“Pachamama” Confusion: Fault of Vatican or Catholic Media?

November 12, 2019 By Dave Armstrong

This was a cordial dialogue I had with Facebook friend Gregory Danowski on my page. His words will be in blue. See my two earlier related articles: “Pachamama” [?] Statues: Marian Veneration or Blasphemous Idolatry? (11-5-19) “Pachamama” Fiasco: Hysterical Reactionaryism, as Usual (11-8-19) ***** Whether or not the statues represent an Amazonian deity or Mary is moot. The fact that they are confusing enough to be mistaken for an earth deity is enough. St. Paul was clear on this point. Sure, he... Read more

Vs. James White #6: Faith & Works, and First John

November 11, 2019 By Dave Armstrong

Reformed Baptist anti-Catholic apologist Bishop “Dr.” [???] James White took on the issue of synergy, man’s cooperation with God, God’s free gift of grace, and faith and works in his article entitled, “An Attempted Syllogism Examined” (11-3-09). He cited Catholic philosopher Francis Beckwith, denying “that Catholicism embraces ‘works righteousness’ because justification requires human cooperation (though performed in sanctifying grace)”. White’s words will be in blue. ***** [H]e does not tell us why we should think that because Jesus was the... Read more

Jame’s White: Hypocritical Use of “Roman Catholic Church”

November 11, 2019 By Dave Armstrong

Reformed Baptist anti-Catholic apologist Bishop “Dr.” [???] James White is hung up on double standards, as regards religious titles. He bristles at being called an “anti-Catholic” while at the same time he couldn’t care less about calling other Christians what they prefer to be called. I’ve written about the massive rationale for the description “anti-Catholic” many times. But it’s not “either/or.” Note how I refer to White (as I often have done) in both ways above: his preference (“Reformed Baptist”),... Read more

“Pachamama” Fiasco: Hysterical Reactionaryism, as Usual

November 8, 2019 By Dave Armstrong

In my previous article of three days ago: “Pachamama” [?] Statues: Marian Veneration or Blasphemous Idolatry?, I took a more or less neutral and wait-and-see stance. I was exploring, and I refused to rush to judgment, which is the knee-jerk reaction of the reactionaries to everything regarding Pope Francis. They give no benefit of doubt, extend virtually no charity (very unlike St. Paul’s advice in 1 Corinthians 13), and begin from an assumed position of cynical hostility. All of that is quite... Read more

Vs. James White #12: Mary the Woman of Revelation 12

November 7, 2019 By Dave Armstrong

Anti-Catholic polemicist Bishop “Dr.” [???] James White, among many other childish potshots at Catholic apologists and the Catholic Church, mocked the interpretation of Revelation 12 and the “woman clothed with the sun” as the Blessed Virgin Mary, in his post entitled, “And So They Trudge on in Defense of Mother Church” (8-12-09). His words will be in blue. ***** Revelation 12 (complete: RSV) And a great portent appeared in heaven, a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet,... Read more

Rome, the Biblical Canon, & Tradition (vs. Turretinfan & James White)

November 7, 2019 By Dave Armstrong

. . . Observed in the Views of John of Damascus (aka John Damascene: c. 676-749) [book and purchase information] “Turretinfan”: a rabid anti-Catholic just as James White is, posted the following article on James White’s blog: “Did Hippo, Carthage, or Rome’s Bishop Settle the Canon?” (8-25-09). It has a number of glaring falsehoods. We can assume that James White endorses his thinking, since he hosted this article. Turretinfan’s words will be in blue. *** Some Roman Catholics are under... Read more

Am I Too Soft on Modernists & Too Hard on Reactionaries?

November 6, 2019 By Dave Armstrong

A guy “Matt” appeared underneath my article, Taylor Marshall Conspiracy Theories: Why I Ignore Them, and offered a highly imaginary and fictional opinion whereby he thinks I am almost entirely silent about theologically liberal / modernists / heterodox / dissidents in the Catholic Church. Nothing could be further from the truth. He must have been living on another planet these last twenty years. This is my reply. His words will be in blue. ***** Dave, as one the Traditionalists you continually... Read more

Does Time & Place Apply to Purgatory? (vs. James White)

November 6, 2019 By Dave Armstrong

The Right Reverend Bishop “Dr.” [???] James White wrote a post dated 26 August 2009, entitled, “Purgatory and Indulgences, Alive and Still Heretical.” This is my reply. The good bishop’s words will be in blue. ***** You wonder, at times, how it is that those who listen regularly to Roman Catholic apologists do not notice the wide range of differences between them on important matters of theology and practice. . . . [I]n modern Romanism in America it is common... Read more

Am I a “Pope Francis Defender”? (Statement of Intent & Purpose)

November 5, 2019 By Dave Armstrong

[book and purchase information] ***** Please note once again that — technically — I am not defending whatever happened in this ceremony [regarding the statues and indigenous Amazonian spirituality at the Synod] as perfectly orthodox and hunky dory. What I’m doing is vigorously denying that the critics dead set against it have adequately proven and documented their case that it is definitely blasphemous idolatry. It’s two different things. The prudent person reserves judgment until all the relevant and necessary facts and proofs are in. What I definitely do believe is that... Read more

“Pachamama” [?] Statues: Marian Veneration or Blasphemous Idolatry?

November 5, 2019 By Dave Armstrong

This is a combination of two Facebook threads, with starting dates of 10-24-19 and 11-4-19. There was also a third discussion thread (10-28-19), where I barely participated at all: and so it is excluded here. I have not included everything in the two long threads in this exchange, which is meant to get at the highlights, and especially my own take (this being my blog); so if readers want the full exchanges, the Facebook threads are for that. Words of Kevin... Read more