Indefectibility of the One True Church (vs. Calvin #9)

This is an installment of a series of replies (see the Introduction and Master List) to much of Book IV (Of the Holy Catholic Church) of Institutes of the Christian Religion, by early Protestant leader John Calvin (1509-1564). I utilize the public domain translation of Henry Beveridge, dated 1845, from the 1559 edition in Latin; available online. Calvin’s words will be in blue. […]

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Sinners in the Church & God’s Mercy (vs. Calvin #8)

This is an installment of a series of replies (see the Introduction and Master List) to much of Book IV (Of the Holy Catholic Church) of Institutes of the Christian Religion, by early Protestant leader John Calvin (1509-1564). I utilize the public domain translation of Henry Beveridge, dated 1845, from the 1559 edition in Latin; available online. Calvin’s words will be in blue. […]

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Yes, Virginia, the Pope Believes Mary is Immaculate

The latest tempest in a teapot is the claim that Pope Francis supposedly denied the Immaculate Conception of Mary. It’s nonsense, and ably dealt with by my friend, Fr. Matthew Schneider, in his article, The Pope Didn’t Deny the Immaculate Conception. Anyone can read his reasoning there, but I’d like to highlight the quotations from Pope […]

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St. Paul: Orthodox Catholic or Theological Pluralist?

This was a blog dialogue, underneath my post, Baptized for the Dead: THE “UnProtestant” Verse (1 Cor 15:29). My dialogue opponent, Rod Bristol, started making his argument about how Paul supposedly allows all these different doctrines. At length, I discovered that he rejected both original sin and eternal hellfire: thus illustrating perfectly that if one goes down […]

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Dialogue w Lutherans: “Proxy Baptism”? (1 Cor 15:29)

These lively exchanges occurred on my Facebook page underneath a link to my post, Baptized for the Dead: THE “UnProtestant” Verse (1 Cor 15:29). Both men are Lutheran pastors (LCMS). Ken Howes’ words will be in blue; Eric Phillips’ in green. ***** He [Presbyterian Matt Slick, commenting on the passage] gives it the old college try, […]

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Baptized for the Dead: THE “UnProtestant” Verse (1 Cor 15:29)

[from my 2004 book, The Catholic Verses: 95 Bible Passages That Confound Protestants] 1 Corinthians 15:29 [RSV] “Otherwise, what do people mean by being baptized on behalf of the dead? If the dead are not raised at all, why are people baptized on their behalf?” Many Protestant commentators (I will provide examples shortly) think this is […]

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Detroit’s Own “Blue-Eyed Soul” Singer: Bob Seger

As a native of Detroit and lifelong resident in the city or close suburbs (I currently live right outside the southwest side of the city, where I grew up), there are things we are extremely proud of, music-wise: Motown (of course), Aretha Franklin (the Queen of Soul), John Lee Hooker, and Bob Seger (born in […]

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Early Bob Seger: Glorious “Lost” Classic Rock Music

I’d like to call attention to Bob Seger’s early work, that is, unfortunately, very unknown outside of my home town of Detroit (where we knew of his music and owned the record albums in the late 60s and early 70s; he even outsold the Beatles in metro Detroit). Most of his pre-1975 work isn’t even […]

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Anton Bruckner: Devout Catholic & Great Symphonist

Introductory Thoughts * This is intended as an overview of several interesting tidbits (some of which I discovered last night) concerning Austrian composer Anton Bruckner (1824-1896). I am an unashamed, enthusiastic admirer of 19th-century German-Austrian romantic orchestral music (Wagner, Beethoven, and Mahler being my musical “trinity”). I played trombone in the orchestra and band (1973-1976) at Cass Technical High School […]

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The Relationship of Full-Time Ministry and Business

I think we have to weigh very carefully whether “business” has become an idol in our lives. It is also something to deeply ponder, for those of us engaged in full-time Catholic apostolate work, or “ministry”: the relationship of “business” to that. In my own life, I try to minimize and avoid the application of […]

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Review of Keating’s “Francis Feud” Removed, w Apology

There is a long back story here. I don’t want to bore readers with it, but briefly: Catholic apologist Karl Keating and I have disagreed from the outset as regards Phil Lawler’s book, Lost Shepherd (that is highly critical of Pope Francis). I first wrote about it almost exactly a year ago. Karl didn’t like that […]

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Debate on JW Antipathy to Holy Days & Christmas

The following exchange came about in a combox on my blog, underneath the article, Christmas Trees as Idols?: Silly “Biblical” Arguments. The words of R. Green (possibly a Jehovah’s Witness: he didn’t say) will be in blue. ***** The scriptural understanding of idolatry, especially for Jehovah’s Witnesses, goes much deeper than just ‘worshiping the tree itself […]

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Christmas Trees as Idols?: Silly “Biblical” Arguments

These foolish “arguments” ostensibly drawn from Holy Scripture come up now and then. The Puritans and large sectors of the Protestant Reformed (Calvinist) tradition historically reasoned in this way. These are the same folks who would say that an organ in a church or even a bare cross or statue of Jesus Christ is an […]

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Is Teaching Kids About Santa Claus a Sinful “Lie”?

Since when have heartwarming fairy-tales been considered “lies”? I think this is a remarkably imagination-challenged mentality: all this business of anti-Santa Claus. Since many fantasies and stories and fairy tales are wonderfully instructive and cultivate the imagination, I don’t see how anyone can say they are lying. They’re examples of fiction. A belief like Santa Claus […]

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Absolution, Sanctification, & Forgiveness: Reply to Calvin #7

This is an installment of a series of replies (see the Introduction and Master List) to much of Book IV (Of the Holy Catholic Church) of Institutes of the Christian Religion, by early Protestant leader John Calvin (1509-1564). I utilize the public domain translation of Henry Beveridge, dated 1845, from the 1559 edition in Latin; available online. Calvin’s words will be in blue. […]

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Sectarianism & Denominationalism: Reply to Calvin #6

This is an installment of a series of replies (see the Introduction and Master List) to much of Book IV (Of the Holy Catholic Church) of Institutes of the Christian Religion, by early Protestant leader John Calvin (1509-1564). I utilize the public domain translation of Henry Beveridge, dated 1845, from the 1559 edition in Latin; available online. Calvin’s words will be in blue. […]

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Christian Sinners & “Puritanical” Fanaticism (Reply to Calvin #5)

This is an installment of a series of replies (see the Introduction and Master List) to much of Book IV (Of the Holy Catholic Church) of Institutes of the Christian Religion, by early Protestant leader John Calvin (1509-1564). I utilize the public domain translation of Henry Beveridge, dated 1845, from the 1559 edition in Latin; available online. Calvin’s words will be in blue. […]

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Bible “Contradictions” & Plausibility (Dialogue w Atheist)

This exchange occurred underneath my post, Reply to Atheists: Defining a [Biblical] “Contradiction”. Words of Stewart Felker will be in blue. ***** I think you’re being a bit uncharitable with some of this, Dave. Their question of your method for disputing contradictions and suggesting alternatives — particularly, whether you think that the mere possibility of an alternative […]

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Old Testament Citations in the NT Defended (Jn 7:38)

Mitch / “ProfMTH” (words in blue below) is about 46 years old and is an atheist and former Catholic. In his video, The Book of Job – Part One (at 0:57 – 1:03), Mitch says he was getting ready to graduate from high school in 1981 and at the same time “was considering entering religious life, to […]

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“How Can we Find a List of Infallible Catholic Doctrines?”

