Comments on: The Heresy of Novak

By: Brad A.

Brad A. — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 00:42:34 +0000

A compelling quote, John. Do you have a source?

By: Halden

Halden — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 23:25:21 +0000

Yes. It will be made. This I, the aspiring mixologist, vow.

By: roger flyer

roger flyer — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 23:21:40 +0000

Good one Nathan!

By: John

John — Sat, 11 Jul 2009 04:45:29 +0000

Michael Novak’s own words: “The point of the Incarnation is to respect the world as it is, to acknowledge its limits… and to disbelieve any promises that the world is now or ever will be transformed into the City of God. If Jesus could not effect that, how shall we? …The world is not going to become—ever—a kingdom of justice and love.”

By: John M. Plecnik

John M. Plecnik — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 20:24:52 +0000

I would love to read Dr. Novak’s comments on Ch. 5. Here the Pope speaks of the relational nature of the human person and not about the self-interest implied by the talk of the bottom line.

By: Nathan Smith

Nathan Smith — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 19:47:15 +0000

“The Hairshirt” might be a good name for that pious cocktail Halden is seeking. It’s got to be something that encourages penance.

By: robert

robert — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 17:43:18 +0000

The encyclical didn’t say anything that wasn’t already known. It didn’t so much directly criticize the Liberal order as it restated the Church’s imagination. It was quite the gentle kiss.

By: roger flyer

roger flyer — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 14:46:47 +0000

Roger (while expertly mixing drink says): “Yes sir, coming right up. (and asks naively:) “What do you think of the new Encyclical?”

By: Mike

Mike — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 14:08:51 +0000

I want a cocktail, too, with my hairshirt... a traditional margarita, thank you. If any cocktail is non-violent, it is a margarita.

By: roger flyer

roger flyer — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 01:32:46 +0000

Cocktail for you, Hill.

By: evagrius

evagrius — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 18:35:07 +0000

I think Novak wants “Shock and Awe” and a good touch of waterboarding defeating evil.

By: Hill

Hill — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 17:58:41 +0000

Basically what you are saying is that it’s impossible to go wrong with one of these bad boys.

By: Anthony Paul Smith

Anthony Paul Smith — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 17:29:08 +0000

Well, that’s what I think too, but didn’t want to say it. People love this Pope!

My friend pointed out that, in RCC discourse, the Left option is always painted as more dangerous and reacted to more strongly while the Right is largely given a pass. Hence the very soft remarks towards the Nazi regime and the absolute condemnation of the Bolshevik’s and any form of Socialism. Those who really want to somehow unite with Rome and still claim the title of Christian Socialist should take note of Pius’ remarks that one can not be both a Christian and a socialist. Just saying.

By: roger flyer

roger flyer — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 15:59:15 +0000

Hairshirt for Mike.

-from a source no less esteemed than Wikipedia!

“Thomas Becket was wearing a hairshirt when he was murdered, St. Patrick reputedly wore (one), Charlemagne was buried in a hairshirt, and Henry IV, Holy Roman Emperor and King of Germany, famously wore one in the Walk to Canossa during the Investiture Controversy. Prince Henry the Navigator was found to be wearing a hairshirt at the time of his death in 1460. In modern times it has been used by Mother Teresa, Saint Padre Pio, and slain archbishop Óscar Romero. The Russian author Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn was also known to wear a hairshirt.

By: Mike

Mike — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 15:36:41 +0000

The hierarchy tacitly approves of violence: that’s why Novak gets permission.