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THE PROTESTANT’S DILEMMA BY DEVIN ROSE: A REVIEW
Just a writer, who refuses to typecast his blog by giving it a title ^ | March 18, 2014 | Scott Eric Alt

Posted on 03/19/2014 1:32:10 PM PDT by rwa265

If a Protes­tant look­ing into the claims of Catholi­cism were to ask me, “What one book should I read, where I can find a quick answer to any ques­tion I have?” I would tell him to read Devin Rose’s new book The Protestant’s Dilemma. I would also rec­om­mend this book to Protes­tant apol­o­gists, even those of many years, well-skilled in polemics. It will remind them of the heavy bur­den of proof they face, and the weak­ness of their posi­tion on point after point. The truth may set them free and bring them home too. (It has happened.)

All this may seem like over­state­ment — the oblig­a­tory praise from one Catholic blog­ger to another. But it is not.

Con­sider first the range of issues this book takes up. There are thirty-six chap­ters, each one on a dif­fer­ent topic, from the papacy to sola scrip­tura, from the canon of the Bible to Pur­ga­tory, from con­fes­sion to Eucharist to infant bap­tism. If some­thing about the Catholic Church trou­bles you, this book has the answer. If you think you have found the point on which Catholi­cism fails, this book will show you why it is one more point upon which Protes­tantism fails.

Con­sider also the brevity. The book is just over 200 pages long, which means that Mr. Rose’s answers get to the root of the ques­tion with­out a knot of aca­d­e­mic detail. It is harder to do than it might seem. This is the book of a man who has spent a long time study­ing the ques­tions that divide Protes­tants and Catholics, and who knows how to present his case in a way that is easy for any­one to under­stand. At the same time, the book is use­ful for the pro­fes­sional apol­o­gist, for it recalls his mind to the basics.

(Excerpt) Read more at scottericalt.com ...


TOPICS: Apologetics; Catholic
KEYWORDS: bookreview
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To: Jvette
Yet, nowhere in the written form of God’s Word is the claim of sole authority made or that it is the sole channel of God’s Word to His people.

Yet, nowhere in the written form of God’s Word is the claim of Mary's authority made or that it is a channel of prayer from His people to Jesus.

161 posted on 03/20/2014 11:48:13 AM PDT by Elsie (Heck is where people, who don't believe in Gosh, think they are not going...)
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To: Elsie

Thank you again, for continuing to validate my initial post in this thread.

I will do as you suggest; I am declaring victory and leaving the field of battle.


162 posted on 03/20/2014 11:52:53 AM PDT by Jvette
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To: Not gonna take it anymore

A prince, while he is a little child, is presumably as willful and as ignorant as other little children. Sometimes he may be very obedient and teachable and affectionate, and then he is happy and approved. At other times he may be unruly, self-willed, and disobedient, and then he is unhappy, and perhaps is chastised—but he is just as much a prince on the one day as on the other..i>

Where is that in the Bible?

You perhaps purposely failed to failed to provide the context, which is about the believers positional status versus his practical reality at the time, but that God will make the latter into the former, though i would add as long as one is a true believer, dying in faith.

The student will be able to add largely to this list of comparative passages showing that the Scripture makes a clear distinction between the standing and state of the believer.

It will be seen that he is not under probation to see if he is worthy of an inconceivably exalted position, but, beginning with the confession of his utter unworthiness, receives the position wholly as the result of Christ's work. Positionally he is "perfected forever" (Heb. 10: 14), but looking within, at his state, he must say, "Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect" (Phil. 3:12). - http://www.biblebelievers.com/scofield/scofield_rightly08.html

Thus let me show you where this is shown.

In which we see practical sinners, who are sometimes teachable and affectionate, and then he is happy and approved, and at other times he may be unruly, self-willed, and disobedient, and then he is unhappy, and perhaps is chastised. And in any case he fails of the absolute holiness needed to be with God.

But positionally he is just as much a prince on the one day as on the other, being washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.

