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
Tag: apologetics
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
Getting to the Point
As readers of this blog know, I’m paid by the word. Or at least, it would seem like it. I have a terrible tendency of saying in many words what could be said in a lot fewer. Which is to say, I’m very verbose and repetitive, generally unintentionally, but that it’s… Well, you get the… Continue reading Getting to the Point
Listening to the Church Fathers
Yesterday, I shared part of an ongoing debate I’ve been having with Brian, a Creedal Protestant ex-Catholic who runs a blog dedicated to fighting against theological novelties in the field of eschatology. He fights for traditional, Creedal Christianity, the faith of the Church Fathers (as he understands it) against those who are completely fine with… Continue reading Listening to the Church Fathers
Proving Too Much, Part II
I came across one of David Green’s opponents — a friendly seeming young guy named Brian — defending the notion of historic Christianity against innovations like hyper-Preterism. I asked him, more or less, what I posed in yesterday’s post: how can you reject theological novelties like hyper-Preterism on the basis that they are novelties, without… Continue reading Proving Too Much, Part II
Proving Too Much
David Green is, to the best of my understanding, a Hyper-Preterist, someone who believes that all of the Biblical prophesies were fulfilled by 70 A.D. with the destruction of the Temple. This includes, strangely enough, the resurrection of the body. “Futurists,” reasonably enough, point to 2 Timothy 2:16-18, but the Green’s response is that this… Continue reading Proving Too Much
Catholic Truth and Music
Jen at Conversion Diary has a great blog post on the interplay between Catholic Truth and beautiful music, and about how music can help create a religious experience. The post is worth the read if only for the incredibly personal testimony by Pope Benedict about a religious experience he had a Bach concert. I remember… Continue reading Catholic Truth and Music