This question about which Catholic doctrines are infallible, was asked in another forum. Since I’ve heard it asked many times, I thought it would be good to share my answer for public consumption: All this talk about the infallible doctrines of the RC got me to wondering: where can I find the book or books […]

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St. Paul: Two-Faced Re Unbelief? (Romans 1 “vs.” Epistles)

The video under consideration was posted at You Tube on 3 August 2009. Mitch / “ProfMTH” is about 46 years old and is an atheist and former Catholic. In his video, The Book of Job – Part One (at 0:57 – 1:03), Mitch says he was getting ready to graduate from high school in 1981 and at the same […]

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Reply to Atheist Queries Re God (Esp. Trinity & Salvation)

This exchange took place on an Internet List devoted to the question of God’s existence. I had just recently arrived. Dr. Ted Drange‘s words will be in blue. The first series of questions (in green) was asked by another atheist who didn’t want his words recorded. But the short questions themselves seemed to perhaps be from another source, […]

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Dialogue w Atheist on Post-Resurrection “Contradictions”

This is what our friend “DagoodS” (former fundamentalist Christian and now atheist) does: he loves to gleefully suggest supposed contradictions in the Bible, so he can feel all the more comfortable and comfy-cozy in his relatively new atheist “skin.” He can confidently, triumphantly face each new day with his head held high, “knowing” that he has refuted those […]

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Reply to Atheists: Defining a [Biblical] “Contradiction”

This exchange with the atheist “Dagoods” (words in blue) occurred in the original Blogspot combox of Dialogue w Atheist: Joseph of Arimathea “Contradictions” (??) (Lousy Atheist Exegesis Example #5672). Later, a second atheist chimes in. ***** Commenter Robert wrote: DagoodS, Aristotle gave the standard definition of a contradiction. Two statements are contradictory if they cannot both […]

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Dialogue w Atheist: Joseph of Arimathea “Contradictions” (??)

Lousy Atheist Exegesis Example #5672 ***** Words of “DagoodS” words will be in blue. * * * * * If I’ve seen this tendency in atheist “exegesis” once, I’ve seen it a hundred times. I have noted over and over in my critiques of atheism how our non-believing friends cannot for the life of them approach […]

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12 Disciples of Jesus: Alleged Contradictions Debunked

This is a favorite argument of atheists and skeptics, who relish opportunities to show how the Bible is so “obviously” contradictory and how Christians are such gullible fools for not seeing that this is the case: supposedly so clearly and often. But, as usual, the truth of the matter is not nearly as simple as […]

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Exchange w Atheist on Premises, Evidence, & Methodology

This occurred on DagoodS’ blog. His words will be in blue. * * * * * However, I am not interested in “challenging his [i.e., my] first premise” for three reasons: 1) We approach “first premises” differently. Not that one of us approaches it correctly, and the other incorrectly. Just differently. (Welcome to human diversity!) He appears to claim predispositions […]

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Premature New-Pro-Life “Nya Nya’s” Re Kavanaugh

New Pro-Lifers, Never Trumpers, non-conservative centrists, third-party types and liberals / leftists have been anxiously waiting to see how Justice Kavanaugh would rule: particularly on the pro-life issue, so they could do a hoped-for “I told you so!”. The Supreme Court has refused to hear a case related to Planned Parenthood and Medicaid. According to […]

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Dialogue w Atheists on Hell & Whether God is Just

This exchange took place on the Debunking Christianity blog, underneath a post by John W. Loftus, called No More Funerals! [which appears to now be a defunct link]. Words of “DagoodS” will be in blue; some others in various colors as indicated. Indentation (excepting Bible verses) indicates my own words being cited by my opponents. * * * * * […]

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Was Calvin a Supralapsarian? (Dialogue w Calvinist)

[David W. Ponter’s words will be in blue] ***** It’s absurd to say that Calvin was a supralapsarian, even in kernel form. It’s far less absurd than the claim that Augustine was a Reformed Protestant, in kernel form, or closer to Protestantism than to Catholicism. :-) Development takes place within Protestantism, and Calvin was too […]

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Unbridled Sectarianism, Sola Scriptura, Luther, & Calvin

***** The Protestant Revolution, er (sorry; let me be PC: “Reformation”) started from Luther adopting a viewpoint of irrational, anti-traditional dissent against many aspects of received Catholic tradition (in large part, not totally, as I have carefully noted). Luther had, alas, departed from at least 50 Catholic teachings and longtime practices by 1520, even before he was excommunicated. […]

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John Calvin: Worship Instruments = Idols & Superstition

***** He believed that he was purifying the church from recent musical innovations in the western church. Musical instruments and complex hymnody were all part of the corruptions introduced by the Roman Church. . . . . . . We are not, indeed, forbidden to use, in private, musical instruments, but they are banished out […]

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Secularization: Thoughts on its Many Historical Causes

***** Peter Berger, an eminent Lutheran sociologist, who specializes in the sociology of religion, discusses with great insight the crucial role which Protestantism played in the development of the radical secularization with which all serious Christians are plagued today, and from which society at large reels and staggers in moral turpitude: Protestantism may be described in […]

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Catholic Apologetics Apostolate: Its Pleasures & Perils

[my book above was published by Catholic Answers in 2012. See full book and purchase information] *** [The article below was published in This Rock: 1 November 2004] ***** Not that I complain of want; for I have learned, in whatever state I am, to be content. I know how to be abased, and I know […]

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The Certitude of Faith According to Cardinal Newman

One “Caminus” — who frequents a prominent radical Catholic reactionary forum, regards it as his mission in life (or so it would lately seem, anyway) to disparage my arguments at every turn. He tried in vain to bash my apologetic + ecumenical viewpoint in my book about Martin Luther (without even having read the book, and clearly without understanding its premises, which are openly laid […]

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Dialogue on Reason & Faith, w Theological Liberal

This took place on the Articuli Fidei blog, in a lengthy thread. Chris Smith’s words will be in blue. His blog is called mild-mannered musings [it appears to no longer be active]. Words of two other participants will be in green and purple. * * * * * Hi [former Catholic, now agnostic], If God wants me to believe, I need a reason […]

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Apologetics is Always a Difficult Spiritual Battle & Struggle

With fellow apologist Jimmy Akin at my house in 2004. We met again at the Catholic Answers offices in May 2011. ***** People are people. Catholic apologists are Catholic apologists. Zebras have stripes, etc. I don’t think it is that different. The fringe anti-Catholic wing of online Protestantism despises, for example, the folks at Called […]

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Unapologetic Apologia for Apologists & Apologetics

[see full information for the book above] An apologia is a “defense” or elaborate explanation of something. An apologist is “one who defends” (in this case, Christianity or Christian doctrine). Apologetics is the field which involves the “rational defense of Christianity” (in my case, often Catholic Christianity in particular). A Catholic friend (words in blue) made some negative comments about […]

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The Tired “Angry Conservative” Charge (and Game)

“Angry” and passive-aggressive Dave Armstrong with his ever-suffering wife Judy (July 2009) *** This pathetic display took place on my [very public] Facebook page. It’s classic; textbook, which is why I re-post it. ***** T*** S***** (TS): You consider Breitbart a credible news source? Are you kidding? Dave Armstrong (DA): Yes. No. Do you consider […]

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Dialogue w Agnostic on Basic Differences and Hell

Edward Babinski is an agnostic who has written quite a bit online. In April 2005, we had a little exchange, occasioned by a visit from an anti-Catholic Protestant, who was spewing fire and brimstone against us lowly, unregenerate, idolatrous “papists.” Ed was kind enough to defend me a bit — including the following statements, which were quite gracious […]

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Swearing & “Younger” Generations (Sliding Scales)

[I wrote this on Karl Keating’s Facebook page, where he put up a popular piece about foul language] *** Ephesians 4:29 (RSV) Let no evil talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for edifying, as fits the occasion, that it may impart grace to those who hear. Luke 6:45 The good man out […]

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Fickle, Reviling, & Betraying “Friends”: Biblical Commentary

Here we see some of the darkest aspects of human nature and sin. It’s not a pretty sight. All passages are from RSV. Job 16:14 He who withholds kindness from a friend forsakes the fear of the Almighty. Job 19:14 My kinsfolk and my close friends have failed me; Job 19:19 All my intimate friends […]

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Imprimaturs (or Lack Thereof) & Catholic Apologetics Books

Catholic apologist Jimmy Akin has a good article explaining why the Imprimatur isn’t much used in apologetics books, using his own book, The Salvation Controversy (which does not have an Imprimatur) as an example. In a nutshell, it’s not required if a book isn’t used in official catechetical instruction. My books are popular apologetics; no more, […]

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“Strong” Logical Argument from Evil Against God: RIP?

[for general, philosophically lay-level background, see my paper: “Logical” Problem of Evil: Alvin Plantinga’s Decisive Refutation] ***** Atheist Jeffery Jay Lowder (prime mover behind the influential Internet Infidels / Secular Web network) maintains that the former position is currently widely accepted: Ever since Alvin Plantinga refuted J.L. Mackie’s logical argument from evil, the majority of contemporary philosophers of religion have come […]

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Dialogue with an Atheist on the “Basic” Issues

Creation, Freedom, Rebellion, Suffering, Etc. This exchange comes from the Debunking Christianity blog (my favorite atheist / agnostic haunt at the moment), from a discussion thread Daniel Morgan’s words will be in blue. * * * * * “God desired to love and be loved by other beings. God created human beings with this end in view. To […]

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Dialogue w Atheist on Premises & Axioms of Atheism

From an atheist discussion list: 13 January 2002, uploaded with editorial permission from Steve Conifer, whose words will be in blue. * * * * *I’d like to get down to basics and inquire as to the atheist’s (or agnostic’s) first principles, axioms, starting-points, premises, initial presuppositions or assumptions (pick your favorite term). Then I’ll play […]

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Dialogue w Atheist on Epistemology of Disbelief in God

From public discussions on an Internet List devoted to the question of existence of God: May-July 2001. Uploaded with the full permission of Sue Strandberg (who refers to herself primarily as a secular humanist). This was one of the best dialogues I’ve ever had with anyone (maybe my second favorite ever; and the other was with […]

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Was Luther Excommunicated Due Partly to Sola Scriptura?

Anti-Catholic Reformed Protestant Luther expert James Swan had a lively exchange with a Catholic (Mark Rome) on the anti-Catholic CARM forum. I am concentrating on this particular back-and-forth: Mark Rome:  Luther was excommunicated and declared a heretic for many issues including his insistence on sola scriptura and setting himself up (and every individual) as the private judge of […]

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Faith Alone & Original Sin: Reply to Smalcald Articles

I offer extensive Catholic replies to portions of the Lutheran Smalcald Articles (1537). It was written by Martin Luther and is part of the Lutheran Book of Concord: which is binding on all Lutherans who wish to follow their denomination’s historical doctrinal teaching. Luther’s words will be in blue. ***** I. Of Sin 1] Here we must confess, […]

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Materialism & Narcissism: Protestant Self-Critique #3

[from the original 1994 manuscript of my first book, A Biblical Defense of Catholicism; this portion dated 6-20-91] 1. Materialism A. Kenneth Kantzer, professor of Theology and Dean of Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, and a senior editor of Christianity Today, declares that: The overriding problem of the evangelical church today . . . is materialism . . […]

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Worldliness & Compromise: Protestant Self-Critique #2

[from the original 1994 manuscript of my first book, A Biblical Defense of Catholicism; this portion dated 6-20-91] Prominent evangelical leaders have critiqued themselves quite strongly. Evangelicals will be exclusively quoted, with the exception of two excerpts. 1. Donald Bloesch, well-respected professor of theology at the University of Dubuque, has some hard words to say, quoting […]

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Pragmatism: Protestant Self-Critique Number One

[from the original 1994 manuscript of my first book, A Biblical Defense of Catholicism; this portion dated 6-20-91] 1. Pragmatism: A Definition Pragmatism, according to the dictionary, is defined as follows: An American movement in philosophy founded by C. S. Peirce and William James and marked by the doctrines that the meaning of conceptions is […]

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Protestantism: Compromising & Liberalizing Tendency

[from the original 1994 manuscript of my first book, A Biblical Defense of Catholicism; this portion dated 6-20-91] 1. Louis Bouyer Bouyer continues his remarkable analysis of Protestant historical pathways in his chapter, “The Decay of the Positive Principles of the Reformation”: What the Reformation took over from the Middle Ages was just what it […]

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How Many Sacraments: According to Martin Luther?

+ Luther Expert James Swan’s and Luther’s Works Editors’ Confusion as to Luther’s Position Martin Luther, the founder of Protestantism, believed that there were only two sacraments (not seven). And he believed that there were more than two. If you’re confused by the previous two sentences, you should be. Luther was quite capable of both […]

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https://www.patheos.com/blogs/davearmstrong/2018/11/how-many-sacraments-according-to-martin-luther.html

Old Liberal Moral Causes (“The Post”) vs. Tabloid Liberalism

The Media Today is Vastly Different than it Was in 1971 but Remains as Free as it Ever Was I watched Steven Spielberg‘s film, The Post last night: about the Washington Compost and its publishing of The Pentagon Papers (obtained from Daniel Ellsberg).   I was struck yet again by the fact that it’s been so long […]

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Protestant Revolt Was Largely Politically Motivated

I mostly compiled citations from Catholic and Protestant scholars, in this section, which was part of my much longer original 1994 version of my first book, A Biblical Defense of Catholicism. The few interjections of my own will be in blue. The rest of the material (minus my category titles) consists of citations: which I […]

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Debate: SCOTUS & GOP in Relation to Abortion Rates

Scott Eric Alt, my friend and a pro-lifer who proudly voted Democrat in November 2018, wrote on his Facebook page on 13-14 November (his words in blue henceforth): The majority opinion in Roe v Wade was written by Harry Blackmun. Blackmun was appointed by Nixon. The dissent in Roe v Wade was written by Byron […]

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Debate [?] on Biblical Honor of Rulers: Including Trump

I had an exchange on my Facebook page. It’s now deleted from there because my opponent (a man who has visited my page for years: almost always commenting on political matters, rather than theological) absolutely refused to allow me to post his words here. He also absolutely refused to ever answer my questions (as you […]

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Review of The White Album (Beatles): 50th Anniversary Remix

My favorite-sounding songs from The White Album up till now were a mixture of mono and stereo (I preferred ten in mono). Generally in my “Beatles taste” I prefer the rockers in mono, with the drums centered (unless they’re already centered in the stereo). Almost always, I dislike the drums in one channel only. It […]

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Bishops Fail At Being Human; Seek “Small Laws” to Guide Them

As the US bishops gather in Baltimore this week, I have to admit that I’m so weary of people saying that “the bishops can’t police each other. They have no authority over each other.” Of course this is true, but it completely misses the point. Why in God’s name (literally) do you need a formal […]

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Silly Atheist Arguments vs. the Resurrection & Miracles

From my book, Mere Christian Apologetics  (2002; published in paperback in 2007) *** It is often claimed that the Resurrection is suspect because it defies natural laws. But that’s what all miracles do. The question is whether they occur or not, and that is determined by substantiation and eyewitnesses. More than 500 people saw the risen Jesus (1 […]

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Wicked Rulers Honored (Saul, Solomon, Nero, High Priest)

This was originally a back-and-forth debate on Facebook. I have condensed the heart of my thoughts. ***** From his Facebook page tonight. Rod Dreher wrote a hit-piece on President Trump (“Trump: The Long Emergency”), with all the usual insinuations of out-of-control insanity, etc. It’s yet more Trump Derangement Syndrome. Did he go after the turkey-pardoning […]

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Good Christians Can Support Trump (Amazingly Enough)!