And thus the appeal to realize the positional status one has in order to live it out. Under grace the souls is purified by faith, (Acts 15:9) and given the justify righteousness he could never earn even under the holy Law, and which is the basis for his acceptance with the almighty.

But true faith is an obedient faith, and and God works in this life to effect growth in grace toward maturity. And once he dies in faith (and thus the exhortations to do so, and warnings against departing from the living God: Gal. 5:1-4; Heb. 3:9,12,14; 10:38) this will be realized.

If this seems strange to a RC, it is because the salvation system of Rome is contrary to the NT, as it holds that the act of sprinkling even a morally incognizant infant, even by an unbelievers, renders the subject formally justified based on interior goodness ("infused charity") so they could enter glory that moment.

However, since this is based on one's own holiness, then the subject must usually end the salvation process by becoming good enough thru the torments of Rome's purgatory (even rejected by the EOs) to enter Heaven.

Practical

Positional

As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: (Romans 3:10)

For while one saith, I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollos; are ye not carnal? (1 Corinthians 3:4)

For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body. (James 3:2)

And make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed. (Hebrews 12:13)

That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; (Ephesians 4:22)

As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent. (Revelation 3:19)

Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, (Hebrews 12:1)

Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God. (2 Corinthians 7:1)

Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord: (2 Corinthians 5:6)

For we that are in this tabernacle do groan, being burdened: not for that we would be unclothed, but clothed upon, that mortality might be swallowed up of life. (2 Corinthians 5:4)


But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness. (Romans 4:5)

Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours: (1 Corinthians 1:2)

...but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God. (1 Corinthians 6:11)

To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. (Ephesians 1:6)

And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: (Ephesians 2:6)

For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: (Philippians 3:20)

For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified. (Hebrews 10:14)

If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. (Galatians 5:25)

If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. (Colossians 3:1)

Who shall also confirm you unto the end, that ye may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Corinthians 1:8)

Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ: (Philippians 1:6)

But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world. (1 Corinthians 11:32)

Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. (1 John 3:2)


163 posted on 03/20/2014 11:55:25 AM PDT by daniel1212 (Come to the Lord Jesus as a contrite damned+destitute sinner, trust Him to save you, then live 4 Him)
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To: Jvette
Thank you again, for continuing to validate my initial post in this thread.


I have spent too much time obsessing about the untruths and deliberate lies repeated here by anti Catholic Christians.

No; thanks belong to YOU; for never being able to point out one of these deliberate lies.

164 posted on 03/20/2014 11:57:23 AM PDT by Elsie (Heck is where people, who don't believe in Gosh, think they are not going...)
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To: Jvette
Call it what one will, it changes nothing nor disturbs the peace I have been given through my faith in Christ and in His Church.

Mormons say likewise, but the subjective must be subject to the objective, and which is not a cause for peace but separation. (1Cor. 11:19)

But the situation is more stable than in the past.

165 posted on 03/20/2014 12:11:59 PM PDT by daniel1212 (Come to the Lord Jesus as a contrite damned+destitute sinner, trust Him to save you, then live 4 Him)
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To: rwa265
Since so many Catholic teachings rely on the theory that God gave Peter, and succeeding Popes, the power to bind and lose, why can't the Pope one day decide to lose homosexuality as a sin? The current Pope has already equated Islam with Christianity (http://vaticaninsider.lastampa.it/en/news/detail/articolo/francesco-francisco-francis-31406) and told Muslims that their faith will lead them to the same place as Christians. If he can turn Mu hammed into the equal of Christ, can't he (according to Catholics) rewrite the entire Bible?
166 posted on 03/20/2014 1:21:58 PM PDT by bramps (Go West America!)
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To: Jvette
No, my new perspective is to understand that I know nothing and God knows everything. He alone knows why some are given acceptance of Truth and why others are not. It is the Holy Spirit who works in the hearts of those open to the message.

John 17:17 Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth.

The CCC is NOT the Truth as Scripture is the Truth.

Much if it isn't even true.

It's just the Catholic church's attempt to define its doctrine and dogma and doesn't even do a very good job at that. Too much of it is too ambiguous and open to ....... a person's own personal interpretation of the CCC.

