The question of homosexuality as an inherited trait, rather than environmentally caused, is a very problematical issue among some sociologists, although the vast majority of professionals in this field agree that it is hereditary. And of course not all hereditary characteristics are necessarily found in one of the parents. If that were true, every Down [...]
Perhaps the most persistent objection to Mary’s post partum virginity is the frequent scriptural references to Jesus’ “brothers” (e.g., Matthew 13:55, Mark 3:31-35, Luke 8:20, John 2:12 and 7:3-5, Acts 1:14, Galatians 1:19 1 Corinthians 9:5). The most fundamental response is that the Greek word rendered “brother” in English (i.e., adelphos) can be used to designate [...]
John H. Hampsch, cmf After one of Bill Cosby’s performances a young couple went backstage hoping to get the comedian’s autograph on the baby book that was to chronicle the infancy of their newborn son. Cosby’s aide brought the book to him for his signature, but when it was returned, the couple was disappointed to [...]
John H. Hampsch, cmf One of the many purposes of suffering—one seldom recognized as such—is its ability to equip us to comfort and encourage others effectively; it fashions us into more refined instruments in the hands of the divine Comforter. As with so many insights into suffering, this one is primarily Pauline: “The Father of [...]
The greatest challenge of Christian spirituality is to believe that no one is intrinsically unlovable, and no one is intrinsically unforgivable. No one can keep you from loving or forgiving, although you’ll find persons who will refuse to accept your love or your forgiveness. You are sure to find persons who cross your path in [...]
John H. Hampsch, cmf Here’s a head-scratcher for you. Imagine the earth as a smooth, non-mountainous ball, girded by a metal band at the equator. Now imagine enlarging that 25,000-mile band by, let us say, for example, an extra 50 feet, thus loosening it all around. Guess how much space would be left between that [...]
John H. Hampsch, cmf One of the most disconcerting types of suffering is that which results from being targeted by another person as the object of an evil curse, (similar to a hex, which is a witchcraft-induced evil spell). A curse or hex may take any of countless manifestations; and, in many cases, the victim [...]
John H. Hampsch, cmf “When all is said and done, more is said than done.” Among the 10,000 one-liners in Henry Youngman’s Encyclopedia of One-Liners, (Ballymore Books, NY, 1989) that particular one-liner applies most appropriately to divine revelation. Even in the most succinct examples of divine revelation, like the Ten Commandments, certainly “more is said than done.” [...]
The strangest anomaly in the burning issue of abortion is the presence of pro-choice advocates who claim to be bible believers. For these, Jesus’ words to the Sadducees apply: “You are in error because you do not know the Scriptures” (Mt. 22:29). Before surgical abortion was technically possible, unborn babies were killed only when the [...]
Anyone who puts a curse on another is certainly not Christian, but more like a pagan–that’s the word Jesus uses for a person who does what you did (see Matt. 5:47). It is most certainly not reflective of the Spirit of Jesus, who commanded us in Luke 6:37:, “Do not judge and you will not be [...]
