What it Means to be Catholic

All the great religious traditions have been this attempt to penetrate the mysteries of ultimate truth and ultimate reality and come up with an understanding of it that can be taught to others.
And just like with other forms of knowledge, we’ve always had this tendency to settle for an incomplete picture when it comes to the things we believe. But with religious truth, it gets even harder, because of this dimension of mystery.
Because truth, the whole truth, is something that is far bigger than we are. Whether God exists or not, one thing is for sure, and that is that there is a God sized something behind all reality.
And this is a problem for us, because this means that we have to accept a dimension of mystery in our religious knowledge and this makes us feel small, humble, and vulnerable and for whatever reason, we don’t like that.
GK Chesterton has this great quote about the difference between poets and logicians. He says that, “The poet only asks to get his head into the heavens. It is the logician who seeks to get the heavens into his head. And it is his head that splits.”
Whatever our picture of all truth is, it should be broad and it should leave a lot of room for mystery. As soon as we realize that the heavens don’t fit in our heads, we settle for an incomplete version that does.
And this is what the Catholic Church has always tried to push back against, and not without it’s own stumbles along the way, to be sure.
The word Catholic was first used by St. Ignatius of Antioch in the year 107 AD in a way that described the universality of the Church as found in the ministry of its bishops. He was portraying a Church united as a whole rather than one isolated by its constituent parts.
A few centuries later, St. Augustine used the word to differentiate between heretics and the true faith because by then, there had already been several attempts to try to reduce the scope of the Christian faith to some cheaper rationalization.
You see Catholicism describes itself as the fullness of the faith, but from the very beginning there were people who wanted a faith they could rationalize - one that would fit within their limited capacity for reason, one that didn’t require them to accept the residency of mystery. And this is what all the major heresies were an attempt to do.
So among the earliest heresies there was Arianism which couldn’t comprehend how Jesus was both human and divine. So they went with just human. Then there was Gnosticism which was this strange regression of Judaism and Christianity into pantheism.
Then there was Pelagianism which couldn’t make sense of God’s grace as a necessary component of salvation, so they just went with the idea that you can save yourself through your our own moral effort.
Fast forward about a thousand years and the protestant revolution happens which was grounded in the sola doctrines. Sola being Latin for “alone”. The Alone doctrines were reductions where they said things like we are saved by faith alone or Scripture alone is our authority. This created a more simplistic and narrow view of the Christian faith.
With each new heresy, the Church’s response was always to say, "No, truth is bigger than what you’re proposing. You need to widen the scope of your lens enough so that it does not discount mystery."
So, the definition of “Catholic” that I’ve always felt represented this dynamic best is “according to the whole” because the Church maintains and preserves the whole vista of truth even when we might want to narrow our gaze to just focus on some small aspect of the truth.
So, It’s not faith alone, it’s faith and love. It’s not scripture alone, it’s scripture and tradition.
Catholic, in this sense, means, not narrow minded. It doesn’t accept some counterfeit, small, compromised version of the truth even if it’s more palatable.
When someone tells you that you should be a socialist because you believe in caring for those in need, you remember that justice isn’t found by confiscating private property. When someone tells you should be a protestant because they have less rules, you know that less doesn’t mean more in this case. When someone tells you that science is the only way to know what’s true, you remember that there are dimensions of truth that exist outside of our intellectual capability.
Twitter: / briankeepsworth
Facebook: / brianholdsworthmedia
Business: www.holdsworthdesign.com

[@113msaunders]

So sad that so many parishioners no longer go to Confession! I am lucky that in my parish in North Wales we have the Traditional Latin Mass once per calendar month at a local church. Keep going Brian as your videos are a great help, thank you.

[@pauloicaro]

Man, you just have read my mind. It is basically a compilation of my insight. Great to see that someone else did it too. God bless you very much.

[@johndoe-lr9qc]

I'm glad I came across your channel, good content! Keep up the good work!

[@tadmorfilmfreelebanesetort2962]

How old is it

[@dimek1943]

Your videos state things so clearly and are so easy to understand, it's a pleasure to watch and listen to these videos!

[@apisDei]

Great argumentation, love it. Keep up the good work, Brian!

[@vic38290]

Yes! You really got the true meaning of what the word Catholic mean! I think that what you're saying can still be expanded into a much more deeper and wider reality of what the truth reaally is. Thank you for this realization!

[@reginasmith3149]

Wow, thanks Brian, I already agreed with all your points but I love how you presented them and you widened my appreciation of these truths. God bless you and your family and your mission.

[@desireelamare6543]

Your channel is absolutely amazing. Thank you :)

[@MegaRoadwolf]

Excellent video. Keep up the great work you've been doing, and don't get discouraged by the naysayers. God Bless you and your family.

[@mfundomzolo4498]

This is so powerful,the most inspiring video I've seen to date

[@Minutemanly]

God bless you! Such an incredible essay on our faith ❤️

[@AlfredoBlandonV]

Amazing as always Brian!

[@silulekomkhize7839]

WOW I'm happy to hear such a joyful truth, very poignant and impartial. Thanks

[@cabellero1120]

Wow! This is Incredible! I'd always wondered about so much of this A most enlightening video!

[@BeASaint]

Love this! Well said. History and Mystery - amen!

[@lylemiro9218]

I love your arguments so much!

[@francesconesi7666]

Thanks, I've never really considered my faith from this point of view. God bless you.

[@Lauramt2287]

Great video. Thanks!

[@normamendoza7337]

God bless you!! Great job explaining!!

[@marenlatham4349]

This was just excellent!

[@cantrait7311]

Great video Brian enjoyed it

[@Vivi-7902]

You are such a good teacher Remain blessed

[@Britfan06]

On point as always.

[@elspethsilverstar6136]

Awesome. I'm going to offer this to a pagan friend who is going to have some questions about my reversion to faith.

[@sdboyd]

Loved your insight.

[@yandes1004]

This is amazing!

[@AveChristusRex]

Impeccable analysis on the big picture.

[@OkCatholics]

Dude this is great! Next talk about Molinism! But seriously, I'm probably going to reference this in another video. This is excellent.

[@buffdrink]

another great video, Brian! :) I dont understand why your channel is not growing faster...

