Baptismal Regeneration and Justification (vs. Jason Engwer)

Last updated on: June 4, 2020 at 2:27 pm By Dave Armstrong

This is my reply to Jason Engwer’s article, “Baptismal Justification” (12-20-09), which was a portion of a larger discussion he was having with Catholic apologist Bryan Cross. His words will be in blue. *** As an introductory statement, I would emphasize that the Bible and Catholicism teach both justification by grace through faith and baptismal regeneration (including normative infant baptism). The two notions and events are harmonious. But they can be discussed by themselves. Often (if not most times), the... Read more

George Floyd: Atheist & Christian Agree; but What’s the Solution?

Last updated on: June 4, 2020 at 11:35 am By Dave Armstrong

Christianity Asserts that Evil Begins in Corrupt Human Hearts, & Can Only be Vanquished by God’s Grace & Spiritual Revival Jon Curry is an atheist friend of mine. I not only know him online, but also in person. I’ve been to his atheist discussion groups (and have been the only Christian — or theist — present). Almost always we clash on any broadly “political” discussion (and maddeningly so on both sides). Despite that, he’s still free and welcome to comment... Read more

Catholic Development of Doctrine: A Defense: Part IV

Last updated on: June 2, 2020 at 2:23 pm By Dave Armstrong

vs. Jason Engwer (Emphasis on the Canon of the Bible & Church Infallibility) [originally posted on my blog on 1-15-10] *** Part One Part Two Part Three I will be replying to anti-Catholic Protestant Jason Engwer’s article, “The Canon And Church Infallibility” (9-18-08). His words will be in blue. *** [moving on now to Jason’s lengthy combox comments in reply to others. I will pass over comments where there is no particular disagreement, for space’ sake. The great bulk of counter-replies seem to come from... Read more

Catholic Development of Doctrine: A Defense: Part III

Last updated on: June 2, 2020 at 2:34 pm By Dave Armstrong

vs. Jason Engwer (Emphasis on the Canon of the Bible & Church Infallibility) [originally posted on my blog on 1-14-10] *** Part One Part Two Part Four I will be replying to anti-Catholic Protestant Jason Engwer’s article, “The Canon And Church Infallibility” (9-18-08). His words will be in blue. *** 10. We’re not living in the context of somebody like Papias or Irenaeus, much as we aren’t living in the context of the Old Testament patriarchs or a contemporary of Moses or Jeremiah.... Read more

Catholic Development of Doctrine: A Defense: Part II

Last updated on: June 2, 2020 at 2:34 pm By Dave Armstrong

vs. Jason Engwer (Emphasis on the Canon of the Bible & Church Infallibility) [originally posted on my blog on 1-14-10] *** Part One Part Three Part Four I will be replying to anti-Catholic Protestant Jason Engwer’s article, “The Canon And Church Infallibility” (9-18-08). His words will be in blue. *** 7. You refer to Irenaeus’ view of “the current church”. How would you get from the reliability of the church of Irenaeus’ day to the conclusion that the church will be infallible throughout... Read more

Catholic Development of Doctrine: A Defense: Part I

Last updated on: June 2, 2020 at 2:36 pm By Dave Armstrong

vs. Jason Engwer (Emphasis on the Canon of the Bible & Church Infallibility) [originally posted on my blog on 1-13-10] *** Part Two Part Three Part Four I will be replying to anti-Catholic Protestant Jason Engwer’s article, “The Canon And Church Infallibility” (9-18-08). His words will be in blue. *** I have considerable experience in debating Jason Engwer in the past, and even in the same general subject area: dialogues on development of doctrine with regard to the papacy and... Read more

Do Catholic Reactionary Sites Have Little Influence?

Last updated on: May 29, 2020 at 4:11 pm By Dave Armstrong

Does anyone still think that, for example, Lifesite News: the reactionary Canadian junksite, is irrelevant and ought to be ignored? They just announced that they received over 100 million page views in 2019: a traffic growth of over 50%. With no advertising or promotion money whatever and being a sole proprietor (relying only on hopefully good placement in Google searches and links and shares and advertisement at Patheos), I have received 625,881 page views this year on my blog, which... Read more

Dialogue: Galatians 3 & Justification (vs. Jason Engwer)

Last updated on: May 29, 2020 at 3:25 pm By Dave Armstrong

Protestant anti-Catholic apologist Jason Engwer wrote the article, “Focusing On Galatians 3 In Discussions About Justification” (7-4-18). This is my counter-reply. His words will be in blue. *** Galatians 3:2 (RSV) Let me ask you only this: Did you receive the Spirit by works of the law, or by hearing with faith? A good passage of scripture to focus on when justification through faith alone is being disputed is Galatians 3, especially verse 2. In that verse, Paul tells us about... Read more

Dialogue on Whether Jesus’ Kinfolk Were “Unbelievers”

Last updated on: May 28, 2020 at 11:34 am By Dave Armstrong

Vs. Dr. Lydia McGrew Dr. Lydia McGrew is a delightful and friendly dialogue opponent, and an Anglican biblical and literary scholar, and author. She showed up when I tagged her in my Facebook cross-posting of my blog paper, Jesus’ “Brothers” Were “Unbelievers”? (vs. Jason Engwer). Her words will be in blue. *** Hi Lydia, Jason’s reasoning was drawn from one of your books. And I’d love to discuss Mary more with you, should you agree to that. We had one good,... Read more

James White Deacons-Elders-Bishops Controversy

Last updated on: May 28, 2020 at 10:46 am By Dave Armstrong

Original title: “Dumbbells and Deacons: Does No Protestant Denomination Whatsoever Regard Deacons as the Equivalent of Pastors and Elders — or Even Bishops?” [originally posted on 6-16-07] *** The anti-Catholic Reformed Baptist apologist luminary Bishop James White, issued a “review” of my book, The One-Minute Apologist (on 6-13-07). It consisted of perhaps 50-60% personal attack and aspersions upon my general knowledge of theology and Protestantism, and exactly two actual arguments against some aspect of the book itself: one concerning my... Read more