Anti-Catholic Double Standards on Self-Published Books

Last updated on: April 21, 2020 at 1:16 pm By Dave Armstrong

James Swan and His Love of the Ridiculous Self-Published Books of David T. King and William Webster My best-selling book (one of four) with Sophia Institute Press (2007). See book and purchase information. ***** James Swan is a Reformed Protestant anti-Catholic polemicist, who runs a website called (well, at least affectionately by myself and some of my readers) Boors All. I won’t tax the patience of readers with our past history. Suffice it to say that the man despises me. He plays games... Read more

Luther: Death Penalty for Anabaptists & 1525 Peasants’ Revolt

Last updated on: April 21, 2020 at 10:58 am By Dave Armstrong

Critique of James Swan’s Misrepresentation on the Radio Show, Iron Sharpens Iron, with Chris Arnzen Reformed Protestant anti-Catholic polemicist James Swan’s words will be in blue. ***** Please list the names of the Anabaptists Luther had put to death. I do not deny he believed in the death penalty, but my emphasis was that, I know of no record, of Luther having Anabaptists put to death in Wittenberg, via public execution, like, say Calvin’s involvement with Servetus. If you have this... Read more

Dialogue: Definition of “Christian” (vs. Reformed Pastor)

Last updated on: April 20, 2020 at 6:01 pm By Dave Armstrong

This interesting and cordial discussion occurred in a combox on the Green Baggins website (starting from my first comment at #205). Rev. Lane Keister (“greenbaggins” in the thread: words in blue) — citing from his own profile — is a PCA (Presbyterian Church in America) pastor currently serving a CRC (Christian Reformed Church) and an RCA (Reformed Church in America) church. He graduated from Westminster Theological Seminary in Philadelphia with an M.Div. Andrew McCallum’s words will be in in green; Jeff Cagle’s in purple. * * * * * Bryan [Cross] has been... Read more

Steve Skojec: Mini-Pope & Oracle of Doom & Despair

Last updated on: April 20, 2020 at 10:46 am By Dave Armstrong

Matthew 15:3, 6, 14-19 (RSV) He answered them, “And why do you transgress the commandment of God for the sake of your tradition? . . . [6] . . . for the sake of your tradition, you have made void the word of God. . . . [14] Let them alone; they are blind guides. And if a blind man leads a blind man, both will fall into a pit.” [15] But Peter said to him, “Explain the parable to us.” [16] And he... Read more

Dialogue on Doctrinal Development (Papacy & NT Canon)

Last updated on: April 19, 2020 at 12:05 pm By Dave Armstrong

This is a reply to anti-Catholic Protestant polemicist Jason Engwer’s paper, Dave Armstrong and Development of Doctrine, which was in turn a response to my paper, Dialogue on the Nature of Development of Doctrine (Particularly with Regard to the Papacy). Jason’s words will be in blue. TABLE OF CONTENTS I. Introductory Remarks II. William Webster and Development III. Deductive vs. Speculative Developments (the Holy Trinity vs. the Immaculate Conception) IV. Development and the New Testament Canon (Difficulties for Protestantism) V. The Development of the Papacy ... Read more

Eastern Orthodoxy, Councils, & Doctrinal Development

Last updated on: April 19, 2020 at 10:56 am By Dave Armstrong

I’ve been told by Orthodox that it is actually possible to call an Ecumenical Council, but that there has been no “pressing need” for such a Council in 1212 years (since the last one acknowledged by Orthodoxy). But do Orthodox really think that there has been no need for an ecumenical Council since 787, whereas the early Church thought it appropriate to have seven up till that time – an average of almost one a century? I find that quite remarkable... Read more

Dietrich von Hildebrand & Legitimate Traditionalism

Last updated on: April 18, 2020 at 11:00 am By Dave Armstrong

(originally uploaded on 27 February 2002; terminology and a few other minor things revised on 4-18-20) [Dietrich von Hildebrand’s words will be in blue] *** I immediately ask three primary questions of anyone who calls himself a Catholic “traditionalist”: 1. What do you think of the Novus Ordo [ordinary form] Mass? 2. What do you think of Vatican II? 3. What do you think of Pope John Paul II? Unfortunately I do think that self-described “traditionalists” — who are actually what I call... Read more

Seidensticker Folly #40: Craig, Trinity Definition, & Analogies

Last updated on: April 17, 2020 at 3:42 pm By Dave Armstrong

Atheist and anti-theist Bob Seidensticker, who was “raised Presbyterian”, 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 also made a general statement on 6-22-17: “Christians’ arguments are easy to refute . . . I’ve heard the good stuff, and it’s not very good.” He added in the combox: “If I’ve misunderstood the Christian position or Christian... Read more

Seidensticker Folly #39: “The Sun Stood Still” (Joshua)

Last updated on: October 5, 2020 at 12:47 pm By Dave Armstrong

2nd Conversion? Reactionary Absurdities Satirized

Last updated on: April 16, 2020 at 10:14 am By Dave Armstrong

Introduction: The following is an exercise in the logical, argumentative method of reductio ad absurdum, or “illustrating the absurd by being absurd.” In this technique – which is at least as old as Socrates and Plato – the arguer tries to demonstrate that a belief-system, taken to its logical conclusions, is absurd or otherwise objectionable. If absurd conclusions flow consistently from a premise, then the premise must be rejected as false. The foundations of the system must be questioned and... Read more