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Pope Francis on Luther on June 26, 2016
Pope Francis was interviewed aboard an airplane on June 26, 2016. In that interview he expressed the position that Luther was right about justification. Before we get too excited, though, please consider the statement in its full context: Kleinjung: Holy Father, I wanted to ask you a question. Today you spoke of the gifts of…
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Faith Demonstrated – a Central Jacobian Theme
After a brief greeting, James immediately begins his first of several brotherly admonitions. James 1:2-3 calls believers to be thankful for trials because the testing of faith works patience. James 1:12 promises the crown of life to those who endures temptations. James then approaches the same point another way. He points out that the…
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John of Damascus Interpreting James 2:26
It was interesting to read a late patristic-era author (his death is sometimes used as the end of the patristic era) interpreting James 2:26. In An Exposition of the Orthodox Faith, vol. 4, chapter 9, “Concerning Faith and Baptism,” (PG 94:1121-22) John of Damascus writes (translation available here, emphasis mine): It behooves us, then, with…
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Justification by Faith Alone on Apologia Radio
Jeff Durbin was kind enough to have me on Apologia Radio to discuss Justification by Faith Alone (link to page for episode – direct link to mp3 of episode). I’m in the second radio hour of the podcast, after the discussion of Christian films. I hope it is edifying! -TurretinFan To God be the Glory!
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Is Faith a Work? Of course not! But why not?
Roy Ingle (Arminian) says, “no.” And that’s fine. Properly considered, faith is not a work. But what is missing from his explanation is any cogent explanation of why obedient response to the command to “Believe,” that is proclaimed in the Gospel is not properly a work. For example, Ingle does not argue from the fact…
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Trent, Augustine, Scripture, and Justification
Trent makes a number of explicit claims about justification. Of this Justification the causes are these:the final cause indeed is the glory of God and of Jesus Christ, and life everlasting;while the efficient cause is a merciful God who washes and sanctifies gratuitously, signing, and anointing with the holy Spirit of promise, who is the…
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Clement of Rome and Bryan Cross – Justification by Faith Alone or Faith and Works?
I’m glad that my friend Lane Keister recently highlighted the point that 1 Clement teaches justification by faith alone. The author of 1 Clement (whether Clement is the author or the scribe is an open question) does clearly indicate that justification is by faith alone, and by faith to the exclusion of works of holiness.…
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John Calvin vs. Cardinal Sadoleto
September 1, 1539, Calvin delivered a powerful blow to Roman apologetics of his day with his letter to Cardinal Sadoleto (Tony Pietrantonio recently provided an involuntary imitation of Sadoleto). What is interesting about the Calvin vs. Sadoleto dispute is that it begins from the topic of worship. Calvin states: Therefore, Sadolet, when you uttered this…
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Did the Acts 15 "Council" Rely on the Exegesis of Scripture?
Jason Stewart (whose apostasy was recently discussed), has posted a fictitious (and apparently also intended as facetious) dialog under the title, “Taking a Stand on the Scriptures Against the Traditions of Men.” The title is mocking, of course. Stewart posits a hypothetical dialog between two Judaizers in the mid-first century. Stewart’s attempt flops for a…
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Sola Fide Debate – William Albrecht
William Albrecht and I recently debated the topic of Sola Fide (link to mp3). I hope it will be edifying. I ended up sticking pretty closely to my previously planned affirmative constructive (link to text of affirmative constructive). I only used a little material from my previously planned affirmative rebuttal, because although Mr. Albrecht threw…