Pliny the Younger is another valuable historical source for information on Jesus and the early Church. Pliny was the governor of the Roman province of Bithynia, located in Asia Minor. In the year 112 AD, he wrote to the Emperor Trajan, asking how he should deal with those in his region who have been accused […]
One of the greatest non-Christian historical references to Jesus was made by Josephus, the great Jewish historian. He lived in the first century (c. 37-100 AD), and was a contemporary of many members of the nascent Church. There are two mentions of Jesus in Josephus’ great work entitled “Jewish Antiquities”. One refers to the condemnation […]
http://www.thefaithexplained.com/content/uploads/2015/04/FX-logo@2x.png00Cale Clarkehttp://www.thefaithexplained.com/content/uploads/2015/04/FX-logo@2x.pngCale Clarke2016-05-25 15:13:322016-05-25 15:13:32Ancient Evidence for Jesus: Flavius Josephus
In this series, I’ll be sharing some ancient, non-Christian literary evidences for Jesus. This extrabiblical evidence corroborates much of what we know about Jesus’ life, teaching, and activities that is recorded in the New Testament. This is helpful material to cite when we are dealing with a person who doubts the existence of Christ, and […]
This will be the first of a series of posts regarding extrabiblical evidence for the life, teachings, and activities of Jesus. Having already dealt with the question of Jesus’ historical existence, we now turn to the question of his words and deeds. Many people wonder if the New Testament can be trusted regarding these matters. […]
“‘And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit’ (Acts 2:3-4). They partook of fire, not of burning but of saving fire; of fire which consumes the thorns of sins, but gives lustre to the soul. This […]
Today’s first reading is selected from Acts 17, which chronicles St Paul’s visit to Athens. Paul’s brilliant, culturally relevant preaching of the Gospel in the Areopagus didn’t convert everyone, outstanding though it was (the illustration of the “unknown God” was inspired – quite literally!). This should encourage all who proclaim the Word (many people didn’t […]
http://www.thefaithexplained.com/content/uploads/2015/04/FX-logo@2x.png00Cale Clarkehttp://www.thefaithexplained.com/content/uploads/2015/04/FX-logo@2x.pngCale Clarke2016-05-04 20:09:142016-05-04 20:09:14The three responses to the Gospel
Rod Bennett, author of some great books on the early Church, was interviewed about today’s feast of St. Athanasius over on the Catholic Answers blog: The theory goes like this: just a few centuries after Christ’s death, around the time the Roman Empire converted to Christianity, the true Faith suffered a catastrophic falling-away. The simple truths […]
http://www.thefaithexplained.com/content/uploads/2015/04/FX-logo@2x.png00Cale Clarkehttp://www.thefaithexplained.com/content/uploads/2015/04/FX-logo@2x.pngCale Clarke2016-05-02 15:31:082016-05-02 15:31:08Athanasius and the Myth of the "Great Apostasy"
Today’s Second Reading from the Mass for the Sixth Sunday of Easter comes to us from the book of Revelation. In chapters 21-22, the last two chapters of the book, we see “New Jerusalem” (Rev 21:2) being established. Here in the “new world”, we have cities like New York, which corresponds to the old city […]
Q. During Holy Week, Maclean’s magazine ran a cover story called “Did Jesus Really Exist?” Many of my friends are reading this and actually believing this stuff – it is providing them with the “excuse” they need not to practice the faith. A. Very often, around Christmas and Easter, secular media outlets will often publish materials that […]
http://www.thefaithexplained.com/content/uploads/2015/04/FX-logo@2x.png00Cale Clarkehttp://www.thefaithexplained.com/content/uploads/2015/04/FX-logo@2x.pngCale Clarke2016-04-25 15:07:052016-04-25 15:07:05Mythicists, Maclean's, and the Messiah: Did Jesus Exist?
