A roundup of banking crisis news as the latest sudden and unexpected emergency occupies the media; Pfizer pays Twitter money for cancer developer; and is Turbo Cancer really a thing?
“Don’t underestimate Joe’s ability to f--- things up.”
The PTB installed Sleepy Joe as the perfect president to bring down America. I felt physically ill when he was "elected" because I believed he'd destroy this country as fast as he can.
He was "selected" because he is owned lock, stock, and barrel - along with his family and friends, as well as many in the halls of Congress, enemies foreign and domestic - by the Chinese and other offshore interests. They are working hard on destroying the obstruction called the USA. Looks like it's working.
we should send all these so called representatives of the people home without any paycheck and confiscate all their wealth to bail our the banks that hold OUR money.
Wouldn't that be wonderful! If only We The People had maintained the Power invested in us. We were the Government. The States were sovereign. Not federal bureaucrats in DC. Instead we allowed our power to be relegated to "trusted representatives" and law by law it has been stolen right under our noses over a short couple of hundred years.
Now, too many are content to be blind, distracted, and ignorant, complacent cogs in the wheel, expecting everything will be fine...until it all falls down. I don't know that a revitalization of the citizenry is even possible at this point. How many will stand up and say "Give me liberty or give me death!" these days? Rather, "Give me all the shots and an ID chip - I want my money."
there is a fix for this. Our founders foresaw this day. There are two ways in our constitution to make amendments. One is the method that has been used for all of them--the FEDERAL legislature drives it. The other method is a Convention of States. If 2/3 of the State Legislatures approve (no governor can over rule or veto), a Constitutional Convention can be called. Amendments to the Constitution can be drafted and set for approval. Tge States regain the power that is Constitutionally theirs and we can FIRE the Federal Gov't. Research "Convention of States". 18 States have already approved. We only need 15 more.
NOPE!! The Convention of States is a trojan horse. We fought this in our state and won. Why aren't they drafting Amendments like was done in the past? Why do they need a Convention of States?
Educate yourself on the dangers of this push for a Convention of States. In this political climate do you really think that the people in power won't destroy our rights? They are trampling the Constitution now. Open the door to a COS and all will be lost.
If they convene a Convention of States we will lose our current Constitution. There are already versions drawn up. Mark Meckler's group even has one and they changed the 2nd Amendment.
true. Your comment reminds me of that film with Charley Chaplin, where he works in a factory tightening bolts. Cogs in the wheel. No say in what happens. Our representatives mostly represent only the filling of their pockets. At least a few still think of the people but most don't
Here is another Simpsons. They show underground people, mention an EARTHQUAKE machine, show the CIA weather control division, chem trails... They show you...
But as pathetic as Joe is, surely he's been "managed" all along by Obama (who's on tape as having told us how he'd like to continue driving the car so to speak) and his Democrat puppet masters...
The destruction of America is what they want. Don’t you remember Obummer saying he wanted to fundamentally change the USA? Well he got his opportunity by helping the DNC and deep state plan the steal of the 2020 election.
I think blaming it on odummer is looking at too small a picture. The deep state is WAYYYYY beyond him and his mom jeans. He isnt smart enough to be pulling any major strings. He is a puppet just as Joe is. Hillary pulls much more weight than him. Even she is small potatoes in all this. And SHE is heads and tails beyond odummer.
Yes, he was excited at the prospect of running a third term from his basement in his sweatsuit. And he just may be the Wizard of Oz hiding behind the curtain, pulling levers, but his allegiance has always tilted to foreign nations. Remember the pallets of cash to Iran? Now China, Iran, and Russia are coming together. I imagine BHO is pleased and persuaded he will be well-treated and given power at some point. Perhaps he'll replace Tedros at WHO.
Yes, I've no doubt whose side he's on, and in fact bumbling biden who "always f#cks things up" made him the perfect mascot behind which to hide. In other words, even though Biden is uselessly senile and has a history of screwing things up, he's "screwing things up" in exactly the way THEY want him to. I think we're on the same page.
Take care, brethren, that there not be in any one of you an evil, unbelieving heart that falls away from the living God. But encourage one another day after day, as long as it is still called “Today,” so that none of you will be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. For we have become partakers of Christ, if we hold fast the beginning of our assurance firm until the end[.]
And, once again, I thank you, Janice--from the DEPTHS OF MY SOUL for posting SCRIPTURE to Jeff's newsletter. The words of our Creator God are the ONLY CURE for hopelessness and fear!
As a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ...I understand that "peace beyond the world's madness"--however...Jesus instructed us to be SALT (to heal wounds) and LIGHT (to drive away the DARKNESS of sin)....so let's spread our SALT AND LIGHT BIG TIME, friends!
I love that phrase, I love hearing it, even the sound of it is encouraging and uplifting simply because it reminds of the words from the master of life Himself
It is important to be of good cheer even when the SHTF, personally and in the world. How? We remember who is the controller of all things. Even when the SHTF, God uses it for HIS good.
We just make prudent decisions, we don't act impulsively, greedily or as if nothing is happening. If you are Christian - God has you. You don't have to understand His ways. He doesn't promise us that.
Yes, 'To Be Of Good Cheer" is the vey best way to end your daily writing, always! Scrolling through the chat one finds an overwhelming amount of doom and gloom and lost hope for the future. It is an elevating practice to see the glass half full in all circumstances. Intention and positive attitude can be the catalyst for the change we wish to see.
From Armstrong Economics twitter feed: "Becker sold about $3.57 million worth of SVB stock over the past two weeks and is now making TV appearances saying he did not see this coming....Tons of people and businesses will be completely screwed over. Who could have seen it coming? Silicon Valley Bank CEO, CFO, and CMO sold off millions in stock over the past two weeks."
Obviously, this is illegal. All that money should be clawed back and given to small depositors. Then there needs to be a criminal investigation, all the way to the top.
In a kind move, the management also made sure to pay all employees, including their annual bonuses, before the bank was shuttered. Taking care of business.
You are oh so right--but the corruption in our present age is SO PERVASIVE--NOTHING will be done to remedy the wrongs of the bank's executives' greed and deceit.
I volunteer with the COS Project, we want to use the constitutional solution the founders gave us for reigning in an out of control government! Imagine a government that is fiscally responsible, smaller in size and respects citizens. Join Convention of States. https://conventionofstates.com/?ref=57705
THANK YOU so much - I have ALWAYS been a "states' rights" advocate--and that is why our CONSTITUTIONAL REPUBLIC is so wondrous--if only people would READ our U S Constitution and realize its focus is LIMITING THE POWER OF GOVERNMENT and that WE THE PEOPLE have the power to INSURE our freedoms are NOT usurped (as they were during this PLANdemic). I will read that article tomorrow - Childrens' Health Defense is one of my "favorite" charities that I support financially whenever I am able.
Sharon, I am tearing my hair out about this issue. However, if a bunch of wealthy people pooled their money to hire some truly excellent lawyers, that might change things. The other option is a Writ of Mandamus to compel prosecution of illegal activities.
I'm not saying these things WILL work. I'm saying they are worth trying.
Would our brother in faith, JEFF CHILDERS, be a capable "solicitor" to implore to take on this thievery in high places? After all...his expertise is "corporate law". Why don't we do a "multiplier" to pay his fee to take on this "high profile" cases that rock the country!!
Mar 13, 2023·edited Mar 13, 2023Liked by Jeff Childers
The cynical among us might point out that our nation's top three bank failures happened while Joseph Robinette Biden held either the highest or second-highest political office in the country, perhaps casting blame and aspersions upon poor old notorious JRB. The even more cynical among us will point out that perhaps it's not a bug, it's a feature. "Never let a crisis go to waste", said Rahm Emmanuel. One could even create a crisis and leverage it to do things heretofore impossible. Doesn't congress control the purse? Ha!, stupid peasant, the global government controls the purse.
And, not surprisingly, I have listened to media pundits placing the blame for these bank failures on DJT! Joe Rogan's show played a clip of one newscaster placing blame on Trump (due to banking regulations put into place under him) and then Rogan played a clip from this very same newscaster (right after the regulations were passed) praising the new banking regulations that Trump had put into place - the very ones she was using to blame Trump.
"Things heretofore impossible" such as further consolidation of America's banks. Such "crises" provide legitimate reason for TPTB to ignore anti-trust regulations and stomp out more small regional banks (and the small businesses that depend on them for operating capital).
IMO, credit unions are the best: Good sources for inexpensive small loans, passbook savings accounts, and all the stuff tht comprises bank for "the rest of us" (we who are not millionaires). Credit unions have the same FDIC insurance protection as do commercial banks.
That too... We bought silver a couple times, but the first time was in big bars, and I thought, we can't use this for currency! So the next time we got coins. LOL
We took all our money out of 2 “national chain” banks and opened one account at a local bank. Love the personalized service, the friendliness, the fact that the board and executives live in the community.
Mar 13, 2023·edited Mar 13, 2023Liked by Jeff Childers
Jeff, I absolutely loved your presentation at the conference! It was so encouraging. I wish my church was willing to have people speak on covid/vaccine/tyranny issues. As for today's topics, I was so happy to read that the bailout of the banks will not cost us taxpayers anything. Amazing how our government can do that.
Ummm. Actually, according to 'various regulators' Anne is not being sarcastic. Not sure how this works, maybe magic fairy dust?
"A joint statement from the various regulators involved said there would be no bailouts and no taxpayer costs associated with any of the new plans. Shareholders and some unsecured creditors will not be protected and will lose all of their investments."
Sure is a good thing, that the CEO cashed out all his investments in his own bank in the last week or so since "shareholders . . . will not be protected and will lose all of their investment." I'm sure he never saw this coming and the timing was coincidental.
Thank you. I loved Jeff as a lawyer, thrown into the deep end with Covid. I loved him as a courageous professor of common sense and seeing the lies. But I love him even more as a Christian telling all of us, “we were made for this time”. And he tells us how. Thank you Jeff Childers.
Thank you Jeff for the shot of inspiration at the end of today’s post because reading it was seriously bringing me down for a moment. Our happiness and resilience is our way out of this. They can’t take that away! 💪
Jeff - before I read today’s post, just have to say the withdrawals for us in the Eastern Time Zone from your usual early morning post has been real!! 😂 Hope you’re enjoying your time away!
🗨 In an unalloyed capitalist system, money flows to those who offer goods and services of value to consumers. In a political capitalism system, money flows to special-interest groups with friends in high places.
Jeff, I enjoyed your talk at the Steeling the Mind Bible Conference in Idaho! I respectfully take exception to one comment - that Catholics don’t read the Bible! Catholics “read the Bible” in a three-year cycle at Sunday Mass readings and in a two-year cycle in daily Mass, from both the Old Testament and New Testament. There are countless well known Bible studies like https://ascensionpress.com/collections/the-bible-timeline-the-story-of-salvation including The Bible in a Year with Fr. Mike Schmitz as well as Bible studies in many Catholic parishes and homes. Here's a good explanation from someone who grew up in an independent fundamentalist church: https://cruxnow.com/faith/2015/11/why-dont-catholics-read-the-bible
It has been very encouraging to watch the rise of conservative Catholicism. Sadly, when I was in catholic school, apart from scheduled short readings at mass, we were not taught to personally engage with the Bible.
... And you were also likely taught that Mary can intercede and provide you a pathway to the Father ... a teaching denied loud and clear by Jesus (John 14:6). Far be it from me as a reformed Christian to attack fellow believers, but we are instructed to lovingly correct errors, especially those that may have eternal implications.
47Yinzer, certainly you ask your friends (& especially holy friends) to pray for you? So do we Catholics! We ask for prayers from those living around us, as well as those living in the next life. The prayers of the holy are very efficacious!
Along with all the "Saints/Apostles".... I like this verse also ( Someone said to Him, “Look! Your mother and Your brothers are standing outside asking to speak to You.” But Jesus replied to the one who told Him, “Who is My mother and who are My brothers?” And stretching out His hand toward His disciples [and all His other followers], He said, “Here are My mother and My brothers! For whoever does the will of My Father who is in heaven [by believing in Me, and following Me] is My brother and sister and mother.”)
"John 19:26 When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, “Woman, behold, your son!” 27 Then he said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother!”
I'm a late-comer to the Faith, having converted from atheism at age 33 in 1996. Sadly, the Catholic Church was deeply infiltrated by modernism in the 20th century, and the coup de gras was Vatican 2.
What I wouldn't do to go back in time and tell myself to not allow my children to attend the Vatican 2 parochial schools.
Beautiful age to be welcomed into the church - the Trinity was clearly present in you.
It is definitely a trying time right now, the smoke of satin has infiltrated as deeply or perhaps more than it had in 1517. So sad to see what parochial schools and many parishes, bishops, Pope, etc... have done to the Church. History can be rewritten from modern eyes, but that does not make it right. During these times, our family survives by continuing our readings of the Bible (with ancients commentary), the Church fathers, Aquinas, and the many other saints and even Fulton Sheen who left behind so much wisdom about the message of Christ and His Church with no ambiguity. Praise be Jesus Christ for the gift of His Church and her Tradition as left behind by so many Saints.
Not a late comer, God’s timing is always perfect. And I love to point out that 33 is the perfect age for us as humans. Jesus lived to that age, and when we consider ourselves, we have reached physical and mental maturity at that age. At 33 we’re fully adult in the prime of life, with no real signs of aging yet. That’s just a pet theory of mine. 😊
I agree and am sorry your education was so lacking as were so many after Vatican II. The almost 2000 year old Church has had very difficult moments in her history, men are sinful after all, yet she still struggles along and please God may the latest assault only strengthen her and the militant left to carry out Christ’s mission, something made much easier to do with an understanding of who Christ is as told through the Old and New testaments and the writings of the Saints.
Thank you for all your writings, they are always informative and encouraging and a definite balm for the crazy we find ourselves forced to endure!!
Every Catholic I’ve known has been told they weren’t to read the Bible on their own. Furthermore, there are still many Catholics who believe things that are not in the Word of God. Pope Francis just recently came out with some statements on homosexuality and transgenderism that are contrary to Scripture. Then there’s the issue of the infallibility of the Pope....
The pope is only infallible when teaching on faith and morals in union with all the bishops of the world. If he just states a personal opinion, that is not an infallible teaching. The last infallible declaration was in 1950, so they do not occur every day. Papal infallibility does not mean that he is sinless or never makes mistakes.
A pope is just a man and is not infallible. Only the Word of God, as written in the Bible is infallible, without error, authoritative, all sufficient and eternal. It doesn’t change with culture or current psychological or sociological issues. Read the second half of chapter Psalm 19 “The law of the Lord is perfect, restoring the soul” (Ps.19:7). Scripture is law. It is written by God as a manual for life. The Bible is God’s law for man and it is perfect. No man, pope or bishop is perfect but God’s Word is perfect, complete, enduring and flawless because it comes from God, not man.
Yes, the Bible is without error, and all the other things you state. Where in the Bible does it say "all you need is the Bible?" You also mention that it is authoritative. What do you do when you and a friend disagree on an interpretation? To what authority do you appeal, if you are both getting your opinions from the Bible? Don't forget that Luther and Calvin had very different interpretations on issues, predestination being one of them.
Karen, I don’t want to debate Catholicism vs Evangelical Christianity with you. As you know there are significant differences in beliefs beginning with the Catholic Bible vs the Holy Bible, the authority of the Scripture as God’s Word, vs the Papacy and the Catholic Bible, and many other differences. This blog is not the place to debate. If you feel secure in your beliefs then you shouldn’t feel a need to defend your views and I’m secure in my beliefs and obviously you aren’t interested in hearing the differences. So let’s agree to disagree and enjoy the wonderful posts Jeff provides every day via Coffee & Covid.
