controversial
“Whoever teaches in any other way, not holding to the sound doctrines of our Lord Jesus Christ and the teaching proper to true religion, should be recognized as both conceited and ignorant, a sick man in his passion for polemics and controversy.” —1 Timothy 6:3-4
We humans enjoy controversy. It’s hard to get on TV or noticed on social media unless you say or do something controversial. Even in religion, denominations denounce one another, Protestants protest, and Catholics pontificate. We thrive on the polemics of politics, talk shows, and online editorials.
God calls this attitude “sick” (1 Tm 6:4). Our society’s passion for controversy indicates conceit and ignorance (1 Tm 6:4), “in a word, the bickering of men with twisted minds who have lost all sense of truth” (1 Tm 6:5). This sinful attitude results in “envy, dissension, slander, evil suspicions” (1 Tm 6:4). God tells us to “flee from all this. Instead, seek after integrity, piety, faith, love, steadfastness, and a gentle spirit” (1 Tm 6:11).
“Keep reminding people of these things and charge them before God to stop disputing about mere words. This does no good and can be the ruin of those who listen” (2 Tm 2:14). “Never act out of rivalry or conceit; rather, let all parties think humbly of others as superior to themselves” (Phil 2:3).
Prayer: Jesus, deliver and heal me from the sickness of enjoying controversy.
Promise: “In no way can a man redeem himself, or pay his own ransom to God.” —Ps 49:8
Praise: Angela exchanged her career in secular media to work for Catholic media.
Reference: (Come, meet Jesus through the Gospel of Luke. In this two-day seminar, you will receive instruction on one of the most beautiful books ever written, Oct. 13-15. Call 513-373-2397 or see www.presentationministries.com for information or to register.)
Rescript: "In accord with the Code of Canon Law, I hereby grant the Nihil Obstat for the publication One Bread, One Body covering the time period from August 1, 2023, through September 30, 2023. Reverend Steve J. Angi, Chancellor, Vicar General, Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio January 4, 2023"
The Nihil Obstat ("Permission to Publish") is a declaration that a book or pamphlet is considered to be free of doctrinal or moral error. It is not implied that those who have granted the Nihil Obstat agree with the contents, opinions, or statements expressed.