10
votes
Accepted
Is there a moral goodness in In vitro fertilization?
It is a good when a new person comes into existence; God still creates a rational soul out of nothing even for those conceived as a result of sin.
But it is never moral to use evil means
in the case ...
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6
votes
How prominent was "prosperity theology" in the early church?
Your question is interesting and it is something that I have talked about a lot Since I was part of that movement in the early 90s and left it only to eventually begin studying Early Church history ...
- 907
6
votes
In Catholicism, what does it mean for a priest to bless an object or person?
Blessing expresses the basic movement of Christian prayer: it is an encounter between God and man. In blessing, God’s gift and man’s acceptance of it are united in dialogue with each other. The prayer ...
- 18.3k
5
votes
Can I say, "Bless You" to our Catholic priest?
"Bless you!" is short for "[May God] bless you!"
So, you are not blessing a priest, but asking God to.
- 33.8k
5
votes
Accepted
In Calvinism, is there any correlation with the elect and the "blessed" in the Beatitudes of Matthew 5?
I'll handle these questions in two parts: first, the connection between the words blessed and elect (including, as you request, a definition of blessed), and second, if the qualities listed are ...
- 41.8k
4
votes
Why is wine associated with St. John the Apostle?
The reason is:
The Church provided a special blessing of wine in honor of the Saint.
According to legend St. John drank a glass of poisoned wine without
suffering harm because he had blessed it ...
- 721
4
votes
Accepted
What is the purpose of praying over the water at an Church of England baptism?
The page linked to in the question shows two versions of the Prayer over the Water which were introduced in 2015. These are alternatives, in "accessible language", to the main Prayer over the Water ...
- 7,118
3
votes
Accepted
Scriptural support - Measuring our salvation, God's love and blessings
Here are some Scriptures:
For whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point has become guilty of all of it. 11 For he who said, “Do not commit adultery,” also said, “Do not murder.” If you do ...
- 546
3
votes
Is there a moral goodness in In vitro fertilization?
It's worth noting that even though IVF is a bad thing, this has no spiritual implications for people conceived in such a way. God is a master of making lemonade from lemons (Romans 8:28).
In fact, if ...
- 151
3
votes
Generational Curses vs Personal Resposibility
Each passage was written for its times and its own purpose.
The threats of intergenerational accountability (Exodus 20:5, Exodus 34:7, Numbers 14:18, Deuteronomy 5:9) were written to make the Jews ...
- 14.3k
3
votes
Accepted
Why is wine associated with St. John the Apostle?
Granmirupa is correct. Going to add a little more info. According to the St. Anthony Messenger:
BOOK
"According to Francis X. Weiser in the Handbook of Christian Feasts and Customs (Harcourt Brace)...
- 336
3
votes
Is there really a Catholic "blessing for bacon?"
Is there really a Catholic “blessing for bacon?”
There seems to be no liturgically known prayer for bacon that I am able to locate, but I do believe the one named above is real, especially if it comes ...
- 54.8k
2
votes
Accepted
In what way was Isaac's blessing on Jacob manifested?
It's important to keep in mind that the stories about the patriarchs are both stories about individuals and "national origin" stories giving an identity to the whole nation of Israel.
So in the case ...
2
votes
Can I say, "Bless You" to our Catholic priest?
I think what you did is rather good. Even pope Francis 1st, just elected, asked everybody to bless him:
And now I would like to give the blessing, but first - first I ask a
favour of you: before ...
- 121
2
votes
Papal Blessing at World Youth Day 2016
Yes, the Holy Father does bless rosaries and other items such as medals at the conclusion of Papal Audiences, the Sunday Angelus, and Papal Masses!
The following is taken from The Pontifical North ...
- 54.8k
2
votes
Are things commonly blessed by priests at certain times of the year appropriate to bring to a priest for a special blessing?
Are things commonly blessed by priests at certain times of the year appropriate to bring to a priest for a special blessing?
The short answer is yes.
But before doing so make arrangements with your ...
- 54.8k
2
votes
A priest I requested kindly to bless salt and oil did not use the prescribed prayer but used his own, is the blessing valid?
If a priest blesses salt and oil, but does not use the prescribed prayer, but used his own wording, is the blessing valid?
The short answer is yes.
But there is a caveat to my response.
Rome allows ...
- 54.8k
2
votes
According to Catholicism, is the blessing of food by a lay person different from that of a priest?
If I understood your question correctly, you are asking what the difference between a priests and a normal persons blessings are, right? Well, you almost found the right spot in the Encyclopedia, ...
1
vote
What is the biblical basis for the claim that Malachi 3:6-12's curse and blessings concerning tithing apply to the New Testament Church?
The curse of the fall is already part of the order of the fall. So. it’s more like a reciprocity principle is being taught in this passage. The blessings discovered in giving (order of preservation) ...
- 3,003
1
vote
Accepted
Are holy water bottles sacramentals?
Are holy water bottles sacramentals?
Generally speaking the short answer is no. Unless the bottle has been blessed by a Catholic priest or deacon.
A rosary is a rosary. But once it is blessed it ...
- 54.8k
1
vote
What is the purpose of praying over the water at an Church of England baptism?
The Church of England is an extremely diverse church in terms of doctrines and practices. Much of Anglican liturgy and doctrine is deliberately designed to be inclusive.
Anglo-Catholic Anglicans will,...
- 30.2k
1
vote
Religious Blessing at a Non-religious Wedding
Let the Lord help you say the loving words: use Scripture
1 Corinthians 13, RSV has only ever moved me -- when I wasn't a baptized Christian and now that I am. I've been hearing this at weddings ...
- 6,655
1
vote
How to ask a Catholic priest to bless something for someone else?
You can just literally ask the priest to bless that thing you want a blessing on (which will become a sacramental after it's being blessed). You do not have to mention that it'll be for someone else ...
- 111
1
vote
Is falling to the floor during blessings or prayers supported in Roman Catholic doctrine?
Falling down could be a sign of possession, especially if it is a sort of fall that injures oneself.
In the New Testament, προσπίτνω is often translated as "to fall down," whether it be demons ...
- 33.8k
1
vote
Can we ask God to bless unsaved people so that they will be more open to the Gospel?
The short answer is "yes it is appropriate to ask in prayer for hearts to open themselves to the Gospel" ... because it never hurts to ask. Prayers of request/supplication are a tradition that well ...
- 6,655
1
vote
Accepted
The Blessing of Herbs on the Feast of the Assumption?
It's currently celebrated as a holiday in Bavaria and Saarsland in Germany
There are special traditions about trees and plants on the Feast of the Assumption of Mary. The first ripe walnuts or ...
- 33.7k
1
vote
In what way was Isaac's blessing on Jacob manifested?
One approach to this passage is to look at it generally literally, as Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown do. Regarding verse 28, they emphasize the fruitfulness of Canaan:
To an Oriental mind, this ...
- 41.8k
1
vote
Accepted
When and how did the Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament start in the Catholic Church?
The Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament is the result of a confluence of two separate traditions dating back to the thirteenth century. Exposing the Blessed Sacrament for veneration in a monstrance ...
1
vote
Is there really a Catholic "blessing for bacon?"
Thanks to the Catholic Man Show for posting this on Facebook.
Blessing of Lard or Bacon
V. Our help is in the name of the Lord
R. Who has made heaven and earth
V. The Lord be with you.
R. And with ...
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