Other Issues Scripture Concerns

Faith and Reason

The Church holds that faith and reason are complementary gifts from God, both leading to truth. Reasoned arguments help deepen our understanding of faith, grounding spiritual beliefs in intellectual integrity (St. Thomas Aquinas, Summa Theologica, Part I, Question 16, Article 5). Engaging with both faith and logic strengthens one's belief, making Catholic teachings not just a matter of the heart but also a pursuit of the mind.

Interpretation of Scripture

Interpretation of Scripture cannot be separated from the context in which it was written or the living Tradition of the Church. Jesus criticized misinterpretations based on human traditions, urging His followers to seek a deeper understanding of God's will (Mark 7:13). This is ad contra only scripture and only tradition.

Peter & The Papacy

Reasoning

Scripture

"Peter", the first Pope, is named 195 times in the New Testament — more than all the other Apostles combined. 

1. Mt 16:18-19 The keys were not given to the group collectively but Peter specifically, the powers however seem to be universal among the Apostles

2. Lk 22:32 — Peter’s faith will strengthen his brethren 

3. Lk 24:34 — Peter is first apostle to see resurrected Christ 

4. Jn 21:17 — Peter is Christ’s chief shepherd who “feeds the sheep” 

5. Mk 16:7 — angel sent to announce resurrection to Peter 

6. Acts 1:13-26 — Peter oversees election of Matthias 

7. Acts 2:14 — Peter preaches first apostolic sermon 

8. Acts 3:6-7 — Peter performs first apostolic miracle 

9. Acts 8:21 — Peter excommunicates first heretic 

10. Acts 10:44-46 — Peter baptizes first Gentile 

11. Acts 15:7 — Peter presides over first apostolic council 

12. Acts 15:19 — Peter pronounces first apostolic dogma 

13. Gal 1:18 — Paul visits Peter after his conversion 

The Church Fathers

1. Apostolic Succession

2. Authority of the Pope

3. Origins of Peter as Pope

4. Peter's Primacy

5. Papal Successor

Original Sin & Justification

Reasoning

It is evident from all the hurt that we experience and the weakness into which we are born concerning virtue that we are imperfectly disposed to the good. To be saved from this weakness we must be saved by being strengthened (making us to be better by not forgoing moral evaluation nor doing it all for us) and delivered from that which makes us weak i.e. sin. Paradoxically the thing from which we try to escape makes us weak enough that without God we cannot escape it/ keep ourselves from committing it and so further weakening ourselves that we may commit it again. Justification is only possible in God's grace and our genuine desire to follow is will in that we are truly freedom from evil and disposed more perfectly to good.

Original Sin, A Transmitted Corruption

1. Gen 2:16-17 — the day you eat... you shall die (spiritual death) 

2. Gen 3:11-19 - God’s punishment for eating of tree 

3. Ps 51:5 — in sin my mother conceived me 

4. Rom 5:12-19 — many became sinners through one man’s sin 

5. 1 Cor 15:21-23 — by man came death; in Adam all die 

Conversion requires the Purification Justification Provides

1. 1 Jn 1:7, 2 Pet 1:9 - purified from sins 

2. Jn 1:29, Heb 9:26-28 - takes away sin 

3. Ps 50:3, Ps 102:12, Is 43:25 - blot out, clear away sin 

4. Rom 2:13, Rom 3:20 - future justification 

5.  Justifications of Abraham 

   1. Heb 11:8-Gen 12:1-4

   2. Rom 4:2-3-Gen 15:6

   3. Jas 2:21-23-Gen 22:1-18

6. Jas 2:24 “You see that a man is justified by works and not by faith alone.” 

7. 2 Pet 1:4 - become partakers of the divine nature 

Purgatory & Prayers for the Dead

Magisterium

The Catechism of the Catholic Church

1. 1030 All who die in God's grace and friendship, but still imperfectly purified, are indeed assured of their eternal salvation; but after death they undergo purification, so as to achieve the holiness necessary to enter the joy of heaven.

2. 1031 The Church gives the name Purgatory to this final purification of the elect, which is entirely different from the punishment of the damned.The Church formulated her doctrine of faith on Purgatory especially at the Councils of Florence and Trent. The tradition of the Church, by reference to certain texts of Scripture, speaks of a cleansing fire:

   1. As for certain lesser faults, we must believe that, before the Final Judgment, there is a purifying fire. He who is truth says that whoever utters blasphemy against the Holy Spirit will be pardoned neither in this age nor in the age to come. From this sentence we understand that certain offenses can be forgiven in this age, but certain others in the age to come.