Jeff Childers you are brilliant. I would like to encourage you to read from the early Church fathers, from St. Jerome who translated the Bible into what was the common language at the time (the Latin Vulgate) to the Church fathers at the Councils of Carthage and Hippo who decided the canon of the Bible, and investigate a traditional Mass if you have one in your area. The Catholic Church loves the Bible, preserved it through the dark ages, but we are not "sola scriptura". That may be why it seems that we don't read the Bible as much as our separated brethren. I know it may be anathema to some people here, but we also have Tradition. Not "traditions of men" but Tradition taught in 2 Thessalonians 2:15 and 2 Thessalonians 3:6. Thank you for your consideration and for all of your hard work.
You've nailed it, Karen. Thanks for pointing these truths out. "Ignorance of Scripture is ignorance of Christ" as the Catholic St. Jerome pointed out. And, "to be deep in history is to cease to be Protestant" as John Henry Newman found out when he attempted to refute the authority of the Catholic Church in the 19th century.
The Protestant delusions and misconceptions about the Church founded by Jesus Christ are so sad. They assume the Bible alone as their rule of faith, but never stop to wonder "Where does Scripture say I should only follow the Bible?" (It doesn't of course.) Or, who put together the canon of Scripture and on what authority did they do so?
The saddest thing is that they completely dismiss Mt. 16:18-19, where Jesus gives Peter His authority - never realizing that Jesus Himself set Peter on the throne to rule and guide the Church in His absence.
As St Augustine himself said, “in the gospel you have the remedy against the poisonous and impious errors of heretics” - why such sage advice if we were not to know God’s word which has to be taken in its entirety for the entire Bible is one book and that book is Christ (CCC 134) - Handed down, preserved and explained through the One Holy Catholic and Apostolic church and Her Tradition.
100%. Small out of context scriptures that were used to further the priests intended message. Never Biblical. I never once saw a Bible. Only the Baltimore Catechism.
The priest does not get to choose the Scripture readings - and they are the same ones* that have been used on those same days since at least 500 A.D. The cycle of Scripture readings are not optional.
*At least they *were* (and still *are* in the pre-Vatican 2 Mass) until Vatican 2.
Thank you for your comments, Fred. Do you follow the 1962 Missal? The daily readings for the season of Lent are wonderful. I wish people would realize that the Bible is a Catholic book.
Yes; we use the 1962 Missal liturgically tho our actual missals are pre-1955. I pray that the Church restores the '55 Missal liturgy for Easter, which I have been enough to witness two times.
In fact, I regularly offer the 4th Glorious Mystery for the restoration of all 7 sacraments. (Most people don't even know that the V2 Church changed all seven of them.)
As Fred points out, the Scripture readings are set. How can you say that these scripture readings are not Biblical? That makes no sense.. It sounds like you are describing protestant churches, where the pastor chooses his favorite scriptures for his intended message. If you didn't see a Bible, you weren't looking. And the Baltimore Catechism is a wonderful teaching tool.
Unfortunately, as an ex-Catholic, we were never encouraged/taught to read the Bible. However, I've met new generation Catholics that are now reading the Bible. So I generationally agree with Jeff. I currently "read" (YouVersion) The Bible twice daily. It's the only hope and inspiration I always get. (Jeff is a close 3rd after my Bride ;-)
As a Catholic, I can confirm that for many decades, reading Scripture was not encouraged so much as assumed, I think. And, as Sandy mentioned, we do hear Scripture proclaimed at Mass every Sunday (and for those of us who go to daily Mass, we hear it more often) and big chunks of the prayers said during the Liturgy are taken directly from Scripture. The way the Bible is consumed does differ among different Christian faiths, but I understand what Jeff and others mean when they say "Catholics don't read the Bible." Fortunately, this is changing and I have been part of several Bible studies and have participated in Fr. Schmitz's Bible in a Year study which, for fellow-Catholics (and even non-Catholics) is highly recommended. I believe the Bible in a Year podcase has been enormously successful with millions of downloads. Praise G-d!
I am a Protestant Christian that started following Father Mike Schmitz’s Bible in a Year podcast after hearing him on the Megyn Kelly Show last year. Although I have read through the Bible several times on my own I really enjoy hearing scripture read out loud as well as his helpful commentary.
Your comment is encouraging NAB. I’m a Lutheran myself, and other Protestant denominations consider us to be ‘Catholic lite’, because we use the same Creeds, Apostles, Nicene, and Athanasian, as well as a Liturgical service, minus what we call the ‘bells and smells’ (incense) 😂.
I have several very good friends who are Roman Catholic, they are devout Christians and I know that they follow Christ and not the (apparently) apostate pope.
There have been, and always will be many flaws in the church as it is comprised of sinful humans, but I especially love the concept of the Church Triumphant, the priesthood of all believers, which allows us to say…that I’ll greet you in heaven my friend.
This is correct. I am taking a Bible class one of our priests is doing and he said that up until 1943, Catholics were discouraged and punished for studying scripture on their own! It is taking a couple of generations to undo this damage from prohibiting the Bible from the people.
Twelve years of Catholic education (which I am grateful for) and my senior year we had a religion class with a priest and we read parts of the Bible. It was during this time that I started identifying as an atheist which lead to all sorts of nonsense. Then 7 years later, a friend gave me a New Testament that I read non-stop like I was a starving person, and I saw who Jesus was for the first time! Life changing. I had no idea after all those years as a practicing, sincere Catholic.
I would ask you to read the autobiography of C. S. Lewis who was raised in a very strict Church of England family background--was placed into a boarding school when his mother died (and he HATED that experience--which turned him away from his Mother's teachings about Jesus and His love and mercy). He became an athiest in his young manhood--but, as you well know....C. S. is one of the pre-eminent Christian apologists OF ALL TIME and we will surely meet him in the Lord Jesus' bright kingdom "bye and bye"!
You do realize that Gutenberg was imprisoned (by the behind-the scenes maniplation of "The Church" hierarchy) for printing out the Bible and circulating it among the "laity".
One of Martin Luther’s greatest contributions to the Reformation was translating the Bible into German so the average man could read it. This was followed by the Gutenberg Bible and printing press making the Bible available to the masses. Even as a practicing Lutheran all my life, I didn’t know much of this.
Have you read “ Martin Luther: The Man Who Rediscovered God and Changed the World” by Eric Metaxas? It’s a very informative book on the life of Martin Luther; I really enjoyed it.
There was a wonderful movie released through Billy Graham's group back in the 1960's about the life of Luther. I wonder if it's still available--will have to check that out and, if it is, I'll post a link to it on this forum.
Have you read “ Martin Luther: The Man Who Rediscovered God and Changed the World” by Eric Metaxas? It’s a very informative book on the life of Martin Luther; I really enjoyed it.
I am amazed how many professing Christians don't research the history of the Christian faith. I do not consider the "Catholic Church" heirarchy to be Christians in any sense of the word. They have been bullies, despots and deviates for centuries--the followers of Roman Catholicism are horribly duped....I pray for their souls....they are sincere...just horribly misled. The ORIGINAL chuch--hiding in the catacombs and fearing for their lives--the believers in totalitarian countries who suffer deprivation and are put in prison for believing in the Lord Jesus Christ--now THOSE PEOPLE are my "heroes" of the Christian faith--not some "pope" clothed in fine satin/gold/linen with ornate headresses resting on his aged head!
