Schisms & Heresies in Eastern Christianity Before 1054

March 4, 2020 By Dave Armstrong

In my paper, Roman See as Historic Standard-Bearer of Orthodoxy (+ the Ecclesiological Absurdity of Anti-Catholic-Type Eastern Orthodox Arguments Against Roman Primacy & Apostolicity) [1997], I cited five notable instances of Eastern schism before 1054: a. The Arian schisms (343-98) b. The controversy over St. John Chrysostom (404-415) c. The Acacian schism (484-519) d. Concerning Monothelitism (640-681) e. Concerning Iconoclasm (726-87 and 815-43) This information came from historian Christopher Dawson. He was referring to the Eastern, or Byzantine Empire, which was... Read more

Reasons for Opposing Medical Marijuana (Dr. Robert Fastiggi)

March 4, 2020 By Dave Armstrong

Introduction: the present state of legal marijuana in the USA and the world As of July, 2018 there are 31 states in the USA plus the District of Columbia, Guam, and Puerto Rico that have legal marijuana (cannabis sativa) at least for medical reasons. [1] Nine of these states plus the District of Columbia also permit recreational marijuana. [2] Another fifteen states allow for limited use of products derived from cannabis or synthetic versions of these derivatives. [3] Only four... Read more

Dr. Fastiggi Defends Pope Francis Re “Pachamama Idolatry”

March 3, 2020 By Dave Armstrong

The following exchanges took place on a public discussion combox for The Catholic World Report, between 28 February and 2 March 2020. Words of Dr. Robert Fastiggi will be in black; those of Fr. Peter Morello, PhD in blue, of Leslie, in green, and of Brian Killian in brown. ***** Yes, we must be concerned about violations of the first and sixth commandments, but we must also be concerned about violations of the eighth commandment. It has never been proven... Read more

Dialogue on Mary Mediatrix & Spouse of the Holy Spirit

March 3, 2020 By Dave Armstrong

I was challenged on this point by an Orthodox Christian in my discussion group. His words will be in blue. ***** Sources Used St. Alphonsus de Liguori, The Glories of Mary, Brooklyn: Redemptorist Fathers, 1931 edition. Louis Bouyer, The Seat of Wisdom, translated by A. V. Littledale, Chicago: Henry Regnery Co., 1960. Hilda Graef, Mary: A History of Doctrine and Devotion, vol. 1, New York: Sheed & Ward, 1963. William Most, Mary in Our Life, Garden City, New York: Doubleday Image, 1954. *** I... Read more

Mary Mediatrix: Patristic, Medieval, & Early Orthodox Evidence

March 2, 2020 By Dave Armstrong

Sources Used St. Alphonsus de Liguori, The Glories of Mary, Brooklyn: Redemptorist Fathers, 1931 edition. C. X. J. M. Friethoff, A Complete Mariology, Westminster, Maryland: Westminster Press, 1958. Hilda Graef, Mary: A History of Doctrine and Devotion, vol. 1, New York: Sheed & Ward, 1963. W. A. Jurgens, The Faith of the Early Fathers, Collegeville, Minnesota: Liturgical Press, vol. 1, 1970. W. A. Jurgens, The Faith of the Early Fathers, Collegeville, Minnesota: Liturgical Press, vol. 3, 1979. Mark Miravalle, editor, Mary: Coredemptrix,... Read more

Marijuana & Ill Health: Scientific / Medical Evidence

March 2, 2020 By Dave Armstrong

1) Weighing the dangers of cannabis (Emily Sohn, Nature, 8-28-19) Excerpts: Clement and her colleagues analysed the findings of 68 reviews of cannabis research. Of the reviews, 62 showed associations between the drug and various adverse outcomes, including impaired driving, increased risk of stroke and testicular cancer, brain changes that could affect learning and memory, and a particularly consistent link between cannabis use and mental illnesses involving psychosis. Risks were highest for teenagers, pregnant women and people already at risk of mental... Read more

Sociology: Devout Married Christians Have Best Sex

February 29, 2020 By Dave Armstrong

As for studies on relatively more sexual fulfillment among Christians, I have a paper about that, too: Christian Sexual Views and Support from Sociology Excerpt: A large-scale study of 1,100 American adults by the Family Research Council found that 72% of married people who attended church weekly reported being “very satisfied” with their sex lives, thirty points higher than their unmarried counterparts, and thirteen points higher than other marrieds. Much more is easily able to be found in Google searches:... Read more

Is Orthodoxy Immune from Modernism and Dissent?

February 28, 2020 By Dave Armstrong

An Orthodox Christian wrote: “The Roman Catholic Church has changed a great deal in the past twenty years or so, and can hardly be considered the same Church it was in say, 1965 or before.” 1) What Catholic dogma was changed by Vatican II? Ecumenism and religious freedom do not have anything directly to do with sacraments (the subject at hand), if that is your answer. How would baptism in particular be affected? 2) At what point did the... Read more

Clarification on Heretical Eastern Patriarchs (260-715)

February 28, 2020 By Dave Armstrong

It was reported to me that someone (presumably Orthodox) caught wind of my chart of heretical Eastern Patriarchs (seen in this paper of mine, with my commentary). I will reproduce the chart below and then interact with his criticisms (his words in blue). ***** A Chart of Heretical Eastern Patriarchs Patriarchal See / Patriarch / Years / Heresy Antioch Paul of Samosata 260-269 Modalist Antioch Eulalius c. 322 Arian Antioch Euphronius c. 327-c. 329 Arian Constantinople Eusebius 341-42 Arian Constantinople Macedonius 342-60 Semi-Arian Antioch Leontius 344-58 Arian Alexandria George 357-61 Arian Antioch Eudoxius 358-60 Arian Constantinople Eudoxius 360 Arian Antioch Euzoius 361-78 Arian Constantinople Nestorius 428-31 Nestorian! Alexandria Dioscorus 448-51 Monophysite Alexandria Timothy Aelurus 457-60, 475-77 Monophysite Antioch Peter the... Read more

Lenten Meditation: NT Teaching on Suffering with Christ

February 27, 2020 By Dave Armstrong

[From my book, A Biblical Defense of Catholicism (1996; published by Sophia Institute Press in 2003), pp. 158-161] *** Matthew 10:38 / 16:24 [RSV] And he who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Then Jesus told his disciples, “If any man would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.” (cf. Mk 8:34-35) The disciple of Christ is called to suffer (Matthew 10:22; Mark 10:37-39; Luke 6:22; Acts 14:22; Romans... Read more