-
Origen Against the Innovation of Christmas? Check your sources!
I came across the following statement, which immediately sparked my interest (source): Speculation on the proper date began in the 3rd and 4th centuries, when the idea of fixing Christ’s birthday started. Quite a controversy arose among Church leaders. Some were opposed to such a celebration. Origen (185-254) strongly recommended against such an innovation. “In…
-
Rufinus on the Creed, the Canon, and the Church
Further to my previous post (link), it is probably worthwhile providing a much longer extract from Rufinus with respect to his discussion of the Creed (capitals are found in the translation from which this is taken, and seems to indicate where Rufinus is quoting the creed): 35. Let this be enough on this subject. Next…
-
Believing About the Holy Catholic Church
Introduction A perennial issue in our discussions with Roman Catholics is the issue of whether, in addition to believing God’s word in Scripture, we ought also to trust (in a similar way) in the church. While nothing in Scripture suggests that the church is another rule of faith in addition to Scripture, such that we…
-
Aquinas on Sola Scriptura
Some folks seem to imagine that a rejection of Sola Scriptura was the “established faith” prior to the Reformation. Those folks ought to read their Aquinas (emphasis supplied in the following: Article 8. Whether sacred doctrine is a matter of argument? Objection 1. It seems this doctrine is not a matter of argument. For Ambrose…