Reply to François Turretin #12: Transubstantiation, Pt. 1

Last updated on: February 27, 2025 at 11:29 am By Dave Armstrong

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

François Turretin and the Debate Over the Lord’s Supper

Last updated on: February 26, 2025 at 1:13 pm By Dave Armstrong

0 Comments

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

Newman, Sinless Mary, & Development (vs. Javier Perdomo)

Last updated on: February 13, 2025 at 11:46 am By Dave Armstrong

0 Comments

. . . 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’s Ten Striking “Catholic” Views

Last updated on: February 14, 2025 at 12:47 am By Dave Armstrong

0 Comments

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

Biblical “Hope” & Catholic Moral Assurance of Salvation

Last updated on: February 13, 2025 at 11:07 am By Dave Armstrong

0 Comments

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

Patron Saints & Invoking Saints vs. Direct Prayer to God

Last updated on: February 7, 2025 at 3:53 pm By Dave Armstrong

0 Comments

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

Patristic Development of a Sinless Mary (Cdl. Newman)

Last updated on: February 6, 2025 at 11:00 am By Dave Armstrong

0 Comments

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

Mary’s Sinlessness & the Fathers (vs. Javier Perdomo)

Last updated on: February 6, 2025 at 12:20 am By Dave Armstrong

0 Comments

Including a Turn the Tables Argument Regarding Protestant Doctrines Virtually Nonexistent in the Fathers (Sola Scriptura, Sola Fide) Javier Perdomo, who recently became a Lutheran (I believe, from another Protestant denomination), and who runs an active YouTube channel, with 289 videos, wrote the very lengthy article, “Church Fathers & Medievals on the Immaculate Conception: An EXTENSIVE list of 150+ Patristic & Medieval quotes undermining the Roman Catholic dogma of the Immaculate Conception” (2-4-25). It was on his substack, that I... Read more

Martin Luther’s Ten Important “Catholic” Views

Last updated on: February 6, 2025 at 8:00 pm By Dave Armstrong

0 Comments

NOTE: see also my video with Kenny Burchard, that discusses these points and adds additional information about Martin Luther: Luther’s Shocking Catholic Confessions: Ten Catholic Truths Martin Luther Embraced!!! [Catholic Bible Highlights, 2-6-25] 1) Catholic Church’s Authority and Christian Status We on our part confess that there is much that is Christian and good under the papacy; indeed everything that is Christian and good is to be found there and has come to us from this source. For instance we... Read more

Works & Sanctification Partly Cause Salvation: 34 Passages

Last updated on: January 30, 2025 at 10:56 am By Dave Armstrong

0 Comments

Drawn from my larger collection, Bible vs. “Faith Alone”: 100 Proofs (8-26-24). All Bible citations are from RSV. Asterisked passages indicate a direct correlation between “sanctification” and either justification or salvation (which Protestantism denies is the case). ***** Psalm 7:10 . . . God . . . saves the upright in heart. Isaiah 32:17 And the effect of righteousness will be peace, and the result of righteousness, quietness and trust for ever. Zephaniah 2:3 Seek the LORD, all you humble of the... Read more