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About J.M.J. West
(Top Expert on this page)

Expertise
I will make an attempt at almost any question. I am a trained Catechist and Apologist, and I can answer most questions regarding: -Church Doctrine -Biblical questions (I have a cursory understanding of Greek, Hebrew and Aramaic) -Catholic Philosophy -History of the Church (especially the early church) -Apologetic questions (i.e. why we believe what we believe) -Ethics I look forward to your questions!

Experience
I work as the College Catechist of Benedictine College in Atchison, KS, and the Director of RCIA. I am a revert to the Catholic faith and had to learn my way home, so to speak.

Education/Credentials
B.A. Philosophy, Benedictine College B.A. History, Benedictine College

   

You are here:  Experts > Religion/Spirituality > Christianity - Catholicism > Catholics

Questions Answered By Expert  J.M.J. West 
In Category  Catholics

SubjectDate Asked

Old Testament10/23/2009
  Q: What language is the orinal OT written in, latin or hebrew?
  A: Gene, Great question. The original old testament was written in Hebrew. It was translated into a ...
early multiplication5/13/2009
  Q: I am a passionate Catholic and consider myself to be pretty good at apologetics in everyday ...
  A: Joseph, No problem. I really don't mind, especially charitable and straight-forward questions! ...
Rev. 12:35/13/2009
  Q: Do you know what is the significance of the dragon in Rev. 12:3 being the color red? Thanks, Tom
  A: There is no definitive answer that I am aware of, but red can mean royalty, bloodshed, power, wraith ...
early multiplication5/12/2009
  Q: I am a passionate Catholic and consider myself to be pretty good at apologetics in everyday ...
  A: Joseph, Thanks for your kind comments. The simple answer is that Adam and Eve had "other ...
Apostolic Succession5/9/2009
  Q: It appears I am cut-off after 3 replies so I just wanted to BRIEFLY respond to your last input. ...
  A: Sorry for the delay, but I've been very busy with end of the school year work. *Your reply about ...
prayer5/2/2009
  Q: Do you know any Scripture verses about praying to the saints?
  A: Hebrews 11 runs through the great saints of the old testament, then Hebrews 12 immediately calls ...
is it impure?5/2/2009
  Q: For a long time, whenever I looked at pictures of Christ, I felt a thrilling joy, that was ...
  A: It's not impure to feel love at the image of Christ, so long as this dose not become a very awkward ...
please explain Luke 14:264/29/2009
  Q: Someone please explain! Excerpt from Luke 14:26 "If anyone comes to me and does not hate his father ...
  A: Sidney, Great question. Sometimes it's hard to grasp the meanings of phrases uttered 2000 years ...
Pursue of Worldly Success4/29/2009
  Q: Many times, preachers would talk about how we should focus on gaining spiritual wealth and that we ...
  A: Christ gave many parables, and they must be taken in context (both of the entirety of scriptures and ...
Baptisism after death4/3/2009
  Q: Recently a very dear family friend and his daughter were in a fatal car accident. The 12 yr old was ...
  A: The Catechism states: (CCC 1261) As regards children who have died without Baptism, the Church can ...
Holy Water3/21/2009
  Q: What can you tell me about the origination of the use of Holy Water? Any details appreciated. Thanks
  A: Holy water was used in the old testament: God's laws in the Old Testament which require cleaning ...
Communal Reconciliation2/28/2009
  Q: My parish is offering a communal reconciliation service which appears to be a substitute for ...
  A: Most communal reconciliation services are done for the sake of expediency, and involve individual ...
Theology(trinity)2/25/2009
  Q: Good afternoon. My name is James N from Bombay, India,R/C. I am reading Gaudium et spes,of Vatican ...
  A: 1) The relevance of the trinity is manifestly the most important thing, because we are created in ...
Rosary Novenas2/4/2009
  Q: I am interested in praying the Rosary Novenas. To do this is all I need to do pray the Rosary once ...
  A: Travis, Thank you for your question. A traditional "novena" is only 9 days, which is what the term ...
papal sin1/21/2009
  Q: If the current pope was living in sin and he refused to repent,does the church take steps to remove ...
  A: The short answer is that: 1) The pope sins, as do we all. 2) Sins do not negate the office. There ...
anulment1/17/2009
  Q: I am a Hindu married to a catholic in the church. My husband n me were in a courtship for 4 years ...
