Fathers Of The Church (Index Page)

Four doctors of the Church: left to right: St. Augustine, Pope St. Gregory the Great, St. Jerome, and St. Ambrose (1516), by Pier Francesco Sacchi (c. 1485–1528) [pubic domain / Wikimedia Commons]

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

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I. MY THREE BOOKS ON THE CHURCH FATHERS

II. GENERAL AND MISCELLANEOUS

III. PROTESTANTISM AND THE FATHERS

IV. ST. ATHANASIUS

V. ST. AUGUSTINE

VI. BAPTISM AND BAPTISMAL REGENERATION

VII. BIBLE / TRADITION / SOLA SCRIPTURA / PERSPICUITY / RULE OF FAITH

VIII. CANON OF SCRIPTURE / DEUTEROCANONICAL BOOKS

IX. CHRISTMAS

X. CHRISTOLOGY / HOLY TRINITY / GOD THE FATHER

XI. CHURCH / ECCLESIOLOGY / APOSTOLIC SUCCESSION

XII. CONTRACEPTION

XIII. DEVELOPMENT OF DOCTRINE

XIV. ESCHATOLOGY / LAST THINGS

XV. EUCHARIST / TRANSUBSTANTIATION / SACRIFICE OF THE MASS

XVI. IMAGES, RELIGIOUS: USE AND VENERATION OF

XVII. LITURGY

XVIII. MARRIAGE, DIVORCE, AND ANNULMENTS

XIX. MARY, THE BLESSED VIRGIN

XX. PAPACY AND INFALLIBILITY

XXI. PURGATORY

XXII. SACRAMENTS AND SACRAMENTALISM

XXIII. SAINTS AND ANGELS: INVOCATION, INTERCESSION, AND VENERATION OF

XXIV. SALVATION / JUSTIFICATION / “FAITH ALONE” / SOTERIOLOGY

XXV. SCIENCE

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I. MY THREE BOOKS ON THE CHURCH FATHERS

Catholic Church Fathers: Patristic and Scholarly Proofs [Nov. 2007]

The Quotable Augustine: Distinctively Catholic Elements in His Theology [9-1-12]

The Quotable Eastern Church Fathers: Distinctively Catholic Elements in Their Theology [7-8-13]

II. GENERAL AND MISCELLANEOUS

“Unanimous Consent” of the Church Fathers (Steve Ray) [1996]
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Introduction to Dave Armstrong’s Book, Catholic Church Fathers: Patristic and Scholarly Proofs [10-7-07]

Anti-Semitism in the Church Fathers and Catholic History: Resources and Recent Catholic Repentance [7-7-08]

“Unanimous Consent” of Church Fathers: Not Literally All (Does the Phrase “Unanimous Consent of the Fathers” Allow Any Exceptions?) [4-29-08; revised on 10-22-18]
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Patristic Bible Commentary [verse-by verse references: great resource!]

Is “Mother Earth” a Catholic Concept (Church Fathers)? (guest post by Rosemarie Scott) [12-17-19]

Church Fathers (Individually or Few in Number) Are Sometimes Wrong; This Doesn’t Disprove Catholic Tradition [Facebook, 1-1-23]

Brief Explanation of “Unanimous Consent” of the Church Fathers, with Biblical Parallels [Facebook, 2-18-25]
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The James White St. Ignatius of Antioch Controversy (“Yes, Virginia, There Was a St. Ignatius of Antioch”) [3-6-25]

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The “Unanimous Consent” of the Church Fathers [Jimmy Akin, National Catholic Register, 8-18-18]
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Early Church Fathers – Additional Texts (edited by Roger Pearse)

III. PROTESTANTISM AND THE FATHERS

Apostolic [Quasi-] Protestantism?: Dialogue with Eric Svendsen [6-26-96]

Dialogue on “Perspicuous Apostolic Teaching” (vs. James White) [May-June 1996]

“Perspicuous Apostolic Message”? (vs. Eric Svendsen) [May-June 1996]
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Early Protestants & St. Augustine: Ambiguity [1-28-04]

Transubstantiation & Church History: Dialogue w Lutheran [2-12-05; abridged on 10-23-18]
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Dialogue: Lutherans, Sola Scriptura, & the Church Fathers [5-29-05]
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Dialogue: Is Lutheranism or Catholicism Closer to the Fathers? (vs. Kristo Miettinen) [6-3-05]

Development of Sacrifice of the Mass: Dialogue w Lutheran [9-22-05]
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Church Fathers: Closer to Protestantism? [2007]

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Lutheran Chemnitz Wrong Re Fathers & Sola Scriptura (mostly dealing with St. Irenaeus and Tertullian) [8-29-07]

Lutheran Chemnitz: Errors Re Fathers & Sola Scriptura (including analysis of Jerome, Augustine, Origen, Epiphanius, Ambrose, Lactantius, Athanasius, and Cyprian) [8-31-07]
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Church Fathers & Justification: Martin Chemnitz vs. Catholicism [9-9-07]
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John Calvin: Ignatian Epistles (c. 110) Not Authentic [6-7-09]

Luther’s Views of Augustine & the Church Fathers [8-2-09]
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St. Augustine’s Eucharistic Doctrine and Protestant “Co-Opting” [9-25-10]

Dialogue w Lutheran Pastor on the Protestant Revolt (. . . with special emphasis on the beliefs of the Church Fathers: were they were more “Catholic” or “Protestant”?) [3-27-12; edited with links added on 1-8-20]

Reply to Ken Temple’s Extensive (Anti-Catholic) “Review” of Rod Bennett’s Book, Four Witnesses: Part I: The Amazon Review (+ Part II / Part III) [4-27-14]

Salesian Apologetics #5: Authority of Church Fathers [2-6-20]

Jerusalem Council & James, Bishop Of Jerusalem: The Ambivalence and Inconsistencies of Protestant Thought on the Earliest “Monarchical” Bishops [1-30-24]