Sharon, I would caution you against the use of such vitriolic language toward the many Catholic readers of this Substack who have engaged in fruitful discussions with Christians of all varieties in these threads. You list too many tropes in your comment requiring thoughtful engagement to debunk and given your tone, I'm not sure you are in a place to do so. Let me just say that as a practicing Catholic, I don't feel "duped" in any way and as all churches are made up of human beings, I promise you that each have their share of bullies, despots and deviants. I appreciate, however, the sincere prayers of anyone offering them on my behalf and I will offer prayers for you too.
The bible had been translated into German before Luther. Although he did add words "faith alone" (he added "alone", and threw out books that did not fit into his new theology.
The Catholic Church had many Bibles translated into German before Luther did his translation. He also added words and threw out books. That was a big reason why his translations were forbidden.
I believe your priest did not tell you the whole story. Again I ask only that people return to the church fathers and see what they wrote about the Bible and it’s relation to our faith life. St Augustine’s confessions are a great place to start with why the church recommends help with our Bible reading. No one will argue he was not brilliant and filled with the Holy Spirit, yet even he, upon first reading of the Bible when he took it up as a pagan did not completely “get” it. Not until he heard St Ambrose unfold the Old Trstament prophets and their relation to Christ did he begin to understand there was far more too it than he realized. He went on to write hundreds of thousands of pages on the scriptures, many of which we still have and which can greatly help people even to today.
I appreciate your kind responses. I'm sure you have reached heroic virtue. I for one am very irritated by the Catholic bashing I am reading here. We don't read the Bible? It is read and explained at every Mass. The Bible is a Catholic book, the Church canonized it and copied it painstakingly by hand. Our sola scriptura friends don't seem to realize that they would have no Bible at all if not for the Church. And if all we need is the Bible, for us to read and study on our own, why are there so many different Churches? Because there are so many different private interpretations.
Exactly and thank you. It is truly disheartening to read so much vitriol and just plain wrong information even amongst Catholics. Catholics gave them the Bible and truly the Church in her wisdom is the only one with the key to it. We must read it with the help of those wiser who came before us, within the living Tradition. The world since 1517 has not gotten any better because one wayward Augustinian thought he knew better. In fact had he humbled himself the heresy could possibly have been avoided. Pax et bonum et gratias tibi!!
I don't think this priest is accurate. Punished for reading the Bible? The Bible is a Catholic book. They may have cautioned people, because private interpretation is what led to 40,000 denominations.
In my 70s here. Perhaps you were not encouraged to read the bible, but I was as a young Catholic. And, as Sandy remarked, Catholics do "read the Bible" with the three-year Sunday Mass cycle, and homilies are preached on these Sunday readings.
In addition, many of our oldest and very wise saints discussed how important it was for Catholics to know and read their Bible. The Bible came from the Catholic Church and the Tradition helps uphold the teachings in it. Great and early church writers have written excellent commentaries on the gospels dating back to the 300s- think St John Chrysostom, St Jerome, St. Ambrose, St Augustine, (I could go on and on.) Many of us do read the Bible and the excellent ancient writings that expound upon it. To paint the church with such a broad brush is disingenuous and sad.
At the Protestant church we used to attend, they had a similar 3-year cycle of biblical readings. My issue, though, was that the readings were printed in the weekly bulletin and the clergy would just excise those verses that made the woke laity uncomfortable. Lies of omission.
As a teenager I read the Living Bible , then wandered off for a long time. If I’m on social media too much, I like listening to Alexander scourby. Balances me out a little. I have a few different versions for reading.
This is a time of clearing and culling. We just have to wait it out with resistance, faith and common sense! All three have been in very short supply for many!
"At times like these, one soberly contemplates Obama’s prophetic 2020 assessment, “Don’t underestimate Joe’s ability to f--- things up.”...
I don't think it has ever occurred to anyone that Obama's statement was, in his mind, the BEST reason for picking Biden to be his puppet in the White House.... Just saying...
“A blogger has to move fast these days, to keep up with all the Einstein-like intellects infesting the nation’s capital. Their brains move so much faster than everyone else’s. Or — as a possible alternative — they have no idea what they are doing and just lie all the time, take your pick.”
“Don’t underestimate Joe’s ability to f--- things up.”
The PTB installed Sleepy Joe as the perfect president to bring down America. I felt physically ill when he was "elected" because I believed he'd destroy this country as fast as he can.
He was "selected" because he is owned lock, stock, and barrel - along with his family and friends, as well as many in the halls of Congress, enemies foreign and domestic - by the Chinese and other offshore interests. They are working hard on destroying the obstruction called the USA. Looks like it's working.
Sadly, I am thinking the same is also true of Canada (where I live) ☹️
we should send all these so called representatives of the people home without any paycheck and confiscate all their wealth to bail our the banks that hold OUR money.
Wouldn't that be wonderful! If only We The People had maintained the Power invested in us. We were the Government. The States were sovereign. Not federal bureaucrats in DC. Instead we allowed our power to be relegated to "trusted representatives" and law by law it has been stolen right under our noses over a short couple of hundred years.
Now, too many are content to be blind, distracted, and ignorant, complacent cogs in the wheel, expecting everything will be fine...until it all falls down. I don't know that a revitalization of the citizenry is even possible at this point. How many will stand up and say "Give me liberty or give me death!" these days? Rather, "Give me all the shots and an ID chip - I want my money."
there is a fix for this. Our founders foresaw this day. There are two ways in our constitution to make amendments. One is the method that has been used for all of them--the FEDERAL legislature drives it. The other method is a Convention of States. If 2/3 of the State Legislatures approve (no governor can over rule or veto), a Constitutional Convention can be called. Amendments to the Constitution can be drafted and set for approval. Tge States regain the power that is Constitutionally theirs and we can FIRE the Federal Gov't. Research "Convention of States". 18 States have already approved. We only need 15 more.
19 states have approved it.
NOPE!! The Convention of States is a trojan horse. We fought this in our state and won. Why aren't they drafting Amendments like was done in the past? Why do they need a Convention of States?
Educate yourself on the dangers of this push for a Convention of States. In this political climate do you really think that the people in power won't destroy our rights? They are trampling the Constitution now. Open the door to a COS and all will be lost.
https://www.commoncause.org/our-work/constitution-courts-and-democracy-issues/article-v-convention/
If they convene a Convention of States we will lose our current Constitution. There are already versions drawn up. Mark Meckler's group even has one and they changed the 2nd Amendment.
https://newswithviews.com/mark-mecklers-cos-board-member-drafted-a-new-constitution-for-gun-control/
The states currently have the power that is Constitutionally theirs. It's called Federalism.
true. Your comment reminds me of that film with Charley Chaplin, where he works in a factory tightening bolts. Cogs in the wheel. No say in what happens. Our representatives mostly represent only the filling of their pockets. At least a few still think of the people but most don't
Haha...old fashioned predictive programming. It's come a long way.
Would you believe the Simpsons kinda predicted it?
Simpsons joke about Silcon Valley Bank with no money. 30 sec vid
https://www.bitchute.com/video/2zcL4FQkkDSm/
Their writers seem to have an inside track - they have predicted many things. Thanks for the first lol of the day.
Here is another Simpsons. They show underground people, mention an EARTHQUAKE machine, show the CIA weather control division, chem trails... They show you...
https://www.bitchute.com/video/mGgtgqlRCouo/
i have watched a few more episodes lately. They did. they either had an antenna for the future or someone is following their advice LOL
When they did Joe's Colonoscopy I figured they were looking for handprints!
From one Canadian to another - An interview with Chris Sky -https://rumble.com/v2cqc6q-tyrants-and-traitors-exposed-at-every-turn-chris-sky.html
Sadly I agree 💯 with you
Yes, it is sad. I feel like those beneath decks in steerage on the Titanic.
George Soros put him in.
Seen in a sticker on a gas pump, in a type font mimicking the Bounty paper towels logo:
"Biden - The Quicker F*cker-Upper"
Ain't it the truth.
