Covenant theology vs dispensationalism

Posted on by Jeff Cassman

A reader asked:

Never heard of this before until recently. Covenant theology vs dispensationalism. What is the meaning of each and what is the Catholic stance on these ideas?

Covenant Theology and Dispensationalism are two rival Protestant systems for understanding salvation history. Both attempt to explain how God relates to humanity over time, but they couldn’t be more different—and both miss the Catholic mark entirely.

Covenant Theology (Reformed/Calvinist): This system says God relates to humanity through a few overarching covenants—like the Covenant of Works (with Adam) and the Covenant of Grace (post-Fall, culminating in Christ). It heavily spiritualizes the Old Testament and sees the Church as the “new Israel.” It tries to flatten the Bible into a tidy Calvinist blueprint.

Dispensationalism (Evangelical/Fundamentalist): Think of it as the Scofield Bible with charts. It chops history into “dispensations” or eras where God tests man in different ways. Most notably, it insists on a sharp divide between Israel and the Church—Israel gets earthly promises, the Church gets heavenly ones. This leads to wild eschatology: secret raptures, 7-year tribulations, rebuilt temples, red heifers, and a theology that reads more like Left Behind fan fiction than the Gospel.

Catholic stance? Rejected both. The Church doesn’t reduce salvation history to rigid systems cooked up in the 16th or 19th centuries. Catholic theology sees continuity between the Old and New Covenants, fulfilled in Christ and His Church. The New Covenant isn’t a backup plan or a spiritualized version of Judaism—it’s the fulfillment of what was foreshadowed.… Read the rest

Living Will for Catholics

Posted on by Jeff Cassman

This living will has been composed with Catholic moral teaching in mind.  There is a printable version here.  Check with your attorney for additional considerations based on your jurisdiction and circumstances.

As a faithful Catholic, I believe in the sanctity and dignity of every human life, created in the image and likeness of God. Life is a gift to be reverenced and preserved with care, not ended prematurely by omission or commission. This document is a declaration of my desire to uphold those teachings—even in times of serious illness or incapacity—entrusting my life and death to God’s providence.

I. Declaration

If I become incapacitated and unable to make my own medical decisions, I make this directive to guide my loved ones and medical providers. I ask that all decisions regarding my health care be made in accordance with the moral teachings of the Roman Catholic Church.

II. Core Principles

  1. Sanctity of Life
    My life is a sacred gift and should not be intentionally ended through euthanasia or assisted suicide, which I reject as gravely immoral.

  2. Proportionate vs. Disproportionate Means
    I do not wish to receive treatments that are excessively burdensome, experimental, or without hope of benefit. These may be morally declined in accordance with Church teaching.

  3. Obligation to Provide Nutrition and Hydration
    I insist that I be provided ordinary means of care, including food and water (even if by artificial means), unless they no longer achieve their purpose or become excessively burdensome with no benefit.

  4. Pain Relief

… Read the rest

Prayer for a Father to Repel Storms and Protect His Home and Family

Posted on by Jeff Cassman
In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.
O Lord God of Hosts, Creator of Heaven and Earth, who set the boundaries of the sea and command the winds and the waves, I come before Thee as the head of this household, entrusted with the care of my family and the protection of our home. In humility and trust, I beg Thee, stretch forth Thy mighty hand against the storm that threatens us. Let not the tempests of the air or the powers of darkness bring harm to those whom Thou hast given me to protect.
O Christ, King of all Creation, who rebuked the storm upon the sea and brought peace to the fearful hearts of Thy disciples, command now, I pray Thee, that these winds be stilled, that this storm be turned aside, that destruction pass us by. Send Thy holy angels to stand guard over this house, to drive away all dangers, and to keep us in safety beneath the mantle of Thy Sacred Heart.
(The father now takes holy water and sprinkles it around the home, saying:)
In the Name of Jesus Christ, the King of Kings, I bless and protect this home with this holy water, a sign of God’s power over the elements. May all storms and dangers flee before the Cross of Christ. May this dwelling be marked as a place of faith, of refuge, and of peace. By the intercession of the Blessed Virgin
… Read the rest
Posted on by Jeff Cassman

I was asked, “What duty does a man have to his parents after he’s married? How can he honor his parents without neglecting his wife?”

I’ve been thinking a lot about this question, both in relationship to my now elderly parents, and to my children, eight of whom are now adults.

Here’s my first stab at an answer:

A son can honor his parents after marriage in many ways, but always within the proper order of priorities—his wife and children come first. That being said, here are some ways he can uphold the Fourth Commandment while maintaining his primary duty to his own household:

Regular visits and communication show that he values and respects them, even though he no longer lives under their authority. This doesn’t mean daily check-ins like a teenager giving an account of his whereabouts, but it does mean he doesn’t vanish like a hermit the moment he gets married. Calling to check on them, visiting on Sundays or feast days, and ensuring they feel included in family life (within reason) helps maintain a strong relationship.
Praying for them is one of the highest forms of honor. A son should offer Mass intentions for them, pray the Rosary for their well-being, and, if they are struggling in faith or suffering in any way, he should offer sacrifices for their spiritual and physical needs. Honor is not just about external gestures but about willing their ultimate good.
Providing for them in their old age is both a duty
… Read the rest

Does the Context of John 6 Support the Claim that the Eucharist Was Symbolic?

Posted on by Jeff Cassman

Danny over at Twitter made the following claim:

If you didn’t ignore the context of John 6, you’d understand Jesus was speaking spiritually and metaphorically.

I respond:

Danny’s claim that John 6 is symbolic or metaphorical is common among Protestants, but let’s unpack it with some Scripture and logic. First, the heart of the debate is John 6:51-58, where Jesus says things like, “I am the living bread that came down from heaven… the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh,” and “Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life.” Danny argues this should be taken metaphorically, but does that really hold up when we look at the context?

1. Jesus’ Audience Took Him Literally Notice how the Jews react in John 6:52: “How can this man give us his flesh to eat?” They clearly took Him literally. If Jesus was just speaking symbolically, He could’ve clarified. Instead, He doubles down, getting even more graphic by saying, “My flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink” (John 6:55). In fact, when His own disciples grumble in verse 60, “This is a hard saying; who can listen to it?” Jesus doesn’t backtrack. He doesn’t say, “Wait, guys, I meant this symbolically!” He lets them walk away. If His message was just symbolic, why didn’t He clarify? Instead, He challenges them even more!

2. “Spirit and Life” Doesn’t Mean “Symbolic” Danny might point to John 6:63, where Jesus says,

… Read the rest