Hi all -- My name's John Bugay, and I'm from Pittsburgh. Some of you all may have seen my name (or you may even know me) from other discussions. I know quite a bit about Roman Catholicism, and I'm avidly studying both church history and Reformed theology, within the context of having a job and raising a family.

I've lurked here for quite some time, and I do very much appreciate both the knowledge of the individuals here and the tenor of the discussions. Thank you very much for all of your concern for Christ's kingdom.

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John Bugay
City Reformed PCA, Pittsburgh, PA
http://reformation500.wordpress.com
--
And the sphere of a creature's knowledge, be it that of an infant, or of a man, or of a philosopher, or of a prophet, or of saint or archangel in heaven, will float as a point of light athwart the bosom of that God who is the infinite Abyss for ever. From A.A. Hodge, "Evangelical Theology," pg 16.

I am a former Pittsburgher and recent graduate of Pittsburgh Theological Seminary and attended Reformed Presbyterian Theological Seminary.

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Benjamin P. Glaser, M. Div, Licentiate, Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church
Member Fairmount ARP Church
Pittsburgh, PA

Deo Vindice

Welcome to the PB family.

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Jim
1689 LBCF
Independent Bible Church
North Texas, USA

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Albert, The Republic of the Philippines
Pasig United Covenant Reformed Church (a Reformed church plant)
United Covenant Reformed Churches in the Philippines (UCRCP)
Three Forms of Unity and Westminster Confession of Faith

Psalm 27:1a (AV) The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?
“Perseverance is the badge of true saints. The Christian life is not a beginning only in the ways of God, but also a continuance in the same as long as life lasts.” -

Welcome aboard.

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We shall not adjust our Bible to the age; but before we have done with it, by God's grace, we shall adjust the age to the Bible. - Charles Haddon Spurgeon

Lawrence Underwood, Jr.
Pastor - Providence Family Fellowship / Mobile, Alabama
1644/46 LBC
My Blog - Imprimis

Welcome to the board.

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soli Deo gloria!
~Nicholas~ Ordained Pastor
Member, Fulton PCA; GPTS Student
Christians are like snow covered dung; it is the purity of the covering which the Father sees. -Luther-
There is nothing more ugly than a Christian orthodoxy without understanding or without compassion.
-Francis Schaeffer-

Welcome from another former Roman Catholic turned by the grace of God into a Reformed Christian.

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Andrea
Presbyterian, attending Baptist church
Perugia, Italy
Owner: federiformata.it

"Quos et vocavit nos non solum ex Iudæis sed etiam ex gentibus" (Rom. 9.24)

Thank you all for the warm welcome.

Welcome Brother...the PB is a great place!

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Robert
Lay Person
PCA
West Virginia
Go share your faith

I would appreciate hearing your assessment of Loraine Boetter's book on Roman Catholicism, someday.

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Wayne Sparkman, Th.M.
Director, PCA Historical Center, St. Louis, MO
Blogs: The Continuing Story and PCA History Blog

It is good to have you here brother

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Michael P Doyle
Waukesha WI
Member of http://www.cornerstone-pca.com/
Attending http://www.lampseminary.org/

Welcome!!!

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Alan
Seminarian, RTS Jackson, MS
OPC

Wayne, I'll be happy to do that. Generally, I liked the book a lot; it's a great response to the pre-Vatican II version of Roman Catholicism. Although, it's been made fun of becaue of Boettner's characterization of "ex cathedra."

There are other, more current treatments of RCism, including DTK's work with William Webster, "Holy Scripture". Just reading early church history, too, is going to give you a whole lot to say to Catholics, and by and large, they are ignorant of that history.

Welcome aboard!

Do you like James White?

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Jonathan
Audio Engineer
Reformed Anabaptist
Ohio

Moroni's magical glasses of proper interpretation:

welcome

cheers

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Daniel
PCA
Memphis, TN

Hi John,

Welcome to the PB. I pray that you and yours are all doing well. I still have fond memories of my time with you and your kids there in Pittsburg. Maybe we can do it again one day.

Blessings,
DTK

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Sola Scriptura est norma normans non normata
D. T. King, pastor
Christ Presbyterian Church (OPC)
Elkton, Maryland
Augustine (354-430): Therefore what He [i.e., Christ] has deigned to speak to us, we ought to believe that He meant us to understand. But if we do not understand He, being asked, gives understanding, who gave His Word unasked. NPNF1: Vol. VII, Tractates on John, Tractate XXII, §1.

