Saturday, June 25, 2011

Trivia Question # 8

During the ILM summer break I'm presenting this Catholic trivia quiz one question at a time, and then giving the answer and asking a new question in the next post.

Last weeks question: What does salt symbolize in the sacrament of Baptism?

Answer: Wisdom

Question # 8: Members of the Mendicant Orders are referred to as ___________, while members of the Cenobite Orders are referred to as ____________.

Answer:

Wednesday, June 22, 2011

Christology

Christology, A Biblical, Historical, and Systematic Study of Jesus was written by Gerald O'Collins, and was published by Oxford Press in 2009. This book was assigned for the ILM course titled The Churches Understanding of God and Jesus. Perhaps the most important question that Jesus ever asked his disciples is “Who do you say that I am?” In this remarkable book Gerald O’Collins, the well known author of many volumes on Christological topics, addresses this central theological question in a way that articulates his own deep personal spirituality. The back cover says, "Clear and balanced, this book should be valued by any student reading systematic theology, anyone training for the ministry in all denominations, and well as interested general readers". However, it's not a book for the beginning student of Christology. It's a very tough read with very deep and complicated presentations of our understanding of who Jesus Christ was, and is.

The jacket says, "In this revised and updated second edition of his accessible account of systematic Christology, Gerald O'Collins critically examines the best biblical and historical scholarship before tackling head-on some key questions: does orthodox faith present Jesus the man as deficient and depersonalized? Is his sinlessness compatible with the exercise of a free human will? Does up-to-date exegesis challenge his virginal conception and personal resurrection? Can one reconcile Jesus' role as universal Savior with the truth and values to be found in other religions? What should the feminist movement highlight in presenting Jesus? This integral Christology is built around the resurrection of the crucified Jesus, highlights love as the key to redemption, and proposes a synthesis of the divine presence through Jesus.

The second edition includes fresh material on current discussions in the study of Christology: the use of 'near-death' and bereavement experiences as analogies to the post-resurrection appearances of Christ; contemporary philosophical theology and the case for the logical coherence of the Incarnation; the universal redemptive activity of Christ; and the place and possibilities of 'presence' as an organizing category in Christology."

Gerald O' Collins is Research Professor of Theology at St Mary's University College, Twickenham, and Honorary Adjunct Professor of Australian Catholic University. He has published, alone or with others, 47 books, including Jesus Our Redeemer, Salvation for All, and Catholicism (all OUP). Author of hundreds of articles in professional and popular journals, he has lectured at many universities and colleges in the British Isles, India, New Zealand, the United States, his native Australia, and elsewhere.

Saturday, June 18, 2011

Trivia Question # 7

During the ILM summer break I'm presenting this Catholic trivia quiz one question at a time, and then giving the answer and asking a new question in the next post.

Last weeks question: The feast of the Transfiguration is celebrated during which month?

Answer: August

Question # 7: What does salt symbolize in the sacrament of Baptism?

Answer:

Wednesday, June 15, 2011

Judgment Day

On June 9th, less than three weeks after his predicted Day of Judgment, Harold Camping suffered a mild stroke. Because it was Mr. Camping’s speech that was affected, which become slurred as a result, many observers considered it too coincidental. They proclaim that his stroke (while tragic) was a divine act of punishment for his false predictions; or at the very least it is a warning not to do it again. Was Harold Camping's stroke punishment from God? Does a loving God punish people if they disobey Him? We, as Christians, believe that God is active in creation and that He takes sin seriously; but is He responsible for the punishment of individuals and groups, nations and churches?

To speculate with some sort of certainty that we know what’s going on when someone has a stroke (or loses their home or wins the lottery) is not something we are able to do. That’s not to say it isn’t helpful for us to ask: Lord, are you up to something here, or Lord, are you trying to teach me something? Too often people rush to connect the dots; focusing on the details rather than understanding the universal reality of God’s plan for our lives. Everyone, including you and I are under God's judgment, but to interpret individual events as punishment or reward is not something we should do.

If Mr. Camping belonged to a church he could seek wisdom from a community of believers as to what God is trying to reveal to him. However, since this Family Radio broadcaster believes the church age is over, it has been and will continue to be difficult for him to discern the Truth that God continually offers each of us. It is entirely appropriate for the general public, including Christians, to respond to and confront Mr. Camping's unbiblical teachings, as long as it is done with humility. What the public should avoid, however, is joining others in mocking him or his ideas as laughable. Although Mr. Camping was wrong about the date, he’s not wrong about the magnitude and seriousness of our relationship with God.

Thankfully, Jesus takes on our punishment if we are benefiting from faith, so what is the correct biblical response to someone like Harold Camping? Our first response should be humility upon the realization that we all deserve judgment and death because of our sin. Rather than being self-righteous toward those who are going through a difficult time, it should be a sobering, humbling repentance that we feel. Secondly, we need to recognize that God's message for us, as it has been revealed in the Bible and Tradition for centuries, is His unconditional Love for us; and because of that Love eternal life. Thirdly, we need to continually pray for individuals and groups, nations and churches. In Mr. Camping's case, we should pray that he will regain his physical health and come to an understanding of God's Truth.

Saturday, June 11, 2011

Trivia Question # 6

During the ILM summer break I'm presenting this Catholic trivia quiz one question at a time, and then giving the answer and asking a new question in the next post.

Last weeks question: Which bird can be seen drinking from a chalice in many traditional Christian artworks?

Answer: Peacock

Question # 6: The feast of the Transfiguration is celebrated during which month?

Answer:

Wednesday, June 8, 2011

Reading the New Testament

Reading the New Testament was written by Pheme Perkins and was published by Paulist Press in 1988. This book was assigned for the ILM course titled Jesus and the Gospels which focused on his life, message, death, and resurrection. It provided detail about the types of literature and kinds of stories, as well as the current understanding about how it was passed on and gathered into written form, and eventually collected into what we call the Christian Scriptures. This was another fascinating book with information on every page, and I really enjoyed it. It also prompted some very interesting discussions in class, about the infancy narratives and other stories, who Jesus was, and how what he taught about the Kingdom of God became the basis for Christianity. I would recommend this book to those that are interested in understanding the New Testament.

The jacket says, "Reading the New Testament has been recognized as a very valuable way to introduce students to modern historical-critical interpretation of the New Testament without sacrificing its primary message. It brings a sure grasp of biblical scholarship and an understanding of the interdependence of scripture and the church. It is an excellent book for anyone wishing to start a study of the New Testament as an individual or a member of a group.

This second and revised edition of Reading the New Testament has obviously profited from the reactions of hundreds of students and other readers in the last decade. It will be especially welcome in adult bible study groups who are always in search of affordable materials of outstanding quality.

Pheme Perkins is professor of theology at Boston College. She received her Ph.D. in New Testament and Christian Origins from Harvard University and has served as president of the Catholic Biblical Association and the New England region of the American Academy of Religion. She is the author of fourteen books.

Saturday, June 4, 2011

Trivia Question # 5

During the ILM summer break I'm presenting this Catholic trivia quiz one question at a time, and then giving the answer and asking a new question in the next post.

Last weeks question: What is the name for the suffering, death, resurrection, and glorification of the Lord?

Answer: Pascal Mystery

Question # 5: Which bird can be seen drinking from a chalice in many traditional Christian artworks?

Answer: