Virtus In Medio Stat

WHILE THE CATHOLIC PERSPECTIVE WAS NOT THE SPOTLIGHT OF THE APOLOGETICS CONFERENCE YESTERDAY ON REASONS TO BELIEVE... The Catholic representative, me, closed the conference with the point that you need to trust the messenger first before you even begin to digest, understand, and trust the message. If you are interested in my contribution to the apologetics conference yesterday I put together the time stamps of the topics as well as my questions and comments in the panel discussion below.  The Protestant presenters pointed out that the Bible was put together in the 3rd century. So, I put a little bow on it at the end without mentioning the Catholic Church, that you need to trust the group that put the Bible together in the third century, if you're going to trust what the Bible says today. REASONS TO BELIEVE Conference Symposia Covenant Church 1127 N. San Antonio Avenue, Ontario, CA April 13, 2024 ||||| 1:00-4:00PM Full Video:  https://www.facebook.com/symposiachurch...

Here are some notes on my view of why we study and do apologetics. I'm of course missing some pieces but I can build it out further later. Some important pillars in my observation and practice of apologetics since 2004 are outlined below with Scriptural refs. I hope this helps you.  Why Apologetics? Notes by Laurence Gonzaga 1. Be ready to give reason and defense of my faith. 1 Peter 3:14-16 English Standard Version 14 But even if you should suffer for righteousness' sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, 15 but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, 16 having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame. 2. Someone can't just randomly understand all the Scriptures without an authoritative teacher, who knows the truth, and sen...

BE WATER, MY FRIEND  Watch this from Matt Fradd and Jimmy Akin on "Tough Love" in Apologetics:  https://youtu.be/73I8hCPI_eg?si=EgSU-A7CiUi7MwJj I tend to start off polite. But I also match their energy. If they come in hot, I might just respond with guns a blazing, or ignore them. Just depends. Everyone seems to have a preferred style and they want everyone else to be just like them bc they think their own style is always the best. If your intentions are good and pure, then maybe God will use you in the way he needs to for that other person. Let's not get too bogged down by technique. I think Bruce Lee's "be water my friend" approach is wise.  Some will disagree, I'm sure; that's fine.  You do you... Oh and, don't be too fooled by all the public facades of these professional Catholics; they ain't always as kind as their published personas appear to be. I know that from my own direct experience. I'm not a professional Catholic...

WHY RECOGNIZE AND RESIST MAKES LESS SENSE THAN SEDEVACANTISM AND FRANCISVACANTISM I came across this short video. I don't know who this guy is but "Novus Ordo Watch" has been around for a very long time. When I was studying the various Trad groups in the mid 2000s, I consumed much of their materials to get the Sedevacantist view, or at least their version of it. After distancing myself from the Trad community several years ago I thought myself to be somewhat in the R&R camp still because I had a lot of distaste for the Francis pontificate. In many ways, still do, to be quite honest. It should be obvious. But as I've had my private chats with Sedevacantist apologist Gerry Matatics and my two interviews with him, it became clear to me I'm really more in line with a Sedevacantist mentality that believes Francis is the true pope. That may sound like a strange way to describe myself. But bear with me, and it sounds like Gerry would back me on this (not ...

BORED AT MASS Video:  Alteration by Fr. Mike Schmitz I remember watching this video when it first came out around 7 years ago. I found it to be a little overdramatic at the time. Today, at the adult confirmation class that I attend and help with a bit of commentary for the parish director, this video was part of the lesson on the Mass. I thought it was a helpful conversation at the tables during the lesson. We started off talking about what the priest was and his role in the liturgy. I think this video was intended for teen confirmation but it seems also appropriate for adult confirmation since many of these folks haven't really been engaged in the Catholic faith for some time and it is good to present the basics. Having drifted a little bit further away from my former traditionalism since 7 years ago, I can appreciate a video like this. But here's what I find a bit inconsistent here.  I've gone to so many different parishes in my diocese and surrounding diocese...

Excerpts from  A Liturgy from Hell FEBRUARY 2024  BY GEORGE A. KENDALL https://chroniclesmagazine.org/society-culture/a-liturgy-from-hell/?fbclid=IwAR0IEJz64LXby5tXQ8GufuxhMejJKyzkEXf6E4dWgxke2Kh--ZIR-hrQuNI Responses by Laurence Gonzaga "Clearly, the Novus Ordo is not the work of the Holy Spirit, and that leaves only one other possibility—that it is the work of Satan. The Traditional Latin Mass has the authority of the Holy Spirit behind it. The Novus Ordo does not. Just as clearly, neither the Novus Ordo itself nor Traditionis Custodes has legitimate authority behind it, and we are not obliged in conscience to obey either. They are null and void." Laurence: Clearly? Says who? Who is George Kendall to conclude this as if it's an infallible truth revealed to him by God. The Devil didn't give us the Novus Ordo, don't be ridiculous. The real question here is, who hurt you, George Kendall? "The Novus Ordo has been with us only half a century. During ...

From:  Laurence Gonzaga  Sent:  Thursday, November 29, 2007, 1:55:39 PM PST Subject:  The Literal Interpretation of the  Scriptures : How I Understand It The Literal Interpretation of the  Scriptures : How I Understand It By: Laurence Gonzaga   I think it is very important, especially in this age, to reflect upon how we read the Sacred  Scriptures . I would recommend that the reader abandon their preconceived notions and labels for a few moments as they read further.   Personally, I think the word "fundamentalist" is a term popularized by a spirit in the Church which seems to be influenced by the doctrines of  Gnosticism (Hidden knowledge)  and  Modernism (Denial of the Supernatural) , which therefore fosters a  sense  of  relativism (Truth is not objective and universal, it is subjective and particular) . After all, the "fundamentalist" asserts there is a concrete and exact  sense  of the...