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Catholics/Questions Answered by Expert J.M.J. West
| Subject | Date Asked |
| John 14:27 | 6/8/2011 |
| Q: This question is about the meaning of the word "peace," as used in the verse, "Peace, I leave with ... A: The word translated here as "peace" is the Greek word "eirēnē." (It's the root if the ... | |
| Book of Leviticus | 6/6/2011 |
| Q: I noticed that questions are being answerd using passages from the book of Leviticus. Is this part ... A: With regards to eating clean animals and unclean animals, such prohibitions passed away with the ... | |
| Sola Scriptura | 6/1/2011 |
| Q: Sola scriptura was the rallying cry of the Protestant Reformation. For centuries the Roman Catholic ... A: Shawn, Thank you for your question. I think your problem stems from a misunderstanding of the ... | |
| Robotics and Christian Ethics | 5/18/2011 |
| Q: I have an assignment on Robotics and Christian ethics and would like a little help with it if ... A: "What is a Catholics view on robotics in general?" Robotics, or the development of mechanical ... | |
| yolie | 5/19/2010 |
| Q: my granddaughter asked me who decided what psalms, scriptures went into the Bible & why are some of ... A: Yolie, Thank you for your email. I'll refer you to a very handy site which delves into precisely ... | |
| Old Testament | 10/23/2009 |
| 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 multiplication | 5/13/2009 |
| 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. 12:3 | 5/13/2009 |
| 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 multiplication | 5/12/2009 |
| 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 Succession | 5/9/2009 |
| 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 ... | |
| prayer | 5/2/2009 |
| 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 14:26 | 4/29/2009 |
| 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 Success | 4/29/2009 |
| 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 death | 4/3/2009 |
| 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 Water | 3/21/2009 |
| 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 Reconciliation | 2/28/2009 |
| 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 Novenas | 2/4/2009 |
| 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 sin | 1/21/2009 |
| 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 ... | |
| anulment | 1/17/2009 |
| 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 Baptism | 1/9/2009 |
| 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 Church | 12/16/2008 |
| 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" Church | 12/8/2008 |
| 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 ... | |
| abortion | 12/3/2008 |
| 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 ... | |
| divorce | 11/29/2008 |
| 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 ... | |
| Kenosis | 11/29/2008 |
| 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 ... | |
| divorce | 11/28/2008 |
| 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 ... | |
| koran | 11/12/2008 |
| 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's | 11/11/2008 |
| 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's | 11/10/2008 |
| 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 ... | |
| Communion | 11/9/2008 |
| 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 not | 11/8/2008 |
| 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 healing | 11/7/2008 |
| 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 ... | |
| sprituality | 11/7/2008 |
| 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 yourself | 11/7/2008 |
| 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 seed | 11/7/2008 |
| 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 finance | 11/6/2008 |
| 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 finance | 11/4/2008 |
| 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 faith | 11/1/2008 |
| 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's | 10/31/2008 |
| 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 ... | |
| pergatory | 10/31/2008 |
| 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 Rock | 10/30/2008 |
| 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 salvation | 10/27/2008 |
| 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 ... | |
| priesthood | 10/27/2008 |
| 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 ... | |
| salvation | 10/27/2008 |
| 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 ... | |
| mary | 10/25/2008 |
| 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/Melchisedech | 10/24/2008 |
| 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 ... | |
| mary | 10/13/2008 |
| 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 ... | |
| mary | 10/12/2008 |
| 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 Love | 10/10/2008 |
| 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, ... | |
| Apparitions | 10/9/2008 |
| 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 ... | |
| HIM | 10/6/2008 |
| 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 faith | 10/5/2008 |
| 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 Teen | 10/3/2008 |
| 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 ... | |
| Dinosaurs | 9/29/2008 |
| 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 ... | |
| crisaning | 9/24/2008 |
| 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-History | 9/22/2008 |
| 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 ... | |
| marijuana | 9/8/2008 |
| 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 ... | |
| marijuana | 9/6/2008 |
| 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 killing | 8/25/2008 |
| 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 Lamb | 8/21/2008 |
| 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 faith | 8/16/2008 |
| 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 death | 8/7/2008 |
| 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 Hell | 8/5/2008 |
| 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 ... | |
| Symbolism | 8/3/2008 |
| 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 Mary | 8/1/2008 |
| 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 Jesus | 7/30/2008 |
| 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 Cyril | 7/10/2008 |
| 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 congregants | 7/3/2008 |
| 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 church | 6/22/2008 |
| 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 Author | 6/21/2008 |
| 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 ... | |
| Sainthood | 6/20/2008 |
| 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 ... | |
| Confirmation | 6/16/2008 |
| 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 ... | |
| Paganism | 6/6/2008 |
| 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 muslims | 5/20/2008 |
| 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 ... | |
| communion | 5/11/2008 |
| 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 Beatitudes | 5/8/2008 |
| 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 site | 5/5/2008 |
| 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&sexuality | 4/25/2008 |
| 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 Lyons | 4/14/2008 |
| 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 sacraments | 3/25/2008 |
| 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 ... | |
Catholics
Answers by Expert:
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
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