Mary’s Sinlessness & the Fathers (vs. Javier Perdomo) . . . Including a Turn the Tables Argument Regarding Protestant Doctrines Virtually Nonexistent in the Fathers (Sola Scriptura, Sola Fide) [2-5-25]

IV. ST. ATHANASIUS

St. Athanasius’ Rule of Faith (NOT Sola Scriptura) [6-16-03]

Council of Nicea: Reply to James White: Its Relationship to Pope Sylvester, Athanasius’ Views, & the Unique Preeminence of Catholic Authority [4-2-07]

St. Athanasius: Catholic, Not Proto-Protestant [12-26-07]

A Discourse on The Discourse on the Holy Theotokos (Anti-Catholic Distortion of St. Athanasius) [Paul Hoffer, 4-10-09]

Armstrong vs. Collins & Walls #9: “Apocrypha” (Jerome, Athanasius, Etc.) [10-21-17]

14 Proofs That St. Athanasius Was 100% Catholic [National Catholic Register, 6-4-20]

Mike Frost Trashes Me Regarding St. Athanasius [6-6-20]

Did Athanasius Accept Sola Scriptura? (vs. Bruno Lima) [10-14-22]

St. Athanasius Was Catholic — He Knew Sola Scriptura Was False [National Catholic Register, 10-20-22]

Comment: James White vs. Tim Staples on the Rule Of Faith (Including St. Athanasius’ Rule of Faith & the Indefectibility of the OT “Proto-Church”) [5-9-24]

V. ST. AUGUSTINE

St. Augustine’s Belief in the Substantial Real Presence [1996]

Faith Alone: Development of Church Fathers & St. Augustine? [11-24-00]

Early Development of the Papacy: Random Reflections (includes St. Augustine’s views) [2-26-02]

St. Augustine (d. 430) vs. Sola Scriptura as the Rule of Faith [8-1-03]

Early Protestants & St. Augustine: Ambiguity [1-28-04]

Bible and Tradition Issues: Reply to a “Bible Christian” Inquirer (Particularly Regarding St. Augustine’s Position) [3-1-07]

Purgatory: Refutation of James White (1 Corinthians 3:10-15) (includes lengthy citations of St. Augustine) [3-3-07]

Augustine’s Confessions: Model for Conversion Stories [6-10-09]

Luther’s Views of Augustine & the Church Fathers [8-2-09]

Sacramentalism & Ex Opere Operato (vs. Calvin #37) [10-21-09]

Radically Anti-Traditional Sacramentalism (vs. Calvin #38) [10-27-09]
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Eucharist: Rationalism, Nestorianism, & Docetism (vs. Calvin #44) [11-30-09]
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Eucharistic Adoration: Idolatry or Biblical? (vs. Calvin #47) [12-2-09]
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Confirmation in the Bible & the Fathers (vs. Calvin #50) [12-17-09]
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St. Augustine and the Intercession of the Dead [Reginald de Piperno, 1-24-10]

St. Augustine and Holy Relics [Reginald de Piperno, 1-26-10]
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St. Augustine Was Catholic, Not Proto-Protestant! [9-25-10]

St. Augustine’s Eucharistic Doctrine and Protestant “Co-Opting” [9-25-10]

St. Augustine Accepted All Seven Catholic Sacraments [9-25-10]

St. Augustine’s Eucharistic Doctrine: Simultaneous Assertion of Realism and Symbolism [2-17-11]

What Saint Augustine, Bishop, Saint and Doctor of the Catholic Church Actually Held Pertaining to Transubstantiation: A Response to Turretinfan (+ Part Two) [Paul Hoffer, 8-20-11]

Introduction to The Quotable Augustine (edited by Dave Armstrong) [8-9-12]

St. Augustine: Thoroughly Catholic: 135 Proofs [8-30-12]

St. Augustine, Calvin, and Calvinists Regarding Total Depravity [1-7-14]

St. Augustine: Astrology is Absurd [9-4-15]

St. Augustine’s Communion (Standing, in the Hand) [10-4-15]

St. Augustine vs. Radical Vegetarianism [10-4-15]

Did St. Augustine Accept All Seven Sacraments? [National Catholic Register, 11-15-17]

22 Reminders That St. Augustine Was 100% Catholic [National Catholic Register, 4-23-20]

James Swan, St. Augustine & “This Rock” [4-19-22]

Augustine & Sola Scriptura (vs. Gavin Ortlund) [4-28-22]

Augustine & Sola Scriptura, Pt. 2 (vs. Gavin Ortlund) [4-29-22]

St. Augustine, St. Basil the Great, & Veneration of Images (+ St. Augustine’s Enthusiastic Advocacy of Relics) [8-3-22]

Reply to a “Reformation Day” Lutheran Sermon [Vs. Nathan Rinne] (Including St. Augustine’s View on the Rule of Faith & the Perspicuity of Scripture; Luther & Lutherans’ Belief in Falling Away) [10-31-23]
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Sola Fide (Faith Alone) Nonexistent Before the Protestant Revolt in 1517 (Geisler & McGrath) [Catholic365, 10-31-23]

Lutherans & Invocation #2 (Definitions of Prayer & Intercession; God Sharing His Glory; Views of St. Augustine & Many Other Church Fathers) [1-11-24]

St. Ambrose vs. Faith Alone (vs. Jordan Cooper) + Concupiscence: St. Ambrose’s and St. Augustine’s Views [2-29-24]
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St. Augustine (354-430) Vs. “Faith Alone” [4-26-24]
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Augustine (354-430) On Baptism [8-8-24]

St. Augustine & Extrabiblical Infallibility [11-13-24]

Is Scripture Totally Clear? (vs. Anglican Stearns #2) + the Church Fathers (Especially St. Augustine) on the Question of the Perspicuity (Clearness in the Main) of Scripture [3-13-25]

VI. BAPTISM AND BAPTISMAL REGENERATION

Sacramentalism: James White Proves That St. Augustine and Martin Luther Aren’t Christians [11-26-03]