http://www.thefaithexplained.com/content/uploads/2015/04/FX-logo@2x.png00Cale Clarkehttp://www.thefaithexplained.com/content/uploads/2015/04/FX-logo@2x.pngCale Clarke2016-04-17 15:10:522016-04-17 15:13:42My TV interview about Pope Francis' trip to Greece
Q. I am very confused about the apostolic exhortation, Amoris Laetitia (“The Joy of Love”) issued by Pope Francis. I’ve been reading a lot of articles online that say that the Pope is changing Church teaching on marriage. Is this true? A. In a word, no. The Pope did not (and cannot) change Church teaching […]
Q. This Sunday’s Gospel is taken from John 21. Does this chapter have any implications for the papacy? A. Other texts, like Matthew 16, are often cited in this regard, but John 21 has one of the strongest proofs for the ongoing role of the office of Peter in the universal Church. Even non-Catholic scholars […]
I thought I’d help you celebrate the day when everybody seems to be Irish with a little post about St. Patrick. So, after you’ve enjoyed your green beer, or whatever beverage you may raise in celebration (For me, as a kid, it was always McDonald’s Shamrock Shakes), why not make this prayer of St. Patrick […]
Q. Today’s readings have a common theme: the absolute need to repent of sin, but also God’s abundant mercy for those who do. Would you agree? A. That’s true. Psalm 103, the Responsorial Psalm from today’s readings, reminds us that “The Lord is kind and merciful”. One of the greatest mercies God provides for us […]
http://www.thefaithexplained.com/content/uploads/2015/04/FX-logo@2x.png00Cale Clarkehttp://www.thefaithexplained.com/content/uploads/2015/04/FX-logo@2x.pngCale Clarke2016-02-28 21:32:052016-02-28 21:45:35Q and A: Third Sunday of Lent
Today’s readings feature God’s admonition to the “reluctant prophet”, Jeremiah: The word of the LORD came to me, saying: Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I dedicated you, a prophet to the nations I appointed you. But do you gird your loins; stand up and tell them […]
http://www.thefaithexplained.com/content/uploads/2015/04/FX-logo@2x.png00Cale Clarkehttp://www.thefaithexplained.com/content/uploads/2015/04/FX-logo@2x.pngCale Clarke2016-01-31 19:44:322016-01-31 19:58:22Sunday Scriptures: "The Fear of Man is a Snare"
“Faith is not only knowledge committed to memory, but truth lived in love” – Pope Francis The saints are all total Christians. That is, they practice both the corporal and spiritual works of mercy. This is what all Christians are called to do, as we strive to live up to our baptismal call to be saints. And this […]
Q. Today, Pope Francis released his message for Lent for 2016. It seems hard to believe, but Lent is just around the corner! Ash Wednesday is February 10, and Easter Sunday is on March 27. A. Yes, this year, Lent is relatively early. It feels as if we’ve just caught our breath after celebrating Christmas, but here […]
Q. At this time of year, people are trying to fulfill all of their New Year’s resolutions. Should Catholics make any special resolutions of their own? A. Yes, we as Catholics should indeed make some specific resolutions. But, before we talk about that, we need to look at a much bigger problem. According to the […]
A new book by Pope Frances that focusses on the theme of mercy will hit store shelves this week. Cale Clark, the… Posted by CTV News Channel on Sunday, January 10, 2016
http://www.thefaithexplained.com/content/uploads/2015/04/FX-logo@2x.png00Cale Clarkehttp://www.thefaithexplained.com/content/uploads/2015/04/FX-logo@2x.pngCale Clarke2016-01-11 22:18:002016-01-11 22:18:11Pope Francis' New Book, "The Name of God is Mercy" Drops Tomorrow
Q. This Sunday, January 3, we celebrate the Epiphany of our Lord (although in many regions it is still celebrated on its traditional date of January 6). What does the Feast of the Epiphany really about? A. The Catechism of the Catholic Church explains this in paragraph 528: “The Epiphany is the manifestation of Jesus […]
http://www.thefaithexplained.com/content/uploads/2015/04/FX-logo@2x.png00Cale Clarkehttp://www.thefaithexplained.com/content/uploads/2015/04/FX-logo@2x.pngCale Clarke2016-01-03 10:09:352016-01-03 10:09:35Sunday Scriptures: The Epiphany of the Lord
Ancient Evidence for Jesus: Pliny the Younger
BlogPliny the Younger is another valuable historical source for information on Jesus and the early Church. Pliny was the governor of the Roman province of Bithynia, located in Asia Minor. In the year 112 AD, he wrote to the Emperor Trajan, asking how he should deal with those in his region who have been accused […]
Ancient Evidence for Jesus: Flavius Josephus
BlogOne of the greatest non-Christian historical references to Jesus was made by Josephus, the great Jewish historian. He lived in the first century (c. 37-100 AD), and was a contemporary of many members of the nascent Church. There are two mentions of Jesus in Josephus’ great work entitled “Jewish Antiquities”. One refers to the condemnation […]
Ancient Evidence for Jesus: Tacitus
BlogIn this series, I’ll be sharing some ancient, non-Christian literary evidences for Jesus. This extrabiblical evidence corroborates much of what we know about Jesus’ life, teaching, and activities that is recorded in the New Testament. This is helpful material to cite when we are dealing with a person who doubts the existence of Christ, and […]
Ancient Evidence for Jesus: 15 Facts
BlogThis will be the first of a series of posts regarding extrabiblical evidence for the life, teachings, and activities of Jesus. Having already dealt with the question of Jesus’ historical existence, we now turn to the question of his words and deeds. Many people wonder if the New Testament can be trusted regarding these matters. […]
A Fiery Sword and Tongues of Fire: Pentecost
Blog“‘And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit’ (Acts 2:3-4). They partook of fire, not of burning but of saving fire; of fire which consumes the thorns of sins, but gives lustre to the soul. This […]
The three responses to the Gospel
BlogToday’s first reading is selected from Acts 17, which chronicles St Paul’s visit to Athens. Paul’s brilliant, culturally relevant preaching of the Gospel in the Areopagus didn’t convert everyone, outstanding though it was (the illustration of the “unknown God” was inspired – quite literally!). This should encourage all who proclaim the Word (many people didn’t […]
Athanasius and the Myth of the “Great Apostasy”
BlogRod Bennett, author of some great books on the early Church, was interviewed about today’s feast of St. Athanasius over on the Catholic Answers blog: The theory goes like this: just a few centuries after Christ’s death, around the time the Roman Empire converted to Christianity, the true Faith suffered a catastrophic falling-away. The simple truths […]
Sunday Scriptures: New Jerusalem
BlogToday’s Second Reading from the Mass for the Sixth Sunday of Easter comes to us from the book of Revelation. In chapters 21-22, the last two chapters of the book, we see “New Jerusalem” (Rev 21:2) being established. Here in the “new world”, we have cities like New York, which corresponds to the old city […]
Mythicists, Maclean’s, and the Messiah: Did Jesus Exist?
