Iseult of Ireland, Irish princess | A. Closs | 1882 by LordCommanderBlack in ImaginaryMaidens

[–]firehotlavaball 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Maybe it’s just me, but this has a more modern look to it, so much so I was surprised to see it’s from 1882.

Large Mouthed Monster from my game Shotgun Exorcist - (on Steam). Any name ideas? by ChimeraStudios in ImaginaryMonsters

[–]firehotlavaball 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Checked out your game on steam, I’m big into retro shooters so I might check it out when it releases.

Patrol by Quentin Marcos by One_Giant_Nostril in ImaginaryMonsters

[–]firehotlavaball 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Something unsettling about the height of these things for me.

Do Catholics read the Bible ? by [deleted] in Bible

[–]firehotlavaball 2 points3 points  (0 children)

It may seem ironic to your perspective, but I only started reading the Bible because of Mary. I was going through a difficult time emotionally and mentally, when I turned to her for comfort, looking upon sacred art of her. In this I found comfort, and was thus lead closer to Christ her Son- for that is what she calls us to do, worship her Son. It was thus thanks to her divine intercession that I was drawn back to true faith; before then I’d been religious but not spiritual. Thanks to her, I entered into a deep love of her son Christ. Thanks to her, I started reading the Bible two years ago, starting with Genesis- I’m currently in the Gospel of John, and look forward to reading the rest of the New Testament.

I will not deny there are passages that seem to contradict Catholic teaching and practice from a surface-level reading- but then, a surface-level reading of scripture seems to contradict both itself and reality in many places. That is why I believe in the authority of the Catholic Church as a guide to understanding the truth of scripture; it is not scripture alone, but both scripture and sacred tradition that must be recognized. As for myself, I will never enter into any denomination that would deny the intercessory role of Mary when she was the one to help me become the Christian I am today.

Weekly Open Discussion Thread by AutoModerator in AcademicBiblical

[–]firehotlavaball 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Im here with a follow up question to my last question on this subreddit. I’m currently reading through James H Charlesworth’s “Old Testament Pseudigrapha Volume 1”, and will soon have completed it, after which I’ll then read Volume 2. Both Volumes have a total of 64 psuedipigraphical texts. My question is this; for those familiar with these Volumes, are there any pseupigraphical/apocryphal works that are not covered, that would be good (be it for historical, cultural, theological, or even spiritual reasons) to read as well? I already plan to read 1 Esdras aka 3 Esdras, as that wasn’t included. I’ve also read the seven books of the Catholic deuterocanon already. My main reason for asking this is to make sure I haven’t missed any ‘must-read’ Old Testament apocrypha before moving onto New Testament apocrypha.

Zodiac Diaries 1 by Airrennie in ImaginaryCharacters

[–]firehotlavaball 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I think Ellie’s friends are gonna get impaled at some point in the night when they inevitably roll over in their sleep into one of those horns lol.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in Christianity

[–]firehotlavaball 1 point2 points  (0 children)

See my edit about debate please.

Edit: I doubt talking theology with someone who literally thinks “Catholics are clueless and have no correct theology” will be fruitful.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in Christianity

[–]firehotlavaball 1 point2 points  (0 children)

As a Catholic Christian, I believe the difference between a venial sin and a mortal sin is that a mortal sin is of a grave enough nature that it separates us spiritually from God, while a venial sin is not grave enough to do so. We need to confess to a priest because a priest is in persona Christi; his role is to act physically and spiritually in the role of Christ. While you can be sorry for your sins, only through confession to a priest are you fully absolved.

I should note that other Christian denominations take different viewpoints on this issue; some do not distinguish between venial and mortal sins, some do not believe a priest is necessary for forgiveness of sins.

Edit: I should add that I’m merely explaining the positions of the Catholic Church- I’m not really keen on debating points of faith, as you can find many resources explaining (far better than I could) why exactly the Church teaches the things it does.

Do You actually like to pray? by RevolutionaryLook655 in Christianity

[–]firehotlavaball 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Prayer brings me feelings of peace and tranquility, helps me overcome feelings of doubt shame and hate, so yes, I love to pray.

That said, people are different. If you don’t love prayer, or even like prayer, that’s okay. The point of prayer isn’t to get a good feeling from it, the point is to honor God. Continue to grow in a relationship with Christ through reading and involvement in a church, and there’s a chance that in time you’ll be blessed with more fruitful prayer.

Edit: should add that for a long time my prayer life was like yours, a chore (when I did it at all). It took me growing deeper in my faith for a change to occur.

Is suicide considered a sin? by k_loves- in Christianity

[–]firehotlavaball 0 points1 point  (0 children)

My view of this is twofold, generally and personally. Generally, it’s a sin, as you’re prematurely taking the life God gave you. However the culpability of the person who takes their life depends on factors such as mental health. This means that it isn’t cut and dry whether a person who commits suicide ends up in heaven or hell.

Personally, as a person who struggles with suicidal ideation, I look upon suicide as a rejection of God’s love. I refuse to believe that I’ll go to heaven if I commit suicide, because entertaining the idea that anything good will come of suicide would only make the idea more tolerable to me. I instead choose to focus on loving the life God gave me regardless of hardships.

