The Speaker, an evangelical with no theological training, told Pope Leo XIV he misunderstands the doctrine his patron saint invented while the pope walked through the ruins of Augustine’s cathedral.
I don’t care if he thinks himself a Catholic convert, none of these people are at all serious. Anyone who’s ever read the Bible or tried to understand Jesus words would know, they’re using it for votes and power, period. When I heard Trump say he was anti abortion the first time, I knew he had found his way in for getting all the Christians’ votes.
JD has changed his name, his political perspective, his biography, and his faith more than once. He is a seeker after something: is it God? is it meaning? is it a niche in an authoritarian political hierarchy? is it money? is it some kind of balm or peace to make up for his humiliations and losses and sense of incompleteness and shame? Who even knows? Certainly not JD himself, who will, one suspects, invent himself all over again, and more than once, before he is done.
He is to be pitied. He is not to be taken seriously, however, as he is not a serious man so much as he is a broken and rather desperate child; an unformed soul, a soul in chaos.
We should continue to pray from him as well as all our leaders.
Father, open up the eyes and hearts of the leaders of our nation and world, that they may know you and your grace. Allow them to become instruments of your peace. Amen
I believe we should pray for him because prayer for him changes us and clarifies our relation to God. But we can’t expect our prayers will directly change him, any more than they change God. We have other work to do as well. We can hope he comes to a deeper faith but it would be silly to plan on that.
Speaker Johnson is a Southern Baptist evangelical Christian. The difference between Protestants and Catholics is Protestants believe only in "sola scriptura" - only scripture. Thus, they can define scripture any way they want to defend any position they take. Catholics on the other hand believe in Sacred Scripture and Sacred Tradition as interpreted by the Church’s Magisterium. Thus, we don’t get to make things up as we please. As noted in the posting the just war doctrine was written by St. Augustine, one of the great Fathers of the Church. More importantly, if Vance took time out from writing his book to read the Catechism of the Catholic Church, Sections 2306-2317 speak about what constitutes a just war but goes further to talk about many aspects related to the conduct of war and morality thereof. I suggest before going to bed tonight Vance should read his Catechism before he speaks the next time.
Not seeking to argue with you, just want to clarify:
Not all Protestants subscribe to "sola scriptura." Many, like those in the Methodist traditions, believe that Scripture when read in the presence of the Holy Spirit is primary, the tradition and teaching of historical church is critical in understanding God's will.
Interestingly, the Southern Baptist Convention affirms the Just War Doctrine. I guess Mike Johnson isn’t as conversant with his Church’s doctrinal views as he’d like people to believe.
Thank you for the link. Another person who seems wholly ignorant of the Just War Doctrine is Pete Hegseth, who believes that it's fine for American troops to commit war crimes (like bombing a school full of girls).
From the Catechism of the Catholic Church no. 2309:
The strict conditions for legitimate defense by military force require rigorous consideration. The gravity of such a decision makes it subject to rigorous conditions of moral legitimacy. At one and the same time:
- the damage inflicted by the aggressor on the nation or community of nations must be lasting, grave, and certain;
- all other means of putting an end to it must have been shown to be impractical or ineffective;
- there must be serious prospects of success;
- the use of arms must not produce evils and disorders graver than the evil to be eliminated. The power of modern means of destruction weighs very heavily in evaluating this condition.
These are the traditional elements enumerated in what is called the "just war" doctrine. The evaluation of these conditions for moral legitimacy belongs to the prudential judgment of those who have responsibility for the common good.
Before JD Vance, Mike Johnson, Troy Nehls, Carlos Giménez, et al. start shooting off their mouths they might want to study and digest what our Church actually says.
I sincerely feel sorry for President Trump, Vice President Vance, Speaker Johnson and the rest of those following the same path of spiritual death. The end of the road is not a good one in the context of eternity, and it's a tremendous and irreplaceable loss to have spent ones life following a christ of the imagination, for personal gain, when that life could have known the joy of walking daily with the living Christ their fantasy versions chose to ignore. In the end, though, should they not come to a spiritually sober mindedness towards the Lord, humble themselves and let Him clear out the brush of false doctrines that clearly clutter their minds so they can clearly see Him, His message remains - Why do you call me Lord but don't do the things that I say?
Note: Just before the Lord said that, he said, " A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks." I believe that shines a clear light of truth on many of the things that have been happening/being said in the previous week ( and beyond ).
CLARITY and charity. Your prescient commentary clears the fog of war and repels the trumpian demons threatening my soul . I did not have the privilege of a sound, orthodox Catholic formation. I am relieved to have found your clarion trumpet call online.
Perfect for the MAGA crowd: "Nehls — who was fired from a Texas police department for nineteen violations in a single year and later stripped of a Combat Infantryman Badge the Army confirmed he was never eligible to wear — offered no theological reasoning for his position."
Key word is "evangelical" Speaker of the House. I'm telling you, this is where this administration is creating a rift to cement their new base (evangelical Christians) now that maga has moved on. There is simply no reason that they are calling out Pope Leo over this. It's absurd!
The sheer ignorance and hypocrisy are astounding!!! They use religion for convenience….to justify their actions and to manipulate people into supporting them! Psalm 34…. Praying for Pope Leo’s protection and deliverance from these evil attacks!!!
If this were an attempt at a serious conversation, the only possible response would be, “Oh, the hubris!” As earlier posters pointed out, it is simply a flag to their MAGA believers.
I don’t care if he thinks himself a Catholic convert, none of these people are at all serious. Anyone who’s ever read the Bible or tried to understand Jesus words would know, they’re using it for votes and power, period. When I heard Trump say he was anti abortion the first time, I knew he had found his way in for getting all the Christians’ votes.