  A: Priyanka, Thank you for your question, and I'm very sorry to hear about your predicament. To ...
One Baptism1/9/2009
  Q: What exactly does it mean in the Nicene Creed when we say we believe in "one baptism for the ...
  A: Johann, Great questions. For a more in depth answer, you might dig through the catechism's ...
Eastern Orthodox Church12/16/2008
  Q: What is the official RCC view of the Eastern Orthodox Church. Is there salvation in her?
  A: The Catechism says: "The Church knows that she is joined in many ways to the baptized who are ...
Word Meanings and "Traditional" Church12/8/2008
  Q: West, I would like to know the original biblical words for "Jesus" and "Christ" and what do these ...
  A: Gina, Thank you very much for your question, and a very happy feast of the Immaculate Conception ...
abortion12/3/2008
  Q: After I asked you the question regarding abotion and the Eastern Orthodx Church's postion, I went to ...
  A: Sorry for the delay, I've been removing viruses from my computer that came in over the network ...
divorce11/29/2008
  Q: In a previous answer to a question, I was told by the expert that the Western and Eastern sections ...
  A: Mary, Thank you for your prompt and kind review, and I apologize that my answer didn't quite hit ...
Kenosis11/29/2008
  Q: What exactly is Kenosis? What are its implications for Christian discipleship? Thanks Steve
  A: Steve, Thanks for your question. Kenosis is a Greek word which connotes "emptying". The famous ...
divorce11/28/2008
  Q: In a previous answer to a question, I was told by the expert that the Western and Eastern sections ...
  A: Mary, The expert was mistaken. The first issue is whether or not Divorce is permitted, and the ...
koran11/12/2008
  Q: ive been studying the Koran and i see huge similarities between them, the gospel is even in the ...
  A: Connor, Thanks again for your questions. YOU WROTE: "ive been studying the Koran and i see huge ...
being justified in Gods eye's11/11/2008
  Q: we both know the parable of the tax collector and pharisee. the tax collector merely beat his chest ...
  A: Great questions. The canon of scripture(ie. the list of books which make up scripture) is something ...
being justified in Gods eye's11/10/2008
  Q: we both know the parable of the tax collector and pharisee. the tax collector merely beat his chest ...
  A: The simple answer is that, according to the scriptures, Jesus was lead by the Spirit into the desert ...
Communion11/9/2008
  Q: West, I was married in the Catholic Church when I was twenty-five. I was married for eight ...
  A: Diana, I am terribly sorry to hear about your circumstance. The short answer is, Yes, assuming no ...
shpould one diligently and sincerely follow God when evryone is not11/8/2008
  Q: I have found that lots of christians are cantankerous, slanderous and murderous.It is difficult to ...
  A: Maria, Thanks for your questions. YOU WROTE: "I have found that lots of christians are ...
others healing11/7/2008
  Q: when you think of indians and medicine men you kinda wonder "from a Christian point of veiw" how are ...
  A: There are a variety of answers which could be given, and they won't all fit each case. Possible ...
sprituality11/7/2008
  Q: please tell me why so many religious and pious people are grumpy. i always thought that if you are ...
  A: Maria, Thanks for your question. One possible answer which may bear serious consideration is ...
defending yourself11/7/2008
  Q: Christ taught us to turn the other cheek. so if someone is wanting to injure me or someone with me ...
  A: Luke 22:36 says: "And he said unto them, But now, he that hath a purse, let him take it, and ...
mustard seed11/7/2008
  Q: when Christ tells the parable of the mustard seed what in the world is he talking about? can you ...
  A: This is what the Church is like, and what our faith life is like with God. (Heaven is complete ...
faith and finance11/6/2008
  Q: I have found that if one trusts in the Lord jesus then our finances are protected. Do all catholics ...
  A: I'm sorry, I don't fully understand what you're asking me. You are permitted to have money. You ...
faith and finance11/4/2008
  Q: I have found that if one trusts in the Lord jesus then our finances are protected. Do all catholics ...
  A: What I meant with my reply is that many "modern" Catholics are only Catholic in name. They sadly do ...
Catholic faith11/1/2008
  Q: That is really neat that you know the co founder of Life teen. Tell him that my parish Mount Virgin ...