***** Of course a Christian can do that, and quite obviously so: 1. Just as God made an eternal covenant with David and made him a forerunner of the Messiah Jesus, knowing from eternity that he would have a man killed in order to have his wife, whom he was already sleeping with. 2. Just […]

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Calling of St. Paul & Church Authority: Dialogue w Calvinist

This is a Facebook exchange I had with Neil Shenvi, a chemist who is a Calvinist. His words will be in blue. * * * * * I haven’t actually been arguing for Sola Scriptura. In fact, it is completely compatible with my argument to claim that there are also traditions passed on by the apostles that […]

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Jesus Associates Works, Merit, & Heroic Sacrifice w Salvation

I’ve already noted how He did this in the case of the rich young ruler: which passage appears immediately before the one we will shortly examine: Jesus vs. “Faith Alone” (Rich Young Ruler) * Dialogue: Rich Young Ruler & Good Works * Now here is what our Lord and Savior and His disciples say after […]

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Debate w Lutheran: Church Infallibility & Death Penalty

Mark Martinson is a Lutheran (WELS). He showed up on my Facebook page under my link of a talk I gave on the radio (11-9-18) on sola Scriptura, or the Protestant rule of faith. Sola Scriptura entails the denial of papal and Church infallibility. Presumably, that’s why he challenged those doctrines in this particular thread. At […]

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Catholic Critique of Anglicanism and the Via Media

I. The Dilemma of Competing Ecclesiologies: the Visible vs. the Invisible Church If Anglicans have any sort of notion of “indefectibility” — whereby the true Christian Church (or a valid portion of the universal catholic church, etc.) cannot and will not fall into rank heresy; being protected by the Holy Spirit, then it would be […]

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Christians & the Stupidity of Satan (vs. Insulting Humanist)

***** Cassidy McGillicuddy, who goes by “Captain Cassidy” runs a blog called Roll to Disbelieve.  She describes herself and her views as follows: “I was raised Catholic by a very fervent family, converted to evangelicalism in my teens, and became a full-on fundamentalist shortly thereafter, . . . But shortly after college I figured out that my […]

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16th c. Calvinists vs. Lutherans: Who Suppressed Catholics

Lutheran pastor and blogger Paul T. McCain has written a post decrying historic Calvinist iconoclasm and intolerance against Lutherans (citing in turn a reader’s translation of a German website about Lutheran history [link now defunct] ): All those Lutherans out there pining about what’s so “wrong” about orthodox Lutheranism’s supposed stubborn and unloving attitude toward non-Lutheran churches need […]

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Left-Wing “New Pro-Lifers” Are Also Pro-Life (DUH!)

A left-wing pro-lifer is a thing to discuss in and of itself (and I do quite often). I’m critical of the new pro-life movement (NPLM) in many ways (mostly when its adherents try to run down other pro-lifers, and who they vote for), and have repeatedly written about it in no uncertain terms. Here, however, I’m […]

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Catholicism is More Important than Political Differences

I am so blasted tired of controversy and in-fighting among Catholics (mostly about political nonsense these days) that I could spit. While I defend Catholicism, I also defend Christianity in general over against atheism and today’s rampant cultural secularism, and I am ecumenical, too. I rejoice in the many things we Catholics have in common […]

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Trump’s Inadequate Rebukes of Rocket Man & Neo-Nazis

I stumbled upon this solution today in a flash of inspiration. It’s one of those moments of figuring out something that is so simple that it was overlooked. Somehow, the President’s advisors: folks like Kellyanne “Goehring” Conway and Sebastian “Himmler” Gorka neglected to give him this rather obvious advice. If he had done what I […]

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Trump is Attila the Hun, Vlad the Impaler, and Stalin

Trump is the worst President ever, nuts, an egomaniac and incompetent stooge who hasn’t done one good thing for the country. We need to get him out of there so we can get back to business as usual in Washington, with a Democrat who cares so much about people and African-Americans and women and Muslims […]

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Dialogue w Lutheran Historian on 16th-Century Intolerance

The following exchange was taken from comments concerning an old paper now split into two different ones: Word “Protestant” Stemmed from Intolerance of Catholic Worship / Philip Melanchthon’s Agony Over Protestant Sectarianism. “CPA” is a Lutheran professor of history, with whom I have had many fruitful, amiable dialogues. His words will be in blue. ****** If the United […]

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John Calvin, Early Calvinism, & Violent Iconoclasm

Calvinists and other Protestants sometimes argue as follows: 1. The Church needed reform (particularly its hierarchical leaders). 2. Traditional, crucifixes, stained glass, church architecture, organs, music, and painting and art in general are good things (hidden common assumption). Maybe statues are idols, but all this other stuff is good and wholesome. 3. These were destroyed […]

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Holy Spirit, Procession, & the Father’s & Son’s Love

This is from an exchange on the Coming Home Network forum, where I was staff moderator from 2007-2010. * * * * * Yesterday, I attended a “Theology of the Body” class with workbook: Into the Heart: A Journey Through the Theology of the Body, by Christopher West, 2009. The speaker provided the following quotation without […]

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Can God Change His Mind?: Four Dogmatic Arguments

Church documents apparently do not specifically say that God doesn’t or can’t change His mind. It doesn’t follow, however, that God changing His mind is not prohibited by the statements about immutability and simplicity and omniscience and God’s timelessness. My argument is that it follows inexorably from simple deduction, from several Church dogmas, that God could not change […]

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Dialogue: Original Sin, Jesus, & Mary’s Immaculate Conception

The following is from the Coming Home Network forum (where I was staff moderator from 2007-2010). The primary person I’m interacting (blue color) with is Orthodox, and seriously considering Catholicism. He may not always accurately reflect what is Orthodox belief. Those colored in green and brown are other Catholics. *** Since the Orthodox view has been presented at such […]

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“The Last Days”: Meaning in Hebrew, Biblical Thought

I was asked the following question: I would like to ask you what is perhaps a very stupid question. Even if it is stupid, though, it has always been a (small) stumbling block for me, and I have never seen it adequately addressed. Here it is: Most if not all of the writers of the […]

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Political Polarization and Demonization: Reflections

[these are my opinions, originally expressed in a private dialogue with a severe critic of President Trump, so they may seem a little disjointed, because of my side only being presented below. But I think I get my point across] We know that liberals are far less tolerant of others with different opinions, than conservatives […]

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Baptism & the Analogy of Circumcision (John Calvin)

[John Calvin’s words will be in blue] A Catholic wrote to me: Last week on our live [Catholic apologetic] TV program, I was doing a presentation on the Catholic view of infant baptism. The program is only 30 minutes long, hardly enough to give a full, in depth Scriptural background on the Sacrament, so it […]

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Dialogue: Bible on Infant Baptism & Baptismal Regeneration

This exchange stemmed from a critique of Jack DisPennett (of the Churches of Christ or something similar) of my paper, Infant Baptism: A Fictional Dialogue. All Bible quotes, unless otherwise annotated, are from the New International Version. Jack’s words will be in blue. Quotes from my paper above will be in green. *** I. INTRODUCTORY COMMENTS *Zeke the […]

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Why Not Kick Modernist Dissenters Out of the Church?

