Suicidal Fruit: What Happens When the Mental Health Profession Fails Post Abortive Women.

The #AmericanPsychologicalAssociation asserts that there is no causal link between abortion and depression (which is ridiculous anyway, because virtually no social science research can ever assert causation. But that’s a different TED Talk). And a recent talk in Ireland by Dr. Lucy Johnstone of the British Psychological Society actually recommended abortion as a treatment for […]

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Seidensticker Folly #32: Sophistically Redefining “Contradiction”

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 are easy […]

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Seidensticker Folly #31: Jesus’ Burial Spices Contradiction?

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 are easy […]

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My Holy Land Journal: Church of the Holy Sepulchre

[from my 2014 book, Footsteps that Echo Forever: My Holy Land Pilgrimage] ***** Day Nine: 26 October [2014] [Church of the Holy Sepulchre] After the first night in our hotel in Jerusalem (with some delightful fun walking the nearby streets after the Sabbath ended, for a pizza), we set out in the morning to the […]

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Holy Trinity: Hundreds of Biblical Proofs (RSV Edition)

[all passages RSV unless otherwise noted] 1. The Unity of God and Monotheism Deuteronomy 6:4 Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD; (cf. Mk 12:29; 1 Cor 8:6; Eph 4:5-6; 1 Tim 2:5; Jas 2:19) Deuteronomy 32:39 …there is no god beside me.… Isaiah 37:20 …thou alone art the LORD. (cf. 37:16) […]

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Jesus is God: Hundreds of Biblical Proofs (RSV Edition)

[all passages RSV unless indicated otherwise] [Italicized verses indicate words of Jesus Himself] 1. Direct Statements of Jesus’ Equality with God the Father Matthew 1:23 “Behold, a virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and his name shall be called Emmanuel” (which means, God with us). Matthew 4:7 Jesus said to him, “Again it is […]

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Superstition About the “Preserved” High Altar at Notre Dame

. . . And Continued Cynical, Highly Selective, “Pick and Choose” Acceptance of the Teaching of Pope Benedict XVI 2 Timothy 4:3-4 (RSV) For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own likings, [4] and will turn away from listening […]

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Dialogue on the Renaissance: Good or Bad Thing?

This occurred spontaneously on one of my Facebook threads. I argued that it was mostly “good”; my dialogue opponent, William C. Michael, thought the opposite (with some eventual minor qualifications). His words will be in blue. ***** The danger of all of the Christian energy wasted on political action is that, eventually, it leads to […]

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Take Heart: Notre Dame WILL be Rebuilt: Better Than Ever!

Be of good cheer! All three rose windows survived. The two iconic towers with their wonderful bells are still standing. Notre Dame can and will be rebuilt. The entire stone frame is still more or less intact. Other cathedrals have been restored: some, with far worse damage (and some even from scratch). The most precious […]

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Three Popes (One a Saint) Called Abortion “Murder”

. . . But There is a Particular Time and Place for Such Language My friend, Rebecca Bratten Weiss, co-founder of the New Pro-Life Movement, has written: Unfortunately, just as there is a genuine anti-life attitude on the part of some abortion proponents . . . the readiness to ignore questions of culpability and cry […]

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16th-17th Century Astronomers Loved Astrology (Part Two)

Copernicus, Tycho, Galileo, and Kepler [see Part One] [Astronomers’ names in the section titles below are linked to Wikipedia articles]***Bruce Scofield, an astrologer, writes in his paper, Were They Astrologers? — Big League Scientists and Astrology: As recently as 300 years ago, many astronomers knew a good deal about astrology. Four hundred years ago many astronomers practiced astrology. […]

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Protestant “Reformer” Martin Bucer: Death for Adulterers!

John 8:3-11 (RSV) The scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in adultery, and placing her in the midst [4] they said to him, “Teacher, this woman has been caught in the act of adultery. [5] Now in the law Moses commanded us to stone such. What do you say about […]

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Atheist Eloquently & Admirably Denounces Anti-Theism

Martin Hughes wrote an article entitled, “I’m an atheist, but here’s why I define myself by what I love” (Patheos, Barrier Breaker blog, 4-6-19). There is much in it that I enthusiastically agree with, His words will be in blue. ***** It’s difficult to be part of a group whose entire existence is based on […]

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Importance & Influence of Blessed Cardinal Newman

Blessed [soon-to-be-saint] John Henry Cardinal Newman (1801-1890) was a (if not the) leading figure in the Church of England prior to his conversion to Catholicism in 1845; a scholar at Oxford who possessed brilliant speaking and writing abilities. His Parochial and Plain Sermons (1834-42), are considered by many the best sermons in the English language, and had “a […]

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The “High”, Glorious Mariology of Cardinal Newman

The following is a Foreword that my friend, Ryan Grant asked me to write for a new edition of the 1928 volume, The Mariology of Cardinal Newman, by Rev. Francis J. Friedel. ***** Blessed [soon-to-be-Saint] John Henry Cardinal Newman held to a very high Mariology even before he was received into the Catholic Church in 1845, at […]

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“Moderate” Heinrich Bullinger: “Reformation” Anti-Catholicism

Heinrich Bullinger (1504-1575) succeeded Zwingli as chief pastor of Zurich, Switzerland, and is widely regarded as the most moderate and tolerant of all the Protestant Founders. He was the author of the Second Helvetic Confession of 1566, and was an aide to Queen Elizabeth of England. Bullinger was also assuredly an anti-Catholic, as were all […]

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Perpetual Virginity of Mary: Held by All Protestant Reformers

All of the early Protestant Founders accepted the truth of the perpetual virginity of Mary. How could this be, if it is merely “tradition” with no scriptural basis? Why was its supposed violation of Scripture not so obvious to them, as it is to the Protestants of the last 150 years or so (since the onset […]

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Turretin & Bullinger Accepted Mary’s Perpetual Virginity

Wikipedia states about Heinrich Bullinger (1504-1575):  “Swiss reformer, the successor of Huldrych Zwingli as head of the Zürich church . . . A much less controversial figure than John Calvin or Martin Luther, his importance has long been underestimated; recent research shows that he was one of the most influential theologians of the Protestant Reformation in the 16th century.” One source of his views in this […]

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Dialogue w Agnostic: Relativist vs. Absolute Morality

Words of the late Dr. Jan Schreurs will be in blue. I have edited out about 30% of the original exchange, which came out to almost 26,000 words, and suffered from many digressions that would have tired out any but the most insistent and/or interested reader. It’s still almost 18,000 words. ***** I. The Inquisition […]

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How To Pray Together as A Family

When you’re praying as a family, is it better to use the formal prayers of the church–like the rosary, traditional Grace-at-Meals, or a chaplet—or more conversational prayer? We say, “Why not both?”  It isn’t that one type of prayer is better than another type.  It’s that they serve different purposes in our spiritual lives. In […]

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“We Are What We Eat”: Atheist Belief & Surroundings

I recently made this broad point in two different papers about atheism, so I thought I would make a paper of it, to be able to use for future reference; then I had an interaction today about it with an atheist, “ButILikeCaves” (his words in blue below). ***** I do not blame nor scorn [Christians]: […]

