catholicism
Broader examinations of Catholic theology, tradition, and doctrinal claims in light of Scripture.
LUTHER ON THE CATHOLIC CHURCH Paid Members Public
It may surprise Christians to discover that Martin Luther candidly admitted that the Catholic Church traces itself back to the Apostles, that it genuinely has Apostolic Succession, despite having (in Luther’s erroneous view) corrupted itself throughout time. Here is Luther in his own words. All emphasis is mine: Today
AUGUSTINE ON THE CHURCH’S AUTHORITY Paid Members Public
In the following extract Augustine shows how the Gospels’ reliability rests on the authority of the Catholic Church and to, therefore, attack the Church is to undermine the veracity of the Gospels themselves. Here is what he wrote in refuting of the claims of Manichaeus, the founder of Manicheism. All
JEROME, RELICS & INTERCESSION Paid Members Public
I quote St. Jerome’s letter to the presbyter Riparius where he rebukes the prohibition of venerating relics. All emphasis is mine. LETTER 109 To Riparius Riparius, a presbyter of Aquitaine had written to inform Jerome that Vigilantius (for whom see Letter LXI.) was preaching in southern Gaul against the
IGNATIUS ON THE EUCHARIST Paid Members Public
In this post I will cite the words of the blessed martyr and disciple of the holy Apostles, St. Ignatius in regards to the Eucharist. He was the bishop of the church in Antioch, the place where believers were first called Christians (Cf. Acts 11:26). His views on the
FLORENCE AND THE CANON Paid Members Public
According to the online Catholic Encyclopedia, among the reasons why the Council of Florence was convened was to settle the issues of purgatory, the filioque and papal primacy in order to reunite the Oriental and Eastern Orthodox Churched with Rome: The Ferrara Council opened on 8 January, 1438, under the
ST. AMRBOSE & CHRIST’S DEITY Paid Members Public
The following extract is taken from St. Ambrose who refutes the claim that Christ’s begetting implies that was created. All emphasis will be mine. Chapter 7. The likeness of Christ to the Father is asserted on the authority of St. Paul, the prophets, and the Gospel, and especially in
THE UNIQUENESS OF PETER Paid Members Public
In this post I present some of the biblical data which points to Peter’s primacy over the Apostles. I begin with some of the many verses where Peter is singled out for particular functions and specific privileges: “While He was still speaking, they came from the house of the
EARLY CHURCH ON PURGATORY Paid Members Public
William Albrecht 2 nd Century AD St. Clement of Alexandria (150-215 AD) “The believer through discipline divests himself of his passions and passes to the mansion better than the former one, passing through torments with repentance for post-baptismal sins. Although these punishments cease after purification, God’s righteousness allows for