Are Catholics, who insist on an apostolic hierarchical continuum, guilty of the continuum fallacy? For those unfamiliar with the term, allow me to illustrate. The continuum fallacy exists when a person denies one of two concepts existing at polar ends of a spectrum because, on account of the continuity or successive stages between them, there […]

It is not uncommon for people to suppose that one of the main differences between Protestantism and Catholicism is that according the former the believer can be assured of his salvation, while the latter denies that the faithful can enjoy assurance. But this is not the case. As a matter of fact, assurance of salvation […]

Augustine uses the term “infusion” (like the Council of Trent) and not “imputation” (like Luther and Calvin) when discussing God’s act of justification: “For by this grace He engrafts into His body even baptized infants, who certainly have not yet become able to imitate any one. As therefore He, in whom all are made alive, […]

The question of Apostolic authorization of Protestant ministers has been raised in an ongoing discussion beginning (more or less) here. The “authorization” question typically involves the issue of valid ministerial ordination whereby to perpetuate the apostolic mission of the Church founded by Our Lord Jesus Christ. Some passages of Scripture came to mind as I […]

Are our commentaries leading us to God, or to our own notion of His truth?

Called to Communion has plunged into the new brave world of social networking and now has a Facebook page.  Hope to see some of our readers as fans there.  It’s a good way to interact and we’ll have exclusive Facebook content from time to time.

Is sola scriptura offended if it takes more than the Bible to be obedient to the Bible? Dr. Derek Thomas, Professor of Systematic and Practical Theology at Reformed Theological Seminary, gives his insight in his column Corinthian Enthusiasm, in the July 2009 Tabletalk magazine.  On the one hand, he opens with this: “Only one book […]

It belongs to the natural order for lesser powers, like appetite, to be subject to greater powers, like reason.  Since man is a rational creature, his  appetite , for example, must be subject to reason although he cannot fully do so in this life. Nevertheless, the inevitable persistence of concupiscence must not deter our earthly […]

Sacramentalism is a soteriological position according to which the Christian sacraments are intrinsically efficacious means of grace. It is primarily, though not exclusively, by means of the sacraments that the covenant-making, covenant-keeping God accomplishes his salvific purpose of uniting all things in Christ (Ephesians 1:7-10).

When I was a child the gospel seemed to be something that merely floated on top of my human existence. I did not perceive it as going to the very heart of my existence. I knew that I was mortal, and from the Bible I understood that when I died I would go either to […]