[completed on 3 October 2013. 250 pages. Published at Lulu on the same day]
---for purchase info., go to the bottom of the page ---
Dedication
To
all lovers of
Holy Scripture: God's inspired, infallible Word and revelation. May
its infinite wisdom and knowledge fill you up and satisfy your
grace-originated yearnings for truth, spiritual wholeness, and union
with our Lord and Savior.
Introduction
The Bible is a
complex, lengthy collection of 73 books. My aim – simple in concept
but far more difficult in organization and execution -- is to make it
easier to quickly find biblical answers to theological questions that
are of perennial importance. I presuppose the inspiration and
infallibility of the Bible, and this book is for Christians who
accept those notions.
This effort is
more “catechetical” (what
we Catholics believe) than “apologetical” (why
we believe it); though to some extent it is the latter, too, insofar
as “biblical prooftexts” constitute data in favor of one position
over another. Apologetics appears in the way I select and categorize
the topics. More often than not, these are what are called “Catholic
distinctives”: topics that are regarded as “controversial” by
non-Catholic Christians. I make no pretense to “proving” Catholic
doctrines herein. I'm merely providing a quick reference source and
food for thought.
One of my specialties as a Catholic apologist is
“biblical evidence for Catholicism” (the name of my blog). The
idea for the present volume came to me in a flash. I was trying to
conceive of a fresh way to present “biblical evidence” not only
for Catholicism but for Christian theology in general. It's sort of a
summation of the best of the hundreds of examples of “biblical
evidence” that I've presented in my 40 books (as of this writing).
The notion that arose in my mind was to simply
provide Bible passages (usually one verse; sometimes a few
together) that would be (in my humble opinion, anyway) the very best
“answers” to a large number of one-sentence questions.
The format might remind one of the popular TV
game show Jeopardy, where the contestants are given a piece of
information and have to come up with a question that it is the
“answer” to. While compiling it, I looked at Bible passages and
devised questions that the passages “answered”.
I readily confess that the questions themselves
introduce an element of subjectivity: my own conception of both the
questions and the “best” Bible passages that could be construed
as an “answer” to them. That was the fun aspect of the project,
and what makes this book different and unusual.
I think somewhere in the back of my mind, I was
also perhaps vaguely recalling, particularly, The Question and
Answer Catholic Catechism (New York: Doubleday Image, 1981), by
my mentor, the late great Fr. John A. Hardon, S. J. He divided his
book into major categories, then subcategories, and finally into
1,701 individual questions. His answers were relatively simple
“catechetical” replies that present the basic Catholic teachings
or “answers.”
Likewise, my book consists of 18 broad categories
(Roman numerals), and 200 numbered subcategories, under which the
1,001 particular questions
are found, with each answer being a Bible passage.
The numerical format is simple. It is the section number (of 200), followed by a dash and then the number of the individual question in the section (e.g., 32-13). I suppose one could also add the larger category number, leading to a (St. Thomas Aquinas') Summa Theologica-like reference: III, 32-13.
All questions presuppose that the answer will
come from the Bible; hence, no need to keep repeating over and over,
“Where in the Bible . . . ?” or “What does Scripture teach
about . . .?,” etc. I shall try to keep the questions as simple and
direct (and on one specific topic) as I possibly can.
One objection that will certainly be aimed at this volume, is that it is mere “prooftexting”: a word that has a largely negative connotation of “citing Scripture in isolation and out of context to bolster positions already held on other grounds.” My reply to that charge, however, is as follows:
1) All systematic theology (indeed, even papal
encyclicals or conciliar documents) entail citation of Bible verses
(usually single ones, as in this book): and these can always be
quibbled with by someone, because in citing a passage, it is
presupposed that it has relevance to the topic at hand (and sometimes
there can be honest disagreement about that).
2) Works that are trying to simplify theology as
much as possible for the masses (including catechisms or like-minded
literature) will tend to be of this "summary" nature. The
question is whether simplification is a good thing overall or a bad
thing. I think there is no question that it's good.
