David: John 3:3,6 explains the meaning of john3:3,5 Go one more verse. jesus is not talking about baptisum with ordinary water, he is talking about the water at birth. J. Salza: David, you don't know what Jesus is talking about because you weren't there when John wrote John 3:5,6. The only way … [Read more...]
The “Material Sufficiency” of Scripture
Keith: John, thank you for your incredible website. It demonstrates that the Catholic faith is truly the religion of the Bible. As you support all of Catholic teaching using the Bible, does this mean you believe in the material sufficiency of Scripture? J. Salza: Keith, it depends on what you … [Read more...]
Tim Staple’s view of the historicity of Jonah
Patron: I was on the Catholic Answers Blog the other day and found the following blurb from Tim Staples, a Catholic Answers apologist. As you can see below, he essentially says that the story of Jonah is not historically accurate, even though it teaches certain truths for our salvation. Mr. Staples … [Read more...]
R.C. Sproul and the “fallible” canon
Gino: Hi John. I heard R.C. Sproul say on Christian radio that the canon of Scripture is only “fallible.” He said this to evidently undermine the Catholic Church’s decision in determining the canon. What do you say about this? J. Salza: Gino, Sproul has to argue that the canon of Scripture is … [Read more...]
The Canon of Scripture and the “traditions of men”
Angel: Mr. Salza, your reliance upon tradition to prove Catholic teaching is unbiblical. No where does it say tradition is inspired by God. J. Salza: This statement assumes that "it" (you presumably mean the Bible) has to say something in order for that something to be true. But the Bible does … [Read more...]
How was the Canon of Scripture Determined?
Gene: Hey John, I was wondering, when the Bible was made, how was it determined what books were canonical and what books were not. Are all authentic books in the Bible, or just the ones that were thought to be divinely inspired? And why exactly did the Protestants take seven books out of the … [Read more...]
A quick retort to a defender of sola Scriptura
Eric: John, stop and think for a moment, are Roman Catholics Christians? They are if they have trusted in Jesus alone for the forgiveness of their sins, and had a born again experience. However, if they believe that the are saved by God's grace and their works, then they are not saved -- even if … [Read more...]
Q&A – Another dialogue with an anti-Catholic
Tom: I know I am not going to convince you of anything because you have been blinded by the god of this world (2Corinthians 4:3-5), but I pray that you will seek God through His infalible (sic) Word, repent, and give your heart to the Lord Jesus the Christ. Your church is an abomination to God … [Read more...]
More challenges from a “Bible Christian”
Marika: Dear John. The fact that you look to human beings proves that you do not look to the word of God first and that you do not trust the word of God above any human statement or so called "proof" that humans give. The proof that you ask for is in the word of God. Have you read the book of Acts … [Read more...]
A dialogue with a former (now, anti) Catholic
Jacqueline: Dear John, Thanks for your email. I am surprised you are still writing to me. J. Salza: I have no problem dialoging with someone who loves Jesus. It is not principally about who is “right or wrong,” it is about who believes in the fullness of truth that Christ gave to us through His … [Read more...]
