Take a pilgrimage with Steve and Janet Ray!
Did Israel commit genocide in Gaza?
In the midst of a hostile audience at the Oxford Union, and debated by an anti-Zionist interrogator, Professor Alan Dershowitz explains brilliantly what actually happened.
He has taught for 50 years about these matters and defines genocide and explains the ridiculous claim that Israel committed genocide in Gaza.
This video is worth a watch and worth sharing.
Will the Gates of Hell Prevail in the USA?
“The gates of hell shall not prevail!” I have heard this affirmation many times in the last year. There seems to be a certainty that we will prevail as a church, even as our country spirals into chaos and confusion pours out of the Vatican. Can we take the church’s success for granted in our country and in our time?
I’d like to make one point about the Gates of Hell not prevailing. It HAS prevailed in local and historical situations, currently and in the past. Take Turkey as an example, though I could point to many others.
Turkey is where Christianity grew up. If it was born in Judea, but it grew up in Turkey (Asia Minor in New Testament times). St. Paul was born there. Peter and Paul preached there, Mary lived there for a while, John the Apostle was a bishop there and died there in Ephesus. The first Eight Ecumenical Councils took place in today’s Turkey.
The Seven Churches addressed in Revelation were in Turkey, and so were the first eight Ecumenical Councils. Istanbul used to be named Constantinople after Constantine, who legalized Christianity and became a Christian himself. Today’s Turkey was once the center of the Christian Holy Roman Empire.
The Hagia Sophia Church in Constantinople was the largest church in the world for one thousand years. Now it is a mosque.
Now Turkey is 99.99% Muslim. There are only 60,000 Christians among 85 million Turks. The Seven Churches of Revelation have had their “lampstand removed” (Rev 2:5).
We have to overcome like those Seven Churches were commanded to do or we will end up like them. Even Jesus said, “When the Son of Man comes, will there be faith on the earth?” (Lu 18:8). So, it seems to me, we cannot take too much for granted.
We need to be faithful, do the deeds required by Christ, stay faithful, suffer when necessary, defend the faith — or we too could have our lampstand removed and watch other forces take over our country.
The same religion of Islam that overran Asia Minor (Turkey) is now spreading through Europe and even the United States.
Read my whole blog aricle here 👉 https://www.catholicconvert.com/blog/2019/02/22/prepare-for-the-skyline-of-the-future/
“Islam, What Every Infidel Should Know”
I gave this talk about 10 years ago at Franciscan University of Steubenville during the Defending the F Faith summer conference.
At first I declined to give it because I thought they would expect me to be “politically correct” but, happily, they weren’t, and I was able to speak my mind.
The talk is more applicable today even than it was when I gave it. With Muslims being elected to the Senate and important positions in the governments across the country, and with Islam raging through Europe, it’s important that Catholics know and understand what Islam is and what is our relationship to it.
Do we worship the same God? How should we think about Islam? If we oppose it, are we being Islamophobic? What did Vatican II say about Islam?
I address these and other questions in my talk.
Older Posts
Martyrs of Rome: Are You Prepared to Witness for Christ?
Since we are in Rome (just Janet and I for our 50th anniversary), I thought I would share one of the talks I give while
Mass Celebrating 50 Years of Marriage
The smartest thing I ever did was marry Janet Sklenar 50 years ago on December 4,1976. Even though our anniversary is actually December 4, we
The Holy Land Awaits You! Even the Forgotten Half
Have any idea how much of the story of salvation took place on the other side of the Jordan River? I’ve counted around fifteen or
“Council of Jamnia” and Old Testament Book Collection
The Old Testament Canon and the “Council of Jamnia” Many popular myths are believed simply because people want to believe them—not because they are true.
Cruise Day 14: Blessing of Items, Toasts, Farewells and Departure
A sad evening and morning know our pilgrimage has come to an end, but also joyful in all that we have done and shared together.
Cruise Day 13: Corinth
Two videos below: 1) Our day in Corinth; 2) My talk on “The Erastus Sone of Corinth 4:00 AM Cruise arrived in Athens (Piraeus) 06:30
Cruise Day 12: Free Day at Sea, All Saints Sunday Mass, Stories and Farewell Gathering
A wonderful free day “at sea”, our last day on the ship. The only events were Sunday Mass followed by Fr. James Conlon funny and
Purgatory? Absent from the Body = Present with the Lord?
I realize now — that as a Protestant — I misquoted the Bible when challenging Catholics about Purgatory. Catholics taught that there may be a “transition”
Cruise Day 11: Thessaloniki, Berea, and my talk on the Bereans and Sola Scriptura
Two videos below: 1) The video of our day in Thessaloniki and Berea, 2) My talk on the Bereans and Sola Scriptura. Cruise ported in
Were the Bereans “Bible Alone”?
Since we are in Thessaloniki today, just a few miles from Berea (which I have visited a number of times), I thought I’d share my
Cruise Day 10: Philippi, Paul’s Jail, Kavala, Ancient Via Egnatia
Two videos below: 1) Our day in Philippi and Kavala (Neapolis); 2) Steve answers the Philippian jailer’s “ What must I do to be saved?”
Purgatory? Doesn’t that Deny the Work of Christ?
What’s the Deal with Purgatory? by Steve Ray Isn’t the finished work of Christ sufficient? Didn’t he pay for all my sins? Why the heck
Cruise Day 9: Island of Mykonos; Fr. Conlon’s Excellent Homily
Two videos below: 1) Summary of the day; 2) Fr. James Conlon’s excellent homily 07:00 AM Cruise ported in Island of Mykonos Breakfast aboard the ship
They Fell for the Lie; it was sad – I’ll Pray for Them
I posted this at the time, but thought to share it again because it is even more appropriate now and even mentions Halloween. We were
