Pope Francis’ Proper Use of the Term “Fundamentalism”

Last updated on: December 28, 2020 at 2:55 pm By Dave Armstrong

. . . and the Similar Sociologically Proper Use of Pope Benedict XVI and Pope St. John Paul II This is a follow-up post to Kwasniewski vs. Pope Francis Re “Fundamentalism” (Pope St. John Paul II and Pope Benedict XVI Fully Concur with Pope Francis) [12-9-20]. John Estes made a complaint in the combox. His words will be in blue. ***** Dave. Just to be clear, you consider my fundamentalist family members (conservative, premillennial dispensationalist protestants) to be your fellow brothers in Christ? Of... Read more

Route Taken by the Magi: Educated Guess

Last updated on: December 28, 2020 at 1:32 pm By Dave Armstrong

I have written about the wise men elsewhere, with regard to how they could be guided by a star (astronomy — conjunctions — and constellations and meaning attached to the latter; phenomenological language as to the star’s “movements”), where they came from (likely northwest Persia) and “who” they were (likely priests of Zoroastrianism; neither “magicians” nor sorcerers): Star of Bethlehem, Astronomy, Wise Men, & Josephus (Amazing Astronomically Verified Data in Relation to the Journey of the Wise Men & Jesus’ Birth... Read more

Star of Bethlehem: Refuting Silly Atheist Objections

Last updated on: December 27, 2020 at 4:26 pm By Dave Armstrong

This occurred in a combox at the Debunking Christianity site, and is the altogether typical ill-informed attempted mockery from supposedly so intellectually superior atheists, who in their almost invariable / inevitable ignorance of biblical language and Christian thought end up making themselves look very silly indeed. Words of Robert Conner are in blue; those of Steampunk Gentleman in green; and those of Jim in brown. ***** Interesting and well done. Here’s a conundrum from Matthew: ” the star they had seen when it rose... Read more

Jesus’ December Birth & Grazing Sheep in Bethlehem

Last updated on: December 26, 2020 at 3:34 pm By Dave Armstrong

Is a December 25th Birthdate of Jesus Impossible or Unlikely Because Sheep Can’t Take the Cold? One common polemical argument against a December birthdate for Jesus is based on a skepticism towards the biblical passage Luke 2:8: “And in that region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night” (RSV). Atheists, biblical skeptics, and even serious observant Christians make the fallacious argument that it was too cold at that time of year in Bethlehem... Read more

Making Merry at Christmas: Clear Biblical Models

Last updated on: December 27, 2020 at 4:30 pm By Dave Armstrong

How are we taught to act with regard to Jesus’ birth and Christmas, according to Scriptural models? We do definitely have those. An angel of the Lord told the shepherds in the field near Bethlehem: “I bring you good news of a great joy which will come to all the people; for to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord” (Lk 2:10-11, RSV). * Then a “multitude” of angels were... Read more

History of Christmas Trees & Their Symbolism

Last updated on: December 22, 2020 at 4:59 pm By Dave Armstrong

[this was also published in The Catholic World Report on 12-22-20, under the title, “Christmas Trees: Christian Symbolism & Development of the Custom”] ***** It appears that virtually all who look into the origin and Christian symbolism of Christmas trees trace the first overt example to St. Boniface (bet. 672-679 to 745 or 755). The story he is most famous for (related to the evangelization of Germany) is his Elijah-like cutting-down of the sacred oak tree of the thunder-god Thor, around the... Read more

Dialogue w Christian “Outside of Orthodoxy”

Last updated on: December 21, 2020 at 12:30 pm By Dave Armstrong

This took place underneath my article, Atheist Ignorance of Christianity: Typical Example. Words of Sandy Plage will be in blue. ***** In the spirit of Charlie Brown’s Christmas, I would like to say “good grief.” Why the heaping scorn and ad hominem put downs of WCB and every other atheist under the sun? You yourself are engaging in “relentless scorn and put down.” Can you not see this? I deny that I do that. I am polemical and passionate and sometimes... Read more

Seidensticker Folly #68: Atheist Fairy Tales & Dogmas

Last updated on: December 21, 2020 at 2:19 pm By Dave Armstrong

Atheist and anti-theist Bob Seidensticker 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 added in June 2017 in a combox: “If I’ve misunderstood the Christian position or Christian arguments, point that out. Show me where I’ve mischaracterized them.” Delighted to oblige his wishes . . . Bob (for the record) virtually begged and pleaded with... Read more

Jesus the “Nazarene” Redux (vs. Jonathan M. S. Pearce)

Last updated on: December 19, 2020 at 1:42 pm By Dave Armstrong

Atheist anti-theist Jonathan M. S. Pearce’s “About” page states: “Pearce is a philosopher, author, blogger, public speaker and teacher from Hampshire in the UK. He specialises in philosophy of religion, but likes to turn his hand to science, psychology, politics and anything involved in investigating reality.” His words will be in blue. Jonathan wrote the article, “Jesus the ‘Nazarene’ – What Is the Prophecy?” [12-5-20]. Then I replied with Jesus the “Nazarene”: Did Matthew Make Up a “Prophecy”? (Oral Traditions and Possible Lost Old Testament Books... Read more

Demons, Gadara, & Biblical Numbers (vs. JMS Pearce)

Last updated on: December 18, 2020 at 1:07 pm By Dave Armstrong

Atheist and anti-theist Jonathan M. S. Pearce’s “About” page states: “Pearce is a philosopher, author, blogger, public speaker and teacher from Hampshire in the UK. He specialises in philosophy of religion, but likes to turn his hand to science, psychology, politics and anything involved in investigating reality.” His words will be in blue. ***** Jonathan wrote a paper called “On Harmonising Biblical Contradictions” (7-23-17). I replied with “Gadarenes, Gerasenes, Swine, & Atheist Skeptics” (7-25-17). He then counter-replied with “The Demons! The Demons! Replying to... Read more

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