3. 1032 This teaching is also based on the practice of prayer for the dead, already mentioned in Sacred Scripture: "Therefore [Judas Maccabeus] made atonement for the dead, that they might be delivered from their sin."From the beginning the Church has honored the memory of the dead and offered prayers in suffrage for them, above all the Eucharistic sacrifice, so that, thus purified, they may attain the beatific vision of God. The Church also commends almsgiving, indulgences, and works of penance undertaken on behalf of the dead:

   1. Let us help and commemorate them. If Job's sons were purified by their father's sacrifice, why would we doubt that our offerings for the dead bring them some consolation? Let us not hesitate to help those who have died and to offer our prayers for them.

Personal Refleciton

“Angels and men, as intelligent and free creatures, have to journey toward their ultimate destinies by their free choice and preferential love. They can therefore go astray. Indeed, they have sinned. Thus has moral evil, incommensurably more harmful than physical evil, entered the world. God is in no way, directly or indirectly, the cause of moral evil. He permits it, however, because he respects the freedom of his creatures and, mysteriously, knows how to derive good from it: For almighty God..., because he is supremely good, would never allow any evil whatsoever to exist in his works if he were not so all-powerful and good as to cause good to emerge from evil itself.”[1]

This paragraph of the Catechism serves as a hermeneutical key for understanding Catholic eschatology. God does not impose His will upon us, at least not in the sense of “mind control”.[2] His grace is undeserved help and is not forced into our hearts and minds.[3] It is important thus to receive this help intentionally and for one’s betterment, through the growth of one’s nature toward virtue. As the paragraph states, the fact we can choose God or life without Him is necessary for calling us free. If we choose not to follow Him on earth, why would we wish to spend an eternity with Him? Again, He is not forcing us there, contrary to our nature, which we would have corrupted to the point of despising sacred things and moral order. Hell can be understood as the absence of the things a fully corrupt creature hates most, and although one’s nature was originally created good and meant for God, allowing a place apart from Himself is honoring of the choice of the creature.[4] As a result of our corruption, free choice, and the salvation that came through Christ, there are three end-of-life states: 1) all but totally opposed to the love of God, 2) not completely opposed to God’s love but not necessarily in the height of His friendship, and 3) all but perfectly in communion with God. In the first case, there is no need for purification since the soul has so excluded God that it would be unopened to the mercy of God.[5] Those in the third case would understandably be ready for Judgment, having conformed themselves perfectly to the age to come rather than this age, and already have actualized God’s mercy into their life, reaping its benefits, and thence removing sin from themselves (Romans 12:2). However, the question remains, what of those who were not void of relationship with God and at the same time were yet conformed to this life rather than eternal life? The Church would claim that whether on Earth as in case 3 or after death in case 2, “[we] will be saved, but only as through fire”(1 Corinthians 3:15, cf. Colossians 1:24, Hebrews 12:23).

Spiritual purgation, through love of God and neighbor by means of prayer and the sacraments, is the one thing necessary for remaining in the Christian beatitude (Revelation 21:27). This is made clear in Matthew 22, those who ought to have been fit for the “wedding” lost interest, and the less worthy were chosen instead, still having “wedding garments” (cf. Revelation 21:27). In the same parable, the one who was without a wedding garment was cast out. Therefore, it would seem well within the plan of God’s mercy to allow an opportunity to purify the less worthy prior to their entry into Heaven. This we call purgatory.[6]

FN:

1. Catechism of the Catholic Church, 2^nd^ ed. (Washington, DC: United States Catholic Conference, 2000), 311.

2. Cf. Catechism of the Catholic Church,, 1.: If mind control was what was needed, God would have needed us to be a particular way rather than free.

3.  Catechism of the Catholic Church,, 2002.

4.  Catechism of the Catholic Church,, 1033-1037.

5.  Catechism of the Catholic Church,, 1031, 1864.

6.  Catechism of the Catholic Church,, 1030-1032.

Reasoning

1. It is clear from Scripture that Heaven is a place for perfect individuals and yet He is merciful.

2. If God is merciful, He would provide a last chance opportunity for becoming perfect for those how apart from being imperfect are on their way to Heaven.