Apostolic and Early Church Teaching on Baptism [3-8-06]

Sacraments: Bible & Church Fathers (vs. Calvin #34) [9-25-09]

Original Sin, Imputation, & Baptism (vs. Calvin #40) [11-17-09]

Church Fathers & Baptism: Justin Martyr [7-23-24]

Theophilus of Antioch (fl. 185-191) on Baptismal Regeneration [Facebook, 7-23-24]
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Irenaeus & Clement of Alexandria on Baptism [7-23-24]
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Tertullian on Baptismal Regeneration [7-25-24]
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Origen & Cyprian On Baptism [7-26-24]
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Dionysius of Alexandria (d. c. 264) on Baptismal Regeneration [Facebook, 7-26-24]
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Shepherd of Hermas (bet. c. 90-140) and Epistle of Barnabas (bet. 70-132) on Baptismal Regeneration [Facebook, 7-26-24]
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Hilary of Poitiers & Ephraim On Baptism [7-30-24]
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Athanasius & Basil the Great On Baptism [7-31-24]
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Cyril of Jerusalem (c. 315-387) On Baptism [7-31-24]
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Gregory Nazianzen (c. 330-c. 390) On Baptism [8-2-24]
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Gregory of Nyssa (c. 335-c. 394) On Baptism [8-5-24]
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Ambrose (c. 336-397) On Baptism [8-6-24]
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John Chrysostom (c. 345-407) On Baptism [8-7-24]
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St. Jerome (c. 343-420) On Baptism [8-8-24]
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Augustine (354-430) On Baptism [8-8-24]
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St. Cyril of Alexandria (c. 376-444) On Baptismal Regeneration [Facebook, 8-8-24]
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Church Fathers On Baptism: First 400 Years (Handy Quick Summary of Their Essential Teaching on the Nature and Effects of the Sacrament of Baptism) [8-9-24]
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13 Church Fathers Defend the Catholic Teaching on Baptism [National Catholic Register, 8-26-24]
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9 More Church Fathers Explain the Catholic Belief About Baptism [National Catholic Register, 8-30-24]

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Born Again: Baptism in the Early Fathers (Evangelical Catholic Apologetics)

Church Fathers on Baptism (Armchair Theologian; Lutheran site)

The Church Fathers on Baptismal Regeneration (Bryan Cross, Called to Communion)

VII. BIBLE / TRADITION / SOLA SCRIPTURA / PERSPICUITY / RULE OF FAITH

“Unanimous Consent” of the Church Fathers (Steve Ray) [1996]

Dialogue: Church Fathers on Perspicuity & Sola Scriptura [6-11-00]

Development of Doctrine: Patristic & Historical Development (Featuring Much Documentation from St. Augustine, St. Vincent of Lerins, St. Thomas Aquinas, Vatican I, Popes Pius IX, Pius X, Etc.) [3-19-02]

William Webster vs. Tradition, Development, & Truth [4-10-03]
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St. Athanasius’ Rule of Faith (NOT Sola Scriptura) [6-16-03]

Church Fathers and Sola Scriptura [originally July 2003; somewhat modified condensation: 4-5-17]
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Debate: Church Fathers & Sola Scriptura (vs. Jason Engwer) [8-1-03]

Ten Church Fathers & Sola Scriptura: Reply to anti-Catholic Protestant apologist Jason Engwer’s Catholic But Not Roman Catholic Series on the Church Fathers [8-1-03]

Justin Martyr (d. c. 165) vs. Sola Scriptura [8-1-03]

Irenaeus (d. c. 200) vs. Sola Scriptura [8-1-03]
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Clement of Alexandria (d. c. 215) vs. Sola Scriptura [8-1-03]
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Hippolytus (d. c. 236) vs. Sola Scriptura as the Rule of Faith [8-1-03]
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Dionysius (d. c. 264) vs. Sola Scriptura as the Rule of Faith [8-1-03]
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Basil the Great (d. 379) vs. Sola Scriptura as the Rule of Faith [8-1-03]

Cyril of Jerusalem (d. 386) vs. Sola Scriptura as the Rule of Faith [8-1-03]
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St. John Chrysostom (d. 407) vs. Sola Scriptura as the Rule of Faith [8-1-03]

St. Augustine (d. 430) vs. Sola Scriptura as the Rule of Faith [8-1-03]
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Theodoret (d. c. 458) vs. Sola Scriptura as the Rule of Faith [8-1-03]
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Dialogue: Lutherans, Sola Scriptura, & the Church Fathers [5-29-05]

Gregory of Nyssa (d. c. 395) vs. Sola Scriptura as the Rule of Faith [2-6-07]

Sola Scriptura: Church Fathers (?), & Myself (?), by Analogy [2-7-07]
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Bible and Tradition Issues: Reply to a “Bible Christian” Inquirer (Particularly Regarding St. Augustine’s Position) [3-1-07]

Chrysostom & Irenaeus: Sola Scripturists? (vs. David T. King) [4-20-07]
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Lutheran Chemnitz Wrong Re Fathers & Sola Scriptura (mostly dealing with St. Irenaeus and Tertullian) [8-29-07]

Lutheran Chemnitz: Errors Re Fathers & Sola Scriptura (including analysis of Jerome, Augustine, Origen, Epiphanius, Ambrose, Lactantius, Athanasius, and Cyprian) [8-31-07]

Papias, Scripture, and Tradition (Round Two): Dialogue with Protestant Apologist Jason Engwer / Sadly Typical End of Discouse with Anti-Catholics [1-14-10, at Internet Archive]

Catholic Development of Doctrine: A Defense (vs. Jason Engwer; Emphasis on the Canon of the Bible & Church Infallibility) (+ Pt. II / Pt. III / Pt. IV) [1-15-10]

Papias (c. 60-c. 130) & the Rule of Faith (vs. Jason Engwer) [1-18-10]