[@nisalperera1263]

Keep the fire burning Brian .may God be with you

[@Phummuph]

Excellent video Brian.

[@BrianHoldsworth]

Thanks T.J. Glad to see you're still watching!

[@mikkis668]

This was good. I liked it a lot. Protestant greetings from Finland.

[@kneelingcatholic]

Might help your presentation to include the earlier heresy of modalism(s). It also fits your paradigm of oversimplifications. Well done!

[@deborahsanders9692]

I love your videos. Keep it up. I am a new catholic. I look forward to this.

[@levisando]

ditto

[@neochris2]

These are some good points

[@methembethomastshuma9587]

I like how good you are at explaining all this marlakey

[@paulpoulin1200]

Thank you for all your excellent use of God's gift to you of your healthy and STRONG intellect. Be well.

[@claybailey6527]

Love how you worded it. I’m proud to be catholic

[@kichigan1]

Awesome

[@annamapt6760]

👍All the best. God bless.

[@MaiehSa]

Great vídeo :)

[@grannygoes7882]

Good job! Very concise and to the point! I grew up the daughter of a Church of Christ minister. There isn't a more anti-catholic group out there. I was a christian my whole life but had a very small piece of the pie. I have the whole pie now ;-)

[@caribaez5711]

Wow! Very good! 🙃💞

[@TepidTurtleWater]

I'm a Muslim and I want to say that I really enjoy your channel. As a convert, as well, I identify with a lot of what you say around the difficulty of coming to faith and navigating around various interpretations and institutions, while attempting to "find" God in the truest form possible, which, as you've hit on in this video, is not, necessarily, in a "place, to be "found," so to speak. What I'm saying is that I enjoy your humbleness and pointing towards the ineffability of God for which religion is, ultimately, an attempt at approaching God without fully understanding Him. I guess that so much of what you find in modern presentations of religion is a tendency to make God and religion palatable and easy to access vs this difficult journey that, ultimately, never ends because we are not God. It reminds me of my own difficulty in taking a tradition for what it is rather than attempting to shift it to fit preconceived notions of what's "right," and with this sufi concept that existence is directly tied to "finding [God]" and that to exist to be engaged in that constant movement from ourselves toward God.

[@BrianHoldsworth]

Hey! I'm glad to know you're watching. Thanks for your comment.

[@RitaS0831]

I know this is a 5 year old video so I am not sure if you will see this. This is such a good explanation of why someone, you or me are Catholic. I wish I could express myself like this. I have a relative that doesn't believe in God and sometimes I would like to scream. Also I would like to say these things to my children. I listen to you now and then but most of the time I feel like I don't understand you because you a too intellectual. I have a master's degree and I still don't always get your point. Thanks for your input and deep faith.

[@Obedience33]

Your relative acts as his own little god.

[@marrenja8773]

May Jesus keep guiding you in making videos.

[@cravingpeace.]

You're a very wise young man.

[@TheGerogero]

I'm going to carry on that Chesterton quote.

[@danieldttesfaye]

I've nothing to ta say, I love it.

[@carl-catholicmusic-english3039]

I was when i was younger a weak Catholic ( parents were non practicing) eventually after their divorce , I met supêr nice lady who was a Pentecostal.....it was great for a certain time (bible readings wow fellowship) but when i got to more truth in a evangelical conference in Canada, one speaker talking about evangelism ```to know more is really is to learn from the Catholics he said WOW a Protestant. Plus what dawn on me and I saw what really more everyday so many of the Protestants I knew were against the Catholic Church, The Pope (I loved Jean Paul 2 even when I was Protestant) after 8 years it was enough for me....since the year 2000 I m a Catholic strong and proud and lets go to spread the Good News, pray and care for one another AMEN . You can see my videos and conversion story , plus music in our parish or my apologetics in english, French or spanish.

[@tomrosete5956]

word of the day,,take note people,, MYSTERY,,God bless \m/

[@powerliftingcentaur]

I sense you are far more conservative than myself, but no one could consider this video as anything but great. I shall always look forward to what you have to say. Kudos.

[@1218wbentrup]

Jesus was the most conservative of all. He was always saying,"Go and sin no more," and "Unless you REPENT you will all likewise perish". Do you really think he meant those things he said.

[@krschu00]

1218wbentrup Jesus was a socialist.

[@5kydragon347]

@ Kenneth, He actually wasn’t

[@powerliftingcentaur]

I eventually changed my mind and recently unsubscribed from his channel.

[@5kydragon347]

@@powerliftingcentaur How come?

[@justinm8801]

Good video

[@leoinsf]

Your sincerity about Catholicism is refreshing. As a new Catholic, you answer questions that are different from the usual Catholic line of reasoning. I was a Catholic for 45 years and left when I realized that moralism shouldn't be the focus of a person's spirituality when it is obvious that Jesus Christ was not moralistic in His encounter with people as recorded in the New Testament. There is something about the fact that Catholicism has catechisms for its beliefs, "super-theological" answers to people's questions about their beliefs as if "winning arguments" is what "spirituality" is all about, and a "universe" of sacramentals e.g. incense, holy water, holy pictures, etc. to make its own version of religion seem "intellectual" and "busy." Meanwhile if you read the parable of "the Pharisee and the Publican," you know that Catholicism, like Judaism, is a "Pharisee" religion when Jesus preferred the "Publican" with his simple belief and "open-heart" which is what religion is all about. There will come a time for you when you come to the realization that Catholicism in its "we have all the answers" attitude really is a clerical religion where the priests and religious are "active" in the practice of their religion and the layman just "sits in the pew and lets the priest do it all." Catholicism is not about Jesus, but about the power of the Holy Roman Catholic Church and its Middle-Ages focus of God as our Judge and the reality of Purgatory and Hell. Anyone who allows the Catholic Church to dominate his or her intellect will soon find that "reading scriptures" is unnecessary and to most Catholics, reading the bible is just not done.

[@JM-qs8up]

Brian, with your growing channel that deals with media and religion, have you learned about St Maximilian Kolbe's Militia Immaculatae? I think you could do such good for the church as a Knight for the Immaculate Virgin, promoting devotion to her, encouraging devotion to the Miraculous medal, discussing the errors of Freemasons.

[@BrianHoldsworth]

Julia Mary Thanks. I'm not familiar with them. How should I go about learning more?

