Does Sola Scriptura Create Chaos? (vs. Steve Hays)

Last updated on: May 15, 2020 at 11:29 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, “Ten objections to sola scriptura-1” (4-22-04, Tribalblogue). His words will be in blue. ***** Over the years, Catholic apologetics has raised a number of objections to sola Scriptura. Let’s run through the major objections and rebut them one by one. And let’s decisively refute his supposed rebuttals . . . 1. It’s a recipe for chaos: Catholic apologists often point to the proliferation of Protestant... Read more

Reply to Atheist Ward Ricker Re “Biblical Contradictions”

Last updated on: May 15, 2020 at 11:43 am By Dave Armstrong

Ward Ricker is (as so often) a self-described former “fundamentalist” who likes to poke holes in the Bible and “prove” that it is a terrible and “evil” book, not inspired, hopelessly contradictory, etc. He describes his current belief as follows: Some people would refer to me as an “atheist”, which is perhaps accurate, since I don’t believe in god, but I don’t particularly like the word “atheist”, since it only tells you what I don’t believe, i.e,, that I don’t... Read more

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