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Secularism & the Destruction of America Since 1965

Secularism has almost wrecked the country and most of the traditions we have held dear these past 240 years and before. The real driver of the decline is the Sexual Revolution. 1965 can be seen as the year (if we were to choose one) when all the wheels were truly put into motion: 1) The […]

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Why We Should Fully Expect Many “Bible Difficulties”

An atheist mentioned Gleason Archer’s Encyclopedia of Bible Difficulties and commented, “How could God’s word have ‘difficulties?’ What on earth was difficult about God’s revelation to mankind [?]. I mean, he’s God, right?” ***** This is shallow, unreflective thinking. I can think of a number of sound, logical reasons why such a book would exist: 1. […]

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Reply to Flimsy Atheist Biblical “Exegesis” #145,298

Atheist “Sporkfighter” was responding underneath my blog article, “The Nature & Function of Prayer: Reply to Two Atheists” (3-22-19). His words will be in blue. ***** [Me] He urges us to pray in order to involve us in His actions. That’s how He likes it to be. How could you possibly know what God wants? […]

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In Defense of Apologetics & Theology, & Thinking About Both

This was an exchange underneath my article, “Does God Punish to the Fourth Generation?” (National Catholic Register, 10-1-18). My critic’s words will be in blue. ***** This raises several questions. First, how does this translate into the concept of original sin? All generations were tainted by Adam and Eve’s decision. Their evil choice went way […]

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Reflections on the Most Influential Books in My Life

Mere Christianity, C. S. Lewis (1952) [available to read online] Lewis is my favorite writer. I read this in the late 70s, before I seriously started my own apologetic writing and evangelism. It has influenced so many. The role it played in my own life was to give me a simple but thoughtful introduction to […]

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“Unplanned”: Realistic Portrayal of Abortion Advocates & Opponents

I saw Unplanned last night and thought it was well-done. What was particularly realistic and praiseworthy, was how it dramatized good and bad on both sides, and (most importantly) good and bad within individuals, which is how people really are. Solzhenitsyn insightfully remarked that the line of good and evil runs through each human heart. […]

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Salvation and Justification in the Gospels and Acts

From my book, A Biblical Defense of Catholicism (completed in 1996, published by Sophia Institute Press in 2003; pp. 32-39). ***** Matthew 5:20 (RSV): “For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of Heaven.” Our Lord here shows us that it is necessary not only […]

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St. Paul on Justification, Sanctification, & Salvation

From my book, A Biblical Defense of Catholicism (completed in 1996, published by Sophia Institute Press in 2003; pp. 39-50, minus a lengthy citation of Al Kresta). ***** 1 Corinthians 6:11 (RSV): “And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus […]

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Saints Are Closely Observing Us (“Cloud of Witnesses”)

From my book, The Catholic Verses (Sophia Institute Press, 2004, pp. 135-138). ***** Hebrews 12:1: “Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us.” Catholics believe that the […]

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The Imitation of St. Paul & the Veneration of Saints

From my book, The Catholic Verses (Sophia Institute Press, 2004, pp. 133-135). ***** 1 Corinthians 4:16 (RSV): “I urge you, then, be imitators of me.” [cf. 11:1] Philippians 3:17: “Brethren, join in imitating me, and mark those who so live as you have an example in us.” [cf. 4:8-9] 2 Thessalonians 3:7-9: “For you yourselves know how […]

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To Cohabitate, or Not to Cohabitate. That is The Question

Celebrity couples live together, regular couples live together, if everyone’s cohabiting, that means there has to be some benefit to it, right? Not so fast… A new study published by the Institute for Family Studies found that cohabitation is rapidly becoming more popular than marriage, even “shotgun cohabitations” are statically more common than “shotgun marriages.” […]

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Dialogue: Does Personhood Begin at Conception?

… Includes Extensive Discussion on the “Hard Case” of Pregnancy by Rape Sogn Mill-Scout’s words will be in blue. He is a Christian. I have edited and shortened the original exchange by about one-third. It was originally 18,700+ words. Sogn actually changed his opinion, away from “pro-choice” (about halfway through the dialogue), to pro-life with exceptions […]

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Papal Ring-Kissing, Gossip, & Pharisaical Nitpicking

Luke 11:42 (RSV) “But woe to you Pharisees! for you tithe mint and rue and every herb, and neglect justice and the love of God; these you ought to have done, without neglecting the others.” Matthew 23:24  “You blind guides, straining out a gnat and swallowing a camel!” The latest tempest-in-a-teapot with regard to opposition to […]

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Are Trump & His Supporters Nuts & Evil? (vs. Mark Shea)

All of this Trump-bashing and Trump-hatred is expressly against scriptural admonitions. St. Paul and St. Peter both stated that we should honor and obey the emperor and the government. At the time, that was the pagan Roman Empire, that was killing Christians, and Emperor Nero. If we wanna talk about someone who was truly mad […]

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Typical Deconversion Story: False Dilemmas & Incoherence

I have long noted as regards deconversion stories from Christian to atheist, that, very often, these accounts of an exodus out of Christianity have the following characteristics: 1) an initial fundamentalist belief, which is thought to be the sum total of Christianity (as if there are no other more thoughtful and nuanced species of it). […]

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St. Paul on Profaning the Body and Blood of Jesus

From my book, The Catholic Verses (Sophia Institute Press, 2004, pp. 124-126). ***** 1 Corinthians 11:27-30: “Whoever, therefore, eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of profaning the body and blood of the Lord. Let a man examine himself, and so eat of the bread and drink of […]

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St. Paul on Falling Away from Grace and Salvation

From my book, The Catholic Verses (Sophia Institute Press, 2004, pp. 79-83). ***** 1 Corinthians 9:27 (RSV): “I pommel my body and subdue it, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.” 1 Corinthians 10:12: “Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall.” Galatians 5:1: “For freedom Christ has set […]

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Binding, Authoritative Tradition According to St. Paul

From my book, The Catholic Verses (Sophia Institute Press, 2004, pp. 37-40). ***** 1 Corinthians 11:2 (RSV): “I commend you because you remember me in everything and maintain the traditions even as I have delivered them to you.” 1 Thessalonians 2:13: “And we also thank God constantly for this, that when you received the word […]

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Dialogue on C. S. Lewis’ “Trilemma” (Jesus’ Claims)

Background: C. S. Lewis argued in Mere Christianity (also later used to good effect by Josh McDowell) that — given Jesus’ claims — He could only reasonably be regarded as a Lord, Liar, or Lunatic. Our friend is trying to logically get out of the “Trilemma.” His words will be in blue. * * * * […]

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The Church Opposes Homosexual Acts, Not Homosexuals

A Catholic psychologist wrote: I think that, over the next 100 years or so, a lot of self-righteous people and self-righteous organizations (read religions) are going to be eating their words regarding homosexuality. This could develop into another proof that our energies should be spent on spreading the Gospel and not negative commentary on things […]

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Martin Luther as Initial Cause of Protestant In-Fighting

Martin Luther always failed to see how his own radically new (“here I stand, no matter what Church and tradition [and, I would add, Bible] say”) sola Sciptura principles led to the rapidly proliferating sectarianism that he utterly despised and detested. For example, Thomas Müntzer, Markus Stübner, and Nicholas Storck: leaders of the Anabaptist sect, […]

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“Faith Alone”?: Quick & Decisive Biblical Refutation

Acts 16:30-31 (RSV) and brought them out and said, “Men, what must I do to be saved?” [31] And they said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.” But of course, Jesus explains what it means to “believe” in Him: John 14:12 Truly, truly, I say to you, […]

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How to Cultivate Meaningful Family Prayer

Praying together as a family—at all—can seem intimidating. Life is busy, and because of this, most families are happy just to make prayer happen, much less make it meaningful.  But there’s good news! You don’t have to be a saint or have perfect kids to have an awesome family prayer time. So how do we […]

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Could God POSSIBLY Use Trump, Like Queen Esther?

