1. We have learned from none others the plan of our salvation, than from those through whom the Gospel has come down to us, which they did at one time proclaim in public, and, at a later period, by the will of … Continue reading
By the Islamic invasions from the 600s AD, beginning with the Arab Muslim invasions and then culminating with the Ottoman Turks conquering Constantinople in 1453, over the centuries, some churches were completely destroyed; others over time grew dilapidated and eventually … Continue reading
A Roman Catholic writes: “What you fail to mention is that God appointed that same church to compile the Canon of the Scriptures. Without the role of the Catholic Church- impossible because there was no other church– we wouldn’t have … Continue reading
Letter 51 in the Jerome corpus. From Epiphanius, bishop of Salamis in Cyprus to John, bishop of Jerusalem: 9. Moreover, I have heard that certain persons have this grievance against me: When I accompanied you to the holy place called … Continue reading
A Roman Catholic argued with me: “I do straight to the early church fathers” My response: why not go straight to the apostles/apostolic writings? (The 27 books of the New Testament ) Only those writings/ Scriptures are infallible, since they … Continue reading
A Roman Catholic argued with me: “I do straight to the early church fathers” My response: why not go straight to the apostles/apostolic writings? (The 27 books of the New Testament ) Only those writings/ Scriptures are infallible, since they … Continue reading
Irenæus (wrote around 180-202 AD) says Jesus opened Mary’s womb (aperians vulvam, Against Heresies 4:33:11), a “denial of virginity in partu” (during birth) – Also, Against Heresies 3:21:10 and 3:22:4 the way he compares to creation’s ground (as yet, virgin … Continue reading
Joshua Charles thinks that disagreements over baptism, the Lord’s supper, and church government are a problem for Protestants. Also, everyone cannot be a scholar. That is true, but that seems to be a smoke-screen for “just trust us” (the Roman … Continue reading
The 6 minute Case for Sola Scriptura – that Scripture alone is the only infallible rule of faith and practice – that Scripture is the final court of appeals, above traditions, councils, creeds, bishops and Popes in church history. Note: … Continue reading
Anthony Rogers and Tony Costa discuss the Reformation principle of Sola Scriptura and evidence from the early church fathers on the self-attesting / self-authenticating quality of the Scriptures. The quotes from John Calvin and John Owen are also great and foundational … Continue reading
Augustine, On Baptism Against the Donatists – Book 2, Chapter 3, 4 . . . . But who can fail to be aware that the sacred canon of Scripture, both of the Old and New Testament, is confined within its … Continue reading
Gavin Ortlund does an excellent job of showing how the dogma of the Bodily Assumption of Mary is wrong and not early in church history, and, in 1950, for the Pope to make it a dogma on pain of anathema … Continue reading
Tradition – Originally written at Beggar’s All Reformation and Apologetics in 2016. μάτην δὲ σέβονταί με διδάσκοντες διδασκαλίας ἐντάλματα ἀνθρώπων “And in vain do they worship Me, teaching as doctrine the commandments of men” Mark 7:7 ἀφέντες τὴν ἐντολὴν τοῦ … Continue reading
From the Excellent video: “The Failure of Eastern Orthodoxy” A very well-done video with lots of historical information and analysis. Demonstrates the clear ways that Eastern Orthodoxy left the true Biblical faith by adding man-made traditions and practices slowly over … Continue reading
I finally forked up the money to buy the massive comprehensive book, “Baptism in the Early Church”, by Everett Ferguson. I am looking forward to digesting this massive book of 953 pages! I am skipping around right now and just … Continue reading
Protestants can hold to the promise of Matthew 16:18 and Ephesians 3:21, without falling for the typical historical arguments that Roman Catholics and Eastern Orthodox make about “where is, or are the true apostolic church” or churches ? ; or … Continue reading
Dr. Gavin Ortlund is right; and he provides evidence and reasoned argumentation on his position on the Canon of the OT (Apocrypha books, so called “Deutero-canonical”) vs. the Roman Catholic position and against the argumentations of Nicea 2 (787 AD) … Continue reading
For Part 1, see here. For Part 2, see here. Part 3 – Prayers to Mary and veneration of icons In the April 12, 2022 video, where Sam Shamoun confessed he needed healing from his “fight-back”, pugnacious, angry spirit, Eastern … Continue reading
Originally written in 2014 at Beggar’s All. I have edited it some and added some. Be Careful the way you communicate the issue of the canon in the early church Andy Stanley, Pastor of NorthPoint Community Church outside of Atlanta, … Continue reading
Proof that Protestantism is true as opposed to Eastern Orthodoxy and Roman Catholicism; because both Eastern Orthodoxy and Roman Catholicism violate the Scriptures On many issues. This one is about icon veneration. Icon veneration is wrong in worship contexts. Praying … Continue reading
Scripture Over the Church and the Devastating Results of Not Following that Rule An Evangelical Introduction to Church History, Part 4 Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Barbarian Invasions after Augustine died in 430 AD up until Islam came in … Continue reading
Faith Alone: The Evangelical Doctrine of the Reformation, by R. C. Sproul From the Council of Orange in 529 AD to the Council of Trent (1545-1563) – An Evangelical Introduction to Church History, part 3 See Part 1 An Evangelical … Continue reading
In Modern Day “Konya”, known as “Iconium” in Acts 14 – ” The Tomb of the Sufi Mystic known as “Mowlana” (Persian) or “Mevlana” (Turkish) The Tomb of “Mevlana” (Turkish) or “Mowlana” ( مولانا – Farsi), the Sufi mystic, Jallal … Continue reading
A Short Summary View The Amplitheatre in Ephesus mentioned in Acts chapter 19 Photo by Ken Temple (Ephesus, Turkey) This article is by no means exhaustive, but here are some highlights from early church history with references and sources … Continue reading
Contending for Our All Part 1 Contending for Our All Part 2 Where Biblical Truth, Theology, Church History, Missions, & proper Contextualization come together. We continue our series on Athanasius (lived from around 300-373 AD) statement “Contending For Our All”, … Continue reading
For Part 1, see here. I would encourage you to go back and read Part 1 and refresh the issue in your mind. Piper shows how the things that Athanasius stood for in his day, are amazingly relevant for today’s … Continue reading
Contending for Our All, by John Piper This book is about three famous Christians who took Jude 3 “contend earnestly for the faith” seriously – about the Apologetic ministries of Athanasius (died in 373 AD – against the Arian heretics), … Continue reading
Former Eastern Orthodox (Joshua Shooping) priest who returned to Protestant Faith explains some key reasons and his book, “Disillusioned”- icons in worship context and the EO demand that one has to venerate them with affection; the over-exalting of Mary in … Continue reading
Just a friendly push back on a common meme from Roman Catholics and Eastern Orthodox folks: They say since the early church did not have all the NT books in one place or list, until either Origen’s list (around 250 … Continue reading
(Photo of ancient church ruins in Philadelphia of Revelation 3:7-13 & a Mosque in between) Even Philadelphia eventually left it’s first love. (see Rev. 2:4-5) The ruins of columns of an ancient Byzantine church in the ancient city of Philadelphia, now … Continue reading
