I’m inspired by the fabulous performance of Catholic Answers apologist Joe Heschmeyer vs. Bishop “Dr.” [???] James White in the recent debate, “Is the Mass A Propitiatory Sacrifice?” Joe pointed out how Protestants look the death of the Jesus on the cross as a one-time event (as indeed it was), but in a way that precludes a revisiting of it in the Mass. But then he noted how there was a difference in the Old Testament sacrificial system between the... Read more
False premises; unfounded, unbiblical divine “impossibilities”; cessationism; ten types of physical divine presence François Turretin (1623-1687) was a Genevan-Italian Reformed scholastic theologian and renowned defender of the Calvinistic (Reformed) orthodoxy represented by the Synod of Dort, and was one of the authors of the Helvetic Consensus (1675). He is generally considered to be the best Calvinist apologist besides John Calvin himself. His Institutes of Elenctic Theology (three volumes, Geneva, 1679–1685) used the scholastic method. “Elenctic” means “refuting an argument by proving the falsehood of its conclusion.” Turretin contended against the conflicting Christian perspectives of Catholicism and Arminianism. It was a... Read more
Language of “bread” & “wine” after consecration; transubstantiation and transformation: compendium from the Church fathers François Turretin (1623-1687) was a Genevan-Italian Reformed scholastic theologian and renowned defender of the Calvinistic (Reformed) orthodoxy represented by the Synod of Dort, and was one of the authors of the Helvetic Consensus (1675). He is generally considered to be the best Calvinist apologist besides John Calvin himself. His Institutes of Elenctic Theology (three volumes, Geneva, 1679–1685) used the scholastic method. “Elenctic” means “refuting an argument by proving the falsehood of its conclusion.” Turretin contended against the conflicting Christian perspectives of Catholicism and Arminianism. It... Read more
Does Turretin think biblically in this regard or hyper-rationally and skeptically? François Turretin (1623-1687) was a Genevan-Italian Reformed scholastic theologian and renowned defender of the Calvinistic (Reformed) orthodoxy represented by the Synod of Dort, and was one of the authors of the Helvetic Consensus (1675). He is generally considered to be the best Calvinist apologist besides John Calvin himself. His Institutes of Elenctic Theology (three volumes, Geneva, 1679–1685) used the scholastic method. “Elenctic” means “refuting an argument by proving the falsehood of its conclusion.” Turretin contended against the conflicting Christian perspectives of Catholicism and Arminianism. It was a popular textbook;... Read more
Does a traditional literal reading of “this is my body” entail “a thousand absurdities and contradictions”? The book of Job is instructive Vs. Turretin #11: Eucharist, Pt. 1 François Turretin (1623-1687) was a Genevan-Italian Reformed scholastic theologian and renowned defender of the Calvinistic (Reformed) orthodoxy represented by the Synod of Dort, and was one of the authors of the Helvetic Consensus (1675). He is generally considered to be the best Calvinist apologist besides John Calvin himself. His Institutes of Elenctic Theology (three volumes, Geneva, 1679–1685) used the scholastic method. “Elenctic” means “refuting an argument by proving... Read more
. . . Concentrating on the New Eve Analogy in the Church Fathers and its Full Implication Regarding Mary’s Freedom from Actual and Original Sin This is a follow-up to my previous articles, Mary’s Sinlessness & the Fathers (vs. Javier Perdomo) [2-5-25] and Patristic Development of a Sinless Mary (Cdl. Newman) [2-6-25], and responds to a further counter-reply from the Lutheran apologist and YouTuber, Javier Perdomo, on his own thread, Church Fathers & Medievals on the Immaculate Conception [2-4-25]. His words will... Read more
John Calvin (1509-1564) was the second most important leader in the earliest days of Protestantism, and arguably, even more historically influential, in terms of theology, than its founder, Martin Luther. Citations from Institutes of the Christian Religion (abbreviated as “Inst.) were translated by Henry Beveridge for the Calvin Translation Society in 1845, from the 1559 edition in Latin; reprinted by Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co.: Grand Rapids, Michigan, 1995, and available for free online. ***** 1) The One True Church... Read more
All passages RSV. Hebrews 3:6-8, 12-14 but Christ was faithful over God’s house as a son. And we are his house if we hold fast our confidence [parrésia: Strong’s word # 3954] and pride in our hope. [elpis: #1680] [7] Therefore, as the Holy Spirit says, “Today, when you hear his voice, [8] do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion, . . .” [12] Take care, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart, leading you... Read more
Henry R. Percival, D.D. (1854-1903) was a prominent American Episcopal priest and author of many books. This is a reply to a few portions of his book, The Invocation of Saints Treated Theologically and Historically (London and New York: Longmans, Green, and Co., 1896). As a High Church Anglican, he substantially agrees with us on this general topic. So I am only quibbling with him over a few things. His words will be in blue. I use RSV for... Read more
See the related article, Mary’s Sinlessness & the Fathers (vs. Javier Perdomo) . . . Including a Turn the Tables Argument Regarding Protestant Doctrines Virtually Nonexistent in the Fathers (Sola Scriptura, Sola Fide) [2-5-25]: to which this is a follow-up. All the words in the first section (before the ++++++’s) are St. John Henry Cardinal Newman’s own. I make a few additional brief observations at the end. ***** If I am asked for proof of the doctrine being held... Read more
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