[written in 2002, so I refer a lot to Pope St. John Paul II]   The role of the pope is much different, ecclesiologically and strategically, from the role of a local bishop. Pope St. John Paul II is most definitely effecting positive long-term change by forcefully teaching truth, promulgating the Catechism and various reforms, of schools, […]

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Döllinger & Liberal Dissidents’ Rejection of Papal Infallibility

[Cardinal Newman’s words will be in blue. Newman biographer Ian Ker’s words (heavily citing Cardinal Newman) will be in in green. I won’t indent their citations, since they are so lengthy] Many Protestants particularly offended and scandalized by the Vatican I declaration of papal infallibility in 1870. I thought it would be interesting to note the striking […]

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Does Papal History Contradict Catholic Ecclesiology?

I would argue that the office of the papacy is explicitly indicated in the Bible itself, and that everything we need to establish the papacy in all essentials is in the Bible. * * * The Trinity and Two Natures of Christ are “clear” in the Bible with the convenience of historical hindsight that we have, […]

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Debate: The Anti-Catholic “Pope as God” Argument

[words of Paul Mansbacher will be in blue] We the Archbishops and Bishops of Ireland, prostrate at the feet of your Holiness, humbly offer you our warmest congratulations on the occasion of the Golden Jubilee of your ordination to the priesthood …. our thoughts go back to that great event fifty years ago by which […]

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Seidensticker Folly #30: Small vs. Great Commission?

Atheist and anti-theist Bob Seidensticker, who was “raised Presbyterian”, runs the influential Cross Examined blog. He asked me there, on 8-11-18: “I’ve got 1000+ posts here attacking your worldview. You just going to let that stand? Or could you present a helpful new perspective that I’ve ignored on one or two of those posts?” He also made a general statement on 6-22-17: “Christians’ arguments […]

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Seidensticker Folly #29: Repentance: Part of Salvation

Atheist and anti-theist Bob Seidensticker, who was “raised Presbyterian”, runs the influential Cross Examined blog. He asked me there, on 8-11-18: “I’ve got 1000+ posts here attacking your worldview. You just going to let that stand? Or could you present a helpful new perspective that I’ve ignored on one or two of those posts?” He also made a general statement on 6-22-17: “Christians’ arguments […]

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Inspired & Infallible Prophets: Analogy to Infallible Popes

The fully developed theory of infallibility cannot be “proven” — it is a matter of faith. But the principles behind it can be. I deal with various facets of infallibility on my Papacy web page. As usual, it is an accumulation of many individual evidences and indications that make it compelling.  All the evidence taken […]

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Infallibility of Papal Encyclicals, Etc. (“Irreformable”)

It is incorrect to say that the pope does not possess the gift of infallibility in and of himself when (in proper circumstances) he exercises that gift, and this is contrary to the proclamations of Vatican I and Vatican II. Though the pope in fact almost always acts in concert with the bishops, it is […]

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Papacy & Papal Infallibility: Classic Catholic Reflections

1. The Church’s Developing Understanding of Infallibility A. Papal Primacy and the Universal Church (Catholic Statement)  “We believe that the New Testament is given to us not as a finished body of doctrine but as an expression of the developing faith and institutionalization of the church in the first century. “In many respects the New Testament and […]

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Resisting Heretic Popes: Classic Catholic Reflections

The notion of popes possibly being heretics (and what to do in that eventuality) is nothing new or alarming. For example, John Chapman, a prominent Catholic writer and defender of the papacy, writing in the 1913 Catholic Encyclopedia article “Pope Honorius I” — though he denies that Honorius violated papal infallibility because he did not make an erroneous ex cathedra proclamation […]

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Seidensticker Folly #28: Lies About Bible “Contradictions”

1. Christians don’t sin? 2. Universalism? 3. “Tomb evangelism”. 4. Can human beings see God or not? Atheist and anti-theist Bob Seidensticker, who was “raised Presbyterian”, runs the influential Cross Examined blog. He asked me there, on 8-11-18: “I’ve got 1000+ posts here attacking your worldview. You just going to let that stand? Or could you present a helpful new perspective that […]

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Development of Sacrifice of the Mass: Dialogue w Lutheran

“CPA” attends the Lutheran Church — Missouri Synod (LCMS). He is a Professor of Mongolian Studies. His words will be in blue. * * * * * Dave, you’ve misunderstood my project and failed to draw a number of key distinctions (ones drawn by both the Apology of the Augsburg Confession AND post-Tridentine scholastics). What I […]

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Transubstantiation & Church History: Dialogue w Lutheran

“CPA” was an adult convert; he was baptized on Easter 1994 and attends the Lutheran Church — Missouri Synod (LCMS). He is a Professor of Mongolian Studies. His words will be in blue. * * * * * [You rely] on crucial ambiguities as to what “Transubstantiation” as a doctrine actually is.  You presuppose that I am […]

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Dialogue on Calvin’s & Patristic Eucharistic Theology

. . . Especially St. Cyril of Jerusalem’s Theology of the Eucharist My two dialogue opponents are Reformed Protestant (Calvinist). Dr. Joel Garver‘s words will be in blue; Kevin Johnson’s in green. See the related paper, from five days earlier: John Calvin and St. Cyril of Jerusalem: Comparative Eucharistic Theology. Reference is made to it below. ***** I […]

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“Unanimous Consent” of Church Fathers: Not Literally All

Does the Phrase “Unanimous Consent of the Fathers” Allow Any Exceptions? The term “unanimous consent” — as used in an ecclesiological / patristic context –, does not mean “absolutely every” — as it is commonly used today in general usage, but rather, “consensus of the vast majority” in line with the magisterium of the Church. See a short […]

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Dialogue w Lutheran Pastor on Bible & Sola Scriptura

(including St. Irenaeus’ View on the Rule of Faith) Rev. Dr. Eric G. Phillips (LCMS) replied to my post, Lutheran Chemnitz Wrong Re Fathers & Sola Scriptura (mostly dealing with St. Irenaeus and Tertullian) on my public Facebook page. We discussed St. Irenaeus’ views and the alleged biblical support for sola Scriptura (which I contend is […]

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Lutheran Chemnitz: Errors Re Fathers & Sola Scriptura

— including analysis of Jerome, Augustine, Origen, Epiphanius, Ambrose, Lactantius, Athanasius, and Cyprian — This is a reply to this aspect of the prominent 16th century Lutheran theologian Martin Chemnitz’ Examination of the Council of Trent, Part I (St. Louis: Concordia Pub. House, 1971; translated by Fred Kramer). It’s basically a follow-up to the previous installment, which dealt primarily […]

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Lutheran Chemnitz Wrong Re Fathers & Sola Scriptura

— mostly dealing with St. Irenaeus and Tertullian —  This is a reply to one aspect of the prominent 16th century Lutheran theologian Martin Chemnitz’ Examination of the Council of Trent, Part I (St. Louis: Concordia Pub. House, 1971; translated by Fred Kramer).  I’m in possession of a hardcover edition. * * * * * I read […]

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Dialogue w Agnostic Scientist on God’s Logic, Axioms, & Biases

Compiled from e-mail exchanges between myself and the late Dr. Jan Schreurs. His words will be in blue. * * * * * What we feel God would or would not do is a prejudice (preconceived idea) if it is not based on logic or testing. If we reason it out with solid logic, it remains a […]

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Sola Scriptura: Church Fathers (?), & Myself (?), by Analogy

This idea came to me as I was responding to a claim that St. Gregory of Nyssa was an advocate of sola Scriptura. A bunch of quotes from that great Church Father were produced, where he talked about the authority of Scripture. I remarked on the Lutheran comment board where the original citations were posted (italics added […]

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Waiting for Nothing to Happen

When I was in my twenties, toward the end of a not-especially-dissolute but nonetheless untethered youth, there was a period of a few months when I spent a lot of time with a man who had been the big local rock DJ when I was in high school. He had moved into my threadbare downtown […]

