Your articles are always a mine of practical wisdom, Juan. Somewhere I had read that St. Thomas Aquinas had also written something like this: man cannot live without joy, otherwise he risks falling into carnal pleasures.
I'll have to look that up, I had no idea St. Thomas had written that. Glad to hear he seems to agree with the overall point this article was making haha
"A man who lives a rich life, full of beauty, worthy struggles, and loving relationships will naturally start moving away from sin, because sin loses its power when you love the life you’re living" because "Sin, in essence, offers an escape and promises—falsely— the fulfillment of an unfulfilled longing of your heart"
YES - Mediaeval Catholicism sowed an insidious notion that the pinnacle of piety is to deprive oneself of all earthly pleasures and live out one's days meditating on one's own sins in a drafty monastery; but Scripture paints quite another picture. We serve a God who gives us richly all things to enjoy! (1 Timothy 6:17)
I'm no great scholar of Church history, nor am I seeking a quarrel. But I'm always game for a civil discussion, so how about this: recommend me a book that you think backs Catholicism soundly, and I'll read it, if you'll read What it Means to be Protestant by Gavin Ortlund. After that, I'll be glad to talk.
And thanks for the pushback: this place was starting to feel like an echo chamber 😉
Appreciate the response - I unfortunately don't know if I can guarantee a book at the moment, as I'm struggling to just keep my head above water. But I have put your book on my Amazon list and will try to take a look. I actually just listened to a dialogue between Trent Horn and Gavin that was pretty good just this morning I think it was (or maybe it was yesterday?)
Although not an official trade, let me make two suggestions that may pique your interests but wouldn't be quite equal - one is much easier and one much harder, but both different than a standard comprehensive Catholic apologetic:
The first just take a listen to this Scott Hahn video on Christ's sacrifice, "The Fourth Cup," and how it fulfills the Scriptures. I think you'll like it even as a Protestant, although its Catholic implications are pretty clear imo - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v1yAvrVoYzo
Second, I'd recommend The Founding of Christendom by Warren H. Carroll. It's not an apologetics book, just a history book with the Resurrection and the Church at the center of history. It's quite an intense read, but it's told like a story and is very good. Professor Carroll was a Catholic (he died a few years back). The Founding of Christendom covers the beginning of the universe until 325 AD, or maybe 313, can't remember.
I don't think this adds up in the end. Unless youre committed to and understand 'the resurrection of the body and life everlasting' and are strengthened by the sacraments particularly that of Penance and Holy Communion, you will fail when the going gets tough, which inevitably it will. (what are the chances of us suffering and dying? 100%) However, within the context of the Mass and the Sacraments as we work towards our eternal salvation, these temporal joys are helpful and reassuring along the way.
Your articles are always a mine of practical wisdom, Juan. Somewhere I had read that St. Thomas Aquinas had also written something like this: man cannot live without joy, otherwise he risks falling into carnal pleasures.
I'll have to look that up, I had no idea St. Thomas had written that. Glad to hear he seems to agree with the overall point this article was making haha
"A man who lives a rich life, full of beauty, worthy struggles, and loving relationships will naturally start moving away from sin, because sin loses its power when you love the life you’re living" because "Sin, in essence, offers an escape and promises—falsely— the fulfillment of an unfulfilled longing of your heart"
Very well put, a good reminder thanks
Thanks brother, appreciate you reading and glad you liked the article! God bless
Amen, we’re often so easily distracted by what the world offers we miss the beauty of creation and the life God made us for.
100%
🕊️
✝️…💃🏻
YES - Mediaeval Catholicism sowed an insidious notion that the pinnacle of piety is to deprive oneself of all earthly pleasures and live out one's days meditating on one's own sins in a drafty monastery; but Scripture paints quite another picture. We serve a God who gives us richly all things to enjoy! (1 Timothy 6:17)
Did it though, or is that just your caricature in order to make a theological attack?
I'm no great scholar of Church history, nor am I seeking a quarrel. But I'm always game for a civil discussion, so how about this: recommend me a book that you think backs Catholicism soundly, and I'll read it, if you'll read What it Means to be Protestant by Gavin Ortlund. After that, I'll be glad to talk.
And thanks for the pushback: this place was starting to feel like an echo chamber 😉
Appreciate the response - I unfortunately don't know if I can guarantee a book at the moment, as I'm struggling to just keep my head above water. But I have put your book on my Amazon list and will try to take a look. I actually just listened to a dialogue between Trent Horn and Gavin that was pretty good just this morning I think it was (or maybe it was yesterday?)
Although not an official trade, let me make two suggestions that may pique your interests but wouldn't be quite equal - one is much easier and one much harder, but both different than a standard comprehensive Catholic apologetic:
The first just take a listen to this Scott Hahn video on Christ's sacrifice, "The Fourth Cup," and how it fulfills the Scriptures. I think you'll like it even as a Protestant, although its Catholic implications are pretty clear imo - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v1yAvrVoYzo
Second, I'd recommend The Founding of Christendom by Warren H. Carroll. It's not an apologetics book, just a history book with the Resurrection and the Church at the center of history. It's quite an intense read, but it's told like a story and is very good. Professor Carroll was a Catholic (he died a few years back). The Founding of Christendom covers the beginning of the universe until 325 AD, or maybe 313, can't remember.
I don't think this adds up in the end. Unless youre committed to and understand 'the resurrection of the body and life everlasting' and are strengthened by the sacraments particularly that of Penance and Holy Communion, you will fail when the going gets tough, which inevitably it will. (what are the chances of us suffering and dying? 100%) However, within the context of the Mass and the Sacraments as we work towards our eternal salvation, these temporal joys are helpful and reassuring along the way.