. . . and Like He Used Balaam’s Ass, Jonah’s Whale, King Cyrus, and the Babylonian Heathen King, Nebuchadnezzar (Not to Mention Adulterous Murderer, David)? From a Jewish news source: On Thursday, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo told a Christian television network that it’s “possible” that God sent President Trump to save the Jews — just […]

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The Nature & Function of Prayer: Reply to Two Atheists

The words of my two atheist friends will be in blue and green. ***** Why does Jesus say that we will get whatever we ask in prayer, as we obviously don’t? Because prayer is conditional upon being consistent with God’s will. So if we pray (to use an extreme example) for a difficult neighbor to […]

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Catholic Conversion: Some Silly Protestant “Analyses”

We converts to Catholicism are often told that we didn’t understand Protestantism before we left it (and that was, of course, supposedly why we left — we were dupes of Rome and her nefarious, deceitful apologists because we were so stupid in the first place). In most conversion stories to Catholicism that I have seen, this […]

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A Brief Introduction to the Development of Doctrine

Development of Doctrine Development is how Catholics try to explain away their doctrinal novelties Christian doctrine was given once and for all, completely developed, by Jesus Christ Initial reply Development of doctrine is common to all kinds of Christians; it happened in history with regard to doctrines agreed upon by all, and it is also […]

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It Ain’t About Kumbaya, But About Mindless Naivete

Catholic writer Mark Shea has recently written two posts (one / two) having to do with the beautiful African-American folk song, or spiritual, Kumbaya (which probably dates from the 1920s). His point (as usual), is to bash political conservatives, but (also as usual when he does that), he is dead-wrong and, I think, entirely misses the […]

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Ecumenical Dialogue: Protestant & Catholic Soteriology

C. Michael Patton (Th.M. Dallas Theological Seminary, 2001) started the Credo House (formally, Reclaiming the Mind Ministries) in 2006. The ministry began in a seminary classroom as Michael dreamed of ways to introduce lay-people to the same type education that he was receiving while at seminary. Michael was on pastoral staff at Stonebriar Community Church […]

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Why Conform to Orthodoxy and Sacred Tradition?

A friend of mine commented on my Facebook page (edited slightly for prudential reasons): Certainly, no blogger / writer / apologist / theologian is going to be everyone’s cup of tea, and it’s good that there is a diversity of views, backgrounds, personalities, etc. If someone is pushing forward a viewpoint that someone else views […]

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Did Miracles & Supernatural Gifts Cease in 100 AD?

From my book, The One-Minute Apologist (Sophia Institute Press, 2007), pp. 22-23. ***** The Bible teaches that “when the perfect comes, the imperfect will pass away.” Thus the Catholic Church cannot claim that its ministers today enjoy the gifts and authority that Christ gave to the Apostles. ***** THE ONE-MINUTE APOLOGIST SAYS: The idea that […]

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Seeking a Spouse & Happy Marriage? Be Friends First

I always recommend trying to be friends first when looking for a potential marriage partner. It worked great for my wife Judy and I. We were friends for seven months, then best friends for ten, then we got serious and romantic and knew we would get married. All of that supported getting to know each […]

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Are My Books Difficult to Read?: Objective Amazon Standard

+ Comparison with Other Authors I ran across this tonight in my usual scanning of the Amazon lists of bestselling books. I’ve always said that my books (and writings in general) probably require a high school education to have the most impact on a reader. Secondly, I’ve reiterated that I am trying to challenge and “stretch” […]

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Debate w Atheist on Consistent Ethical Vegetarianism

Jon Curry is a friend whom I know in person (not just online). I’ve been to his atheist meetings, and he’s been to my house twice, to deliver a talk. He’s a former evangelical Protestant and atheist. We drive each other nuts but we keep talkin’! His words will be in blue. ***** Your argument […]

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You Can’t Judge Depression By Its Cover

“They seem/seemed so happy.” “They have everything together.” “I/They don’t have any reason to complain.” Chances are you’ve said at least one of these things about someone, or maybe you’ve even said them about yourself.  Researchers are discovering a surge in this topic that many are calling “smiling depression,” or the more technical term, “atypical […]

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Omnipotent & Omniscient God & “Absolute Proof” of Same

This is part of my reply to atheist “Grimlock”: from a larger fascinating discussion. He keeps claiming that Jesus came nowhere near “proving” that He has these attributes. But I think I showed that His demands are “rationally impossible” to meet. ***** What would be a scenario in which Jesus “demonstrated” that He was omnipotent […]

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Fair Ecumenical Discussion & Catholic First Principles

I’ve touched on this question many times before, in various papers. Recently, as part of [one of] my job[s] as staff apologist and forum moderator at The Coming Home Network, I was answering a question from an evangelical Protestant. I’ll paraphrase or re-state his questions (in blue) and give my answers as in my return […]

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Dialogue w Karl Keating Re “Official” & Self-Publishing

There is the possibility (during my lifetime?) that Blessed Cardinal Newman will be canonized, so that my three quotations books will sell like hotcakes. [that has now come true: praise God! It will likely happen sometime in 2019] I always say that the golden age for Catholic apologetics was about 1997-2007. I started my website […]

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Debate on Ethical Vegetarianism, Jesus, & the Bible

This is a dialogue with the thoughtful vegetarian Sogn Mill-Scout, whose words will be in blue. I’ve abridged it from the very long original exchange, which was in three parts (one / two / three). ***** We can choose to recognize that we are all part of the vast number of sentient beings that are […]

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Reply to an Academic Snob’s Insults of My Apologetics

[Y]ou are an untrained popular Catholic apologist. . . . As far as I know you hold no graduate degrees in philosophy, theology, history or any other relevant field. Noting a fact is not an expression of personal animus. At most it is an expression of indifference. . . . [P]eople wishing a quality dialog […]

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Reply to Protestants on “Excessive” (?) Marian Devotion

[this occurred on Protestant Jerry Walls’ Facebook page (public post). His words will be in blue; those of other Protestants in various colors] OFF CENTER “Let us entrust the new year to Mary, Mother of God, so that peace and mercy may grow throughout the world.” –Tweet from Pope Francis It is further telling how […]