[@JM-qs8up]

Brian Holdsworth Here is a website you could look at for more information. militia-immaculatae.info/en/

[@Catholic4Rednecks]

Cool hair, dude

[@carole-anneferre3134]

OH MY GOD Brian, I've never heard something speak so accurately of the Catholic Church. It is all about pull up people because we knoe human nature fight between darkness and good. Catholicism is a beauty for our soul because it is both within us but also above and we cannot do anything about it or believe in God and accept his mystery. And I agree that protestants (all its denimination included) miss something. They are narrow minded.

[@Kitiwake]

The term "Catholic church" is in fact in scripture. In the book of Acts 9:31 the original Greek talks about Ekklesia Katholes”. Those two words translate into modern English as the Catholic church when referring to the church.

[@piper_sss]

Thanks that’s awesome ! I didn’t know this

[@badpictureman9638]

Pretty slick.

[@romastautavicius2084]

Pray Lord Jesus,I'm sinner.Please save me. I believe you died for me sins. Please come into my heart and be my personal saviour

[@tinman1955]

Yeah, the universe is mystery upon mystery. And mystery is another word for uncertainty. Every scientific discovery yields more questions than answers. When I was your age I though it most important to know whether religious doctrine is true. I found only doubt & uncertainty. Now, I think the important question is whether religious principles benefit us or hinder us. If religion causes us to live happier, more productive lives then I'd call it a good thing even though we'll never know whether the God we pray to in church is what we imagine or if he's actually listening.

[@ashwith]

Presented by uCatholic?! NICE! :-)

[@noteinteresa]

Hello, I'm a catholic woman living in Santiago de Compostela, Spain. Are you a member of Opus Dei?

[@jacobbudd2011]

*universal* *plays universal studio music

[@KerriRusnak]

But when someone says there are other ways of having a relationship with God outside the church? I'm very humbly asking this question.

[@Valerius123]

This video reminds me of Gödel's Incompleteness Theorem. If you don't know about it I highly recommend looking into it. In short Gödel proved that any system based on a set of axioms will always have true statements that can never be proved. Not really applicable to this video but yeah. Thought I'd share.

[@lynnstefanick7071]

I agree with the idea of grandness and mystery but I would argue that for the common person Catholicism narrows rather than enlarges understanding. Sola as pertains to Scripture is boundless and beautiful and full of mystery and Protestantism returns the walk with the indwelling Holy Spirit to the people rather than primarily relying on a magisterium. One church yes but much larger than the Catholic insistence on it being them alone

[@caleblagrange7164]

this is the 2018 version of burning heretics at the stake, keep 'em coming Brian 😆

[@AlfredoBlandonV]

Brilliant comment! XD

[@rev.jon2277]

Nothing burnt but intellectual yet illogical pointless pride. Freedom may be freedom to be ignorant

[@caleblagrange7164]

Rev.Jon2 sorry, I meant *T O R C H E D*

[@stanstevens6289]

So you like the idea of burnig heretics... how compassionate.

[@caleblagrange7164]

Stan Stevens I thought the emoji made it clear I was joking

[@tipofmytongue1024]

Do you attend a Traditional Parish or a Novus Ordo Mass? I grew up in the Novus Ordo and recently discovered the Latin Mass. Always was aware of it like it was this big secret in the Church but never attended it until now. The difference is astounding. I never really ever liked the "Let us offer each other a sign of peace" even when I was a kid. So when I attended the Latin Mass and that wasn't there, I was overjoyed. LOL or even when the Pastor would make jokes in the sermon..or people clapping after Mass is over, it even happened in Adoration, people clapping....I'm like y'all know The Lord is present right? I was guilty of joining the clapping when I was younger, now I know better. Just my two cents rant.

[@caleblagrange7164]

Deus vault buddy

[@JodianWarrior]

Clapping during Mass doesn't belong in Novus Ordo Masses any more than in more traditional Mass. The introduction of the Novus Ordo coincided with a liberalization of the Church (i.e. Catholics, not the Magisterium) and an end to regular catechesis, resulting in a plethora of misconceptions about the liturgy. That means that many liturgical errors (clapping, non-liturgical music, ugly churches) often went hand-in-hand with the Ordinary Form of the Mass, but this does not mean that they are *part of* the Novus Ordo. That being said, I think the Extraordinary Form has its place in the Church.

[@TomLandry1]

tip - FWIW, I've only been Catholic for a few years now, and only been to a TLM once (and watched a few on video). And that leaves me unable to comment on the TLM with anything approaching a real appreciation of it. But as for the Novus Ordo, I've seen enough of TLM to know that I earnestly wish the N.O. could be shifted (and Drastically) back towards a more traditional style of worship!! For the life of me, I can't understand why the Church created the N.O. in the first place, rather than simply allowing the Priest/Celebrant and Servers to speak the same words in the vernacular rather than speaking in Latin. (well, I have my theories, but no need to get into that.... :-/ ) As for the "sign of peace", I asked a Priest on our local radio about the "sign of peace", as it's my very least favorite part of the N.O. Mass and it seems the most Protest-ant and out of place of part of the Mass. He pointed me to Justin Martyr who wrote in the second century that Catholics shared "the kiss of peace" during Mass even back then. Its apparently in Justin Martyr's First Apology, and also in St. Augustine's Sermon 227. Word on Fire has done a nice blog article on it as well. www.wordonfire.org/resources/blog/st-justin-martyr-on-the-eucharist-and-the-ancient-mass/4780/ As for Clapping, and all similar abuses (like holding hands and laypeople using Orans posture, etc.) I'm in complete agreement that it has (almost) No Place whatsoever at Mass. (the only possible exception might be when new members are admitted, or during announcements at the end when someone is recognized for some specific accomplishment, etc.) This, to me, seems to be the greatest tragedy of the Novus Ordo, that it's invited abuse and "Novelty", which IMO should be zealously guarded against by The Church.

[@caleblagrange7164]

Tom Landry Vatican 2 much

[@JodianWarrior]

I fully agree. Fortunately, many young priests and seminarians would agree with you, so we might see a turnaround over the next few decades.