Dialogue with a Lutheran: Church Fathers & Sola Scriptura (vs. Nathan Rinne) [10-13-11]

Dialogue with a Lutheran: Rule of Faith / Fathers / Ecclesiology (vs. Nathan Rinne) [10-17-11]

Reply to William Whitaker’s Sola Scriptura Arguments (Absurd Alleged Biblical Indications Against Apostolic Tradition) [10-20-11]

Reply to a Lutheran on Tradition & the Patristic Rule of Faith [1-10-12; additions on 2-20-18]

David T. King and William Webster: Out-of-Context or Hyper-Selective Quotations from the Church Fathers on Christian Authority: Introduction to the Series [11-8-13]

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David T. King and William Webster: Out-of-Context or Hyper-Selective Quotations from the Church Fathers on Christian Authority: Part I: St. Cyril of Jerusalem [11-9-13]

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David T. King and William Webster: Out-of-Context or Hyper-Selective Quotations from the Church Fathers on Christian Authority: Part II: St. Basil the Great [11-11-13]

Sola Scriptura, Cyril of Jerusalem, Logic, & Anti-Catholics [11-9-17]

Did I Take St. Irenaeus Out of Context (Rule of Faith)? [11-29-17]

“Unanimous Consent” of Church Fathers: Not Literally All (Does the Phrase “Unanimous Consent of the Fathers” Allow Any Exceptions?) [4-29-08; revised on 10-22-18]

Rome, the Biblical Canon, & Tradition (vs. Turretinfan & James White) . . . Observed in the Views of John of Damascus (aka John Damascene: c. 676-749) [11-7-19]

Vs. James White #16: St. Basil Held to Sola Scriptura? [11-19-19]

Dialogue on St. John Chrysostom & Sola Scriptura (Includes a Discussion of the Proper Definition of Sola Scriptura) [2-23-21]

Gregory Nazianzen (d. 389) vs. Sola Scriptura as the Rule of Faith [2-25-21]

Hilary of Poitiers (d. 367) vs. Sola Scriptura as the Rule of Faith [2-26-21]

Gregory the Great vs. Sola Scriptura as the Rule of Faith [3-1-21]

Cyril of Alexandria (d. 444) vs. Sola Scriptura as the Rule of Faith [3-1-21]

Rufinus (d. 411) vs. Sola Scriptura as the Rule of Faith [3-2-21]

John Cassian (d. 435) vs. Sola Scriptura [3-3-21]

Origen & the Rule of Faith (vs. “Turretinfan”) [12-2-21]

St. Ambrose (c. 340-397) vs. Sola Scriptura [12-18-21]

Papias (c. 60-c. 130) vs. Sola Scriptura [12-19-21]

Clement of Rome (d. 99) vs. Sola Scriptura [12-20-21]

Ignatius of Antioch (d. c. 117) vs. Sola Scriptura [12-21-21]

Polycarp (69-155) vs. Sola Scriptura [12-21-21]

Tertullian (c. 155-c. 220) vs. Sola Scriptura [12-23-21]

Cyprian (c. 210-258) vs. Sola Scriptura [12-23-21]

Church Fathers vs. Sola Scriptura (Compendium) [12-26-21]

Augustine & Sola Scriptura (vs. Gavin Ortlund) [4-28-22]

Augustine & Sola Scriptura, Pt. 2 (vs. Gavin Ortlund) [4-29-22]

Banzoli Sez Origen & Tertullian are Sola Scripturists [5-31-22]

Justin Martyr & Sola Scriptura (vs. Lucas Banzoli) [6-1-22]

A Lot of Patristic Problems with Sola Scriptura [Facebook, 8-17-22]

Self-Interpreting Bible & Protestant Chaos (vs. Turretin): Including Documentation that St. Basil the Great — Contrary to Turretin’s Claim — Did Not Believe in Sola Scriptura [8-29-22]

Did Athanasius Accept Sola Scriptura? (vs. Bruno Lima) [10-14-22]

St. Athanasius Was Catholic — He Knew Sola Scriptura Was False [National Catholic Register, 10-20-22]

St. Ignatius, Bishops, & the Rule of Faith (vs. T.F. Kauffman) [7-14-23]

“Catholic Verses” #3: Tradition, Pt. 1 (Including the Church Fathers’ Opinion Regarding Authoritative Apostolic Oral Tradition) [10-26-23]

Bible / Faith “Alone” Vs. The Fathers (Vs. Gavin Ortlund) [2-13-24]

Church Fathers & Sola Scriptura: Reply To James White Claims: Myths Regarding Cyprian, Augustine, Basil the Great, John Chrysostom, Cyril of Jerusalem, Athanasius [3-16-24]

Epistle to Diognetus (c. 130-180) vs. Sola Scriptura [4-12-24]

David T. King: No Father Believed in an Infallible Church [6-18-24]

Robert Gagnon: Fathers Accepted Sola Scriptura (?) (St. Thomas Aquinas Didn’t Believe in it, Either. Nice Try . . .) [9-16-24]

St. Augustine & Extrabiblical Infallibility [11-13-24]

Is Scripture Totally Clear? (vs. Anglican Stearns #2) + the Church Fathers (Especially St. Augustine) on the Question of the Perspicuity (Clearness in the Main) of Scripture [3-13-25]

Vs. Geisler on Catholicism #7: Sola Scriptura 2 (Fathers) [7-15-25]

VIII. CANON OF SCRIPTURE / DEUTEROCANONICAL BOOKS

“Apocrypha”: Why It’s Part of the Bible [1994]

The New Testament Canon & Historical Processes [1996]

Dialogue on Doctrinal Development (Papacy & NT Canon) (vs. Jason Engwer) [2-26-02]

Development of the Biblical Canon: Protestant Difficulties [2-26-02 and 3-19-02, abridged with slight revisions and additions on 7-19-18]

Are All the Biblical Books Self-Evidently Canonical? [6-22-06]

St. Jerome’s Deuterocanon “Anomalies” [11-27-07]

