'Evolution for the Catholic Student' - Preview

Evolution for the Catholic Student – Preview

Evolution for the Catholic Student is a recently released ebook designed to help homeschooling parents, Catholic educators, and anyone who is interested in truth, to understand the issues surrounding evolutionary theory and their relationship with Catholic theology.  It is targeted as an educational program to Catholic students in grades 7-12.  (The reading level may be difficult for some junior high students.)  It is completely faithful to Catholic teaching regarding both Creation and evolution.  It also presents scientific evidence and inquiry on both sides of the question of evolutionary theory far beyond what can be found in mainstream text books.  Finally, the inclusion of logic, philosophy, and faithful Catholic theology make it completely unique as a tool for Catholic students and educators.  To find out more or to purchase the program, click HERE, or on the graphic above.  The following is the program’s introduction:

 

Chapter One: Introduction

One of the great challenges for Catholic homeschooling families, and Catholic educators in general, is how to handle the topic of the Theory of Evolution.  There are plenty of secular approaches to the topic, but they usually accept the theory uncritically, and give it an atheistic slant.  This, of course, is not only bad theology and totally unacceptable to a Catholic, it is also bad science.

            Many Christian approaches to the Theory of Evolution set it up as diametrically opposed to God, and therefore, it and its adherents are anathema.  Or they ignore the issue altogether.  Both of these approaches are problematic as well.  The former is inconsistent with the Church’s approach, which allows great intellectual freedom on the issue (within certain guidelines given us by Revelation).  And the latter leaves children unprepared to defend their faith.  When they are confronted with the theory, they sometimes assume they were not taught it particularly because it is a threat to the Faith.

            Though there surely are good resources available, they are hard to find.  The purpose of this program is to provide Catholic parents and educators a supplement to their regular science curriculum, for the purpose specifically of dealing with the Theory of Evolution.

            The first goal of this program is to break apart the false dichotomy of “evolution vs. God.”  There are certain dogmatic statements the Church has made regarding the origin of man, which God has revealed (and which, incidentally, science has confirmed).  These are to be adhered to.  However, because the Church acknowledges the validity of wide differences of opinion regarding evolutionary theory, this program does as well. 

            The truth is that evolutionary theory does not undermine a belief in God, the divinity of Christ, or the Catholic Church as His Body.  Students will be encouraged to recognize that, so they need not be afraid of it.

            As a scientific theory, evolution should not be accepted uncritically.  It is important to remember that the Church has made no dogmatic statement in favor of evolution.  To say that one’s opinion on this topic determines whether one is a “true Christian” or “orthodox Catholic” is simply false.  That is a foundational principle.

            The next goal of this program is to define the Theory of Evolution for students, which is not an easy task, as it takes many different forms and is constantly being revised.  They will learn the basic principles of the theory and the scientific history that has led to its development.

            They will even be taught some of the erroneous atheistic conclusions that many people come to, and why those conclusions are wrong and unsupported by science as well as divine Revelation.

            Students will also be presented with the many weaknesses in the Theory of Evolution.  Often students are taught to simply believe in evolution, while not learning about the many highly accomplished scientists who believe it is a fantasy.  In this program students will receive a clear understanding of the many problems with the theory.  They will be encouraged to explore evolutionary theory critically, and given the freedom to come to their own conclusions without fear that their faith is at stake.

            These are the aims of this program.  Please supplement it with other materials that meet your family’s specific needs, and most importantly, with prayer.

It might be fairly asked, “Why do we even bother studying evolutionary theory?  First of all, even the most devoted of its advocates can not claim that it has been proven to be true.  Theories of macroevolution do not seem to have any real practical application, such as to the fields of medicine, etc.  And evolutionary theory doesn’t really enhance our understanding of Creation at its deepest level, or our ability to know, love, and serve God.  It seems to be a trivial pursuit, whose only purpose is to satisfy curiosity, which can be a dangerous motive for seeking knowledge.”

Those are extremely valid points, but ask yourself this question: Do you know anyone who has given up their faith, at least in part, because of evolution?  Very likely, you do.  That is a tragedy.  The only reason one would lose his faith over evolution is because the theory had been presented wrongly, possibly as a propaganda tool specifically aimed at undermining faith.