There is always time to go more into depth on issues, as a student or inquirer progresses in theological understanding. In my own collection of 40 books, I devote entire volumes to individual topics (for example, Eucharist, soteriology, Mary, the communion of saints). I've written two entire books and lengthy sections of several others, just on the topic of the falsity of sola Scriptura ("Scripture is the only infallible authority"). One can always consult those or other similar books, articles, etc., too.
3) A "prooftext" can be cited properly
or improperly, and that is a discussion in and of itself. An improper
citation would be something taken out of context or interpreted
wrongly, with regard to other relevant passages on the same topic, or
historic and/or Church teaching (a heterodox or non-orthodox
interpretation). That has to be -- or could be -- argued, which is
beyond the purview of this particular book. Of course, I claim that I
have done it properly and in line with the teachings of Holy Mother
Church.
4) Here is an example of improper "prooftexting."
Protestants (especially evangelicals) notoriously, and almost
ubiquitously, cite the following passage as a supposed "proof"
of sola Scriptura:
2 Timothy 3:16
(KJV) All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable
for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in
righteousness:
It's a long discussion, but in summary (and I've
written more on this general topic than any other), nowhere in this
passage do we find a notion that only Scripture is infallible
or that it is the sole theological norm or standard for
doctrine (the exclusive claim). Scripture itself also plainly asserts
the authoritative, binding nature of apostolic tradition and the
Church (as I document in this very book and several others).
Therefore, the Catholic argues that to use this
passage as an alleged "proof" of sola Scriptura is
"prooftexting" in the very worst sense of the word: it is
yanked out of the context of the entire Bible and what it teaches on
the topic of the rule of faith, and it violates historic orthodoxy:
what was taught all along, up until Protestantism in the 16th century
introduced something far different. Things are read into the passage
that simply aren't there, and we call this, "eisegesis"
(reading in things rather than getting things out of
Bible passages: "exegesis").
Now, in this volume, I submit that I have
properly cited 2 Timothy 3:16, because I do so in line with
historic Christian, apostolic teaching, and not in contradiction to
what the Bible teaches in other passages. I don't read anything into
it that isn't present. Thus, it is classified as follows:
I. Bible and Tradition
(Authority)
4. Infallible Authority
of Holy Scripture
4-6. Is Scripture
inspired, or “God-breathed”?
The passage clearly teaches inspiration of
Scripture: a thing that all serious Christians readily agree with.
But it does not teach sola Scriptura: a notion that is
improperly eisegeted into it, out of a prior bias and predisposition
formed by Protestant premises.
I hope readers find this work enjoyable,
educational, and edifying: the “three E's” that I strive to
achieve as a constant goal in all of my theological writing. The
marvelous treasures in the Bible await all of us: inspired
revelation from the Mind of God, via the human biblical writers.
Article about this book for Seton Magazine: the premier homeschooling periodical (3-20-15)
Miscellaneous
Article about this book for Seton Magazine: the premier homeschooling periodical (3-20-15)
Table of Contents
Dedication (p. 3)
Introduction (p. 5)
I. Bible and Tradition
(Authority) [76 questions]
1.
Tradition,
Apostolic (p. 17) [12]
2.
Tradition,
Oral (p. 19) [6]
3.
Older Oral Traditions Cited in the New Testament (p. 20) [6]
4.
Infallible Authority of
Holy Scripture (p. 21) [9]
5.
Private
Judgment (p. 22) [3]
6.
Perspicuity (Clearness) of
Scripture (p. 23) [2]
7.
Hermeneutics / Interpretation of
Scripture (p. 24) [3]
8.
Traditions of
Men (p. 25) [4]
9.
The Jewish Background of
Christianity (p. 26) [15]
10.
Deuterocanonical
Books (p. 29) [10] [read on my Facebook page]
11.
Development of
Doctrine (p. 31) [6]
II. Doctrine of the
Church (Ecclesiology) [152 questions]
12. Oneness
/ Unity
of (p. 33) [6]
13.
Holiness / Teacher of
Righteousness (p. 34) [6]
14.
Catholic
(Universal) (p. 35) [10]
15.
Apostolic
Succession (p. 38) [5]
16.
Authority to Make Binding
Decisions (p. 39) [6]
17.
Visible (p. 40) [4]
18.
Infallible (p. 41) [4]
19.
Indefectible (p. 42) [7]
20.
