Beggars All: Reformation And Apologetics: The Phony Decree of Damasus or Gelasius

Here's another example of why I don't trust the hierarchy of the RCC. I can never tell if what Catholics are quoting from is a genuine document. They may sincerely believe it is, but I can't trust the source.

Beggars All: Reformation And Apologetics: The Phony Decree of Damasus or Gelasius

Thoughts of Francis Turretin: Peter Abelard on the Inerrancy of Scripture in Contradistinction to the Errancy of the Fathers

Interesting post quoted from Peter Abelard (1079-1142). He talks about love being of first importance, which we 'Church of Ephesus' Christians (see Revelation 2) need to remember, and which we discussed very briefly in the comments under my recent post about 'the successors of Peter.'

Thoughts of Francis Turretin: Peter Abelard on the Inerrancy of Scripture in Contradistinction to the Errancy of the Fathers

The Christianity of Thomas Jefferson: Britt Mooney

Here's a good post by Britt Mooney about Thomas Jefferson's Christianity. Apparently there is alot of misinformation about Jefferson out there, because I thought he was a deist who didn't believe in the miracles of Christ. From the quotes Britt gives it appears Jefferson was a true Christian, and also one who didn't accept the institutional Christianity of his day. Some of what he describes as things added to Christ's pure doctrines sounds alot like Roman Catholicism, and probably also applied to the Church of England as well. This is very exciting to me, and I would like to read the book that Britt mentions to find out more about Jefferson.

"The Pilgrim Church' by E.H. Broadbent is available to read online

The book 'The Pilgrim Church' by E.H. Broadbent, which I have posted about before, is now available to read or download online here. Just look under the letter 'B' until you find 'Broadbent' and then download or read whichever copy you wish.
Now, Kelly of Visits to Candyland can read it and not wait for me to mail her the book, since I still haven't finished the hardback copy I have. I don't know why but I have trouble reading 'real' books now and prefer to read online. Maybe it's because I can never find my one pair of reading glasses when I need them.

Power Corrupts Both Protestant and Roman Catholic 'Hierarchies'

Roman Catholic historian Lord Acton famously wrote "Power corrupts. Absolute power corrupts absolutely." He was speaking of the papacy, the leadership of his own church throughout history. This is true of any church or state hierarchy that lusts for power, not just the papacy. I found an article that enforces this truth about some of the conservative evangelical leadership, who became involved in a power struggle in Guatamala, and caused many to be led astray, and many of the weak to be trampled underfoot by those who should have shown love to them as our Lord taught us. The article is called "The Fundamentalist Surge in Latin America."

Luke 22:35-53 A Prophecy of the Sufficiency of Scripture and of the successors of Peter

Luke 22:
35 And He said to them, “When I sent you without money bag, knapsack, and sandals, did you lack anything?”
So they said, “Nothing.”
36 Then He said to them, “But now, he who has a money bag, let him take it, and likewise a knapsack; and he who has no sword, let him sell his garment and buy one. 37 For I say to you that this which is written must still be accomplished in Me: ‘And He was numbered with the transgressors.’ For the things concerning Me have an end.”
38 So they said, “Lord, look, here are two swords.”
And He said to them, “It is enough.”
...........................
47 And while He was still speaking, behold, a multitude; and he who was called Judas, one of the twelve, went before them and drew near to Jesus to kiss Him. 48 But Jesus said to him, “Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?”
49 When those around Him saw what was going to happen, they said to Him, “Lord, shall we strike with the sword?” 50 And one of them struck the servant of the high priest and cut off his right ear.
51 But Jesus answered and said, “Permit even this.” And He touched his ear and healed him.
52 Then Jesus said to the chief priests, captains of the temple, and the elders who had come to Him, “Have you come out, as against a robber, with swords and clubs? 53 When I was with you daily in the temple, you did not try to seize Me. But this is your hour, and the power of darkness.”