Evolutionary theory is a part of our national consciousness.  It is at the heart of many controversies in education, as well as the fabricated “war” between science and religion.  It is in text books, on documentaries, and a part of political discussion.  We must be equipped to encounter this theory, which is so often propagandized, on a secure footing.  That is the purpose of this program.

After finishing this program, students will know more about evolutionary theory, and the science on each side of the debate, than almost anyone they encounter.  They will be able to analyze it critically and logically, and recognize common fallacies that are present in secular text books and documentaries.

It is important, also, to understand what this program does not accomplish.  It approaches evolutionary theory through the lens of physical science, which is the lens through which our children will likely encounter it, and basic logical thinking.  However, that is not the only valid lens through which to evaluate evolution.  A thorough understanding demands a metaphysical as well as theological evaluation as well.  For a philosophical treatment of evolution, using Scholastic principles, try Father Chad Ripperger’s The Metaphysics of Evolution.  There are numerous worthy theological treatments of the issue.  Cardinal Christoph Schoenborn has written a book called Chance or Purpose? on the topic; Father Michael Chabarek has written essays which approach it from a somewhat different angle; and Pope Benedict’s In the Beginning is another good resource.  Of course, no study of Creation would be complete without the words of the Angelic Doctor, St. Thomas Aquinas, on the topic, some of which can be found in the Summa Theologica.

Pope Francis's Visit

Pope Francis’s Visit

          The historic visit of Pope Francis to the United States just ended.  For me, as a teacher in a Catholic school, it was very exciting.  We did all sorts of preparations, and being in a Catholic school in California, the canonization of Father Junipero Serra was particularly special.  In general, it was a time of celebration for American Catholics.

          But, of course, there were those who saw the pope’s visit as a political opportunity.  Facebook was saturated with memes showing the pope and including some quote undermining the Church, which of course the holy father never said.  Sadly, these things are “shared” ad nauseum, even after they have been debunked.  On the other side, some people criticized everything the man did, as if he were a politician rather than a shepherd of souls.

          I’ll admit that I would have liked to see a more explicit condemnation of abortion in his address to Congress, especially when the funding of Planned Parenthood is such a hot topic.  But the pope’s pro-life credentials are unquestioned; who am I to critique his judgment on what needed to be said?

          His speech to the United Nations was extremely powerful, and beautiful.  Throughout his visit, the holy father stressed the importance of religious liberty, and raised issues that challenged politicians on both the right and the left.

          What I would really recommend is reading the interview he gave as he flew back to Rome.  This gave his impression of the visit, and I think provided a clear window into his heart.  Especially for Catholics with any concerns about the holy father’s visit, this interview will leave you impressed and hopeful.

http://www.ncregister.com/daily-news/full-transcript-of-pope-francis-inflight-interview-from-philadelphia-to-rom/

Planned Parenthood: Lies and Murder

Planned Parenthood: Lies and Murder

Warning: The above video demonstrates a very important, but very disturbing truth.

Planned Parenthood is finally on the defensive.  For years, many of us in the pro-life movement have known the disgusting, behind-the-scenes workings of the abortion industry.  And for a long time, we have been ringing the bell, but no one has been listening.  Now the Center for Medical Progress, with their undercover videos, have exposed the shocking truth to the world, and the abortion industry, especially its giant Planned Parenthood, is finally feeling some heat.

Despite the release of numerous undercover videos exposing illegal and disgusting acts, it is amazing how many people have no idea of the firestorm taking place.  This is largely because of a well-orchestrated media “cone of silence” that has tried to keep the revelations found on the videos quiet, downplayed, or falsely discredited.

For those who have not seen the videos (and please don’t watch them after you have eaten), they show officials from Planned Parenthood or representatives from companies who buy fetal tissue discussing with an undercover investigative reporter the ins-and-outs of their business dealings.  (The above video also shows a former stem cell research employee discussing an experience that led to her conversion from the industry.)

Why are these videos creating such a stir (among those who have been exposed to them)?  Abortion has always been disgusting, but everyone knows that Planned Parenthood is involved in it on a multi-million dollar scale; and though many people don’t know much about the exploitation of children through the use of their body parts, the American public has had a surprising tolerance for medical research on human subjects, with or without their consent.  Nazi Germany would be proud.