Authoritative
Councils (p. 44) [4]
21. Priests
/ Sacrament of Holy Orders (p. 45) [13]
22.
Bishops (p. 47) [9]
23.
Dispenses Forgiveness (Sacrament of Penance) (p. 49) [5]
24.
Authority to Impose
Penance (p. 50) [5]
25.
Indulgences (Relaxation of Temporal Punishment) (p. 51) [1]
26.
Celibacy: Heroic Calling with Less Distraction (p. 52) [3]
27.
Excommunication and
Anathemas (p. 53) [4]
28. The
Papacy (p. 54) [24]
29.
Denominationalism and Sectarianism; Division (p. 59) [15]
30. Sinners
in the
Church (p. 62) [16]
31.
Beautiful and/or Expensive Church Buildings (p. 67) [5]
III.
Theology of Salvation (Soteriology) [198 questions]
32.
Salvation is Ultimately by Grace
Alone (p. 68) [4]
33.
Salvation is Not
by Faith Alone (p. 69) [9]
34.
Salvation is Not by
Works Alone (Pelagianism) (p. 71) [2]
35. Grace +
Faith + Works + Obedience = Salvation (p. 71) [4]
36. The
Central Place of Works in the Final Judgment (p. 72) [6]
37. Mortal
and Venial
Sin (p. 73) [6]
38.
Quantifiable Differences in
Grace (p. 75) [3]
39.
Meritorious Action Enabled by God's Grace (p. 75) [9]
40.
Co-Workers with God /
Synergy (p. 77) [5]
41.
Participation in Distribution of Grace and Salvation (p. 78) [7]
42. God
Enables True Human Righteousness (p. 79) [4]
43. Human
Beings Are Portrayed as “Righteous” (p. 80) [6]
44. Initial
Justification by Faith
Alone (p. 81) [2]
45. Infused
Justification / Sanctification (p. 81) [18]
46. Faith
and Works: Two Sides of One Coin (p. 84) [5]
47.
Salvation as a
Process (p. 85) [10]
48. Moral
Assurance of
Salvation (p. 87) [2]
49. God's
Election of the
Saved (p. 88) [7]
50. Falsity
of the Calvinist Doctrine of Total Depravity (p. 89) [10]
51. Falsity
of the Calvinist Doctrine of Limited Atonement (p. 92) [12]
52. Falsity
of the Calvinist Doctrine of Irresistible Grace (p. 94) [7]
53. Falsity
of the Absolute Assurance of Salvation (p. 95) [5]
54.
Apostasy (Falling Away from Grace and Salvation) (p. 97) [9]
55.
Salvation Made Possible by Jesus' Death on the Cross (p. 99) [10]
56.
Theosis (p. 101) [5] [read on my Facebook page]
59. The
Nature of the
Gospel (p. 104) [4]
60. Falsity
of Predestination to
Hell (p. 106) [6]
61.
Original
Sin (p. 108) [5]
IV. Purgatory [40 questions]
62. Indications of Purgatorial Process
After Death (p. 109) [6]
63. Analogous Purgatorial Processes on
the Earth (p. 111) [13]
64. Prayer for the
Dead (p. 113) [3]
65. Necessity of Actual Holiness in
Order to Enter Heaven (p. 115) [5]
66. Analogy to Sheol / Hades
(Third State After Death) (p. 116) [13]
V. Penance [35 questions]
67.
Temporal Punishment / Expiation for Sin (p. 119) [3]
68.
Atonement for
Others (p. 120) [3]
69. Fasting
and
Abstinence (p. 120) [5]
70. Bodily
Mortification (p. 122) [4]
71. Sharing
the Sufferings of Christ (p. 123) [7]
72.
Redemptive Suffering on Behalf of Others (p. 124) [13]
VI. Sacrament of the
Holy Eucharist [16 questions]
73.
Initiation at the Last
Supper (p. 127) [4]
74.
Transubstantiation (p. 129) [2]
75. The
Eucharistic Realism of John
6 (p. 130) [1]
76.
Eucharistic
Adoration (p. 130) [6]
77.
Communion in One
Kind (p. 132) [3]
VII. Sacrifice of the
Mass [27 questions]
78.
