Dialogue w Three Lutherans on Justification & Salvation

Last updated on: September 8, 2018 at 6:58 pm By Dave Armstrong

This dialogue took place on the Lutheran blog Three Hierarchies, underneath the post, “Reformed and Roman Catholic doctrine as compromise platforms.” Professional historian CPA’s words will be in blue; Eric Phillips’ words in green, and Tom R’s in purple. * * * * * So apparently, Catholic teaching explicit states that those are justified who merely believe, as a set of facts that has nothing to do with their lives, the church’s creed, as long as they sincerely try to be a good person (as defined by Christian... Read more

John Wesley (Founder of Methodism), Denied “Faith Alone”?

Last updated on: September 9, 2018 at 6:36 pm By Dave Armstrong

John Wesley’s words will be in blue. I was initially responding to remarks from someone who had stated that faith alone (sola fide) was essential to any definition of a Christian. ***** If sola fide [“faith alone”] defines a Christian, then John Wesley and Methodists, the whole Wesleyan tradition, and many traditional Anglicans are not Christians. Such a conception of Christianity would exclude folks like John Wesley himself, C. S. Lewis, and Dorothy Sayers. With regard to the condition of salvation, it may be remembered... Read more

Faith Alone: Development of Church Fathers & St. Augustine?

Last updated on: September 7, 2018 at 7:44 pm By Dave Armstrong

Heresy can only be defined as the apostles and Church Fathers defined it, according to the ancient principle of apostolic succession. In a nutshell, heresy is that which has not been passed down from the beginning, from the apostles and our Lord Jesus. If something is novel and cannot be traced back, it is heresy, and to be utterly rejected, according to St. Paul in particular. All other definitions are ultimately circular: X What is heresy? Y That which is false and... Read more

More Biblical Evidence on Honoring Political Rulers

Last updated on: September 8, 2018 at 4:39 pm By Dave Armstrong

For background, see these writings of mine about respect for political rulers (especially the first one): Holy Scripture: Honor and Respect Political Rulers [2-2-17] Crass Political Bigotry vs. Biblical Teaching on Honoring Rulers [Facebook, 5-18-17] King Saul was chosen by God, who told the prophet Samuel to anoint him. Likewise, political rulers (in general) are: from God, instituted by God. what God has appointed, God’s servant for your good. the servant of God to execute his wrath on the wrongdoer. ... Read more

God’s Judgment of Sin: Analogies for an Atheist Inquirer

Last updated on: September 6, 2018 at 7:07 pm By Dave Armstrong

[Words of atheist or agnostic (?) heleninedinburgh will be in blue] ***** I’ve been dealing with several of the objections to God’s alleged character flaws in my series vs. Seidensticker (so far with zero response from him, after 14 critiques). ‘Character flaws’ is a pretty tactful way to put it. The flood in Genesis, perhaps? Sodom and Gomorrah? God as the Creator has the “prerogative” to judge His creation when they have gone astray. We have earthly judges (by analogy) who do... Read more

Should We Pray for All People or Not (1 John 5:16)?

Last updated on: September 5, 2018 at 2:09 pm By Dave Armstrong

1 John 5:14-16 (RSV) And this is the confidence which we have in him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us. 15] And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have obtained the requests made of him. [16] If any one sees his brother committing what is not a mortal sin, he will ask, and God will give him life for those whose sin is not mortal.... Read more

Dialogue w Baptist on Romans 1:1-3 & Justification

Last updated on: September 5, 2018 at 7:03 am By Dave Armstrong

[This material is from a short-lived e-mail exchange with a Baptist friend, in January 1997 (originally intended to be a comprehensive Bible study of Romans and later edited: on 11 August 2000). Her (selective) words will be in blue, but this is primarily my own contribution to the dialogue. Verses are from the NRSV Bible unless otherwise noted.] ***** Romans 1b-2 . . . the gospel of God which he promised beforehand through his prophets in the Holy Scriptures. I think often... Read more

Dialogue on Grace (vs. Anti-Catholic Phil Johnson)

Last updated on: September 4, 2018 at 6:09 pm By Dave Armstrong

Phil Johnson is the Executive Director of popular Protestant expositor John MacArthur’s Grace to You ministry, and ordained elder and pastor at Grace Community Church. The following dialogue took place on the public Theology List. Phillip’s words will be in blue. ***** I’d like you to show me where the Catechism of the Catholic Church says anything about God securing our cooperation by grace. Gladly: #1989, 1992-1993, 1996, 1998-2003, 2007-2010, 2018, 2022-2023, 2025-2027, pp. 482-487, 489-490. #1996 reads: Our justification comes from the grace of God.... Read more

On the Abp. Vigano-Pope Francis Crisis, Ten Days In

Last updated on: September 4, 2018 at 4:17 pm By Dave Armstrong

Just to clarify and make it abundantly clear, for the record (and I’ve been saying most if not all of this from the beginning of this mess): People are choosing sides. My view is to wait till all the information we can obtain is in, and make a reasoned judgment. I think we’re far from that and are only in the beginning stages. The two sides of this need to talk to each other. But that rarely ever happens... Read more

Romans 2-4 & “Works of the Law”: Patristic Interpretation

Last updated on: September 4, 2018 at 3:15 pm By Dave Armstrong

[patristic citations in blue] ***** We are not intrinsically sinners. We were originally created without sin; baptism removes the penalties of original sin, and we will be sinless again if we make it to heaven. Righteousness comes only from God, and He transforms us, and we cooperate with him to become more holy all the time. Grace is always primary and initial. As soon as we accept that grace we can then cooperate with it to do good works bathed in... Read more