1) Luke 2:7 (RSV) And she gave birth to her first-born son . . . Critics of the perpetual virginity of Mary (“PVM”) contend that “first-born” in Luke 2:7 is proof of — or at least strongly implies — that the Blessed Virgin Mary bore additional children. But “first-born” in Hebrew (bekor / בְּכוֹר: Strong’s word #1060) referred primarily to the first male son who “opened the womb”. Hence: 2) Numbers 3:12 Behold, I have taken the Levites from among... Read more
C. S. Lewis (1898-1963), the Anglican author of The Chronicles of Narnia and classics such as The Screwtape Letters and Mere Christianity, is widely considered to be the best defender of the Christian faith in the 20th century. These quotations are drawn from The Collected Letters of C. S. Lewis, Volume II: Books, Broadcasts, and the War 1931-1949, and Volume III: Narnia, Cambridge, and Joy 1950-1963, both edited by Walter Hooper and published by HarperSanFrancisco in 2004 and 2007. ***** 1) Paganism... Read more
William Hodge Mill (1792–1853) was an English Anglican priest, orientalist, and professor of Hebrew at Cambridge, with a canonry at Ely Cathedral. The following is drawn from the chapter, “The Record of the Brotherhood of Jesus in the Gospels” (pp. 221-316) in his book, Observations on the Attempted Application of Pantheistic Principles to the Theory and Historic Criticism of the Gospel (Cambridge: Deighton, Bell & Co. / London: Bell & Daldy, 1855). It’s considered one of the classic treatment of the “cousins”... Read more
Are We Never to Seek Intercessory Aid from Departed Saints or Even from Righteous People on the Earth? I cite The Latin Works of Huldreich Zwingli, Volume Three, edited by Clarence Nevin Heller, Philadelphia: The Heidelberg Press, 1929. It contains Zwingli‘s work, Reply to Emser (20 August 1524), pp. 359 ff., which was translated by Professor George William Gilmore and revised by Heller. I am specifically addressing the section, “The Intercession of Saints” (pp. 382-388). Zwingli’s words will be in blue.... Read more
Jason Engwer is a Protestant evangelical anti-Catholic apologist who runs the Triablogue site. I’ve critiqued his articles many many times (see his name on my Anti-Catholicism page), but he has refused to counter-reply since 2010 (having done so for the previous eight years), and of course he bans me from his site. What else is new? In any event, it’s still well worth spending time refuting error that is influencing many people, because falsehoods don’t do anyone any good. I use RSV for... Read more
. . . and Rejection of Baptismal Regeneration as its Antidote I cite The Latin Works of Huldreich Zwingli, Volume Two, edited by William John Hinke and translated by Henry Preble (revised by Hinke), Philadelphia: The Heidelberg Press, 1922. I am specifically addressing a treatise written by Huldreich Zwingli (1484-1531), entitled, Declaration Regarding Original Sin, Addressed to Urbanus Rhegius (15 August, 1526), on pages 1-32. Urbanus Rhegius (1489-1541) was a Lutheran theologian. Zwingli’s words will be in blue. I use RSV... Read more
I cite The Latin Works of Huldreich Zwingli, Volume Three, edited by Clarence Nevin Heller, Philadelphia: The Heidelberg Press, 1929. I am specifically addressing Zwingli‘s work, Commentary on True and False Religion (1525; translated by Henry Preble), which William Walker Rockwell in his Preface describes as “The earliest truly comprehensive treatise on Protestant theology” and the first to present “the full-orbed Protestant faith. . . . Zwingli presents an original and . . . comprehensive plan of arrangement and, therefore,... Read more
Luke 1:41-45 (RSV) And when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit [42] and she exclaimed with a loud cry, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! [43] And why is this granted me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? [44] For behold, when the voice of your greeting came to my ears, the babe in... Read more
It’s one of the most famous stories of the Old Testament. Strong man Samson, who was a leader in Israel for twenty years, lived in the first half of the 11th century B.C. He was a captive of the Philistines right before he died, and the Bible describes his famous death as follows: Judges 16:29-30 (RSV) Samson grasped the two middle pillars upon which the house rested, and he leaned his weight upon them, his right hand on the one... Read more
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Zwingli vs. John the Baptist & Baptism Re Salvation
I cite The Latin Works of Huldreich Zwingli, Volume Three, edited by Clarence Nevin Heller, Philadelphia: The Heidelberg Press, 1929. I am specifically addressing Zwingli‘s work, Commentary on True and False Religion (1525; translated by Henry Preble), which William Walker Rockwell in his Preface describes as “The earliest truly comprehensive treatise on Protestant theology” and the first to present “the full-orbed Protestant faith. . . . Zwingli presents an original and . . . comprehensive plan of arrangement and, therefore,... Read more