They sell them on Etsy!
thanks for the tip. that person is going to make some bucks ! well if their bank is not broke!
I bet they sell out fast
Thanks
I’m checking today
I ran out of the “I did that” ones
All the paper towels in the world would not even come close to being enough to mop up that mess! Good one. 😆
But as pathetic as Joe is, surely he's been "managed" all along by Obama (who's on tape as having told us how he'd like to continue driving the car so to speak) and his Democrat puppet masters...
I don't know...if they are driving this car they're doing it drunk and blindfolded. I've never seen the country this dysfunctional before.
The destruction of America is what they want. Don’t you remember Obummer saying he wanted to fundamentally change the USA? Well he got his opportunity by helping the DNC and deep state plan the steal of the 2020 election.
Yes, totally.
Drunk, yes, but not blindfolded. They WANT to destroy the American Dream and they're 7/10th there already.
They're going to say 'it's not their fault'.
Nothing is their fault, according to them.
I think blaming it on odummer is looking at too small a picture. The deep state is WAYYYYY beyond him and his mom jeans. He isnt smart enough to be pulling any major strings. He is a puppet just as Joe is. Hillary pulls much more weight than him. Even she is small potatoes in all this. And SHE is heads and tails beyond odummer.
Look higher.
I do. But he's higher than Biden and of course the hierarchy gets higher but they each have their role to play as part players in the Big Agenda.
Yes. He's not smart and he is way too lazy to do any master planning.
Yes, he was excited at the prospect of running a third term from his basement in his sweatsuit. And he just may be the Wizard of Oz hiding behind the curtain, pulling levers, but his allegiance has always tilted to foreign nations. Remember the pallets of cash to Iran? Now China, Iran, and Russia are coming together. I imagine BHO is pleased and persuaded he will be well-treated and given power at some point. Perhaps he'll replace Tedros at WHO.
Yes, I've no doubt whose side he's on, and in fact bumbling biden who "always f#cks things up" made him the perfect mascot behind which to hide. In other words, even though Biden is uselessly senile and has a history of screwing things up, he's "screwing things up" in exactly the way THEY want him to. I think we're on the same page.
With Harris as Impeachment Insurance, BO safely ensconced. They're clever devils.
‘Someone’ is running the show, and I’m sure BO is a player of sorts, but he’s not smart enough to be the master puppeteer.
Not "the" master, no, but he's on board with the Big Agenda.
That they are.
And you were correct!
Yep, the perfect guy to do exactly what the nutty Blackbeards want, and blame it on incompetence.
Well he is exceedingly inept
he does what he is told due to blackmail
Or PDT
The most poignant statement ever made by Obama.
And a strong clue that Joe's ability f-up was a feature, not a bug.
I also think the Os comment that "Under my policies energy prices will necessarily skyrocket" is right up there.
Turbo destruction
He’s working on it!
And you were right
This is Obama's third term to fundamentally transform America. Joe is the puppet out in front.
Well put.
Agree
you predicted the future a lot better than that expert on banks!
Take care, brethren, that there not be in any one of you an evil, unbelieving heart that falls away from the living God. But encourage one another day after day, as long as it is still called “Today,” so that none of you will be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. For we have become partakers of Christ, if we hold fast the beginning of our assurance firm until the end[.]
— Hebrews 3:12-14 NASB1995
And, once again, I thank you, Janice--from the DEPTHS OF MY SOUL for posting SCRIPTURE to Jeff's newsletter. The words of our Creator God are the ONLY CURE for hopelessness and fear!
As a pastor friend of mine likes to say, "I'm at peace in a world gone mad".
The 2023 version is "I'm at peace in clown world because this clown world is not my home!" That might be in the Bible somewhere...maybe. :D
As a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ...I understand that "peace beyond the world's madness"--however...Jesus instructed us to be SALT (to heal wounds) and LIGHT (to drive away the DARKNESS of sin)....so let's spread our SALT AND LIGHT BIG TIME, friends!
Salt is also a preserver. Yes, let's shed truth everywhere!
Our country REALLY needs the "salt" applied--we are "wounded" and need our freedoms (that are left) PRESERVED.
Amen!!!
Thanks Janice! This a keeper
“Always be of good cheer”
I love that phrase, I love hearing it, even the sound of it is encouraging and uplifting simply because it reminds of the words from the master of life Himself
“Be of good cheer for I have overcome the world”
Absolutely stunning !!!
It is important to be of good cheer even when the SHTF, personally and in the world. How? We remember who is the controller of all things. Even when the SHTF, God uses it for HIS good.
We just make prudent decisions, we don't act impulsively, greedily or as if nothing is happening. If you are Christian - God has you. You don't have to understand His ways. He doesn't promise us that.
Today I am a happy warrior in Christ.
God bless you Raptor! God is in control and we need to trust Him as He alone is worthy of our trust.
Amen!
Words have power. Yes.
Yes, 'To Be Of Good Cheer" is the vey best way to end your daily writing, always! Scrolling through the chat one finds an overwhelming amount of doom and gloom and lost hope for the future. It is an elevating practice to see the glass half full in all circumstances. Intention and positive attitude can be the catalyst for the change we wish to see.
I love those words too ❤️
I am holding on to this.
From Armstrong Economics twitter feed: "Becker sold about $3.57 million worth of SVB stock over the past two weeks and is now making TV appearances saying he did not see this coming....Tons of people and businesses will be completely screwed over. Who could have seen it coming? Silicon Valley Bank CEO, CFO, and CMO sold off millions in stock over the past two weeks."
Obviously, this is illegal. All that money should be clawed back and given to small depositors. Then there needs to be a criminal investigation, all the way to the top.
In a kind move, the management also made sure to pay all employees, including their annual bonuses, before the bank was shuttered. Taking care of business.
AWWW.....
You are oh so right--but the corruption in our present age is SO PERVASIVE--NOTHING will be done to remedy the wrongs of the bank's executives' greed and deceit.
Here are some good tips on how to take action for banking soverignty in your state.
https://live.childrenshealthdefense.org/chd-tv/shows/financial-rebellion-with-catherine-austin-fitts/sovereign-state-banks/?eType=EmailBlastContent&eId=1f70dc84-cbcb-4212-ba95-245e8359cd84
I volunteer with the COS Project, we want to use the constitutional solution the founders gave us for reigning in an out of control government! Imagine a government that is fiscally responsible, smaller in size and respects citizens. Join Convention of States. https://conventionofstates.com/?ref=57705
THANK YOU so much - I have ALWAYS been a "states' rights" advocate--and that is why our CONSTITUTIONAL REPUBLIC is so wondrous--if only people would READ our U S Constitution and realize its focus is LIMITING THE POWER OF GOVERNMENT and that WE THE PEOPLE have the power to INSURE our freedoms are NOT usurped (as they were during this PLANdemic). I will read that article tomorrow - Childrens' Health Defense is one of my "favorite" charities that I support financially whenever I am able.
Sharon, I am tearing my hair out about this issue. However, if a bunch of wealthy people pooled their money to hire some truly excellent lawyers, that might change things. The other option is a Writ of Mandamus to compel prosecution of illegal activities.
I'm not saying these things WILL work. I'm saying they are worth trying.
Would our brother in faith, JEFF CHILDERS, be a capable "solicitor" to implore to take on this thievery in high places? After all...his expertise is "corporate law". Why don't we do a "multiplier" to pay his fee to take on this "high profile" cases that rock the country!!
The cynical among us might point out that our nation's top three bank failures happened while Joseph Robinette Biden held either the highest or second-highest political office in the country, perhaps casting blame and aspersions upon poor old notorious JRB. The even more cynical among us will point out that perhaps it's not a bug, it's a feature. "Never let a crisis go to waste", said Rahm Emmanuel. One could even create a crisis and leverage it to do things heretofore impossible. Doesn't congress control the purse? Ha!, stupid peasant, the global government controls the purse.