[@dallasmcquarrie1937]

Brian, you spoke for seven minutes about 'What it Means to be a Catholic.' and never once broached the topic what being a disciple of Christ means, our relationship our relationship to Jesus as the Incarnate word, the love of God and love of neighbor as self as being the two greatest commandments. Yes, we seek truth and acknowledge mystery, but it was Jesus who declared 'I am the way, the TRUTH and the life.' It's easy to say 'Scripture and Tradition,' but when there is a debate over what Tradition really is, who decides (that's why the Petrine Ministry is so important to Catholics)? Yes, we are a religion that seeks truth while embracing mystery, but to even imply that people who are not Catholic are somehow 'narrow minded' and less open to truth than we are is uncomfortably close to the position taken by the Pharisee in the temple thanking God that he was not like other men. While we as Catholics are anxious to share what we have, we can also learn from others because the flow of God's grace is not limited by sectarian boundaries.

[@BrianHoldsworth]

I appreciate the critique Dallas. This video was a reflection, for me, about what the word Catholic means. When I first encountered the etymology of the word, it seemed strangely foreign from the concept of Christianity. This is my attempt to bridge that understanding after having reflected on it during my time as a believing Catholic. I do take for granted the essentials of Christianity and try to build on those. Thanks for your thoughtful feedback.

[@monicao7344]

Dallas McQuarrie When one talks of the church it doesn’t mean he is excluding Christ. The church is the body of Christ. He is the head, we are the rest of the Body.

[@dallasmcquarrie1937]

Hi Monica: When we confess our faith and state that ‘we believe in one holy, catholic and apostolic church’ (Nicene Creed), the word “catholic” here simply means the universal priesthood of all believers. The use of the small ‘c’ catholic does not refer, and should not be interpreted as referring, simply to those in the Roman, or other Catholic, communions. As such, the Nicene Creed encompasses BOTH Catholics and Protestants. To say we that we are small ‘c’ ‘catholics’ does not distinguish between us as Catholic and our Protestant brothers and sisters as followers of Christ. On the other hand, what distinguishes us as Capital ‘C’ Roman “Catholics” from other denominations are things like the Petrine Ministry, our beliefs about Mary, and so on. The fact that Protestants do not accept the Pope as the successor of St. Peter simply means they are not Capital ‘C’ Catholics, but they are still members of the universal priesthood of all believers, that is, small ‘c’ catholics. The small ‘c’ word “catholic” meaning “on the whole” (as Brian pointed out) is not a world that applies ONLY to large ‘C’ Catholics. When this video was described as ‘What it Means to be [large ‘C’] Catholic,’ it looks like the video will discuss the differences between Roman Catholics and others (ie-Protestants). The video itself is somewhat confusing, and perhaps misleading, because it fails to note the key difference between small ‘c’ “catholic” and Capital ‘C’ “Catholic.” The video talked about what it means to be small ‘c’ catholic, not what it means to capital ‘C’ Roman Catholic … I was expecting a video that explained why Brian became a Capital ‘C’ Catholic rather than simply an explanation of the small ‘c’ word “catholic” that also applies to other denominations.

[@dallasmcquarrie1937]

Brian, you explored the etymology of the the small 'c' word "catholic" which has quite a different meaning from the Capital 'C' word "Catholic." Whether or not one capitalizes the word "catholic" makes a very significant difference in what the word means. Thus I was expecting a video that explained what it means to be a Capital 'C' (Roman) Catholic, not simply the exploration of the meaning of a word that applies equally to Protestant believers s as well as to Capital 'C' Catholic believers. For a more complete explanation, see my reply to Monica immediately below.

[@dallasmcquarrie1937]

Brian, you explored the etymology of the the small 'c' word "catholic" which has quite a different meaning from the Capital 'C' word "Catholic." Whether or not one capitalizes the word "catholic" makes a very significant difference in what the word means. Thus I was expecting a video that explained what it means to be a Capital 'C' (Roman) Catholic, not simply the exploration of the meaning of a word that applies equally to Protestant believers s as well as to Capital 'C' Catholic believers. For a more complete explanation, see my reply to Monica immediately below.

[@jamesmarvin7831]

I remain a protestant, although a lot unorthodox I suppose. One of my favorite things to see is catholics acting in roughly the manner you are in your video sets. You see I believe there are christians in all walks of faith and there are those who are not in many christian walks of faith. But it's not my place to determine which is which. In the last ten years I have learned a lot about what makes liturgy important to my Lutheran mother in law. The many ways those traditions reinforce her position making her family feel safe in their faith. I have an appreciation for that coming from a protestant background which is incredibly chaotic. This is admirable in your people and to be held up. And more importantly something to be sought by those who have lost it in large part. However lest I give a dishonest praise and artificially "puff u up" which by my interpretation of the gospel is to be avoided for what I see as obvious reasons; The struggle you pointed out concerning calling men father is a real thing for a lot of people. And I think most sit on either a catholic side of "it wasn't literal" or a protestant side of God is father and no other no not even our biological in the end only God. Although that itself is seen un-literally by Protestants. The thruth I believe is that it was a warning after adoration. Similar to the warnings concerning wolves in sheep's clothing. And the Catholic Faith comes dangerously close for a lot of those practicing it to outright adoration of the pope.So there are some criticisms but we should try not to let those make us assume none exist in either camp of right mind or of zero likeness to Christ. Try not to be too rough on us in your quest to support your own faith brother. We don't need to consolidate Denominations to simply achieve simply not judging and hating a vessel we are not privy to the whole of. Anyhow, God Bless your road if your intentions are true.

[@jimchumley6568]

James Marvin God will bless his road when he leaves the cult of catholicism and embraces the truth only found in Christ.

[@jasonh.8754]

That was actually very interesting. The idea that Catholicism maintains a necessary level of mystery is intriguing. A Scientist would look at mystery as something to be solved - they are problem solvers. But the Catholic likes to create problems by witholding information. It's a form of control, and the problem solvers are kept in a position of eternal struggle because they are prevented from doing what they are designed to do. In many way Scientists are a little autistic, and they have to be treated carefully otherwise they might hurt themselves or someone else.

[@markpugner9716]

I would say that Catholicism doesn't "like to create problems" but rather acknowledges when there are things that happen which cannot be explained. The problem solvers aren't prevented from trying to understand things - have you seen all the theological speculation published by Catholics? - but there's things that, save for a divine message or a huge jump in scientific ability, we don't be fully understanding for a long time.

