Dialogue on Calvin’s & Patristic Eucharistic Theology

Last updated on: October 22, 2018 at 1:47 pm 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

Last updated on: October 22, 2018 at 12:31 pm 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

Last updated on: October 20, 2018 at 1:29 am 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

Last updated on: October 18, 2018 at 2:39 pm 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

Last updated on: October 18, 2018 at 1:34 pm 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

Last updated on: October 17, 2018 at 11:37 am 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

Last updated on: October 17, 2018 at 10:56 am 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

Last updated on: October 15, 2018 at 3:17 pm 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

Last updated on: October 15, 2018 at 2:46 pm 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

Last updated on: October 11, 2018 at 12:20 pm 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