Author Archive for: TurretinFan

Shattering Catholic Answers’ Wedge

TurretinFan, April 5, 2018, Roman Catholicism

Jesus told his apostles to establish a church, not write a book, or so we are told by many of Rome’s apologists. Let’s shatter this rather transparent attempt to place a wedge between the Bible and the Church. Here is a simple way to do that, for the next time your “Catholic Answers” listening friend tells you this line.

Is Justification Forensic?

TurretinFan, July 5, 2017, Roman Catholicism

Some opponents of reformation theology attempt to deny that the term justification can be used in the context of declaration of righteousness, as opposed to infusion of righteousness. For those folks, the passages that contrast justification with condemnation should help. Surely none of these people will think that condemnation is the infusion of unrighteousness. Rather, they will recognize that condemnation

Confucianism, Islam, and Christianity – One Point of Contrast

TurretinFan, March 28, 2016, Textual Issues

Qin Shi Huang (260 – 210 BC) is the most prominent of the Chinese emperors. He united China through conquest, began the Great Wall of China, and had the Terra Cotta warriors built. He’s significant to Confucianism – and especially the textual transmission of Confucius’ works – because toward the end of his reign he engaged in a process of

Adelphopoiesis – Brother Adoption, not Same-Sex Marriage

TurretinFan, April 21, 2015, Homosexuality

Certain movements recycle old, long-debunked arguments, counting on folks not to realize that these arguments have been forgotten because they were without merit. One such argument is the idea that adelphopoiesis was an ancient form of same-sex marriage. Let’s address the timing issue first. The rite of adelphopoiesis is apparently documented from the ninth to the 15th century among the

Actually, Jesus Did Ask Someone to Write a Book

TurretinFan, February 12, 2015, Roman Catholicism

About 43 minutes into episode #6838 of Catholic Answers Live, Patrick Coffin, the host of the show, stated: “Jesus never wrote a book, didn’t ask anybody to write a book, or you know – put on kind of memo on the fridges of Nazareth, but he did found a church.” I’ve previously addressed this “Jesus Didn’t Write a Book” Objection

If God is too scary, turn to Mary?

TurretinFan, February 5, 2015, Roman Catholicism

Around 45 minutes into episode #6824 of “Catholic Answers,” Vicki Thorn stated: “You know, I also want to say to our listeners, that sometimes when we’re beginning to heal, especially women, God is really sort of frightening to us, because we’re so afraid of judgment. The blessed Mother – this is Mary’s work. … This is Mary’s work – and

Called to Cyprian – Responding to Anders’ Historical Error

TurretinFan, January 19, 2015, Roman Catholicism

On Catholic Answers, episode #6796, Dr. David Anders makes it sound as though the issue of supremacy of the Roman bishop came up for the first time in the third century, as though “Pope Stephen” asserted the primacy of the Roman see, and as though the East acquiesced in silence. As explained in more detail at the link (link to

Devin Rose’s Video – Brief Response

TurretinFan, January 6, 2015, Roman Catholicism, Uncategorized

Devin Rose has posted a video in which he himself declares that his own book, “The Protestant’s Dilemma” — well let me use his exact words — “Destroys James White’s Scripture Alone.” (his video can be found here) Devin claims his book has “about thirty-four arguments for the Catholic faith.” Devin says that Dr. White’s book, “Scripture Alone,” “answers none

David and His Son Use Similar Metaphor (or is it proto-transubstantiation?)

TurretinFan, July 28, 2014, Roman Catholicism

Roman Catholics tend to think it is highly significant that Jesus said that the cup (meaning its contents – they never seem to misunderstand that use of non-literal language) is “my blood.” Recall that Jesus said: Matthew 26:28 For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins. Mark 14:24 And he

Never Thirst – Taking Jesus “Literally” can be Fatal

TurretinFan, July 15, 2014, Roman Catholicism

Roman Catholics like to try to claim that they are just taking Jesus “literally” when they interpret “this is my body” to mean that what was in Jesus’ hands was not bread but his physical body . Three passages in John help to illustrate the problem with that approach: John 4, John 6, and John 7. In the first, Jesus