Catholic Development of Doctrine: A Defense (vs. Jason Engwer; Emphasis on the Canon of the Bible & Church Infallibility) (+ Pt. II / Pt. III / Pt. IV) [1-15-10]

Armstrong vs. Collins & Walls #9: “Apocrypha” (Jerome, Athanasius, Etc.) [10-21-17]

Rome, the Biblical Canon, & Tradition (vs. Turretinfan & James White) . . . Observed in the Views of John of Damascus (aka John Damascene: c. 676-749) [11-7-19]

Vs. James White #15: Canon & “Catholic” Traditions [11-18-19]

Jason Engwer, Origen, & the New Testament Canon [10-15-20]

The Deuterocanon & the Eastern Church Fathers (John Chrysostom, Athanasius, Basil the Great, Gregory Nazianzen, Cyril of Jerusalem, Cyril of Alexandria, John Damascene) [10-26-22]

Biblical Canon & Sola Scriptura (vs. Jordan Cooper) [7-24-24]

Vs. Geisler on Catholicism #3: “Apocrypha” 3: Septuagint [7-7-25]
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Vs. Geisler on Catholicism #4: “Apocrypha” 4: Early Church [7-8-25]

Vs. Geisler on Catholicism #5: “Apocrypha” 5: Fathers (Also Including Analysis of Josephus’ and Philo’s Views, Jewish Scholars at Jamnia [c. AD 90], and the Qumran Community) [7-9-25]

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Did Some Church Fathers Reject the Deuterocanonicals as Scripture? [“Matt 1618”, 2001]

IX. CHRISTMAS

Hippolytus (Early 3rd c.) & a December 25th Christmas [12-10-21]

X. CHRISTOLOGY / HOLY TRINITY / GOD THE FATHER

Filioque: Catholic-Orthodox Dialogue (William Klimon) [July 1997]

Church Fathers: God is Immutable, Simple, & Outside of Time [1-18-09]

Church Fathers on God & Emotions, & Anthropomorphism [1-18-09]
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Bizarre “Eucharistic Christology” vs. Tertullian (vs. Calvin #45) [12-1-09]
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Christ’s Descent Into Hades (vs. Francois Turretin) (Biblical and Patristic Support Examined) [9-1-22]

XI. CHURCH / ECCLESIOLOGY / APOSTOLIC SUCCESSION

How Cardinal Newman Convinced me of the Apostolicity of the Catholic Church [1996]

Dialogue on “Perspicuous Apostolic Teaching” (vs. James White) [May-June 1996]

“Perspicuous Apostolic Message”? (vs. Eric Svendsen) [May-June 1996]
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Bishops in the Apostolic Church [1-16-01; rev. 5-7-03]

Council of Nicea: Reply to James White: Its Relationship to Pope Sylvester, Athanasius’ Views, & the Unique Preeminence of Catholic Authority [4-2-07]
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Papal Participation in the First Seven Ecumenical Councils [4-22-09]

Sacrifice of the Mass / Cyprian’s Ecclesiology (vs. Calvin #11) [5-19-09]

John Calvin: Ignatian Epistles (c. 110) Not Authentic [6-7-09]
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Popes & Early Ecumenical Councils (vs. Calvin #16) [6-15-09]

Catholic Development of Doctrine: A Defense (vs. Jason Engwer; Emphasis on the Canon of the Bible & Church Infallibility) (+ Pt. II / Pt. III / Pt. IV) [1-15-10]

Dialogue with a Lutheran: Rule of Faith / Fathers / Ecclesiology (vs. Nathan Rinne) [10-17-11]

Reply to a Lutheran on Tradition & the Patristic Rule of Faith [1-10-12; additions on 2-20-18]
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St. Ignatius, Bishops, & the Rule of Faith (vs. T.F. Kauffman) [7-14-23]

Vs. J. Engwer Re Church Authority, #1: Preliminaries (Including St. Augustine on the Visible Catholic Church; St. Irenaeus on Church Infallibility; Biblical Data Regarding Infallibility & Indefectibility; Peter & the “Keys”; Jesus’ Prayer for St. Peter) [10-12-23]

Vs. J. Engwer Re Church Authority, #2: St. Irenaeus (In Particular, His & Other Fathers’ — and Luther’s and Calvin’s — Views on Church Infallibility & Indefectibility) [10-13-23]

“Catholic Verses” #2: Jerusalem Council (Also: the Ten Commandments in the New Covenant; Church Fathers On the Binding Nature of the Council of Nicaea) [10-25-23]

St. Jerome, Papacy, & Succession (Vs. Gavin Ortlund) [1-20-24]

Ignatius Of Antioch On Monarchical Bishops [1-25-24]

Monarchical Bishops (Early Fathers & Eusebius) [1-29-24]

Jerusalem Council & James, Bishop Of Jerusalem: The Ambivalence and Inconsistencies of Protestant Thought on the Earliest “Monarchical” Bishops [1-30-24]

Reply To Gavin Ortlund: St. Ignatius & Bishops (+ St. Polycarp and St. Clement of Rome On Early Church Ecclesiology) [2-1-24]

Revelation 2-3: Monarchical Bishops By 95 AD [2-2-24]
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Dave Armstrong Responds to Gavin Ortlund on Jerome & the Monepiscopacy [30-minute audio presentation Suan Sonna’s YouTube channel, Intellectual Catholicism, on 2-4-24]

Jerome & Succession, Vs. Gavin Ortlund: Audio Transcript [2-5-24]
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The Early Christians Believed in the Infallibility of the Church [National Catholic Register, 7-30-24]

XII. CONTRACEPTION

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Contraception: Early Church Teaching (William Klimon) [1998]
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XIII. DEVELOPMENT OF DOCTRINE

William Webster’s Misunderstanding of Development of Doctrine [2000]
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William Webster vs. Tradition, Development, & Truth [4-10-03]
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Catholic Development of Doctrine: A Defense (vs. Jason Engwer; Emphasis on the Canon of the Bible & Church Infallibility) (+ Pt. II / Pt. III / Pt. IV) [1-15-10]

