Last time, we ended with a question that becomes necessary as a consequence of certain opinions that were held by (for example) Martin Luther: to wit, that the Holy Spirit helps a person to correctly interpret the Bible. The question…
In our last episode, I examined the Reformed/Presbyterian notion that Scripture is the “infallible interpreter” of Scripture. This model of exegesis does not work, I argued, because the Bible is an object and objects do not interpret themselves. Interpretation is…
In my last post, I said that the Protestant has made himself the measure of all things when it comes to the Bible: he will decide for himself what the Bible teaches. This amounts to a sort of “baptized Renaissance…
The Catechism has this to say about Providence and the natural powers of the creatures that God has made: God has not willed to reserve to himself all exercise of power. He entrusts to every creature the functions it is…
My friend Jason is asking some tough questions about some Reformed articles of faith. The Reformed may brush him off, but I do not see how they can pretend his criticisms have no teeth. The very best that they can…
Romans 11:22-23 presents an interesting difficulty for the Reformed Protestant doctrine of perseverance, according to which it is impossible for the Elect to lose their salvation. Consider what St. Paul writes in Romans 11 about the People of God as…
Luke 15 offers us a striking illustration of how mistaken the Reformed doctrine of total depravity is. In verses 4-6 the Lord Jesus tells the parable of the lost sheep, which concludes with this observation about how things are in…
Calvinists believe in a doctrine they name total depravity, according to which they claim: From this original corruption, whereby we are utterly indisposed, disabled, and made opposite to all good, and wholly inclined to all evil, do proceed all actual…
The letter to the Hebrews has this to say about seeing God. Seek peace with all people, and the holiness without which no one can ever see the Lord. (12:14, NJB) Without holiness no one can ever see God. This…
Here is yet another occasion where the Lord’s discussion of our salvation omits any mention of the Protestant’s sola fide view: If any one hears my sayings and does not keep them, I do not judge him; for I did…
Aquinas, Etc. 