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Dealing With Hurtful People

We all know the world isn’t what it was meant to be. People say hurtful things and it is often difficult to know how to handle it. Similarly, it is difficult to not take what they say to heart. What’s important to keep is mind is that we can’t control what others do, but we […]

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Dialogue w Agnostic on Common Objections to Christianity

The following exchange of amiable private correspondence is reproduced with my opponent, Matt Fahrner’s permission. He has expressed a desire that his letter to me be available in its entirety, for contextual reasons. I have not omitted any part of it below. I thank him for this opportunity to clarify my own beliefs and to […]

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Dialogue: Church Fathers on Perspicuity & Sola Scriptura

Perspicuity is a fancy word for “clearness” / ease of understanding of Scripture. Carmen Bryant is a Baptist missionary and Bible scholar (M.A. and Th.M. from Western Seminary). Her words will be in blue. ***** The Views of the Early Church in General A study of the development of the doctrine Perspicuity of Scripture will […]

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Morning in a Forgotten Neighborhood

The other day it was raining. The clouds were impossibly low, skimming the tops of buildings as they scuttled across eastern Michigan on their way to somewhere nice. The rain fell not so much as drops but as a fine, coating mist that moistened rather than drenched. A pack of stray dogs picked their way […]

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Poetry Friday: “Lord, Sky”

The compelling narrative of “Lord, Sky,” set during the time of an election, is also sheer poetry. The writer repeats diction (“light,” “sky,” “moon,” “grin”) and layers language (“heaven,” “rainbow,” “stars,” “night,” “midnight”) to invite us “little trees of heaven / stuck in concrete” to pay heed to the world above and around us, to […]

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St. Augustine’s Belief in the Substantial Real Presence

The great Church Father makes many statements which have been traditionally seized upon as evidence of his adoption of either a purely symbolic or Calvinistic notion of the Lord’s Supper. This consideration will be dealt with first, before consulting the primary materials: I. Ludwig Ott, Fundamentals of Catholic Dogma, translated by Patrick Lynch, edited by James […]

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Homosexual Sex: In-Depth Dialogue with an Atheist

Words of “drunkentune” will be in blue. Rated “R” for subject matter; not for the faint of heart. Don’t come complaining to me about the paper; those of you who don’t care for the discussion. Just stop reading now if you are in that category. * * * * * How is homosexuality (not homosexual sex) […]

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Justification: Classic Catholic & Protestant Reflections

[see book and purchase information; only $2.99 for e-book] I. DEFINITIONS 1. Justification: Catholic Definitions A. Ludwig Ott (On Trent) “On the negative side it [justification, according to the Council’s teaching] is a true eradication of sin; on the positive side it is a supernatural sanctifying and renewal of the inner man . . . […]

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Distribution of Divine Graces by Mary & Other Human Beings

In my paper, Mary Mediatrix vs. Jesus Christ the Sole Mediator?, I wrote: My argument (in the paper, Mary Mediatrix: A Biblical & Theological Primer must not be taken to prove more than it intends to prove. It was basically an exercise in creating what I call a plausibility structure and to show that the notion of Mediatrix is […]

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John Calvin Misunderstood Trent’s Doctrine of Grace

1 Corinthians 3:9 (RSV) For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, God’s building. The following is from John Calvin’s commentary on Corinthians: 9. For we are fellow-laborers with God. Here is the best argument. It is the Lord’s work that we are employed in, and it is to him that we have devoted […]

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Humans Love Heroes

In the video James Corden approaches a podium wearing a dark grey suit and a light grey wig to address a room full of reporters, but instead of making prepared remarks, he launches into song. He’s announcing his indictment of the President, and he and his audience are thrilled. “Robert Mueller’s Indictment Song” is the […]

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Semi-Pelagianism and Arminianism: An Introduction

The position of many Protestants (particularly many Calvinists) on this issue is hopelessly contradictory and incoherent, with regard to the soteriology of Arminianism and/or Pelagianism and semi-Pelagianism. The definition of the latter is as follows (from two highly authoritative non-Catholic sources): [Semi-Pelagianism], while not denying the necessity of Grace for salvation, maintained that the first steps […]

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Man’s Grace-Enabled Cooperation w God (1 Cor 3:9)

Dialogue from a public Internet Discussion Board with a Protestant, whose words are in blue. * * * * *If the Holy Spirit “inspires,” “enables,” “prompts,” “causes,” “initiates” (or whatever synonymous term you like) our good works, how then, can it be said (of Catholic theology) that they originate with us? All we’re saying is that […]

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Seidensticker Folly #27: Confusion Re John the Baptist

Atheist and anti-theist Bob Seidensticker runs the influential Cross Examined blog. He asked me there, on 8-11-18: “I’ve got 1000+ posts here attacking your worldview. You just going to let that stand? Or could you present a helpful new perspective that I’ve ignored on one or two of those posts?” He also made a general statement on 6-22-17: “Christians’ arguments are easy to refute […]

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Seidensticker Folly #26: Spiritual Bodies R Still Bodies!

Atheist and anti-theist Bob Seidensticker runs the influential Cross Examined blog. He asked me there, on 8-11-18: “I’ve got 1000+ posts here attacking your worldview. You just going to let that stand? Or could you present a helpful new perspective that I’ve ignored on one or two of those posts?” He also made a general statement on 6-22-17: “Christians’ arguments are easy to refute […]

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Seidensticker Folly #25: Jesus’ Alleged Mustard Seed Error

Atheist and anti-theist Bob Seidensticker runs the influential Cross Examined blog. He asked me there, on 8-11-18: “I’ve got 1000+ posts here attacking your worldview. You just going to let that stand? Or could you present a helpful new perspective that I’ve ignored on one or two of those posts?” He also made a general statement on 6-22-17: “In this blog, I’ve responded […]

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No OT Judgment = No 2nd Coming & Last Judgment

The argument (critical of either God or the Bible) runs as follows: 1) God can’t command the killing of children because that is an absolute evil. 2) Yet Old Testament passages refer to this kind of thing. 3) From that we conclude that either A) God is evil, or B) the Bible is in error […]

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On Writing Odes: Taking Time to Celebrate

Amidst the constant stream of bad news these days, we would do well to make more time for acknowledging the good things in life. The ode is just that: “a formal, often ceremonious lyric poem that addresses and often celebrates a person, place, thing, or idea,” according to The Poetry Foundation. Unlike other poetic forms […]

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Catholic Merit vs. Distorted Caricatures (James McCarthy)

A Catholic correspondent wrote to me:*The person with whom I am debating is Jim McCarthy, author of The Gospel According to Rome. He quotes Dogmatic Theology for the Laity by Matthias Premm as follows,  It is universally accepted dogma of the Catholic Church that man, in union with the grace of the Holy Spirit must merit heaven by […]

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“Doing Something” for Salvation: Dialogue w Evangelical

Craig Kott was a friend of mine at the non-denominational, evangelical Arminian church that I used to attend (1980-1982, 1986-1989). His words will be in blue. ***** I agree that there must be some fundamental philosophical difference between us which is causing us to see things so differently . . . Good. On that, at least, […]

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High Praise for my Wife Judy (20th Anniversary)

. . . and a bit of unsolicited advice to young couples, if I may . . . Today is our 34th anniversary. I wrote this 14 years ago on our 20th anniversary. ***** Twenty years! It’s unbelievable how one’s perspective of time changes as you get into your 40s. Twenty years now seems like […]

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Trusting God as an Element of Faith & Discipleship

Trust is an important element of faith, but faith cannot be reduced to it. It is the constant Protestant reductionism and either/or mentality that we object to. See: The Catholic Encyclopedia: “Faith”. Excerpt: In the New Testament the meanings “to believe” and “belief”, for pisteon and pistis, come to the fore; in Christ’s speech, pistis frequently means “trust”, but also “belief” (cf. Matthew […]

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Leaving Catholicism (Not Primarily Due to Sex Scandals!)

