1 Timothy 3:15 = Church Infallibility (vs. Steve Hays)

Last updated on: May 14, 2020 at 12:07 pm By Dave Armstrong

Steve Hays of Tribalblogue is an anti-Catholic polemicist and sophist. I’ll be responding to one portion of Steve’s article, “Catholic prooftexts” (12-17-17, Tribalblogue). His words will be in blue. ***** 1 Timothy 3:15b (RSV) . . . the household of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and bulwark of the truth. Catholic apologists quote this passage to prove the infallibility of their sect. However. * 1. A basic problem is quoting the verse out of context. A pitfall of chapter and verse... Read more

On the Title “Mother of God” / Theotokos (vs. Steve Hays)

Last updated on: May 14, 2020 at 11:57 am By Dave Armstrong

Steve Hays of Tribalblogue is an anti-Catholic polemicist and sophist. I’ll be responding to the relevant portions of Steve’s article, “Theotokos” (12-19-17, Tribalblogue). His words will be in blue. ***** Because “mother of God” is equivocal, Catholics use that as a wedge issue. They try to get evangelicals to agree on an orthodox sense of the title, swap that out and swap in a different meaning, then use their bait-n-switch to promote their legendary Marian dogmas. . . . we should reject equivocal usage, where the evangelical... Read more

Bible on Faith, Works, and Judgment (vs. Jason Engwer)

Last updated on: May 13, 2020 at 5:11 pm By Dave Armstrong

This came about in a related discussion concerning the Judaizers — in the combox of a post about whether Francis Beckwith, prominent Catholic convert, is saved. Anti-Catholic Protestant apologist Jason Engwer’s words will be in blue. * * * * * We believe in sola gratia as you do, but reject sola fide as an unbiblical innovation. The fact remains that works are profoundly involved in the salvation (ultimately by grace) in some sense: St. Paul on Grace, Faith, & Works (50 Passages) [8-6-08] Catholic Bible Verses on Sanctification and Merit [12-20-07]... Read more

Does Pope Francis Have “Foot-in-the-Mouth” Disease?

Last updated on: May 13, 2020 at 12:48 pm By Dave Armstrong

Reflections on the hysteria, irrationality, and fanaticism of the anti-Francis mentality, from 1-22-15 — originally on Facebook. ***** I haven’t found yet where he is at fault in these 10 million clueless accusations thrown at him (certainly not in any major way). People can say that I simply defend him no matter what if they wish. I was accused of the same with regard to St. John Paul the Great, too. Nothing new under the sun. I’ve done the research and... Read more

John 20:22-23 & Formal Absolution (vs. Steve Hays)

Last updated on: May 13, 2020 at 9:54 am By Dave Armstrong

[book and purchase information] *** Steve Hays of Tribalblogue is an anti-Catholic polemicist and sophist. I’ll be responding to one portion of Steve’s article, “Catholic prooftexts” (12-17-17, Tribalblogue). His words will be in blue. ***** John 20:22-23 (RSV) And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. [23] If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.” i) How should we interpret this statement [John... Read more

2 Thessalonians 2:15 and Tradition (vs. Steve Hays)

Last updated on: May 12, 2020 at 7:39 pm By Dave Armstrong

Steve Hays of Tribalblogue is a Protestant anti-Catholic polemicist and sophist. I’ll be responding to one portion of his article, “Catholic prooftexts” (12-17-17, Tribalblogue). His words will be in blue. ***** 2 Thessalonians 2:15 (RSV) So then, brethren, stand firm and hold to the traditions which you were taught by us, either by word of mouth or by letter. Catholic apologists quote this to prove the authority of Sacred Tradition. However: * 1. In this verse, Paul points to his own firsthand teaching, and... Read more

Papal Passages Lk 22:31-34 & Jn 21:15-17 (vs. Jason Engwer)

Last updated on: May 12, 2020 at 9:29 am By Dave Armstrong

Jason Engwer is a Protestant apologist who does a lot of good work of general apologetics in defense of Christianity (I have linked, for example, to a lot of his material concerning Christmas), alongside not-so-great anti-Catholic polemics. I rejoice in the former, and refute the latter on occasion, as I will do now. I’ll be responding to Jason’s article, “Abusing Peter’s Weaknesses To Establish A Papacy” (1-23-20, Tribalblogue). His words will be in blue. ***** Luke 22:31-34 (RSV) “Simon, Simon, behold, Satan... Read more

James White’s “Doctorate”: Dialogue w Seminary’s Rick Walston

Last updated on: May 11, 2020 at 12:30 pm By Dave Armstrong

James White’s words will be in green; words of the president Rick Walston, of the school where White obtained his degree (Columbia Evangelical Seminary) will be in blue. ***** It’s pretty ridiculous for a man to go around for years calling himself “Dr.” when he hasn’t remotely fulfilled the requirements necessary to attain to that honorable title, and received his “doctorate” from a non-accredited storefront diploma mill after sending in 39 box tops from Cheerios boxes . . . But... Read more

I Refuted James White’s Favorite Defenses of Sola Scriptura

Last updated on: May 11, 2020 at 10:53 am By Dave Armstrong

[see book and purchase information] Words of Bishop “Dr.” [???] James White will be in blue. ***** In an article on his blog, dated 10-31-09 [linked below], he attacked Dr. Francis Beckwith: We get the distinct feeling that despite spending 90 days doing the study that led him back to Rome, Dr. Beckwith somehow missed the best works from the non-Roman Catholic viewpoint. I see no reason to believe he worked through Chemnitz or Whittaker [sic] or Goode or... Read more

Calvin & Mary Ever Virgin (w Tim Staples vs. James Swan)

Last updated on: May 9, 2020 at 11:12 am By Dave Armstrong

[John Calvin’s words will be in blue; Tim Staples’ in green; anti-Catholic Reformed polemicist James Swan’s in brown] **** Catholic apologist and friend Tim Staples has a new book out about Mariology, entitled, Behold Your Mother: A Biblical and Historical Defense of the Marian Doctrines. On 10 October 2014 at the Catholic Answers blog, he wrote a related post, entitled, “Apologists Make Mistakes, Too!” Well, of course we do (as far as that goes)! No argument there. I am questioning, however, whether we have been (hugely) mistaken... Read more