[@romastautavicius2084]

Pray to God

[@leslierowan5437]

lovely....and real... and honest.....

[@robertblackwell2001]

Im throwing into the Mix guitarist Mike Bloomfield,the best of the best and Jewish,so there

[@patrickmanway290]

What does that have to do with this video?

[@patrickmanway290]

He's talking about Catholicism, not Judiasm.

[@robertblackwell2001]

Listen, pal, the question is the usual stupid stuff apologists for Pious Oppressive Cruelty put out, and will always do, as Clerics male or female are plain Cowards in Europe West/Nordica...Bloomfield's music is just a small balm,but high quality

[@eduardovalentin9416]

I think I speak for all the Orthodox watching this video who are also nodding their heads in affirmation of these statements. What I do find curious though is that while some of Catholicism is like this, all we have to do is look at the scholastic tradition of the Roman church to see that its not really true. Men like Anselm, and Aquinas were all about using rationalistic means to discover the truth and it is with Anselm that the idea of Christ assuming our debt and thereby facing the wrath of God as a result is gotten from which leads to the incomplete picture of atonement which is penal substitution. I hope there are more thinkers like you brian which acknowledge and affirm the mystery and reject all forms of rationalistic reductions of the mysteries of the faith!

[@richardbenitez7803]

For me Brian is trying to add to the faith and practice of Catholics to remind us that our knowledge of who god is can never be fully known and our practice cannot be fully appreciated. Brian is saying to be catholic is to understand this. From our earliest instruction as a K-3 kid this open ended ness is taught as a reverence for which we bow in submission to god. Isaiah 55;8-9 is ...for my thoughts are not your thoughts.. And Isaiah 55:11 ...my word will not return to me empty”.. The Orthodox Church actively discourages theological inquiry or the faithful from speculating to deeply on the faith. The orthodox asks the faithful to accept the mystery of that which is holy. Brian is asking Catholics to appreciate the depth the church brings to each of us. Unfortunately, Catholics can be too influenced by Protestant theology where god is almost reduced to a thin knowable entity and our relationship to god as a Protestant is almost fully understand able.

[@djketler]

Hey! At 5:12, you say, "it's faith and love," and then, "it's scripture and tradition". The second, scripture versus tradition, is a popular disagreement among Christians. Following that train of thought, I'd expect you to say "faith and works". Why do you say "faith and love"? Or am I reading too much into this?

[@BrianHoldsworth]

Because works is often misconstrued as works of the law (as in Mosaic law) which are not a binding in the new covenant. But love is expected of us. Jesus told us to care for the least and that if we don't, we will be cast aside. Jesus describes this judgement in Matthew 25 when those who enter into his kingdom do so because they loved their neighbor (especially the least) according to the pattern of Jesus' teachings. It's probably best summarized in Galatians 5:6, "For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth anything, nor uncircumcision; but faith working through love.'

[@djketler]

Awesome. Thanks for the clarification, and keep up what you're doing!

[@liljade53]

most non catholic Christ followers would agree that loving one another,and helping, meeting the needs of, the poor, are an essential part of the Walk. CBN's Operation Blessing, Samaritan's Purse, World Vision, The Salvation Army; all non Catholic organizations, to name a few.

[@mikelopez8564]

@@liljade53 Coffee, if by essential you mean essential for salvation, that would not be true. Very few Protestant churches would say that. Certainly not any reformed churches.

[@liljade53]

@@mikelopez8564 I believe it was Luther who said we are saved for good works, not by Good Works

[@surfk9836]

1:39 Had to pause right there. "The universe they tell us, had a begining". Who are they? Are they qualified? Most likely you are referring to the Big Bang. While it is considered an event, it is in no way determined to be a begining. The begining of the universe as we see it now, yes. But the universe had a form prior to the Big Bang. Please rely on cosmologist for information.

[@levisando]

5:55 taxation is theft

[@cwegers3]

10 percent of Americans have an IQ of less than 84 , which means they don't qualify for the armed forces , and pretty much any kind of meaningful and paid labor . How do they get by ? Taxation is a basic requirement of any civilised society . Why carrot top threw in the anti socialism comment is really quite bizarre from a christian point of view .

[@levisando]

cwegers2 Have you heard of charity? Since you seem to say you know what a Christian point of view is, one would think that you know of this concept.

[@caleblagrange7164]

cwegers2 The Catholic catechism condemns socialism because charity must be voluntary. "carrot top" is a Catholic.

[@cwegers3]

To sit back and rely on charity is stupidly naive . Meanwhile people starve .

[@caleblagrange7164]

cwegers2 So people should give to the poor but they won't unless the government makes them? sounds like you're describing the nanny state that'll take muh bumpstock.

[@notsure855]

God bless you my brother, but please revise your statement about Arianism. I believe it to be untrue and misleading .

[@zukameku2308]

I find some of these arguments quite unconvincing. First and foremost, I feel you rightly make an appeal to the unfamiliarity and distinctness of Christianity compared to other more typical human faiths in an appeal to the truthfulness of Christianity. Ironically, I consider this point to be a valid criticism of Catholicism. The basic structure of Catholicism seems to me to be appallingly human: hierarchical structures of authority that operate more or less like a regular human hierarchy of any normal organization. It operates like a kingdom that even has its own city-state and literal, actual castles with a throne. I cannot reconcile the celebrity status of the Pope and high ranking Catholic officials, as well as the power that they wield in their communities with the meek Jesus, who told us that if we wanted to be great we had to be the least, and also not to build a kingdom on earth, but instead establish ourselves in heaven. The catholic church on the other hand is the opposite of meek: it is opulent, powerful, influential, wealthy beyond measure, and wields power and authority that at many times in history rendered it the most powerful organization on the planet. I also find it interesting that you consider appeals to mystery to be a point in favor of the Catholic church, when the church itself is the one that codifies doctrine and even does the work of interpreting scripture for the lay person. It is an organization that literally claims to know the proper way, and the proper way to salvation. In behavior, I can absolutely see how something like the catholic church would be born out of natural human intentions, and especially in the time and way that it was founded. It represents a response to all of the issues that discipleship to Jesus would raise - but instead of allowing God to support us, we built rigid human systems to take his place. If I was correct about my assertions here, that Catholicism really is just a human scaffolding built around an otherwise real and genuine truth, what would we expect to see? Well of course, like any human system founded on human principles, you would see wide spread corruption and abuse of power. I won't try to make this case via example but I think we all know there is a case to be made. You may also find certain doctrines being defended that were handed down from a different cultural time period, or different set of beliefs (Marianism). You may also find historical examples of church abuse and use of doctrine that violate obvious principles (payment for absolution). I would also expect to see things such as difficulties with human central figures like popes, that you yourself have expressed. Anyway, I think this statement sums up why I will not be converting to Catholicism: if the Catholic church is not a merely human invention, it does a very good job of appearing appallingly human in nature and origin, and violates the disruptive and incompatible kingdom of heaven as taught to us by Jesus himself.

