Catholic Questions Regarding Protestant Ecclesiologies

Photograph by “skeeze” (11-17-14) [Pixabay / Pixabay license] *****(6-5-03) *** These questions and comments of mine came about on a public Catholic Discussion Board, in dialogue with a Reformed Protestant.* * * * * Are we to believe that the Bible presents or teaches no single ecclesiology? Is the governance of the Church of Christ is [Read More...]

from
http://www.patheos.com/blogs/davearmstrong/2017/07/catholic-questions-regarding-protestant-ecclesiologies.html

Atheist Blogs Delete & Block Insulters & Idiots, Too!

Image by “OpenClipart-Vectors” (4-1-16) [Pixabay / Pixabay license] ***** The droning drumbeat of personal insults sent my way continues over at atheist Jonathan MS Pearce‘s blog, A Tippling Philosopher. By now the routine is old and tired: Pearce writes a post about me, then his minions of followers start in on the attacks in his combox. [Read More...]

from
http://www.patheos.com/blogs/davearmstrong/2017/07/atheist-blogs-moderate-delete-block-insulters-too.html

Who Is This Aliveness I Am?

I am alive. I am alive. I am alive.   Who is this aliveness I am? What is this aliveness I am? How is this aliveness I am? * We sing, we chant. Our leader, Rabbi Jeff Roth. The words: a teaching from Rabbi Menachem Nachum of Chernobyl, a student of the Ba’al Shem Tov [Read More...]

from
http://www.patheos.com/blogs/goodletters/2017/07/who-is-this-aliveness-i-am/

Reply to Atheist JMS Pearce: Bethlehem & Nazareth “Contradictions”

Including Extensive Exegetical Analysis of Micah 5:2 Wife Judy’s photograph of the spot where Jesus was born in Bethlehem (October 2014). ***** This is my fourth and last installment of replies to atheist Jonathan MS Pearce‘ skeptical series, Debunking the Nativity. I have previously responded to his claims about the alleged mistranslation of “virgin” (Isaiah 7:14), supposed irreconcilable differences regarding [Read More...]

from
http://www.patheos.com/blogs/davearmstrong/2017/07/reply-atheist-jms-pearce-bethlehem-nazareth-contradictions.html

Poetry Friday: “Graveyard Prayer”

In this poem, Robert Cording places himself in an unusual spot: “at the graveyard where I’ll be / buried” and even specifically sitting “on my gravesite.” The poem is a testing out of various tones toward this meeting place of the living moment and its inevitable future end. Teasingly, he calls himself “a Constable imposter” [Read More...]

from
http://www.patheos.com/blogs/goodletters/2017/07/poetry-friday-graveyard-prayer/

Reply to Atheist JMS Pearce: “Contradictory” Genealogies?

King David (ancestor of Jesus), by Rembrandt (1606-1669) [public domain / Wikimedia Commons] ***** This is my third installment of replies to atheist Jonathan MS Pearce skeptical series, Debunking the Nativity. I have previously responded to his claims about the alleged mistranslation of “virgin” (Isaiah 7:14), and supposed irreconcilable differences regarding the death of Herod [Read More...]

from
http://www.patheos.com/blogs/davearmstrong/2017/07/reply-atheist-jms-pearce-contradictory-genealogies.html

Still Pilgrim

Still Pilgrim. Just the title of Angela Alaimo O’Donnell’s new poetry collection makes you pause. Pun and paradox reverberate through the title terms. A pilgrim is someone on a journey…a spiritual journey. “Still” can mean unmoving, motionless (definitely not journeying). But, further, “still” can mean ongoing, as in “I’m still doing that.” These contradictory concepts [Read More...]

from
http://www.patheos.com/blogs/goodletters/2017/07/still-pilgrim/

Atheists & Inherent “Omnipotent” Creative Qualities of Godless Matter

Fractal image by “hrohmann” (9-15-15) [Pixabay / CC0 public domain] *** This is a little (but idea-packed) discussion about these issues in one of my blog comboxes with three atheists (with one getting testy). Their words will be in blue (“Illithid”), green (“islandbrewer”), and purple (“Stupid Atheist”): ***** Thanks for linking to your atheism index [link], [Read More...]