And, not surprisingly, I have listened to media pundits placing the blame for these bank failures on DJT! Joe Rogan's show played a clip of one newscaster placing blame on Trump (due to banking regulations put into place under him) and then Rogan played a clip from this very same newscaster (right after the regulations were passed) praising the new banking regulations that Trump had put into place - the very ones she was using to blame Trump.
"Things heretofore impossible" such as further consolidation of America's banks. Such "crises" provide legitimate reason for TPTB to ignore anti-trust regulations and stomp out more small regional banks (and the small businesses that depend on them for operating capital).
So true! I am going to open an acct and support a local small bank.
What about credit unions? IDK but I have an account with the county school.
This has motivated me to start moving money around... like I have a ton...LOL
IMO, credit unions are the best: Good sources for inexpensive small loans, passbook savings accounts, and all the stuff tht comprises bank for "the rest of us" (we who are not millionaires). Credit unions have the same FDIC insurance protection as do commercial banks.
I should go soon... I was going to use it more, but I can't just move it online from my other bank. You have to go in and I never did.
I think we are going to move some into a safe! Not like we have a ton either, lol.
That too... We bought silver a couple times, but the first time was in big bars, and I thought, we can't use this for currency! So the next time we got coins. LOL
We took all our money out of 2 “national chain” banks and opened one account at a local bank. Love the personalized service, the friendliness, the fact that the board and executives live in the community.
You know the saying, don't put all your eggs in one basket...
I am going to use my credit union and maybe find another small bank.
Joe Biden or Henry F. Potter? Welcome to Pottersville.
Jeff, I absolutely loved your presentation at the conference! It was so encouraging. I wish my church was willing to have people speak on covid/vaccine/tyranny issues. As for today's topics, I was so happy to read that the bailout of the banks will not cost us taxpayers anything. Amazing how our government can do that.
The average taxpayer will be paying for the failure. Fed will print more money
Yes, I was being sarcastic. 😊
Ummm. Actually, according to 'various regulators' Anne is not being sarcastic. Not sure how this works, maybe magic fairy dust?
"A joint statement from the various regulators involved said there would be no bailouts and no taxpayer costs associated with any of the new plans. Shareholders and some unsecured creditors will not be protected and will lose all of their investments."
https://www.cnbc.com/2023/03/12/regulators-unveil-plan-to-stem-damage-from-svb-collapse.html
Sure is a good thing, that the CEO cashed out all his investments in his own bank in the last week or so since "shareholders . . . will not be protected and will lose all of their investment." I'm sure he never saw this coming and the timing was coincidental.
Is there any link to watch this on?
This is the link for the entire conference. Jeff's portion begins about 7 hours, 20 minutes in.https://www.youtube.com/live/zdedujR_xOc?feature=share
Straight into the deep end 🙂 --> youtu.be/zdedujR_xOc?t=26049
Thank you. I loved Jeff as a lawyer, thrown into the deep end with Covid. I loved him as a courageous professor of common sense and seeing the lies. But I love him even more as a Christian telling all of us, “we were made for this time”. And he tells us how. Thank you Jeff Childers.
Thank you daiva! I appreciate your tech expertise!
Thank you -- watching and loving it!
Thank you SO MUCH for posting this link!
Thank you Anne for posting! That’s our Jeff!!
Thank you so much for the link! I wanted to watch it but got busy at that time
Thank you for the link 🙂
Right, because JRB said so it must be true.
Thank you Jeff for the shot of inspiration at the end of today’s post because reading it was seriously bringing me down for a moment. Our happiness and resilience is our way out of this. They can’t take that away! 💪
Yes. The wrap up to today's post was great. Very inspirational!
Yes! We are ready for the Great FREE-set!
Trust me, I'm not a doctor.
better yet, trust no one.
the truth is out there!
Jeff - before I read today’s post, just have to say the withdrawals for us in the Eastern Time Zone from your usual early morning post has been real!! 😂 Hope you’re enjoying your time away!
Same! I may or may not have hit refresh an embarrassing number of times 🙈
Same here. I had to read it without coffee...
🗨 In an unalloyed capitalist system, money flows to those who offer goods and services of value to consumers. In a political capitalism system, money flows to special-interest groups with friends in high places.
I've had cause to say to certain folks: Sure we have socialism! We privatize gains and socialize losses!
They say it all the time, but watching this administration do anything is like watching a toddler play with a loaded gun
Crocodile petting zoo?!
That is a scary visual, but you are right-on! How many times have many of us as we watch this toddler screamed NO NO NO NO NO!
Jeff, I enjoyed your talk at the Steeling the Mind Bible Conference in Idaho! I respectfully take exception to one comment - that Catholics don’t read the Bible! Catholics “read the Bible” in a three-year cycle at Sunday Mass readings and in a two-year cycle in daily Mass, from both the Old Testament and New Testament. There are countless well known Bible studies like https://ascensionpress.com/collections/the-bible-timeline-the-story-of-salvation including The Bible in a Year with Fr. Mike Schmitz as well as Bible studies in many Catholic parishes and homes. Here's a good explanation from someone who grew up in an independent fundamentalist church: https://cruxnow.com/faith/2015/11/why-dont-catholics-read-the-bible
It has been very encouraging to watch the rise of conservative Catholicism. Sadly, when I was in catholic school, apart from scheduled short readings at mass, we were not taught to personally engage with the Bible.
... And you were also likely taught that Mary can intercede and provide you a pathway to the Father ... a teaching denied loud and clear by Jesus (John 14:6). Far be it from me as a reformed Christian to attack fellow believers, but we are instructed to lovingly correct errors, especially those that may have eternal implications.
47Yinzer, certainly you ask your friends (& especially holy friends) to pray for you? So do we Catholics! We ask for prayers from those living around us, as well as those living in the next life. The prayers of the holy are very efficacious!
Along with all the "Saints/Apostles".... I like this verse also ( Someone said to Him, “Look! Your mother and Your brothers are standing outside asking to speak to You.” But Jesus replied to the one who told Him, “Who is My mother and who are My brothers?” And stretching out His hand toward His disciples [and all His other followers], He said, “Here are My mother and My brothers! For whoever does the will of My Father who is in heaven [by believing in Me, and following Me] is My brother and sister and mother.”)
Matthew 12:47-50 AMP
https://bible.com/bible/1588/mat.12.47-50.AMP
Jesus didn't say Mary wasn't his mother. He was saying those who follow him are likewise brother, sister and mother.
"John 19:26 When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, “Woman, behold, your son!” 27 Then he said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother!”
She prays for us, just like a friend would pray for us.
I'm a late-comer to the Faith, having converted from atheism at age 33 in 1996. Sadly, the Catholic Church was deeply infiltrated by modernism in the 20th century, and the coup de gras was Vatican 2.
What I wouldn't do to go back in time and tell myself to not allow my children to attend the Vatican 2 parochial schools.
Beautiful age to be welcomed into the church - the Trinity was clearly present in you.
It is definitely a trying time right now, the smoke of satin has infiltrated as deeply or perhaps more than it had in 1517. So sad to see what parochial schools and many parishes, bishops, Pope, etc... have done to the Church. History can be rewritten from modern eyes, but that does not make it right. During these times, our family survives by continuing our readings of the Bible (with ancients commentary), the Church fathers, Aquinas, and the many other saints and even Fulton Sheen who left behind so much wisdom about the message of Christ and His Church with no ambiguity. Praise be Jesus Christ for the gift of His Church and her Tradition as left behind by so many Saints.
Not a late comer, God’s timing is always perfect. And I love to point out that 33 is the perfect age for us as humans. Jesus lived to that age, and when we consider ourselves, we have reached physical and mental maturity at that age. At 33 we’re fully adult in the prime of life, with no real signs of aging yet. That’s just a pet theory of mine. 😊
I agree and am sorry your education was so lacking as were so many after Vatican II. The almost 2000 year old Church has had very difficult moments in her history, men are sinful after all, yet she still struggles along and please God may the latest assault only strengthen her and the militant left to carry out Christ’s mission, something made much easier to do with an understanding of who Christ is as told through the Old and New testaments and the writings of the Saints.
