Church and Society: The Laurence J. McGinley Lectures, 1988-2007 (Hardcover)
Avery Cardinal Dulles, SJ
Chapter 38 - Who are saved?
Sold at Amazon.com here.
I went into B & N to read the next few chapters of a book I started there last month by Dinesh D'Souza, What's so Great about Christianity? But, alas, they are out of stock. So, this book caught my eye. I perused through the pages of the book, as well as the Table of contents, and this chapter caught my eye. I read through it and was thoroughly impressed by this theologian's brevity and clarity in presenting this topic. I think he makes very little of his own assertions, but did well to present the established and popular treatments of the issue, as the doctrine of "extra ecclesiam nulla salus" developed over the centuries. He goes through it chronologically. He points out that early on, the Church's undertsanding of salvation was pretty black and white. Either you were in the Church or you werent. All those, ignorant or otherwise, were not saved, if they were not formal members of the Church. Some abberant understanding came from the likes of Origen, who believed that at some point, all the inhabitants of Hell will be saved, and Hell would be destroyed. This idea was condemned by the Church later on. After the discovery of the "new world" some time later, there developed an understanding of membership as membership in re, and membership in voto, that is, in formal membership, and in desire. I know that we can find this language in the canons of the Council of Trent with regard to the doctrine of Justification. The theologians had to deal with the question of what happned to all those who lived all those years between the time of Christ and the discovery of these new lands? At that point, theologians, including St. Thomas Aquinas taught that even if these persons were ignorant of the Gospel, their only way of salvation was a direct illumination of their intellect by God, or God would send a missionary to those who would be saved, either naturally or supernaturally. Some theologians of the 19th century were then influential in the development of Pius IX's contribution to this doctrine with his explanation in two documents, that even though "outside the Church, there is no salvation", this does not refer to the person who through no fault of his own, did not know the Church, and thus, its necessity for salvation. This was called invincible ignorance, that is, ignorance which could not be overcome. Then we come to the teachings of Vatican II, which gave us the understanding that there is indeed elements of truth, and goodness, in various world religions. It also taught that the Church of Christ subsists in the Catholic Church. The elements of truth found in other religions, and more so the other Christian communions, is due to the Catholic Church, as the "universal sacrament of salvation". Any who are saved, outside of the true Church, is nevertheless saved because of the Churh, and by Jesus Christ. Furthermore, through the ideas of Karl Rahner (at this point, this is where I clearly disagree), I believe it was, he gave us the understanding of the "anonymous Christian". He taught that God gave grace to all men, and as such, insofar as they respond to that grace, by whatever name the God is named in their culture, they may nevertheless be "anonymous Christians". He then recaps, his main points, and then gives us some statements of what we can say, and not say, according to the teachings of the Church.
Sunday, February 1, 2009
Friday, January 30, 2009
Opus Dei
What is Opus Dei for me? 8 members of Opus Dei speaking
Opus Dei: testimonials of real people of Opus Dei 1/3
Opus Dei: testimonials of real people of Opus Dei 2/3
Opus Dei: testimonials of real people of Opus Dei 3/3
Opus Dei: testimonials of real people of Opus Dei 1/3
Opus Dei: testimonials of real people of Opus Dei 2/3
Opus Dei: testimonials of real people of Opus Dei 3/3
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Sunday, December 7, 2008
Thursday, December 4, 2008
Pro-Life Articles and Scientific Studies
- Abortion can be a cause of abortion as well as cancer - LifeSiteNews
- Study links abortions, mental health problems - New Zealand Herald
Saturday, November 15, 2008
Pro-Life Videos
Planned Parenthoods in 4 States Accept Donations for Abortions of Specific Minority Groups, namely African-Americans
Planned Parenthood Protects Racism towards Minorities
Undercover Camera Catches 2nd Indiana Planned Parenthood Breaking Sexual Abuse Reporting Laws
Obama and Opposition to Born Alive Act of Illinois
Abortion Doctor Awarded - Morgentaler (Canada) - Interview with a woman who aborted
This "doctor" was and is an abortion activist and has been in prison for what he did prior to the lagalization of abortion on demand in Canada. There was a documentary made of his life which revealed him to be a Holocaust survivor, ironically, a womanizer, and generally a rather tragic personality. The documentary information along with trailers can be found here: http://www.henrythemovie.com/
The Abortion Doctor
Planned Parenthood willing to cover up rape of a 13 yo girl
Barrack Obama and failed Abortion Attempts
Silent Scream - Dr. Bernard Nathanson (Former abortionist)
The Human Experience #1
The Human Experience #2
Vote Your Conscience - Catholic Vote 2008
Catholics can't vote for Planned Parenthood supporters
Wake Up America! - Father Corapi, SOLT
I Will Never Surrender
Battle for Truth
Barrack Obama and babies who survive abortions
Pro-life conversion of abortionist
Saturday, October 11, 2008
October 6, 2008 - Council of Starbucks - Humility 2
This was a good night. We were able to cover the entire lesson, except for the spiritual reading at the end. Also has some "friendly" discussion with my business competition, selling Roman Missals. Next week, the third installment. Hopefully, the final installment.
