Fr. Thomas Reese pushes for de-Hellenization

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The article calls his quest quixotic and irrational. I agree. Having talked with many seminarians, I’m glad that philosophy is a pre-requisite to Theology. The public schools and universities have largely been de-Hellenized, with the result that many have lost the ability to reason.

www.catholicworldreport.com

Fr. Thomas Reese’s quixotic, irrational battle with Greek philosophy

The former editor of America magazine would do well to read Benedict XVI’s 2005 “Regensburg Address” and Vatican II’s documents on seminary training and Catholic
www.catholicworldreport.com www.catholicworldreport.com
 
“Sadly, the church does expect seminarians to learn Greek philosophy before studying theology, which results in them spouting unintelligible concepts like ‘transubstantiation’ and ‘consubstantial,’ writes Reese, …

“Transubstantiation” and “consubstantial”―are these Greek words? I don’t think so.
 
I don’t think so either. But the concepts of substance and accident are.
 
Philosophy is exactly why the same secular tricks that work on other religions and denominations do not work against Catholics.

It’s one reason why I love Our Church.
 
JimG said:
The article calls his quest quixotic and irrational. I agree. Having talked with many seminarians, I’m glad that philosophy is a pre-requisite to Theology. The public schools and universities have largely been de-Hellenized, with the result that many have lost the ability to reason.

http://www.catholicworldreport.com/...otic-irrational-battle-with-greek-philosophy/
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Exactly the issue we face today is the loss of reason. More than anything else what plagues is an inability to think. (hence gender confusion etc…)

It is crucial that seminaries and other schools teach philosophy. We need to be able to refute the insanities that are proposed by atheism and relativism.
 
Wait, someone who denies the Church concepts on the Eucharist must have written that.
 
Oh geez. Are we really going to have to have the “Is Philosophy an ally or enemy of the Church” argument again?

I thought science was supposed to be our modern opponent?

😆
 
After reading “Goodbye, Good Men” by Michael Rose, in sorry to say that it seems like those who clearly are in favor of removing Philosophy are the ideological liberals and pro homosexuality clergy.

But honestly, it has been the left that has been behind the removal of classical philosophy of our schools and is against its return.

Philosophy teaches about the natural law, which is something the political left is against

God Bless
 
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So no one else thinks it’s strange that we’ve enshrined the works of 3,500-year-old pagans to explain the key truths of our faith?
 
Relax, the early church went through and took the good and left the error and the bad. We didn’t just accept all of it, but that which was fitting and proper.
 
“Theology” is thrown around a lot on CAF, but I get the feeling that the word is used to mean Church teachings or beliefs, and spiritual aspects of the Catholic faith rather than the academic pursuit of studying what man believes about God.
 
Mattapoisett64 said:
So no one else thinks it’s strange that we’ve enshrined the works of 3,500-year-old pagans to explain the key truths of our faith?
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Uhhhh, unless you think they’re studying Egyptian hieroglyphs, none of these authors are from 3500 years ago. Try 2400 years ago, when our Lord appears 2000 years ago. And our Lord made his foremost evangelistic apostle out of a man trained in Platonism (Paul), whose letters were influenced by Platonism.
 
@BartholomewB

Actually “consubstantial” is the English word for the Greek “homoousia” which means “the same substance”. This was the term used by the Church Fathers at the Council of Nicaea to explain the relationship between the Father and the Son. So it is of Greek origin.

I cannot talk to the origin of transubstantiation.

Blessings
 
phil19034 said:
But honestly, it has been the left that has been behind the removal of classical philosophy of our schools and is against its return.
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Don’t worry. They’ll just keep telling you that “God is neither a Democrat or Republican”. So it’s all fine if billion-dollar industries from Hollywood to media and the DNC/Liberal/Labour platforms direct attack the Catholic Church.

Just remember “not a Republican or Democrat”.

So sit back, pretend all is well and enjoy the ride while it lasts, Just like they do.​

I’m just glad you’re too smart for all of that.
 
If Universities are de-Hellenized, why do Greek Fraternal Societies, including some secret societies, have such an influence there?

Why have Catholics allowed their children to be Hellenized by “house mothers”? House mothers aren’t known for their Philosophy.
 
Ah, if only the Greek fraternities and sororities were bastions of the study of Greek philosophy! That would be a start. But, they don’t even have Greek beer.
 
No, but they dress up as Latins and throw parties.

I’m cool with that; I’m not cool with those who see Greek Fraternities as a substitute for the Church. These are not Catholic Institutions, and have a tendency towards “brainwashing”. Hence, the lack of philosophy and their Protestant bends.
 
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As someone who has been trained in such esoteric philosophy (and Aquinas) there is much to commend in Fr Reese’s views, not that I am sure anything he has said has been accurately quoted let alone understood by a good faith reading.

As I understand it he is calling for the de-Hellenisation of the excessively so training in seminaries not Catholicism.

I believe he has a point. We train all our priests as if they are being prepared to be Biblical Scholars or Systematic Theologians rather than curates in ordinary Parishes. Most parishioners couldn’t care less and most of the time need mainly sound pastoral and moral advice, counselling, inspiration and someone who relates and organises well - and someone well-versed in and familiar with the Catechism. They don’t usually need exegetical or theological Geeks.
Most young to middling priests in my 50 years adult experience are appalling counsellors with limited pastoral sense because we have underdone this equally important area of professional training. Being able to quote cannon law and Prummer’s moral theology handbook is not a substitute.

Its the same as what used to happen in secondary schools. Everybody was being educated as if they were going to University. Many do not, nor should they.

But the Church does need such Geeks … but not primarily in pastoral ministry.
Much of the geek training should be a specialisation or even a sabbatical training after ministering for some years if then needed.
 
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