There are many things in these videos that are finally striking a chord in even some of the hardest of hearts.  First, the buying and selling of fetal body parts is illegal.  Companies have found ways around this law by paying exorbitant amounts for “shipping and handling” or some other service, and claiming that the body parts themselves are being donated and not being sold.  The haggling over prices on the videos clearly exposes this game for the scam that it is.

Second, although Planned Parenthood likes to lie that it is all about women’s health, the videos clearly show PP representatives explaining how they can adjust the abortion procedures they use specifically in order to get more “intact specimens.”  Despite showing that women’s health is clearly not the priority, this is also against the law.

Finally, the cavalier attitude displayed on the videos is what is most sickening.  We hear representatives talking about the difficulty of getting intact specimens because “the abdomens are almost always ripped open.”  We see one “doctor” holding a little baby’s heart and explaining how without the proper care the heart will be “smooshed” between her fingers.  People talk about the good fortune of getting a “delivery” (live birth) because that can produce an entirely intact fetus.  Nevermind that this living baby, under the law, should be cared for; not left to die so that it can be sold at a premium.  All of these things make it impossible for pro-choicers to continue to deny that abortion kills a child.

The response from the abortion lobby has been swift.  There have been legal battles over the videos.  The public is constantly being deceived with the line that these are “heavily edited” videos whose real meaning can’t be discerned.  Although the videos most people have seen are heavily edited - portions of conversations that last better than an hour sometimes - the full, unedited versions are available, and prove that the editing did not falsely portray innocent business.

The fallout has also already begun.  Numerous companies and states have withdrawn financial support from Planned Parenthood, and at least one research company has terminated its relationship as well.  Republicans in Congress pushed a bill to stop federal funding of the massive abortion giant, but Planned Parenthood’s faithful Democratic allies in the Senate promptly shut that down.  They have also found loyal supporters in both Hilary Clinton and Barack Obama.

So what’s next?  What I hope for is that what Father Frank Pavone has been saying will finally come to pass: “America will not reject abortion until America sees abortion.”  Hopefully these videos from the powerful pro-life warriors at CMP will finally help America take an honest look at abortion.

Note: I always like to include, in any post about abortion, a reminder of the healing that is available for the countless people suffering from abortion.  God continues to love you desperately, and He makes all things new.  Visit hopeafterabortion.com for one organization that seeks to help in this desperately needed ministry.

To Whom Shall We Go?

To Whom Shall We Go?

          One of the most important writings of St. John Paul II’s long reign as pope is the encyclical, Fides et Ratio, “Faith and Reason.”  In this masterpiece, the pope investigates the deep relationship between faith and reason, and shows that the two support and enlighten one another.  This, of course, only makes sense since our reason, our intellect, comes from God and its highest purpose is to know God.

          However, since the French Revolution, and its “goddess Reason,” there have been those who make the ridiculous case that faith is actually the enemy of reason.  Most prominent today are the so-called “new atheists.”  However, any thorough examination of the discourse shows that reason is clearly on the side of the Christian.  I have said many times that I don’t have nearly enough blind faith to be an atheist.

          However, as much as we love to show that our Faith is incredibly reasonable, and we base so many of our arguments in favor of the Faith on reason, we must be careful not to go so far as subjecting everything about the Faith to the judgment of our reason. 

What I mean is this: we can fall into the trap of saying that we will not accept the truths of the Faith until we scrutinize them and unless they pass the test of our personal judgment.  This, of course, is a heresy, and one that has led to great division - tens of thousands of Protestant denominations.  As Catholics, who know that the Church has received the fullness of the Truth, and the authority to teach that Truth, we must not set ourselves up as the final judges of Truth, regardless of the power that reason has to deepen our faith.  It must be remembered that although our Faith is not hostile to human reason, there are aspects of it that are above human reason.

The Gospel readings of the last few Sundays have brought this consideration to mind.  They have been the Bread of Life discourse in the sixth chapter of the Gospel according to St. John.  The past few weeks Jesus has been telling the crowds that He is the Bread of Life, and that whoever eats His Flesh and drinks His Blood will have eternal life.  This is not the place for it, but a study of the text shows without question that He is speaking very literally.  His Jewish disciples understood that as well, because in this week’s Gospel, we heard that many of them left Him forever, and He let them go.  He refused to back down from this teaching; it is essential to the Faith.

