Stephen K. Ray's Blog, page 110

Socialism Fails Every Time – A 5-minute Primer

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Questions I Answered on Catholic Answers Live: “Jesus in the Old Testament”

It was a fun show with one of my favorite topics – how Jesus is found everywhere in the Old Testament. He is the New Adam, the New Moses, the New Isaac, etc.

On the Road to Emmaus we read in Luke 24:27  “And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, Jesus interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself.”

We started out the show discussing typology and how people, places and things in the OT prefigure the reality of Jesus and the NT. We discussed some of my favorite “pictures” before the questions came in.

How is Jesus the New Adam and what does the rib from his side represent a beautiful reality in the NT?

How was Jesus pictured a thousand years earlier with Isaac?

24:00 – When we as Catholics say Jesus is the fulfillment of the Old Testament, how do we know that the writers didn’t do that intentionally?35:05 – Is there a Catholic book that talks about what happened between the Old Testament and the New Testament?43:55 – How do you find the Immaculate Conception in scripture?51:46 – I think when Jesus was walking with the two disciples after his resurrection is when he was connecting the dots between the Old and New Testament.https://catholicconvert.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/ca211213a.mp3

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Aztecs, Human Sacrifice, Abortion and Our Lady of Guadalupe

Today we visited the Aztec Temple in Mexico City. The cathedral of Mexico City was built right next to the 500-year temple.

I did a lot of study on the Aztecs and their massive human sacrifices and cannibalism.

I realized there was a great tie-in with the Catholic faith, the sacrifice of Christ and abortion which is also human sacrifice. I share the history and my discoveries in this short video on location.

You can learn more about the Tilma of Guadalupe in my new talk: Holy Shroud of Turin and Tilma of Guadalupe: Love Letters from Heaven.

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Video Podcast with “Blue Collar Catholic” who is a fun guy to interview with

This one is with Blue Collar Catholic, a good guy named Rob Gocklan. We discuss the Protestant arguments against Catholics especially regarding Scripture, tradition and the canon of Scripture. And of course, we explain and defend the beauty and truth of the one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church.

 

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A Baptist Friend Asks: The Bible Says “All have sinned” so how can Mary be Immaculate?

A Southern Baptist writes:

I am a Southern  Baptist who has a lot of respect for the Catholic faith. The Immaculate Conception is a hard concept for me. Does it also include the belief that Mary never sinned? How does that pass muster with Rom. 3:23 “For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God?” It seems like Paul would have noted the one exception here in Mary if that were the case.

 From my limited studies, I think Catholics have a very good argument for their position regarding the Eucharist. But wasn’t it several centuries before this concept of Mary arose in the Church?

 Dear Friend: yours is a good question. From the early centuries, Mary was considered the All Holy One and considered as without sin. Rom 3:23 is a general statement but does not mention exceptions to the rule. For example, Jesus was a man without sin, therefore an exception.

 The New Adam (Jesus) is without sin. From the 1st century Mary has been viewed as the New Eve. It would be appropriate, actually proper, that the New Eve be without sin also.

Those who die before the age of reason, or who are mentally deficient are also exceptions. Job could even be called an exception if you take God’s report of him literally (Job 1:8).

Romans is also discussing that it is not only the Gentiles that have sinned but also the Jews. All can be a collective of peoples. “You Jews think you are righteous because you are of Abraham? You think only the Gentiles are in sin. No, all have sinned, Gentile and Jew alike”

This is born out in Psalm 14 from where Rom 3:9 (parallel passage to Rom 3:23) is quoted. Here is says, Psalm 14:2–3 “The Lord looks down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there are any that act wisely, that seek after God. They have all gone astray, they are all alike corrupt; there is none that does good, no, not one.”

Yet immediately following we find that God has his righteous. Psalm 14:5–6 “There they shall be in great terror, for God is with the generation of the righteous. You would confound the plans of the poor, but the Lord is his refuge.”

As a Baptist I used to use the Bible often for proof-texts and sound bites. Scripture is much more subtle than that. It is our tradition, whether Baptist, Catholic, Jewish, Mormon, etc., that guides us in our approach to Scripture. The real question is, which tradition will you allow to direct your interpretation and study? I chose the tradition that was practiced from the first century until today – which is Catholic.

Wish I had more time. I warn you (tongue in cheek) that if you want to stay Baptist you are asking dangerous questions and dancing very close to the fire

You will find helpful writings on this matter here, especially the short explanation on the radio of the Immaculate Conception and Assumption.

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The Boy Identifies as a Walrus

I love it when someone stares right back at the lunatic Left and says it like it is.

Matt Walsh has written a children’s book that sold out in 6 hours on Amazon.

This young boy decides he is really a walrus and everyone around him struggles to understand and accept the boy’s new chosen identity.

It is a satire on the LGBT movement and the gender confusion that many liberals have fallen for. It needs to be mocked and debunked.

Enjoy this short interview with the author and buy these books for your kids and grandkids.

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Married 45 Years Today

Today my wife Janet and I celebrate our 45th wedding anniversary. It seems like a long time ago and yet it seems like yesterday. There’s no doubt in my mind it was the best decision I ever made in life.

We never dreamed when we started out to 21 and 19 years old that we end up 45 years later with four great kids and 19 grandkids.

I love being able to say I’ve only loved one woman in my whole life

And today…

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Childhood Memories of Grapejuice Communion

Today my grandson Charlie was in a Christmas concert for kids four years olds. We are in South Carolina visiting my daughter Charlotte. The concert was held in a Baptist church and it’s been about 28 years are 29 since I’ve been in a Baptist church so it’s kind of interesting.

 

We are in South Carolina visiting my daughter Charlotte. A concert was held in a Baptist church and it’s been about 28 years or 29 since I’ve been in a Baptist church so it was kind of interesting and a blast from the past.

I remembered the old communion cup “inserts” where we placed the little “shot glasses” of Welch’s grape juice after the quarterly communion services.

Here is a 1 minute video I made today so Catholics can see these receptacles which are not in Catholic churches.

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Great Gathering in Bismarck N.Dakota – 700 People

I was honored to receive an invitation from Real Presence Radio, an EWTN affiliate to be their keynote speaker at three fundraising events throughout North and South Dakota.

Last night was the first one in Bismarck North Dakota and 700 marvelous Catholics joined for the dinner and my talk. The room was full of enthusiastic orthodox folks. Also Bishop Kagan and Msgr. Schumacher (see picture) of Bismarck and a lot of priests and religious. What a marvelous evening!

Today we drive to Rapid City South Dakota for another dinner and talk with another group of great folks. I love being Catholic!

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The Amish and Covid – What We Can Learn

I posted this a while ago but share it again because of its impact. Main Street media will not let this news get out.

This short news report is on the success of the Amish controlling Covid and their resistance to government, vaccines and hospitals. Very interesting and their experience may teach us all a few things.

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