from
http://www.patheos.com/blogs/davearmstrong/2017/07/atheists-and-the-inherent-omnipotent-creative-qualities-of-godless-matter.html

Reply to Atheist JMS Pearce: “Mistranslation” of “Virgin”? (Isaiah 7:14)

[many thanks to Glenn Miller of A Christian Thinktank for his extraordinary biblical research, which I’ve massively utilized] Virgin and Child with Four Angels, by Gerard David (c. 1450/1460-1523) [public domain / Wikimedia Commons] ***** Jonathan MS Pearce has written a series, “Debunking the Nativity”: in which he offers up a series of weak, fallacious, highly [Read More...]

from
http://www.patheos.com/blogs/davearmstrong/2017/07/reply-atheist-jms-pearce-mistranslation-virgin-isaiah-714.html

The Baptisms on Pentecost

Our guests at the baptism on Sunday agreed, all of our friends and family, many of whom simply don’t care for church or really can’t stand church or usually wouldn’t be caught dead in a church, but all of them, all of them agreed: Yes, what a beautiful cathedral, and wasn’t the choir amazing, and [Read More...]

from
http://www.patheos.com/blogs/goodletters/2017/07/the-baptisms-on-pentecost/

Reply to Atheist JMS Pearce: Herod’s Death & Alleged “Contradictions”

[many thanks to Jimmy Akin for massive citation of his research] Herod the Great, by James Tissot (1836-1902) [public domain / Wikimedia Commons] ***** Atheist contra-Christian polemicist and biblical skeptic Jonathan MS Pearce has challenged me to grapple with his material on the biblical infancy narratives of Jesus (that, of course, asserts massive contradictions). I’m more than [Read More...]

from
http://www.patheos.com/blogs/davearmstrong/2017/07/reply-jms-pearce-herods-death-alleged-contradictions.html

Gadarenes, Gerasenes, Swine, & Atheist Skeptics

The Swine Driven into the Sea, by James Tissot (1836-1902) [public domain / Wikimedia Commons] ***** Prominent online atheist Jonathan MS Pearce (A Tippling Philosopher) loves to write about alleged biblical contradictions. He produced the post, “On Harmonising Biblical Contradictions” (7-23-17) and was kind enough to mention my name in the beginning: This is a post [Read More...]

from
http://www.patheos.com/blogs/davearmstrong/2017/07/gadarenes-gerasenes-swine-atheist-skeptics.html

As Petals Fall

“Why are you in the dirt?” he asked, trundling to where I crouched. “I’m pulling weeds.” “Why?” “So that there’s there more room for the flowers.” “Why?” “Because I like the flowers.” “Why?” “Because they’re pretty.” By that time his mother arrived. “He’s three,” she said. “We hear a lot of why.” His whys—genuine, curious—were [Read More...]

from
http://www.patheos.com/blogs/goodletters/2017/07/as-petals-fall/

Reason, Science, & Logic Not the Exclusive Possessions of Atheists

+ Double Standards in How Christian Conversions are Treated, Compared to the Often Chilly Reception of Critiques of Atheist Deconversion Stories / Atheist “Exegesis” of the “Doubting Thomas” Passage Illustration (anonymous) from Nursery Novelties for Little Masters and Misses (1820), showing a “dunce” wearing a fool’s cap with bell and ass’s ears. The loving, infinitely wise [Read More...]

from
http://www.patheos.com/blogs/davearmstrong/2017/07/reason-science-logic-not-the-exclusive-possessions-of-atheists.html

Atheist Double-Standard Demands for (Empirical-Only) “Evidence”

Fractal image by “HypnoArt” (8-6-15) [Pixabay / CC0 public domain] ***** “Lark62” is an atheist. Her words will be in blue. Her comments can be found in their entire larger context in the combox for my paper, “Atheist Deconversion: Dialogue #2: Jonathan MS Pearce” (7-20-17). *** Lark62 [female: “frumpy, boring middle aged lady”] clearly came to [Read More...]