3. The Catholic Church claims He is merciful and does allow this opportunity. It does not have to be pleasant to be merciful, since its end is Heaven.

Scriptural Backing

View all Verses

1. Mt 5:48 - be perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect 

2. Heb 12:14 - strive for that holiness w/o which cannot see God 

3. Jam 3:2 - we all fall short in many respects 

4. Rev 21:27 - nothing unclean shall enter heaven 

5. 1 Jn 5:16-17 - degrees of sins distinguished 

6. Jam 1:14-15 - when sin reaches maturity gives birth to death 

7. 2 Sam 12:13-14 - David, though forgiven, still punished for sin 

8. Mt 5:26 - you will not be released until paid last penny 

9. Mt 12:32 - sin against Holy Spirit unforgiven in this age or next 

10. Mt 12:36 - account for every idle word on judgment day 

11. 2 Macc 12:44-46 - atoned for dead to free them from sin 

12. 1 Cor 3:15 - suffer loss, but saved as through fire 

13. 1 Pet 3:18-20; 4:6 - Jesus preached to the spirits in prison 

14. 2 Tim 1;16-18 - Paul prays for dead friend Onesiphorus 

15. 1 Cor 15:29-30 - Paul mentions people baptizing for the dead 

16. Col 1:24 - Completing the sacrifice of Christ requires our own sufferings

Church Father

Click here to read 

Sacraments as Instituted by Christ

1. Baptism of New Birth (View all passages on Baptism)

   1. Mt 28:19 - Direct command to Baptize and to do it with the Trinitarian invocation.

   2. Jn 3:5 - Some Christians will talk about being born again, but Christ defines exactly what that means incorporating both "water and Spirit"

   3. Acts 2:37-38 - Peter claims the whole crowd ought to be Baptized

   4. Acts 22:16 - Baptism is done in haste here

   5. Rom 6:4-46 - death and new life is seen here as well. sanctification  and freedom from sin are key elements mentioned

   6. 1 Cor 6:11 - similar to number 5

   7. Titus 3:5 –water and rebirth in the Holy Spirit is mentioned

   8. 1 Pet 3:21 - Baptism is mentioned to be prefigured

   9. Heb 10:22 - Body washed and heart cleansed

   10. Infant Baptism

       1. Acts 2:38-39 - “Repent and be baptized... this promise is for you and your children.” 

       2. Acts 16:15, 16:33, 18:8; 1 Cor 1:16 - household baptisms suggest baptism of children 

       3. Practical Reasoning: Parents raising children have always influenced children's beliefs. This is true in every religion even Atheism. What is so incongruous about a parent or parents having their child baptized while offering consent on behalf of their children when the beliefs of the parents are already so influential in the child's life? What role do you think Jesus would have expected of parents, who truly follow Him? If Jesus does not withhold His grace from them, why would He not consider parental authority sufficient to offer more of His grace?

   11. For a very thorough study of both Scripture and Tradition click here

   12. Church Fathers on:

       1. Baptismal Grace

       2. Necessity of Baptism

       3. Infant Baptism

2. Confirmation - a strengthening of the Holy Spirit's role in one's life (not choosing one's faith for oneself as in some denominations) - Acts 8:14-17; Heb 6:2

   1. Read a Posts

   2. Church Fathers on Confirmation

   3. The Catechism of the Catholic Church

3. Eucharist - Mt 26:26-29

   1. Mt 26:26-27; Mk 14:22,24; Lk 22:19-20; 1 Cor 10:24-25 — “This is my Body... This is my Blood.” 

   2. 1 Cor 5:7 — “Christ our Passover has been sacrificed for us, therefore let us keep the feast” (1.e. the Eucharist) 

   3. 1 Cor 10:16 — eating Eucharist is participation or communion with the Body and Blood of Christ. 

   4. 1 Cor 11:26-30 — unworthy eating is sinning against the Body and Blood of Christ 

   5. Jn 6:52-58 - you must eat the Body and Blood of Jesus 

   6. Ps 27:1-2; Is 9:18-20; Is 49:26; Mic 3:3; Rev 17:6,16 — shows that symbolic interpretation of Jn 6 inappropriate. 

   7. Gen 14:18; Ps 110:4; Heb 7:1-17 - Christ is a priest like Melchizedek, offering bread and wine. 

   8. Acts 2:42 — “breaking of bread” refers to Eucharist. 

   9. Church Fathers on the Sacrifice of the Mass

   10. Church Fathers on The Real Presence

   11. The Catechism of the Catholic Church

   12. Biblical Backing for the Liturgy Itself

4. Penance - John 20:21-23

   1. Jn 20:22-23 - “if you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven.” 

   2. Mt 18:18 - binding on earth and heaven 

   3. 2 Cor 5:18 - the Apostles possess the “ministry of reconciliation.” 