Imagine if you had been one of those hearing Jesus say these words for the first time.  You knew that, as a Jew, the consuming of blood at all was forbidden, and cannibalism would have been unthinkable.  Yet here is a man telling a massive crowd that unless they fed on his flesh and drank his blood, they would not have life.  Your first instinct would probably have been disgust and, like many of those who left probably felt, you might have wondered if this man was crazy. 

With hindsight, we can understand that Jesus was talking about the Eucharist, which truly is His Body and Blood, but which is not being fed to us as his disciples in John 6 would have imagined.  This doctrine is above human reason, even for those who believe and understand it (as much as a person can this side of Heaven), but it is not opposed to reason.  Of course, the people hearing Jesus say these words had no understanding of the Eucharist and certainly would never have been able to grasp it if He had laid out the whole thing to them at the time.

We can understand, as reasonable Jews, why they would have left Him, shaking their heads as they went.  Why, then, did the Apostles stay?  Did they understand better what Jesus was trying to say?  I doubt it.  But they did understand better who Jesus is.

They had heard His teachings, they had seen His miracles, they had been among the 5,000 that He had just fed with five loaves and two fish.  They had come to believe, as Peter said, that He had the words of everlasting life.  These particular words they did not understand yet, but they trusted the One who spoke them, so they stayed with Him, and their faith was rewarded when, the following year, at the Last Supper, the meaning of those words was made clear.

Many of the disciples had seen and heard the same things as the Twelve, though, and yet they went away.  What was lacking?  I wonder if, perhaps, it was love.  Jesus had said just prior that they were seeking Him not because they had seen signs, but because they had eaten of the loaves.  At the multiplication of the loaves and fish, their bellies were filled, but their hearts and minds were not.  Faith was not allowed to illuminate their reason.  They wanted more of what Jesus might give them, but not more of Him.  So when they did not think they wanted what He was offering anymore, they left.

The Apostles, on the other hand, (with the possible exception of Judas) had come to know and love Jesus.  Faith and reason told them that this was One sent from God, and God was to be trusted.  So, when understanding was lacking, Peter responds to Jesus’s question about their leaving: “To whom shall we go?”

They did not wait to understand everything before they would believe Jesus.  Yes, their reason worked with faith (and God’s grace) to convince them of who Jesus is, and perhaps most importantly, they had a deep personal relationship with Him.

This can be a tricky subject.  Many cult leaders have manipulated people into accepting and doing anything they say.  That is why it is so important that our Faith is not merely a blind faith, but one which continues to receive life from God Himself, with an authority received from Jesus and that has stood the test of time, so we do not run off after any charismatic preacher with his own ideas and agendas, but stay safe in the house of God, built on a rock, which will carry us surely through the travails of this life to the shores of eternity.

The 2016 Election: The First Issue

The 2016 Election: 

The First Issue

          Last week we were treated to the first two of the Republican presidential debates.  The distractions of Donald Trump notwithstanding (I can not judge him or his motives, but every time he speaks, a Trump presidency seems more ridiculous), I liked some of what we heard, especially regarding candidates’ pro-life commitments.

          But before I try to navigate my way through the immense field of candidates, many of whom I have been a long-time fan of, I find the legitimacy of the upcoming election to be a much more pressing issue.  I say this because if the 2016 election is anything like 2012, it is already over (stolen).

          Although corruption in politics is par for the course (Trump admitted to buying influence during the debate), and even election fraud is nothing new, in my opinion, 2012 was a masterpiece of dishonesty.  Here are some things to consider:

•  Some precincts got over 100% turnout.  Not even the best get-out-the-vote campaigns can do that honestly.

• Democratic election workers were caught on video advising people how they could cast votes in more than one state.

• Voting machines were routinely documented as changing people’s “Romney” votes to “Obama” votes.

• In certain precincts (in Philadelphia, for example) Obama got thousands of votes, and Romney got zero.  That is, supposedly, not even one person out of tens of thousands cast a Romney vote.  That is impossible anywhere in the United States.  By contrast, in Romney’s strongest precinct, a small town in Texas, he received 116 votes, and Obama still got 2.

