The Catholic Defender VS John Benko

The Battle Lines have been drawn, the Line in the Sand as the rubber meets the road.

The Catholic Defender verses John Benko in their first head to head debate ever.

 Few battles ever shook the dust, Hulk Hogan Vs The Ultimate Warrior, King Saul Verses David. But this battle of titans will be won or lost in South Florida as Alabama takes on the Fighting Irish of Notre Dame.

The stakes couldn't be more high as the "Good, the Bad, the Ugly Award will go to the winner.

Mark your calenders, this coming January 7th, the earth will be shaking, the rumble will hit Florida like a hurricane.

Listen to internet radio with Deeper Truth on Blog Talk Radio

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The Catholic Defender: The Queen of Heaven Debate

This past debate between John Benko and Brian Ketterer was a good debate.

John Benko won the debate for many reasons, he provided far more background on the topic at hand.

Brian demonstrated passion, but in the end he had no foundation.

I will show what I mean using two doctrines that Brian used to make his basic point of deifying Mary.

Doctrine number 1:

Brian rightfully pointed to Pope Pius IX who proclaimed the doctrine of the Immaculate Conception on December 8, 1854, in his papal bull Ineffabilis Deus.

This is historically accurate but it is not a correct assumption, pardon the pun.

When you listen to Brian's point, he speaks as if this doctrine was dreamed up from thin air.

Brian makes the same mistake as others have made in attacking such teachings because they point to either the Pope or a Council that addresses the doctrine.

John was able to give biblical reference and then the historical foundation of the Immaculate Conception which gives far more an explanation than simply attacking it and calling it "pagan".

John Benko was able to point to Luke 1:28 showing that the Angel Gabriel recognized Mary with perfected grace.

Who has the stongest point? John Benko has the strongest point! The Doctrine of the Immaculate Conception was known by the Early Church Fathers. It did not begin in 1854.

Brian can refer to Pope Pius IX as a matter of fact, but where his argument falls is that historically, the doctrine of the Immaculate Conception goes back to the Apostolic Tradition.

Pope Pius IX did not invent this doctrine as Brian asserts. John was able to lay the biblical foundation for the doctrine and history confirms it.

Doctrine II

The Second Doctrine that Brian pointed too was the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Brian, again, rightly pointed to Pope Pius XII, in 1950, proclaimed the doctrine of the Assumption as dogma.

Pope Pius XII proclaimed the Assumption of Mary a dogma of the Catholic Church in these words: "The Immaculate Mother of God, the ever-virgin Mary, having completed the course of her earthly life, was assumed body and soul into heaven."

Brian asserts that the Pope invented this dogma from thin air.

John Benko refered to several biblical text, the most important being Revelation 12 giving attention to the Woman crowned with twelve stars. St. John had personal knowledge of the Assumption of Mary as he had witnessed it.

Revelation 12 is expressed by St. John to identify Mary with the Genesis 3:15 account where you had the woman, the offspring, and the serpant.

With the biblical foundation added to the weight of the Apostolic Tradition, the teaching on the Assumption of Mary most certainly precedes 1950.

The Catholic Church is the voice of Christ and all the doctrines of the Catholic Faith come from that foundation.

It is interesting to note that Brian rejected the doctrine of Original Sin, another doctrine taught by the Catholic Church.

Anyone can go back and review the debate and it was a good debate, but Brian could not prove his case. Catholics do not worship Mary.

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* BEST OF DTB #219* My trip to Notre Dame

The majesty of this place is truly breath-taking. I found myself almost wishing I was starting high school again, with the hopes that I could one day attend this national treasure of a university.

Almost.

I felt supreme joy that I was, at-last able to see this magnificent place and, at the same time, sadness for my family that they could not share it with me. I felt sadder still for the kids who are there who have no sense of what this place is really about.

The full name is Notre Dame du lac (Our Lady of the Lake).

On the grounds, there are two lakes, actually- Saint Joseph lake and Saint Mary's lake.



I have to admit that, walking these hallowed grounds, it seems impossible to me that this is where Obama spoke and Priests were arrested for standing up for life. To even comprehend such things fills me with inexpressible grief.

I can honestly say that walking the grounds of this place, I could not help but believe that the grace that still lingers here will one day grow and lift it back to where it once stood and should stand again. I found a sublime peace in that certitude. If I didn't, I don't know if I could stand what has happened to this place and the level of depravity of many who are now associated with this once sacred place. That Notre Dame can still attract a class act like Manti Teo has to give some cause for hope.

Images of Jesus and Mary are everywhere in this place but it is clear that many of the students here, fans and alums have no more class, honor or values than Florida State or Miami, schools that Notre Dame students used to deride but now, too often, emulate.

It is truly sickening that some students can come to a Notre Dame pep rally clad in their underwear and the administrators do not even take notice, much less action.

A pep rally, right in the shadow of the 'Word of life' mosaic (Touchdown Jesus). A pep rally where no prayers are offered, nothing to add to the spiritual edification of these young men.

Unfortunately, most of these sacred symbols are nothing more than lifeless decorations on a Christmas tree, in a room filled with pagans and hedonistic perverts.

I know. I belong to a Notre Dame football message board and I was shocked and stunned to find that most of the posters are hooligans and perverts who would shame any SEC school. Notre Dame was supposed to be something better and, for a long time, it was.

Now, Notre Dame is as rudderless and spiritually bankrupt as an other college in the country.

