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Monotheism 101
How many Gods are there? There is but one only, the Living and True God. As testifies Scripture: Deuteronomy 6:4 Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD: 1 Corinthians 8:4 As concerning therefore the eating of those things that are offered in sacrifice unto idols, we know that an idol is nothing…
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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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Justification by Faith Alone – An Affirmative Rebuttal
I am still waiting to conduct my debate on Justification by Faith alone. I appreciate the comments left on my proposed Affirmative Constructive, but I thought I would share an Affirmative Rebuttal as well. The constructive sets forth the truth of Sola Fide from Scripture. The rebuttal addresses the historical question: if this is true,…
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Roman Confusion
Devin Rose posted some less than complimentary thoughts (and Peter Sean Bradley tagged on) about Reformed apologists (myself as an example). Rather than dwelling on the caricature drawn from Les Miserables, I’d like to address one point that seems to be a common misconception: Under Reformed Protestantism, God has predestined the elect to salvation and…
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Gnosticism, Hermeneutics, and Rome
In comment box at Beggars All Reformation, Roman communion advocate Paul Hoffer made the claim: “It is amazing that you decry the hermeneutics of Gnostics when Protestantism embraces that very same thing today.” Hermeneutics of the Gnostics 1. Rejection of Sola Scriptura Tertullian points to the inability of the heretics to support their controversial views…
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Dionysius of Alexandria Resolves a Schism
In leafing through St. Dionysius of Alexandria, Letters and Treatises, I came across this interesting fragment of Dionysius’ “On the Promises,” preserved in Eusebius’ Church History. Dionysius (d. 265) wrote: So being in the district of Arsenoe, where, as you know, this teaching prevailed long before, so that both schisms and the defection of whole…
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A. A. Hodge on Natural Revelation
What is the distinction between natural and revealed theology? Natural theology is that science which proposes to itself the solution of these two great questions, 1st, Does God exist? and 2d, What may be legitimately ascertained concerning the true nature of God in himself, and concerning his relations to man, from the principles of human…