The Book of Concord and the Catholic Mass Colored version of the Whore of Babylon illustration from Martin Luther’s 1534 translation of the Bible, from the Workshop of Lucas Cranach [public domain / Wikimedia Commons]. (4-26-05) The following dialogue with Lutheran “BWL” occurred in comments below. Since I did a little work in my reply, I thought it would be appropriate to make it a new paper of its own. His words will be in blue. Citations from the Book... Read more
Biblical Refutation of “Hyperfaith” / “Name-It-Claim-It” Teaching God the Father: woodcut by Julius Schnorr von Carolsfeld (1794-1872) [public domain / Wikimedia Commons] ***** This article has been re-uploaded, under the title: God Wills to Heal Everyone Through Faith or By Request? (Biblical Refutation of “Hyperfaith” / “Name-It-Claim-It” Teaching). ***** Read more
Wax figure from Madame Tussaud’s in Las Vegas; photograph by Cliff (4-28-09) [Flickr / CC BY 2.0 license] *** (5-23-08) ***** This is based on extensive research (with new material added presently) that I undertook in 1985, when I was an evangelical campus missionary. It’s one of the last major “projects” from my evangelical days (prior to October 1990) that needed to be uploaded to my blog. As there remains a lot of mythology on this topic: both from those... Read more
(12-20-07) *** Zwingli was, along with Martin Luther and John Calvin, one of the most influential Protestant Founders, or “Reformers”. Documentary evidence follows: Huldrych Zwingli, who had slept with a woman in a former parish, petitioned his ordinary, Bishop Hugo von Hohenlandenberg of Constance, for permission to marry, which was denied. [1] Zwingli was also secretly married to a widow, Anna Reinhart — as many people knew. [2] [1] Zwingli explains his brief affair with the daughter of a barber in... Read more
Penitent girl (c. 1750), by Pietro Rotari (1707-1762) [public domain / Wikimedia Commons] ***** (1995) ***** Calvin: You know, Joe, you Catholics ought to get rid of penance – punishing yourself to please God. Don’t you know God has already forgiven you?Joe: We would, Calvin, if the Bible allowed us to, but it teaches that there is a penalty to pay for sin in this life, too. For instance, David had to suffer terribly even though God had forgiven... Read more
A sign at the international boundary between Canada and the United States in Point Roberts, Washington. Photo by “Makaristos” (10-13-07) [public domain / Wikimedia Commons] ***** (7-6-10) ***** The Catechism of the Catholic Church (#2241) provides a brief summary as to what the Church thinks of illegal immigration: * Political authorities, for the sake of the common good for which they are responsible, may make the exercise of the right to immigrate subject to various juridical conditions, especially with regard... Read more
Luther at the Diet of Worms (1877), by Anton von Werner (1843-1915) [public domain / Wikimedia Commons] *** The words of CKRuch (LCMS) will be in blue. He was responding to my post, Jerusalem Council vs. Sola Scriptura. ***** Still digesting this but I see some issues with your argument. You cannot use the authority of scripture to diminish the authority of scripture. Of course not, because it is what it is: God’s inspired, infallible revelation. I’m sure you’d argue that... Read more
This portrait of Hillary Clinton was adapted from a photo in the public domain from the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff’s Flickr photostream: face. Image by “DonkeyHotey” (7-19-15) [Flickr / CC BY 2.0 license] ***** Whether one loves him, loathes him, reluctantly tolerates him, lionizes him, or thinks he is the reincarnation of Vlad the Impaler or Attila the Hun (I do none of those; I think he is a candidate who can win and will do some... Read more
Photograph by “skeeeze”(10-26-08) [Pixabay / CC0 public domain] *** (4-29-08) **** Words of Baptist pastor Ken Temple are in blue. I used this passage in a paper demonstrating synergism and human cooperation with the distribution of salvation and grace.* * * * * Philippians 2:12b-13 (RSV) . . . work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; for God is at work in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure. I commented about this passage in... Read more
***** The Ideal Mother Many’s the guy who’s wished for a wife Who measured up as the perfect “other”. Yet how rare a thing to experience in life: A soulmate who’s also the ideal mother. I watch my children learn week after week And marvel at your attentive loving care. Teaching, instructing, patient, and meek Your time and love always willing to share. How blessed our children, with a mom like you I couldn’t be more proud; nor one bit... Read more
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