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Formal Sufficiency of Scripture: Fourth Century Fathers (Guest Series)
Formal Sufficiency of ScriptureStated and Examined from Scripture and the Fathers, with scholarly confirmation regarding the Fathers’ views. We began by explaining the nature of formal sufficiency (i.e. the Reformed view) in an introduction section (link). After that we explored Scripture’s own testimony to its sufficiency (link). We could rightly have stopped the series there,…
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Alleged Early Testimonies to the Immaculate Conception
Sometimes Roman Catholics attempt to argue that the doctrine of the Immaculate Conception was taught in the early church. One of the more radical claims can be found at the “Catholic Basic Training” website (link to example). I’ll go through their list of early fathers: The Ascension of Isaiah “[T]he report concerning the child was…
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Did Augustine Teach the Sinlessness of Mary?
I recently received an email from someone who was trying to argue that Augustine “clearly” taught that Mary was immaculate conceived. The person writing to me provided the following quotation (emphasis is his): “Now with the exception of the holy Virgin Mary in regard to whom, out of respect for the Lord, I do not…
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How Many Popes Does it Take to Deny the Immaculate Conception?
During Dr. James White’s debate with Christopher Ferrara on the alleged sinlessness and Immaculate Conception of Mary, Mr. Ferrara questioned the fact that a half dozen popes taught or held a position contrary to the dogma that was later defined as the dogma of the Immaculate Conception. Dr. White provided a citation to Schaff, the…
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Church Fathers on Jesus’ Status as "Without Mother"
Ambrose (A.D. 337 – 397) writes: “He it is Who is without mother according to His Godhead …” (On the Mysteries, Chapter 8, Section 4 Theodoret (A.D. 393 – 457) writes: “On account of this difference of term He is said by the divine Paul to be “without father, without mother, without descent, having neither…
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Magisterium More Sufficient than Scripture? (Part 6)
[Cont’d from previous section] Is the Roman Catholic Magisterium More Sufficient than Sacred Scripture?Bryan Cross answered on the subject of the ability of the Scripture to interpret Scripture sufficiently, from Scripture, reason, and tradition. (Part 6) 2 Peter 1:19-20 We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take…
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Magisterium More Sufficient than Scripture? (Part 4)
[Cont’d from previous section] Is the Roman Catholic Magisterium More Sufficient than Sacred Scripture?Bryan Cross answered on the subject of the ability of the Scripture to interpret Scripture sufficiently, from Scripture, reason, and tradition. (Part 4) Caesarius of Arles (about A.D. 470-543) commenting on Rev. 22:10: Just as the divine Scriptures are sealed for those…
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Magisterium More Sufficient than Scripture? (Part 2)
[Cont’d from previous section] Is the Roman Catholic Magisterium More Sufficient than Sacred Scripture?Bryan Cross answered on the subject of the ability of the Scripture to interpret Scripture sufficiently, from Scripture, reason, and tradition. (Part 2) The fact that obscure Scriptures are obscure and “need” (in some sense) clarification does not imply that the clear…
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Response to Buracker on Israeli Idols
BJ Buracker aka StupidScholar has posted a response (link to response) to an earlier post of mine on the Israeli idols of Elohim (link to my post). BJB writes: 1. The use of Elohim (God or “gods”) is inconclusive. It may refer to Yahweh, but does not have to. Something else would have to suggest…