching; good interview! A Higher Office
Still don’t think reinforcing Amazon’s monopsony is the thing to do. Confused By the eBook Lawsuit? So Is Everyone else.
Very useful discussion, especially given how loosely people use the term “fundamentalist.” What Distinguishes ‘Evangelical’ from ‘Fundamentalist’?
I’ve often wondered this same thing. There has to be a systematic theological argument out there for the ongoing significance of the LXX, expanding on Augustine and taking into account that it remains authoritative for the Eastern Church. NT Studies and the Septuagint
Here is wisdom. Forget fancy formatting: Why plain text is best
The constant recitation of God’s transcendent goodness and the deference paid to his ironclad ability to lift believers magically out of suffering and woe both subtly downgrade the divine presence into a glorified lifestyle concierge. This God has no real way of accounting for the age-old paradoxes …
For most people, the choice is not leisurely walks on Cape Cod versus social media. It’s television versus social media. Social Media's Small, Positive Role in Human Relationships
"I assure you, there is very excellent services committed at the bridge."
- Fluellen, Henry V