In became aware of a post by a man, Michael Boyle, who recently left the Catholic Church for Anglicanism, entitled, “For the Letter Kills, but the Spirit Gives Life” (10-5-18). He writes (mentioning yours truly): In the last week, I have found articles from two writers who I have discussed in these electronic pages–Melinda Selmys […]

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Seidensticker Folly #24: Paul’s Massive Ignorance of Jesus (?)

Atheist and anti-theist Bob Seidensticker runs the influential Cross Examined blog. He asked me there, on 8-11-18: “I’ve got 1000+ posts here attacking your worldview. You just going to let that stand? Or could you present a helpful new perspective that I’ve ignored on one or two of those posts?” He also made a general statement on 6-22-17: “In this blog, I’ve responded […]

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Poetry Friday: “The Burned Butterfly”

My oldest daughter’s was gifted a butterfly garden for her 3rd birthday. We watched the six larvae plump up. Then each formed a chrysalis and after a few weeks all emerged as beautiful, painted lady butterflies. We fed them watermelon and pineapple and when the day came for release, I wasn’t sure my daughter would […]

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Hell as a Deterrent: Analogy to Our Legal Systems

This is a little spontaneous exchange with my atheist friend, Anthrotheist (his words in blue). He was initially responding under an atheist’s post, “12 Times I Felt The Christian Love.” It detailed the very worst sort of (real or imagined) Christian / “Christian” behavior (venomous hatred, anti-gay [person] filth, etc.). I thoroughly agreed with the […]

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Atheist Bob Seidensticker Ain’t Afraid to Debate, and I AM? Really?!

I received notice of a reply to a comment of mine made on Bob Seidensticker’s rabidly anti-theist / anti-Christian blog, Cross Examined. I had written over there on 8-21-18, replying to Bob:  “If you think I’m a troll, then ban me, since you say you have banned dozens of people. What stops you?”   So […]

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The Lost Goodbye

You’ve been gone for only hours In a casket made of wood When no one else could save you I thought maybe I still could —“Goodbye” by Sister Sinjin The song catches me off-guard. It is nudged between other songs on an album of ethereal harmonies. Sister Sinjin sounds either like a trio of cloistered […]

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Seidensticker Folly #23: Atheist “Bible Science” Inanities, Pt. 2

Atheist and anti-theist Bob Seidensticker runs the influential Cross Examined blog. He asked me there, on 8-11-18: “I’ve got 1000+ posts here attacking your worldview. You just going to let that stand? Or could you present a helpful new perspective that I’ve ignored on one or two of those posts?” He also made a general statement on 6-22-17: “In this blog, I’ve responded to […]

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A Conversation with Alicia Ostriker: Part 2

“When I write a poem, I am crawling into the dark. Or else I am an aperture. Something needs to be put into language, and it chooses me,” says critic, activist, and biblical scholar Alicia Ostriker, whose poetry appears in Image’s recently released issue #98. We asked Ostriker, winner of the Jewish National Book Award […]

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Seidensticker Folly #22: Contradiction? Saved by Faith or Works?

Atheist and anti-theist Bob Seidensticker runs the influential Cross Examined blog. He asked me there, on 8-11-18: “I’ve got 1000+ posts here attacking your worldview. You just going to let that stand? Or could you present a helpful new perspective that I’ve ignored on one or two of those posts?” He also made a general statement on 6-22-17: “In this blog, I’ve responded to […]

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Galatians and the Gospel: Dialogue with a Calvinist

The Calvinist’s words will be in blue. ***** Thanks for writing and for deciding to link to my page. I like your website — it is very classy, visually appealing and well-presented. You asked: On your page, you say that justification is not part of the gospel. But wasn’t the problem that Paul was addressing […]

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A Conversation with Alicia Ostriker: Part 1

Image issue #98 includes poems by critic, activist, and biblical scholar Alicia Ostriker, winner of the Jewish National Book Award and many others. She has said, “Composing an essay, a review or a piece of literary criticism, I know more or less what I am doing and what I want to say. When I write […]

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God as Cosmic Santa Claus & the Bible as Fairy-Tale

Reply to Common Atheist Critiques Concerning the Christian Epistemology of Belief in the Bible and God Atheists often chide Christians for placing faith in the Bible: that it is God’s inspired and infallible revelation. They argue that we can’t possibly know or prove that. But all of us (including atheists) extrapolate the truthfulness (at least […]

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Theistic Argument from Desire: Dialogue w Atheist

This exchange took place on the Debunking Christianity blog, underneath a post by John W. Loftus, called “No More Funerals!” Words of atheist “DagoodS” (whom I have met in person) will be in blue, and those of a second unknown atheist in green. ***** We all would like people who truly deserve it to get what is coming […]

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Poetry Friday: “Bird on Knee”

Like Emily Dickinson, Bray describes hope as thing with feathers, “an eastern phoebe.” Turning on sound and image, the poem “Bird on Knee” subtly shifts, inflecting new meaning. Each element nests in the other, layered, like a bird perched on a lap. Keening sounds repeat in “lightly,” “knee,” “eastern,” “phoebe,” and “me.” The density and […]

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Dr. Ford Hit a Home Run, Kavanaugh a Grand Slam

I first gave my thoughts on my Facebook page today after Dr. Christine Blasey Ford’s testimony (or most of it). Then I remarked after Judge Kavanaugh’s testimony and questioning. I am a conservative and a Republican (as is well-known among my readers) and virtually all of the commenters on my page thought she was a […]

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Writing Rules for Life

For my forty-first birthday, I decided to write a personal rule of life. Turning forty hadn’t magically made me wise in the way that translates into action, and I didn’t wish to spend the next decade wading in the same bog of issues and habits and disordered affections that kept me from feeling present to […]

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Gospel: Defined by the Earliest Christian Preaching

[excerpts from reference sources will be in blue; Bible verses (NASB) will be indented] ***** I. THE WORD The English gospel is derived from the Anglo-Saxon godspell, which meant “good tidings” and later, the “story concerning God.” Gospel is the usual English translation, in the New Testament, of the Greek euangelion (pronounced yoo-ang-GHEL-ee-on), from which, in turn, we get our English words evangelical, evangelist, etc. […]

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History of American Discrimination: from the Lunch Counter

In the 1850s Irish immigrants couldn’t sit at the lunch counter. “No Irish need apply.”   In the 1860s, native Americans couldn’t sit at the lunch counter (if they were fortunate enough not to have been slaughtered or sent to a concentration “re-education” camp).   In the 1870s, Catholics couldn’t sit at the lunch counter […]

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The Stars of the Earth Cry Out

Last night, as I walked on the road that leads me home, I saw a deer sitting in the meadow.  The moon was out, and the few stars not clouded with the glow of human endeavors kept their lights unmoving in the endless sea of almost darkness.  The deer sat there, away from the road, […]

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Dialogue on Christians Hating Gays & Gays Hating Christianity

“TinnyWhistler” replied in the combox of my paper, “Dialogue with a Hostile, Anti-Christian Gay Activist”. I counter-responded. His words will be in blue. ***** It’s interesting that you chalk up anti-religious sentiment to “Oh well, it’s always been there and if people don’t like me it must mean I’m following in Jesus’ footsteps”. Have you […]

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Seidensticker Folly #21: Atheist “Bible Science” Absurdities

