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Mary: Quasi-Incarnation of the Holy Spirit?
A typical accusation against Roman Catholics is that they make Mary out to be virtually a fourth member of the Trinity, converting the Trinity into a quadernity. Of course, all knowledgeable and conservative Roman Catholics disavow such a view. Nevertheless, there is a view within Roman Catholicism (meaning that it has been taught by some…
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All Have Sinned – Except Mary? (Responding to Steve Ray)
Steve Ray (Roman Catholic) writes: From the early centuries Mary was considered the All Holy One and considered as without sin. Rom 3:23 is a general statement but does not mention exceptions to the rule. For example, Jesus was a man without sin, therefore an exception. Jesus did not come short of the glory of…
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Thomas Aquinas’ Fictional Adoption of the Immaculate Conception
It ought to be well-known that Rome’s dogma of the Immaculate Conception was denied by her leading medieval saint, Thomas Aquinas (as outlined here). This has been something of a thorn in the side of those contending that Mary was immaculately conceived. They have tried to explain Aquinas’ position away in various ways – such…
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Quick Response to Windsor on Luther and Mary
One of my comments has been addressed by Scott Windsor (of the Roman communion) in a post that is mostly addressed to my friend, James Swan (link to SW’s post). I’m just responding to the portion of Mr. Windsor’s post that relates to what I said. Mr. Windsor’s comments are as follows (his block quotations…
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>Observe the Similarities: Luther 1540 – Luther 1544
>Reading through James Swan’s latest quotations from Luther (contra the Immaculate Conception), one particular line caught my eye: But in the moment of the Virgin’s conception the Holy Spirit purged and sanctified the sinful mass and wiped out the poison of the devil and death, which is sin. This reminded me of a similar line…
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>Immaculate Conception in Later Luther?
>Over at the Beggars All Reformation blog, in the comment box, a Roman Catholic layman had posted several quotations from Luther allegedly showing that Luther held to the Immaculate Conception later in his life: 1540: “In his conception all of Mary’s flesh and blood was purified so that nothing sinful remained . . . Each…
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Bryan Cross places the Cart before the Horse, Theologically Speaking
Over at Called to Communion, in the comment box, Bryan Cross wrote: In the first century, no one needed to confess that Christ is homoousious with the Father. But after the fourth century, to deny the homoousious is to fall into [at least material] heresy. This is dead wrong and gets things exactly backwards. It…
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Immaculate Conception Discussion on ISI
Yesterday’s discussion on the Iron Sharpens Iron radio program has posted (link to the mp3)(link to Iron Sharpens Iron). Those who listened live will recall that we discussed Dr. James White’s debate with Christopher Ferrara on the Roman Catholic error of the Immaculate Conception. To God be the Glory!
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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…