Hi David -- I'm in between jobs right now, but in many ways, I'm better prepared for this than at any time in the past (for which I am very grateful). I would absolutely love to spend some more time with you. As you requested, I still tell my daughters every day how beautiful they are. I hope you're doing well.

-----Added 7/16/2009 at 10:31:38 EST-----

James White is phenomenal. His work gave me the knowledge and the courage to step away from Catholicism, in the face of the brutal anathemas they have for folks like me (CCC 846).

Have you seen the recent excerpts from his debates on the papacy?

(By the way, I've had well-meaning Catholics tell me, "you weren't really well catechized in the 1970's, and so you might still not be under the anathema, because of "invincible ignorance.")

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Lance G. Marshall
Pastor
Georgetown, Indiana

Welcome,

per your introduction and reading your profile, here is a list of basic reformed theology reference and reading materials:


Westminster Standards

That's the PCA blue notebook that has loose leaf pages- Westminster Standards (Confessions, Larger and Shorter Catechism) with Scripture proofs at the bottom of each page plus it has an excellent concise Reformation historical summary.
[often, 2/3 or more of the page is Scripture]

CEP Bookstore - WESTMINSTER COF & CATECHISMS W/SCRIPTURE LOOSE L

The Blue notebook binder: (also designed to contain the PCA Book of Church Order, both the Westminster Standards and BCO are the constitution of the PCA):
CEP Bookstore - BOOK OF CHURCH ORDER BINDER


Westminster Standards Study Guide

GI Williamson
CEP Bookstore - WESTMINSTER CONFESSION FOR STUDY CLASSES


Practical Christian Living:

Joseph Pipa, The Lord’s Day
http://www.bookschristian.com/se/pro...Paperback.html


Eschatology:

Kim Riddlebarger, A Case for Amillennialism

A Case for Amillennialism - By: Kim Riddlebarger - Christianbook.com


Reformed Theology Books

Calvin Know Cummings, Confessing Christ
[short booklet]
Westminster Bookstore - Reformed Books - Low Prices - Flat Fee UPS Shipping - Confessing Christ (020060)

JI Packer, Concise Theology
Concise Theology: A Guide to Historic Christian Beliefs :: Systematic Theologies :: Doctrine/Theology :: Monergism Books :: Reformed Books and Resources for Christians

JI Packer, Knowing God
Westminster Bookstore - Reformed Books - Low Prices - Flat Fee UPS Shipping - Knowing God by J. I. Packer 9780830816507

RC Sproul, The Holiness of God
Westminster Bookstore - Reformed Books - Low Prices - Flat Fee UPS Shipping - The Holiness of God (Paperback)

RC Sproul, What is Reformed Theology?
Westminster Bookstore - Reformed Books - Low Prices - Flat Fee UPS Shipping - What is Reformed Theology? by R. C. Sproul 9780801065590

John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion [Abridged softcover edition convenient for reading]

https://store.ligonier.org/product.a...roduct=INS02BP

John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion [classic, 2 volume edition for study and reference]

https://store.ligonier.org/product.a...roduct=INS04BH


Covenant Theology

Barrett, Michael Love Divine and Unfailing: The Gospel According to Hosea (The Gospel According to the Old Testament)

Westminster Bookstore - Reformed Books - Low Prices - Flat Fee UPS Shipping - Love Divine and Unfailing: The Gospel According to Hosea (The Gospel According to the Old Testament) (Paperback) by Michael P. V. Barrett 9781596380752

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Scott
PCA
North Carolina


"Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised)"
Hebrews 10:23

I'm glad to hear that John. I'm doing as well as can be expected for a man who's past his prime.

I'll be praying for your job search.

Blessings,
DTK

Wow Scott, thanks!! I have a few of these, and variations on others. But I'll certainly refer to this list when setting my reading priorities.

-----Added 7/16/2009 at 10:48:34 EST-----

I'm very grateful for both of these.

Welcome to the board!

