Madison Malarkey #46: How Can Mary Verify the Virgin Birth?

Last updated on: April 10, 2021 at 7:19 pm By Dave Armstrong

Dr. David Madison is an atheist who was a Methodist minister for nine years: with a Ph.D. in Biblical Studies from Boston University. I have replied to his videos or articles 45 times as of this writing. Thus far, I haven’t heard one peep back from him (from 8-1-19 to 4-10-21). This certainly doesn’t suggest to me that he is very confident in his opinions. All I’ve seen is expressions of contempt from Dr. Madison and from his buddy, the atheist author, polemicist, and extraordinarily volatile John Loftus, who runs the ultra-insulting Debunking Christianity blog.... Read more

Madison Malarkey #45: Biblical Proverbial Language

Last updated on: April 10, 2021 at 4:11 pm By Dave Armstrong

Mark 16:17-18 and the Various Sign Miracles Dr. David Madison is an atheist who was a Methodist minister for nine years: with a Ph.D. in Biblical Studies from Boston University. I have replied to his videos or articles 44 times as of this writing. Thus far, I haven’t heard one peep back from him (from 8-1-19 to 4-9-21). This certainly doesn’t suggest to me that he is very confident in his opinions. All I’ve seen is expressions of contempt from Dr. Madison and from his buddy, the atheist author, polemicist, and extraordinarily... Read more

Closed States Do NOT Lower COVID-19 Cases & Deaths

Last updated on: April 9, 2021 at 12:43 pm By Dave Armstrong

. . . And Open States Are Doing Just Fine: the Opposite of the Confident Dire Predictions Henry Karlson, who writes on the Patheos Catholic channel (same host as my blog) recently opined: It seems we have not yet learned what we can from our experience with the pandemic. We should have learned how we are in this together. We should have seen real world examples of how what one person can adversely affect the rest of us. Selfishness leads... Read more

Dialogue w Atheist: Problem of Good & Miscellany

Last updated on: April 9, 2021 at 10:22 am By Dave Armstrong

BensNewLogin (former adherent of Judaism and for a short time, Christianity) is an atheist who responded to my paper, “Problem of Good: More Difficult than Problem of Evil?” (4-3-21) in the combox underneath. His words will be in blue. ***** So, you have asked me about the “problem of good“. Now I have some more time to write, but not as much time as I would like. Thanks for responding and remaining civil, too. I may not get around to answering... Read more

Problem of Good: Childkilling & Genocide (Logical End of Atheism)

Last updated on: April 9, 2021 at 2:34 pm By Dave Armstrong

This (socratic) dialogue came about on my blog. Words of agnostic DC Kurtz will be in blue. ***** What is your own definition of “good” and how do you (philosophically and logically) arrive at it? Secondly, I propose a test case, in order to challenge your view of ethics and right and wrong. I will state it, ask your opinion, and then follow up with (equally important and necessary ) socratic questioning, in order to bolster my point of view (or modify... Read more

Jesus’ Last Words: Biblical “Contradictions”?

Last updated on: April 8, 2021 at 11:28 am By Dave Armstrong

The following exchange demonstrates how easy such alleged “contradictions” are to refute and “solve.” Anyone who understands how logic works and who has an open mind and desire to be objective, could have done the same. ***** Atheist C Nault wrote the following on my blog: Jesus’ final words on the cross before he died: Matthew 27:46-50 & Mark 15:34-37 Jesus’ last recorded words are: “My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?” Luke 23:46 Jesus’ last recorded words... Read more

“Dark Ages”: Christian or Barbarian?

Last updated on: April 7, 2021 at 3:17 am By Dave Armstrong

This exchange occurred in a combox at the atheist site, A Tippling Philosopher. Words of atheist Geoff Benson will be in blue. ***** There has been only regression under Christian civilisations. The Dark Ages got their name for a reason. Almost all historians now classify the so-called “dark ages” as the predominance of pagans and barbarians, over against Christianity: which was preserving classical culture, via the Roman Empire. If you don’t wanna take my word for it, look it up.... Read more

Refutation of Atheist Paul Carlson’s 51 Bible “Contradictions”

Last updated on: January 16, 2023 at 6:23 pm By Dave Armstrong

I am responding to many portions of the article, “New Testament Contradictions” by Paul Carlson (The Secular Web, 1995). His words will be in blue. The numbers in red are my own (for numbering the alleged “contradictions” that I reply to). ***** Editor’s note: As with all lists of alleged biblical contradictions, there will be disagreement in at least some specific cases as to whether a given “contradiction” is a genuine contradiction. It is therefore up to the reader to... Read more

Problem of Good: Further Discussions with Atheists

Last updated on: April 5, 2021 at 11:59 am By Dave Armstrong

This is a follow-up to my article, Problem of Good: More Difficult than Problem of Evil? (4-3-21). The discussions took place in a long thread (currently 895 comments) on atheist Jonathan MS Pearce’s blog, A Tippling Philosopher. Words of my four dialogue opponents will be in various colors. ***** Geoff Benson: I’ve read your article but it takes me back to my early days discussing the philosophy of religion, and addresses issues we’ve covered so many times. I’m not trying to be ‘anti... Read more

Problem of Good: More Difficult than Problem of Evil?

Last updated on: April 3, 2021 at 1:13 pm By Dave Armstrong

Atheists love to discuss the problem of evil, which they consider a knockout punch to Christianity: or at least to the notion that God is good and all-powerful. Recently an anti-theist atheist polemicist noted that someone “constructed an annotated bibliography of more than 4,200 philosophical and theological writings on the problem of evil published from 1960 to 1990—nearly one publication every 2½ days, and that is only in English.” They milk it for all it’s worth. And for our part,... Read more

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