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Biblical Knowledge of Atheist “DagoodS” as a Christian

. . . Specifically, the Biblical (and Patristic) Teaching on Abortion “DagoodS” is a very thoughtful atheist with whom I have enjoyed many challenging dialogues (see them listed under his name on my Atheism web page). I’ve also met him in person several times. This critique of mine has to do with his deconversion from […]

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Theistic Argument from Longing or Beauty, & Einstein

I think the theist can make a strong, general appeal to beauty and aesthetics as an intrinsic part of the universe, and as necessary in their own way as breathing and brain waves. I would contend that there is a link between the beauty we perceive in the order and proportion, dramatic contrast, design, symmetry, […]

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Hallmarks of Catholic Theological Liberalism (The “Dirty Dozen”)

1. They think contraception (which all Christians before 1930 condemned as grave sin) is fine and dandy. (Note: Natural Family Planning, or NFP is essentially different from artificial contraception, and is fully supported by the Church, as I have written about several times). 2. They favor radical secularist / unisex feminism and women priests. 3. […]

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Debate: Argument from Non-Belief (ANB) (vs. Atheist)

From an atheist discussion list; uploaded with editorial permission from Steve Conifer, whose words will be in blue. The original exchange was extremely long, so I have abridged it for the sake of brevity, focus, and the patience of readers. Good philosophical discussions usually don’t have a neat and tidy ending, as complete concessions or admissions of […]

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Is Christianity Proof-Free Belief & “Ridiculous”? (vs. Atheist)

My atheist opponent’s words will be in blue. I guess it’s okay, if you read the Bible. Personally, I believe in the ability to believe. In the case of religion, I simply cannot. Anything can be said to be true without proof, but only religion requires us to do so. It’s untrue that we believe […]

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Purgatory: Exchange with a Presbyterian (Calvinist)

[The Presbyterian’s words will be in blue] Kinda sorta like when my parents promised me a spanking when we got home. But doesn’t Christ’s dealing with sin seem thorough enough? “He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of […]

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Martin Luther’s Belief in Purgatory (1517-1522, 1528)

Hell, purgatory, and heaven seem to differ as do despair, almost-despair, and the assurance of safety. (The 95 Theses, #16; 31 October 1517; translated by C. M. Jacobs, 1915) With souls in purgatory it seems necessary that horror would grow less and love increase. (Ibid., #17) I say nothing about the fire and place of […]

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Should We Ignore Atheists or Charitably Dialogue?

I wrote the following on my old blog (1-7-11), to a Christian friend who was basically saying that we should ignore atheists: I think we can be friends with atheists by stressing the many things that we still hold in common. I get along far better with them than I do with anti-Catholic Protestants (because […]

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Debate on Trump Signing Bible Covers: “Sacrilege”?

This took place with my friend, Deacon Steven D. Greydanus, on my Facebook page. His words will be in blue. Words of fellow Catholic and friend, Margie Prox Sindelar (who also disagreed with the Deacon) will be in green. ***** [I began the Facebook thread by citing the article, “Trump signed Bibles. Heresy? Many religious […]

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Dealing With Others Emotions

We all know that when someone yawns, then we start yawning too. New research shows that our emotions cause the same chain reaction.  A study out of Yale University—lead by sociologist Nicholas Christakis—documented a variety of interactions of approximately 5,000 people living in one town over the course of 32 years. When discussing the results […]

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Angel Gabriel’s “Hail” (Lk 1:28): Veneration of Mary?

I’m not a Greek scholar, but even St. Thomas Aquinas thought this argument (broadly considered) had force (as we shall see below), so I barge ahead and submit this to the reader’s consideration . . . ***** Luke 1:29 (RSV-CE) And he [the angel Gabriel] came to her and said, “Hail, full of grace, the […]

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Mini-Debate on Libertarianism and Laws About Sex

This was with Tony Jiang: a non-Christian, and took place spontaneously on my Facebook page today. His words will be in blue. ***** It’s anti-traditional secularism, sexual “freedom”, and head-in-the-sand Marxist drivel that drives the Democrat Party. Yes, because Christian fundies think controlling people’s most private affairs is freedom. Can you elaborate? I don’t know […]

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Why Not Become a Protestant, Due to the Sex Scandals?

This is a reply to the nicely provocative article, “Why No Roman Catholic Conversions to Protestant Churches?” (8-20-18). It was written by D. G. Hart, who blogs at Patheos in the Evangelical section, called Putting the “Protest” in Protestant. Hart teaches history at Hillsdale College in Michigan: a great politically and culturally conservative college, and […]

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Isaac and Abraham’s Agony: Dialogue with Agnostic

Words of the late Dr. Jan Schreurs will be in blue. ***** If you want a Biblical example, look at the story of Abraham about to kill Isaac (Gen. 22). God, of course, would not command Abraham to commit a sin. In a letter to a theologian, I entertained the following positions: (1) Child sacrifice was […]

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Secular Humanism & Christianity: Seeking Common Ground

From discussions in a forum devoted to the question of God’s existence: May 2001. Uploaded with full permission of Sue Strandberg (a very friendly,  thoughtful, and impressive person), whose words will be in blue. ***** Hi, Dave; Welcome to the list. As you can tell, the volume of mail can get heavy at times. I began last […]

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God’s Proof of Himself Via Miracles (vs. an Atheist)

Words of the friendly and civil atheist Gavin G. Young will be in blue. This took place in one of my blog comboxes. ***** Dave, are you familiar with what is called the problem of divine hiddenness? It is related to the problem of evil. Namely, if a loving personal god exists why has the god […]

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Armstrong Fan Club #3: Mary Hammond, Anti-Apologetics Oracle

Mary Hammond is a Catholic. She wrote all of the words below (save for a few on her page) on my own [public] Facebook page [see the entire unabridged discussion], in April 2017  [see also another related Facebook thread where she was active]. Her words will be in blue. ***** I put forth to you […]

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Oral vs. Written Debates About Theology: Which is Better?

Elsewhere, I have explained in great detail why I think that public oratorical debates between Catholics and anti-Catholics are unfruitful, unhelpful exercises, for many reasons. I think it is possible to overcome these pitfalls in written exchanges. My view of such public debates has remained constant for at least five years now. I refused “King […]

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Did Jesus’ “Hard Saying” (Jn 6) Make Disciples Leave?

