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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http://www.patheos.com/blogs/davearmstrong/2018/10/galatians-and-the-gospel-dialogue-with-a-calvinist.html

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 […]

from
http://www.patheos.com/blogs/goodletters/2018/10/a-conversation-with-alicia-ostriker-part-1/