Category: Church History
Nicene Orthodoxy and The Reformed Tradition
A reformed pastor asked me to provide sources on where John Calvin denied eternal generation. I just wish to clarify what I mean by stating John Calvin denies eternal generation. I maintain that he rejects the classical understanding of eternal generation as pertaining to the essence. He thinks it applies to the persons instead. I just think that is to deny the original meaning of the Nicene Creed. Here is Dr. Robert Reymond to help clarify what I’m stating: We take up now the extremely difficult matter concerning the Nicene distinction between the Father and the Son by means of … Continue reading Nicene Orthodoxy and The Reformed Tradition
Peter Williams on the Canon
My friend Tyler Vela posted on facebook something a question to Catholics on facebook about laity being able to read the Bible. Peter D. Williams arrived to argue they should and that broke out into a conversation about the authority … Continue reading Peter Williams on the Canon
ContraModalism’s Dilemma
I had another exchange with ContraModalism. Here is the conversation: ContraModalism: that the Son was uniquely caused by the Father, from the Father (not from nothing), prior to the creation of the material universe, and with it, time. The Son pre-exists time, so there can be no difference in time between the Father and Son. eternally begotten or created in my understanding simply refers to that atemporal origin before time existed. and I think the fact that the first father we have on record as using the term trinity, freely spoke of the Son as a creature, is a point … Continue reading ContraModalism’s Dilemma
Irenaeus and Papal Succession
2. Since, however, it would be very tedious, in such a volume as this, to reckon up the successions of all the Churches, we do put to confusion all those who, in whatever manner, whether by an evil self-pleasing, by vainglory, or by blindness and perverse opinion, assemble in unauthorized meetings; [we do this, I say,] by indicating that tradition derived from the apostles, of the very great, the very ancient, and universally known Church founded and organized at Rome by the two most glorious apostles, Peter and Paul; as also [by pointing out] the faith preached to men, which … Continue reading Irenaeus and Papal Succession
Before Anselm
There is a controversy about whether penal substitutionary atonement in a modern innovation introduced in the Reformation times. A good list of articles defending the idea that it predates the reformation times was made because of Jason Peterson(Clarkian) rejection of the doctrine. Contemporary writers and scholars, it seems, are beginning to deal with this subject more in our day. For instance, see the following – Atonement in “On the Incarnation of the Word” – Maged M. This Coptic Orthodox blogger notes that Athanasius, Cyril of Alexandria, and John Chrysostom affirm the idea that Christ paid the penalty for our sins in our … Continue reading Before Anselm
Celsus on the Deity of Christ (2nd Century)
Many who deny the deity of the Lord Jesus Christ (Arianism in all its forms for example) have attempted to make the historical case that early Christians prior to the Council of Nicea didn’t believe in such things as the idea that Christ, in addition to His human nature, possesses fully the Divine nature in the same way that God the Father and God the Spirit do. While the orthodox Christian may respond with an appeal to a plethora of early documents such as Ignatius’ (A.D. 30-107) statements that demonstrate a high Christology in the Ante-Nicene period, and rightly so, … Continue reading Celsus on the Deity of Christ (2nd Century)
Did Jesus exist?
This is the silliest of all the issues I am providing links on. It also contains resources for the reliability of the New Testament. The idea that Jesus doesn’t exist has grown more popular as village atheist has grown more desperate for arguments. These will not convince them, but it will help those confused by them. Here are the resources: Tyler Vela: Special Edition – Interview with Albert McIlhenny History for Atheists… And the Rest of Us – Part 1 History for Atheists… And the Rest of Us – Part 2 “I Will Cite My Sources When You Agree With … Continue reading Did Jesus exist?
Reformation500
It is the 500th anniversary of the day Martin Luther is credited with accidentally starting the Reformation by producing his 95 theses. Ligionier: Reformation 500 Celebration Alpha and Omega Ministries: The Reformation Today, and Then The Lollards More Reformation history Reformation Conference: Dr. Michael Kruger: Sola Scriptura: The Foundation for the Reformation, the Church, and All of Life Kevin DeYoung: Sola Fide: Why the World Desperately Wants the Doctrine of Justification (But Doesn’t Realize It Yet) Dr. James Anderson: Sola Gratia: The Glorious Offense of God’s Gospel Grace Blair Smith: Solus Christus: Against the Idol Making Factory Dr. Derek Thomas: … Continue reading Reformation500
The Council 
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