“Many Wives” or “Other Wives” vs. “Two Wives” – Norman Geisler’s Indefensible Defense of Caner

TurretinFan, April 1, 2014, Misc

In his so-called apology, Ergun Caner claimed “I have never intentionally misled anyone.” I don’t see how to reconcile that claim with the many times (not just one or two times) that Caner has described his father as having “many wives” or “other wives.” How was that not intended to mislead the listeners? Recall that Norman Geisler attempted to defend

The Ergun Caner Affair – One Assembly of the Evidence

TurretinFan, March 4, 2014, Islam, Resources

The Ergun Caner affair saddens me deeply. Dr. Caner is an excellent orator. He has great delivery – great timing – and he knows how to get a laugh. I had hoped that the investigations made of Dr. Caner’s alleged autobiographical embellishments would lead Dr. Caner to confess that he had sinned, to repent of that sin, and to try

Benny Hinn on “Prosperity Teaching” Today

TurretinFan, January 16, 2014, Theology Matters, Uncategorized

Benny Hinn’s website today has a Frequently Asked Questions section (link to FAQ), which includes the following question: What is the “prosperity teaching” referred to by critics, and how do you stand on that issue? You can get the full answer at his site, but here is the introduction and conclusion of the answer: The term “prosperity teaching” or “prosperity

Christian Answers to Two Roman Catholic Questions on “Catholic Answers”

TurretinFan, January 11, 2014, Roman Catholicism

The show that calls itself “Catholic Answers,” recently featured a Missouri Synod Lutheran caller as highlighted on a recent Dividing Line. In response to the caller, the hosts began asking him some questions. I wouldn’t be surprised if you get these same questions from some of your Roman Catholic friends and acquaintances, particularly those who listen to “Catholic Answers.” Question

Chris Pinto vs. James White – Debate Summarized

TurretinFan, December 17, 2013, King James Onlyism

The Chris Pinto vs. James White debate on whether Codex Sinaiticus is a modern forgery can be boiled down to a few considerations. 1) Constantine Simonides claimed that he wrote the document based on collating pre-existing manuscripts, and that his uncle corrected the document. Both sides agree that he so claimed. Dr. White demonstrated that these claims are essentially impossible,

Waldron’s Cascade Argument

TurretinFan, November 11, 2013, Theology Matters

Dr. Michael Brown and Dr. Sam Waldron had a very cordial debate on the question, “Have the New Testament Charismatic Gifts Ceased?” Dr. Brown’s rebuttal arguments did not appear to me to reflect an understanding of Dr. Waldron’s primary argument, the so-called Cascade Argument. I strongly believe that it is important to a dialog that both sides understand the other.

Response to Jason Reed’s Apostasy Story

TurretinFan, October 6, 2013, Roman Catholicism

Jason Reed recently joined Rome’s communion. Because he’s served as a seminary professor at Southern Evangelical Seminary, his apostasy to Rome’s communion has made waves in certain circles. Mike Schulte was kind enough to post a 56 minute video that includes a recent talk given by Jason, in which he explains his move. No summary of Reed’s story will be

Geisler on Caner’s Debating Claims

TurretinFan, September 19, 2013, Misc

The preceding post was a montage of video and audio clips of Ergun Caner bragging about his debating experience and his willingness to debate his critics. His bravado would be amusing if it was not such a serious issue. What makes it worse is Geisler’s attempted defense of Caner on this point: The Charge that Caner Falsely Claims that he

Francis of Rome on Atheists and Redemption

TurretinFan, June 2, 2013, Roman Catholicism

Francis of Rome was recently reported speaking about good works and atheism. In this post, we consider what he said, what was right in what he said, and then specifically what was wrong with what he said.

