Pope Benedict XVI, Divine Revelation and the recent elections

A message from Father John Corapi:

Pope Benedict XVI Asks Catholics to Read the Bible as the Church Reads the Bible
A recent priority of the Holy Father has been to motivate more Catholics to read the Bible as the Church reads the Bible—in other words, authentically. Pope Benedict XVI chose the Sacred Scriptures as the topic of the fall Synod of Bishops. There has been a healthy interest in reading the Bible since the Second Vatican Council, but all-too-often there hasn’t been proper instruction and direction for the lay faithful in this area.

One of the most important major documents that came out of the Second Vatican Council is the Dogmatic Constitution on Divine Revelation, or “Dei Verbum,”—“Word of God.” This is the Church’s most important contemporary document on how to read and interpret Sacred Scripture, indeed on Divine Revelation as a whole.

The Holy Father expressed concern recently that there is a real danger in some modern biblical interpretation that he believes can diminish the meaning of Sacred Scripture and erode the bond between the Bible and the Church. The substance of the Pope’s concerns are pastoral in nature, more than academic, although the two certainly converge. He wants Catholics to be enriched on a daily basis by the proper and authentic reading of the written Word of God. The Church has given us the “road map”, if you will, of just how to do this in “Dei Verbum.”

Several years ago we presented a series entitled “Word of God,” seeking to do exactly what the Holy Father has now called for. This six-part seminar synthesizes in a clear and easy way the six chapters of this landmark Church document. It will help you to better read and interpret the written Word of God as the Catholic Church reads and interprets it.

Surely one of the most important teachings we have ever produced, I know “Word of God” will help you greatly in reading and understanding the Bible as the Catholic Church does, and as the Holy Father has recently asked us to do.

THERE IS STILL A GOD IN HEAVEN!
The American people have now made it abundantly clear who they want to lead them, and the policies and practices that this president-elect has represented for some time, they can now claim as their own. Actions have consequences, and I am sure God has duly noted what our priorities are in the US of A. Economic matters would seem to take precedence over moral matters; money more important than life itself to most people (I guess they don’t consider almost 50,000,000 innocent children murdered by abortion part of life).

Now we shall see what the fruit of such a tree will be. I predict that we won’t have to wait long. In recent months we have seen “corrections” in the stock market, housing market, and banking industries. Now we’ll see if God orchestrates a “correction” in a country and a world that has demonstrated quite clearly that it prefers convenience and wealth to life itself.

Regardless of whatever happens next, remember there is still a God in Heaven and He loves you. He is infinitely merciful—and He is infinitely just as well.

God Bless You

Fr. John Corapi

See also Fr. John Corapi's Television Schedule.

My Commentary on PBS program "The Bible's Buried Secrets"

Yesterday I posted the email I received from the American Family Association (AFA) regarding how Public Broadcasting System (PBS) is scheduled to air a program that claims the Old Testament is full of made-up stories. Today I'd like to add my short thoughts, for what they're worth.

Donald E. Wildmon, Founder and Chairman of the American Family Association, makes the claim that PBS is perhaps the most liberal network in America. I don't have facts in front of me to refute or confirm that claim, but I will say that I have seen some things that would suggest a liberal slant, despite the fact that we almost hardly watch television.

The example that comes to the forefront of my mind is one where a number of Hollywood celebrities, pop-culture musicians, and even Larry King serving as stars on Sesame Street: All Star Alphabet! Now, they weren't spewing out liberal talking points, but I saw the show's choice of stars to be a way to familiarize the children with these people in a way that they wouldn't question them as they got older. In other words, when the children grow up, they will recall these people from their youth and be more inclined to listen to them speak about topics outside of Sesame Street's alphabet lesson. I'm not comfortable with exposing my children to this form of a covert attack.

I tried to think of what kind of balance I would like to see Sesame Street adopt to make it a little more acceptable. My idea for a great dual lesson on how to count and to follow rules would be to have Father Corapi give the children a short talk on the 10 Commandments. Now that's something I'd love to see!

In response to "The Bible's Buried Secrets", I really have to ask why our tax dollars are paying for such poor programming. A little research would give anybody enough information to show that the premise of this show doesn't stand on firm ground. I'm sure the "experts" of the program are no-name people coming up with some shocking statements in the hopes of getting some airtime.

