I read a book by an Assemblies of God writer some months ago, and in it, the author creates a hypothetical wherein someone stranded on a desert island finds a (presumably Protestant, 66-Book) Bible for the first time. This sort of “the Protestant Bible dropped from Heaven fully formed” hypothetical is the essence of the… Continue reading That Old Time Religion
Author: Joe Heschmeyer
Virginia 1, Antichrist 0?
So this is bizarre: The Virgina House of Delegates on Wednesday approved a measure that could protect Virginia residents from overbearing employers, and possibly the apocalypse. The law would make it illegal to implant an identification or tracking device into a person’s body without their written consent. Call me crazy, but did someone think that… Continue reading Virginia 1, Antichrist 0?
St. Francis De Sales on Sola Scriptura
As I’ve mentioned before, I try and make it over to the Catholic Information Center at noon for Mass during the workweek. Since the chapel is literally inside a bookstore, it’s natural to peruse through some books afterwards for a bit. Once, I read a passage which was just so good it bowled me over,… Continue reading St. Francis De Sales on Sola Scriptura
Testing the Catholic Claim
Yesterday, I responded to Brian Simmons on the issue of Tradition. In his post, he addresses a number of specific points I raised previously here and elsewhere. He’s divided his response into five sections, and so I’ve done likewise. A few things to consider before I begin, though. Brian doesn’t refute any of the substance… Continue reading Testing the Catholic Claim
“Abstinence-Only” Sex Ed. Delays Sex in Young Teens
There’s been a lot of political rhetoric about the role of “abstinence only” sex ed, and its relationship to teen sex and pregnancy rates. A lot of the “data” circulating is based upon the thinnest of evidence. For example, the latest stats show teen pregnancy going up for the first time in a decade. Opponents… Continue reading “Abstinence-Only” Sex Ed. Delays Sex in Young Teens
Bryan Cross on the Four Marks of the Church
John Armstrong has an interesting Protestant perspective on the four marks of the Church, which, by the way, are One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic. He quotes the theologian Jürgen Moltmann. In response to this, a commenter named Bryan Cross responded pretty convincingly: John, Concerning Moltmann’s notion about the marks: “Whenever we speak of any one… Continue reading Bryan Cross on the Four Marks of the Church
The Faith of the Early Church Fathers
Last week, I wrote a post which dealt with the sort of strange position Creedal Protestants find themselves. They attempt to preserve parts of Christianity by appeal to Tradition and the continual Faith of the Church when they’re arguing against novel interpretations of the Bible propagated by some (here, Evangelicals); but then turn around and… Continue reading The Faith of the Early Church Fathers
The State of the English Church Through a Novelist’s Eyes
I recently read an excellent essay called “A Time of Trial” on the state of English Catholicism by Piers Paul Read from his book Hell and Other Destinations (pages 83-92 here). Although a few of his comments are specific to England, his overall evaluation is largely true of the American Church as well. His tone… Continue reading The State of the English Church Through a Novelist’s Eyes
The Predestination Railroad
I. The Predestination RailroadWhen St. Paul describes Jesus as the “one Mediator” between God and man, he’s referring to the bridge built by Christ over this chasm. To expand on this metaphor, one way to think of predestination is a train on railroad tracks. It does not, and it cannot, arrive at any destination other… Continue reading The Predestination Railroad
St. Paul, Sola Fide, and OSAS
I. Paul on FaithPaul writes a lot on the neccesity of faith for salvation. Most famously, in Romans 3:28, he writes, “For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from observing the law.” That’s the NIV translation. The KJV translation says, “Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without… Continue reading St. Paul, Sola Fide, and OSAS