The Other Thing Francis of Rome Said: about Killing in the Name of God

TurretinFan, May 27, 2013, Roman Catholicism

Francis of Rome recently made some comments about atheists that got a lot of attention, but in the process people missed a bigger point. Francis stated: Instead, this ‘closing off’ that imagines that those outside, everyone, cannot do good is a wall that leads to war and also to what some people throughout history have conceived of: killing in the

What Every Christian Needs to Know about the Qur’an, by James White – a Review by TurretinFan

TurretinFan, May 15, 2013, Islam

With great pleasure, I recently read my friend James White’s book, “What Every Christian Needs to Know about the Qur’an,” published by Bethany House Publishers. It may be helpful to begin by clarifying what the book is not, then identifying what I liked about the book.

James White on Church History – MP3s

TurretinFan, April 18, 2013, Resources

As mentioned on yesterday’s Dividing Line, there is a collection of mp3s that provide James White’s lectures on church history. (Here is the Link!) There are about 50 or so lectures there, so enjoy!

All Have Sinned – Except Mary? (Responding to Steve Ray)

TurretinFan, April 3, 2013, Roman Catholicism

Steve Ray (Roman Catholic) writes: From the early centuries Mary was considered the All Holy One and considered as without sin. Rom 3:23 is a general statement but does not mention exceptions to the rule. For example, Jesus was a man without sin, therefore an exception. Jesus did not come short of the glory of God, because Jesus is God.

Steve Ray Mis-identifies the Gates of Hell

TurretinFan, February 1, 2013, Roman Catholicism

Pilgrimage panderer Steve Ray has some video clips up at his site (link). In the first video (starting around 4:50 into the clip, with the key portion beginning at 7:00), you can hear Steve Ray discussing the idea that Jesus’ reference to “the gates of hell” is a reference to a deep crevice near the mouth of a cave at

Shea’s Tangled Web in Defense of Tobit

TurretinFan, January 25, 2013, Roman Catholicism

Over at the “National Catholic Register,” Mark Shea provided a piece responding to a reader’s concerns about the apocryphal book of Tobit, which is included within the canon of Scripture by the Council of Trent. I’m afraid the reader of Shea’s response has been seriously disserviced by Shea’s misleading answer.

Twenty-Four Elders – Twenty-Four Books

TurretinFan, January 23, 2013, Roman Catholicism

People sometimes see what they want in allegory. If the chapter divisions in Isaiah were original, we would be tempted to place significance on the fact that the number of chapters in Isaiah is equal to the number of books in the canon. If we see the number 27 or 39 in an allegory, we might (less obviously) see the

Responding to Scott Alt Regarding Sola Scriptura

TurretinFan, January 17, 2013, Roman Catholicism

Scott Alt recently posted “Questions for a Reformed Apologist.” Dr. White and I (TurretinFan) responded on the Dividing Line, but the following provide some additional notes.

Imputation of Righteousness in Church History (As discussed on the Dividing Line today)

TurretinFan, November 20, 2012, Roman Catholicism

Pastor David King was of great help in providing the following example of an early church Father, a medieval Father, a Doctor of the Church (according to Rome), and a cardinal of the Roman church, all affirming imputation in some form or other. Bernard of Clairvaux (1090-1153): The fragrance of your wisdom comes to us in what we hear, for

Steve Ray vs. Thomas Aquinas on the Protoevangelium of James

TurretinFan, September 13, 2012, Roman Catholicism

In a recent post, Steve Ray describes the “Protoevangelium of James” in this way: “This document was written in the early 2nd century and known and loved by the first Christians.” On the other hand, Thomas Aquinas described this same work as “apocryphal ravings.” (see also the Decree attributed to Pope Gelasius) Even the famous mariologist, Luigi Gambero, admits that

Response to Jason Stellman

TurretinFan, July 25, 2012, Roman Catholicism

Jason Stellman has officially announced his intention to join the Roman communion at the “Called to Communion” blog. However, in the meantime, that post has been removed. It’s unclear why it was removed, but the following are comments on the post that was put up on July 24, 2012. Jason writes: Part of me has wished for a while now

Reference Materials for the Dividing Line …

TurretinFan, July 17, 2012, Islam

For those following along with the current Dividing Line, the following link provides the reference materials (link).

Author Archive for: TurretinFan

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