   4. Jas 5:14-16 - speaks about the forgiveness of sins, anointing of the sick, confession 

   5. Church Fathers on Confession

   6. The Catechism of the Catholic Church

   7. Our Resources on the Sacrament

5. Anointing of Sick - Mk 6:13, James 5:14-15

   1. The Catechism of the Catholic Church

   2. Church Fathers

6. Holy Orders & the Priesthood (View all verses in order)

   1. Acts of the Apostles 6:3-6 - men dedicated to the word chosen from among the people

   2. Qualification of Deacons and Bishops are laid out

      1. 1 Timothy 3:1

      2. 1 Timothy 3:8-9

   3. Speaking of Ordination

      1. 1 Timothy 4:14-16

      2. 1 Timothy 5:17-19-22

   4. Apostolic Succession - 

      1. Bible: Acts 1:15-26; 2 Tim 2:2; Tit 1:5

      2. Reasoning: There is thus a profound link between Christ, the Church and evangelization. During the period of the Church that we are living in, it is she who has the task of evangelizing. This mandate is not accomplished without her, and still less against her. It is certainly fitting to recall this fact at a moment like the present one when it happens that not without sorrow we can hear people - whom we wish to believe are well-intentioned but who are certainly misguided in their attitude - continually claiming to love Christ but without the Church, to listen to Christ but not the Church, to belong to Christ but outside the Church. The absurdity of this dichotomy is clearly evident in this phrase of the Gospel: "Anyone who rejects you rejects me."[44] And how can one wish to love Christ without loving the Church, if the finest witness to Christ is that of St. Paul: "Christ loved the Church and sacrificed himself for her"? Paul VI, Apostolic Exhortation on the Church's mission to proclaim the Gospel Evangelii nuntiandi (8 December 1975), §16. 

   5. Priests Ordained to Preach - Acts 15:6,23; 1 Tim 4:14, 5:22; 1 Tim 5:17; Jas 5:13-15

   6. Ministers called Father - Lk 16:24; Rom 4; 1 Cor 4:14-15; Acts 7:2; 1 Thes 2:11; 1 Jn 2:13-14

   7. Indelible Mark on the Soul - Gen 14:18; Ps 110:4; Heb 7:1-17

   8. Read a Posts

   9. The Catechism of the Catholic Church

7. Holy Matrimony - Mt 19:10-11; Eph 5:31-32

   1. The Catechism of the Catholic Church

Relics

1. 2 Kgs 13:20-21 - Elisha’s bones give life to a dead man (1st class relic) 

