11/24/2017 Refutation of “Catholicism Refuted” (K. Cauley, Church Of Christ). Biblical Evidence for Catholicism (Dave Armstrong, Catholic) (Part. I)
Dave Armstrong
http://www.patheos.com/blogs/davearmstrong/2017/11/refutation-catholicism-refuted-k-cauley-pt.html (K. Cauley questions and responses will be in Bold Black)(Dave Armstrong’s questions and responses will be in standard Black)
This is a counter-reply to a response to my best-selling pamphlet for Our Sunday Visitor, Top Ten Questions Catholics Are Asked. It is found on a web page called “The Preacher’s Files,” for Berryville church of Christ in Arkansas (be sure to see Part Two also).
In the two-part paper, all ten of my topics (which I only covered very briefly, of course, as this was merely a pamphlet), were allegedly “refuted.” An audio tape of this sermon (how often am I mentioned in a Church of Christ service?!) is also available.
Mr. Cauley writes in another paper from his website, “Is the Church of Christ a Cult?” (I agree, by the way, that it is not, by any reasonable doctrinal or sociological definition of that word, since these are trinitarian, baptized Christians — they believe in baptismal regeneration, too):
Christians, true Christians, have nothing to fear from those who are teaching the Bible. However, those who are not teaching the Bible have everything to fear from those who are.
I challenge you, dear reader, to examine all the doctrines that all the different “churches” are teaching and compare them to the Bible.
You will find that the Bible is always right, and those who are following the Bible are clearly recognizable.I couldn’t agree more wholeheartedly, and anyone who follows my writing and ministry knows that perhaps my biggest theme (and one of my very favorites) is to demonstrate the harmony of Catholicism and the Bible, and that Catholicism is the “Bible religion par excellence.”
So this ought to be an excellent and informative debate. Mr. Cauley has been gracious enough to come to my blog and invite me to further discussion, so we can assume that he is willing to engage in a more in-depth dialogue. I look forward to it.
Also, on an educational background note, the churches of Christ see themselves as distinct from Protestants as well as Catholics, often issuing blistering critiques of Protestant denominations in sermons or pamphlets.
They view themselves as uniquely the biblical church, and strive to do everything in accordance to strict biblical guidelines (so I always ask them if they worship in a church building? —
Which practice is not found in the New Testament). Along these lines, on the same Preacher’s Files website, in the article, “When Was the Church Established?,” G. E. Watkins writes in conclusion:
The church of Christ, the real thing, was established nearly 600 years before Roman Catholicism and 1600 years before the first Protestant denomination, that is, on the first Pentecost after the resurrection of Jesus, Acts 2.
Of course, the group can be largely historically traced to the teachings of Alexander Campbell (1788-1866), originally a Presbyterian minister from Scotland who came to the United States in 1809 (though there were other similar key figures at the dawn of the movement). Thus, Watkins, though denying that this is the origin of the “church” as he defines it, states:
1. In the late 1700’s, Thomas Campbell came to America and began studying his Bible as the ONLY source of unity among professed believers.
2. In 1809 Thomas’ son Alexander Campbell came to America determined to explain to his father how he had turned to his New Testament and found the seed of the kingdom.
3. Both men, by independent study had come to the same conclusions: division is sinful; creeds, doctrines, traditions and commandments of men cause division; and the New Testament ALONE, taken strictly, can produce unity!
4. Out of a careful study of the New Testament, the slogan which can unite all humanity came: Speak where the Bible speaks; be silent where the Bible is silent; call Bible things by Bible names; and do Bible things in Bible ways: In matters of faith unity; in matters of opinion liberty; in all things charity (love).
5. This did NOT – NOT – NOT produce a new denomination, but by this pure New Testament seed, the original church of Christ was restored!
Hence, the group is often known as “Campbellites.” The Disciples of Christ also flow from this same denominational stream.
Like many Protestant denominations (and like Luther, Calvin, Zwingli, the Anabaptists et al in the 16th century), the Churches of Christ claim to be merely hearkening back to apostolic, primal Christianity. The historical case for this claim cannot be sustained for a moment.
But that is another long discussion. Also note that this position adopts the extreme solo Scriptura rule of faith, which is quite different from, and a distortion of, the not intrinsically a-historical or anti-institutional or anti-traditional or anti-creedal classic Protestant position of sola Scriptura, rightly understood.
For a brief Catholic treatment of the Churches of Christ (or reasonable facsimile thereof), see: “Disciples of Christ” (Catholic Encyclopedia, 1910).
Dave Armstrong’s questions and responses will be in standard Black
Mr. Cauley’s words will be in Bold Black.SUBJECT: False Doctrine
TITLE: Catholicism Refuted (Part 1)
PROPOSITION: To look at the brochure “Top Ten Questions Catholics Are Asked” and compare the answers to the Bible.My name is never mentioned in this discussion of my pamphlet. I find this curious and objectionable. I also get a chuckle out of the too-frequent practice of not letting me know when something of mine is “refuted.” This sermon dates from 10-19-03, so it is over a year old.
Likewise, the last paper I did, a reply to Ankerberg and Weldon on the “Apocrypha,” dealt with an article of theirs which expressly mentioned me, and cited my words at length, yet I was never informed of it. I found both of these efforts by accident, in unrelated searches on Google.
My website is easily located in any Google search (one need only type in my name and my blog and website are the first things which show up), and my e-mail is on the home page, so the possible “excuse” of “we didn’t know how to contact you,” would be a rather lame one, if attempted, I’m afraid.
For my part, I have already informed Ankerberg and Weldon of my reply, less than 24 hours after it was posted, and I would have done the same with Mr. Cauley, but alas, he appeared on my blog.
It’s simply common courtesy, and standard procedure when something or someone is critiqued. Give them a chance to reply, for heaven’s sake . . .
OBJECTIVE: Each hearer should be able to understand primary Catholic dogma and be able to refute it from the scriptures with the goal in mind of being able to teach our Catholic friends the truth of God’s word.
Aim: To show that Catholicism is a false religion so that those who are in it will repent.Fair enough. Let the discussion proceed, then!
INTRODUCTION:
1. Read: 1 John 4:1[KJV — which Mr. Cauley links to:
“Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.”]
I agree. Praise God for spiritual and theological discernment. We would be in big trouble without it.
2. About the Text:
1) The Bible says to “test the spirits” to see whether they are from God.
2) Tonight we want to look at Catholicism.
3) Catholicism is unique in that the Bible contains very distinct prophecies regarding their false teaching. It does? This should be very interesting — especially in how Mr. Cauley attempts to prove that the Catholic Church was specifically in the mind of the biblical writers in these passages.
4) Some of these passages are 1 Timothy 4:1ff and 2 Thess. 2:3, 4[1 Timothy 4:1-3: Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron; Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth.
2 Thessalonians 2:3-4: Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.]
Mr. Cauley simply assumes that these passages are about Catholicism. He makes no attempt to prove it; seemingly thinking that it is self-evident from these descriptions. So this is no argument; it is merely circular logic and assuming what one is purporting to prove.
Since his stated
“aim” is “to show that Catholicism is a false religion,”