I’m a delinquent part of the Zondervan Blog Tour for John Armstrong’s new book Your Church is Too Small: Why Unity in Christ’s Mission is Vital to the Future of the Church. I signed up for an advanced copy in exchange for which I was supposed to review the book last week. Unfortunately, I hadn’t… Continue reading Book Review: Your Church is Too Small, by John Armstrong
Tag: tradition
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
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
A Good One-Sentence Kicker
Chris commented on my Thursday post. The comment’s good, but the kicker’s great: “Is it logical to say that because heretics questioned a doctrine, the doctrine itself was therefore ill-defined?” That sentence, had I thought of it earlier, would have been great. It explains the reason that the Catholic Church doesn’t require “universal and continuous… Continue reading A Good One-Sentence Kicker
St. Clement, Sola Scriptura, and Mary
After a post I wrote about sola Scriptura, John Armstrong suggested that I read The Shape of Sola Scriptura by Keith Mathison. The book is written by a creedal Protestant – that is, he believes in sola Scriptura, but believes that any interpretation of the Bible which falls outside of the historic Creeds is wrong.… Continue reading St. Clement, Sola Scriptura, and Mary
Which Traditions Are Authentic?
First things first, if you haven’t read Fr. Andrew’s latest post, or heard his recent homily, they’re very much worth your time. There’s a tag at the bottom of his posts that says “Fr. Andrew,” so if you ever want to skip my stuff and get right to his, I won’t be offended! A blogger… Continue reading Which Traditions Are Authentic?
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
Calvin on the “Marks of the Church”
For the second Protestant Confession to examine, it seems sensible to go for the who’s who and what’s what of Reformed Christianity, Mr. John Calvin himself. He wrote the 1559 French Confession of Faith [.DOC], and there’s much in it to admire. To wit: XXV. Now as we enjoy Christ only through the gospel, we… Continue reading Calvin on the “Marks of the Church”
The Kingdom of Heaven on Earth, pt. 2
The other passage from the thirteenth Chapter of St. Matthew’s Gospel that we looked at this week was Matthew 13:31-35, which includes two succinct parables: Jesus proposed a parable to the crowds. “The Kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed that a person took and sowed in a field. It is the smallest of… Continue reading The Kingdom of Heaven on Earth, pt. 2