from
http://www.patheos.com/blogs/davearmstrong/2017/07/atheist-double-standard-demands-empirical-evidence.html

A Conversation with Ron Austin

This post is a web-exclusive feature accompanying Image issue 93. In the conversation around faith and film, Ron Austin is an elder statesman. He has worked a lifetime in the entertainment industry, and his essays and books, including In a New Light: Spirituality and Media Arts, have influenced generations of filmmakers (much of his writing is [Read More...]

from
http://www.patheos.com/blogs/goodletters/2017/07/conversation-ron-austin/

Not Many “Angry Atheists” Online? You be the Judge

[Pexels.com / Pixabay / CC0 license] ***** Recently, I had the distinct blessing (Mt 5:11-12) of being the target of 22 out of [literally] 54 atheists who appeared in a combox of a post on the blog run by atheist Jonathan MS Pearce (and also a second one). It started out on the topic of my critiques [Read More...]

from
http://www.patheos.com/blogs/davearmstrong/2017/07/angry-atheists-online-judge.html

Atheist Anthony Toohey Defends His Deconversion (Pt. 1)

A change of vision by Erik Pevernagie, oil on canvas (3-24-11) [Wikimedia Commons / Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported license] ***** I admire that. I critiqued his story, and he has stepped up to the plate and defended himself, and has done a pretty good job. His words will be in blue. ***** You call your story that I [Read More...]

from
http://www.patheos.com/blogs/davearmstrong/2017/07/atheist-anthony-toohey-defends-deconversion.html

Poetry Friday: “On Value”

I’m amazed by the flexibility of the sonnet form. When you first read Kelly Cherry’s delightful poem “On Value,” you wouldn’t notice that it’s a sonnet (except that I’ve just told you!). The enjambment of nearly every line swooshes you past the end-rhymes without your noticing them. You read Cherry’s meditation on the philosophical concept [Read More...]

from
http://www.patheos.com/blogs/goodletters/2017/07/poetry-friday-value/

Atheist Deconversion: Dialogue #2: Jonathan MS Pearce

Image by “mary1826” (January 2017) [Pixabay / CC0 public domain] *** Jonathan MS Pearce runs the blog called A Tippling Philosopher. He  is co-editor of a book that collects deconversion stories, entitled, Beyond an Absence of Faith. He also hosts deconversion stories on his own site. Thus far, I have critiqued two of them, and plan [Read More...]

from
http://www.patheos.com/blogs/davearmstrong/2017/07/atheist-deconversion-dialogue-2-jonathan-ms-pearce.html

The Businessman’s Faith

One year ago, I abandoned the nonprofit and academic world to become a freelance copywriter, a man whose goal was to help businesses share their stories with the world. I fancied myself something of an author-consultant, a skilled writer who could chart out the best alignment of speaker, message, and audience. I told people I [Read More...]

from
http://www.patheos.com/blogs/goodletters/2017/07/the-businessmans-faith/

Atheist Deconversion: Dialogue #1 with Dr. Daniel Fincke

Photograph by “marcelabr” (11-8-16) [Pixabay / CC0 public domain] *** Dr. Daniel Fincke, a philosophy professor, who runs the Camels with Hammers blog, responded to my paper, “Reply to Daniel Fincke’s Analyses of His Deconversion” (7-15-17). His reply is called, “Have I Considered Catholicism Sufficiently?” (7-19-17), His words will be in blue. ***** Dave Armstrong [Read More...]

from
http://www.patheos.com/blogs/davearmstrong/2017/07/deconversion-dialogue-1-dr-daniel-fincke.html

Deconversion: Mini-Debates with Several Zealous Atheists

Photograph by “stevepb” (7-12-16) [Pixabay / CC0 public domain] ***** Atheist Jonathan MS Pearce made a response to my critique of an atheist deconversion story that he hosted on his site. The combox then went wild in questioning me (with not a few of the usual obligatory rank insults). I  spent many hours replying to lots of [Read More...]

from
http://www.patheos.com/blogs/davearmstrong/2017/07/deconversion-mini-debates-several-zealous-atheists.html