Jesus said to sell their garments and buy a sword. They didn't understand that He was not speaking of a physical sword, but a spiritual one: the word of God. The two swords are the word of God: old testament and new testament. Jesus said of the two swords, "It is enough." The scripture is sufficient for all our needs as God's people.
When Jesus was being taken, one of them, whom we know from the gospel of John as the Apostle Peter, struck the servant of the High Priest with the sword and cut off his right ear. Jesus rebuked Peter (in John) and in Luke said to permit what was happening. It is interesting that the one Peter struck was the servant of the High Priest. Jesus is our High Priest and 'Peter' has struck the servant of the High Priest many times throughout history. The popes have struck out with the sword against Christ's servants who carry the sword of the Word instead of the physical sword. They have misunderstood as Peter did that Jesus said the sword of the Word is enough. Someday 'Peter' will understand that he has denied his Lord, perhaps when the final cock crows as morning is about to break, and the Lord turns and looks at 'Peter' again; then he'll remember the Word of the Lord and understand his sin.

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Jeremiah 33:18 does not prove a need for the Roman Catholic priesthood

In the comments of this Called to Communion post, people have brought up Jeremiah 33:18 to say that the Catholic priesthood is the fulfillment of this passage, saying that without the Catholic priesthood this passage is not fulfilled. Yet in 1 Peter 2:5, this passage is shown to be fulfilled in all the members of the church, as “a holy priesthood that offers up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.”

Jeremiah 33:17 “For thus says the LORD: ‘David shall never lack a man to sit on the throne of the house of Israel; 18 nor shall the priests, the Levites, lack a man to offer burnt offerings before Me, to kindle grain offerings, and to sacrifice continually.’”

1 Peter 2:5
you also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

The Church doesn't build itself, nor is the 'Church' the authority for believers: God's Word is

John 4:39 And many of the Samaritans of that city believed in Him because of the word of the woman who testified, “He told me all that I ever did.” 40 So when the Samaritans had come to Him, they urged Him to stay with them; and He stayed there two days. 41 And many more believed because of His own word.
42 Then they said to the woman, “Now we believe, not because of what you said, for we ourselves have heard Him and we know that this is indeed the Christ, the Savior of the world.”

The Old Testament Canon and the Apocrypha Part Three: From Jerome to the Reformation: William Webster

Here is an article by William Webster on the canon which shows that the canon held by Jerome was the accepted canon of scripture until the Council of Trent officially added the Apocryphal books: The Old Testament Canon and the Apocrypha Part Three: From Jerome to the Reformation.

Some links on Justification, Salvation, Faith, and Righteousness

Here are some posts linking to studies my husband Eddie has done, and also some of my blog posts, on the subject of justification, salvation, faith, and works. This is to answer a statement Leo made in the com box of the post 'Historical Literature on the Earliest Papacy: John Bugay'. Leo said: "Sorry, but we are not saved by Faith alone. By God's grace, yes, but not by Faith alone... and we must respond to that grace."

Exchangedlife.com: We Are the Righteousness of God

Understanding Regeneration/Salvation: Part One

Understanding Regeneration/Salvation: Part Two

Exchangedlife.com: Bearing Fruit: The Purpose of Works

Bearing Fruit: The Purpose of Works: Part Two

Grace, Faith, and Good Works: acts17-11.com

Justification: The Catholic Church and the Judaizers in St. Paul's Letter to the Galatians

Repost: The Sabbath Rest Series

Understanding Faith: Part One

Understanding Faith: Part Two

Historical Literature on the Earliest Papacy: John Bugay

Here's an article on John Bugay's blog about recent scholarship that has shed light on teachings about the early papacy. I cited this in a comment to Leo, who thinks the papacy has existed since the Apostle Peter, when it clearly is a much later development.

Visits to Candyland: Two discussions based on 'Mary Vitamin?'

Elena of Visits to Candyland has continued the discussion from my 'Mary Vitamin?' post in two discussions on her blog:
Scripture and Tradition Discussion with Jennie
Latest Apologetics Debate

The Biblical Guide to Spiritual Maturity: Exchangedlife.com

My husband Eddie has a new two part study on his website, exchangedlife.com, about spiritual maturity. Following is the beginning of it; please click on the links to read the entire study.

