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...]
Points to consider when evaluating sola Scriptura
Valerie: Dear Mr. Salza, I'm so surprised that you responded to my e-mail!!! Thanks, and I look forward to dialoguing with you as well. Sorry for being so, ummmm, direct. My interest in what Catholics believe has been greatly heightened recently for numerous reasons. One is that so many of my … [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...]
Does “it is written” prove sola Scriptura?
Allan: John, When Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist, in the river of Jordan, and then anointed for His ministry, with "the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon Him, (Matt. 3:16), then He was led by the spirit into the wilderness, "to be tempted of the devil." (Matt. 4:1). Not … [Read more...]
A Short Dialogue on Sola Scriptura
Wayne: Well, it seems that you have a lot of questions for me John. Since I am just a person who reads on my own under the instruction of the Holy Spirit, and haven't been taught by a specific church type or school, it takes me time and effort to answer in a way that is acceptable to you. However I … [Read more...]
SALVATION
Scripture I. Good Works in Sanctifying Grace are Necessary for Salvation Neh. 13:14, Psalm 11:7,28:4, Isa. 3:10, 59:18, Jer. 25:14, 50:29, Ezek. 9:10, 11:21, 36:19, Hos. 4:9, 9:15, 12:2, Sir. 16:12,14 - The 2,000 year-old Catholic position on salvation is that we are saved by Jesus Christ and Him … [Read more...]
JUSTIFICATION
Scripture I. Faith Justifies Initially, but Works Perfect and Complete Justification James 2:24 - the phrase "faith alone" (the Greek "pisteos monon") only occurs once in the Bible. "Man is justified by works and NOT faith alone." Unlike what many Protestant churches teach, no where in Scripture … [Read more...]
SAINTS AND INTERCESSORY PRAYER
Scripture I. We are One Family in Christ in Heaven and on Earth Eph. 3:14-15- we are all one family ("Catholic") in heaven and on earth, united together, as children of the Father, through Jesus Christ. Our brothers and sisters who have gone to heaven before us are not a different family. We are … [Read more...]
SEPTUAGINT QUOTES IN THE NEW TESTAMENT
Of the approximately 300 Old Testament quotes in the New Testament, approximately 2/3 of them came from the Septuagint (the Greek translation of the Old Testament) which included the deuterocanonical books that the Protestants later removed. This is additional evidence that Jesus and the apostles … [Read more...]