Timeless Nature of the Mass (Jesus Died Once) (p. 133) [4]
79.
Analogies to the OT Sacrificial, Priestly System (p. 134) [8]
80. St.
Paul's Use of Priestly and Sacerdotal Categories (p. 136) [2]
81. Jesus
as the Sacrificial Passover Lamb (p. 136) [3]
82. The
Book of
Hebrews (p. 137) [2]
83. The
Altar in
Heaven (p. 138) [5]
84.
Christian Participation in the Death of
Jesus (p. 139) [3]
VIII. Sacrament of
Baptism [18 questions]
85.
Baptismal Regeneration / Baptism and Salvation (p. 140) [10]
86. Infant
Baptism (p. 142) [4]
87. Baptism
and Being “Born Again” (p. 143) [1]
88. Infants
as Part of the Kingdom and Covenant (p. 143) [3]
IX. Sacrament of
Confirmation [22 questions]
89. Descent
of the Holy Spirit Upon Persons (p. 144) [6]
90. Jesus'
Baptizing with the Holy Spirit (p. 145) [3]
91. Being
“Filled” with the Holy
Spirit (p. 146) [5]
92. Holy
Spirit and the Laying on of Hands (p. 146) [2]
93.
“Sealed” with the Holy
Spirit (p. 147) [3]
94.
Anointing with Oil in Order to Receive the Holy Spirit (p. 147) [1]
95. Holy
Spirit Received Via Authoritative Persons (p. 148) [2]
X. Sacrament of
Anointing [6 questions]
96. Priests
Anoint with Oil to Heal Recipients (p. 148) [2]
97. Laying
on of Hands for Healing (p. 149) [1]
98.
Spiritual Benefit in Healing (e.g., Demoniacs) (p. 149) [3]
XI. Sacramentals,
Devotions, and Worship [55 questions]
99.
Wholehearted Formal Prayer and Worship (p. 150) [4]
100. The
Rosary (p. 151) [3]
101. Holy
Water (p. 152) [3]
102.
Candles and
Incense (p. 153) [5]
103. Holy
Places / Sacred
Ground (p. 154) [6]
104. Holy
and Sacred
Items (p. 155) [5]
105. Music
in
Worship (p. 156) [5]
106.
Priestly
Blessings (p. 157) [3]
107.
Examination of
Conscience (p. 158) [2]
108.
Almsgiving (p. 159) [2]
109.
Genuflection and
Kneeling (p. 159) [4]
110.
Physical Items as Aids in Worship of God (p. 160) [3]
111.
Special Presence of God in Physical Objects (p. 161) [4]
112. Holy
Days (p. 162) [2]
113. Mass
Obligation (p. 162) [2]
114. Sunday
worship / Sabbath Principle (p. 163) [2]
XII. Angels and the
Communion of Saints / Eschatology [57 questions]
115. Dead
Saints Returning to Earth (p. 163) [4]
116.
Communication from God in Dreams (p. 165) [4]
117.
Invocation of Saints (Asking them to Intercede) (p. 166) [2]
118.
Invocation of Angels (Asking them to Intercede) (p. 166) [1]
119.
Veneration of Saints and Imitation of Holy Persons (p. 167) [6]
120.
Veneration of Angels & Men as God's Representatives (p. 168) [2]
121.
Intercession of the
Saints (p. 168) [7]
122.
Intercession of
Angels (p. 170) [4]
123.
Guardian
Angels (p. 171) [2]
124.
Veneration of
Images (p. 171) [3]
125.
Worshiping God, Kneeling Before Man-Made Statues (p. 172) [1]
126.
Worship of God Via an
Image (p. 173) [2]
127.
Crucifixes (p. 173) [4]
128.
Relics (p. 174) [4]
129.
Hell (p. 176) [4]
130.
Falsity of
Universalism (p. 177) [7]
XIII. The Blessed
Virgin Mary (Mariology) [25 questions]
131.
Sinlessness (p. 179) [3]
132.
Immaculate
Conception (p. 179) [4]
133.
Perpetual
Virginity (p. 180) [3]
134.
“Mother of God”
(Theotokos) (p. 181) [4]
135.
“Spouse of the Holy
Spirit” (p. 182) [2]
136.