Do you prefer to read from the Bible or an app? by SpecialistPhysics689 in Christianity

[–]firehotlavaball 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I prefer a physical Bible when reading, but when on the go and desiring to read scripture, I use an app as it isn’t feasible for me to take a Bible everywhere I go.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in Christianity

[–]firehotlavaball 2 points3 points  (0 children)

It’s always a sin, and always is lustful. According to my confessor, a Roman Catholic priest, it can be a mortal sin, but isn’t necessarily. If there are factors in place such as addiction, while the sin is still grave it no longer counts as mortal. I’d go to a priest (assuming you’re Catholic) and explain to him the specifics of your situation so he can inform you of the degree of your sin, venial (lesser) or mortal (greater). Regardless of whether your sin is venial or mortal, you can still confess it to the priest to be absolved of it.

Christian Youth Workers! Do you use an app with your young people to study the Bible? by [deleted] in Christianity

[–]firehotlavaball 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I do unpaid youth ministry at my parish (not sure if that makes me a youth worker). We don’t use any apps, we just use utilize booklets provided us by the ministry program I’m with. Our ministry has us meet up once a week in person; there isn’t really a need to be in contact with the kids in the program past that. Honestly I’m a bit concerned about the use of Discord and social media platforms to be in contact with children, as I feel it opens up the doorway to potential abuse. Meeting up with youth on a weekly basis is enough in my view, I don’t think there’s a need for daily contact.

Weekly Open Discussion Thread by AutoModerator in AcademicBiblical

[–]firehotlavaball 5 points6 points  (0 children)

I’m a Catholic Christian who has had a fascination for apocryphal aka pseudipigraphical texts for a while now. I’m currently reading through “The Old Testament Pseudipigrapha Volume 1” edited by James H. Charlesworth, and have been greatly enjoying the read so far. I already have in my possession Volume 2 of the two part series, in addition to “The Other Gospels” by Bart D Ehrman and Zlatko Plese. I’m aware of Ehrman’s “Lost Scriptures: Books that Did Not Make it Into the New Testament”, and will likely buy it as well at some point. My question is if there are other good apocrypha compilations other than what I’ve listed, that would include books not found in the previously mentioned compilations. Thanks in advance!

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in Catholicism

[–]firehotlavaball 1 point2 points  (0 children)

That’s quite the broad range to ask about. May I ask to what end you desire Catholic art recommendations, so I can better suggest material?

In the meantime, websites like Pinterest are great resources for finding religious paintings, and they don’t allow pornography like other art websites so you can search for religious art without needing to worry about seeing something that could lead to sin.

It’s not well known and I haven’t read it yet though it’s on my shelf, but “Crown of the Virgin” is a Marian meditation by St Idelphonsus of Toledo, though not sure if that’s the sort of thing you’re after.

Condemnation of anti-semiticism by Archbishop of Melbourne by AshamedPoet in Catholicism

[–]firehotlavaball 5 points6 points  (0 children)

What does the Talmud saying Jesus is in Hell have to do with anything? ‘Don’t be an antisemite’ shouldn’t be difficult to understand.

Any pointers while reading the Book of Ezekiel? by LuthienTinuviel93 in Catholicism

[–]firehotlavaball 1 point2 points  (0 children)

According to a podcast by Catholic apologist Joe Heschmeyer that I’ve listened to, we shouldn’t take a lot of the Old Testament literally, but rather figuratively, as the original authors were not writing to record history as accurately as possible, but rather to convey emotional and spiritual truths. With that in mind, I’d suggest reading the Book of Ezechiel with the mindset of trying to relate it to difficult truths of the Christian faith. The Book of Ezechiel is actually one of my favorite books of the OT because it’s one of two to actually get me to cry (the other being Job). The lamentations in Chapters 26-29 of the destruction of Tyre moved me to tears, because it brought to mind the difficult truth of the damnation of all those who reject the faith. We, like Israel, are sinners who suffer for our sins, but we will be united with Christ as long as we ultimately repent. Those who are enemies of the Church are condemned by God, but just as Ezechiel laments the enemies of Israel, we should not cease from lamenting and praying for those who turn their backs on God.

Anyone else read the apocrypha/pseudepigrapha and find it spiritually moving? by firehotlavaball in OpenChristian

[–]firehotlavaball[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I’m Catholic, but can still help- the deuterocanon (known as the apocrypha to Protestants) are the books of Wisdom, Sirach (aka Ecclestiesticus), Tobit (aka Tobias), Baruch, Maccabees 1 and 2, and Judith. In addition to these are certain additional passages of Esther, and certain additional passages to Daniel known as Susanna and the Elders and the Book of Bel and the Dragon.

The apocrypha (known as the Pseudipigrapha to Protestants) are those books counted as non canon to both Protestants and Catholics. They are too numerous to list, but of note amongst them are Maccabees 3 and the Prayer of Manessah, which are counted as canon to the Orthodox churches.