[@markpugner9716]

You seem to be saying that God would have to prevent issues in the Catholic Church if it wasn't a merely human invention.

[@nickboldan7833]

Your message - that what can't be explained about the world is a mystery that one should accept - can be (and has been) used by just about every religious, spiritual and philosophical system in history to dodge the illogical, inconsistent, nonsensical elements of its system. There are so many questions raised by Christianity that deserve clear answers, and if someone refuses to accept your claims because your arguments and evidence don't hold up to scrutiny, that can't just be brushed aside with a Chesterton quote about man's inability to accept mystery. All I hear is, "We don't know how to explain our bullshit, so just take it as a mystery". Was there a historical Adam and Eve, which Evolution seriously calls into question? Doesn't God's perfect foreknowledge invalidate free will? Does the Bible have any errors or inconsistencies (to which most modern historians and scholars would say, "yes")? Why did God order innocent women & children to be slaughtered in a genocide in the Old Testament? You talked about being open-minded. So would you practice what you preach: are you willing to consider the possibility that Christianity is not true? Would you ever question a certain Catholic dogma if you seriously felt it was untrue? I offer you a much better vision of the world, a much better explanation for many of the questions we seek. It is a system of thought called Process Theology, one that has helped me and many others, including former Catholics, tremendously on my spiritual journey. It makes no divine claims for itself, offers a holistic picture that incorporates scientific, moral, aesthetic, philosophical and religious ideas in a beautiful way, and has no dogmatic requirements - only your interest and willingness to learn. Here is an awesome little video that gives a lovely introduction: kzbin.info/www/bejne/iZ29nXWejsyqZ5Y I would love for you to engage in a discussion with me on this. Let's move closer to truth together @BrianHoldsworth

[@maxfig4167]

in a long run you guys will be learning that you can't squid all truth into your brain, I propose you and exercise. the space is infinite. imagine going in a space ship traveling at a very fast speed thru space, and try going to infinite. I bet you will find yourself creating imaginary walls along the way, that's because our mind is limited, it can't comprehend infinite, and god itself is infinite. this is what make some scientists now claim that there is more than one universe, (however the word universe means everything). there is no way you can have more than one universe but the inability to go infinite, make people to create borders, to be able to include more in our mind. that's what I love about Catholic church. it does not limit. to religion. it except science as well, but show me the proof, and I will change my teaching but never tell me that god doesn't exist.

[@caleblagrange7164]

didn't read, but nice Fedora

[@nickboldan7833]

I believe in God. But my conception of God is similar to, but not perfectly aligned with, the Christian one. Aside from your atrocious grammar and spelling, I actually respect your reply because you didn't at all say anything that conflicts with my original post. Man indeed is finite, and God is greater than anything we can FULLY know. However, what we DO know ought to be coherent, consistent and logical; and I think there are elements of Christianity which are not (and some elements which severely are not).

[@habituallinestepper9879]

Oh look, a slightly different version of Gnosticism. Where in the world did you get the idea that there aren't answers to these questions you've posted? That's silly. There's no question you'll come up with that hasn't been asked and answered over the last 2000 years. Your new brand of religion or gnosticism is just like the old ones. Promising "true" enlightenment to those who will trust in you.

[@caleblagrange7164]

T F Mani in the KZbin comments eh? Where Augustine at?

[@billy1132]

For 24yrs i was a Roman Catholic Till 1996 i read The Holy Bible n became Catholic! Praise Our Lord GOD JESUS CHRIST!!!

[@timothyfreeman97]

So what changed?

[@kendaugherty3828]

I am thinking about authoring a book titled, "Why Be Catholic?" It will be 100 pages long, and when you turn each page, it will be blank. However, there will be a conclusion that will look something like this: CONCLUSION: "Yet the GRACE of Baptism DELIVERS NO ONE."(Catechism of the Catholic Church 978) Who DELIVERS then? The Catholic Church??? No, it's not the useless SACRAMENTS Rome peddles to ignorant people. Remember, water Baptism "delivers no one" from sin. They offer a CHEAP GRACE that can never save you. Only by "the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth," (v.10) the living God, can one be saved: "NOR is there salvation in ANY other, for there is NO other name UNDER heaven GIVEN AMONG MEN by which we must be saved.”(Acts 4:12) "But as many as RECEIVED Him, to THEM He GAVE the RIGHT to become children of God, to THOSE who BELIEVE in His NAME: who were BORN, NOT of blood, NOR of the will of the flesh, NOR of the will of man, BUT OF GOD" - John 1:12-13 You must be "BORN...OF GOD"

[@mayaportland8805]

But Catholics worship statues and icons....when in the Bible says we definitely shouldn't worship anything made by humans or any created being, not even saints or angels? So, how is all this ok with you?

[@levisando]

Catholics actually don't worship statues or icons. Or, more accurately, they're told that they shouldn't.

[@fcastellanos57]

Brian, go to the scriptures. You or anybody don’t have to belong to any religion, Catholic, protestant, Orthodox etc, to be a follower of Christ. Use the Scriptures as the source of your christian knowledge. Most of our true understanding comes from our relationship with the Holy Spirit. As we read the scriptures we understand more what the real point of the christian faith is which what I have found is, the main point of Jesus’s death and resurrection is to first forgive our sins so that the Father can send us His Spirit to make us a new creation by the union of His Spirit and our spirit and then by our obedience and denial of ourselves, we can grow in true righteousness which God gives, by producing in us the Fruit of the Spirit. That’s Christianity in a nutshell. Of course, we are looking forward to the new body Jesus promised we were to receive just like his, a spiritual but physical body that never dies or gets old or anything of that sort, in addition, there is the new heavens and the new earth God is also planing for us to live in. We are more than victorious but it starts with faith and continues with it all the way through.

