Once Saved, Always Saved and Revelation

I’ve heard Evangelicals try and use the last chapter of Revelation to claim that sola Scriptura is, in fact, Biblical. Specifically, Revelation 22:18-19 says: 18I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds anything to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book. 19And… Continue reading Once Saved, Always Saved and Revelation

Claptrap!

Often, Catholic practices are analyzed with the “where does it say to do THAT in the Bible” lens. Sometimes, this is on legitimate practices: knowing where sacramental confession or the ministerial priesthood comes from in the Bible is fundamental to understanding their import. But other times, it’s to things which are almost irrelevant. For example,… Continue reading Claptrap!

The Evangelical Lutheran Church and Sola Scriptura

From the New York Times: The denomination, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, is considering lifting a ban on noncelibate gay and lesbian pastors, permitting the ordination of people in committed same-sex relationships. At issue is how the Bible should inform policy, how the denomination can best serve its mission, and how a vote to… Continue reading The Evangelical Lutheran Church and Sola Scriptura

St. Francis De Sales on the Protestant Tower of Babel

St. Francis De Sales is a profound writer, whose Introduction to the Devout Life has been enjoyed by Catholics and non-Catholics alike. While it is specifically and unabashedly Catholic, the work’s broad themes — on the glory of God, our own sinfulness and insignificance, etc. — are powerful to almost any serious Christian. As Bishop… Continue reading St. Francis De Sales on the Protestant Tower of Babel

The English Reformed on the “Marks of the Church”

In my post on Wednesday, I identified as “one of the classic Reformed beliefs on the nature of the Church” the idea of a primarily-invisible Church which can be visibly identified only by subjectively divining 3 marks. Since this week, we’ve focused on Matthew 13 at Church, which talks at length about the Church as… Continue reading The English Reformed on the “Marks of the Church”

Is Scripture Self-Attesting?

I went to an interesting Theology on Tap lecture last night, given by Joe Manzari called “Confessions of a Former Calvinist: The Top Five Reasons Your Protestant Friend Isn’t Catholic” (it’ll post here eventually). The summer 6-pack is all about Converts and Reverts, so it’s a bit more personal and narrative than general apologetics. It’s… Continue reading Is Scripture Self-Attesting?

A Much Better Argument Against Sola Scriptura

Francis Beckwith had an interesting comment over on Stand to Reason’s blog. It’s on the setting of Scripture, and whether it can be said to trace its authority to the Catholic Church or not. (I assume here that everyone agrees that by the Council of Carthage, etc., that the Church can safely be called the… Continue reading A Much Better Argument Against Sola Scriptura

Is Church Infallibility Logically Required?

Having written this post, I’m not sure I agree with my own argument. I’m going to go ahead and post it, but I think the issue of logical necessity of Church infallibility is a much closer call than I had initially assumed it to be. Initially, I thought it unneccesary but helpful; upon re-examination, it… Continue reading Is Church Infallibility Logically Required?

Luke 1 and Sola Scriptura: An Intro Explored

Here’s how St. Luke begins his Gospel: 1 Since many have undertaken to compile a narrative of the events that have been fulfilled among us,2 just as those who were eyewitnesses from the beginning and ministers of the word have handed them down to us,3 I too have decided, after investigating everything accurately anew, to… Continue reading Luke 1 and Sola Scriptura: An Intro Explored

What Would YOU Write in 138,000 Words?

I found an interesting set of statistics, and have been playing around with them a little bit. The title of the chart is, “Number of Chapters, Number of Verses in Each Chapter,Total Number of Verses, and Total Number of Words in each book of the Greek New Testament,” and it’s exactly what it sounds like.… Continue reading What Would YOU Write in 138,000 Words?