Petrine & Roman Primacy & Papal Succession (vs. Calvin #14)

Last updated on: January 8, 2019 at 2:06 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

Biblical & Patristic Basis for the Papacy (vs. Calvin #13)

Last updated on: January 4, 2019 at 2:29 pm By Dave Armstrong

Bishops, Church Offices, & Paul’s Call (vs. Calvin #12)

Last updated on: January 3, 2019 at 2:57 pm By Dave Armstrong

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

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

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