  A: YOU WROTE: "That is really neat that you know the co founder of Life teen. Tell him that my parish ...
being justified in Gods eye's10/31/2008
  Q: we both know the parable of the tax collector and pharisee. the tax collector merely beat his chest ...
  A: Part of Justification is a realization of our need for forgiveness from God. The Tax collector ...
pergatory10/31/2008
  Q: i know of old testament sheol, i know of heaven and hell. but the middle ground on which catholics ...
  A: Connor, Thanks for your questions! There are a few possibilities for post-life placement within ...
baptism of infants...non biblical?10/31/2008
  Q: Baptism: In the New Testament baptism is ALWAYS practiced AFTER saving faith in Christ. Baptism is ...
  A: The people he spoke of are in the church today, and have been for 2000 years. There are all host of ...
St. Peter as Rock10/30/2008
  Q: What are the main differences between Catholic & Protestant beliefs about "Thou art Peter, and upon ...
  A: Barbara, Thank you for your question! The chief difference between the Catholic and Protestant ...
Bible questions.10/28/2008
  Q: I don't have issues with Catholic doctrine, and I definitely feel more at home, spiritually ...
  A: Alvin, Great questions. I'll do my best to answer them, and give you some good resources to turn ...
goodworks, and assured salvation10/27/2008
  Q: Assurance of salvation: The Roman Catholic Church teaches that salvation cannot be guaranteed or ...
  A: YOU WROTE: >>Assurance of salvation: The Roman Catholic Church teaches that salvation cannot be ...
baptism of infants...non biblical?10/27/2008
  Q: Baptism: In the New Testament baptism is ALWAYS practiced AFTER saving faith in Christ. Baptism is ...
  A: Connor, First, thank you for your questions. I'll try to answer them all in as timely of a ...
priesthood10/27/2008
  Q: Priesthood: The Roman Catholic Church teaches that there is a distinction between the clergy and the ...
  A: In the old covenant(s), there were various kinds of Priesthood, even while God said to Israel "you ...
salvation10/27/2008
  Q: Salvation: The Roman Catholic Church teaches that salvation is by baptismal regeneration and is ...
  A: All salvation is by Grace, and the Church teaches precisely that. There are two kinds of Grace ...
mary10/25/2008
  Q: You are a member of the Family of God via Christ, and all who do the will of the father are in his ...
  A: >>it's frustrating to me that anyone can think of someone being "more" worthy of God than another ...
Liturgy/Melchisedech10/24/2008
  Q: Do you know where in the Liturgy Melchizedek is found or mentioned?
  A: I'm sorry, but I don't understand your question. Melchizedek is a priest/king from Salem who brings ...
mary10/13/2008
  Q: all these people seeing mary is very odd to me. for some reason only catholics see her. im somewhat ...
  A: Connor, Thanks again for your charitable response. >>you said this. as holy? is there such ...
mary10/12/2008
  Q: all these people seeing mary is very odd to me. for some reason only catholics see her. im somewhat ...
  A: Connor, Thanks for your questions. I understand that Mary is a very difficult concept for many ...
Our Lady of Gentle Love10/10/2008
  Q: If you'd like I could tell you the whole story an you can contact my local bishop whom is Bishop ...
  A: This was all taken from the site: http://www.revelation13.net/Putin.html "You will know the season, ...
Apparitions10/9/2008
  Q: How do I tell the bishop that what I saw was true. I was able to take a photo of Mary she called ...
  A: Jacqueline, If you have seen an apparent apparition, contact your Bishop. You can call his office ...
HIM10/6/2008
  Q: James says "Faith without works is dead" (James 2), and Jesus says "Not all who say to me 'Lord, ...
  A: Connor, Thank you for your questions. I take your question as being a curiosity about the ...
grace and faith10/5/2008
  Q: is salvation simple? is there simplicity in Christ? or am i expected to do great works to impress ...
  A: Connor, thank you for your questions? >>is salvation simple? is there simplicity in Christ?<< ...
Shadow Figure?10/3/2008
  Q: I feel like maybe it is not my friend that is possessed I was doing some studying and it seems that ...
  A: Jacqueline, Phenomena like "static on the phone" and "room temp drops" are more often signs of ...
Youth Group-Life Teen10/3/2008
  Q: I am goin through a youth group training program for the first time, it is a 6 mons program. Our ...
  A: Jacqueline, thank you for your questions. The best way to be a good role model is by imitating ...
Dinosaurs9/29/2008
