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Once we understand Jesus’ words to Peter in the framework of their Jewish background, the meaning of the binding and loosening become clear. The Lutheran professor Tord Fornberg explains that “Peter stands out as a kind of Chief Rabbi, who binds and loosens, in the sense of declaring something to be forbidden or permitted.” In support of this interpretation is the promise Jesus gives with the authority. Not only is Peter given the ability to bind and loosen, but …

In Romans 3:23, St. Paul famously declared, “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” 1 John 1:8 says, “If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us,” and Romans 3:10 adds, “None is righteous, no not one.” In light of these Scripture verses, our Protestant friends will say, Mary couldn’t have been sinless as Catholics believe she was. She must have been a sinner like every other human being, and needed redemptio …

THE PROTESTANT CHALLENGE: How can the Catholic Church teach that some Christians have more authority than others when Scripture says that we’re all one in Christ?  The Catechism teaches that in the Church there are “hierarchy and laity” (873), and that the Lord wills such differences between the members of his body. Paragraphs 874 and 877 speak of the Church as having a “variety of offices” and being …

Catholics often take for granted the claim that doctrine can develop over time. However, a Catholic inquirer into Orthodoxy will most likely be surprised to find out this is not the case within some quarters of Orthodoxy. For instance, Orthodox priest Fr. Daniel Lattier surveys Orthodox writers on the question and discovers some who claim that “there exists an Orthodox consensus against doctrinal development.” Fr. Lattier d …

Spiritual or Religious?  Challenge: I consider myself spiritual rather than religious. Why isn’t that enough?  Defense: Because God loves you and wants even better things for you.  When people say they are spiritual rather than religious, they frequently mean that, although they don’t practice a specific religion, they recognize there is more to the world than matter, that it has a spiritual dimension. This is good! But it doesn’t go very far. Wouldn’t it …