2. Mt 9:20-22 - Jesus’ garment cures a woman (2"* class relic) 

3. Acts 19:11,12 - handkerchiefs and aprons touch to Paul’s body heal the sick (3" class relic) 

4. Acts 5:15-16 - Peter’s shadow thought to heal the sick 

Moral Issues Every Generation seems to Struggle With

Abortion

Life begins at conception 

1. Job 31:15 God made you in the womb... formed us in our mothers 

2. Ps 22:9-10 “from my mother’s womb you have been my God” 

3. Ps 139:13-16 “you knit me together in my mother’s womb... your eyes saw my unformed body” 

4. Is 44:2; Is 49:5 the Lord formed you in the womb 

5. Is 46:3-4 “I have upheld you since you were conceived” 

6. Jer 1:4-5 “before you were born I set you apart” 

7. Lk 1:41 “the baby leapt in her womb” 

8. Read the Church Fathers

We should be involved in pro-life causes 

1. Ex 20:13 Thou shalt not murder 

2. Ps 82:3-4 defend the weak and fatherless 

3. Prov 24:11-12 rescue those being led away to death 

Read the Catechism

Contraception

1. Human fertility is a blessing 

1. Gen 1:27-28 — be fruitful and multiply 

2. Ex 23:25-26; Deut 7:13-14 — fertility declared a covenantal blessing 

3. Ps 127:3-5 — children are a gift from God... blessed is a quiver full 

4. Hos 9:10-17 — Israel punished with childlessness 

5. 1 Tim 2:11-15 — women saved through childbearing 

6. Lev 21:20 - crushed testicles called defect/blemish 

7. Deut 23:1 — castrated men banned from OT worship 

2. Withholding self and seed is unnatural and sinful 

1. Gen 38:9-10 — Onan "killed by God" for spilling his semen on the ground 

2. Acts 5:1-11 — Ananias/Saphira slain for withholding part of their gift 

3. The OT punishes sterile sex with death 

1. Lev 20:13 — death sentence for man with man (sterile sex) 

2. Lev 20:15 — death sentence for man with animal (sterile sex) 

3. Lev 20:16 — death sentence for woman with animals (sterile sex) 

4. Read the Church Fathers

5. Read the Catechism of the Catholic Church (Both Sexuality and Contraception)

Homosexual Acts

1. Gen 1:27 — God made them male and female 

2. Gen 19 — the homosexual sinners of Sodom destroyed 

3. Lev 18:22 — homosexual acts called “abomination” 

4. Lev 20:13 — death penalty for people who commit homosexual acts

5. Rom 1:27 — called unnatural, shameful, and a perversity 

6. 1 Cor 6:9 — People who commit homosexual acts will not inherit the kingdom of God 

7. 1 Tim 1:9-10 — People who commit homosexual acts called “sinners” 

8. Read the Catechism of the Catholic Church (Both Sexuality and Contraception)

9. Read the Church Fathers

The One Church

1. Jn 10:16 — one sheepfold and one shepherd 

2. Jn 17:17-23 — Jesus prays that his disciples might be one as He and the Father are one 

3. Rom 12:4-5 — though many, we are one body in Christ 

4. Rom 16:17 — avoid those who cause schism 

5. 1 Cor 1:10 — there should be no divisions among you 

6. Eph 4:3-6 — one body, one Spirit, one hope, one Lord, on faith, one baptism, one God & Father 

7. Col 3:15 — called in one body 

Hell's Existence

(Also see the Section on Purgatory)

Practical reasoning

1. What is the purpose of saving us from our sin, if suffering ends with death?

2. Why would Christ come to die and speak so often of the radical commitment to the Gospel necessary to truly be His followers if there was not something at risk?

Scripture

1. Is 33:11-14 everlasting flames 

2. Mt 25:41 depart, you accursed, into the eternal fire 

3. Mt 25:46 these will go off to eternal punishment 

4. Lk 3:16-17 the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire 

5. 2 Thes 1:6-9 these will pay the penalty of eternal ruin 

6. Read the Catechism of the Catholic Church (Para. 1033-1037)

Health and Wealth Gospel

Practical Reasoning

Not always and everywhere but often, following Christ requires everything you got. Even when wealth is not given up it is still surrendered to God's will, for His purposes.

Scripture

1. Mt 10:38 - no “take cross and follow me” = not worthy of me 

2. Rm 8;16-17 - heirs with Christ, if only we suffer with him 

3. Rm 8:18 - present suffering nothing compared w/ future glory 

4. Phil 1:28-29 - granted to believe, also to suffer for him 

5. Col 1:24 - filling up what is lacking in Christ sufferings 

6. Heb 12:5-7 - whom God loves, he disciplines.as sons 

7. Heb 12:11 - discipline seems painful, but brings righteousness 

8. 1 Pet 1:6 - for awhile you must suffer various trials 

9. 1 Pet 2:19-21 - suffering=grace; Jesus suffered as our example 

Statues and Icons

It is first worth noting that the "worship" or "prayer" to statues or Icons is to misunderstand the concept of analogy. These statues and/or icons may be images of whom they signify but they are not the persons themselves. Most of the corresponding accusations arise to do the "prayer" to saints covered on the last page. However, against Iconoclasm one may cite the following verses and the fact Jesus Himself made Himself an Icon by taking on Flesh.

1. Ex 25:18-22, 26:1, 31; Num 21:8-9 - God commands sacred images to be made 

2. 1 Kgs 6:23-29, 35, 7:29 - Solomon’s Temple contained both statues and images 

When are the End Times?

