Dialogue on Calvin’s & Patristic Eucharistic Theology

October 22, 2018 By Dave Armstrong

. . . Especially St. Cyril of Jerusalem’s Theology of the Eucharist My two dialogue opponents are Reformed Protestant (Calvinist). Dr. Joel Garver‘s words will be in blue; Kevin Johnson’s in green. See the related paper, from five days earlier: John Calvin and St. Cyril of Jerusalem: Comparative Eucharistic Theology. Reference is made to it below. ***** I would like to particularly thank Joel for replying (though also Kevin, of course); I know he must be a very busy man (like all academics)... Read more

“Unanimous Consent” of Church Fathers: Not Literally All

October 22, 2018 By Dave Armstrong

Does the Phrase “Unanimous Consent of the Fathers” Allow Any Exceptions? The term “unanimous consent” — as used in an ecclesiological / patristic context –, does not mean “absolutely every” — as it is commonly used today in general usage, but rather, “consensus of the vast majority” in line with the magisterium of the Church. See a short paper by Catholic apologist Steve Ray that explains this. Many critics of the Catholic Church question this meaning, and think we are playing games and special... Read more

Dialogue w Lutheran Pastor on Bible & Sola Scriptura

October 19, 2018 By Dave Armstrong

(including St. Irenaeus’ View on the Rule of Faith) Rev. Dr. Eric G. Phillips (LCMS) replied to my post, Lutheran Chemnitz Wrong Re Fathers & Sola Scriptura (mostly dealing with St. Irenaeus and Tertullian) on my public Facebook page. We discussed St. Irenaeus’ views and the alleged biblical support for sola Scriptura (which I contend is non-existent). His words will be in blue. ***** Response to the first third of that, because I don’t have time to read (let alone respond... Read more

Lutheran Chemnitz: Errors Re Fathers & Sola Scriptura

October 18, 2018 By Dave Armstrong

— including analysis of Jerome, Augustine, Origen, Epiphanius, Ambrose, Lactantius, Athanasius, and Cyprian — This is a reply to this aspect of the prominent 16th century Lutheran theologian Martin Chemnitz’ Examination of the Council of Trent, Part I (St. Louis: Concordia Pub. House, 1971; translated by Fred Kramer). It’s basically a follow-up to the previous installment, which dealt primarily with the views of St. Irenaeus and Tertullian. * * * * * Before proceeding, I need to make a very important clarification that always... Read more

Lutheran Chemnitz Wrong Re Fathers & Sola Scriptura

October 18, 2018 By Dave Armstrong

— mostly dealing with St. Irenaeus and Tertullian — This is a reply to one aspect of the prominent 16th century Lutheran theologian Martin Chemnitz’ Examination of the Council of Trent, Part I (St. Louis: Concordia Pub. House, 1971; translated by Fred Kramer). I’m in possession of a hardcover edition. * * * * * I read the first hundred pages of Chemnitz’ Examen, Volume I. Now I’ve read the entire section on Bible and Tradition (minus the sections on canonicity and vernacular,... Read more

Dialogue w Agnostic Scientist on God’s Logic, Axioms, & Biases

October 17, 2018 By Dave Armstrong

Compiled from e-mail exchanges between myself and the late Dr. Jan Schreurs. His words will be in blue. * * * * * What we feel God would or would not do is a prejudice (preconceived idea) if it is not based on logic or testing. If we reason it out with solid logic, it remains a bias but it is no longer a prejudice. I agree, except that you leave out revelation, and attesting miracles, for some reason, which the Christian... Read more

Sola Scriptura: Church Fathers (?), & Myself (?), by Analogy

October 17, 2018 By Dave Armstrong

This idea came to me as I was responding to a claim that St. Gregory of Nyssa was an advocate of sola Scriptura. A bunch of quotes from that great Church Father were produced, where he talked about the authority of Scripture. I remarked on the Lutheran comment board where the original citations were posted (italics added presently): It’s easy to pretend that these Fathers believed as Protestants do when you only cite one aspect of their beliefs and writings and omit equally important portions about... Read more

Dialogue w Agnostic on Common Objections to Christianity

October 15, 2018 By Dave Armstrong

The following exchange of amiable private correspondence is reproduced with my opponent, Matt Fahrner’s permission. He has expressed a desire that his letter to me be available in its entirety, for contextual reasons. I have not omitted any part of it below. I thank him for this opportunity to clarify my own beliefs and to present to my website visitors a congenial (and I think constructive and instructive) discussion between a Christian and an agnostic. Matt’s words will be in blue. Indented... Read more

Dialogue: Church Fathers on Perspicuity & Sola Scriptura

October 15, 2018 By Dave Armstrong

Perspicuity is a fancy word for “clearness” / ease of understanding of Scripture. Carmen Bryant is a Baptist missionary and Bible scholar (M.A. and Th.M. from Western Seminary). Her words will be in blue. ***** The Views of the Early Church in General A study of the development of the doctrine Perspicuity of Scripture will show that it was not a teaching invented during the Protestant Reformation but a resurrected one. This I deny. I affirm precisely what Carmen denies,... Read more

St. Augustine’s Belief in the Substantial Real Presence

October 11, 2018 By Dave Armstrong

The great Church Father makes many statements which have been traditionally seized upon as evidence of his adoption of either a purely symbolic or Calvinistic notion of the Lord’s Supper. This consideration will be dealt with first, before consulting the primary materials: I. Ludwig Ott, Fundamentals of Catholic Dogma, translated by Patrick Lynch, edited by James C. Bastible, Rockford, Illinois: TAN Books, 1974 (orig. 1952 in German), 377-378: The Eucharistic doctrine expounded by St. Augustine is interpreted in a purely spiritual... Read more