![\"BibleProofs](\"https:\/\/wp-media.patheos.com\/blogs\/sites\/572\/2009\/03\/BibleProofs-407x600.jpg\")
<\/a><\/div>\n[completed on 18 April 2009; 445 pages; published on 15 August 2009 by Sophia Institute Press]<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n [cover design by Theodore Schluenderfritz]<\/span><\/p>\n ***<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Purchase Options<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n ***<\/p>\n [PAPERBACK (Amazon variable prices for used copies)<\/a>] [KINDLE: 9.95<\/a>]<\/p>\n ***<\/p>\n<\/div>\n \u00a0* * * *<\/span> Now available for FREE<\/span> online (original RSV version): follow the links for chapters in the Table of Contents * * * *\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n ***<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n ***<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Doubtless, were only the Scripture allowed its own authority, there are none of these things respecting which our adversaries would not be constrained to be mute. . . . Though they may kiss the closed copies of the Scripture as a kind of worship, . . . they allow it no more authority than if no part of it existed in writing.<\/span><\/p>\n \u2014 John Calvin, dedication of his Commentary on the General Epistles<\/span><\/a>, January 1551<\/p>\n ***<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Dedication<\/p>\n Introduction [read below]<\/p>\n Authoritative sacred tradition Jesus deliberately established a visible, institutional, universal Church Peter was the first pope We are saved through grace <\/a> Perfect holiness requires purification [50 Passages] The Last Supper was the first Mass Our sins are washed away in Baptism The Holy Spirit descends upon persons Priests anoint with oil to heal Formal prayer is not \u201cvain repetition\u201d We may make atonement Dead saints have returned to earth Jesus was Mary\u2019s only child Matrimony reflects the relationship between Christ and his Church The child in the womb is fully a person<\/a> *<\/p>\n My immediate goal is to simply present categorized Bible passages. My own commentary will be kept to a minimum and used only in instances where I am straightforwardly reiterating what Holy Scripture itself states, noting relevant contextual considerations, Greek or Hebrew meanings of words (as explicated by linguistic scholars), or scriptural cross-references.<\/p>\n I have, of course, selected the passages and classified them. Insofar as I did that, I was engaging in \u201csystematic theology.\u201d Human input (something beyond God\u2019s own words) is necessary as soon as one goes beyond simply placing a Bible on a table in front of someone and saying, \u201cread all of this: it completely supports what Catholics teach.\u201d In all reasonable argumentation whatever, selective presentation takes place, and in systematic theology, it is necessary to locate the relevant biblical texts and to collect them for the purpose of illustrating that \u201cthe Bible teaches thus and so about this<\/span> particular topic.\u201d And that involves judgment, which in turn includes a bias.<\/p>\n In that sense, this book is not just<\/span> the Bible. My input and editing and orthodox Catholic presuppositions are present. But the central, essential focus<\/span> is \u201cjust the Bible.\u201d Holy, Sacred Scripture is thoroughly \u201cCatholic,\u201d as I hope to demonstrate in great detail. Praise God for His wonderful, materially sufficient revelation and His aid in helping us to understand and live by it.<\/p>\n Some Catholic teachings are less well-attested by direct scriptural indications than others. Yet I believe that those doctrines are also \u201csoaked\u201d in the spirit<\/span> of the Bible. The comprehensive selection of texts herein repeatedly demonstrates this, in my opinion. A multitude of pointers can be as compelling as a single unambiguous signpost, to show us our way. Readers are free to decide the relative strength of individual textual evidence.