Dave Armstrong has issued a debate challenge to me, as well as to Saint & Sinner, Gene Bridges of Triablogue, and TurretinFan.  The topic is the unimaginably broad question, “Is Catholicism Christian?”

I don’t want to be considered a chicken for not accepting the debate.  However, as I’ve never said Catholicism isn’t Christian, I’m confused as to why I’m being challenged.   What I have said is that certain beliefs and practices within Catholicism have departed from the traditional Christian faith.  In other words, people are saved within the Catholic Church in spite of what it it teaches, not because of what it teaches.

Carrie has a great example of what I’m talking about right here.  Notice how this document states that communion with the Church is the key to salvation, not saving faith in Jesus Christ.

This debate topic is too huge to take on in a 90-minute cross-ex format.  There are far too many areas to delve into in that time period.  You have patristic writings, synods and councils, the ever-popular Marian dogmas, the supposed connection between Augustine and Calvin (a topic that I’ve only seen mentioned in a single line in R.C. Sproul’s Chosen by God), and the papacy.  None of these are topics that I have researched in any great depth, so maybe the focus could be on the Sacraments, which is a topic that I have researched before–I would only have to brush up a bit.

However, new baby, job search, and this blog are taking most of my time right now.  Also, I would like to leave Burger King a little better than I found it, which means that I’m trying to focus a lot of effort on improving my management style.  Of course, I can take those sharpened skills anywhere.

So I’m going to hold off on making a decision on this for right now.  When my baby is on a more regular schedule, then perhaps I’ll talk to Dave more seriously.