This is an exchange with Protestant “Realist1234” (Peter) in a combox on my blog. As of writing, he still hasn’t responded to my inquiring questions, over 18 hours. If he ever does respond, I will post it here, with my counter-reply. His words will be in blue. ***** The reason why Protestants like myself do not […]

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How to Make The Most Out of Lent

Lent is upon us and many of us are still praying and thinking about what Lenten sacrifice or practice we should implement over the next forty days. Sometimes it can be difficult to know what we should do for Lent. Of course there are the popular ideas of giving up social media or giving up […]

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Veneration of Human Beings: Seven Biblical Examples

Apostles Paul and Silas, Kings David and Saul, Prophets Daniel and Samuel, Patriarch Joseph Acts 16:29-31 (RSV) And he called for lights and rushed in, and trembling with fear he fell down before [prospipto] Paul and Silas, [30] and brought them out and said, “Men, what must I do to be saved?” [31] And they […]

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Nuclear Bombing of Japan vs. Just War Ethics (Part I)

Introduction In an e-mail, I wrote (more or less “off the cuff”): As for my $00.02 on this, I think the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki was clearly immoral by just war standards, and cannot be morally justified. Pre-emption is a notion I have no trouble with, and I believe it can be synthesized with […]

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Latest Anti-Catholic Theory on Catholic Converts: Filthy Lucre

Scott Hahn and Steve Ray Supposedly Were Motivated Primarily or Solely by Financial Gain, to Become Catholics? [all material below is public Internet material] *** One “Binky Brown” [a former Catholic] writes [on the anti-Catholic CARM discussion forum] (7-10-04): “Observations About ‘Clergy Converts To Catholicism’ “ You know the people I’m talking about: Scott Hahn, […]

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Honoring Rulers: Biblical Teaching vs. Crass Political Bigotry

Does the following statement (about President Trump) align with biblical teaching? You be the judge: “Massively Ignorant Bigot and Garrulous Buffoon-in-Chief”. Now here is what I believe (as best I can ascertain) is the relevant biblical teaching on the topic of honoring and respecting political rulers: 1 Peter 2:17 (RSV) Honor all men. Love the brotherhood. […]

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Debate on the Merits of Trump’s Korean Diplomacy

This is another discussion (posted one yesterday) with my friend, Deacon Steven D. Greydanus, from my Facebook page. It came about spontaneously today, and so (as with most of my debates), I am sharing it more widely, so that others can ponder two sides of a given debate and use their own critical faculties to […]

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Debate: Antichrist Traitor Trump & Cohen’s Testiphony

Exchange with my friend, the esteemed Deacon Steven D. Greydanus, from my Facebook page. His words will be in blue. ***** “I surround myself with the best people. I know the best people.” — the president with the highest turnover rate in modern history, including five former advisers who have pleaded guilty Are you still […]

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My Conversion to Catholicism: “Five Minute Version”

I was very happy as an evangelical Protestant. I underwent a conversion to Christ in 1977 after being very nominal in my Methodist faith as a child and young teenager. I was an apologist on college campuses in the late 80s and had done a lot of street evangelism also. In the late 80s I […]

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Protestant & Catholic Holiness, Miracles, & Reform

Catholics don’t deny at all that Protestants can and do have miracles in their midst. Personally, my wife and I both feel that we were healed as Protestants, from her severe pains of scoliosis, and serious depression in my case. I noted many miracles in the Wesleyan revivals, as I was compiling my book of […]

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“Why Convince Protestants to Become Catholics?”

This is an exchange I had with a woman (presumably Protestant) — words in blue –, who was objecting to my dialogue on baptism (incidentally, the Protestant in that dialogue from 2002 recently became a Catholic). ***** It is important to share the fullness of Christian truth (as we Catholics believe it to be), so […]

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Suggested View on Bible Prophecy & Eschatology

1) There are many Christian views on eschatology, so that no one perspective can be very dogmatic about it, in my opinion. 2) There will be an end times and a Day of the Lord / Judgment Day at some point in history (we know that), and it could possibly be soon. 3) But as […]

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Our Prayers and Souls Ending Up in Heaven or Hell

Everyone who goes to hell has had every chance to repent. God gives grace enough to all for them to repent, but some (many, apparently) choose not to. It’s their fault in the end. Prayer and penance and love assuredly help them along the road, but ultimately each individual decides and each stands before God, […]

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Bible on Bodily Mortification for the Sake of Others

The well-known Protestant reference work, New Bible Dictionary (edited by J. D. Douglas, Grand Rapids, Michigan: Wm. B. Eerdmans Pub. Co., 1962, “Sackcloth,” p. 1112), describes biblical sackcloth: A coarse cloth . . . usually made of goat’s hair . . . Sackcloth was worn as a sign of mourning for the dead . . . […]

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Radically Unbiblical Protestant “Quest for Uncertainty”

Far too many Protestants make such a big stinking deal about how Catholics like to have “certainty” and how silly and foolish — almost “infantile” — that supposedly is (as if it were some foreign concept in Scripture). It’s not at all! One anti-Catholic tonight even ridiculously compared this to being nearly mentally ill, or […]

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Catholic “Both/And” vs. Protestant “Either/Or” Dichotomies

This topic is tough to concisely explain, as with all “large and lumpy” issues or inquiries. In a nutshell, I would say that there are big differences in the two approaches to Christianity and the Christian life. Bear in mind, first of all, that whenever one is talking about “Protestantism,” one must necessarily generalize, and […]

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The Revised Fundamentalist Baptist Version (RFBV)

Bishop “Dr.” [???] James White had fun on his blog (5-18-04), with his “New Reformed Catholic Translation” (NRCT), directed towards his fellow Reformed Protestants who don’t follow his anti-Catholic line and unbiblical antipathy to sacramentalism and Church history. As a lover of satire myself, I could hardly resist presenting bits of a new translation I […]

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Exclusive Empirical Epistemology?: Dialogue w Atheist

“Explicit_Atheist” came onto my blog, commenting underneath my article, Miracles, Materialism, & Premises: Dialogue w Atheist. I replied. His words will be in blue. ***** Empiricism is grounded in the historical record of success versus failure. Science relies on empirical methods because they are the only methods that have been successful. I didn’t claim that this […]

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Dialogue: Bad Fathers as a Prime Cause of Atheism

with Deacon Steven D. Greydanus (words in blue) [sarcastic]  Teach your children that all atheists are atheists because they hate God and Christians and besides they had a bad relationship with their father. The bad father —> atheist argument cannot be dismissed so easily, as there is a lot of historical evidence for it, that I […]

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Atheist Desire for Amazing Divine Miracles / Incorruptibles

This exchange occurred with my (former evangelical) atheist friend Jon Curry, in a Facebook combox for my post, Atheists, Miracles, & the Problem of Evil: Contradictions. His words will be in blue. ***** I wouldn’t say miracles are contrary to science. Science is just a method by which we evaluate hypotheses. No miracle has yet been […]

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Dialogue: Does the Bible Teach Limited Atonement?