Analogies of Bodily Assumption Into Heaven (p. 182) [3]
137. Queen
of
Heaven (p. 183) [1]
138.
Spiritual Mother of
Men (p. 183) [1]
139.
Mediatrix and
Intercessor (p. 184) [4]
XIV. Jesus Christ
(Christology) [80 questions]
140.
Equality with the
Father (p. 185) [4]
141.
Creator (p. 186) [5]
142.
Eternal and
Uncreated (p. 187) [6]
143.
Worshiped (p. 188) [6]
144.
Omnipotent
(All-Powerful) (p. 189) [1]
145.
Omniscient
(All-Knowing) (p. 189) [1]
146.
Omnipresent (Present
Everywhere) (p. 189) [1]
147.
Forgives Sins in His Own
Name (p. 190) [3]
148.
Receives
Prayer (p. 190) [5]
149.
Sinlessness /
Impeccability (p. 191) [5]
150.
Called Lord
(Kurios) (p. 192) [4]
151.
Called God
(Theos) (p. 192) [7]
152. Called
Many Things Also Applied to the Father (p. 194) [15]
153. Image
(Icon) of the Invisible Father (p. 196) [1]
154.
Primacy of the Name of
Jesus (p. 196) [5]
155.
Claimed to be the
Messiah (p. 197) [1]
156.
Claimed to be
God (p. 197) [1]
157.
Claimed to be the Savior of the
World (p. 198) [7]
158. Judge
of the
World (p. 199) [1]
159.
Willing Subjection as
Messiah (p. 199) [1]
XV. God the Father
(Theology Proper) [31 questions]
160. God is
One (Monotheism) (p. 200) [2]
161.
Creator (p. 200) [3]
162.
Eternal (p. 201) [1]
163.
Non-Material (Invisible
Spirit) (p. 201) [2]
164.
Exclusively Worshiped and Adored (p. 201) [1]
165.
Omnipotent
(All-Powerful) (p. 201) [1]
166.
Omniscient
(All-Knowing) (p. 202) [1]
167.
Omnipresent (Present
Everywhere) (p. 202) [1]
169.
Sovereign (p. 202) [4]
170.
Thoughts Are Beyond Human Comprehension (p. 203) [2]
175.
Monarchia
/ Principatus
(Unbegotten) (p. 205) [3]
XVI. The Holy Spirit
(Pneumatology) and Trinitarianism
[28 questions]
[28 questions]
176. Passages with All Three Divine Persons (p. 206) [4]
177.
Personal Attributes of the Holy
Spirit (p. 207) [10]
178.
Divinity / Divine Attributes of the Holy Spirit (p. 208) [6]
179. Holy
Spirit's Procession from the Father and Son (p. 210) [3]
180. Circumincession: Divine Persons “In” Each Other (p. 210) [5]
180. Circumincession: Divine Persons “In” Each Other (p. 210) [5]
XVII. Sacrament of
Marriage [47 questions]
181.
Analogy of Marriage to Christ and His Church (p. 211) [5]
182. Valid
Marriage is Indissoluble / No Divorce (p. 212) [5]
183.
Annulment (Declaration of Non-Marriage) (p. 214) [3]
184.
Extramarital Sex
Prohibited (p. 215) [8]
185. The
Sin of
Contraception (p. 217) [8]
186. Many
Children Are a Blessing (p. 219) [4]
187.
Preborn Children Are
Persons (p. 220) [7]
188.
Abortion is Murder and
Forbidden (p. 221) [4]
189.
Child Sacrifice is an
Abomination (p. 222) [3]
XVIII. Miscellaneous [88 questions]
190.
Apologetics (Rational Defense of Christianity) (p. 223) [13]
191.
Ecumenism (p. 226) [7]
192.
Invincible
Ignorance (p. 229) [4]
193.
Vegetarianism (p. 230) [6]
194.
Atheism (p. 232) [2]
197.
Permissibility of Capital
Punishment (p. 238) [13]
198.
Judgment of
Nations (p. 243) [12]
199. God's
Middle Knowledge (p. 247) [5]
200.
“Baptizing” Pagan Practices and
Truth (p. 249) [3]
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