Archive for category: Roman Catholicism

Over the years I have often surprised people by asserting that there is one passage of Scripture that is so clear, so perspicuous, that I have never seen a meaningful, coherent, contextually-based interpretation of it that does not teach with clarity the glorious freedom of God in the salvation of His elect people.  That passage is John 6:35-45. This passage formed

The Council of Florence, the 17th Ecumenical (and hence “infallible”) Council of the Roman Catholic Church, said the following: It firmly believes, professes, and proclaims that those not living within the Catholic Church, not only pagans, but also Jews and heretics and schismatics cannot become participants in eternal life, but will depart “into everlasting fire which was prepared for the

Perhaps this is why Catholic Answers, while claiming to be in the “forefront” of Catholic Apologetics, refuses to engage in public debate against those they know are prepared and ready.  Who knows?  But one thing is for sure: the new article by Steven O’Reilly in the October, 2000 This Rock magazine rivals the sad attempts of the Watchtower Society to

I have seen my opponents use many tactics to cover over poor performances in debates.  You will find documented on this website at least one imaginative approach taken by Catholic Answers back in 1993 when Patrick Madrid attempted to do damage control after our sola scriptura debate in San Diego by writing “The White Man’s Burden” in This Rock magazine

In February of 2000, Catholic writer Stephen O’Reilly attempted to provide a response to a small section of my book, The Roman Catholic Controversy. We responded to this attempt (click here) and demonstrated the fundamental circularity of Roman Catholic apologetics: that is, any person who reads widely in their attempts to substantiate Papal primacy know that they must begin with

There was a time when Catholic Answers tried to put forward a serious face of scholarship.  They sought to utilize at least semi-scholarly sources (though even then without much serious effort to use them in context, see this example).  But over the past few years it seems the bottom of the barrel has come into clear view, and the pretense

UPDATED SEPTEMBER, 2001.  See bottom of page for details. UPDATED APRIL, 2002.  See bottom of page for  even more details. James C. (he has asked that his last name be withheld) is a Roman Catholic seminary student, or so he claims.   I believe I first encountered him in AOL under the screen name JIMMYJOEJ.  I would often find him

Someone once said that a little knowledge is a dangerous thing.  In many walks of life this is evident, no less when using Greek to engage in exegesis of the text of Scripture.  Unfortunately, few enough in the church are conversant enough with Greek to know when they are being given accurate information, or whether they are being told a

As we were packing our things there were lots of discussions as to which would be the first rides to get on. “I am definitely going to get on Supreme Scream first.” “Oh, I can’t wait to get on Ghostrider.” These were the exchanges taking place between my daughters Angelique and Abigail and their close friend Summer White. They were

When I, my mom, brother, Escobedo family, and Jason Naut, drove to California early Friday morning the reason for my excitement was because the next day we would hopefully be in Knott’s Berry Farm.  That night we would be attending a debate between my father and Mr. Staples.  I was looking forward to it, of course, but I was more