“SolusChristus”: a Calvinist, responded underneath my blog article, 25 Biblical Passages Against Limited Atonement. His words will be in blue. ***** Many of these are not even support for universal atonement, but actually support Monergism (or Calvinism) such as the first one Luke 19:10 Christ has come to seek and save that which is lost. […]

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Atheist Demands for a Miracle to “Prove” God (Dialogue)

This is a discussion with Gavin G. Young, who recently wrote of himself:  “I am an ex-Christian. I am now an atheist and scientific naturalist and in most respects I am also now a secular humanist.” It originated in the blog combox of my paper, Atheists, Miracles, & the Problem of Evil: Contradictions. ***** When atheists […]

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Miracles & Scientific Method: Dialogue with Atheist

“Anthrotheist” (words in blue below) responded to my paper, Miracles, Materialism, & Premises: Dialogue w Atheist. This continues our discussion. He has been perfectly congenial and a worthy dialogue partner for at least eight months now. ***** It occurs to me, after taking some time to think about your responses, that I had missed a critical […]

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Contraception, Natural Law, & the Analogy to Nutrition

This reply to atheist Anthrotheist took place in the combox of my post, Miracles, Materialism, & Premises: Dialogue w Atheist. His words will be in blue. I collected four examples of my use of this analogy in past writings of mine (along with another observation by my friend, Al Kresta). There is considerable repetition, but we […]

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Catholic Sex Scandal & Homosexuality: Reply to Atheist

This is an exchange with my frequent atheist debating partner, Anthrotheist. It began in the posted dialogue, Miracles, Materialism, & Premises: Dialogue w Atheist, and I will reproduce the relevant end portion of that here. Then it continued in the combox. His words will be in blue. ***** One example that I have noticed is how […]

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Atheists, Miracles, & the Problem of Evil: Contradictions

If God were to prevent every instance of suffering, He would have to eliminate (it seems to me) both 1) human free will and 2) the laws of science. The first would turn us into robots, which is hardly a desirable outcome. The second would lead to chaos and an inability to do science. This […]

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Miracles, Materialism, & Premises: Dialogue w Atheist

“Anthrotheist” responded to my paper, Scripture, Science, Genesis, & Evolutionary Theory: Mini-Dialogue with an Atheist, which was a discussion with him. He has been perfectly congenial and a worthy dialogue partner for at least eight months now (I have seven dialogues with him posted on my Atheism page): thus proving that atheist-Christian dialogue is entirely possible, if […]

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Ridiculously Politicized and Preachy Awards Shows

I refuse to watch any awards shows at all; I haven’t for years now. And I don’t because it is an insult to my intelligence. I’m not there to hear some actor’s political views, but to see excellence in the arts rewarded. I already know 98% of ’em are liberal clones and groupthinkers. I don’t need […]

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Compassionate Liberals & the “Little” & “Littlest” Guys

In my opinion, liberalism ceased to be liberalism (in the very best sense of that term), when it ceased being for the “littlest guy” (i.e.the preborn child). I coined a saying many years ago: “the liberalism of death is the death of liberalism.” In the last election cycle, we also saw the increased irony and […]

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Scripture, Science, Genesis, & Evolutionary Theory

Mini-Dialogue with an Atheist ***** This is from my analysis of the deconversion story (i.e., from Christianity to atheism) of “Anthrotheist”: a very pleasant, enjoyable dialogue. I have slightly revised it and added many links. His words will be in blue. ***** I honestly didn’t ever intend to claim that the Bible was meant to […]

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“Faith Alone” & Salvation: Dialogue w Lutheran Pastor

This exchange came about in a Facebook discussion of my blog article, Faith & Works: Oil & Water or Two Sides of a Coin? Rev Ken Howes (Missouri Synod) is a friend of mine. We have engaged in several enjoyable and constructive dialogues and have great respect for each other. I would contend that such friendship […]

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How To Get Your Feelings Heard And Your Needs Met

“Hi! How are you?”, “I’m fine…” End of conversation. This type of exchange is very common, but has become entirely ineffective when it comes to actually getting to know and understand how someone is feeling. The greeting, “How are you?” has essentially become a closed ended (yes or no) question and leaves it entirely up […]

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Purgatory: My Biblical Defense of its Doctrinal Development

[drawn from various articles and books of mine, as a summary] ***** The bulk of Newman’s extraordinary work is devoted to the exposition of a series of analogies, showing conclusively that the Protestant static conception of the Church (both historically and theologically) is incoherent and false. He argues, for example, that notions of suffering, or […]

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https://www.patheos.com/blogs/davearmstrong/2019/02/purgatory-my-biblical-defense-of-its-doctrinal-development.html

C. S. Lewis on Inevitable Development of Doctrine

What did the early Christians believe? Did they believe that God really has a material palace in the sky and that He received His Son in a decorated state chair placed a little to the right of His own? — or did they not? The answer is that the alternative we are offering them was […]

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https://www.patheos.com/blogs/davearmstrong/2019/02/c-s-lewis-on-inevitable-development-of-doctrine.html

Apologetics Apostolates, Journalism, & the Internet

[purchase my apologetics notes only, from this bestselling work, for only $2.99] ***** This is a response to a tag in an article written by Catholic journalist Jay McNally. It had to do with the early Internet, and how journalists have fared in the Internet Age. Jay seems to imply that I am a journalist, […]

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https://www.patheos.com/blogs/davearmstrong/2019/02/apologetics-apostolates-journalism-the-internet.html

The Trials, Tribulations, & Joys of Being an Apologist

Jose Molina (words in blue) asked: Dave, can I ask you a question? How are you able to do what you do? By God’s grace! “God is at work in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure” (Philippians 2:13). I love this work, because God put that desire in me. This […]

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https://www.patheos.com/blogs/davearmstrong/2019/02/the-trials-tribulations-joys-of-being-an-apologist.html

Faith & Works: Oil & Water or Two Sides of a Coin?

This is from my book, The Catholic Verses (Sophia Institute Press, 2004, pp. 63-68). ***** James 2:24:“You see that a man is justified by works and not by faith alone” (cf. 1:22, 2:14, 17, 20, 22, 26). Catholics believe in an organic relationship between faith and works. Far from being intractably opposed to one another, […]

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https://www.patheos.com/blogs/davearmstrong/2019/02/faith-works-oil-water-or-two-sides-of-a-coin.html

Sex, Lies, & Videotape (“Discussion” w Angry Atheist)

This took place in the combox of my blog post, “Catholic Sex & Heterodoxy Scandals: Long-Term Causes.” I believe “HematitePersuasion” is an atheist; at any rate not a Christian. His (her?) words will be in blue. *** Do you believe, then, that the various abuses with then RCC are a modern phenomena? That this sort […]

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https://www.patheos.com/blogs/davearmstrong/2019/02/sex-lies-videotape-discussion-w-angry-atheist.html

Is Catholicism Half-Pagan, & a Blend of Gospel & Lies?

[the following is from my book, The One-Minute Apologist (Sophia Institute Press, 2007; available for as low as $2.99 in several e-book formats] ***** How could true Christianity pollute the teachings of Jesus with pagan images, rituals, and ideas? THE ONE-MINUTE APOLOGIST SAYS: Truth is truth wherever it is found. The Catholic Church, following St. Paul’s example, […]

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https://www.patheos.com/blogs/davearmstrong/2019/02/is-catholicism-half-pagan-a-blend-of-gospel-lies.html

Is the Bible in Fact Clear, or “Perspicuous” to Every Individual?