Secondly, somebody holds the checkbook to pay for these shows. We know that whoever that person is, they have an agenda behind their willing to fund it. I say this because only a person with an anti-Christian view would find any value and credibility in a program that makes a claim that the Bible is wrong. They want to infuse a sense of doubt that something (anything) in the Bible is incorrect because, if they can convince you of that, they've opened the door for you to doubt everything else in the Bible.

We know that if this were an honest program, it would be balanced with all the evidence contrary to their claims. Naturally, we won't be seeing anything like that. They would quickly rise the argument that tax dollars can't pay for anything that promotes any religion (especially Christianity). Sadly, our tax dollars can obviously be used to attack Christianity.

I find the producer's comments derogatory when she claims that the show is for "intelligent people". Are we Bible-believers seen as being Geico Cavemen in her mind? Honestly, I don't care what she thinks of us. We know the truth that Sacred Scripture is the inspired word of God. No television special has the power to sway our faith away from God if our relationship with God is strong.

I'm confident that this program will fall flat upon it's face like so many other frontal attacks recently brought forward by James Cameron, The DaVinci Code, The Golden Compass, and others. It's the same-old song and dance with them. Christianity has faced much larger and stronger heretical attacks than the likes of them and has prevailed through 2,000 years of human history.

As I close, I only ask for you to pray for those that are weak in their faith or just beginning to feel a draw towards Christ. Because their seeds of faith are not yet planted in the good soil, they are the ones most at risk from this attack. During trials like these, they would benefit well from our prayers. Please also take a moment to sign the Congressional petition urging the stop of our tax dollars funding PBS.

New PBS program says Bible isn't true, stories made up

This just in from the American Family Association (AFA). Please also read my personal commentary on this subject.

Your tax dollars helped fund “The Bible’s Buried Secrets”
The Public Broadcasting System (PBS), probably the most liberal network in America, will present a program this fall that says the Old Testament is a bunch of made-up stories that never happened. "The Bible's Buried Secrets" says the Bible is not true. It is scheduled to air on November 18.

Producer Paula Apsell said: "...It's (The Bible's Buried Secrets) designed for intelligent people who are willing to change their mind. …it will give intelligent people who want to read the Bible in a modern way a chance. If we insist on reading the Bible literally, in 25 years, nobody will read it any longer."

Among highlights of "The Bible's Buried Secrets":

• The Old Testament was written in the sixth century BC and hundreds of authors contributed.
• Abraham, Sarah and their offspring didn't exist.
• There is no archaeological evidence of the Exodus.
• Monotheism was a process that took hundreds of years.
• The Israelites were actually Canaanites.
• The Israelites believed that God had a wife.

I have often said that PBS should not receive tax dollars. "The Bible's Buried Secrets" is simply one more reason Congress should stop supporting PBS with our tax dollars. Congress gives PBS hundreds of millions of tax dollars to help support the network.

Signed: Donald E. Wildmon, Founder and Chairman of the American Family Association

Click here to visit the AFA's webpage on this subject and sign the petition urging Congress to stop using tax dollars to fund PBS. Please also read my personal commentary on this subject.

Becoming a Catholic Family

As we come across resources we feel to be worthwhile, we will be sure to share them with you. Here's one we received in an email today which speaks directly to the topics we speak of on this site.

Becoming a Catholic Family
from St. Joseph Communications
Scott and Kimberly Hahn share the triumphs and difficulties they encountered attempting to build a Catholic family. Like you, they had to discern how to balance faith with the realities of marriage, work, educating the kids, and more. In this informative and inspirational presentation you'll gain practical knowledge and a truly Catholic theological perspective on marriage as an indissoluble, life-giving union. An inspiration for Catholic couples based on the words of Scripture and the teaching of the Church.

Massachusetts Out-of-state Homosexual "Marriage" ban at risk

I received a "breaking news" email from One News Now regarding the removal of a Massachusetts ban to recognize out-of-state homosexual "marriages". Their state Senate just voted to repeal the 1913 law. The Massacusetts House is expected to vote on this issue as soon as later this week.

Though the homosexual politics of Massachusetts and California seem to be far removed from so many of us, it should be noted that decisions in those states can have a direct impact on the other states. For more details, read about the "recipe for chaos".

And if you don't think that things are getting a little out of hand, read here about how a homosexual man has sued because Sacred Scripture has caused him "emotional pain and mental instability." I wonder if the citizens of Sodom and Gomorrah ever thought to take legal action.