Vs. James White #15: Canon & “Catholic” Traditions [11-18-19]

XIV. ESCHATOLOGY / LAST THINGS

Christ’s Descent Into Hades (vs. Francois Turretin) (Biblical and Patristic Support Examined) [9-1-22]

No Particular Judgment? (vs. Anglican Stearns #3): Including a Brief Examination of the Views of the Church Fathers [3-17-25]

XV. EUCHARIST / TRANSUBSTANTIATION / SACRIFICE OF THE MASS

St. Augustine’s Belief in the Substantial Real Presence [1996]

Patristic Eucharistic Doctrine: Nine Protestant Scholars [12-1-96]

John Calvin and St. Cyril of Jerusalem: Comparative Eucharistic Theology [6-14-04]

Dialogue on Calvin’s & Patristic Eucharistic Theology (Especially St. Cyril of Jerusalem’s Theology of the Eucharist) [6-19-04]

Transubstantiation & Church History: Dialogue w Lutheran [2-12-05; abridged on 10-23-18]

Eucharistic Sacrifice: The Witness of the Church Fathers [9-12-05]

Sacrifice of the Mass: Reflections on Theology & Patristics [9-22-05]

Development of Sacrifice of the Mass: Dialogue w Lutheran [9-22-05]

Sacrifice of the Mass / Cyprian’s Ecclesiology (vs. Calvin #11) [5-19-09]

Sacramentalism & Ex Opere Operato (vs. Calvin #37) [10-21-09]

Transubstantiation: Bible & the Fathers (vs. Calvin #42) [24-25 November 2009]

Eucharist: Rationalism, Nestorianism, & Docetism (vs. Calvin #44) [11-30-09]

Bizarre “Eucharistic Christology” vs. Tertullian (vs. Calvin #45) [12-1-09]

Church Fathers and the Sacrifice of the Mass (Thoroughly Catholic!) [12-11-09]

St. Augustine’s Eucharistic Doctrine and Protestant “Co-Opting” [9-25-10]

St. Augustine’s Eucharistic Doctrine: Simultaneous Assertion of Realism and Symbolism [2-17-11]

“Re-Presentation” vs. “Re-Sacrifice” in the Mass: Doctrinal History [4-4-18]

Did Pope Gelasius (r. 492-496) Deny Transubstantiation? [3-24-21]

St. Ignatius & Eucharistic Real Presence (vs. Lucas Banzoli) [9-12-22]

Justin Martyr, Real Presence, & Eucharistic Sacrifice (vs. Lucas Banzoli) [9-13-22]

Lucas Banzoli Misrepresents Chrysostom’s Eucharistic Theology (+ An Overview of St. John Chrysostom’s Catholic View of the Eucharistic Sacrifice) [9-14-22]

Tertullian’s Eucharistic Theology: Lucas Banzoli vs. J.N.D. Kelly [9-15-22]

Martin Luther Was Extraordinarily Ignorant Regarding the Church Fathers’ Espousal of Transubstantiation [Facebook, 8-20-24]

Response to a Lutheran Apologetic (Pr. Will Weedon) (Featuring Liturgy and the Sacrifice of the Mass in the Church Fathers) [11-11-24]

Reply to François Turretin #13: Transubstantiation, Pt. 2 (Language of “bread” & “wine” after consecration; transubstantiation and transformation: compendium from the Church fathers) [2-27-25]

What Saint Augustine, Bishop, Saint and Doctor of the Catholic Church Actually Held Pertaining to Transubstantiation: A Response to Turretinfan (+ Part Two) [Paul Hoffer, 8-20-11]

XVI. IMAGES, RELIGIOUS: USE AND VENERATION OF

St. Augustine, St. Basil the Great, & Veneration of Images (+ St. Augustine’s Enthusiastic Advocacy of Relics) [8-3-22]

Church Fathers & Images: No Evidence? (vs. Gavin Ortlund) [3-18-24]

XVII. LITURGY

Apologia for the New (Pauline) Mass: With Massive Traditional Documentation, Over Against its Detractors / Summary of Vatican II on Liturgical Reform [6-18-08]

Holy Communion in the Hand (Norm till 500-900 AD) (+ vigorous Facebook discussion) [9-3-15; some additions on 3-13-20]

St. Augustine’s Communion (Standing, in the Hand) [10-4-15]

Communion in the Hand: Reactionaries vs. St. Cyril [3-15-20]

XVIII. MARRIAGE, DIVORCE, AND ANNULMENTS

Divorce: Early Church Teaching [Oct. 1998]

Dialogue on Annulment & Divorce: Essentially Different? [1997-1999]

Sacrament of Matrimony: Bible & Fathers (vs. Calvin #55) [12-23-09]

XIX. MARY, THE BLESSED VIRGIN

Assumption & Immaculate Conception: Part of Apostolic Tradition (vs. James White) [June 1996]

Mary Mediatrix: Patristic, Medieval, & Early Orthodox Evidence [1998]

“Live Chat” Dialogue on Patristic Consensus (Particularly, Mariology) (vs. James White) [12-29-00]

Critique of Mary — Another Redeemer? by James White (Whitewashing History: By William Possidento and Dave Armstrong) [3-12-04; slight revisions and updated links: 6-12-20]

Defense of Critique of Jame’s White’s Misinformed Mariology (particularly with regard to the differing views on early Mariology of Protestant Church historians J.N.D. Kelly and Philip Schaff) (vs. James Swan) [3-15-04 and 9-7-05]

Mary Mediatrix and the Church Fathers (+ Documentation That White Accepts the Scholarship of the Protestant Church Historians I Cite [J. N. D. Kelly and Philip Schaff] ) [9-7-05]

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Church Fathers: Mary is Sinless [7-16-08]

