How Many Heretics with Wrong-Headed Philosophies Do You Know?

Anyone who's read the blog for a time knows I'm a great fan of G. K. Chesterton. Our Chesterton book club just read Heretics, a rather surprising title for a book that has absolutely nothing to do with religious heretics like Martin Luther or Arius, etc. In Heretics, Chesterton criticizes his contemporaries for their wrong-headed philosophies. Rudyard Kipling, George Bernard Shaw, H.G. Wells, etc. all get the sting of Chesterton's barbed wit. He also takes on groups, like the yellow press and those who make science their god. It's a fascinating group of essays.

Guest Post: Martin Luther: Heretic and Enemy of the Faith!

Martin Luther: Church demolition expert.

Luther Wanted to Renew the Church?

By David Martin

Once again Pope Francis has defied Church teaching and policy to placate those who protest. Speaking to members of an Ecumenical Delegation from Finland on January 19, he said, "The intention of Martin Luther five hundred years ago was to renew the Church, not divide her."

Alas! The pope has praised one whom the Church holds to be a heretic. The fact is that Luther protested the Catholic Church in the sixteenth century because he regarded not God and his rule of law. And whereas he waged his protest under the guise of a reform, there was nothing in the Church that needed reforming other than his unfounded errors. http://www.papalencyclicals.net/Leo10/l10exdom.htm

Put Your Shoes Out for St. Nicholas the Wonder-Worker

I love St. Nicholas. He was meek, loved the poor, and deprived himself of many good things to share with others. What a model for Advent. You can read about this great saint here and here.

Being meek didn't keep him from defending the faith with zeal. It's said that during one of the most contentious meetings during the Council of Nicea, he crossed the room and took a swing at the heretic Arius who denied that Christ was God.

Gosh, we could use some bishops like that in these days of playing kissy face with dissenters and outright heretics.

I'm putting my shoe out for St. Nicholas and asking him to fill it with spiritual intercessions that I might be more like him.

St. Nicholas, pray for us!

The Chutzpah of Heretics Never Ceases to Amaze Me

I guess it's not surprising that heretics are loaded with chutzpah! After all its definition is "unmitigated effrontery or impudence" and heretics certainly don't illustrate an iota of humility. But I'm always amazed to see how they rewrite prayers. You've seen it, of course. Changing the Our Father to Our Mother.  But heretics continue in their silliness and the American Catholic Council, heretics extraordinaire, has a rewritten Magnificat on their website that stimulates the gag reflex. I can't decide whether to laugh or weep:

A BASTARDIZED HERETIC'S VERSION OF THE MAGNIFICAT

                                                 by Joy Conley 

My soul sings in gratitude. [Mary no longer "magnifies the Lord" or "proclaims His greatness."] I'm dancing in the mystery of God. [No "rejoicing in God, my Savior." After all, who needs a Savior when you're your own god?]
The light of the Holy One is within me and I am blessed, so truly blessed. [What happened to God's "lowly servant? or the "Almighty who has done great things?"]

This goes deeper than human thinking. [Huh?]  I am filled with awe
at Love whose only condition is to be received. [Uh...no. Remember, "He has cast down the mighty from their thrones....and the rich He has sent away empty."]

The gift is not for the proud, for they have no room for it. [Well...she should know. There is no one prouder than one who thinks she can rewrite and improve on holy Scripture.]
The strong and self-sufficient ones don't have this awareness. [Got that right, lady!]

But those who know their emptiness can rejoice in Love's fullness. [Spoken as one who is totally full of herself!]
It's the Love that we are made for, the reason for our being.
It fills our inmost heart space and brings to birth in us, the Holy One. [Wow!...Well, as Jesus said, "If you love me, you will keep my commandments." In the meantime, these folks work to undermine many of the commandments especially those relating to love, marriage, and family. Pray for them! No heretics will get into heaven. But no one is beyond the grace of conversion even these proud, self-sufficient heretics.]

                                                                        

Heretic Alert!

Anthony Tambasco is speaking tonight and September 30th at St. Ann's in Arlington, VA which has a long-time reputation for dissent. Tambasco's list of shocking heresies includes:

• The apostles and early church fabricated the miracles and prophecies of Jesus.
• The resurrection wasn’t necessary.
• Mary’s perpetual virginity may have been a “theological symbol.”
• Peter never acknowledged Jesus as God.
• Jesus Himself didn't know He was God until after the resurrection.
• Thomas never put his hand in Jesus' side.
• Dr. Tambasco has also written that “It would not destroy my faith, if a theologian proved that [Jesus’] body rotted in the grave.” He snaps his fingers at St. Paul's admonition, “If Christ has not been raised, our preaching is void of content and your faith is empty too.” (1 Cor. 15: 14) [Read more....]

Pray for Renegade Priests

Father Andrew Greeley suffers severe injuries in fall

Fr. Bourgeois will not renounce stand to avoid excommunication