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Agrazing_Mace
Guest
Hello. My name is Chris Mace. I attended Franciscan University of Steubenville between '97 and '99. First of all, I gotta give a shout-out to Jason Evert- I remember seeing him a few times on campus. I was the guy who played a lot of basketball and hung-around with the “Soldiers” household (Dave and Erik Severson, Bob McCarron, Paul Dietch, Kevin Ivanoski, Sean Fleming, Fr. Larry, etc.). My wife is Jessica Deller (last name now Mace, obviously)- she was active in journalism, writing for the university paper. I believe it to be quite an honor to be writing Catholic literature, as well as being associated with a great website like Catholic Answers. Kudos to Mr. Evert!
I have been on quite the spiritual ride since the age of 21. I was confirmed Catholic at the age of 22. To make a long story short, the last six months or so have been that of much historical and doctrinal enlightenment for me due primarily to the Catholic Answers website. In this time, I have also held many in-depth discussions of faith with non-Catholics. Quite interesting, their responses.
Anyway, recently, a friend posed a few questions for me. He was raised a Jehovah’s Witness, and was active in the faith up until he was about 21. I am not sure whether his questions for me are intended to reflect any such values and beliefs. I have read all of Catholic Answers’ tracts on Jehovah’s Witnesses and can see a slight similarity in what his questions are insinuating, but nothing definite. Truthfully, the fact that he may hold a Witness belief structure is not as important as how I, as a Catholic, should answer his posed questions. I have well-prepared myself to defend the main aspects of Catholicism, but I am concerned that my answers to his more theologically-philosophical questions may not be in-line with Catholic doctrine.
Due to the lack of material written in regard to the topic, I am assuming that it is mostly a matter of faith and unknowingness of God’s will. Over all, it may not be as big a concern as other topics of faith. Still, I am curious to know what answers you could provide to the following questions:
I have been on quite the spiritual ride since the age of 21. I was confirmed Catholic at the age of 22. To make a long story short, the last six months or so have been that of much historical and doctrinal enlightenment for me due primarily to the Catholic Answers website. In this time, I have also held many in-depth discussions of faith with non-Catholics. Quite interesting, their responses.
Anyway, recently, a friend posed a few questions for me. He was raised a Jehovah’s Witness, and was active in the faith up until he was about 21. I am not sure whether his questions for me are intended to reflect any such values and beliefs. I have read all of Catholic Answers’ tracts on Jehovah’s Witnesses and can see a slight similarity in what his questions are insinuating, but nothing definite. Truthfully, the fact that he may hold a Witness belief structure is not as important as how I, as a Catholic, should answer his posed questions. I have well-prepared myself to defend the main aspects of Catholicism, but I am concerned that my answers to his more theologically-philosophical questions may not be in-line with Catholic doctrine.
Due to the lack of material written in regard to the topic, I am assuming that it is mostly a matter of faith and unknowingness of God’s will. Over all, it may not be as big a concern as other topics of faith. Still, I am curious to know what answers you could provide to the following questions:
- If a God that designed such exact and finite laws for the universe exists, how could there be such a vague concept as Heaven?
- How do you explain a body that’s built to last forever, yet even in the best circumstances, only lasts for around one hundred years?
- If the soul is eternal, then what purpose is the body?