The Catholic Holy Days of Obligation are a number of important days in a calendar year when a Catholic is obliged to attend mass. The word 'obligation' is used because celebrating these feast days is thought to be the minimum level of commitment of someone who is Catholic. On a Holy Day, along with … [Read more...]
The necessity of knowing the Canon of Scripture
Mark: Greetings Can you provide examples (or point to resources) of particular teachings from the oral tradition of The Church that are not supported by or do not appear in Scripture which have doctrinal significance? I've read much about the importance of the 'Oral Tradition' and have read … [Read more...]
Oral tradition, Scripture, and Jesus’ teachings
Shazia: Hi, my name is Shazia and I am starting your book "The Biblical Basis for the Catholic Faith." I am on the chapter regarding Sola Scriptura, and I am coming across some questions based on things you have said in this chapter so far. 1) You said that the presence of oral Apostolic … [Read more...]
A Debate on the Meaning of “Oral Tradition”
Ron: John, I saw your article on oral tradition. You are perpetuating a common misconception. Sacred Infallible Tradition is not an oral tradition. If it were, then you could quote for me from an infallible oral tradition. You cannot (other than quotes from Scripture), therefore such an infallible … [Read more...]
A Dialogue with a “Bible-only” Christian on Sola Scriptura
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...]