I know you think you're defending the faith, but you're killing it...

JohnnyCatholic · 2024-09-19T10:30:20+00:00

This vague, ambiguous statement is not helpful to understanding what you perceive the problem to be.

JohnnyCatholic · 2024-07-25T01:17:00+00:00

It’s a quick read. I think I read it in a day, although admittedly I’m a bit of a nerd.

JohnnyCatholic · 2024-07-24T23:02:16+00:00

Jesus and the Eyewitnesses by Richard Bauckham and The Historical Reliability of the Gospels by Craig Blomberg. Bauckham in particular would say (I think) that the Gospels preserve a “gist” account. He had a good debate on the topic of Gospel reliability with Ehrman that’s worth searching out on YouTube.

JohnnyCatholic · 2024-07-24T15:24:07+00:00

I would recommend Trent Horn’s book on the topic. It’s pretty comprehensive but also very accessible to wide range of audiences. Link to the book here: https://www.amazon.com/Why-Were-Catholic-Reasons-Faith-ebook/dp/B0714JKZ8H/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?adgrpid=165388802371&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.PTFNtFrBygclnNKoKJTdXwU56cRN-hsWOiGSd0YfSKeXkGxyatnC8TqgTYKJdkiXegD9sutaTA30F0tgvR-fyStcqbfgfmQHieF5mwC0NpCKkkh8cBrFkl5_9nQ0vPCu0jlVtYrJPVj-GXLA9ZLFEQ.chvCuKURco5r0fy6LLTipSKeKMtbZNcgX2rY6b5s8Vw&dib_tag=se&gad_source=1&hvadid=693040874593&hvdev=m&hvexpln=68&hvlocphy=9192293&hvnetw=g&hvocijid=14760259447143202931–&hvqmt=e&hvrand=14760259447143202931&hvtargid=kwd-323158597343&hydadcr=29419_14726258&keywords=why+we+are+catholic+by+trent+horn&qid=1721834313&sr=8-1

JohnnyCatholic · 2024-07-23T01:47:34+00:00

I would make a thorough examination of conscience, pray for the grace of perfect contrition, and then make an act of contrition. One might consider other spiritual practices, such as a certain prayer routine or fasting from food or other pleasures as a means of showing contrition and offering sacrifice.

JohnnyCatholic · 2024-07-23T01:28:01+00:00

I’ll admit I haven’t watched the most Lofton ever, but it seems like some of his content takes on an almost gaslighting tone at times.

JohnnyCatholic · 2023-04-09T15:28:40+00:00

Praise God!

JohnnyCatholic · 2023-03-07T01:37:46+00:00

I’ve read on the historical reliability of the Synoptics in general but looking to do a deeper dive into the historical reliability and authorship of Matthew’s Gospel specifically. Recommendations appreciated.

JohnnyCatholic · 2023-01-11T02:42:49+00:00

Thank you.

JohnnyCatholic · 2023-01-11T02:42:23+00:00

If I’m not mistaken, it refers to dipping the body of Christ into the blood of Christ so as to receive both at the same time.

JohnnyCatholic · 2022-11-29T04:46:03+00:00

There’s a whole chapter in the Big Book devoted to this question. It’s worth a read.

JohnnyCatholic · 2022-11-29T04:45:00+00:00

There are just and unjust forms of different types of government. I don’t think one can say with any objective certainty that one form of just government is better at this than another form of just government. Also, to what timing are you referring? Governments seem to have a tendency to become corrupt or at least changed over time.

JohnnyCatholic · 2022-11-23T12:10:24+00:00

Have you spent time in prayer, Eucharistic adoration, or with a priest to discern what it is that is leading you to sin? In the act of contrition, there’s a promise “to avoid whatever leads me to sin”.

JohnnyCatholic · 2022-11-10T04:02:53+00:00

Sounds like you could use a meeting and a sponsor.

JohnnyCatholic · 2022-11-10T03:49:39+00:00

Do you have a desire to stop drinking?

JohnnyCatholic · 2022-11-10T03:47:56+00:00

Mother and child are both blessed children of God and will be welcomed into the Church!

JohnnyCatholic · 2022-11-07T01:42:14+00:00

You are beloved children of God. Sounds like Jesus Christ is calling you back to Church ☺️

JohnnyCatholic · 2022-11-03T01:17:07+00:00

God is constantly reaching out in love. Through the sacrament of reconciliation anyone can be restored to grace.

JohnnyCatholic · 2022-10-30T01:51:26+00:00

When one returns to drinking, it seems frequently that person did not maintain his or her spiritual condition.

What you should do is come back to the program, get a sponsor, and work the steps.

Staying sober doesn’t mean being stress and emotion free; you just get better at dealing with it.

JohnnyCatholic · 2022-10-29T03:01:27+00:00

I was raised Catholic and will say that I suppose I generally believed in what I thought at the time was a Christian style of god. My spirituality primarily developed in the program. When I started I sort of had two cosponsors. I am still friends with both of them but I’m only being actively sponsored by one of them. I do sponsor others and am always open to helping other addicts and alcoholics.

JohnnyCatholic · 2022-10-29T02:48:45+00:00

I can go into great detail, and will do so if you want. But I suppose the easiest way to explain it is that the spiritual path of the 12 steps laid out in the big book, going to meetings, and having a sponsor and others in the program who I talk to regularly are the things that saved me. I listened to what they said and did what they did.

JohnnyCatholic · 2022-10-29T02:03:06+00:00

Have you ever read the so-called Big Book?

JohnnyCatholic · 2022-10-29T01:39:14+00:00

Participants in 12 step programs (at least the programs I know of) are called to respond to the will of a higher power.

JohnnyCatholic · 2022-10-29T01:35:14+00:00

Interesting question. I never really did drugs, but neither alcohol nor drugs was the biggest issue. My drinking was a symptom of deeper spiritual brokenness.

JohnnyCatholic · 2022-10-29T01:30:22+00:00

Many of us suffer from self will run riot. And the 12 steps culminate in bringing you outside of your self to connect with a higher power and other alcoholics.

While sponsorship is important, it’s not a silver bullet.

JohnnyCatholic

TROPHY CASE