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The Positive and Negative Claims of Sola Scriptura
I’ve noted a number of Roman Catholics who seem to think that the advocates of Sola Scriptura need to prove that Scripture teaches “Scripture alone is the infallible rule of faith and life.” I understand (I think) this mindset – if you’re advocating “Sola Scriptura” you should be able to prove it. Part of the…
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A Half Century for the Emergence of the Council
One of the supposed benefits of Rome’s councils is that they allegedly provide a clarity that is missing from Scripture. But those who think this should consider Benedict XVI’s comments on Vatican II: I would now like to add yet a third point: there was the Council of the Fathers – the real Council –…
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Luke the Evangelist vs. Postmodernism and their Roman Allies
Luke 1:1-4 Forasmuch as many have taken in hand to set forth in order a declaration of those things which are most surely believed among us, even as they delivered them unto us, which from the beginning were eyewitnesses, and ministers of the word; it seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of…
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Jason Sabalow Partially Affirms Perspicuity
It’s always nice to hear one of Rome’s apologists confessing the perspicuity of Scripture on matters that are necessary for salvation: “the Gospels testify and testify clearly to who Jesus is, and who he is is God.” Jason Sabalow is correct about that, and the post-modernistic folks within Rome’s communion who try to suggest that…
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Perspicuity Perspicuously Presented
Ephesians 3:3-4 How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words, whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ) It’s not the whole doctrine of perspicuity, but it does at a minimum suggest the formal sufficiency of Scripture. On top…
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What Should be Spent on Wine and Gambling?
Others have noted that there is inconsistency in the Koran regarding alcohol. One of these passages comes from Surah 2. The particular ayah is 219 219. They ask thee concerning wine and gambling. Say: “In them is great sin, and some profit, for men; but the sin is greater than the profit.” They ask thee…
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Carl Beckwith on Sola Scriptura and the Arian Controversy
Carl Beckwith in Hilary of Poitiers on the Trinity: From De Fide to De Trinitate (New York and Oxford, 2009) provides a number of interesting comments in relation to Hilary of Poiters and the Scripture, particular in the context of the Arian controversy. One of the first passages of this book that caught my eye…
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Benedict XVI, Parables, Perspicuity, and Freedom
The Vatican Information Service provided the following partial account of Joseph Ratzinger’s (aka Benedict XVI’s) remarks from 10 July 2011: “Yet this Gospel narrative also highlights the ‘method’ of Jesus’ preaching; in other words, His use of parables”, the Holy Father added. “His disciples ask Him: ‘why do you speak to them in parables?’ Jesus…
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Grace in Cyril’s Commentary on the Book of Exodus (First Discourse)
The Orthodox Research Institute has published an English translation of the first discourse of Cyril of Alexandria’s Commentary on the Book of Exodus. It’s not a massive volume (about 50 pages of English text). Nevertheless, it serves to illustrate some aspects of Cyril’s teachings on topics related to the doctrines of grace. Most of the…
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James of Edessa on Scripture
Roger Pearse recently posted on-line a translation (Original to French by Francois Nau and then French to English by Roger Pearse) of James of Edessa’s Letter to John the Stylite on the genealogy of the Virgin Mary. I’m not sure the precise date of the letter, but James of Edessa (aka Jacob of Edessa) was…