Sacrifice of the Mass / Cyprian’s Ecclesiology (vs. Calvin #11)

Last updated on: January 3, 2019 at 2:21 pm By Dave Armstrong

This is an installment of a series of replies (see the Introduction and Master List) to much of Book IV (Of the Holy Catholic Church) of Institutes of the Christian Religion, by early Protestant leader John Calvin (1509-1564). I utilize the public domain translation of Henry Beveridge, dated 1845, from the 1559 edition in Latin; available online. Calvin’s words will be in blue. All biblical citations (in my portions) will be from RSV unless otherwise noted. Related reading from yours truly: Biblical Catholic Answers for John Calvin (2010 book:... Read more

Indefectibility & Apostolic Succession (vs. Calvin #10)

Last updated on: January 2, 2019 at 1:00 pm By Dave Armstrong

Dissident Catholics: Disproof of Catholic Doctrinal Unity?

Last updated on: January 1, 2019 at 10:15 am By Dave Armstrong

[abridged and slightly modified sections from a dialogue with four anti-Catholics (including Bishop “Dr.” [???] James White), between 23 May and 3 June 1996. This was right around the time that I finished my first book: A Biblical Defense of Catholicism. It took seven years to finally get it published. But this material was not in that book] ***** The Catholic Church has the books, the dogmas, the decrees, the Councils, the Catechism, the uniform, developed doctrinal history and... Read more

Mary “Mother of God”: Greater than God the Father?

Last updated on: January 1, 2019 at 10:13 am By Dave Armstrong

This is my own original draft for a chapter that was to appear in my book, The One-Minute Apologist (2007). It’s very different from the final draft, so that it amounts to an alternate approach to arguing the Catholic position. ***** MARY * Calling Mary “Mother of God” makes her greater than God * How can someone be greater or older than God? It makes no sense! ***** Initial Reply * The title “Mother of God” (Greek, Theotokos, or “God-bearer”) refers to the indisputable... Read more

Indefectibility of the One True Church (vs. Calvin #9)

Last updated on: December 31, 2018 at 1:36 pm By Dave Armstrong

Sinners in the Church & God’s Mercy (vs. Calvin #8)

Last updated on: December 31, 2018 at 1:11 pm By Dave Armstrong

Yes, Virginia, the Pope Believes Mary is Immaculate

Last updated on: December 29, 2018 at 5:09 pm By Dave Armstrong

The latest tempest in a teapot is the claim that Pope Francis supposedly denied the Immaculate Conception of Mary. It’s nonsense, and ably dealt with by my friend, Fr. Matthew Schneider, in his article, The Pope Didn’t Deny the Immaculate Conception. Anyone can read his reasoning there, but I’d like to highlight the quotations from Pope Francis that Fr. Matthew found: In view of this motherhood, Mary was preserved from original sin, from that fracture in communion with God, with others... Read more

St. Paul: Orthodox Catholic or Theological Pluralist?

Last updated on: December 28, 2018 at 1:20 pm By Dave Armstrong

This was a blog dialogue, underneath my post, Baptized for the Dead: THE “UnProtestant” Verse (1 Cor 15:29). My dialogue opponent, Rod Bristol, started making his argument about how Paul supposedly allows all these different doctrines. At length, I discovered that he rejected both original sin and eternal hellfire: thus illustrating perfectly that if one goes down this road of “pluralism” and “secondary doctrines” that one will end up denying clear biblical teachings and Christian orthodoxy. His words will be in blue.... Read more

Dialogue w Lutherans: “Proxy Baptism”? (1 Cor 15:29)

Last updated on: December 28, 2018 at 4:12 pm By Dave Armstrong

These lively exchanges occurred on my Facebook page underneath a link to my post, Baptized for the Dead: THE “UnProtestant” Verse (1 Cor 15:29). Both men are Lutheran pastors (LCMS). Ken Howes’ words will be in blue; Eric Phillips’ in green. ***** He [Presbyterian Matt Slick, commenting on the passage] gives it the old college try, and e for effort, but I find it quite a stretch. In context, Paul is not rhetorically disagreeing with the practice he mentions in passing,... Read more

Baptized for the Dead: THE “UnProtestant” Verse (1 Cor 15:29)

Last updated on: August 27, 2019 at 10:58 am By Dave Armstrong

[from my 2004 book, The Catholic Verses: 95 Bible Passages That Confound Protestants] 1 Corinthians 15:29 [RSV] “Otherwise, what do people mean by being baptized on behalf of the dead? If the dead are not raised at all, why are people baptized on their behalf?” Many Protestant commentators (I will provide examples shortly) think this is one of the most obscure passages in the New Testament, even the single most mysterious passage. As such, it is particularly relevant for our study. ... Read more