The material formerly here has been re-worked, modified, and edited and is now included only in my book, The Word Set in Stone: How Archaeology, Science, and History Back Up the Bible (Catholic Answers Press: March 15, 2023) *** Photo credit: dimitrisvetsikas1969 (7-8-19) [Pixabay / Pixabay License] *** Read more
I love Ann Arbor, even though I sarcastically refer to it and neighboring Ypsilanti as “Sodom and Gomorrah” because they are both university towns (the latter has Eastern Michigan University, the former, University of Michigan). It’s a beautiful (hilly, forested) place and, as we would expect a university town to be: artsy and fun. I went to a Brian Wilson concert there in 1999, and also saw The Chieftains a few years later. I have the fondest memories of beginning my... Read more
The material formerly here has been re-worked, modified, and edited and is now included only in my book, The Word Set in Stone: How Archaeology, Science, and History Back Up the Bible (Catholic Answers Press: March 15, 2023) *** Photo credit: OpenClipart-Vectors (4-1-16) [Pixabay / Pixabay License] *** Read more
This is taken from Chapter 12 of my book, Biblical Catholic Salvation (2010), pages 115-129. ***** Charles Hodge describes the Calvinist notion of irresistible grace (in his mind, “Augustinian” is essentially synonymous with “Calvinist” or “Reformed”): This general call of the gospel is not inconsistent with the doctrine of predestination. For predestination concerns only the purpose of God to render effectual in particular cases, a call addressed to all. A general amnesty on certain conditions may be offered by a sovereign to... Read more
And Was it the Prototype of Ecumenical Councils or Merely a Local Synod? This is a discussion I had on my Facebook page with Fr. Daniel G. Dozier, a good friend of mine who is a Byzantine Catholic priest, and my co-author of the book, Orthodoxy and Catholicism: A Comparison (3rd revised edition: July 2015, 335 pages). His words will be in blue. He likely has more to say. If so, that will be added to this dialogue. ***** [for background, read... Read more
Jonathan MS Pearce is a prominent online atheist. He runs the blog called A Tippling Philosopher. I have had several dialogues with him, where he is perfectly civil. But his comboxes are a completely different story. Yesterday he put up a post where once again he called for civility in his comboxes. He wrote: So it’s that time of the month where I am having to talk about commenting again. We have got to a situation where Bert [co-blogger on the... Read more
Reformed Belgic Confession (1561) and Second Helvetic Confession (1566) [Taken from Chapter Ten of the above volume (see book and purchase information), completed in June 2002] Belgic Confession (1561) [Words from the Belgic Confession will be in blue] Article 29: The Marks of the True Church We believe that we ought to discern diligently and very carefully, by the Word of God, Who is to discern? The individual? Seems like it to me. What is the true church– for all sects... Read more
This is a series of replies to the historically and theologically influential Calvinist Westminster Confession (1647; see background and info. on the authors). I will be particularly concentrating on the many Bible passages that it lists in supposed “proof” of its distinctively Calvinist or Protestant claims that are (from the Catholic — and we would say, biblical — perspective) false. Its words will be in blue. I use RSV in my Bible quotations. ***** The anonymous Calvinist to whom I... Read more
The Reformed Protestant / Calvinist anti-Catholic site, Evangelical Miscellanies produced (anonymously) the article, “The Perseverance of the Saints” (2-5-21). It was a [very selective] reply to my paper, Absolute Assurance of Salvation?: Debunking “Prooftexts”, which is Chapter Thirteen of my book, Biblical Catholic Salvation: “Faith Working Through Love” (Oct. 2010). The words of the writer will be in blue; my older cited words in green, and my present response in plain black. ***** Perseverance of the Saints: Can we be assured of our salvation?... Read more
[see book and purchase information] * [originally posted on 5-17-13 on Facebook; expanded slightly on 5-17-21] * ***** * This may be a “new” biblical argument for the veneration of saints. * If St. Paul is saying that all of these things “in” or “through” him were because of Christ, and others see that “in” or “through” him; does it not follow that he could be venerated, precisely because of what was “in / through him,” then observed by others,... Read more
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