Methodist & Protestant Apologetics, Practical Christianity, Biblical Study, and much more.
Joined August 2023
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Did you know #RomanCatholics & #EasternOrthodox are not only losing more people then they gain (despite the constant narrative they run online), and are on average less pious then many other Christian groups?
See below
Lewis spoke of Wurmtounge's method to keep your empathy to those far from your circle, and your enmity to those close to your circle. One can only wonder how he would phrase that in light of the internet. What does it mean for someone to be close in your circle in this age?
I don't know why @TheWiseDisciple 's excellent video didn't pop up in my feed, but many Christians need this. The Orthobros are a perfect example of the worst case this looks like, and too often we (myself included) let that draw us in.
youtu.be/KLgcrVEshWc?si=3ufS…
I really enjoy reading academic work, and despite often lamenting about the state of Biblical scholarship as seen in various figures there is a lot of treasure. However I also must lament how often I find it locked behind price tags like this ($130!!!) thriftbooks.com/w/psalm-118-…
Joshua Pearsall retweeted
Here's a hidden truth that might take many years for people to learn.
When an apologist must employ insults, personal attacks, low-blow gotchas, practices self-aggrandizement, rushes toward empty and unmerited triumphalism, and can never tell their opponent, "Hmm, I'll have to do more research on that. Good point," they are almost certainly nervous about the truth of what they believe in because they are forcing themselves to use these tactics to cover over, ignore, and wishfully pretend that the force they feel against their beliefs doesn't exist.
Another sign is that a message like this will hit a nerve.
Oh, and this is very normal.
Joshua Pearsall retweeted
The Arians claimed that their tradition (or “custom”) did not allow for the Trinitarian position. Gregory responded with the following:
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What then is our reply? We do not think that it is right to make their prevailing custom the law and rule of sound doctrine. For if custom is to avail for proof of soundness, we too, surely, may advance our prevailing custom; and if they reject this, we are surely not bound to follow theirs. Let the inspired Scripture, then, be our umpire, and the vote of truth will surely be given to those whose dogmas are found to agree with the Divine words. (Dogmatic Treatises, Book 12. On the Trinity, To Eustathius.)
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When Arian custom ran contrary to Trinitarian custom, to what authority did Gregory appeal? The Scriptures.
Joshua Pearsall retweeted
1) I also emailed Shoemaker in 2022 to ensure he was comfortable with my summary of his views on the assumption of Mary. He said he was.
2) This passage discusses objections to Hurtado's position on cultic worship; it by no means indicates I have misrepresented his position on invoking angels! On that point he is clear: "there is no direct evidence of Jewish invocation of angels in material contemporary with or prior to the NT"). If anyone following wants to get to the bottom of this, I'd simply encourage them to read Hurtado, or at least google: "what does Larry Hurtato believe about invoking angels in 2nd temple Judaism?"
3) As I've stated, I understand there are "appeals" to angels of other kinds but these are simply not comparable to the practice being debated (ongoing devotional prayer to non-divine persons in heaven). That distinction keeps getting overlooked.
4) The attempts at discreditation are gross. I am leaving this response for observers but won't be engaging further.
The Psalms are the greatest literary work ever made. Within its pages we find the whole of the divine faith and the movements of the human soul, the self revealing of Yahweh to man and the revealing of man to man, there is no work like it that has been written before or after.
To all those people who say that Hitler was a real Christian, have you read the Natzi revision of the Bible? How do you address his blatant mirroring and further twisting of the Marcion heresy? @not_our_guy I am sure you have plenty of good thoughts for us on this!
Joshua Pearsall retweeted
Joel Webbon says the pre-incarnate Divine Son has less authority (and a different sphere of authority) than the Father.
In the New Christendom will this still be a capital offense?
Pastor, perhaps less “race realism” and more theology proper.
Psalm 88 is often treated as a lament, as a "dark night of the soul," and nothing more, some even look into this Psalm to see how they would argue "God is the hostile." It is interesting on the other hand others have noticed connections with other Psalms, like Ps 22.
One of the many quotes I'd use to show the case for Sola Scriptura in the fathers as I talked about on the live stream this past week with @MethodMinistry . Be sure to go watch that stream btw ;)
John... you can't know what's the correct interpretation without our Magisterium!
substack.com/profile/3018495…
Joshua Pearsall retweeted
Cya at 9 PM live tonight! (Link below) 👇
youtube.com/live/sLQJ9R4_0lU…
LIVE TONIGHT AT 9 PM EASTERN!
Calling all Eastern Orthodox, Roman Catholics, and whoever, bring us your arguments against Sola Scriptura!
@PracticalCL and I are ready!
youtube.com/live/sLQJ9R4_0lU…
Joshua Pearsall retweeted
I used to question whether the Bible teaches universal prevenient grace. Is it true that every person receives some measure of grace inviting them into the process of salvation?
There was a time when I was hesitant to answer that question with a “yes.”
What changed my mind? John 1:9—the light that illumines everyone was coming into the world. The illumination extends to "everyone."
Some reject the view that this illumination is an expression of prevenient grace. The context, however, suggests that it is. John goes on to explain that those who receive the Word are given the right to become children of God.
The illumination of everyone in verse 9 belongs in the same discussion as becoming children of God in verse 12. The context is a theology of salvation.
That’s why I understand this illumination as grace initiating the saving process. Everyone receives the light, even though everyone does not receive the Word.
That distinction helped me come to believe in universal prevenient grace.
I have learned St. Hildegard of Bingen is the person I can thank for pumpkin spice... this might be the best argument for Roman Catholicism I have ever heard.
Joshua Pearsall retweeted
TWO DAYS AWAY!
This Friday, live at 9 PM!
Bring @PracticalCL and myself your best argument against Sola Scriptura!
youtube.com/live/sLQJ9R4_0lU…
The superscriptions (or titles) of the Psalms found in the manuscripts have many odd features that indicate something beyond them is happening. And contrary to popular thought they are part of the manuscripts, there is no evidence they were ever lacking.
substack.com/profile/1613112…
What theologian commented on Ps 22, by combining it with Ps 69 & 88 saying that Jesus faced the wrath of God on our behalf? I have a spoiler for those who reject PSA, it was a Church father, one held in high regard by the Eastern Orthodox (and really everyone).
Psalms 15-24 are marked by the question "Who can Ascend." What ensues in the Psalms is the tail of a king, even a divine king "the king of Glory", who ascends to the heavens after he has suffered death and been raised. So what are we to make of the Psalms of ascension