(1991) *** [Martin Luther’s words will be in blue] *** 1. Martin Luther’s Novel Assurance Doctrine (Hartmann Grisar) “In the printed Commentary on Galatians we already have Luther’s new doctrine of the absolute assurance of salvation by faith alone. “This later discovery he insists upon, with wearisome reiteration, . . . as the only means of bringing relief to the conscience . . . “He entirely excludes love from this faith, even the slightest commencement of it, in more forcible... Read more
(12-9-04) *** This is a counter-reply to a response to my best-selling pamphlet for Our Sunday Visitor, Top Ten Questions Catholics Are Asked. It is found on a web page called “The Preacher’s Files,” for Berryville church of Christ in Arkansas (be sure to see Part Two also). In the two-part paper, all ten of my topics (which I only covered very briefly, of course, as this was merely a pamphlet), were allegedly “refuted.” An audio tape of this sermon (how often am I mentioned in a... Read more
[written for Thanksgiving 2017] [all Bible verses RSV] *** 1 Chronicles 16:4 Moreover he appointed certain of the Levites as ministers before the ark of the LORD, to invoke, to thank, and to praise the LORD, the God of Israel. 16:7-8 Then on that day David first appointed that thanksgiving be sung to the LORD by Asaph and his brethren. [8] O give thanks to the LORD, call on his name, make known his deeds among the peoples! 16:34-35 O give thanks to the LORD,... Read more
(8-20-13) *** [reply on another page from a mainstream “traditionalist” who objects to these writings of mine, but it’s not public, so I can’t quote the other person’s queries. You can tell pretty much what was asked (nicely, this time), by my replies] *** All serious and dangerous errors are well-worth refuting. The devil can take people out of commission on the right or the left of the theological spectrum. If he gets a Catholic (one who does believe Church... Read more
Dave Scott is a “low church” / evangelical / non-denominational Protestant, who is a good friend. We had this casual and enjoyable chat today on my Facebook page. His words will be in blue. *** We’re saying that grace and faith save and that works are intrinsically part of that faith. I wouldn’t disagree with that Dave … there is undoubtedly a dynamic between faith and works which self-justifiers on either ‘side’ try to split and then gainsay. I’ve always... Read more
(3-18-17) *** [words of my anti-Catholic brother in Christ will be in blue] *** [my words were cited, about one of James White’s innumerable swipes at me] “he started making out that I was an ignorant Protestant who hadn’t read anything (Protestant) of any worth, and that this is why I converted” That is the more generous position. The other alternative is that you are an apostate – an enemy of the Gospel. What is your conclusion? I don’t know, I... Read more
(7-10-09) *** Tim Roof, a Presbyterian (OPC) wrote: My Catholic upbringing militates against the idea that I was not, in at least some sense, a believer in Christ while a member of the RCC. On the other hand, there is sufficient biblical and internal witness to evidence, in my view, that I did not, in fact, know Him as I ought. Nor do I believe it likely that had I continued in Catholicism I would have come to know Him... Read more
(9-22-05) *** [originally stimulated in debate with a Lutheran professor of history] *** Once real presence and sacrifice are directly merged (as is the case even with the early Church fathers in many instances), then it is necessarily a propitiatory sacrifice, not merely the bread and wine, by definition. The bread and wine have been transformed into the Body and Blood of Jesus, and so what we have is the “being made present” of Calvary. Hence, Sacrifice of the Mass, and... Read more
This is essentially a follow-up to the earlier “Dialogue on Roy Moore: Sex, Facts, Ruined Lives, & Law.” *** Groupies have flocked around every rock star, actor, and rich guy in the history of the world. Does that prove that they are “sexual predators”? Are such people who argue that way prepared to say that almost all rock stars (Elvis, Beatles, Led Zeppelin, Stones, virtually everyone) were sexual predators, whom we should now regard as monsters and anathema? Will they be throwing out... Read more
[Anti-Catholic reformed Protestant polemicist James Swan wrote about the stamp put out by the Vatican with Luther and Melanchthon at the foot of the cross and crucified Jesus. His words will be in blue.] *** I do feel sorry for many of Rome’s defenders. A lot of them “converted” from Protestantism, and in their early zeal enjoyed throwing Luther and the Reformation under the bus. No need. I have said from the beginning that Luther has a lot of true... Read more
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