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
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
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
(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
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
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
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
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
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
The basic trouble with going far right on the ecclesiastical spectrum: radical right; radical Catholic reactionary, is how far right does one go? Is there actually a breaking point? Who determines where that is? Hence, we will see divisions and in-fighting amongst the reactionaries when one makes a move further right, because being a reactionary is all about being one’s own pope (the more so, the more influential and famous one becomes within the movement). Thus, when there are disagreements,... Read more
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