[@BrianHoldsworth]

I agree that your summary of Christianity, in a nutshell, is accurate, but when I go to the scriptures, which is what I did when I first became a Christian, I found that Jesus established a Church to teach and judge with authority. That same authority is depicted throughout the New Testament. I also found that Jesus told them that whoever hears you, speaking to his apostles, hears me and whoever rejects you, rejects me ( Lk. 10:16). IOW, you can't reject his Church who speaks on his behalf without rejecting him. The version of individualistic Christianity that you're describing is a man made religion.

[@fcastellanos57]

Hi Brian, Religion is made by man when they take a certain interpretation and make followers that agree with him. Early christianity never had anything to do with Mary, praying to saints, popes, sacraments, priests or things of that sort. As a believer you are a priest to offer spiritual sacrifices. Also you become a temple of God since the Holy Spirit must dwell in you if you are a true born again christian. Jesus is building his church by revelation of who he is and we are connected to him which is a union of His Spirit with ours. The power of God is received through the Holy Spirit in us which by our obedience in keeping Jesus’s words, we grow and produce the Fruit of the Spirit which is described in 1 Corinthians 13. No priest is needed since Jesus is our high priest offered once for all and we christians accept this sacrifice for the forgiveness of our sins and the promise Holy Spirit to indwell us and give us a new nature. There is no human intervention in this process, we also start and finish with faith in God’s word believing what he promised. No need for ceremonies, or mass, or anything of that sort. There is no apostolic succession as claimed, the 12 apostles where in charged of the 12 tribes of Israel, Paul was chosen to go to the gentiles and Paul did not constituted a special person or office to take his place after his departure. The letter from Paul and the Gospels have what we need to grow spiritually, also the Holy Spirit guides people to teach and instruct in righteousness, we don’t need any more revelation from God for what He intends to do with us. You find all this as you read the letters from Paul mostly. God bless you brother, I know you are searching.

[@BrianHoldsworth]

@@fcastellanos57 OK. You made some very specific claims. Can you cite these things in the bible? - Religion is made by man (and presumably bad). - Early Christianity didn't have anything to do with Mary, saints, popes, sacraments, priests. I'm sorry, but the Church fathers and much of the bible disagrees. The NT clearly deliniates between the authority of the apostles and other disciples in the community. It's everywhere in acts and that same authority is exercised in the writing of letters and establishing of churches. Sacraments? Baptism, Confession, Communion, Matrimony, Holy Orders, and Anointing of the Sick are explicit in the Bible. (1 Peter 3:21, John 20:23, John 6:53/Luke 22:19-20, Ephesians 5:31, 1 Timothy 4:14, James 5:14-15, respectively). - No priest is needed? Where is that explicitly taught? The early Church had apostles and bishops which succeeded them as well as the presbyters that they ordained as helpers. "Take care to do all things in harmony with God, with the bishop presiding in the place of God, and with the presbyters in the place of the council of the apostles, and with the deacons, who are most dear to me, entrusted with the business of Jesus Christ, who was with the Father from the beginning and is at last made manifest." - St. Ignatius of Antioch, early second century.

[@fcastellanos57]

Hi Brian, I am glad to explain what I said. This may be a matter of opinion but I do not consider the gospel as a religion but as a covenant with the Lord. Religion on the other hand is men trying to satisfy God somehow by their own merits. God has chosen a way of regeneration and reconciliation of men to himself by means of the cross. God demands perfections which only he can give so any man made addition to what God has set up, I would consider this to be religion. If you read Paul letters, no mention of any reverence or special consideration to Mary existed, nor any other office except elders with various names. You may want to listen to James White, he has debated extensively catholics on many of these issues. Hebrews explains why there is no more need of sacrifices since Christ was the perfect sacrifice and no need of any other is acceptable to God. That Peter was the first pope that’s another error that catholicism has, even Peter considered us believers to be rocks in the building of Christ body being Christ the corner stone where the building is based on. I realize all these points I am touching are lengthy that’s why I strongly recommend James White’s debates. He goes deep into all these issues that I am sure you will find eye opening. I am not protestant , I was brought up as Catholic but soon I realized the mistakes and plain error in their teachings. The gospel is simple, faith in the work of jesus on the cross and repentance or turning away from sin will allow the Father to send us His Spirit. This is His power to transform us as we obey from within, this is the connection we need with God and it is all God’s work to make us grow so that we become like our Lord. Remember the parable of the sower, or when Jesus says in John I am the true vine, this connection is through God’s Holy Spirit, no need of priests or anybody else. This is between you and God only by faith and the works we produce should be the Fruit of the Spirit. The simplicity of the gospel became corrupted very early in the history of Christianity, even at the time of Paul, the doctrine was being corrupted if you read Galatians you will see this happening, Augustine and Thomas Aquinas brought Greek concepts and wrong doctrine to gospel and made it very complex, with the addition of greek philosophy, later Constantine by making Christianity the state religion, all kinds of pagan customs got into the Christian doctrine including the worship of Mary, saints, the rosary.. What is actually going on in Catholicism with all the sexual perversion etc are just fruits of a rotten institution, Remember what Jesus said, by their fruits you will know them. Unfortunately this is the truth and I feel sorry for those that are involved in these institution . . God bless you brother.

[@BrianHoldsworth]

@@fcastellanos57 I understand your definition of religion, but the Bible doesn't teach that, anywhere. You also didn't cite anything else from the Bible other than vague references. I quoted several passages that contradict your claims as well as a Church Father. If you like James White, you should know that he's a big fan of Augustine, so I'd be careful about throwing him under the bus. Read the Church fathers. The things you claim Constantine introduced was all there long before his reign.

[@savedbygrace8337]

To be a catholic means that you go into a booth with a catholic priest and tell him your Sins. Hoping he can forgive them, but he can’t. To be catholic means you say thousands of repetitious prayers to a dead woman Thinking she can hear you and answer them,she can’t. To be catholic means if you miss their ritual mass on Sunday You will burn in hell, you won’t. To be catholic means JESUS death on the cross was not sufficient for your salvation, Tthat you have to be “cleansed” in a non existent place called purgatory,you don’t.

