Month: November 2023

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Compromising Our Christian Identity

Roman Catholic Bishop Kevin C. Rhoades expressed significant concerns about the change in admission policy at Saint Mary’s College, a Catholic women’s college, which now considers for admission not only applicants whose sex is female but also those who consistently live and identify as women.

In a recent statement the Bishop emphasized that this shift departs from fundamental Catholic teaching on the nature of womanhood and compromises the college’s identity as a Catholic institution. He pointed out that the ideology affirming gender as a subjective experience separate from biological sex contradicts Catholic teaching, which sees the unity of body and soul and recognizes sexual identity as an innate aspect of one’s nature created by God.

Bishop Rhoades highlighted Pope Francis’ teachings, which emphasize the inseparability of biological sex and socio-cultural gender roles, cautioning against ideologies that try to separate these aspects of reality. He stressed that truth and love must go hand in hand, expressing concern that the new policy might prioritize an inclusive environment over adherence to Catholic doctrine. He called on Saint Mary’s College to uphold its Catholic identity and mission by rejecting gender ideologies that contradict the Church’s teachings on the human person, sex, and gender. This includes recognizing and respecting every individual’s dignity as created in the image of God, while not affirming views of sexual identity that diverge from Catholic understanding.

You can read his full statement below.

Saint Mary’s Compromising its Identity as A Catholic Woman’s College

Our Christian Identity is grounded in both Truth and Love.

Pope Francis teaches about the intimate connection between truth and love in his first encyclical, Lumen Fidei (The Light of Faith). He writes:

“Love requires truth. Only to the extent that love is grounded in truth can it endure over time, can it transcend the passing moment and be sufficiently solid to sustain a shared journey. If love is not tied to truth, it falls prey to fickle emotions and cannot stand the test of time. True love, on the other hand, unifies all the elements of our person and becomes a new light pointing the way to a great and fulfilled life” (#27).

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And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.

John 1:14, ESV
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Taking Care of the Planet & Our Bodies

I’ve sometimes wondered about Christians who were so keen on ‘saving the planet’ but who have little difficulty disregarding the importance of the human body.  They think, for example, that ‘gender fluidity’ is an acceptable way to be human.  They think you should identify as a different sex, for example, if that’s what it takes to actualize your ‘authentic self,’ and by that they mean ‘your inner, invisible self.’

I know some of these Christians.  I love them as brothers and sisters.  But here’s the problem.   They think the body is essentially irrelevant, and that we will one day ‘transcend the body’.  They think we will, at death, become ‘spiritual,’ and therefore more like God (they think).   I’ve studied their theology.  I’ve hung out with them.  I’ve loved them.  And still do. 

YET some of these same Christians think human-caused global warming crucially important.  So.  I must confess, I’m puzzled.  Why not hasten the day when we become ‘godlike’?  Why should we care about the material creation?  Why not salt the earth?  And hasten the coming day of godlikeness.  Material suicide is the ticket.  Isn’t it?

Of course each of them would recoil in horror at such a thought.  But I detect a glaring inconsistency in their thinking.

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What if God created us to be and become what we were created to be and become?  What if God created us to become ‘spirit of God’ infilled human beings? (Theologians calls this Temple Theology.)  Doesn’t that change the end time calculus, cosmically and personally?  And allow us to consistently view the planet and our bodies sacramentalIy? I think it does.

I know there is altruism in the position of the Christian environmentalists I’m criticizing.  

“We should care for the planet because of our children and God’s other creatures” they say.   And they are right.

But if these Christians are convinced that our eternal destiny is a disembodied ‘spiritual’ existence, if we are so to speak ‘justa passin thru,’ and the ultimate goal is to become godlike, as in ‘spiritual’ like an angel, then why not the sooner the better?  True, it may be decidedly uncomfortable for our children and other worldly creatures.  But won’t it be eternally rewarding?

Also many of these Christians affirm God as the Creator.  So.  Can you square that circle?  I can’t. 

As a classic Christian I’m convinced that CREATED spirit (or soul) and CREATED matter (our bodies) are equally important to our Creator, and were meant to be integrated.  God values both.  God created both and called all of it “very good.”  Why would Christians think otherwise?  

They shouldn’t.

Oh, I know, some parts of the created order are broken.  Like my brother’s body was broken in the womb.  Still, assuming normal human development, our bodies are a great and good gift.  And Christians should not think otherwise?

Thinking like that is the great distortion of these very queer un-Christian times. 

God help us.  

There is more to say. Please see the post below.

Companion Post

Gnosticism Rejected

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Celebrate God’s Creation of Male & Female

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Stack Rock Creek Bridge Video – Autumn

Stack Rock Creek Bridge, found near milepost 305, is more than just a bridge; it’s a testament to the harmonious blend of nature and engineering. This stone-faced beauty, seamlessly melding into the surrounding landscape, was constructed in the late 1930s as part of the New Deal-era projects.

If you’re lucky enough to be there in autumn, you’re in for a treat. The foliage turns into a fiery display of reds, oranges, and yellows, as if the trees decided to throw their own Mardi Gras parade.

Enjoy.

Video Rating

Companion Post

Celebrate A Good Father’s Good Creation

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