John 20:23 is one of the most debated verses in the New Testament. For Catholics and Orthodox Christians, it is foundational to the sacrament of confession. For many Protestants, however, the verse is interpreted very differently. A common Protestant interpretation argues that Jesus did not give the apostles authority to forgive sins. Instead, they believe … Read more
When Christianity Becomes a Checklist For many Christians today, eternal life is reduced to a checklist: Believe certain facts about Jesus Pray a sinner’s prayer Accept Jesus into your heart Secure your place in heaven While belief in Christ is absolutely essential, the New Testament presents eternal life as something much deeper than simply agreeing … Read more
Scripture, Language, and Authority in Christian Faith Christians across traditions agree on one essential truth: the Bible is inspired, authoritative, and foundational to the Christian life. Where disagreement often arises is not whether Scripture matters, but how it is meant to be read and interpreted. A common assumption—especially in modern Christianity—is that any sincere believer … Read more
I. Introduction: Why So Many Interpretations? If Jesus founded one Church, why do thousands of Christian groups teach conflicting versions of what He meant? That isn’t a snarky question or a “gotcha.” It’s a real puzzle for anyone who loves Scripture and wants to follow Christ. Most Protestants I know genuinely want to live by the Bible. Their … Read more
1. The Foundations of the Eucharist: Historical and Biblical Context The Eucharist is not a late invention or poetic symbol—it is the living heart of Christianity, reaching back to the words and actions of Jesus Himself. At the Last Supper, on the night before His Passion, Jesus did something entirely new: He took bread, blessed … Read more
A Catholic Response Inspired by Bishop Robert Barron When “Prove God Exists” Misses the Point In the early 2000s, a new wave of popular atheism swept across the West. Figures like Richard Dawkins, Sam Harris, and Christopher Hitchens filled bookstores and television studios, insisting that religion was not only false but dangerous. Their challenge was … Read more
A Quick Clarification: Catholics Are Christians “Why be Catholic instead of Christian?” is a category mistake—like asking, “Why be fruit instead of apple?” Catholicism isn’t a rival to Christianity; it is Christianity in its fullness. Many denominations reflect parts of the biblical faith beautifully, but the Catholic claim is that Christ established one visible Church … Read more
Few passages in Scripture have sparked more debate than John 6, where Jesus declares that His followers must eat His flesh and drink His blood to have eternal life. Many modern readers say He spoke symbolically. But when we look closely—at the context, His own words, and how those taught by the Apostles understood them—it … Read more
For as long as Christians have debated doctrine, one question keeps coming back: where does ultimate authority in the Christian life come from? Is it Scripture alone, or is it Scripture alongside Tradition and the Church? The answer to this question shapes everything else—how we worship, how we interpret Scripture, and how we remain united … Read more
How do we know who speaks for Christ today? For the first Christians, it was simple: they traced the teaching and authority of a person or community back to the apostles themselves. That process—apostolic succession—was how they knew who truly taught the faith Jesus handed down. Apostolic succession means that the power and authority Jesus … Read more
