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When and Why Did Popes Start Changing Their Names?
One Roman Catholic correspondent criticized my list of popes that denied the immaculate conception (link to list and discussion) on the basis that some of the statements were made by the popes before they took office. He actually went so far as to claim: Men who become Pope change their names precisely to show that…
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Iron Sharpens Iron, Again!
Lord Willing, I will again be on the “Iron Sharpens Iron” radio program to discuss Dr. White’s recent debate with Christopher Ferrara at 8 p.m. EDT / 5 p.m. PDT today (September 6). See the Iron Sharpens Iron website for streaming info and other ways to listen. It is a call-in program, so I would…
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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…
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How Many Popes Does it Take to Deny the Immaculate Conception?
During Dr. James White’s debate with Christopher Ferrara on the alleged sinlessness and Immaculate Conception of Mary, Mr. Ferrara questioned the fact that a half dozen popes taught or held a position contrary to the dogma that was later defined as the dogma of the Immaculate Conception. Dr. White provided a citation to Schaff, the…
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A Sensible Comment Policy
R. Scott Clark has decided to institute a sensible new comment policy (no comments allowed). I am sure that some people are disappointed that they won’t be able to comment on his blog, but he will save oodles of time moderating comments. The only other comments policy that makes sense (for a popular blog, like…
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Iron Sharpens Iron
Lord Willing, I will be on the “Iron Sharpens Iron” radio program to discuss Dr. White’s recent debate with Christopher Ferrara at 8 p.m. EDT / 5 p.m. PDT today (September 2). See the Iron Sharpens Iron website for streaming info and other ways to listen. To God be the Glory!
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Sam Shamoun vs. Shabir Ally
In listening to the debate between Sam Shamoun and Shabir Ally (link to debate), I was struck by an odd position implied by Shabir Ally’s argument. Shabir Ally argues that Mark is the first gospel and the other three gospels show evidence of a progressive trend, with John having the “highest” Christology. Indeed, he sometimes…
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The White-Ferrara Marian Debate – Some Follow-Up
On Saturday, August 28, 2010, Dr. James White debated Mr. Christopher Ferrara on the topic of Mary’s alleged sinlessness and immaculate conception. While the debate audio/video are not (to my knowledge) yet available for purchase, here are a few points that I’d like to address. 1) Does Ineffabilis Deus lie about the patristic testimony? During…
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Thomas Ridgley on the Second Commandment
The following is an excerpt from Thomas Ridgley’s, “A Body of Divinity, wherein the doctrines of the Christian religion are explained and defended: being the substance of several lectures on the Assembly’s Larger catechism” (pp. 328-335 of Volume 2 of the 1855 edition) THE SECOND COMMANDMENT. Question CVII. Which is the second commandment? Answer. The…