No Nonsense Catholic

Needless to say, Indulgences have often been misunderstood and just as often willfully misrepresented – yet their roots are both ancient and biblical. The Church’s teaching clearly shows that indulgences are not the “sale of salvation” but a legitimate exercise of ecclesial authority, grounded in Holy Scripture and in the apostolic tradition, and developed through centuries of pastoral practice.

Christians generally agree that after death we will face judgment, and consequently spend eternity with God in HEAVEN, or eternally SEPARATED from him in hell. But while faithful Christians (Protestant and Catholic alike) take heaven and hell as given, the question arises: what about purgatory? Where is purgatory in the Bible? Does the Catholic Church still teach purgatory or did that “go out with Vatican II?”

The practice of Biblical apologetics is vital for Catholics in defending and sharing the Faith. But even more fundamentally, Biblical apologetics is essential for keeping the Faith. A deeper, Biblical understanding of Catholicism not only fosters spiritual growth but builds up resilience against doubts and challenges.

My last video (NNC Podcast 18: What did Jesus Really Say about Being “Born Again”) exposed the biblical evidence for the necessity of Baptism. This prompted a number of comments from our “separated brethren” challenging the historical Christian understanding of being “born from above of water and the Spirit” (John 3:5). Several commentors asked “What about the Good Thief?” Others condemned infant baptism as “unbiblical.” This podcast answers these objections as well as revealing the Old Testament types and figures of Baptism and the distinction between baptism and “the laying on of hands.”.

Once upon a time it was de rigueur for Fundamentalist door-to-door evangelists to open with the question, “Have you been born again?” But it is a simple fact of history that the term “born-again Christian” only became common in the 1970s. But, despite its relative novelty in the 2000 year history of the church, being “born again” is an allusion to Scripture. The question is: What was Jesus really talking about in John 3:3-5?

An examination of the metaphorical suit of armor in Ephesians 6:10-17 as a compendium of Catholicism – with each piece representing a fundamental element of your Catholic library – your best defense against “Catholic Kryptonite”! Plus some additional book suggestions. See also: https://nononsensecatholic.com/which-bible-translation-is-the-best-catholic-edition/

Jesus taught the Apostles to understand “all that was said about him” (Luke 24:25-27; 45) in the OT Scriptures. In His earthly ministry Christ gathered disciples in a way that, from this perspective, would be easily understood as a hierarchy of discipleship. Also, no nonsense Catholic responses to accusations of so-called “paganism” that rear their ugly heads every time there’s a new Pope!

Even though some non-Catholics will admit the primacy of the Bishop of Rome as “primus inter pares” (first among equals), only the Catholic Church holds the doctrine of Papal Supremacy. But why, when the word “pope” isn’t even in the Bible? It is true the word ‘pope’ isn’t in the Bible, but there are lots of words that aren’t in the Bible – words like “Trinity,” “Incarnation,” “Ascension,” and so on. Yet our separated brethren will readily agree that those concepts are Scriptural. Hence the rather provocative title, “Where is the Papal Conclave in the Bible?” Because even though you will not find those precise words in Scripture, you will find the inspired basis for the papacy, the apostolic succession, and the true meaning of papal infallibility.

The biblical understanding of clerical celibacy is grounded in the example of Christ, the teachings of St. Paul, the historical practices of the early Church, and the spiritual benefits that arise from this commitment. Clerical celibacy is not merely a rule but a profound expression of love, dedication, and service to God and His people. It allows priests to live out their vocation with a singular focus, embodying the sacrificial love of Christ and serving as a witness to the Kingdom of Heaven.