[the following is from my book, The One-Minute Apologist (Sophia Institute Press, 2007; available for as low as $2.99 in several e-book formats] ***** The individual with his Bible has all that’s necessary to be saved. He doesn’t need a church or “tradition.” THE ONE-MINUTE APOLOGIST SAYS: The Bible does not teach this doctrine. And […]

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https://www.patheos.com/blogs/davearmstrong/2019/02/is-the-bible-in-fact-clear-or-perspicuous-to-every-individual.html

Why Is the Catholic Church Singularly Despised & Hated?

A Presbyterian woman commented on the Coming Home Network forum (her words will be in blue, and those of a second in green): Why is the Catholic Church the subject of such hatred from other Christians? I’ve noticed that except for the hard-core fundamentalists who suspect (and shun) anyone outside their own congregations, most Christians […]

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https://www.patheos.com/blogs/davearmstrong/2019/02/why-is-the-catholic-church-singularly-despised-hated.html

How to Determine the Identity of the One True Church

“BWL” attends a Lutheran church. His words will be in blue. * * * * * The argument you are making is that sola Scriptura doesn’t work because of the divisions among those who claim to adhere to it and the absence of any way (and especially any authority) to end said divisions. But churches […]

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https://www.patheos.com/blogs/davearmstrong/2019/02/how-to-determine-the-identity-of-the-one-true-church.html

Catholic Sex & Heterodoxy Scandals: Long-Term Causes

A lot more people than just Pope Francis are implicated in lack of action to stop these scandals, and I dare say that that includes the four previous popes as well (saints or no). I think a good case can be made now that the traditionalist (not wacko reactionary) complaint that too little was and […]

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https://www.patheos.com/blogs/davearmstrong/2019/02/catholic-sex-heterodoxy-scandals-long-term-causes.html

Right & Wrong, Legalism & License (Dancing as Example)

The following came about on the Coming Home Network board, which I moderated from 2007-2010, as a result of my answering queries. The first instance (where someone asked about the propriety of attending Stravinsky’s ballet, The Rite of Spring) was private, but the second public, so I can ethically include the other person’s arguments there […]

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https://www.patheos.com/blogs/davearmstrong/2019/02/right-wrong-legalism-license-dancing-as-example.html

On Drug Addicts and Unfortunate Enabling Behavior

[from Facebook comments: originally stimulated by singer Amy Winehouse’ death; slightly modified and revised presently] *** If we know a loved one who is addicted to (or is a “victim” of) substance abuse, it’s our responsibility to exercise tough love and to not be enablers. It’s very difficult and uncomfortable, but we have to do […]

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https://www.patheos.com/blogs/davearmstrong/2019/02/on-drug-addicts-and-unfortunate-enabling-behavior.html

How to Build Sustainable Happiness in Our Every Day Lives

We live in a busy world. Our daily schedules are hectic enough, and with the currently popular push to prioritize self-care, it can often feel as though our own happiness is just another thing we have to schedule onto our to-do lists.  But it shouldn’t be this way! So how do we find happiness in […]

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https://www.patheos.com/blogs/faithonthecouch/2019/02/how-to-build-sustainable-happiness-in-our-every-day-lives/

55 Critiques of John Calvin: Introduction & Master List

These replies are more in-depth than what was eventually compiled in my book, Biblical Catholic Answers for John Calvin. I literally responded line-by-line to almost all of Book IV of John Calvin’s Institutes of the Christian Religion, which runs about 500 pages. The original series was completed in 2009, for Calvin’s 500th birthday. I have […]

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https://www.patheos.com/blogs/davearmstrong/2019/02/55-critiques-of-john-calvin-introduction-master-list.html

Dialogue on Conservative vs. Liberal Pro-Life Voting

Nathaniel Sperling is a good Facebook friend, with whom I always have cordial and constructive dialogues. He calls himself a “progressive conservative” on his Facebook page, and I think he would also self-identify as a democratic socialist. He’s a Bernie Sanders supporter and a pro-life Catholic. That makes for a good opportunity to discuss informed, […]

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https://www.patheos.com/blogs/davearmstrong/2019/02/dialogue-on-conservative-vs-liberal-pro-life-voting.html

Sacrament of Matrimony: Bible & Fathers (vs. Calvin #55)

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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https://www.patheos.com/blogs/davearmstrong/2019/02/sacrament-of-matrimony-bible-fathers-vs-calvin-55.html

Tonsure, Holy Oil, and “Judaizing”? (vs. Calvin #54)

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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https://www.patheos.com/blogs/davearmstrong/2019/02/tonsure-holy-oil-and-judaizing-vs-calvin-54.html

Unbiblical Antipathy to Miracles & Exorcism (vs. Calvin #53)

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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https://www.patheos.com/blogs/davearmstrong/2019/02/unbiblical-antipathy-to-miracles-exorcism-vs-calvin-53.html

Sacrament of Anointing: Yay or Nay? (vs. Calvin #52)

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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https://www.patheos.com/blogs/davearmstrong/2019/02/sacrament-of-anointing-yay-or-nay-vs-calvin-52.html

Sacrament of Penance: Man-Made Tradition? (vs. Calvin #51)

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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https://www.patheos.com/blogs/davearmstrong/2019/02/sacrament-of-penance-man-made-tradition-vs-calvin-51.html

Confirmation in the Bible & the Fathers (vs. Calvin #50)

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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https://www.patheos.com/blogs/davearmstrong/2019/02/confirmation-in-the-bible-the-fathers-vs-calvin-50.html

Sacrifice of the Mass and NT Altars (vs. Calvin #49)

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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https://www.patheos.com/blogs/davearmstrong/2019/02/sacrifice-of-the-mass-and-nt-altars-vs-calvin-49.html

Eucharist: Radical Symbolism & Docetism (vs. Calvin #48)

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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https://www.patheos.com/blogs/davearmstrong/2019/02/eucharist-radical-symbolism-docetism-vs-calvin-48.html

Eucharistic Adoration: Idolatry or Biblical? (vs. Calvin #47)

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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https://www.patheos.com/blogs/davearmstrong/2019/02/eucharistic-adoration-idolatry-or-biblical-vs-calvin-47.html

How To Make Our Anger Result in Action

There are lots of things for us to be angry about, but new research shows we often don’t do anything about it. A new study out of Carnegie Mellon University reveals that we typically become angry about two types of injustices. First, when a bad thing happens to a good person and second when a […]

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https://www.patheos.com/blogs/faithonthecouch/2019/02/how-we-can-make-our-anger-result-in-action/

Eucharist: Incoherent “Spiritual Presence” (vs. Calvin #46)

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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https://www.patheos.com/blogs/davearmstrong/2019/02/eucharist-incoherent-spiritual-presence-vs-calvin-46.html

Bizarre “Eucharistic Christology” vs. Tertullian (vs. Calvin #45)

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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https://www.patheos.com/blogs/davearmstrong/2019/02/bizarre-eucharistic-christology-vs-tertullian-vs-calvin-45.html

Eucharist: Rationalism, Nestorianism, & Docetism (vs. Calvin #44)

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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https://www.patheos.com/blogs/davearmstrong/2019/02/eucharist-rationalism-nestorianism-docetism-vs-calvin-44.html

Eucharist: Ubiquity, Signs, Lutheranism, Etc. (vs. Calvin #43)