Summer’s Heartbeat

On some summer nights, it seems the world is brighter, more visible in a quiet way, as if the dusk was created for your pleasure. On some summer nights, it seems you can see through the false dome of sky to what lies beyond, air glimmering just for you. There’s a vertiginous sense that the [Read More...]

from
http://www.patheos.com/blogs/goodletters/2017/07/summers-heartbeat/

Albert Einstein’s “Cosmic Religion”: In His Own Words

Photo of Albert Einstein in Princeton, New Jersey, soon after he fled Germany (18 October 1933) [public domain / Wikimedia Commons] *** (originally 2-17-03; expanded greatly on 8-26-10) *** “In view of such harmony in the cosmos which I, with my limited human mind, am able to recognize, there are yet people who say there is no God. [Read More...]

from
http://www.patheos.com/blogs/davearmstrong/2017/07/albert-einsteins-pantheist-like-cosmic-religion.html

Were Abraham Lincoln and Mark Twain Atheists?

Madame Tussaud’s Abraham Lincoln (photograph by Kevin Burkett: 12-21-12) [Flickr / CC BY-SA 2.0 license] *** (11-16-06) ***** [along with fellow so-called atheists Jefferson, Paine, Voltaire, Hume, and Franklin?] *** Atheist “DagoodS” wrote in one of my comboxes (note: in context, he was speaking rhetorically, but this doesn’t imply that he doesn’t think Twain and Lincoln [Read More...]

from
http://www.patheos.com/blogs/davearmstrong/2017/07/abraham-lincoln-mark-twain-atheists.html

Necessary Images, Part 2

This post, continued from yesterday, appears as the Editorial Statement in Image issue #93 on the art of film guest edited by Gareth Higgins and Scott Teems. Kies´lowski’s Blue is a master class in film form—everything there is to learn about editing and sound design can be found in its first ten minutes—but what lingers longest in the memory is [Read More...]

from
http://www.patheos.com/blogs/goodletters/2017/07/necessary-images-part-2/

Atheist Deconversion Story Series #2: Lorna

If I were in an abusive situation, I’d certainly want to break free, too. The question, however, is where to go (fractal image by “PublicDomainPictures”) [Pixabay / CC0 public domain] *** Introduction: “Deconversion” stories are accounts of an atheist or agnostic’s odyssey from some form of Christianity to atheism or agnosticism. Since these are public (else [Read More...]

from
http://www.patheos.com/blogs/davearmstrong/2017/07/atheist-deconversion-story-series-2-lorna.html

Atheist Deconversion Story Series #1: Anthony Toohey

Image by “Pexels” [Pixabay / CC0 public domain] *** Introduction: “Deconversion” stories are accounts of an atheist or agnostic’s odyssey from some form of Christianity to atheism or agnosticism. Since these are public (else I wouldn’t know about them in the first place), it’s reasonable to assume that they are more than merely subjective / personal [Read More...]

from
http://www.patheos.com/blogs/davearmstrong/2017/07/critiques-deconversion-stories-1-anthony-toohey.html

Necessary Images, Part 1

This post appears as the Editorial Statement in Image issue #93 on the art of film guest edited by Gareth Higgins and Scott Teems. not beautiful photography, not beautiful images, but necessary images… —Robert Bresson For years I’ve wrestled with this seemingly straightforward declaration from the notebook of revered French film director Robert Bresson (a small book, but a [Read More...]

from
http://www.patheos.com/blogs/goodletters/2017/07/necessary-images-part-1/

Atheists Preach to the Choir, Just like Apologists Do

A Franciscan Monk Preaching (anonymous: Italy: between 1500-1525) [public domain / Wikimedia Commons] *** This is a reply to some key portions of atheist Neil Carter‘s article, “Apologetics: Preaching to the Choir” (5-14-17). His words will be in blue. ***** I’ve been actively studying and sharing Christian apologetics for 36 years and have been a [Read More...]

from
http://www.patheos.com/blogs/davearmstrong/2017/07/atheist-polemics-preaching-choir.html