  Q: How does the Catholic church explain dinosaurs?
  A: There is no set explanation, but the Church has no problem with the most common scientific ...
"Chrism"9/28/2008
  Q: Why do Catholics crisan babies???? My husband is Catholic and wants our children to be crisaned. I ...
  A: Suzanne, Great questions! I'll do my best to answer them: >>There are several places in the ...
crisaning9/24/2008
  Q: Why do Catholics crisan babies???? My husband is Catholic and wants our children to be crisaned. I ...
  A: Suzanne, I'm sorry, but I'm not aware of any process of "crisan"... Given this is happening to ...
Pre-History9/22/2008
  Q: Hey, this is a quote by Serj Tankian who is the lead singer of the metal band System of a Down, ...
  A: Matteo, Thanks for the question! I'm somewhat familiar with System of a Down's music (it's not my ...
marijuana9/8/2008
  Q: Is smoking marijuana a mortal sin? ANSWER: The Church doesn't have a specific opinion on Marijuana, ...
  A: Honestly, I suspect it falls closer into line behind alcohol than "drugs" per se, but it fits close ...
marijuana9/6/2008
  Q: Is smoking marijuana a mortal sin?
  A: The Church doesn't have a specific opinion on Marijuana, so the best we can do is speculate. ...
God command of killing8/25/2008
  Q: An Atheist asked me if your God Jesus is love and love us then why He command Saul to killed every ...
  A: Nick, Thank you for your question. This is a tough issue, and one often brought up by those who ...
Throne and Lamb8/21/2008
  Q: according to catholic Who is sit on the Throne in Revelation 4:10 and who is the lamb in Revelation ...
  A: Hope this helps; it's not terribly dependent upon being a Catholic, for these answers are pretty ...
Protestant Divorced Couple seeking Catholic faith8/16/2008
  Q: THis is a very complex question,and in fact more like an inquiry. I am looking to convert into the ...
  A: Valerie, Thank you for your question, it is a very complex one and I can only give you guidelines ...
redemption after death8/7/2008
  Q: I just read an answer to one of the questions on this site. My question is, if you have had the ...
  A: Jaimi, Great questions. I'll do my best to answer fully and honestly. YOU WROTE: "If you have ...
Genesis Revelation / Salvation Hell (2)8/6/2008
  Q: I'm glad you like these questions, they've definitely been a thorn in my side since I was a wee ...
  A: Shawn, I’m glad you appreciated my responses. I’m glad to see you took the time to respond too. ...
Genesis and Revelation Salvation and Hell8/5/2008
  Q: I do hope you are a trained apologist from verses and logics, otherwise chaos outisde of time and ...
  A: Shawn, those are very great questions, thank you! YOU WROTE: (A4) even finite-human ...
Symbolism8/3/2008
  Q: I recently visited the beautiful Dubrovnik cathedral where I encountered in the sculptural frame of ...
  A: Sarah, Thank you for the intriguing question! I've been puzzling over it in my spare time for a ...
Age of Mary8/1/2008
  Q: How old mary when she was pregnant and how long as pregnant ?
  A: There is no definitive answer as to how old Mary was when she was pregnant. Many estimates have her ...
Mary EARTHLY mother of Jesus7/30/2008
  Q: About Mary. No where in the bible does it say she was sinless. Romans 3:23 23for ...
  A: Manny, I appreciate your concern for the apparent errors of Catholicism, and I trust your post is ...
"Saints" Olaf and Cyril7/10/2008
  Q: Why was Olaf, a man who regularly tortured people into converting to Christianity and Cyril, a ...
  A: Alex, Good question. I'm assuming you mean this Olaf: ...
Human sexuality (Theology)7/5/2008
  Q: Good afternoon. My name is James N from Bombay, India,R/C. I am reading Gaudium et spes,of Vatican ...
  A: James, Great questions. YOU WROTE: "1:Some say that we should rejoice than mourn when our beloved ...
rules for priests touching congregants7/3/2008
  Q: I am writing a novel. I want to be as accurate as possible. I am depicting a priest comforting a ...
  A: Sadly, in this modern world most forms of touch are "discouraged" lest we give rise to scandal. ...
Why would?6/29/2008
  Q: Why do you think God would want the world to continue? And why would the devil want to destroy it? ...
  A: Glad to be a help! Unfortunately, I don't know that I can be much of a help on this issue, because ...
Why would?6/29/2008
  Q: Why do you think God would want the world to continue? And why would the devil want to destroy it?
  A: Anthony, Those are very big little questions. I'll do my best to answer (and supplement), but if I ...