John Armstrong vs. Church Fathers Re Perpetual Virginity [3-12-13]
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Mary Was a Virgin During Jesus’ Birth (In Partu) [9-19-14; slight modifications and additions on 4-18-18]

Dialogue: Mary’s “In Partu” Virginity (During Birth) (with Ryan Grant) [3-9-17]

Mary’s Assumption: Patristic Analogy to Protestant Distinctives (vs. Jason Engwer) [8-15-20]

Jason Engwer, Hippolytus, & Mary’s Perpetual Virginity [10-17-20]

Was Mary Sinless? (vs. 3 Church Fathers & Jason Engwer) [11-9-21]

Were Simon & Jude Jesus’ Literal Siblings, or Cousins? [11-30-21]

Hegesippus (2nd c.) and the “Brothers” of Jesus (Including a “New” Argument from How Jesus is Described in Relation to Mary and Joseph) [1-5-23]

Epiphanius of Salamis (c. 310–320 – 403) Espouses Mary’s Bodily Assumption in 378 AD, Comparing Her to Elijah, But Notes That It’s Not Certain Whether She Died [Facebook, 7-13-24]

Mary’s Assumption: Reply to Gavin Ortlund (Its “Late” Development / Two 4th Century Witnesses / Protestant Commentators on Revelation 12 / Biblical Arguments) [8-23-24]

Patristic Development of a Sinless Mary (Cdl. Newman) [2-6-25]
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Newman, Sinless Mary, & Development (vs. Javier Perdomo) . . . Concentrating on the New Eve Analogy in the Church Fathers and its Full Implication Regarding Mary’s Freedom from Actual and Original Sin [2-12-25]

Immaculate Conception: How the Church Fathers Saw Mary as the New Eve [National Catholic Register, 3-11-25]

XX. PAPACY AND INFALLIBILITY

Pope St. Leo the Great, the “Robber” Council of 449, and the Council of Chalcedon in 451 (St. John Henry Cardinal Newman) [Facebook, 1993]

Pope Silvester and the Council of Nicaea [August 1997]

The Development of the Papacy (St. John Henry Cardinal Newman) [Facebook, 1997]

Dialogue on (Supposedly Fallible) Pope Honorius [1997]

Dialogue on Development of Doctrine (Esp. the Papacy) (vs. Jason Engwer) [2000]

Dialogue on Doctrinal Development (Papacy & NT Canon) (vs. Jason Engwer) [2-26-02]

Council of Nicea: Reply to James White: Its Relationship to Pope Sylvester, Athanasius’ Views, & the Unique Preeminence of Catholic Authority [4-2-07]

Papal Participation in the First Seven Ecumenical Councils [4-22-09]
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Sacrifice of the Mass / Cyprian’s Ecclesiology (vs. Calvin #11) [5-19-09]
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Popes & Early Ecumenical Councils (vs. Calvin #16) [6-15-09]

Fathers (Esp. Jerome, Gregory) & the Papacy (vs. Calvin #17) [6-15-09]
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Gregory the Great & Papal Supremacy (vs. Calvin #20) [6-25-09]

St. Bernard & the Papacy / Pope as “Head” (vs. Calvin #21) [6-27-19]
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Did Pope Gregory the Great Deny Papal Primacy & Supremacy? [9-16-17]

Pope St. Leo the Great (r. 440-461) and Papal Supremacy [9-19-17]

Theodoret, Bishop of Cyrus [Turkey] (393-457), on Roman and Papal Primacy [Facebook, 9-19-17]
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Pope St. Clement of Rome & Papal Authority [7-28-21]

Christians Have Always Recognized the Pope’s Authority — Here’s Proof From the 1st Century (Pope St. Clement of Rome) [National Catholic Register, 9-18-21]

Karl Keating Botches Cyprian “Infallibility Citation” [10-27-21]

James Swan, St. Augustine & “This Rock” [4-19-22]

Is First Clement Non-Papal? (vs. Jason Engwer) [4-19-22]

St. Jerome, Papacy, & Succession (vs. Gavin Ortlund) [1-20-24]

Papal Authority in the NT and the Fathers (vs. Mike Winger): Incl. “Papal” & Patristic Exegesis of Matthew 16 and John 21; Relationship of the Bible & the Church [3-9-24]
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Peter the Rock: Only a Catholic View? (vs. James White) [Includes Documentation of 14 Church Fathers Who Thought Peter Was the Rock] [5-11-24]

Peter the Pope: Early Patristic Evidence [5-22-24]
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Eck vs. Protestantism Chronicles: Biblical Papacy [5-30-24]

Development of Papal Infallibility Throughout History: Brief Reply to Lutheran Javier Perdomo [Facebook, 2-18-25]
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St. Thomas Aquinas and the Origins of the Doctrine of Papal Infallibility (Emmett O’Regan, Nova et Vetera, Winter 2025, Vol. 23, No. 1)
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XXI. PURGATORY
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Purgatory: Refutation of James White (1 Corinthians 3:10-15) (includes lengthy citations of St. Augustine) [3-3-07]

Dialogue with an Evangelical on Purgatory in the Bible and in St. Ambrose (vs. Bethany Kerr) [10-7-13]

Reply to Gavin Ortlund on Purgatory [5-12-22]

Reply #2 to Gavin Ortlund on Purgatory [5-14-22]

XXII. SACRAMENTS AND SACRAMENTALISM

Sacraments: Bible & Church Fathers (vs. Calvin #34) [9-25-09]

Sacraments & the Church Fathers (vs. Calvin #36) [10-19-09]
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Sacramentalism & Ex Opere Operato (vs. Calvin #37) [10-21-09]
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Radically Anti-Traditional Sacramentalism (vs. Calvin #38) [10-27-09]

Confirmation in the Bible & the Fathers (vs. Calvin #50) [12-17-09]
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Sacrament of Penance: Man-Made Tradition? (vs. Calvin #51) [12-21-09]