Reply to Daniel Fincke’s Analyses of His Deconversion

Cute meme from Dr. Daniel Fincke’s “About Dan” page. *** Dr. Daniel Fincke (professor of philosophy) is a former Protestant, currently an atheist, who writes prolifically and articulately on his Patheos blog, Camels with Hammers. This is my reply to his article, “After My Deconversion: I Refuse To Let Christians Judge Me” (11-4-12). I won’t respond [Read More...]

from
http://www.patheos.com/blogs/davearmstrong/2017/07/reply-to-daniel-finckes-analyses-of-his-deconversion.html

Poetry Friday: “The Human Share”

Here’s a brilliantly crafted poem which I love, even though it makes me a bit sea-sick. Bruce Bond’s poem “The Human Share” begins on familiar ground, with a well-known phrase from John’s gospel. But then in line 2, Christ’s salvific work is prefaced by “as if”—and the ground we’re on becomes shaky. “As if” implies [Read More...]

from
http://www.patheos.com/blogs/goodletters/2017/07/poetry-friday-human-share/

The Beautiful Boy

It’s barely even summer and already, in our house it is the Summer of the Guys. Our son is thirteen now, and in the last few months, the world has opened to him: he and his two best neighborhood friends start planning the day almost as soon as it has started. Freed to stay at [Read More...]

from
http://www.patheos.com/blogs/goodletters/2017/07/the-beautiful-boy/

Your Attention, Please

Dear Friends: I received two emails recently from writers you likely know and admire. Like clockwork, I can expect an email from Annie Dillard a week after each new issue is published. Her response to issue #92 arrived right on schedule: “This is the best Image ever published. These writers stun me.” Then, the day after [Read More...]

from
http://www.patheos.com/blogs/goodletters/2017/07/your-attention-please/

The Case For Charlie Gard

Charlie Gard, the English child you see here, will likely die—indeed, by the time this is published, he may have already died. Charlie has Mitochondrial DNA Depletion Syndrome, which in short means that through some catastrophic chain of rare events, his bodily functions are failing him. No cure has been found for this disease. Still, [Read More...]

from
http://www.patheos.com/blogs/goodletters/2017/07/case-charlie-gard/

Rectifying 2017

During its four seasons from 2013 to 2016, Rectify was no stranger to critical praise. Nearly a year after the series finale, I think it’s time to mention Ray McKinnon’s series alongside the usual exemplars of television’s “golden age”—shows like The Sopranos, Breaking Bad, Mad Men, and The Wire. As I watched the series in [Read More...]

from
http://www.patheos.com/blogs/goodletters/2017/07/rectifying-2017/

Poetry Friday: “The Field”

I find solace in the natural world, in those precious moments alone, outside, away from the clutter and din of my material life. In “The Field” by poet, teacher and translator Jennifer Grotz we are invited to an open field “past the convenience store and the train tracks.” She tells us that as a girl, [Read More...]

from
http://www.patheos.com/blogs/goodletters/2017/07/poetry-friday-field/

How To Intuit a Book Title

How do poets and writers choose their book titles? I didn’t have a good answer to the question, “Why did you choose the title Love Nailed to the Doorpost?” posed at a recent reading, though I knew that sooner or later that someone would ask. I did have a superficial answer, but I hadn’t thought [Read More...]

from
http://www.patheos.com/blogs/goodletters/2017/07/intuit-book-title/

The Mysteries of Revision

When a former MFA professor asked me to come to her class and speak on revision, I immediately said yes. Not only was she a writer and an academic that I respected, there had been an ongoing, semi-inside, joke between me and some of my MFA cohort members about my desire to be acknowledged by [Read More...]

from
http://www.patheos.com/blogs/goodletters/2017/07/the-mysteries-of-revision/

Nonviolence and the Virtue of Hope

It was nonviolence that initially brought me to my spiritual director, Fr. Bill Shannon. I was a new Christian, baptized into the Catholic Church at Easter in 1983. The very next month, the U.S. Catholic Bishops Conference issued a pastoral letter called The Challenge of Peace. The context of the letter was the Cold War’s [Read More...]

from
http://www.patheos.com/blogs/goodletters/2017/07/nonviolence-virtue-hope/