What’s So Bad About Abp. Viganò? (Traditionalists Ask)

Last updated on: July 15, 2020 at 10:38 pm By Dave Armstrong

Many traditionalists (and the more radical reactionary Catholics) seem to think that Abp. Viganò is just a good old-fashioned orthodox Catholic who is making some desperately needed (and of course well-intentioned) criticisms of Pope Francis. I think my post of yesterday, Abp. Viganò: Fanaticism, Extremism, and Conspiratorialism (Summary from August 2019 Until July 2020: Alarming, Increasingly Quasi-Schismatic Spirit), demonstrates that the situation is far, far beyond that. Yet no doubt there are many traditionalists and reactionaries who don’t see at all that Abp.... Read more

Sacred Apostolic Catholic Tradition: Nutshell Explanation

Last updated on: July 13, 2020 at 11:30 am By Dave Armstrong

[see book and purchase information] The Protestant (especially evangelicals and charismatics: and I am from both camps in my background) tends to look at Scripture and say, “what does this teach me?” As far as that goes, there is nothing wrong with it, except when all these individuals start looking at the same Scripture, that they all revere as the inspired, infallible Word of God, yet nevertheless disagree on the interpretation. Then we have a problem, because contradiction means someone... Read more

Abp. Viganò: Fanaticism, Extremism, and Conspiratorialism

Last updated on: July 13, 2020 at 11:02 am By Dave Armstrong

Summary from August 2019 Until July 2020 (Alarming, Increasingly Quasi-Schismatic Spirit) For background, see my previous related articles and those of my friend, 100% orthodox Catholic theologian Dr. Robert Fastiggi: Bishops Viganò & Schneider Reject Authority of Vatican II [11-22-19] Viganò, Schneider, Pachamama, & VCII (vs. Janet E. Smith) [11-25-19] Abp. Viganò Descends into Fanatical Reactionary Nuthood (. . . Declares Pope Francis a Heretical Narcissist Who “Desacralized” & “Impugned” & “Attack[ed]” Mary) [12-20-19] Dr. Fastiggi: Open Letter Re Abp. Viganò, Pope Francis, & Mary [2-22-20]... Read more

Legalism Re Pope Francis & Papal Attire (Mozzetta)

Last updated on: July 10, 2020 at 1:21 pm 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)

Last updated on: July 9, 2020 at 6:13 pm By Dave Armstrong

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

Last updated on: July 9, 2020 at 5:37 pm By Dave Armstrong

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?

Last updated on: July 8, 2020 at 5:43 pm By Dave Armstrong

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)

Last updated on: July 10, 2020 at 3:50 pm By Dave Armstrong

[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.)

Last updated on: July 7, 2020 at 10:52 am By Dave Armstrong

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

Last updated on: July 6, 2020 at 10:53 am By Dave Armstrong

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