<\/p>\n Reading these extracts in their full context is even more rewarding and illuminating. The Bible is a harmonious whole: \u201cliving and active\u201d, and should be interpreted as such, rather than picked apart into fragments. For the purpose of systematic doctrinal study, however, it is quite helpful to categorize texts. Moreover, Catholics emphasize that the Bible is organically related to the tradition and the Church in which it is received and interpreted. If this book helps readers to move beyond arguments into a deeper appreciation of the Word of God, in which lies our salvation, I will be more than happy.<\/p>\n For my purposes in this work, I\u2019ve chosen the Authorised (King James Version) of the Bible, due to its familiarity among Protestants. Its lofty, poetic prose is deeply embedded in the heritage of English literature and thinking, and Catholic readers will also find it inspiring. In cases of archaic expression, I have clarified in parentheses with the Revised Standard Version: one of the most accurate and beloved modern translations.<\/p>\n Lastly, Catholics and Protestants notoriously disagree as to which books constitute the biblical canon. The number of the inspired books accepted by the universal Church prior to the onset of Protestantism was disputed by Martin Luther and other non-Catholic Christians, and seven books were eventually omitted altogether in most Protestant editions of the Bible, or included separately as sub-canonical \u201capocryphal\u201d texts. Some of these refer directly to distinctively Catholic doctrines (most notably, purgatory). I\u2019ve included relatively few citations from these \u201cdisputed\u201d books, but for the Catholic, they are Scripture, too, and ought not be excluded. If the non-Catholic reader wishes to pass over them, more than ample texts remain as \u201cevidences.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Purchase Options<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n ***<\/p>\n [PAPERBACK (Amazon variable prices for used copies)<\/a>] [KINDLE: 9.95<\/a>]<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Last updated on 5 December 2025<\/span><\/p>\n ***\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/body><\/html>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" \u201c. . . A Source Book for Apologists and Inquirers\u201c [completed on 18 April 2009; 445 pages; published on 15 August 2009 by Sophia Institute Press] [cover design by Theodore Schluenderfritz] *** Purchase Options *** [PAPERBACK (Amazon variable prices for used copies)] [KINDLE: 9.95] *** \u00a0* * * * Now available for FREE online (original […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2331,"featured_media":3296,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[31,160,3],"tags":[17751,653,17754,2360,2332,1528],"class_list":["post-862","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-bible-and-tradition","category-books-by-dave-armstrong","category-catholic-apologetics","tag-bible-catholicism","tag-bible-proofs-for-catholic-truths","tag-biblical-proofs-of-catholicism","tag-books-by-dave-armstrong","tag-catholic-apologetics","tag-catholicism-the-bible"],"yoast_head":"\n
\n<\/span><\/div>\n
\n(295 Passages)<\/div>\n
\nAuthoritative oral tradition \/ \u201cword of God\u201d [50 Passages]<\/a>
\nAuthoritative oral teaching not recorded in scripture<\/a>
\nNew Testament citations of older non-biblical oral traditions<\/a>
\n\u201cThe Faith\u201d is synonymous with sacred tradition
\n\u201cThe truth\u201d is synonymous with sacred tradition
\n\u201cThe commandment\u201d is synonymous with sacred tradition
\n\u201cThe doctrine\u201d is synonymous with sacred tradition
\n\u201cTeaching\u201d is synonymous with sacred tradition
\n\u201cGospel\u201d or \u201cgood news\u201d is synonymous with sacred tradition
\n\u201cThe message\u201d is synonymous with sacred tradition
\nThe New Covenant is synonymous with sacred tradition
\nAuthoritative interpretation \/ scripture is not always self-interpreting
\nDoctrine develops over time
\nChristianity has developed out of Judaism<\/p>\n
\n(377 Passages)<\/div>\n
\nPriests are called by Jesus or the Holy Spirit
\nPriests are given authority by Jesus or the Holy Spirit
\nThe Church calls and commissions men for the work of ministry