HELP ME URGENT!6/27/2008
  Q: I have an issue. My friend is possessed by Satan! What do I do? He has a demon called Legion in him. ...
  A: If your friend is possessed, then seek a priest for an exorcism. Do not mess around with the powers ...
Catholicism is the real church6/22/2008
  Q: I am writting a book about our catholic faith and its Jewish roots. I also am writting a book about ...
  A: Jacqueline, Thank you for your flurry of questions and comments. However I feel that some of this ...
Religious life......6/21/2008
  Q: M.J West, She said that I am called to religious life. I also am too against the ...
  A: I'll warn you now, of these apparitions are telling you to be "against Vatican II", then there is a ...
New Author6/21/2008
  Q: M.J West, I am a new author and writting my first book. I was thinking about ...
  A: If in fact these events did occur, write it down and trust the spirit to make happen what needs to ...
Sainthood6/20/2008
  Q: J WEST, I for some reason feel called to three orders: Cistercian nuns, ...
  A: St. Gertrude was a Benedictine sister. Alas, many Benedictine Women's orders today have become ...
Am I called?6/18/2008
  Q: M.J, I feel for some reason called to become a sister. I want to become a nun, I just ...
  A: Jacqueline, Thank you for your question. I'm glad to see you're open to religious life (my wife ...
Confirmation6/16/2008
  Q: I've been preparing for Confirmation for quite some time. My sponsor has brought me closer to ...
  A: Cassie, Congratulations on being Confirmed in the Church. I don't know how old you are, which ...
Paganism6/6/2008
  Q: I am afraid that I might actually be in love with a pagan goddess (Aphrodite, to be exact). Though I ...
  A: Alex, I'm going to assume that you are not speaking about loving what you believe to be an actual, ...
an answer for muslims5/20/2008
  Q: I am a practicing catholic and in this age where islam is growing. I am curious your opinion about ...
  A: Well, being a sincere and devout Catholic who firmly believes that the fullness of the Truth resides ...
communion5/11/2008
  Q: M.J. West, I´m a catholic but I got married in the Church of England. when my first son was born I ...
  A: If I understand your situation correctly, the baptismal certificates should be kept at the Anglican ...
Souls and Beatitudes5/8/2008
  Q: I go to a catholic school and my teacher said that animals don't have souls so they can't go to ...
  A: Animals do have souls, for the soul is the form of the matter which composes the creature. All ...
Human sexuality (Theology)5/7/2008
  Q: Good afternoon. My name is James N from Bombay, India,R/C. I am reading Gaudium et spes,of Vatican ...
  A: Classically sex has been viewed as having a three fold purpose, though, that might line up with ...
go to this site5/5/2008
  Q: please go to this site and view open mindly http://thetruthexposed.webs.com
  A: One thing that annoys me is when I see Christians whose idea of "evangelization" is to stand on the ...
Theology (Marriage&sexuality4/25/2008
  Q: Deus Caritas Est. Iam a lay catholic interested in Theology. My name is James N from Bombay diocese ...
  A: James, Great question. The answer is N\no, one cannot act upon it. For the same reason that just ...
Theology (Marriage&sexuality)4/23/2008
  Q: Deus Caritas Est. I am R/C from Bombay, India. Iam intersted in catholic teachings about marriage ...
  A: I'm sorry James, but I do not fully understand your first question. Could you please re-state that. ...
martyrdom of St. Irenaeus of Lyons4/14/2008
  Q: Raphael again. I'd like some fine details regarding the death of this saint. I've tried popular ...
  A: Greetings Raphael, Irenaeus is one of my favorite Church Fathers. He was very influential in his ...
Interfaith marriage Question!3/26/2008
  Q: Good day , i was born a melkite creek catholique in a middle eastern country my mother is orthodox , ...
  A: "you a catholic priest yourself is that correct?!" No. I'm a married layman. "have you ever ...
Interfaith marriage Question!3/26/2008
  Q: Good day , i was born a melkite creek catholique in a middle eastern country my mother is orthodox , ...
  A: Marrying a non-Christian poses many problems that have to be resolved, but it is not a sin. Paul ...
please tell me about the sacraments3/25/2008
  Q: Hey i am in year 10 and i'm doing a religion assignment could you tell me all the sacraments in a ...
  A: We're not supposed to do your homework for you, but if you just Google "seven sacraments" you'd find ...

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