          These are just a few of the “irregularities,” as I remember them.  An Internet search should be able to provide you with details and documentation.  With so many local people involved, it is impossible to pinpoint the blame, and even in a coordinated effort, there are many players, so I am not casting aspersions on Mr. Obama or anyone else.  It should also be pointed out that there have been instances in recent years of similar fraud on the Republican side, whether to the same degree I do not know.

          The point is that we are in a country that is dying and we have a major election coming up, but we have very little assurance that this election will be any more valid than those that kept Saddam Hussein in power for so long.  So our first order of business should be to demand a fair election.  Our Congressmen should hear of our concerns, as should our Secretaries of State.

          Vigilance is the price of freedom.  The dishonest will try to have people dismissed as imaginative conspiracy theorists, but nothing is as sure as corruption when it comes to the seeking of power.  And we need not cast about wild accusations, just let people know we are watching.  And groups like Freedom Watch and others should begin now to expose irregularities and demand an honest election.  Then hopefully we can trust that our decision of which candidate to support will at least mean something.

The Fathers Speak

The Fathers Speak – Confession

          In the past, I have occasionally run a feature called “The Fathers Speak.”  This has included quotes taken in context from the Fathers of the Church that demonstrate Catholic doctrine.  I have compiled these and many more such quotes from the first 500 years of Christianity.  The Fathers of the Church are powerful witnesses to Christianity’s Catholicism right from the start.  I hope it will be a powerful apologetic and ecumenical tool.  The document is available for a donation of any size to Aquinas Academy.  It can be accessed by clicking here, or on the image of St. Athanasius near the top of this blog.

Local synod (council) in Antioch – A.D. 341

All who enter the church of God and hear the Holy Scriptures, but do not communicate with the people in prayers, or who turn away, by reason of some disorder, from the holy partaking of the Eucharist, are to be cast out of the Church, until, after they shall have made confession, and having brought forth the fruits of penance, and made earnest entreaty, they shall have obtained forgiveness

St. Athanasius – Letter dating A.D. 338

Therefore let us, performing our vows to the Lord, and confessing our sins, keep the feast to the Lord, in conversation, moral conduct, and manner of life…

St. Augustine – Letter 185 – A.D. 415

But if we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness

Bede's Ecclesiastical History of England – A.D. 731

Note: Cuthbert died in the previous century

And such was Cuthbert’s skill in speaking, so keen his desire to persuade men of what he taught, such a light shone in his angelic face, that no man present dared to conceal from him the secrets of his heart, but all openly revealed in confession what they had done, thinking doubtless that their guilt could in nowise be hidden from him; and having confessed their sins, they wiped them out by fruits worthy of repentance, as he bade them...

Cyprian of Carthage – A.D. 200-270 – Epistle 2

You see, then, brethren, that you also ought to do the like, so that even those who have fallen may amend their minds by your exhortation; and if they should be seized once more, may confess, and may so make amends for their previous sin…

Cyril of Jerusalem – A.D. 315-386 - Catechetical Lecture 1

Put off, by confession, the old man, which waxeth corrupt after the lusts of deceit, that ye may put on the new man, which is renewed according to knowledge of Him that created him...

The present is the season of confession: confess what thou hast done in word or in deed, by night or by day; confess in an acceptable time, and in the day of salvation receive the heavenly treasure...

The Didache – circa A.D. 80

…gather yourselves together, and break bread, and give thanksgiving after having confessed your transgressions, that you may be pure. But let no one who is at odds with his fellow come together with you, until they be reconciled, that your sacrifice may not be profaned.

St. Jerome – Letter 41 against the Montanists – A.D. 385

Their strictness does not prevent them from themselves committing grave sins, far from it; but there is this difference between us and them, that, whereas they in their self-righteousness blush to confess their faults, we do penance for ours, and so more readily gain pardon for them...

Pope St. Gregory the Great – A.D. 540-604 – Pastoral Rule, Book II (Of the Life of the Pastor)

Yet, when they prepare the patience of their condescension for cleansing the sins of their neighbors in confession, they support, as it were, the laver before the doors of the temple; that whosoever is striving to enter the gate of eternity may shew his temptations to his pastor's heart, and, as it were, wash the hands of his thought and of his deed…