Thank you for all your writings, they are always informative and encouraging and a definite balm for the crazy we find ourselves forced to endure!!
Amen and AMEN! My Catholic B-I-L and S-I-L don't appear to have a personal relationship with JESUS. Be Well & Blessed, Phillip
But who are we to judge?
Every Catholic I’ve known has been told they weren’t to read the Bible on their own. Furthermore, there are still many Catholics who believe things that are not in the Word of God. Pope Francis just recently came out with some statements on homosexuality and transgenderism that are contrary to Scripture. Then there’s the issue of the infallibility of the Pope....
I have been Catholic for 65 years and I have never heard of anyone being told not to read the Bible.
The pope is only infallible when teaching on faith and morals in union with all the bishops of the world. If he just states a personal opinion, that is not an infallible teaching. The last infallible declaration was in 1950, so they do not occur every day. Papal infallibility does not mean that he is sinless or never makes mistakes.
A pope is just a man and is not infallible. Only the Word of God, as written in the Bible is infallible, without error, authoritative, all sufficient and eternal. It doesn’t change with culture or current psychological or sociological issues. Read the second half of chapter Psalm 19 “The law of the Lord is perfect, restoring the soul” (Ps.19:7). Scripture is law. It is written by God as a manual for life. The Bible is God’s law for man and it is perfect. No man, pope or bishop is perfect but God’s Word is perfect, complete, enduring and flawless because it comes from God, not man.
Yes, the Bible is without error, and all the other things you state. Where in the Bible does it say "all you need is the Bible?" You also mention that it is authoritative. What do you do when you and a friend disagree on an interpretation? To what authority do you appeal, if you are both getting your opinions from the Bible? Don't forget that Luther and Calvin had very different interpretations on issues, predestination being one of them.
Karen, I don’t want to debate Catholicism vs Evangelical Christianity with you. As you know there are significant differences in beliefs beginning with the Catholic Bible vs the Holy Bible, the authority of the Scripture as God’s Word, vs the Papacy and the Catholic Bible, and many other differences. This blog is not the place to debate. If you feel secure in your beliefs then you shouldn’t feel a need to defend your views and I’m secure in my beliefs and obviously you aren’t interested in hearing the differences. So let’s agree to disagree and enjoy the wonderful posts Jeff provides every day via Coffee & Covid.
Jeff Childers you are brilliant. I would like to encourage you to read from the early Church fathers, from St. Jerome who translated the Bible into what was the common language at the time (the Latin Vulgate) to the Church fathers at the Councils of Carthage and Hippo who decided the canon of the Bible, and investigate a traditional Mass if you have one in your area. The Catholic Church loves the Bible, preserved it through the dark ages, but we are not "sola scriptura". That may be why it seems that we don't read the Bible as much as our separated brethren. I know it may be anathema to some people here, but we also have Tradition. Not "traditions of men" but Tradition taught in 2 Thessalonians 2:15 and 2 Thessalonians 3:6. Thank you for your consideration and for all of your hard work.
You've nailed it, Karen. Thanks for pointing these truths out. "Ignorance of Scripture is ignorance of Christ" as the Catholic St. Jerome pointed out. And, "to be deep in history is to cease to be Protestant" as John Henry Newman found out when he attempted to refute the authority of the Catholic Church in the 19th century.
The Protestant delusions and misconceptions about the Church founded by Jesus Christ are so sad. They assume the Bible alone as their rule of faith, but never stop to wonder "Where does Scripture say I should only follow the Bible?" (It doesn't of course.) Or, who put together the canon of Scripture and on what authority did they do so?
The saddest thing is that they completely dismiss Mt. 16:18-19, where Jesus gives Peter His authority - never realizing that Jesus Himself set Peter on the throne to rule and guide the Church in His absence.
Amen! And Thank you!!
As St Augustine himself said, “in the gospel you have the remedy against the poisonous and impious errors of heretics” - why such sage advice if we were not to know God’s word which has to be taken in its entirety for the entire Bible is one book and that book is Christ (CCC 134) - Handed down, preserved and explained through the One Holy Catholic and Apostolic church and Her Tradition.
100%. Small out of context scriptures that were used to further the priests intended message. Never Biblical. I never once saw a Bible. Only the Baltimore Catechism.
The priest does not get to choose the Scripture readings - and they are the same ones* that have been used on those same days since at least 500 A.D. The cycle of Scripture readings are not optional.
*At least they *were* (and still *are* in the pre-Vatican 2 Mass) until Vatican 2.
Thank you for your comments, Fred. Do you follow the 1962 Missal? The daily readings for the season of Lent are wonderful. I wish people would realize that the Bible is a Catholic book.
Yes; we use the 1962 Missal liturgically tho our actual missals are pre-1955. I pray that the Church restores the '55 Missal liturgy for Easter, which I have been enough to witness two times.
In fact, I regularly offer the 4th Glorious Mystery for the restoration of all 7 sacraments. (Most people don't even know that the V2 Church changed all seven of them.)
Yes! Restore the "54!
As Fred points out, the Scripture readings are set. How can you say that these scripture readings are not Biblical? That makes no sense.. It sounds like you are describing protestant churches, where the pastor chooses his favorite scriptures for his intended message. If you didn't see a Bible, you weren't looking. And the Baltimore Catechism is a wonderful teaching tool.
Unfortunately, as an ex-Catholic, we were never encouraged/taught to read the Bible. However, I've met new generation Catholics that are now reading the Bible. So I generationally agree with Jeff. I currently "read" (YouVersion) The Bible twice daily. It's the only hope and inspiration I always get. (Jeff is a close 3rd after my Bride ;-)
Be Well & Blessed, Phillip
As a Catholic, I can confirm that for many decades, reading Scripture was not encouraged so much as assumed, I think. And, as Sandy mentioned, we do hear Scripture proclaimed at Mass every Sunday (and for those of us who go to daily Mass, we hear it more often) and big chunks of the prayers said during the Liturgy are taken directly from Scripture. The way the Bible is consumed does differ among different Christian faiths, but I understand what Jeff and others mean when they say "Catholics don't read the Bible." Fortunately, this is changing and I have been part of several Bible studies and have participated in Fr. Schmitz's Bible in a Year study which, for fellow-Catholics (and even non-Catholics) is highly recommended. I believe the Bible in a Year podcase has been enormously successful with millions of downloads. Praise G-d!
I am a Protestant Christian that started following Father Mike Schmitz’s Bible in a Year podcast after hearing him on the Megyn Kelly Show last year. Although I have read through the Bible several times on my own I really enjoy hearing scripture read out loud as well as his helpful commentary.
Father Mike is a wonderful communicator! I was raised Catholic and my husband Christian Science. We both love his Bible in a year podcast.
I enjoyed his interview with Megyn Kelly.
Your comment is encouraging NAB. I’m a Lutheran myself, and other Protestant denominations consider us to be ‘Catholic lite’, because we use the same Creeds, Apostles, Nicene, and Athanasian, as well as a Liturgical service, minus what we call the ‘bells and smells’ (incense) 😂.
I have several very good friends who are Roman Catholic, they are devout Christians and I know that they follow Christ and not the (apparently) apostate pope.
There have been, and always will be many flaws in the church as it is comprised of sinful humans, but I especially love the concept of the Church Triumphant, the priesthood of all believers, which allows us to say…that I’ll greet you in heaven my friend.
Amen, Freebird.
This is correct. I am taking a Bible class one of our priests is doing and he said that up until 1943, Catholics were discouraged and punished for studying scripture on their own! It is taking a couple of generations to undo this damage from prohibiting the Bible from the people.