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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https://www.patheos.com/blogs/davearmstrong/2019/02/eucharist-ubiquity-signs-lutheranism-etc-vs-calvin-43.html

Transubstantiation: Bible & the Fathers (vs. Calvin #42)

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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https://www.patheos.com/blogs/davearmstrong/2019/02/transubstantiation-bible-the-fathers-vs-calvin-42.html

Eucharistic Adoration: Explicit & Undeniable Biblical Analogies

What are the essential elements of eucharistic adoration? Well, it is worshiping God, Who is thought to be extraordinarily present in created matter (what was formerly bread and wine). It involves God and His creation: worship of God present in and through His creation. That sums it up. Now, can a similar thing be found […]

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https://www.patheos.com/blogs/davearmstrong/2019/02/eucharistic-adoration-explicit-undeniable-biblical-analogies.html

Border Laws & a “Homeless Jesus”: Reply to Henry Karlson

Mutually respectful discussion between those of differing political views is so rare today. This is particularly true with regard to the issue of illegal immigration, border laws, and whether or not we need to build more miles of wall on the Mexican border. I shall try once again to engage in dialogue on the broad […]

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https://www.patheos.com/blogs/davearmstrong/2019/01/border-laws-a-homeless-jesus-reply-to-henry-karlson.html

Eucharist: Physical, Symbolic, or “Mystical”? (vs. Calvin #41)

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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https://www.patheos.com/blogs/davearmstrong/2019/01/eucharist-physical-symbolic-or-mystical-vs-calvin-41.html

Original Sin, Imputation, & Baptism (vs. Calvin #40)

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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https://www.patheos.com/blogs/davearmstrong/2019/01/original-sin-imputation-baptism-vs-calvin-40.html

Baptism, Regeneration, Assurance? of Salvation (vs. Calvin #39)

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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https://www.patheos.com/blogs/davearmstrong/2019/01/baptism-regeneration-assurance-of-salvation-vs-calvin-39.html

Radically Anti-Traditional Sacramentalism (vs. Calvin #38)

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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https://www.patheos.com/blogs/davearmstrong/2019/01/radically-anti-traditional-sacramentalism-vs-calvin-38.html

Sacramentalism & “Ex Opere Operato” (vs. Calvin #37)

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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https://www.patheos.com/blogs/davearmstrong/2019/01/sacramentism-ex-opere-operato-vs-calvin-37.html

Cuomo Scandal: Excommunication Isn’t Only Way To Demand Justice

Like so many of my fellow Catholics, I have been truly sickened by the NY Legislature’s passage of the law allowing abortion up to birth.  Worse, the blood lust is spreading as other states either are passing or considering similar legislation. In light of the NY law’s passage, most of the public conversation has focused […]

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https://www.patheos.com/blogs/faithonthecouch/2019/01/cuomo-scandal-excommunication-isnt-only-way-to-demand-justice/

Sacraments & the Church Fathers (vs. Calvin #36)

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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https://www.patheos.com/blogs/davearmstrong/2019/01/sacraments-the-church-fathers-vs-calvin-36.html

Merit & Human Cooperation with God (vs. Calvin #35)

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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https://www.patheos.com/blogs/davearmstrong/2019/01/merit-human-cooperation-with-god-vs-calvin-35.html

Sacraments: Bible & Church Fathers (vs. Calvin #34)

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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https://www.patheos.com/blogs/davearmstrong/2019/01/sacraments-bible-church-fathers-vs-calvin-34.html

Catholic Humanitarian Case for a Mexican Border Wall

The compassionate humanitarian (and Catholic) argument for border enforcement, including a wall if necessary, is not at all based on some imagined hostility to Mexicans and people from Central America. It is out of deep concern for them, too. For example, According to a 2016 United Nations article: Criminal groups in Mexico kidnap more than 20,000 migrants […]

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https://www.patheos.com/blogs/davearmstrong/2019/01/catholic-humanitarian-case-for-a-mexican-border-wall.html

Does Our Parenting Style Influence Our Child’s Empathy?

Parenting styles can come in many different shapes and sizes, but does how much warmth we show towards our children influence their ability to develop empathy and a positive moral compass? A new study published in the Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry evaluated the small differences in parenting practices among […]

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https://www.patheos.com/blogs/faithonthecouch/2019/01/does-our-parenting-style-influence-our-childs-empathy/

Evangelical Counsels & Monasticism (vs. Calvin #33)

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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https://www.patheos.com/blogs/davearmstrong/2019/01/evangelical-counsels-monasticism-vs-calvin-33.html

Unbiblical Opposition to Priest’s Vows (vs. Calvin #32)

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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Unbiblical Rejection of Priestly Celibacy (vs. Calvin #31)

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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https://www.patheos.com/blogs/davearmstrong/2019/01/unbiblical-rejection-of-priestly-celibacy-vs-calvin-31.html

Lent: Unbiblical & Irrational Antipathy (vs. Calvin #30)

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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https://www.patheos.com/blogs/davearmstrong/2019/01/lent-unbiblical-irrational-antipathy-vs-calvin-30.html

Unbiblical Antipathy to Holy Water (vs. Calvin #29)

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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https://www.patheos.com/blogs/davearmstrong/2019/01/unbiblical-antipathy-to-holy-water-vs-calvin-29.html

Takeaways from Covington “Bigots” Media Frenzy & Fiasco

Random thoughts from several Facebook threads . . . Someone said that the Covington / March for Life story ought to go away soon. The people who have made fools of themselves — including many Catholics — condemning the Covington students (many of whom, but not all, have retracted) are quite happy to see it go […]

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https://www.patheos.com/blogs/davearmstrong/2019/01/takeaways-from-covington-bigots-media-frenzy-fiasco.html

Catholic Authority and Conscience (vs. Calvin #28)

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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https://www.patheos.com/blogs/davearmstrong/2019/01/catholic-authority-and-conscience-vs-calvin-28.html

Tradition, Church, & the Rule of Faith (vs. Calvin #27)

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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https://www.patheos.com/blogs/davearmstrong/2019/01/tradition-church-the-rule-of-faith-vs-calvin-27.html

Historic Gathering Seeks Renewal of Catholic Family Life

The Catholic Family Life Symposium Helps Families Find Time for Christ Major conference with 30 experts at the University of Notre Dame July 19-21  will discuss the renewal of Catholic family life, Families are under more pressure than ever today. School, work, social media, drugs, materialism and other issues all challenge each member of the family […]

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https://www.patheos.com/blogs/faithonthecouch/2019/01/historic-gathering-seeks-renewal-of-catholic-family-life/

Is it “Racist” to Criticize President Obama or Any Black Person?

Equality means that a black man who is President or who holds any high office is treated exactly like anyone else: and that includes being criticized and blasted on policy and  being described accurately as a far-left liberal. Welcome to the rough-and-tumble world of politics! If someone can’t take it, he or she ought to […]

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https://www.patheos.com/blogs/davearmstrong/2019/01/is-it-racist-to-criticize-president-obama-or-any-black-person.html