The lesson plan is printed below.
AMDG,
Laurence
Council of Starbucks
October 6, 2008
Humility, Part II
Lessons taken from: Humility - Wellspring of Virtue by Dietrich von Hildebrand (Sophia Institute Press, 1997)
“…Let nothing be done through contention, neither by vain glory: but in humility, let each esteem others better than themselves: Each one not considering the things that are his own, but those that are other men's.”~ Epistle of St. Paul to the Philippians II. 3-4, Douay-Rheims
· We have learned that: Humility is the basic building block of all the virtues and pride is the primary source of all moral evil, which is more dangerous than even concupiscence. Even things done which are intrinsically good can be robbed of its value because of pride, when one only seeks glory for himself. Satanic pride is the type of pride where the individual is scandalized by values, rejects submission to values, wishes to dethrone values, and aims to enthrone his own false values. Satanic pride rejects one’s status as a creature, and sets himself up as God.
· The person with satanic pride is “incapable of all response to value” and his blindness to value is a consequence of his pride and not the cause of it (p. 13).
· Whatever pleasure he derives from whatever puffs up his pride is unable to provide him with “genuine inner happiness” and “any blissful peace” (p. 13).
· The prideful man tends to abuse liberty since he has an idea of freedom which is disjointed from its relation to God, and its relationship to the sphere of values; this gives him an “illusion of absolute power”; freedom is thus “degraded into arbitrary license” (p. 14).
· The prideful man would resort to anything, even suicide, to prove that he has absolute liberty, divorced from any “concrete aim or value” (p. 15).
· The prideful man’s non serviam - I will not serve - is meant to challenge all forms of authority; Lucifer is the best example of this type of pride, and so was Cain (p. 15).
· Humility is an “antithesis of all metaphysical pride”, and the man who is humble is able to grasp the objective meaning of values (p. 17).
· “The inward nobility of the good, its intrinsic beauty, touches his heart and delights him… he participates in the harmony of value; his soul is bright and serene, free from the corrosive poison that eats the heart of the proud” (p. 18).
· There is also a lesser form of pride, which is less rebellious to God; this person is not blind to values and he is capable of responding to values; his life is not “spoiled through and through by disharmony” and he is capable of honest moral efforts (p. 23).
· Even though this man may be receptive to all sorts of beauty, he shuns the personal encounter with God (p. 24), again, out of his distaste for the act of subordination, which is the natural end of universal values.
· He might even surrender to a Impersonal Absolute, for this still holds on to a remnant of his “ego-sovereignty” (p. 24). It is only through a submission to a personal God where we can realize our true condition as creatures, so that we can rid ourselves of even the most minimal form of sovereignty which tends to flatter our pride.
The Imitation of ChristThomas à Kempis
Book 1, Chapter 2
HAVING A HUMBLE OPINION OF SELF
EVERY man naturally desires knowledge; but what good is knowledge without fear of God? Indeed a humble rustic who serves God is better than a proud intellectual who neglects his soul to study the course of the stars. He who knows himself well becomes mean in his own eyes and is not happy when praised by men.
If I knew all things in the world and had not charity, what would it profit me before God Who will judge me by my deeds?
Shun too great a desire for knowledge, for in it there is much fretting and delusion. Intellectuals like to appear learned and to be called wise. Yet there are many things the knowledge of which does little or no good to the soul, and he who concerns himself about other things than those which lead to salvation is very unwise.
Many words do not satisfy the soul; but a good life eases the mind and a clean conscience inspires great trust in God.
The more you know and the better you understand, the more severely will you be judged, unless your life is also the more holy. Do not be proud, therefore, because of your learning or skill. Rather, fear because of the talent given you. If you think you know many things and understand them well enough, realize at the same time that there is much you do not know. Hence, do not affect wisdom, but admit your ignorance. Why prefer yourself to anyone else when many are more learned, more cultured than you?