\nMen are ordained through the laying on of hands
\nPriests are direct representatives of Jesus
\nPriests are God\u2019s fellow workers for the Kingdom
\nJesus\u2019 followers are God\u2019s servants
\nPriests preside over the Eucharist and the Mass
\nPriests\u2019 authority to forgive sins, grant indulgences, and impose penances
\nPriests administer the sacraments
\nMinistry calls for sacrifice
\nCelibacy fosters undistracted devotion to the Lord
\nGod\u2019s ministers are entitled to pay
\nPriests are appropriately called \u201cFather\u201d
\nPriests are successors to the Apostles
\nBishops have special authority
\nThe authority of the Church and its councils is infallible
\nThe Church has authority to excommunicate and to pronounce anathemas
\nPriests have authority to cast out demons (exorcism)
\nUnity is vital to the Church\/ denominationalism and divisiveness
\nSinners are part of the Church in an imperfect fashion
\nSacred buildings of worship are worthy of extravagant beauty
\nChurches and sacred sites are \u201choly places\u201d
\nSacred items are part of worship<\/p>\n
\n(84 Passages)<\/div>\n
\nPeter\u2019s letters are like papal encyclicals
\nSt. Peter acted as a pope
\nScripture offers examples of the infallibility of individuals<\/p>\n
\n(473 Passages)<\/div>\n
\nSalvation is not by faith alone <\/a>
\nSalvation is not by works alone <\/a>
\nGrace, faith, works, action, and obedience lead to salvation [50 Passages]<\/a>
\nFinal judgment is always associated with works [50 Passages]<\/a>
\nSome sins are more serious than others
\nQuantifiable differences in grace
\nOur merit is based on our response to God\u2019s grace
\nWe are God\u2019s coworkers
\nWe can participate in the distribution of grace and in the salvation of others
\nThe Psalms proclaim God\u2019s righteousness
\nGod enables and establishes human righteousness (Psalms) [50 Passages]
\nThe Psalms speak of human righteousness
\nGod\u2019s grace enables us to be righteous (prophets)
\nSanctification is part of salvation [50 Passages]
\nFaith shows itself in obedience and in good works
\nSalvation is a process and not absolutely assured
\nWe may have a vigilant moral assurance of salvation with perseverance, in hope<\/a><\/p>\n
\n(58 Passages)<\/div>\n
\nWe should pray for the dead<\/p>\n
\n(47 Passages)<\/div>\n
\nJesus teaches us about the Eucharist
\nThe Mass is a sacrifice<\/p>\n
\nInfants were baptized even in the early Church
\nInfants are part of the covenant and salvation<\/p>\n
\nJesus baptizes with the Holy Spirit
\nPersons may be \u201cfilled\u201d with the Holy Spirit
\nThe Holy Spirit comes through the laying on of hands
\nWe are \u201csealed\u201d with the Holy Spirit
\nPersons are anointed with oil for a sacred purpose or to receive the Holy Spirit
\nThe Holy Spirit received through authoritative persons<\/p>\n
\nThe laying on of hands can bring healing
\nSome who touched Christ were healed
\nSpiritual benefit in healing (demoniacs)<\/p>\n
\nHoly water
\nCandles and incense<\/a>
\nFasting, abstinence, and Lent [50 Passages]
\nWe use ashes to show our penitence
\nWe must examine our consciences<\/a>
\nAlmsgiving is more than mere tithing<\/a>
\nWe show reverence by genuflecting and kneeling in God\u2019s presence
\nPriests may impart blessings
\nRelics can be channels of grace and healing
\nPhysical objects can aid us in worship<\/a><\/p>\n
\nOur sufferings can be penitential and redemptive<\/p>\n
\nWe should venerate saints and angels
\nSaints and angels intercede for us
\nGuardian angels watch over us
\nMen have spoken to angels (analogy to intercession of the saints)<\/p>\n
\nMary was free from sin from the moment of conception
\nMary was assumed, body and soul, into heaven<\/p>\n
\nMarriage is indissoluble
\nPremarital sex and cohabitation are not permissible
\nAnnulment is not Catholic divorce
\nHomosexual acts are not permissible
\nContraception is not permissible<\/a><\/p>\n
\n Killing the innocent is forbidden<\/a>
\n Child sacrifice is an abomination<\/a>
\n It is sinful to perform or even to support abortion<\/a>
\n We must rescue children being led to slaughter<\/a><\/p>\n