That is what sickens me. Kez McCorvey's famous words in 1993;

"I know all about Notre Dame, I know all about Rock Knutne"

were all too prophetic.

In a recent survey, only 15% of students said their spiritual growth was enhanced by attending this university. Most of them have no idea what the Alma Mater (Notre Dame, Our Mother) is even about. Thanks to Notre Dame's last moral coach, Charlie Weis, the players serenade the student section with this song at the conclusion of every home game. Most of those that do know what this song is about, don't care. What a crying shame that Our Blessed Mother stands atop the golden dome, looking over a university that has wholly rejected Her and Her Divine Son. What a shame that the team of Holtz, Leahy and Rockne is now being led by someone who exemplifies none of what Notre Dame stands for. The only time in my life I can honestly say I am ashamed of who is the coach of Notre Dame- a frothing, profanity spewing demoniac named Brian Kelly.

The thought of his purple-faced mug hanging one day here gives me a visceral physical reaction. Every college football fan I personally know says that he is an absolute disgrace to this storied team and I find it impossible to disagree.

Last year, two Notre Dame players threatened and assaulted South Bend, Indiana police officers and barely got a slap on the wrist. Can you imagine that it has come to this?

Has Notre Dame sold it's soul for football glory? No. It is even worse than that. Notre Dame has sold it's soul for far worse. If Notre Dame, Our Mother exemplifies the spirit of Charlie Weis, AD Jack Swarbrick's theme song is this one.

November of this year will mark 19 years since the last time Notre Dame;

• Was ranked #1
• Beat a #1 ranked team
• Beat Michigan, MSU and USC in the same season
• finished a season with fewer than 3 losses.

Yet, despite this continued mediocrity, Notre Dame ticket prices have soared as have parking, concessions and memorabilia. Meanwhile, concentration on marketing Notre Dame, the brand, to Washington, DC., California, Dallas, Chicago, Ireland and even China goes on unabated.

China?

Here is a suggestion, Jack. Dress the team in red when we go there so we can match the Chinese flag, the blood of it's murderous regime and the stain on the history of Notre Dame. Shame on you for even considering such a move.

I guess the wearing of the green has been supplanted by the making of the green. Will the uniforms be made by children in forced labor? At least, the children that survive China's forced abortion policies?

How far you have fallen, Notre Dame.

From the school that was a refuge for persecuted Catholics to the school that is a refuge for Catholic persecuters.

Who can forget this monster not only giving the commencement address but receiving an honorary degree from Our Lady's university?

I cannot judge the heart of Father John Jenkins but I can say for certain, that this was the darkest day in Notre Dame's history and that Father Jenkins should have been removed from his position as President of Notre Dame for his allowing of this speech and for his persecution of the brave souls (including priests) who rightfully, and peacefully, protested this atrocity.

More than 70 Bishops decried this terrible event.

Was it a thrill for me to have my picture taken in front of the field where Notre Dame brought out the trojan horse and green jerseys against USC (1977)?

Where Pat Terrell knocked away the pass of #1 Miami's Steve Walsh and Shawn Wooden did the same against Charlie Ward and #1 Florida State?

Yes. It was a surreal and incredible feeling. To stand before this place and watch the team run out of that tunnel..... just amazing.

But Notre Dame is not who they were and it is about much more than wins. In order for Notre Dame to regain it's glory, it must get rid of Father Jenkins and Jack Swarbrick and Brian Kelly.

Donald and I spoke about this at length on the show last night.

Trumpets under the dome.

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Trinity debate today

The long awaited first debate in our upcoming series is at hand. The debate on the doctrine of the Trinity.

Here are the pertinent details;

The debate kicks off at 8:00 PM Eastern time.

It can be heard right here. The call-in number is 646-595-2071 but calls will not be taken during the debate but possibly after- tome permitting.

Interested parties are encouraged to participate in the chat room but to do so you will have to set up a free account at Blogtalkradio.

John Benko will be arguing in the affirmative. John describes himself as a fully orthodox and unapologetic member of the Catholic church. George Lujack will be arguing in the negative. George describes himself as a non-denominational Judeo-Christian who is not a confirmed member of any church but finds himself most closely aligned with the United Church of God.

Jimmy Z will be the moderator. Jimmy Z is a conservative, non-catholic christian who can be heard daily on the Jimmy Z show.

The show will begin with Jimmy Z's opening remarks, followed by the debate.

John's opening statement will be first, up to 10 minutes in length.
George will follow with a rebuttal, up to 5 minutes.
Then, George's opening statement and John's rebuttal.

Following this will be a 20 minute, moderator led, question and answer period. The moderator has received in advance 5 potential questions from each debater. Each debater is unaware of the questions submitted by the other person. The moderator has full discretion to choose among these questions, questions posed in the chat room or simply ask questions himself or allow questions between the debaters. The moderator alone has this discretion.

Following the question/answer session, John will give a 5 minute closing statement, followed by George giving a 5 minute closing statement.

We may follow with audience calls after that.

Donald Hartley will be operating the switchboard.

The rules are simple and straightforward.

• No talk-over. Each person speaks in turn, without interruption.
• No abusive, profane or vulgar language. No Ad hominem attacks.
• Stick to the subject. Peripheral arguments allowed only if germane to the topic. Moderator's discretion.
• Stay within time. Moderator will give a 30 second warning.
  

We hope you enjoy the debate!

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