BlogQ. During Holy Week, Maclean’s magazine ran a cover story called “Did Jesus Really Exist?” Many of my friends are reading this and actually believing this stuff – it is providing them with the “excuse” they need not to practice the faith. A. Very often, around Christmas and Easter, secular media outlets will often publish materials that […]
My TV interview about Pope Francis’ trip to Greece
BlogCardinal Burke Responds to “Amoris Laetitia”
BlogQ. I am very confused about the apostolic exhortation, Amoris Laetitia (“The Joy of Love”) issued by Pope Francis. I’ve been reading a lot of articles online that say that the Pope is changing Church teaching on marriage. Is this true? A. In a word, no. The Pope did not (and cannot) change Church teaching […]
Sunday Scriptures: John 21 & The Papacy
BlogQ. This Sunday’s Gospel is taken from John 21. Does this chapter have any implications for the papacy? A. Other texts, like Matthew 16, are often cited in this regard, but John 21 has one of the strongest proofs for the ongoing role of the office of Peter in the universal Church. Even non-Catholic scholars […]
Saint Patrick’s Breastplate
BlogI thought I’d help you celebrate the day when everybody seems to be Irish with a little post about St. Patrick. So, after you’ve enjoyed your green beer, or whatever beverage you may raise in celebration (For me, as a kid, it was always McDonald’s Shamrock Shakes), why not make this prayer of St. Patrick […]
Q and A: Third Sunday of Lent
BlogQ. Today’s readings have a common theme: the absolute need to repent of sin, but also God’s abundant mercy for those who do. Would you agree? A. That’s true. Psalm 103, the Responsorial Psalm from today’s readings, reminds us that “The Lord is kind and merciful”. One of the greatest mercies God provides for us […]
Sunday Scriptures: “The Fear of Man is a Snare”
BlogToday’s readings feature God’s admonition to the “reluctant prophet”, Jeremiah: The word of the LORD came to me, saying: Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I dedicated you, a prophet to the nations I appointed you. But do you gird your loins; stand up and tell them […]
Total Christianity
Blog“Faith is not only knowledge committed to memory, but truth lived in love” – Pope Francis The saints are all total Christians. That is, they practice both the corporal and spiritual works of mercy. This is what all Christians are called to do, as we strive to live up to our baptismal call to be saints. And this […]
Pope Francis’ Message for Lent 2016
BlogQ. Today, Pope Francis released his message for Lent for 2016. It seems hard to believe, but Lent is just around the corner! Ash Wednesday is February 10, and Easter Sunday is on March 27. A. Yes, this year, Lent is relatively early. It feels as if we’ve just caught our breath after celebrating Christmas, but here […]
Your (Spiritual) New Year’s Resolutions Checkup
BlogQ. At this time of year, people are trying to fulfill all of their New Year’s resolutions. Should Catholics make any special resolutions of their own? A. Yes, we as Catholics should indeed make some specific resolutions. But, before we talk about that, we need to look at a much bigger problem. According to the […]
Pope Francis’ New Book, “The Name of God is Mercy” Drops Tomorrow
BlogA new book by Pope Frances that focusses on the theme of mercy will hit store shelves this week. Cale Clark, the… Posted by CTV News Channel on Sunday, January 10, 2016
Sunday Scriptures: The Epiphany of the Lord
BlogQ. This Sunday, January 3, we celebrate the Epiphany of our Lord (although in many regions it is still celebrated on its traditional date of January 6). What does the Feast of the Epiphany really about? A. The Catechism of the Catholic Church explains this in paragraph 528: “The Epiphany is the manifestation of Jesus […]