Grace, Faith, Works, & Judgment: A Scriptural Exposition

Last updated on: November 14, 2017 at 12:04 pm By Dave Armstrong

(12-16-09; reformulated and abridged on 3-15-17) *** Catholics believe in sola gratia, but reject sola fide as an unbiblical innovation. The fact remains that works are profoundly involved in the salvation (ultimately by grace) in some sense: St. Paul’s Teaching on the Organic Relationship of Grace / Faith and Works / Action / Obedience (Collection of 50 Pauline Passages) More “Catholic Verses” and Biblical Defenses of Catholicism: On Sanctification as Part of Salvation, and Merit and “Doing Something for Salvation” ... Read more

David T. King Ignores Sola Scriptura Biblical Disproofs

Last updated on: November 14, 2017 at 12:05 pm By Dave Armstrong

Including a Lengthy Analysis of 2 Peter 1:20: “no prophecy of scripture is a matter of one’s own interpretation.” Anti-Catholic polemicists David T. King and William Webster produced a self-published three-volume series entitled Holy Scripture: The Ground and Pillar of Our Faith (2001). Volume 1 from David T. King is entitled A Biblical Defense of the Reformation Principle of Sola Scriptura. I have the set in my library (they were given to me; I’d never buy ’em). I was looking through them... Read more

“In Him”: An Expression of the Oneness of Theosis?

Last updated on: November 13, 2017 at 11:27 am By Dave Armstrong

(3-13-14) *** Some of the texts brought forth as evidence of theosis / deification / divinization, or the attainment of a profound oneness with God, are the following (RSV): Romans 6:5 For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his. 1 Corinthians 6:17 But he who is united to the Lord becomes one spirit with him. 2 Corinthians 3:18 And we all, with unveiled... Read more

St. Paul’s Use of the Term “Gift” & Infused Justification

Last updated on: November 12, 2017 at 7:24 pm By Dave Armstrong

(2013) *** Initially, I got this idea for this chapter from Blessed John Henry Cardinal Newman, Lectures on the Doctrine of Justification (1838), chapter 6. Following the lead of his analogy and exegetical argument, I expanded upon it with my usual Scripture study and comparison of words. The argument, briefly stated, is an analogical one. “Gift” throughout Scripture means something actually imparted internally to us (as in the spiritual gifts). In the overall context of Romans 5, we see a... Read more

New Testament on the Jewish Background of Christianity

Last updated on: November 11, 2017 at 2:48 pm By Dave Armstrong

From my book, Revelation!: 1001 Biblical Answers to Theological Questions (2013). Bible verses in KJV unless specified. *** Did Jesus destroy or fulfill the old covenant law? Matthew 5:17-18 Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. [18] For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.... Read more

“Unanimous Consent” of the Church Fathers (Steve Ray)

Last updated on: November 10, 2017 at 4:41 pm By Dave Armstrong

(1996) *** The Church sees the Fathers as the successors of the apostles, the closest source to the apostolic teaching and tradition, and therefore authoritative. One must ask, why should I trust Protestant Joe X’s interpretation, or his pastor’s, when we can go back to the source and listen to those who knew the apostles? One must understand what the Church means when she is bound by the “unanimous consent” of the Fathers. The Church cannot, has not, and does... Read more

Luther’s Fascinating Correspondence from 1518 to 1520

Last updated on: November 10, 2017 at 3:04 pm By Dave Armstrong

(6-11-08) *** Let’s briefly review the relevant timeline and background for these events. Martin Luther tacked up his 95 Theses in Wittenberg, Saxony on 31 October 1517. This is almost universally considered the beginning of the Protestant “Reformation”. The papal bull Exsurge Domine was issued by Pope Leo X on 15 June 1520, and demanded that Luther retract 41 errors: some from the 95 Theses, and others from subsequent works. Luther completed his treatise, To the Christian Nobility of the German Nation by 23 June 1520. It was published... Read more

Jack Chick’s Lies: The Real Alberto Rivera Exposed

Last updated on: November 10, 2017 at 12:59 pm By Dave Armstrong

(7-9-03) *** —— “The most godly man I ever met” ———- Jack T. Chick *** Alberto Rivera, the alleged former Catholic priest, bishop, and anti-Catholic hero of Jack Chick comic strips, was exposed as a total fraud by non-Catholic (evangelical Protestant) Gary Metz, in two articles appearing in evangelical magazines: 1) “The Alberto Story,” Cornerstone, vol. 9, no. 53, 1981, pp. 29-31. * 2) Christianity Today, March 13, 1981. I have heard that the Christian Research Institute (CRI), founded by the late Dr.... Read more

Sola Scriptura, Cyril of Jerusalem, Logic, & Anti-Catholics

Last updated on: November 9, 2017 at 7:18 pm By Dave Armstrong

This comes from a vigorous combox on the great site Shameless Popery, under the post, “Reformation Day Ironies, 500th Anniversary Edition” (by Joe Heschmeyer). Anti-Catholic Barry Baritone’s words will be in blue. Words of “Irked” will be in green. I had written two papers about this general topic before. The first was raised by someone in the discussion; I cited the second: Cyril of Jerusalem (d. 386) vs. Sola Scriptura as the Rule of Faith [8-1-03] David T. King &... Read more

Fr. Bart Brewer’s Initial “Reason” for Ditching Catholicism

Last updated on: November 9, 2017 at 12:19 pm By Dave Armstrong

(8-15-00) *** Bart Brewer, former Catholic priest (d. 2005), was a leading anti-Catholic “missionary” (Mission to Catholics, International, San Diego). I thought it would be interesting to take note of something he wrote about himself: the first reason which he felt compelled him to make a move out of Catholicism: * * * Bart Brewer, a professional anti-Catholic, recounted his love affair with a high school girl, while still a priest under vows: I enjoyed watching the girls giggle as... Read more