The Biblical Guide to Spiritual Maturity (Part One)
The Biblical Guide to Spiritual Maturity (Part Two)

The Biblical Guide to Spiritual Maturity (Part 1)

Spiritual maturity shouldn’t be a mystery, yet anyone who has spent time in the church has likely noticed varying levels of spiritual growth among the members. Some grow slowly, some grow quickly, and some never grow at all. Why is it that so many never mature beyond spiritual infancy? I have yet to hear anyone declare, “I don’t want to grow closer to the Lord.” But I’ve heard many testify their desire to know him deeper. Sometimes those who make such a declaration begin growing, but many times they find themselves in the same position of stagnated growth year after year. The Bible warns that there will be many who are ever learning, but never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.

This is not unique to our time, for the Apostle Paul scolded the members of one of his churches by saying, “By now you ought to be teachers, but you need someone to teach you again the basic principles of the oracles of God.”

Why is this such a problem in the church? Why do many Christians get stuck in the cycle of learning the basics, and yet never get beyond the need to learn the basics again. I believe the Bible gives us the answers. I also am confident that if you apply these things, you will not be left in spiritual immaturity. In fact, the Bible promises that if you follow specific principles, you will be fruitful and find the doors of heaven wide open. We’ll look at the passages which teach this shortly, but let’s begin with the words of Jesus which hit at the heart of the problem.

Hear, and take heed
Look at Mark 4:23-25
23 "If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear."
24 Then He said to them, "Take heed what you hear. With the same measure you use, it will be measured to you; and to you who hear, more will be given.
25 "For whoever has, to him more will be given; but whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him."

I’ve seen this passage applied incorrectly to various doctrines, but if we examine it in context, there is only one meaning to Jesus’ words. He begins by declaring, “If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear.” Jesus often made this declaration before giving truth to the people. In Matthew 13, Jesus begins with this statement, then teaches many truths, and quotes the Bible’s warning: hearing the people shall hear, but not understand. Do you have ears to hear? The hearing is our response to the word of God.

What separates those who understand from those who do not? Let’s look at this in greater detail through the scriptures of Matthew 13:10-15
10 And the disciples came and said to Him, "Why do You speak to them in parables?"
11 He answered and said to them, "Because it has been given to you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given.
12 "For whoever has, to him more will be given, and he will have abundance; but whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him.
13 "Therefore I speak to them in parables, because seeing they do not see, and hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand.
14 "And in them the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled, which says: 'Hearing you will hear and shall not understand, And seeing you will see and not perceive;
15 For the hearts of this people have grown dull. Their ears are hard of hearing, And their eyes they have closed, Lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears, Lest they should understand with their hearts and turn, So that I should heal them.'

This is a similar passage to the one in Mark above, but it adds some details that are also relevant to our topic here. What was the difference between the disciples who were given understanding, and those who were given hardness of heart? It is the response to the gospel. God indeed hardened them (see Romans 9:18), but it is to give them what they desire in their hearts. This passage says, “Their eyes they have closed.” In Romans 1, God gives people over to their own corruption after they suppress the truth in their hearts. Judgment begins with the words, “For this reason God gave them up to vile passions.” A similar declaration is found in 2 Thessalonians 2. “Because they did not receive the love of the truth…God will send them a strong delusion, that they should believe the lie.”

When people close their eyes to hide themselves from the truth, God gives them the lie they have chosen. To close one’s eyes is to choose the lie. The lie could be a desire for a particular sin, but more times that not, it is the false belief in our own wisdom. When I think my ways are above God’s, I am in rejection of truth. Without faith it is impossible to please God. When I choose my ways over God’s, I will close my eyes to the truth by turning away from seeing the word. Thus, I am declaring my disbelief in His word, and faith in my flesh.