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Jake; Hold to Original WCF, member of SBC; Greater Atlanta, Georgia Area

The cross does not give us a minor shift or two with regard to a few of our ethical and moral and religious values; the cross radically disrupts the very center and citadel of your life from self to Christ. —Albert N. Martin

Welcome.

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Curt Lovelace
Pastor, Covenant Baptist Church (CBA)
Acton, Maine
Director, Lifework Forum
Sermons at SermonAudio.com/CBCActon
Blogging at Coffee with Curt

Former Roman Catholics make good Presbyterians. They appreciate catechisms and have a high view (though distorted) of the church. I enjoy dialoguing with Roman Catholics and challenging their assumptions.

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Glenn Ferrell
Pastor, Sovereign Redeemer Presbyterian Church (OPC)
Boise, Idaho

http://sovereignredeemer.org

http://www.sermonaudio.com/source_de...formationidaho


Nec Tamen Consumebatur


The duty of magistrates...extends to both tables of the law, ... those laws are absurd which disregard the rights of God, and consult only for men. - Calvin, Institutes, IV:20:9

Welcome...

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Matt
Reformed Baptist
Christ Community Church

Welcome aboard, from another former Roman Catholic turned orthodox Presbyterian.

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PuritanGeek
Member of LakeOPC
Wickliffe, Oh
Blog: What Justin's Thinking

ANNNNNNNNNNNNNNNND From another former Roman Catholic turned Presbyterian, welcome!

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Rev. Andrew J. Barnes
Husband of Dena
Father of Oliver
Master of Bruce
Pastor of Tchula Presbyterian Church

What can I say, I like blogs!

Greetings!

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Ben
Chaplain, US Army
Ft. Riley, KS
TE Ohio Valley Presbytery, PCA

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Ashley
Crossbridge Community Church
Texas
vincit qui patitur

Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and unfathomable His ways! Romans 11:33 NASB

Howdy

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Bob, elder, RBC Louisville. 1689 LBCF

"... Of such also, or of those who make a credible profession of being such, all those particular churches consist, which constitute our Lord's visible kingdom. ... Consequently, all the subjects of His government must have spiritual dispositions, , and yield spiritual obedience- obedience proceeding from an enlightened understanding, an awakened conscience, and a renewed heart."- Abraham Booth 1788

Welcome, brother!

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Kevin, husband of a truly angelic woman, and father to ten.
Zion United Reformed Church of Sheffield
Ontario, Canada

Welcome to the PB!

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Norm
IA PCA

In love he predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will. Ephesians 1:4-5

Anyone else notice that we are joined today by both Bugay and "buggy" ?

May I recommend the following links (for starters)

Berean Beacon Ministries (click here)

Roman Catholicism (Monergism, click here)

Dr. M. Lloyd-Jones - Roman Catholicism (click here)

John Calvin - Antidote to Trent (click here)

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Independent Reformed Baptist Church (NE England, nr. Durham)

I guess my initial post made it seem like all of this happened instantaneously, or at least rather quickly. But it has been a long process. I'm 49 years old, and have been on this path for about 10 years. So I guess I'm not such a newbie as I made myself out to be.

-----Added 7/16/2009 at 03:56:19 EST-----

Well, I can't speak to that ... my ancestors' name from Slovakia was "Bugaj".

Welcome.

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Brian Eschen
Ruling Elder, PCA
Pleasanton, California

Greetings!

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Anna
Wife of Tim/Marrow Man
Louisville, KY
Member of Midlane Park Presbyterian (Associate Reformed Presbyterian)

Hi John,

Welcome. I too am an ex roman catholic and now a Reformed Presbyterian Protestant. Read my profile and some of my posts. If you would like to be friends let me know.

In grace,
Dudley

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In faith,
Dudley

May we all be Sons of the Reformation and continue to proclaim what it means to be Reformed Protestant Christians!

Hi John, Welcome . I recognize you from De Regnis Duobos (Rev. Jason Stellman's blog).

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Josiah Lovett
Member of
Trinity OPC
Bothell WA
Orthodox Presbyterian Church
Westminster Standards

I think former roman catholics become very staunch Protestants and and as Presbyterians we are more convicted with our Reformed Protestant faith than many cradle Protestants. I have been told by many of my Protestant friends I have become more protestant than they are! There are in the United States today 15 million cradle roman catholics who are now Protestant.

In Grace,
Dudley