Legalism Re Pope Francis & Papal Attire (Mozzetta)

July 10, 2020 By Dave Armstrong

Now we are hearing complaints that Pope Francis didn’t or doesn’t wear the papal mozzetta, which is “a short elbow-length sartorial vestment, a cape that covers the shoulders and is buttoned over the frontal breast area” (Wikipedia). The custom had already been changed by Pope John Paul the Great, as the same article notes: The winter mozzetta and the Paschal mozzetta fell into disuse during the pontificate of John Paul II (1978–2005), but their use was briefly restored by Pope Benedict XVI (2005–2013) before being discontinued… Read more

Demonic Possession or Epilepsy? (Bible & Science)

July 9, 2020 By Dave Armstrong

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Matthew 17:15, 18 (RSV) “Lord, have mercy on my son, for he is an epileptic and he suffers terribly; for often he falls into the fire, and often into the water.” . . . [18] And Jesus rebuked him, and the demon came out of him, and the boy was cured instantly. This is interesting, since it implies that epilepsy is caused by a demon, whereas we know that it has natural causes. This translation and many others (as we shall… Read more

Satan Tempting Jesus as a Proof of His Divinity

July 9, 2020 By Dave Armstrong

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Matthew 4:1-7 (RSV) Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. [2] And he fasted forty days and forty nights, and afterward he was hungry. [3] And the tempter came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.” [4] But he answered, “It is written, `Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth… Read more

Should God the Father be Visually Depicted in Paintings?

July 8, 2020 By Dave Armstrong

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Yes, as long as it is understood as “artistic license”. Literally speaking, the Bible teaches that God the Father is an invisible spirit (Col 1:15; 1 Tim 1:17). I think it is permissible to portray the “idea” of God the Father visually, just as the equally invisible Holy Spirit was portrayed (by God’s express design) as a dove at Jesus’ baptism (see Mt 3:16; Mk 1:10; Lk 3:22; Jn 1:32). Likewise, God the Father on several occasions in the Old… Read more

Cdl. Newman, Vatican I & II, & Papal Infallibility (Clarification)

July 8, 2020 By Dave Armstrong

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[see book and purchase information] St. John Henry Cardinal Newman fully accepted (indeed, was pleased with) the decree on papal infallibility, defined at Vatican I (lest anyone would try to deny this, as many Protestants erroneously attempt to do). See my paper: John Henry Newman on Papal Infallibility Prior to 1870 (Classic Anti-Catholic Lies: George Salmon, James White, David T. King et al) [8-11-11]. There seems to be a lot of misconceptions and confusion about Ultramontanism. That strain of thought did indeed seem to be… Read more

“Higher” Hapless Haranguing of Hypothetical Hittites (19th C.)

July 7, 2020 By Dave Armstrong

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This is a massive abridgment (keeping all the “meat and potatoes”) of a huge exchange with an atheist who goes by “DagoodS”: dating 10-21 January 2011. The original consisted of four parts, linked on my Atheist web page to Internet Archive (one / two / three / four). *** Ah, the irony and humor here . . . This is one of those familiar cases where — in the past — only the Bible mentioned something or other. So the… Read more

Early Christology: Development in Relation to Councils & Creeds

July 6, 2020 By Dave Armstrong

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vs. David Waltz David Waltz was a Catholic (and an apologist online) from 2002-2009. Recently he announced that he can no longer accept all Catholic teachings in good conscience, citing infallibility and development of doctrine as the areas that particularly trouble him. [I believe he has subsequently become a Mormon]. This friendly dialogue was drawn from recent combox discussions at David Waltz’s blog, Articuli Fidei. His words will be in blue. * * * * * [Rory, a Catholic friend of David’s] I am… Read more

Dispute Over the Nature of Doctrinal Development

July 6, 2020 By Dave Armstrong

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This took place on Anglican Church historian Dr. Edwin Tait’s Ithilien blog. “thoughtspot’s” words will be in blue. ***** [A]lthough I tire of making every discussion about authority, I’m not sure you can talk about development without talking about authority. I recently read a very nice scholarly book (by N. T. Wright) in which “developing” a theological doctrine was consistently contrasted with “deviating” from the earlier doctrine. And yet Wright did not (at least in that work) tell us how to distinguish between… Read more

Critique of Theologically Liberal Bible-Basher

July 5, 2020 By Dave Armstrong

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See the video by Dr. Rev. Keith Ward. Ward holds to theological liberalism, which carries over into his interpretation of the Bible. He casually assumes contradictions where (in almost all cases I have seen), two accounts are complementary and not logically contradictory. See, for example, one of many plausible syntheses of the four accounts of the Easter visits to the tomb. I just reviewed a book that was about alleged biblical contradictions, which was filled with refutations… Read more

Apologetics = Anti-Faith or Absolute “Certainty”?

July 5, 2020 By Dave Armstrong

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Or, “Does Christianity Reduce to Mere Philosophy or Rationalism?” There seems to be some erroneous — sometimes almost obsessive — thought around in certain circles (roughly speaking: liberal Catholic ones) that apologetics is supposedly about the obtaining of absolute certainty through reason alone, as if faith has little or nothing to do with it. This is flat-out absurd and is a glaring falsehood (I carefully refrained from using the word “lie” because people get all on their ear). I’ve been… Read more

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