This is not only the line that divides the unredeemed from the Christian, but it is also the dividing line between the mature in faith and the one who flounders in their search for truth. I’ve heard people declare their desire to grow, but when invited to be a part of discipleship, they decline by not following through. Compare this to the disciples whom Jesus said, “To you it is given to know…but to those without, it is not given.” The disciples heard the word, and then came to the Lord seeking understanding. Those on the outside heard the word, nodded their heads, and walked away. It didn’t change their life. They found very little value in truth and didn’t bother following through, or seeking to understand what they had heard. Some respond with apathy, while others don’t want to face God’s call to surrender their lives.

That’s the danger of the word. You can’t receive it without your life changing. The word convicts, rebukes, corrects, and teaches the right way to go. Since the flesh is contrary to the word, those who love their lives in the flesh are forced to close their eyes to the word. It is a deceptive rejection of truth. I can close my eyes and convince myself that I’m not rejecting the truth, but it’s still rejection. The word never goes out without accomplishing its purpose. It is either life-changing, or heart-hardening.

Mary Vitamin?

'Under Her Starry Mantle' blog has a link to something called a Mary Vitamin.

Here's an excerpt from the linked post:
She is God’s Spouse, God’s Daughter, God’s Mother. God did not let Her body corrupt in the earth at death. In fact, He never permitted any stain of sin to mar Her beauty before Him. She never sinned, but more than that, She never lost a drop of grace poured out upon Her from God. She deserves more attention from us than any of the saints. We call this “hyperdulia.”Moreover, She deserves such great attention from us because Our Lord, with His dying breath said :"Woman, behold your son. Son, behold your Mother.” The last words from a mortal man sum up his life, what if the words are from the lips of God?

Not one phrase of that has any scriptural support. If God never allowed 'God's spouse' to have any stain of sin to mar her beauty before Him, why does He allow His real spouse, Spiritual Israel, to at first have a stain of sin to mar her beauty? Mary is not God's spouse, Israel is. Mary is not God's mother; God has none (See Hebrews 7:3). She is God's daughter only as a believer along with all who believe. She is only a representative of the bride indwelt by Christ and of Israel giving birth to her savior. Both Israel and the church are sinful and are being redeemed. Mary is no different.
And sorry, but I'd rather learn directly from God and His word and not have the fleshly veil of 'Mary' in between us. God didn't appoint Mary to teach us, but the Holy Spirit working through Apostles, pastors, and teachers.
Jesus NEVER ONCE called Mary 'mother' in scripture. When He spoke to her directly in inspired scripture, He always called her 'woman'. The Woman always represents all of God's people, not one woman. Mary was one of many 'Mary's' in scripture and she was and is just one of many believers.
Jesus didn't speak to Mary with His dying breath; His last words were 'Father, into Thy hands I commit my Spirit' and 'It is finished' probably in that order. Again notice that He still didn't call her His 'Mother' but instead gave her to John. Mary could not be His mother anymore, and she was also rebuked when she tried to act as His mother during His ministry on earth.
Finally, speaking of being 'under her starry mantle' I would rather be under something more spiritually enduring:
Psalm 91:
1 He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High
Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.
2 I will say of the LORD, “He is my refuge and my fortress;
My God, in Him I will trust.”

3 Surely He shall deliver you from the snare of the fowler
And from the perilous pestilence.
4 He shall cover you with His feathers,
And under His wings you shall take refuge;
His truth shall be your shield and buckler.

"I the LORD will answer him who comes, according to the multitude of his idols"

