NY Times Writer Defends Church Teachings in Online Series

Catholic News Agency ^ | 4/25/12 | Benjamin Mann

[marshmallow]

Washington D.C., Apr 25, 2012 / 02:04 am (CNA).- New York Times writer Ross Douthat has defended Catholic theological and moral teachings, in a series of articles explaining how the Church is not “fundamentalist” but simply “orthodox.”

“What I describe as 'Christian orthodoxy' is not identical to everything that calls itself conservative Christianity in the United States, and it’s certainly not identical to Christian fundamentalism,” wrote Douthat, a Catholic convert known for his conservative social and political outlook, in an April 16-19 online exchange with Slate magazine author William Saletan.

In his new book “Bad Religion: How We Became a Nation of Heretics” (Free Press, $26.00) Douthat advocates a return to authentic Christian traditions and doctrines. He argues that distorted forms of religion, focused on self-gratification and worldly aims, threaten the country's common good.

In his exchange with Saletan, Douthat defended Catholic teachings on subjects like sexuality and marriage, while urging secularists and skeptics to rethink their identification of traditional Christianity with “fundamentalism.”

The Catholic columnist pointed out that Biblical “fundamentalism” is actually a modern phenomenon, originating in the 19th and 20th centuries. By contrast, Christian orthodoxy “is an ancient thing, dating back to the early centuries A.D., when Christian doctrine was first codified.”

While Christian orthodoxy accepts Scripture as inspired by God, it does not employ it for inappropriate purposes – such as predicting the end of the world, ruling out scientific discoveries, or interpreting natural disasters as forms of divine retribution.

After distinguishing authentic Christian faith from “fundamentalism,” Douthat went on to defend Catholics teachings on subjects like contraception and homosexuality – which were also prohibited by most other Christian groups until the 20th century.

The New York Times columnist observed that the Church's view of sexuality does not come from a select few verses of the Bible.....

[ReformationFan]

I’m a Protestant, but that book sounds like it’s worth reading.

[bunkerhill7]

I`m shocked, I tell you- Shocked!!

[McGavin999]

Actually, that’s quite a good article and he makes some excellent points.

[Oratam]

New York Times writer Ross Douthat has defended Catholic theological and moral teachings, in a series of articles

The poor guy must eat lunch alone every day.