167 posted on 03/20/2014 1:41:25 PM PDT by metmom (...fixing our eyes on Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of our faith....)
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To: mgist
I literally cringe when I read post that treat Jesus’ mother as if she were some loathesome animal that is being worshipped by pagans.

Who said that? Could you provide the post numbers and links?

She was a special woman in God’s plan for salvation.

Who has disagreed with that?

The Blessed Mother reminds us of what women are called to be.

What? Is society still so sexist that we can't respect women without idolizing Mary?

God chose her, there are many valid reasons for that.

Yup. She had the right bloodlines.

There is a spiritual battle and the saints that have gone before us are still fighting the good fight.

Really? Where in Scripture is that recorded?

168 posted on 03/20/2014 1:49:44 PM PDT by metmom (...fixing our eyes on Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of our faith....)
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To: Salvation
We believe Christ died for our sins. But we also know that all humans, following in human nature after Adam and Eve are sinful. Thus we do not believe in OSAS.

Then that by default, leaves only a works based salvation.

169 posted on 03/20/2014 1:52:20 PM PDT by metmom (...fixing our eyes on Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of our faith....)
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To: Salvation

Where is that mantra that the priest says found in Scripture?

Where did Jesus tell His apostles to recite those words to forgive the persons confessing?

If not in Scripture, where did they find it and how?


170 posted on 03/20/2014 1:54:03 PM PDT by metmom (...fixing our eyes on Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of our faith....)
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To: Salvation; CynicalBear

Where did CB break the RF rules that required notifying the mod?


171 posted on 03/20/2014 1:55:13 PM PDT by metmom (...fixing our eyes on Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of our faith....)
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To: Elsie
Elsie, you do realize that very few "Protestants" agree with your belief that people who die are "sleeping"? Most mainstream Protestanta, which are the majority after Catholics, are much more similar to the Catholic church, than the new "churches". It seems your antagonism isn't really theological, it is motivated by something else. Are you from Westoboro? What church do you attend Elsie? Please tell us more about your church and beliefs. We Catholics have seen it all, and I am certainly no one to judge. I find it interesting.
172 posted on 03/20/2014 1:57:39 PM PDT by mgist (.)
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To: CynicalBear
You keep saying “through the church”. Do you believe that God forgives sins “outside” of the “church”?

Let me know if you get an answer.

In the meantimes, have some?


173 posted on 03/20/2014 1:58:18 PM PDT by metmom (...fixing our eyes on Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of our faith....)
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To: FourtySeven
Did Jesus establish a visible, authoritative Church, or not?

No.

He said He was going to BUILD his church, not set it up as an authoritative dictatorship.

174 posted on 03/20/2014 2:04:23 PM PDT by metmom (...fixing our eyes on Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of our faith....)
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To: daniel1212

Thank you for validating my initial post to this thread.


175 posted on 03/20/2014 3:35:27 PM PDT by Jvette
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To: metmom

Thank you for validating my initial post to this thread.


176 posted on 03/20/2014 3:35:49 PM PDT by Jvette
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To: Jvette
Proverbs 16:18 Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.
177 posted on 03/20/2014 4:04:08 PM PDT by metmom (...fixing our eyes on Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of our faith....)
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To: Jvette

Catholics post hit pieces on Prots and then whine about the *haters* when the Prots object to the half-truths posted about them.

The victim mentality on display by Catholics when they complain because someone responds to their provocation is reminiscent of a playground bully complaining because someone he’s been bullying gives it back to him.

If you can’t take it, don’t dish it out.


178 posted on 03/20/2014 4:06:35 PM PDT by metmom (...fixing our eyes on Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of our faith....)
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To: metmom

Thank you for validating my initial post to this thread.


179 posted on 03/20/2014 4:12:59 PM PDT by Jvette
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To: Jvette

Yeah, resorting third gradish sophistry is not a really great way to win an argument, you know.


180 posted on 03/20/2014 4:17:20 PM PDT by Mr. Lucky
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