catholicism
Broader examinations of Catholic theology, tradition, and doctrinal claims in light of Scripture.
Holy Mary in Early Christian Writers Paid Members Public
In this post I cite what some of the early Church writers, theologians, apologists and/or fathers wrote in regards to Luke 1:26-38. These quotations are fascinating since they show how the early Christians viewed Mary, with some calling her the Ark/Temple of God, and the New Eve,
PETRINE PRIMACY & ROMAN SUPREMACY Paid Members Public
Here I cite snippets from two fourth century AD references affirming the primacy of Rome due to its relationship to Peter, the chief of the holy Apostles. All emphasis will be mine. Athanasius Apologia Contra Arianos (Athanasius), Part I Chapter 2. Letter of Julius to the Eusebians at Antioch. Eusebius
No Sola Fide in the Early Church Paid Members Public
I cite what the late renowned Protestant scholar Philip Schaff admitted in respect to Luther’s doctrine of sola fide, or of forensic justification where Luther claimed a person was declared (not made) just/righteous by faith in Christ alone, being virtually unknown in the early Church. All emphasis will
Esdras & The Early Church: A Response to William Webster Paid Members Public
by John Betts Introduction William Webster, a popular Evangelical Protestant apologist, has written a book on the formation of the Canon of Scripture. Together with his online material on this subject, he essentially recycles many of the arguments Protestants and Catholics have had for centuries on this. Webster seems to
A 2nd Response to William Webster on Esdras Paid Members Public
By John Betts Protestant apologist William Webster has finally responded to the article I wrote in 2004, entitled Esdras & The Early Church: A Response to William Webster. Yet unfortunately this ‘response’ is essentially a re-posting of his original material that fails to substantiate his assertions and repeatedly misrepresents or
The Holy Eucharist In the Early Church Paid Members Public
The following excerpt is taken from the late Christian historian Jaroslav Pelikan’s book, The Christian Tradition: A History of the Development of Doctrine, Vol. 1: The Emergence of the Catholic Tradition (100-600), published by University of Chicago Press in 1975, pp.166-171. All emphasis will be mine. The same
St. Augustine, Trinity & Filioque Pt. 2 Paid Members Public
The following is taken from St. Augustine’s On the Trinity Book 5 (V). All emphasis will be mine. Chapter 8.— Whatever is Spoken of God According to Substance, is Spoken of Each Person Severally, and Together of the Trinity Itself. One Essence in God, and Three, in Greek, Hypostases,
John 6 & the Holy Eucharist Paid Members Public
Protestantism’s War Against the Holy Bible Our Lord scandalized his Jewish audience by insisting that they had to eat his flesh and blood, otherwise they will never obtain everlasting life. His statements were so shocking that it even offended some of his own followers: “Then the Jews began to