Sacrament of Matrimony: Bible & Fathers (vs. Calvin #55) [12-23-09]
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Biblical Catholic Confession & Absolution (vs. Lucas Banzoli) (+ The Church Fathers on Auricular Confession to a Priest) [2-23-23]

XXIII. SAINTS AND ANGELS: INVOCATION, INTERCESSION, AND VENERATION OF

Jason Engwer, Origen, & Intercession of Saints [10-16-20]

Origen and the Intercession of Saints [National Catholic Register, 11-19-20]

St. Augustine, St. Basil the Great, & Veneration of Images (+ St. Augustine’s Enthusiastic Advocacy of Relics) [8-3-22]

Vs. Turretin #4: Communion Of Saints 4 (Invocation) [12-26-23]

Lutherans & Invocation #2 (Definitions of Prayer & Intercession; God Sharing His Glory; Views of St. Augustine & Many Other Church Fathers) [1-11-24]

Origen & Interceding Saints & Angels (vs. Gavin Ortlund) [3-13-24]

Early Church Fathers & Invoking Saints (vs. Jordan Cooper) [3-19-24]
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St. Jerome: Honor The Relics Of The Dead [4-15-24]
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XXIV. SALVATION / JUSTIFICATION / “FAITH ALONE” / SOTERIOLOGY

Faith Alone: Development of Church Fathers & St. Augustine? [11-24-00]

Romans 2-4 & “Works of the Law”: Patristic Interpretation (2-16-01)

Church Fathers & Justification: Martin Chemnitz vs. Catholicism [9-9-07]

Church Fathers vs. the “Reformation Pillar” of “Faith Alone” [10-24-07]

2nd Council of Orange: Sola Gratia vs. Total Depravity [1-5-09]
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St. Augustine, Calvin, and Calvinists Regarding Total Depravity [1-7-14]

John Calvin: All Fathers But One Wrong Regarding Free Will [8-22-15]

Vs. James White #8: St. Basil on Mortal & Venial Sin [11-13-19]

Polycarp vs. “Faith Alone” (vs. Jason Engwer) [1-27-23]

St. Polycarp, Who Learned the Faith From an Apostle, Did Not Believe in ‘Faith Alone’ [National Catholic Register, 2-26-23]
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St. John Chrysostom Rejected “Faith Alone” (Contra Jason Engwer) [Facebook, 9-22-23]
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Sola Fide (Faith Alone) Nonexistent Before the Protestant Revolt in 1517 (Geisler & McGrath) [Catholic365, 10-31-23]

Bible / Faith “Alone” vs. The Fathers (vs. Gavin Ortlund) [2-13-24]
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Faith Alone in the Early Church Fathers? (vs. Jordan Cooper) — Includes Clement of Rome (d. c. 101) & Polycarp (d. 155) vs. Faith Alone [2-28-24]

St. Ambrose vs. Faith Alone (vs. Jordan Cooper) + Concupiscence: St. Ambrose’s and St. Augustine’s Views [2-29-24]

Church Fathers & Sola Fide (vs. Jordan Cooper) Incl. St. Ignatius of Antioch vs. Faith Alone; Epistle to Diognetus; Council of Trent on Justification by Faith & Imputation; Anti-Catholicism in the Lutheran Confessions [3-6-24]

St. Justin Martyr (100-165): Catholic & Very UnProtestant Views Regarding Salvation; a Nutshell Summary [Facebook, 3-25-24]

Shepherd of Hermas (c. 150) vs. “Faith Alone”: a Nutshell Summary [Facebook, 3-25-24]

St. Augustine’s Brilliant Take-Down of “Faith Alone” [Facebook, 3-25-24]

Clement of Alexandria (c. 150 – c. 215) vs. “Faith Alone” [3-27-24]

Theophilus of Antioch (d. c. 180) vs. “Faith Alone” [3-27-24]
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St. Justin Martyr (100-165) vs. “Faith Alone” (Sola Fide) [4-1-24]

St. Irenaeus (130-202) vs. “Faith Alone” (Sola Fide) [4-1-24]

Shepherd of Hermas (c. 150) vs. “Faith Alone” (Sola Fide) [4-2-24]

Tertullian (d. c. 220) vs. “Faith Alone” [4-2-24]

Hippolytus (d. c. 235) vs. “Faith Alone” [4-3-24]

Origen (c. 185 – c. 253) vs. “Faith Alone” [4-3-24]

St. Cyprian (210-258) vs. “Faith Alone” (Sola Fide) [4-8-24]
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Church Fathers vs. “Faith Alone”: Handy Capsule Proofs [4-8-24]

16 Church Fathers vs. Faith Alone [National Catholic Register, 4-23-24]

John Chrysostom (c. 345-407) vs. “Faith Alone” [4-25-24]
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St. Augustine (354-430) vs. “Faith Alone” [4-26-24]

St. Jerome (c. 343-420) vs. “Faith Alone” [4-29-24]
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14 More Church Fathers vs. Faith Alone [National Catholic Register, 4-30-24]
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Cyril of Jerusalem (c. 315-387) vs. “Faith Alone” [5-1-24]
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St. Ambrose vs. Faith Alone & James Swan [Facebook, 6-27-24]
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Reply to a Protestant on “Faith Alone” [10-9-24]

Faith Alone & Earliest Fathers (vs. Scholastic Lutherans) — Including Clement of Rome (d. c. 101), Ignatius of Antioch (50-c. 110), and the Epistle of Mathetes to Diognetus (bet. 130-190) [11-10-24]
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Alister McGrath Changed His Mind Regarding the Greek Church Fathers & the Meaning of Justification (Bryan Cross) [Facebook, 9-14-22]

XXV. SCIENCE

Scientific & Empiricist Church Fathers: To Augustine (d. 430) [2010]

33 Empiricist Christian Thinkers Before 1000 AD [8-5-10]

St. Augustine: Astrology is Absurd [9-4-15]

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Last updated on 15 July 2025

Fathers of the Church (Index Page)