[@AwaitHasten]

I’m not Protestant (unCatholic) because there are less rules, I’m Protestant because what I read in the Bible about the Church and Jesus, doesn’t line up with Catholic doctrine. Just an FYI. (Coming from a former Catholic) I appreciate your videos though!

[@marcihf9763]

Um ok. LOL

[@1218wbentrup]

@@levisando Reading comprehension is key. He said it has nothing to do with LESS rules, he found discrepancies between Scripture and Catholic dogma.

[@southernlady1109]

Being Catholic is being one with God, receiving Him, Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity in Holy Communion. 1 Cor 11:23-29, Jn 6:51-59 We are a part of His Kingdom of Heaven and Earth with the Angels and Saints. Eph 2:19-22 Jesus Christ established His One True Apostolic Catholic Church & Doctrine with His apostles, in 33AD, before His Passion. He appointed them leaders, Peter as Head, gave THEM His authority, power & Sacraments (The Keys to the Kingdom of Heaven). He taught everyone is to be His One True Church, receiving His Sacraments, Doctrine & Teaching or you DO NOT HAVE GOD. ALL 44,000 other Christian Churches, without Gods authority, broke away from the only Church, Doctrine & Sacraments that Jesus Christ established, to start their own version of Gods Church, like the Pharisees and Scribes did and God rebuked them for doing so. Mt 23:1-39, Lk 11:37-54, Jn 1:42, 21:15-17, Mt 16:18-19, 10:1-4, Mk3:14-19, Eph 2:19-22, 1 Cor 12:28, Acts 20:28, Lk 22:28-32, 1 Pet 2:6-9 Remain in His Catholic Church, Doctrine & Gospel-Jn 10:16, 17:20-26, Eph 4:4-6, 2 JN1:9, 2 Thess3:6-16, Rom16:17, Heb 13:9, Gal 1:6-9, 2 Cor 11:3-4 Sacraments-Jn 3:5, Act 22:16, 2 Cor 5:18-20, Jn 20:21-23, Mt 18:17-18, Jn 6:51-59, 1 Cor 11:23-29, Eph 1:13, 2 Cor 1:21-22, Mt 19:4-6, Col 3:17-19, 2 Cor 5:20, 1:25-29, Lk 22:28-32, Jm 5:16, Lk 10:34 are a few pertinent verses.

[@rbnmnt3341]

It means that you've been deceived by Satan.

[@dylanndzero]

You literally helped me not at all.

[@cbooth151]

To be a Catholic means to throw your Bible in the trash can and then get all of your teachings from the Catholic Church. If you don't believe that, where in the Bible does it teach that... 1. the Godhead is triune? 2. statues and relics can be worshiped? 3. Jesus was born on December 25th? 4. the Father, Son, and holy spirit are one in substance, nature, and essence? 5. Mary was immaculately conceived? 6.. "we worship one God in trinity"? 7. Mary was worshiped? 8. Peter was the first pope? 9. the Father, Son, and holy spirit make up "One Incomprehensible"? 10. Mary is a co-redemptrix? 11. homosexuals are "children of God"? 12. priests were addressed by the religious title of 'Father'? 13. the holy spirit is a person? 14. unmarried priests are bound to celibacy? 15. the Rosary was recited? 16. novenas were recited? 17. Mary is the mother of God? 18. "[Mary] has a separate and absolutely super-eminent rank among the saints"?

[@konyvnyelv.]

But what would you do if someone found an undeniable proof that Christianity is false? Would you change religion? Would you become an atheist? Just to know

[@markpugner9716]

Ah yes, let's consider every possibility

[@liljade53]

I enjoy your videos, but you do not know very much about what non-Catholic Christians believe, or you would not make most of the comments you do in this video. You are making extremely generalized statements about what non Catholics believe, as if you interviewed everyone and have come to a consensus. Absolutely no one I know would say to a Catholic " you should become a protestant, it's easier , less rules'. That is absurd. Kind of reminds me of the Jewish converts who wanted all the gentiles converts to perform all the Jewish rituals , until Paul protested (hmmm, Paul protested, hmmm) I was raised a Catholic, attended parochial schools, and do not find being a non Catholic any easier, although I am grateful for the faith that was instilled in me through it. I am no longer a Catholic, but I am still following Christ which is not easy, but it is by far the most meaningful, joyful, intellectually, emotionally, and spiritually satisfying lifestyle. That is why I like your videos, until you fall into the Roman Catholic idea that you are a member of the one true church: you are, but not because you are a Catholic, but because you are a Christ follower.

[@1218wbentrup]

How do you reconcile all the heresies of the Catholic Church? How can he be certain he is following Christ when he most likely venerates Mary and prays the vain repetitions of the rosary in the manner of the pagans of old.

[@boldbeliever52]

It means your lost and dedicated to following an antichrist and Mary. Heck, even SHE KNEW SHE NEEDED A SAVIOR.

[@vragenstaatvrij777]

But He needed Her to incarnate as savior.

[@1218wbentrup]

@@vragenstaatvrij777 God could have chosen another virgin sir. God didn't NEED Mary, he CHOSE her.

[@energyattraction]

Jesuit deception

[@jmdsservantofgod8405]

I'M NOT CATHOLIC!....I'M NOT CATHOLIC....I'M NOT CATHOLIC!.....I'M NOT CATHOLIC!....I'M NOT CATHOLIC!

[@James_Wisniewski]

BEGOME GADOLIG!

[@stanstevens6289]

Load of twaddle.

[@sundusali7746]

Islam is the true religion please follow and read the meaning of the quarn

[@S.D.L46XX]

To be a catholic means....: ..not to beleave in the second coming of Yeshua . ...it also means to believe that the pope is a holy man. ...to believe that sunday is the day of rest , instead of the Biblical Shabbat on saturday. ...to believe that Constantine and pope Sylvester were of higher authority than the Word of Ha Shem the most High..! ...to believe that 'Jesus ' was born on christmas . ..to believe He died on a Friday and rose on sunday ( three days and three nights ...HUH...??).

[@levisando]

"not to beleave in the second coming of Yeshua" um, no.