Dwight Longenecker's Blog, page 283

Infallibility of the Church in Scripture

I have been asked by a reader of the blog to explain where the idea of the infallible church comes from. Where is it in Scripture? I’m glad for the opportunity. The infallibility of the Catholic Church is based on the infallibility of Christ. The Catechism says that Christ “grants a measure of his infallibility [...]

For May and Mary

May Magnificat by G.M.Hopkins MAY is Mary’s month, and I Muse at that and wonder why: Her feasts follow reason, Dated due to season— Candlemas, Lady Day; But the Lady Month, May, Why fasten that upon her, With a feasting in her honour? Is it only its being brighter Than the most are must delight [...]

Abortion, Cannibalism and Black Magic

What does abortion have to do with witchcraft and black magic? Everything. Today human fetuses are roasted, dried, crushed and turned into pills which supposedly boost male virility. This story isn’t really new. It was reported a few years ago for the first time and the rumor confirmed by DNA tests. This form of cannibalism [...]

Understanding Infallibility

There’s a delicious scene in Brideshead Re-visited where the spiritually illiterate Rex Mottram is being instructed in the Catholic faith and the priest asks, “If it were raining and the Holy Father said it was sunny, how would you then explain papal infallibility?” Rex ponders for a moment and says, “I suppose I would say [...]

Snake Handlers and the Holy Father

Who are the “snake handlers” and where do they come from? “Snake handlers” are a small group of Pentecostal Christians–started in Appalachia during the Holiness revival movements and still operating today. They get all worked up and get “the anointing” which means they enter a trance like state through hyper emotionalism then they pass around [...]

I’ll Fly Away Oh Glory!

Those who like fairy tales should love the story of the Ascension of Jesus Christ into heaven. Like Dorothy, who is swept up by a cyclone to Oz, Jesus floats up and disappears up into what must be a Technicolor heaven. Fantasy tales are full of this sort of thing. Peter Pan flies away to [...]

A Jar, a Torch and a Sword for the Lord

I have always loved the second epistle of St Paul to the Corinthians. His vulnerability, weakness and helplessness without God pervades every chapter, and yet it is in his sorrows that he triumphs. It is in the midst of the weakness that he perseveres. In the fourth chapter he speaks of the light of Christ, [...]

Sorrowful Mother and Co-Redeemer?

There are very few Catholic titles for the Blessed Virgin Mary more likely to get Evangelical Protestants upset than Mary Co-Redemptrix or Mary Mediatrix. Immediately the Bible Christian will quote I Timothy 2:5, “For there is one God and one mediator between God and Man–the man Christ Jesus.” For them it is a done deal. [...]

Old Monk on Stability

Stability means “God is not elsewhere.”

Mother of Sorrows

During this month of May I’m posting lots of stuff on the Blessed Virgin. Stop by tomorrow for a post on Mary- Mother of Sorrows. What does this mean? How is it Scriptural? How does in connect with Jesus Christ’s work of redemption on the cross. What is the connection with Catholics calling Mary “Co-Redeemer”?