In my previous entry, I evaluated Dr. Steve Nemes’ biblical claim that Jesus’ rebuke of the Scribes and Pharisees was rooted in their adherence and reliance on “tradition” over that of the Word of God and the “Teacher.” I demonstrated that Dr. Nemes misinterprets Matthew 23:8-10 and that Jesus was not condemning their teaching authority (He endorses it in Matthew 23:1), but rather, their hypocrisy. For this entry, let us assume Dr. Nemes is correct, and that Jesus was condemning “traditionalism” in all its forms. What then are we left with to determine what the “Teacher” truly taught and to w ..read more

Dr. Steven Nemes posted a video to his channel on why one should remain Protestant. He refers to, and relies heavily upon, a particular reading of Matthew 23, in which he claims Jesus teaches against the “traditionalism” of the Scribes and Pharisees, and how this stands as a warning to all Christians from then onwards. His argument: Christ says he alone is the Teacher and all Christians are only students and disciples. Early Church fathers are only good as tutors. Protestants only have one Teacher, which is Christ related in the Scripture. Roman Catholics (here on as RC) and Eastern Orthodox ..read more

In October 2017, Clark Morledge wrote anessay in defense of sola scriptura against that of nuda scripture. The term nuda scripture is more commonly known as solo scriptura, which posits that Christians are to understand their faith totally removed from any faith tradition, hence nuda (naked). I have no issue with the first half of Morledge essay, as he does a lot to offer an honest critique of sola scriptura and the dangers of it leaning into nuda scriptura. The issues arise when he then disregards his own critique in his justification of sola scriptura. Allow to me illustrate. “When the Ref ..read more

There has been much heat on Texas since the passing of the “heartbeat” bill that gave regular citizens the ability to sue abortion practitioners (and those involved in procuring an abortion) after the sixth week of pregnancy. Some criticisms of this life-saving bill shows how the debate of abortion is framed and discussed. Below, I will post some responses and add my comments on them. Strict Texas abortion law in effect after Supreme Court doesn't intervene. "Texans, like everyone else in this country, should be able to count on safe abortion care in their own state. No one should be forced t ..read more

We read in the writings of St. Vincent of Lerins what theologians call the Vincentian Canon. It is taken from the fourth chapter of his Commontorium. In this chapter, St. Vincent muses about who has the proper authority to interpret Scripture. His musings sound very modern, as he wonders if there is a principle to properly discern between orthodoxy (right belief) and the “falsehood of heresy.” He states: “I have continually given the greatest pains and diligence to inquiring, from the greatest possible number of men outstanding in holiness and in doctrine, how I can secure a kind of fixed and ..read more

What if I told you that I consider liberal Protestants, especially Unitarian Universalist, to be the most epistemologically honest expression of Protestantism? Furthermore, they are not only the most honest, but the logical epistemological end to the Reformation that can still claim some form of faith tradition. The other offspring: Modernism, Post-modernism, scientism, rationalism, and materialism are the Reformation’s offspring that rejected their parent’s faith and inserted themselves in its place. Allow me to explain myself. At the Diet of Worms in 1521, Martin Luther declared boldly: “Un ..read more

Click here to see the video from 26:06 to 27:08. In my dialogue with Pastor Nate Taylor, he makes the claim that 1 Corinthians 4:6 teaches that Scripture alone is the sole source for all doctrines and practices (sola scriptura or the formal sufficiency of Scripture). His argument follows this course: in verse six of 1 Corinthians chapter four, St. Paul uses the Greek word gegraptai (it is written). St. Paul also uses this Greek word thirty or so more times in his other letters when he quotes Scripture (it is written…). Therefore, since St. Paul uses gegraptai to quote Scripture, he must ..read more

                         The Issue at Hand I recently participated in a dialogue with pastor Nate Taylor that was hosted by Ratio Christi at Winthrop University regarding whether “Scripture” or the “Church” is the final authority in a Christian’s life. I laid out my case that the Catholic Church holds the right to final interpretive authority through apostolic succession. The gist of my arguments can be read in my response to Keith Mathison’s popular book on sola scriptura (that the Scripture is the final authority when properl ..read more

The Enthronement of One's Interpretation   What is sola scriptura? Keith Mathison offers the most comprehensive and widely accepted view of sola scriptura by Protestant apologists in use today in his book, The Shape of Sola Scripture (2001). Below, I will address his, Martin Luther’s, and John Calvin’s arguments and their attempts to justify their own personal interpretations of Scripture, placing themselves as the ultimate “bar” by which all doctrine and practice are measured. Mathison: “...that Scripture was the sole source of revelation; that it was the final authoritativenorm of ..read more

What is our responsibility to God? We know that God loves us, that He created us, and that he ultimately suffered and died to save us. We know that “while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8). While we know all the wonderous deeds God has done for us, I believe we fail to take hold of our responsibility in the story of our salvation. We embrace the love, but not what that love demands of us. For this, I too am guilty. Allow me to illustrate. Jesus stood up and said to her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?” She said, “No one, Lord.” And Jesus said, “Neither do ..read more