Ezekiel 14
1 Now some of the elders of Israel came to me and sat before me. 2 And the word of the LORD came to me, saying, 3 “Son of man, these men have set up their idols in their hearts, and put before them that which causes them to stumble into iniquity. Should I let Myself be inquired of at all by them?
4 “Therefore speak to them, and say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord GOD: “Everyone of the house of Israel who sets up his idols in his heart, and puts before him what causes him to stumble into iniquity, and then comes to the prophet, I the LORD will answer him who comes, according to the multitude of his idols, 5 that I may seize the house of Israel by their heart, because they are all estranged from Me by their idols.”’ 6 “Therefore say to the house of Israel, ‘Thus says the Lord GOD: “Repent, turn away from your idols, and turn your faces away from all your abominations. 7 For anyone of the house of Israel, or of the strangers who dwell in Israel, who separates himself from Me and sets up his idols in his heart and puts before him what causes him to stumble into iniquity, then comes to a prophet to inquire of him concerning Me, I the LORD will answer him by Myself. 8 I will set My face against that man and make him a sign and a proverb, and I will cut him off from the midst of My people. Then you shall know that I am the LORD.
9 “And if the prophet is induced to speak anything, I the LORD have induced that prophet, and I will stretch out My hand against him and destroy him from among My people Israel. 10 And they shall bear their iniquity; the punishment of the prophet shall be the same as the punishment of the one who inquired, 11 that the house of Israel may no longer stray from Me, nor be profaned anymore with all their transgressions, but that they may be My people and I may be their God,” says the Lord GOD.’”

Exchangedlife.com: We Are the Righteousness of God

My husband has a new message up on his website, exchangedlife.com, called "We Are the Righteousness of God". This message goes along with the last post I did, in which I linked to an article by Richard Bennett of Berean Beacon; Bennett wrote partly about Cardinal John Henry Newman and his erroneous teachings on justification and righteousness. Eddie explains that the believer's righteousness comes from Christ, and is always there as imputed righteousness. Our righteousness is never our own. After justification, we are taught to abide in Christ so the word and the Spirit can sanctify us. We become holy or sanctified by daily crucifying the flesh and separating from worldliness. This does not make us more righteous, but takes the flesh out of the way and crucifies it, so the righteousness of God can shine forth. The flesh is like the bushel basket that is placed over the light. This must be removed so we can shine. This is the message of the gospel, that we by faith are given Christ's righteouness, and then the just walk by faith and God's grace to crucify the flesh and shine forth into the darkness as lights holy unto God.

A Question

I just read a new article on Berean Beacon called "Papacy Set to Recapture England". If you want to read it, you can download it by clicking on the title at the top of the website. While reading it, a question occurred to me: If one disagrees with the doctrines of justification and regeneration as taught by the reformed churches, as Cardinal John Henry Newman did, why does that make it necessary to run to Rome and swallow all the errors of Roman doctrine and practice, such as the Papacy, transubstantiation, Mary worship, etc.? Why not study the Bible and fellowship in a local church that teaches Biblical doctrine? No one has everything completely correct, but committing spiritual adultery with the Papal system is not an option. Their history is full of violence against God's people, and their so-called 'history' is full of outright forgeries, quotes from the Fathers taken out of context, and dependence upon the uninspired writings of mere men, rather than dependence upon the inspired scriptures interpreted by the Holy Spirit. And it seems that it is very important to some Catholics for you to admit that Mary is the 'Blessed Virgin' and 'The Mother of God' and to try praying to her. Why is that, I wonder? Because their religion is at heart a religion that places Mary between people and God, or in some cases replaces God with Mary. Again, why swallow poison mixed with a little goodness? Why do we have to choose between two corrupt institutions, when there are true churches right down the road from all of us?

The Letter of Ignatius to the Ephesians: Bishops and Ecclesiastical Authority

The Letter of Ignatius to the Ephesians: Bishops and Ecclesiastical Authority

Chuck Colson's Two-Minute Warning: Freedom of Worship: an anorexic description of our rights

Here is a timely topic for Independence Day weekend: a message from Chuck Colson about a 'subtle' message being given out by our President and His administration lately that may have serious repercussions for our religious freedom.

This is a video a friend linked to on facebook today, and here is the note she put with it: :" Please visit Chuck Colson's website and respond to the urgent alert. The administration is trying to re-define religious liberty as we know it. Watch the video by Colson, then respond in the way you feel led. Blog, write a letter to the editor, email others. But most of all, continue to PRAY that God will protect our freedoms so that we may not only enjoy religious liberty, but be free to share the gospel!"

Beggars All: Reformation And Apologetics: Infallible Papal Bulls

Beggars All: Reformation And Apologetics: Infallible Papal Bulls