Twelve years of Catholic education (which I am grateful for) and my senior year we had a religion class with a priest and we read parts of the Bible. It was during this time that I started identifying as an atheist which lead to all sorts of nonsense. Then 7 years later, a friend gave me a New Testament that I read non-stop like I was a starving person, and I saw who Jesus was for the first time! Life changing. I had no idea after all those years as a practicing, sincere Catholic.
I would ask you to read the autobiography of C. S. Lewis who was raised in a very strict Church of England family background--was placed into a boarding school when his mother died (and he HATED that experience--which turned him away from his Mother's teachings about Jesus and His love and mercy). He became an athiest in his young manhood--but, as you well know....C. S. is one of the pre-eminent Christian apologists OF ALL TIME and we will surely meet him in the Lord Jesus' bright kingdom "bye and bye"!
C S Lewis is wonderful and next to reading scripture itself, I would say that “Mere Christianity” is a must read for all believers.
You do realize that Gutenberg was imprisoned (by the behind-the scenes maniplation of "The Church" hierarchy) for printing out the Bible and circulating it among the "laity".
One of Martin Luther’s greatest contributions to the Reformation was translating the Bible into German so the average man could read it. This was followed by the Gutenberg Bible and printing press making the Bible available to the masses. Even as a practicing Lutheran all my life, I didn’t know much of this.
Have you read “ Martin Luther: The Man Who Rediscovered God and Changed the World” by Eric Metaxas? It’s a very informative book on the life of Martin Luther; I really enjoyed it.
Yes, and that Martin Luther translated the Bible while in hiding, speaks volumes as to courage.
There was a wonderful movie released through Billy Graham's group back in the 1960's about the life of Luther. I wonder if it's still available--will have to check that out and, if it is, I'll post a link to it on this forum.
Have you read “ Martin Luther: The Man Who Rediscovered God and Changed the World” by Eric Metaxas? It’s a very informative book on the life of Martin Luther; I really enjoyed it.
I am amazed how many professing Christians don't research the history of the Christian faith. I do not consider the "Catholic Church" heirarchy to be Christians in any sense of the word. They have been bullies, despots and deviates for centuries--the followers of Roman Catholicism are horribly duped....I pray for their souls....they are sincere...just horribly misled. The ORIGINAL chuch--hiding in the catacombs and fearing for their lives--the believers in totalitarian countries who suffer deprivation and are put in prison for believing in the Lord Jesus Christ--now THOSE PEOPLE are my "heroes" of the Christian faith--not some "pope" clothed in fine satin/gold/linen with ornate headresses resting on his aged head!
Sharon, I would caution you against the use of such vitriolic language toward the many Catholic readers of this Substack who have engaged in fruitful discussions with Christians of all varieties in these threads. You list too many tropes in your comment requiring thoughtful engagement to debunk and given your tone, I'm not sure you are in a place to do so. Let me just say that as a practicing Catholic, I don't feel "duped" in any way and as all churches are made up of human beings, I promise you that each have their share of bullies, despots and deviants. I appreciate, however, the sincere prayers of anyone offering them on my behalf and I will offer prayers for you too.
The bible had been translated into German before Luther. Although he did add words "faith alone" (he added "alone", and threw out books that did not fit into his new theology.
The Catholic Church had many Bibles translated into German before Luther did his translation. He also added words and threw out books. That was a big reason why his translations were forbidden.
I believe your priest did not tell you the whole story. Again I ask only that people return to the church fathers and see what they wrote about the Bible and it’s relation to our faith life. St Augustine’s confessions are a great place to start with why the church recommends help with our Bible reading. No one will argue he was not brilliant and filled with the Holy Spirit, yet even he, upon first reading of the Bible when he took it up as a pagan did not completely “get” it. Not until he heard St Ambrose unfold the Old Trstament prophets and their relation to Christ did he begin to understand there was far more too it than he realized. He went on to write hundreds of thousands of pages on the scriptures, many of which we still have and which can greatly help people even to today.
I appreciate your kind responses. I'm sure you have reached heroic virtue. I for one am very irritated by the Catholic bashing I am reading here. We don't read the Bible? It is read and explained at every Mass. The Bible is a Catholic book, the Church canonized it and copied it painstakingly by hand. Our sola scriptura friends don't seem to realize that they would have no Bible at all if not for the Church. And if all we need is the Bible, for us to read and study on our own, why are there so many different Churches? Because there are so many different private interpretations.
Exactly and thank you. It is truly disheartening to read so much vitriol and just plain wrong information even amongst Catholics. Catholics gave them the Bible and truly the Church in her wisdom is the only one with the key to it. We must read it with the help of those wiser who came before us, within the living Tradition. The world since 1517 has not gotten any better because one wayward Augustinian thought he knew better. In fact had he humbled himself the heresy could possibly have been avoided. Pax et bonum et gratias tibi!!
I heard the same thing in Catholic school 20 years after that, so those couple generations are even more stretched out.
I don't think this priest is accurate. Punished for reading the Bible? The Bible is a Catholic book. They may have cautioned people, because private interpretation is what led to 40,000 denominations.
I’m reading dennis Prager’s bible commentary “the rational bible” it is excellent.
In my 70s here. Perhaps you were not encouraged to read the bible, but I was as a young Catholic. And, as Sandy remarked, Catholics do "read the Bible" with the three-year Sunday Mass cycle, and homilies are preached on these Sunday readings.
Amen. Thankful for Catholics who do read and study the Bible. May truth be revealed by the Holy Spirit.
In addition, many of our oldest and very wise saints discussed how important it was for Catholics to know and read their Bible. The Bible came from the Catholic Church and the Tradition helps uphold the teachings in it. Great and early church writers have written excellent commentaries on the gospels dating back to the 300s- think St John Chrysostom, St Jerome, St. Ambrose, St Augustine, (I could go on and on.) Many of us do read the Bible and the excellent ancient writings that expound upon it. To paint the church with such a broad brush is disingenuous and sad.
At the Protestant church we used to attend, they had a similar 3-year cycle of biblical readings. My issue, though, was that the readings were printed in the weekly bulletin and the clergy would just excise those verses that made the woke laity uncomfortable. Lies of omission.
There is also biblerecap.com for excellent audio and visual tools to read the Bible.
Alexander Scourby on YouTube is my go to.
Kjv
e-Sword, lets you choose and compare versions
I like NKJV- got rid of the thees and thous.
As a teenager I read the Living Bible , then wandered off for a long time. If I’m on social media too much, I like listening to Alexander scourby. Balances me out a little. I have a few different versions for reading.
Bible gateway online has all the translations.
This is a time of clearing and culling. We just have to wait it out with resistance, faith and common sense! All three have been in very short supply for many!
"At times like these, one soberly contemplates Obama’s prophetic 2020 assessment, “Don’t underestimate Joe’s ability to f--- things up.”...
I don't think it has ever occurred to anyone that Obama's statement was, in his mind, the BEST reason for picking Biden to be his puppet in the White House.... Just saying...
The perfect foil.
Yes I’ve thought of that too.
Nice round-up, counselor. A couple of minor addenda to your "government-fueled disaster flow chart"
1.a. crash the economy by locking everything down for covid
1.b. flood the zone with 'helicopter cash' under the guise of 'relief' (specifically EIP and PPP)
3.a. distort the labor market by (i) imposing jab mandates that (ii) adversely impact the working population
3.b. ...wait for inflation to kick in...
“A blogger has to move fast these days, to keep up with all the Einstein-like intellects infesting the nation’s capital. Their brains move so much faster than everyone else’s. Or — as a possible alternative — they have no idea what they are doing and just lie all the time, take your pick.”
💯% Liars, definitely lie all the time.
CBDCs - Tennessee politicians are fighting it!
https://youtu.be/nWcZhcaLwwM