Last week, I mentioned that the Roman Catholic Church insists that popes have only spoken infallibly twice in history: defining the dogmas of The Immaculate Conception of Mary and The Assumption of Mary. The Immaculate Conception of Mary is the idea that Mary herself was uniquely preserved from original sin at her birth and thatContinue reading “Roman Catholicism: The Veneration of Mary”
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Roman Catholicism: Papal Infallibility
The Roman Catholic teaching on the infallibility of the pope is often misunderstood by Roman Catholics and Protestants alike. For that reason, it’s especially important for us to have a correct understanding of what the Roman Church actually teaches about papal infallibility. Papal infallibility was not made an official dogma of the Roman Church untilContinue reading “Roman Catholicism: Papal Infallibility”
Roman Catholicism: Apostolic Succession and History
I would like to turn our attention for a little while to Roman Catholicism: first up, the claim of authority based on apostolic succession. A central claim of the Roman Catholic Church (RCC) is that the bishop of Rome (i.e., the pope) is the earthly, authoritative head of Christianity due to an unbroken line ofContinue reading “Roman Catholicism: Apostolic Succession and History”
The Indwelling of the Holy Spirit: Some Quotations for Consideration
As a postscript to the series on the Holy Spirit, I would like to include here a few quotes from teachers within churches of Christ that I found interesting, either because of what was said or who said it. These quotes are from men who are as infallible as myself (which is to say, notContinue reading “The Indwelling of the Holy Spirit: Some Quotations for Consideration”
The Indwelling of the Holy Spirit: The “Same Use of Language” Objection
In the previous article, I mentioned that one of the primary objections to a literal, personal indwelling of the Holy Spirit is that the Bible also says things like “Christ is in you” and “you are in Christ” and we don’t take those phrases literally. I think this “same use of language” objection is theContinue reading “The Indwelling of the Holy Spirit: The “Same Use of Language” Objection”
The Indwelling of the Holy Spirit: 1 Corinthians 6:19–20
In the last article we considered Romans 8:9–11, now I would like to consider 1 Corinthians 6:19–20 and what it teaches about the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. While verses 19–20 are our focus, I will include some of the preceding verses for context: 15 Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ?Continue reading “The Indwelling of the Holy Spirit: 1 Corinthians 6:19–20”
The Indwelling of the Holy Spirit: Romans 8:9–11
In the last article I made some general points regarding the question, “Is the indwelling of the Holy Spirit literal or figurative?” As I mentioned, I am convinced the Bible teaches a literal indwelling of the Holy Spirit within Christians. While there are many passages that point to a literal indwelling, there are two toContinue reading “The Indwelling of the Holy Spirit: Romans 8:9–11”
The Indwelling of the Holy Spirit: Preliminary Observations
The debate over the indwelling of the Holy Spirit – whether it is a literal indwelling or figurative – has been going on since almost the beginning of the Restoration Movement. Personally, I am convinced that the Bible teaches a literal indwelling of the Holy Spirit within Christians and I would like to discuss whyContinue reading “The Indwelling of the Holy Spirit: Preliminary Observations”
Deaconesses: Acts 6 and Romans 16
Last week we considered 1 Timothy 3:11 and the debate around women deacons (deaconesses). As I explained, I am convinced that Paul is referring in that verse to the wives of elders and deacons, not to deaconesses. In this article I’d like to consider two more points in the debate over whether the New TestamentContinue reading “Deaconesses: Acts 6 and Romans 16”
Women, Wives, and Deacons: A Study of 1 Timothy 3:11
There is debate over whether the Bible permits female deacons, and one of the verses under the most scrutiny is 1 Timothy 3:11, “Their wives likewise must be dignified, not slanderers, but sober-minded, faithful in all things” (ESV). You may be thinking that “Their wives” seems pretty clear! But here’s the catch: “their” is notContinue reading “Women, Wives, and Deacons: A Study of 1 Timothy 3:11”
Studies in the Bible 