If you wish to learn and appreciate something worth while, then love to be unknown and considered as nothing. Truly to know and despise self is the best and most perfect counsel. To think of oneself as nothing, and always to think well and highly of others is the best and most perfect wisdom. Wherefore, if you see another sin openly or commit a serious crime, do not consider yourself better, for you do not know how long you can remain in good estate. All men are frail, but you must admit that none is more frail than yourself.
October 6, 2008
Humility, Part II
Lessons taken from: Humility - Wellspring of Virtue by Dietrich von Hildebrand (Sophia Institute Press, 1997)
“…Let nothing be done through contention, neither by vain glory: but in humility, let each esteem others better than themselves: Each one not considering the things that are his own, but those that are other men's.”~ Epistle of St. Paul to the Philippians II. 3-4, Douay-Rheims
· We have learned that: Humility is the basic building block of all the virtues and pride is the primary source of all moral evil, which is more dangerous than even concupiscence. Even things done which are intrinsically good can be robbed of its value because of pride, when one only seeks glory for himself. Satanic pride is the type of pride where the individual is scandalized by values, rejects submission to values, wishes to dethrone values, and aims to enthrone his own false values. Satanic pride rejects one’s status as a creature, and sets himself up as God.
· The person with satanic pride is “incapable of all response to value” and his blindness to value is a consequence of his pride and not the cause of it (p. 13).
· Whatever pleasure he derives from whatever puffs up his pride is unable to provide him with “genuine inner happiness” and “any blissful peace” (p. 13).
· The prideful man tends to abuse liberty since he has an idea of freedom which is disjointed from its relation to God, and its relationship to the sphere of values; this gives him an “illusion of absolute power”; freedom is thus “degraded into arbitrary license” (p. 14).
· The prideful man would resort to anything, even suicide, to prove that he has absolute liberty, divorced from any “concrete aim or value” (p. 15).
· The prideful man’s non serviam - I will not serve - is meant to challenge all forms of authority; Lucifer is the best example of this type of pride, and so was Cain (p. 15).
· Humility is an “antithesis of all metaphysical pride”, and the man who is humble is able to grasp the objective meaning of values (p. 17).
· “The inward nobility of the good, its intrinsic beauty, touches his heart and delights him… he participates in the harmony of value; his soul is bright and serene, free from the corrosive poison that eats the heart of the proud” (p. 18).
· There is also a lesser form of pride, which is less rebellious to God; this person is not blind to values and he is capable of responding to values; his life is not “spoiled through and through by disharmony” and he is capable of honest moral efforts (p. 23).
· Even though this man may be receptive to all sorts of beauty, he shuns the personal encounter with God (p. 24), again, out of his distaste for the act of subordination, which is the natural end of universal values.
· He might even surrender to a Impersonal Absolute, for this still holds on to a remnant of his “ego-sovereignty” (p. 24). It is only through a submission to a personal God where we can realize our true condition as creatures, so that we can rid ourselves of even the most minimal form of sovereignty which tends to flatter our pride.
The Imitation of ChristThomas à Kempis
Book 1, Chapter 2
HAVING A HUMBLE OPINION OF SELF
EVERY man naturally desires knowledge; but what good is knowledge without fear of God? Indeed a humble rustic who serves God is better than a proud intellectual who neglects his soul to study the course of the stars. He who knows himself well becomes mean in his own eyes and is not happy when praised by men.
If I knew all things in the world and had not charity, what would it profit me before God Who will judge me by my deeds?
Shun too great a desire for knowledge, for in it there is much fretting and delusion. Intellectuals like to appear learned and to be called wise. Yet there are many things the knowledge of which does little or no good to the soul, and he who concerns himself about other things than those which lead to salvation is very unwise.
Many words do not satisfy the soul; but a good life eases the mind and a clean conscience inspires great trust in God.
The more you know and the better you understand, the more severely will you be judged, unless your life is also the more holy. Do not be proud, therefore, because of your learning or skill. Rather, fear because of the talent given you. If you think you know many things and understand them well enough, realize at the same time that there is much you do not know. Hence, do not affect wisdom, but admit your ignorance. Why prefer yourself to anyone else when many are more learned, more cultured than you?
If you wish to learn and appreciate something worth while, then love to be unknown and considered as nothing. Truly to know and despise self is the best and most perfect counsel. To think of oneself as nothing, and always to think well and highly of others is the best and most perfect wisdom. Wherefore, if you see another sin openly or commit a serious crime, do not consider yourself better, for you do not know how long you can remain in good estate. All men are frail, but you must admit that none is more frail than yourself.