JD has changed his name, his political perspective, his biography, and his faith more than once. He is a seeker after something: is it God? is it meaning? is it a niche in an authoritarian political hierarchy? is it money? is it some kind of balm or peace to make up for his humiliations and losses and sense of incompleteness and shame? Who even knows? Certainly not JD himself, who will, one suspects, invent himself all over again, and more than once, before he is done.
He is to be pitied. He is not to be taken seriously, however, as he is not a serious man so much as he is a broken and rather desperate child; an unformed soul, a soul in chaos.
We should continue to pray from him as well as all our leaders.
Father, open up the eyes and hearts of the leaders of our nation and world, that they may know you and your grace. Allow them to become instruments of your peace. Amen
I believe we should pray for him because prayer for him changes us and clarifies our relation to God. But we can’t expect our prayers will directly change him, any more than they change God. We have other work to do as well. We can hope he comes to a deeper faith but it would be silly to plan on that.
I must say, these republican politicians excel in sheer idiocy.
Speaker Johnson is a Southern Baptist evangelical Christian. The difference between Protestants and Catholics is Protestants believe only in "sola scriptura" - only scripture. Thus, they can define scripture any way they want to defend any position they take. Catholics on the other hand believe in Sacred Scripture and Sacred Tradition as interpreted by the Church’s Magisterium. Thus, we don’t get to make things up as we please. As noted in the posting the just war doctrine was written by St. Augustine, one of the great Fathers of the Church. More importantly, if Vance took time out from writing his book to read the Catechism of the Catholic Church, Sections 2306-2317 speak about what constitutes a just war but goes further to talk about many aspects related to the conduct of war and morality thereof. I suggest before going to bed tonight Vance should read his Catechism before he speaks the next time.
Stephen,
Not seeking to argue with you, just want to clarify:
Not all Protestants subscribe to "sola scriptura." Many, like those in the Methodist traditions, believe that Scripture when read in the presence of the Holy Spirit is primary, the tradition and teaching of historical church is critical in understanding God's will.
But the SBC accepts the Just War Theory and its understanding of it is very close to Catholic teaching.
Interestingly, the Southern Baptist Convention affirms the Just War Doctrine. I guess Mike Johnson isn’t as conversant with his Church’s doctrinal views as he’d like people to believe.
https://www.sbc.net/resource-library/resolutions/on-just-war-and-the-pursuit-of-peace/#:~:text=The%20SBC%20has%20also%20adopted%20resolutions%20affirming,adhere%20to%20the%20principle%20of%20military%20necessity
Thank you for the link. Another person who seems wholly ignorant of the Just War Doctrine is Pete Hegseth, who believes that it's fine for American troops to commit war crimes (like bombing a school full of girls).
😄👏👏👏
I have spent much of my day today posting this.
From the Catechism of the Catholic Church no. 2309:
The strict conditions for legitimate defense by military force require rigorous consideration. The gravity of such a decision makes it subject to rigorous conditions of moral legitimacy. At one and the same time:
- the damage inflicted by the aggressor on the nation or community of nations must be lasting, grave, and certain;
- all other means of putting an end to it must have been shown to be impractical or ineffective;
- there must be serious prospects of success;
- the use of arms must not produce evils and disorders graver than the evil to be eliminated. The power of modern means of destruction weighs very heavily in evaluating this condition.
These are the traditional elements enumerated in what is called the "just war" doctrine. The evaluation of these conditions for moral legitimacy belongs to the prudential judgment of those who have responsibility for the common good.
Before JD Vance, Mike Johnson, Troy Nehls, Carlos Giménez, et al. start shooting off their mouths they might want to study and digest what our Church actually says.
Thank you for the work you do. I am grateful.
I sincerely feel sorry for President Trump, Vice President Vance, Speaker Johnson and the rest of those following the same path of spiritual death. The end of the road is not a good one in the context of eternity, and it's a tremendous and irreplaceable loss to have spent ones life following a christ of the imagination, for personal gain, when that life could have known the joy of walking daily with the living Christ their fantasy versions chose to ignore. In the end, though, should they not come to a spiritually sober mindedness towards the Lord, humble themselves and let Him clear out the brush of false doctrines that clearly clutter their minds so they can clearly see Him, His message remains - Why do you call me Lord but don't do the things that I say?
Note: Just before the Lord said that, he said, " A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks." I believe that shines a clear light of truth on many of the things that have been happening/being said in the previous week ( and beyond ).
Lord, have mercy on us all.
CLARITY and charity. Your prescient commentary clears the fog of war and repels the trumpian demons threatening my soul . I did not have the privilege of a sound, orthodox Catholic formation. I am relieved to have found your clarion trumpet call online.
Be Well
Keep safe
Perfect for the MAGA crowd: "Nehls — who was fired from a Texas police department for nineteen violations in a single year and later stripped of a Combat Infantryman Badge the Army confirmed he was never eligible to wear — offered no theological reasoning for his position."
Who ARE these Republicans? I am struggling to wrap my head around this mass delusion….
Mike Johnson needs to sit down and show some respect.
Key word is "evangelical" Speaker of the House. I'm telling you, this is where this administration is creating a rift to cement their new base (evangelical Christians) now that maga has moved on. There is simply no reason that they are calling out Pope Leo over this. It's absurd!
Really enjoyed this one!
The sheer ignorance and hypocrisy are astounding!!! They use religion for convenience….to justify their actions and to manipulate people into supporting them! Psalm 34…. Praying for Pope Leo’s protection and deliverance from these evil attacks!!!
I took an entire semester on the Just War theory at CUA and I’m pretty sure I still don’t understand it.
If this were an attempt at a serious conversation, the only possible response would be, “Oh, the hubris!” As earlier posters pointed out, it is simply a flag to their MAGA believers.