Catholicism Archives - Gentleman Theologian

The Marian Dogmas and the Faith Once Delivered

By M.Ferris | July 17, 2023July 18, 2023 by M.Ferris

For both Roman Catholics and the Eastern Orthodox, Mary occupies a significant place in devotional life. (Other sacramental traditions may honor her to lesser degrees, but more so than Protestants.) Protestants have been reluctant to afford her this same devotion for several reasons. Above all, the New Testament does not place the emphasis on her that approaches anything near what has developed in history. Secondly, such devotion detracts from the uniqueness of Christ as the…

What does “Deep in History” Really Mean?

By M.Ferris | March 1, 2023March 1, 2023 by M.Ferris

Cardinal John Henry Newman famously said “To be deep in history is to cease to be Protestant.”[1] Newman seemed to refer to the institutional church and the rites and sacraments that came to prevail. Many apologists for high sacramentalism have offered similar arguments. What we see in history is not what “free churches” manifest. We see priests, bishops, archbishops, and the church occupying a central role in the Christian life. Along with this, the church…

Protestants, It’s OK to say Jesus called Peter “this rock.”

By M.Ferris | July 20, 2019July 20, 2019 by M.Ferris

From the biblical record one can see that Peter was an impulsive man. He said things at the wrong time (“Lord, it is good for us to be here, let us build three booths.”) He did what he shouldn’t do (cutting off the ear of the high priest’s servant.) And of course, he denied the Lord Jesus in the hours after his betrayal. None of this surprised the Lord. For all this, Peter was also…

Is Doctrine a Matter of the “Wisdom of the Crowd?”

By M.Ferris | December 8, 2017December 8, 2017 by M.Ferris

The recent quincentennial of the Reformation brought a passel of celebration within Protestantism. For the most part, this has been a reaffirmation that whatever else he failed to reform, Luther’s recovery of justification by faith alone a thing to be cherished. Even Pope Francis, speaking of Luther’s view of justification by faith alone said, “On this point, which is very important, he did not err.”[1] But as the Twitterati were rejoicing over these Reformation truths,…

The Fragile Doctrine of Justification

By M.Ferris | October 30, 2017October 30, 2017 by M.Ferris

As all but cave-dwellers know, this coming Tuesday, October 31st, is the 500th anniversary Martin Luther nailing the 95 theses to door of the castle church in in Wittenberg. Many have commented that the Reformation is over, and that the similarities between Rome and Protestantism are such that the two sides should pursue a shared future. But this is wishful thinking at best, and willful ignorance at worst. The two sides are by no means in…

Both conservative and liberal Catholics agree – Pope Francis is changing church teaching

By M.Ferris | April 20, 2016October 29, 2016 by M.Ferris

Is the pope playing a theological shell game? Amoris Laetitia, the apostolic exhortation, is a document that offers pastoral guidance for Roman Catholic clergy toward the reintegration of Catholics into congregational and sacramental life. Specifically, those Catholics who are divorced and remarried, or who are in other situations referred to as “Irregular unions.” Damon Linker refers to Francis as a ‘stealth reformer’, and charts the path of how he is undoing previous doctrinal positions ever…

In Defense of Ross Douthat

By M.Ferris | November 27, 2015October 29, 2016 by M.Ferris

The “laity” are not welcome in doctrinal discussions. Perhaps I should refer to this less as a defense, and more an identification of an irony. New York Times opinion columnist Ross Douthat has come under fire from an unlikely source – fellow Roman Catholics. But these are Catholic academics and theologians who essentially feel that due to his status as an uncredentialed layman, he is unqualified to comment on theology and doctrine as he has…

Is the Pope Catholic?

By M.Ferris | November 10, 2015October 29, 2016 by M.Ferris

Previous generations might not have thought that the current pontiff is. I remember this rejoinder from childhood as a sarcastic retort when you asked a question that had an obvious answer, but it’s been interesting to see how various constituents from within the Roman Catholic Church are asking the question not in jest, but in earnest. Francis has certainly struck a different course and tone from his predecessor, Benedict XVI, (aka “God’s Rotweiler” for his ferocity in holding…