1. Mt 24:44 - be prepared, Jesus coming at unexpected hour 

2. Mt 25:13 - stay awake, you know neither the day nor hour 

3. Mk 13:35-37 - watch, unknown when lord of house coming 

4. Lk 12:46 - master will come at unexpected day and hour 

5. 1 Thess 5:2-3 - day of Lord will come like thief in night 

6. 2 Pet 3:9-10 - day of Lord will come like a thief 

7. Rev 3:3 - if not watchful, will come like a thief 

8. Mt 24:36 - no one but Father alone knows day and hou

Priesthood

Male-only - Spiritual Fatherhood

Premise 1: The Catholic Church bases the male-only priesthood on the example set by Christ in choosing male apostles and the continued tradition through the apostolic succession

1. https://www.catholic.com/magazine/print-edition/why-the-church-doesnt-ordain-women

2. https://www.ewtn.com/catholicism/library/womans-authority-in-the-church-10933

3. Real leadership does not involve position: "It will not be so among you; but whoever wishes to be great among you must be your servant,  and whoever wishes to be first among you must be your slave; just as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many" Matthew 20:26-28

   • Premise 1: True Christian leadership, according to the teachings of Christ, is rooted in humility and service (Matthew 20:25-28).

   • Premise 2: The role of a bishop or priest is not about authority or power but about being a servant-leader, following Christ's example of laying down His life for the flock.

   • Conclusion: Thus, the ambition to lead within the Church should come from a desire to serve and sacrifice oneself for others, not from seeking power or prestige.

• Those who feel they should be bishops (including those who are and priests who have ambition, not only the occasional woman).

  • "But Jesus called them to him and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones are tyrants over them. It will not be so among you; but whoever wishes to be great among you must be your servant, and whoever wishes to be first among you must be your slave; just as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many.” Matthew 20:25-29

• Ordination is a sacrament

  • The Church says, "CCC 1577-8 "Only a baptized man (vir) validly receives sacred ordination." The Lord Jesus chose men (viri) to form the college of the twelve apostles, and the apostles did the same when they chose collaborators to succeed them in their ministry. The college of bishops, with whom the priests are united in the priesthood, makes the college of the twelve an ever-present and ever-active reality until Christ's return. The Church recognizes herself to be bound by this choice made by the Lord himself. For this reason the ordination of women is not possible. No one has a right to receive the sacrament of Holy Orders. Indeed no one claims this office for himself; he is called to it by God.9 Anyone who thinks he recognizes the signs of God’s call to the ordained ministry must humbly submit his desire to the authority of the Church, who has the responsibility and right to call someone to receive orders. Like every grace, this sacrament can be received only as an unmerited gift."

  • The Church is a woman according to Ephesians 5 and the Husband (priest, the same gender as Christ) lays down his life for His bride. Oppression?

Premise 2: The Church teaches that this decision is not based on the value or dignity of women but on the roles established by Christ, which reflect a theological and sacramental reality.

Women in the Church

1. Doctors of the Church

   1. Among the 37 recognised Doctors, 28 are from the West and nine from the East; four are women and thirty-three are men; one is an abbess, three are nuns, and one is a tertiary associated with a religious order

      1. Teresa of Ávila, the Doctor of Prayer

      2. Catherine of Siena, Who told the pope what to do once and he listened

      3. Therese of Lisieux, the Doctor amoris(Doctor of love) and Doctor synthesis (Doctor of synthesis)

      4. Hildegard of Bingen, (mother superior of her convent)

2. Consultation the Church's priest's learn from mothers in countless ways and may serve in dioscessan chanceries under the bishops or for bishop's conferences.

3. Dignity: Pope John Paul II. Apostolic Letter on the Dignity and Vocation of Women Mulieris dignitatem (15 August 1988). 

4. Mary - Do you claim we worship her or don't you?

   1. Regarding claims that we worship Mary or disrespect women, these misunderstandings often arise from a lack of familiarity with our beliefs. We venerate Mary as the Mother of God, not as an object of worship, guiding us closer to Jesus (CCC 971). This devotion highlights the Church’s deep respect for the dignity of all women, rooted in the belief that both men and women are made in God’s image (Genesis 1:27, CCC 369). One cannot on the one hand claim that the Catholic Church oppresses woman and then on the other claim we worship one? Which will you choose if any?

Conclusion: Therefore, the male-only priesthood is a theological position rather than a statement of gender inequality. It is about following Christ’s example, not a judgment on the capabilities or worth of women.

"Call no Man Father"

Verse out of context "And call no one your father on earth, for you have one Father—the one in heaven." (Matthew 23:9). 

