Theology
Theo-logos, Word of God
Theology is indeed the study of God; the study of the Word of God. It is inseparable from a relationship with God. It is much more than intellectual speculation. And yet, theology compels the intellect of the person to take an honest look at revelation, notably in the person of Jesus Christ, who the Catholic Church proclaims to be the Word of God. The contributors of Le Nouvel Esprit will be sure to elaborate on this truth in the articles of this section.
Le Nouvel Esprit seeks above all to share the truth in fidelity precisely to the source of God's revelation to man, the Catholic Church. It is our hope that the truth shared in this site help the readers know and love Christ and His Church, and that we know and love so as to walk with the newness of life promised to us in Christ.
Articles
Are You a Conservative Catholic or a Liberal Catholic?
Diversity is thought to be our greatest strength in mainstream American society. However, it is detrimental to the different kinds of social group identities. Group identities make it difficult to completely severe associations with a value system such as a religion. Here we analyze the division within Catholic circles in terms of values and beliefs, inevitably forming two opposing camps that generally align with either conservatism or liberalism, in order to determine what is "Catholic".
By Guillermo Moreno
3/15/2020
Categories:
Politics, Culture
A Philosophical Critique of Protestantism
Jeremy argues in this article against Protestantism using philosophy. Protestantism teaches Sola Scriptura, which is an irrational belief and hence why Protestantism can be rejected.
By Jeremy Hausotter
10/3/2021
Categories:
Apologetics
Amoris Laetitia on the LGBT Movement
In this article the author examines the Church's teachings on transgenderism and same-sex unions as taught in Pope Francis' Amoris Laetitia. Within the document, Pope Francis rejects the core idea of transgenderism and any moral liceity to same-sex unions.
By Jeremy Hausotter
8/14/2021
Categories:
LGBT, Bioethics
The Unborn Child is Never the Aggressor
This article examines one claim of pro-abortion advocates, namely that unborn children are aggressors. Such a view is an injustice, for unborn children can never be aggressors, and as such, those who promote such a view in actuality promote injustice and totalitarianism.
By Jeremy Hausotter
8/14/2021
Categories:
Bioethics, Culture
On Marijuana Part I: The Church's Teachings on Drugs and Marijuana
The series On Marijuana is broken up into five parts. Part I discusses the Church's teachings based on the Catechism and Church: Drugs and Drug Addiction on drugs in general and why it is immoral to use drugs outside of medicinal purposes. Furthermore, the Church argues that there is distinction between soft and hard drugs, from which it follows that marijuana is considered by the Church to be a hard or dangerous drug like cocaine, heroin, crack, and etc.
By Jeremy Hausotter
1/1/2021
Categories:
Marijuana, Bioethics, Culture
On Marijuana Part II: The Health Effects of Marijuana
Part II focuses on the health effects of marijuana drawing from many medical studies, good and ill. Many of the medical claims about marijuana are in fact false.
By Jeremy Hausotter
1/1/2021
Categories:
Marijuana, Bioethics, Culture
On Marijuana Part III: The Catholic Understanding of Marijuana and Alcohol
Part III is dedicated to understanding the distinction between drugs and alcohol. It briefly considers some of the medical differences and then develops a Biblical theology of drugs and alcohol. Theologically, it does not make sense to equate both substances. Alcohol represents life, especially life in Christ whereas drugs is akin to drunkenness which is associated with sin and death.
By Jeremy Hausotter
1/1/2021
Categories:
Marijuana, Bioethics, Culture
On Marijuana Part IV: Joseph Ratzinger's Theology of Drugs
Part IV explores Joseph Ratzinger's theology of drugs. Ratzinger argues that the drug phenomenon arose out of a spiritual void originating from the philosophical error which equated objectivity with the facticity of the world. Quantity, properties, and the laws of nature exhaust the world of objectivity. This means that religion and morality belong to what is subjective and a matter of private opinion. Drugs are hence an escape from this brutalized world of facts.
By Jeremy Hausotter
1/1/2021
Categories:
Marijuana, Bioethics, Culture
On Marijuana Part V: Drugs and Mystical Experience
Part V investigates the question whether one can use drugs to induce mystical experience. The article answers negatively to the question based on the philosophies of Martin Buber and Rudolph Otto, arguing that religious experience in essence is an I-You encounter between man and the eternal You who is wholly Other.
By Jeremy Hausotter
1/1/2021
Categories:
Marijuana, Bioethics, Culture
Time Travel and Problems it Raises for Catholics
This article analyzes the theological implications behind the popular notion of time travel, arguing time travel into the past is impossible because it implies that God is mutable.
By Jeremy Hausotter
4/11/2021
Categories:
Faith and Science, Culture
Let the Luminous Mysteries Shine!
Among the objections of radical traditionalists against the “Novus Ordo” Church are the Luminous Mysteries of the Rosary. They reject these mysteries, promulgated by Pope John Paul II in 2002, because of the apparent break from tradition. In this essay we address some of the controversies.
By Guillermo Moreno
3/7/2022
Categories:
Apologetics, Culture