There is a common view that the Catholic Church is steeped in an organizational, institutional hierarchy of great depth. That view can even be found among Catholics. But is it true? As one who has spent my career in the corporate world, I am amazed when I consider how “flat” the structure of the Church … Continue reading Biblical Authority — What the Bible Teaches About Church Organization
Biblical Authority — What the Bible Teaches About The Church
Jesus begins his public ministry in Mark’s Gospel with the pronouncement “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent, and believe in the gospel.” (Mark 1:15). He then calls the twelve apostles into ministry with him. The “kingdom of God” is not a future concept in the mind of Christ, … Continue reading Biblical Authority — What the Bible Teaches About The Church
Biblical Authority — The Authority to Teach Part 2
In my last post I covered the perspective of many Protestants Christ did not establish a teaching authority, but rather individual believers are to rely on the Scriptures and the Holy Spirit to guide them. One primary verse used to support this is 1 John 2:26-27 where the apostle says “I write this to you … Continue reading Biblical Authority — The Authority to Teach Part 2
Biblical Authority — The Authority to Teach Part 1
The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches this about the Magisterium: CCC85 The task of giving an authentic interpretation of the Word of God, whether in its written form or in the form of Tradition, has been entrusted to the living teaching office of the Church alone. Its authority in this matter is exercised in … Continue reading Biblical Authority — The Authority to Teach Part 1
Biblical Authority — The Authority Given to the Apostles
In my last post I covered the difference between being a disciple, and being an apostle. While all apostles are disciples, not all disciples are apostles. Nor are all disciples given the authority Christ shares with his apostles. As we begin to review the passages that provide an understanding of true Biblical authority, for reasons … Continue reading Biblical Authority — The Authority Given to the Apostles
Biblical Authority — Apostleship versus Discipleship
In my last several posts I have reviewed the primary Scriptures that Protestants use to promote a doctrine of sola-Scriptura. My next several posts will review the authority that Christ gives to the apostles, and to his Church. But before doing that, we need to look at the difference between being an apostle, and being … Continue reading Biblical Authority — Apostleship versus Discipleship
Sola-Scriptura and the Availability of Scripture
In “The Gospel According to Rome” (an anti-Catholic work), James McCarthy writes: “Confident of the Spirit’s teaching ministry, biblical Christianity treats the Bible as an open book – a book of the people. Personal study, interpretation and application are encouraged. The same was true in the early church. Long before anyone had ever heard of … Continue reading Sola-Scriptura and the Availability of Scripture
Sola Scriptura and “Do Not Go Beyond What is Written”
Another passage generally used to try to prove the Protestant doctrine of sola-Scriptura is 1 Corinthians 4:6 – “I have applied all this to myself and Apol′los for your benefit, brethren, that you may learn by us not to go beyond what is written, that none of you may be puffed up in favor of … Continue reading Sola Scriptura and “Do Not Go Beyond What is Written”
Sola Scriptura and the Bereans
In Acts 17, St. Paul encounters the Bereans, and it is recorded that “Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessaloni′ca, for they received the word with all eagerness, examining the scriptures daily to see if these things were so” (Acts 17:11). This passage is often used to support a view of sola-Scriptura. Examples: … Continue reading Sola Scriptura and the Bereans
Sola-Scriptura and the Authority of Christ
A view often expressed in order to bolster the claim of sola-Scriptura is that Christ himself looked to the authority of Scripture alone, and taught his apostles to do the same. One example given is when Christ is tempted by Satan in the desert, and he responds to Satan’s temptations by quoting Scripture. An example … Continue reading Sola-Scriptura and the Authority of Christ
Sola-Scriptura and the “Word of God”
In my last post I reviewed a Catholic perspective of 2 Timothy 3:16-17 that “All scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.” One of the things to note is that this … Continue reading Sola-Scriptura and the “Word of God”
Sola Scriptura and 2 Timothy 3:14-17
Probably the most cited passage used to support sola-Scriptura is 2 Timothy 3:14-17 – “But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings which are able to instruct you for salvation through faith … Continue reading Sola Scriptura and 2 Timothy 3:14-17
Sola Scriptura and Biblical Authority – an Overview
Martin Luther launched Protestantism in the 16th century on the basis of five “solas” – the Latin word meaning alone. The Catholic perspective of the four “solas” related to salvation was discussed here and in subsequent posts. The fifth “sola” is sola-Scriptura – "Scripture alone." How sola-Scriptura is defined can vary somewhat between different Protestant … Continue reading Sola Scriptura and Biblical Authority – an Overview
The Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick
In Mark 6:7-13 Jesus sends the twelve out, two by two to the mission field. He gives them authority over unclean spirits, and the Gospel records that they “cast out many demons, and anointed with oil many that were sick and healed them” (Mark 6:13). We see later in the life of the Church the … Continue reading The Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick
The Sacrament of Reconciliation Part 4
The Sacrament of Reconciliation perhaps highlights the division of beliefs between Catholicism and most Protestant faiths like no other. Differing understandings of authority, the nature of sin, the nature of the priesthood, what it means to be saved, how sins are forgiven – all of these come into play and since there are fundamental disagreements … Continue reading The Sacrament of Reconciliation Part 4
The Sacrament of Reconciliation Part 3
The Sacrament of Reconciliation perhaps highlights the division of beliefs between Catholicism and most Protestant faiths like no other. Differing understandings of authority, the nature of sin, the nature of the priesthood, what it means to be saved, how sins are forgiven – all of these come into play and since there are fundamental disagreements … Continue reading The Sacrament of Reconciliation Part 3
The Sacrament of Reconciliation Part 2
Within Protestantism, there are some groups who hold to a position of “Once Saved, Always Saved.” This of course is not the Catholic position. But within those groups, they often believe that when a person is saved, all of their sins (past, present and future) are forgiven at that moment. If a person believes that there … Continue reading The Sacrament of Reconciliation Part 2
The Sacrament of Reconciliation Part 1
One aspect of the Catholic faith that can be very foreign to most Protestants is the sacrament of Reconciliation (or Confession or Penance), and that as Catholics we confess our sins to a priest and seek absolution of our sins through this Sacrament. In general, Protestants would view that we can go directly to God … Continue reading The Sacrament of Reconciliation Part 1
The Ministerial Priesthood and Celibacy
One of the most often asked questions of Catholics is why celibacy is required of our priests. Some will claim this requirement is not Biblical, and will cite St. Paul writing in 1 Timothy 4:1-5 “Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith by giving heed to deceitful … Continue reading The Ministerial Priesthood and Celibacy
The Ministerial Priesthood and “Call No Man Father”
One of the most common verses used to prove that Catholics are not “Biblical” has to be Matthew 23:9 where Jesus says “And call no man your father on earth, for you have one Father, who is in heaven.” Since Catholics call priests “Father” it is viewed to be in clear violation of Scripture. And … Continue reading The Ministerial Priesthood and “Call No Man Father”
The Ministerial Priesthood Part 3
“Think not that I have come to abolish the law and the prophets; I have come not to abolish them but to fulfil them.” (Matthew 5:17) In my last post I reviewed how the ministerial priesthood of Aaron and his sons in the Old Testament co-existed with the priesthood of the nation of Israel. In … Continue reading The Ministerial Priesthood Part 3
The Ministerial Priesthood Part 2
“Think not that I have come to abolish the law and the prophets; I have come not to abolish them but to fulfil them." (Matthew 5:17) In my last post I reviewed that from the Catholic perspective God clearly establishes three kinds of priesthoods in the Old Covenant – the high priest, the ministerial priesthood … Continue reading The Ministerial Priesthood Part 2
The Ministerial Priesthood Part 1
“Think not that I have come to abolish the law and the prophets; I have come not to abolish them but to fulfil them.” (Matthew 5:17) One of the things about the Catholic Church that can be foreign to most Protestants is that we have priests, who wear vestments and preside at Eucharist and administer … Continue reading The Ministerial Priesthood Part 1
The Eucharist, the Road to Emmaus, and Transubstantiation
“Think not that I have come to abolish the law and the prophets; I have come not to abolish them but to fulfil them.” (Matthew 5:17) One of the most interesting things about the post resurrection appearances of Christ is the many times he appeared to his disciples in a form they did not recognize. … Continue reading The Eucharist, the Road to Emmaus, and Transubstantiation
The Eucharist as the New Bread of the Presence
“Think not that I have come to abolish the law and the prophets; I have come not to abolish them but to fulfil them." (Matthew 5:17) I began this series of posts on the Eucharist with an understanding that Jesus is the fulfillment of the prophet Moses and is leading his people in a new … Continue reading The Eucharist as the New Bread of the Presence
Between the Farm and the Cross 