Atheist and anti-theist Bob Seidensticker runs the influential Cross Examined blog. He asked me there, on 8-11-18: “I’ve got 1000+ posts here attacking your worldview. You just going to let that stand? Or could you present a helpful new perspective that I’ve ignored on one or two of those posts?” He also made a general statement on 6-22-17: “In this blog, I’ve responded to […]

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Popcaks to Discuss Paths to Healing with Diocese of Pittsburgh

Lisa and I will serve as the keynote speakers for an event hosted by the Diocese of Pittsburgh intended to help clergy, catechists, parish ministers, and other church personnel minister more effectively to those whose faith has been shaken by the scandal of clerical abuse.  Our talk, titled, Dealing with Desecrations: Pathways of Healing for […]

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Remembering Sassy

Sassy wasn’t her real name, and she wasn’t “sassy” at all. But as happens with many grandparents, the oldest grandchild names her—and the name sticks. I was that oldest grandchild. Her name was Sarah, which is what I’d hear the grownups call her. But when I tried, at age one-and-a-half or so, to say “Sarah,” […]

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Good News: Evangelical & Catholic Gospel Presented

The original part of the following essay dates from June 1982, when I was an evangelical Protestant. I have decided to keep the old paper intact, but to comment (in blue) on portions which — as a Catholic — I feel need further elaboration or reinterpretation from a Catholic perspective. I hope this format will […]

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Dialogue on the Health Risks of Homosexual Sex

[warning to readers: if you are squeamish or uncomfortable with descriptions of homosexual acts (or think that any talk of them at all is distasteful or impermissible), do not read this article. Some details had to be included because of the scientific-medical information that I necessarily had to provide in order to adequately answer my friendly opponent’s objections] […]

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Homosexual Sex: Dialogue with a Bisexual Agnostic

This is a response to a letter written as a reply to my paper, Dialogue with a Hostile, Anti-Christian Gay Activist. The words of my opponent from that paper will be in green. My older words from the same paper will be brown, and my present (anonymous) opponent’s words will be in blue. ***** First of all […]

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Swallowing My Pride

I lost it at the dentist’s office the other day. I was there with my mother and had been flipping through copies of Good Housekeeping, waiting for hours. I was hungry and impatient by the time she emerged, then the receptionist presented us with an itemized and very detailed list of expensive dental work my […]

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Gospel = Total Depravity, Limited Atonement, Irresistible Grace?

My friend, the ecumenical Reformed Presbyterian (OPC) “Pilgrimsarbour” started discussing and defending three of the five points of the famous Calvinist acronym “TULIP”. After that it was off to the dog races (but an enjoyable dog race it has been . . .). His words will be in blue. * * * * * Calvinism requires belief in things […]

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2nd Council of Orange: “Sola Gratia” vs. Total Depravity

A Calvinist stated: “I am having trouble distinguishing the Calvinist doctrine of Total Depravity from the determination of the Second Council of Orange.” [529 AD]Particularly, he was referring to the following decrees: CANON 7 If anyone affirms that we can form any right opinion or make any right choice which relates to the salvation of eternal […]

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Calvinist Total Depravity: Does Romans 1 Apply to All Men?

***** For background, see my paper, Total Depravity: Reply to James White: Calvinism and Romans 3:10-11 (“None is Righteous . . . No One Seeks For God”)  * * * * * The paper above dealt with Romans 3 and also Romans 2. The former was dealt with at great length, including an examination of […]

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Dialogue with a Hostile, Anti-Christian Gay Activist

My opponents’ words shall be in blue:******Your dialogue [referring to “Homosexual Sex: Dialogue with a Liberal Christian” (link) ] is quite one-sided. Well, now you are here to present the other side! :-) The gay rights movement has nothing to do with seeking moral approval. It sure does, else why do homosexual activists have a cow when we dare […]

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Poetry Friday: “The Ordinary Time”

According to the Church’s liturgical calendar, this is the twenty-fourth week of Ordinary Time, the numbered weeks between the end of the Christmas season and the beginning of Lent, as well as the weeks following Pentecost Sunday until the first Sunday of Advent. Ordinary Time is the period in which the faithful live not in […]

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Homosexual Sex: Dialogue with a Liberal Christian

From my Apologetics / Ecumenism discussion list, which I founded and moderated in the late 90s. Words of Sogn Mill-Scout will be in blue. *** Gay rights is about equal respect and moral approval being granted to the homosexual orientation; A-ha! You hit the nail on the head. You prove the point many of us have made. […]

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Dialogue: Molinism & How God Predestines (Pt. IV)

See Part I and Part II and Part III. “JS” is a Catholic and a Thomist. Note the different color scheme below. My words will be in blue [not the usual black], “JS’s” in black [not the usual blue]; JS’s previous responses green; Scripture red; Ludwig Ott purple; William G. Most, J.P. Holding, Adam Clarke, and Church Fathers in brown. ***** What shall […]

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Dialogue: Molinism & How God Predestines (Pt. III)

See Part I and Part II. “JS” is a Catholic and a Thomist. Note the different color scheme below. My words will be in blue [not the usual black], “JS’s” in black [not the usual blue]; JS’s previous responses green; Scripture red; Ludwig Ott purple; William G. Most in brown. *** This conditioned dimension of Molinism is precisely its weakness, since God’s will is […]

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Beginner Ballet

I hobbled into beginner ballet at age thirty-six, late for my first class, whirring between meetings, racing up the steps to the dance studio that was located, felicitously, next to a burrito joint that served beer. I switched into beginner ballet after a disastrous attempt at intro to hip-hop a week earlier. Ballet, I hoped, […]

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Reply to Agnostic Ed Babinski’s “Emotional” Argument from Evil

Ed’s post appeared on the Debunking Christianity blog. Victor Reppert is a (Protestant) Christian teacher and author of C. S. Lewis’s Dangerous Idea: In Defense of the Argument from Reason, published by Inter-Varsity Press. He runs an excellent blog, dangerous idea, whose purpose is to “to discuss philosophy, chess, politics, C. S. Lewis, . . .” My kind of place! […]

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Dialogue: Molinism & How God Predestines (Pt. II)

See Part I. Words of “JOS”: a Thomist, will be in blue. My older cited words will be in green. *** This “conditioned” dimension of Molinism is precisely its weakness, since God’s will is not conditioned by anyone or anything, let alone man’s foreseen merits.  That’s not true as a general statement because God’s will […]

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The Gift of Gratitude

We often think that expressing gratitude is something we do for another person. However, new research shows that we actually get more out of showing gratitude than we might think. A new study published by the journal of Psychological Science reveals that, although people typically believe that expressing gratitude—such as in the form of “Thank […]

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Leonard Cohen’s Holy and Broken Hallelujah

My first “Hallelujah” was sung by Rufus Wainwright in Shrek. I was a preteen and baffled that my grown siblings were interested in the soundtrack. The lyrics were deceptively simple words, referencing biblical passages I recognized. I knew it was Dovid who saw Batsheva bathing on the roof; I knew it was Delila who cut […]

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http://www.patheos.com/blogs/goodletters/2018/09/leonard-cohens-holy-and-broken-hallelujah/

Seidensticker Folly #20: An Evolving God in the OT?

God’s Omnipotence, Omniscience, & Omnipresence in Early Bible Books & Ancient Jewish Understanding Atheist and anti-theist Bob Seidensticker runs the influential Cross Examined blog. He asked me there, on 8-11-18: “I’ve got 1000+ posts here attacking your worldview. You just going to let that stand? Or could you present a helpful new perspective that I’ve ignored on one or two of […]

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http://www.patheos.com/blogs/davearmstrong/2018/09/seidensticker-folly-20-an-evolving-god-in-the-ot.html