March 2013 archive

Χριστός ἀνέστη! Happy Easter!

The Sacrificial Lamb - Josefa de Ayala, ca 1670

Χριστός ἀνέστη! Happy Easter!

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Abortion in 100 years – Prime Minister Julia Gillard

Picture of a random baby off WikiMedia Commons

Prime Minister Julia Gillard has delivered a national apology to victims of forced adoption practices that were in place in Australia from the late 1950s to the 1970s. I can imagine that one day humanity will say these words about abortion.

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The Divinity of Christ, for Jehovah’s Witnesses and others

Icon of Christ Crucified, chapel of San Damiano, near Assisi

I just found the Y-Jesus site, which has some good arguments as to why Jesus is God, and why Jesus actually did claim to be God. And then Dave Armstrong’s detailed argument, which I’ve mentioned before.

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Technovirology in action

A virus

Going through that blog, I rediscovered a post called “Technovirology in action” that showed how one can remove a virus (computer virus) from an infected file. The virus was W32.Rungbu, as named by Norton. Back then (May 2007) my Norton Antivirus was unable to remove the virus from the files. So I did something very dangerous, which you should not try at home – I turned the antivirus off, and removed the virus manually. A very entertaining process!

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Pope Francis and Patriarch May Travel to Holy Land Together

Patriarch Bartholomew I of Constantinople

The ecumenical patriarch of Constantinople has invited Pope Francis to travel with him to the Holy Land next year to mark the 50th anniversary of the embrace between Patriarch Athenagoras and Pope Paul VI, the pioneers of Catholic-Orthodox dialogue. During their private meeting, Patriarch Bartholomew and Pope Francis explored possible paths towards unity, including theological dialogue, environmental defense, and a visit to the Fanar, after going through proper diplomatic channels.

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It is finished – the law, the Sabbath

It's Ok Not to be a Seventh-Day Adventist

Something I wanted to develop for sometime, because it is only partly dealt with in my post on Matthew 5, is whether or not the law has been fulfilled, and whether the heavens and earth have passed away. Teresa Beem goes further in her blog post The Sabbath, It is Finished. She also points to “I tell you I will not drink again of this fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom” (Matt 26:29) and shows when Jesus actually did do just that.

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“Go and repair my Church” – What should Pope Francis repair?

Icon of Christ Crucified, chapel of San Damiano, near Assisi

God said to St Francis of Assisi, “Francis, Francis, go and repair My house which, as you can see, is falling into ruins”. So, what needs repair?

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Pope Francis, the Latin Mass, and elaborate ceremonies – updated

Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio SJ, 2008

Will Pope Francis suppress the Extraordinary Form of the Mass, allowing us only the Ordinary Form, thereby reversing the much-needed liturgical reform? He has that authority. He can bind and loose with the authority given to Peter. But I don’t believe he will.

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Pope Francis

Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio SJ, 2008

Annuntio vobis gaudium magnum: Habemus Papam. Eminentissimum ac reverendissimum Dominum, Dominum Georgium Sanctae Romanae Ecclesiae Cardinalem Bergoglio. Qui sibi nomen imposuit Francisco.

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Pope Benedict’s helicopter pilot licence

Pope Benedict XVI wearing a camauro

Over at WikiAnswers, someone asked how Pope Benedict XVI got his helicopter pilot’s licence. The answer given is quite correct – “By taking lessons, and then by taking the exam.” He was even allowed to fly the papal helicopter in the earlier days of his papacy.

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Pope Benedict feeding the fish at Castel Gandolfo

Pope Benedict in retirement

Pope Benedict also likes cats. Apparently Pope Paul VI had to be persuaded not to eat the frogs in this pond.

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The baby cured of HIV – my thoughts as a virologist

Picture of a random baby off WikiMedia Commons

My conclusion: It sounds to me as if this is a baby with a current and clearly documented HIV infection, which happens to be either extremely well suppressed and/or only minimally functional. I am of the opinion that this is not a conclusive case of a true cure. The word “cure” has been qualified with the word “functional”. We should be careful using words like “cure” in situations like this – the term “functional cure” is really just the use of “functional” as a weasel word to allow the term “cure” to get into the headlines.

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How the new pope is elected

La Stampa has a lovely walk-through of how the new pope will be elected. Very educational. I didn’t know that the way things are done changes with the 34th ballot. Pope Benedict XVI changed the simple majority back to a 2/3 majority for all the ballots, though, so it could run well beyond 34.

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Liturgical dancing

Liturgical dancing – abolish it! It looks silly. It looks like moon worship. It’s not Catholic. I hope Cardinal Arinze is elected pope. He’d be a good pope.

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Understanding the Eucharist, by Scott Hahn

Understanding the Eucharist, by Scott Hahn

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Pope Benedict XVI’s last pipatum

@Pontifex

Pope Benedict made his last pipatum yesterday, 28 February. — “Thank you for your love and support. May you always experience the joy that comes from putting Christ at the centre of your lives.”

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Ellen White’s inspiration on a par with the Bible

Ellen White

The statement “the quality or degree of inspiration in the writings of Ellen White is different from that of Scripture” is one the Ellen G White Estate does not believe.

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