Reasoning

1. Every parent is an image of the provident and loving God, especially Fathers.

2. Context: In this passage from Matthew 23, Jesus addresses the crowds and His disciples, warning them about the hypocrisy of the scribes and Pharisees. He acknowledges their authority to teach as they hold the position of Moses' seat, but He advises the people to follow their teachings without emulating their actions, as they burden others without lifting a finger themselves. Jesus criticizes them for their ostentation, seeking honor and recognition instead of serving humbly. He reminds His followers that they have one true teacher and one Father in heaven. Jesus issues a series of "woes" to the scribes and Pharisees, condemning their practices: they prevent others from entering the kingdom of heaven, mislead new converts, and focus on trivial aspects of the law while neglecting justice, mercy, and faith. He calls them blind guides for their misplaced priorities and superficial cleanliness, comparing them to whitewashed tombs—appearing righteous outwardly but corrupt within. He accuses them of hypocrisy for claiming they would not have participated in the murders of the prophets while actually being complicit in their descendants' actions. Ultimately, Jesus predicts dire consequences for their actions and the judgment that will come upon their generation.

   1. When we call our paternal parent "Dad", "Father", or "Abba" we are not intending to call him God or expect that he is somehow to be a Messiah. Neither are we with our priests.

3. Do Protestants care not to refer to their parents as mother and father?

   1. If not, how can you use this passage against us? Read more on this 

   2. If so, perhaps they are like the Scribes and Pharisees who believe their interpretation is absolute rather than deferring to Christ.

Other Passages that Seem to Contradict This One

1. 2 Timothy 1:2-13

2. Job 29:16

3. Isaiah 22:20–21

4. 2 Kings 2:12; 2 Kings. 6:21

5. Romans 9:10

6. Philippians 2:22

7. 1 Corinthians 4:14–15 - I became your father in Christ thru gospel 

8. Acts of the Apostles 7:2 - St. Stephen calls Jewish leaders “fathers” 

9. Acts 21:40, 22:1 - St. Paul calls Jerusalem Jews “fathers” 

10. Rom 4:16-17 - Abraham called “the father of us all” 

11. 1 Tim 1:2 - my true child in the faith 

12. Tit 1:4 - my true child in our common faith 

13. Heb 12:7-9 - we have earthly fathers to discipline us 

14. Lk 14:26 - "if anyone comes to me w/o hating his father ... "; perhaps this speaks to what Jesus would have meant

15. 1 Thess 2:11 - we treated you as a father treats his children

16. Philem 1:10 - whose father 1 became in my imprisonment 

17. 1 Jn 2:13, 14 - I write to you, fathers, because you know him 

Interpreting the Scripture Honestly

1. Dr. John Bergsma https://stpaulcenter.com/call-no-man-father-what-jesus-meant/

Praying to Saints is Not Necromancy

Scripture

1. Mk 12:26-27 - he is God of the living, not of the dead 

2. Mk 9:4 - Jesus seen conversing with Elijah and Moses 

3. Lk 23:43 - this day you will be with me in paradise 

4. Rev 6;9-11 - martyrs under altar want earthly vindication 

5. Heb 12:1 - we are surrounded by a cloud of witnesses 

6. Lk 16:19-30:- departed rich man intercedes for brothers 

7. Rev 20:4 - saw the souls of those who had been beheaded 

8. Wis 3:1-6 - the souls of the just are in the hand of God

Reasoning

9. Death does not hinder, Christ, then neither His body the Church

Alcohol

CCC 2290 The virtue of temperance disposes us to avoid every kind of excess: the abuse of food, alcohol, tobacco, or medicine. Those incur grave guilt who, by drunkenness or a love of speed, endanger their own and others' safety on the road, at sea, or in the air.

Read this Post on this Particular Subject

Read this Post on Temperance

Read this Post on a way of Determining Intemperance

Divorce

1. Mal 2:14-16 - for I hate divorce, says the Lord 

2. Mt 5:32-33 - to divorce or marry divorced wife is adultery 

3. Mt 19:4-6, 9 - to divorce wife and remarry is adultery 

4. Mk 10:11-12 - if either divorces and remarries=adultery 

5. Lk 16;18 - to divorce & remarry or marry divorced=adultery 

6. Rom 7:2-3 -wife consorts=adulteress if living, but not if dead

7. Church Fathers

8. Read our post on this

9. Read the Catechism of the Catholic Church

10. Begin our Bible Study on the Theology of the Body