Monday, September 29, 2008
Humility and World Youth Day
Event Info
Host:
Laurence Gonzaga
Type:
Meetings - Club/Group Meeting
Network:
Global
Time and Place
Date:
Monday, September 29, 2008
Time:
7:00pm - 8:30pm
Location:
Starbucks in Highland, CA
Street:
27615 BASELINE ST
City/Town:
Highland, CA
View Map
Google
MapQuest
Microsoft
Yahoo
Contact Info
Phone:
9096459665
Email:
gonzagal@csusb.edu
Description
Tonight the topic is Humility...As a back-up, we are discussig the WYD phenomenon.
Host:
Laurence Gonzaga
Type:
Meetings - Club/Group Meeting
Network:
Global
Time and Place
Date:
Monday, September 29, 2008
Time:
7:00pm - 8:30pm
Location:
Starbucks in Highland, CA
Street:
27615 BASELINE ST
City/Town:
Highland, CA
View Map
MapQuest
Microsoft
Yahoo
Contact Info
Phone:
9096459665
Email:
gonzagal@csusb.edu
Description
Tonight the topic is Humility...As a back-up, we are discussig the WYD phenomenon.
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
The Council of Starbucks in the Year of Saint Paul
The Council of Starbucks in the Year of Saint Paul
Dear All:
As per the suggestions given to me by my spiritual director, I am to give deeper thought and reflection upon the life and teaching of St. Paul the Apostle, in conformity with Pope Benedict XVI’s dedication of this year to the honor of St. Paul from 28 June 2008 to 29 June 2009. As such, along with minor topics I will cover on our regularly scheduled Council of Starbucks meetings, I will have as an ongoing theme, works pertaining to St. Paul, and most especially the documents produced by Pope Benedict XVI himself, and the insights I may gather through my ongoing study of Robert Sungenis’ new commentary on the book of Romans (more info here). Since this study is primarily for young adults, you are encouraged to form your own study groups among family and friends on this very important topic. This is your chance to live out that old Latin saying “sentire cum ecclesia”, and to think with the Church as she reflects upon this great Apostolic Saint.
Please familiarize yourself with the following resource:
http://www.catholicculture.org/LiturgicalYear/overviews/Feasts/St_Paul/index.cfm
I am building my lesson plan/structure as I type.
Week 1 - Introduction
Proclaimation of the Year of St. Paul
Decree Granting Indulgences for the Year of St. Paul
Week 2
Paul of Tarsus - Benedict XVI
St, Paul and the Spirit - Benedict XVI
Week 3
St. Paul's New Outlook - Benedict XVI
St. Paul and the Church - Benedict XVI
Week 4
Homily at St. Paul Outside the Walls - Benedict XVI
The Life of St. Paul - Sal Ciresi
Week 5
St. Paul Apostle to the Gentiles
God Bless,Laurence Gonzaga
Catechist
Ecclesia Militans Apologetics
Dear All:
As per the suggestions given to me by my spiritual director, I am to give deeper thought and reflection upon the life and teaching of St. Paul the Apostle, in conformity with Pope Benedict XVI’s dedication of this year to the honor of St. Paul from 28 June 2008 to 29 June 2009. As such, along with minor topics I will cover on our regularly scheduled Council of Starbucks meetings, I will have as an ongoing theme, works pertaining to St. Paul, and most especially the documents produced by Pope Benedict XVI himself, and the insights I may gather through my ongoing study of Robert Sungenis’ new commentary on the book of Romans (more info here). Since this study is primarily for young adults, you are encouraged to form your own study groups among family and friends on this very important topic. This is your chance to live out that old Latin saying “sentire cum ecclesia”, and to think with the Church as she reflects upon this great Apostolic Saint.
Please familiarize yourself with the following resource:
http://www.catholicculture.org/LiturgicalYear/overviews/Feasts/St_Paul/index.cfm
I am building my lesson plan/structure as I type.
Week 1 - Introduction
Proclaimation of the Year of St. Paul
Decree Granting Indulgences for the Year of St. Paul
Week 2
Paul of Tarsus - Benedict XVI
St, Paul and the Spirit - Benedict XVI
Week 3
St. Paul's New Outlook - Benedict XVI
St. Paul and the Church - Benedict XVI
Week 4
Homily at St. Paul Outside the Walls - Benedict XVI
The Life of St. Paul - Sal Ciresi
Week 5
St. Paul Apostle to the Gentiles
God Bless,Laurence Gonzaga
Catechist
Ecclesia Militans Apologetics
Sunday, July 27, 2008
You are called to be a saint also - Laurence Gonzaga - Lifeteen - 07/27/2008
You are called to be a saint also - Laurence Gonzaga - Lifeteen - 07/27/2008
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