Reflections on Showing Graphic Abortion Photographs

Last updated on: June 12, 2020 at 3:26 pm By Dave Armstrong

These are my comments (2-3 January 2017) from a long Facebook discussion thread, that was about my article, Showing Graphic Abortion Photos: Justifiable and Necessary (+ Facebook discussion) [12-17-10] ***** Is it permissible and/or helpful to show graphic abortion photos: babies that have been gruesomely torn limb-from-limb or burned; murdered? I say yes. The same people who are dead set against showing photos of aborted children, think nothing of showing pictures of, e.g., a dead refugee child washed ashore, or heartrending images of... Read more

Anti-Catholic Notes My Article on Bible-Reading & Catholics

Last updated on: January 25, 2020 at 12:53 pm By Dave Armstrong

[see book and purchase information] See: “Why Are Catholics So Deficient in Bible-Reading?” (National Catholic Register, 11-22-17). ***** Catholics have written to this blog in the past objecting to my repeated assertion that relatively few of them read the Bible. Well, they read the Bible, they protest, so therefore my claim is incorrect. Argh. But what do they say when Dave Armstrong, one of Catholicism’s most sectarian apologists bemoans the exact same condition, which is regularly confirmed by independent surveys?... Read more

Knowing More About God than We Did 800 Years Ago

Last updated on: January 25, 2020 at 2:39 pm By Dave Armstrong

This question came from “VicqRuiz”: who has described himself as an “agnostic / deist.” He asked: We know a lot more about the nature of the physical universe than we did then. Why is it that we seem to know little more about God than we did then? Why is there not a Scotus, an Aquinas for the 21st century, why do so many (particularly Catholic) apologists seem to be stuck re-interpreting and re-re-explaining the works of the scholastics? My... Read more

Intercession & Invocation of Saints & Angels (vs. Calvin)

Last updated on: January 24, 2020 at 1:19 pm By Dave Armstrong

From Chapter Four of my book, A Biblical Critique of Calvinism (Oct. 2012) ***** To procure the favour of God, human merits are ever and anon obtruded, and very frequently while Christ is passed by, God is supplicated in their name. I ask if this is not to transfer to them that office of sole intercession which we have above claimed for Christ? Then what angel or devil ever announced one syllable to any human being concerning that fancied intercession of theirs?... Read more

Weekly Mass Attenders Can Still End Up in Hell? Yes!

Last updated on: January 24, 2020 at 12:24 pm By Dave Armstrong

Attending Mass (Even for an Entire Lifetime) Doesn’t Excuse Us from the Moral Requirements of Christianity, Including Confession of Sin A Lutheran who has a great interest in Catholicism wrote to me as follows: [Reformed Baptist apologist James White raises a] particular argument with regard to the Mass and mortal sin. He says, that the Mass perfects no one and someone can still end up in hell, even though they attend Mass regularly but fall into mortal sin and die... Read more

The Bronze Serpent: Example of Proper Use of Images

Last updated on: February 5, 2020 at 1:58 pm By Dave Armstrong

Chapter 12 of my book, Biblical Evidence for the Communion of Saints (Feb. 2012) ***** Numbers 21:6-9 (RSV) Then the LORD sent fiery serpents among the people, and they bit the people, so that many people of Israel died. [7] And the people came to Moses, and said, “We have sinned, for we have spoken against the LORD and against you; pray to the LORD, that he take away the serpents from us.” So Moses prayed for the people. [8] And the LORD... Read more

People Extend God’s Comfort & Peace (Communion of Saints)

Last updated on: January 23, 2020 at 12:38 pm By Dave Armstrong

Chapter 19 of my book, “The Catholic Mary”: Quite Contrary to the Bible? (Sep. 2010). I have abridged the many Scripture verses (i.e., merely listed some references rather than present the whole passage) for the sake of brevity. ***** Some Protestants argue that Catholic terminology and notions regarding petitions or pleas directed towards Mary are unbiblical (and indeed idolatrous), since we invoke her aid and comfort and strength and claim to receive peace by the same means, and (so they claim) such... Read more

On Catholic Hyper-Rationalism & Manufactured “Crises”

Last updated on: January 21, 2020 at 4:34 pm By Dave Armstrong

John 20:24-29 (RSV) Now Thomas, one of the twelve, called the Twin, was not with them when Jesus came. [25] So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them, “Unless I see in his hands the print of the nails, and place my finger in the mark of the nails, and place my hand in his side, I will not believe.” [26] Eight days later, his disciples were again in the house, and Thomas was with them.... Read more

Absolute Assurance of Salvation?: Debunking “Prooftexts”

Last updated on: May 16, 2021 at 1:51 pm By Dave Armstrong

[Chapter Thirteen of my book, Biblical Catholic Salvation: “Faith Working Through Love” (Oct. 2010) ] ***** Alleged “prooftexts” must also be exegeted. Appearances of ostensible strength and multiple passages in support of a position can often be deceiving. On the other hand, some doctrines need only a few direct verses in order to be believed (e.g., the virgin birth or original sin). I shall offer counter-explanations for each of the biblical passages below, which were offered on a public discussion board by... Read more

Thoughts on Philosophical Theology & the Eucharist

Last updated on: January 20, 2020 at 12:45 pm By Dave Armstrong

[Chapter Six from my book, Biblical Catholic Eucharistic Theology (Feb. 2011) ] ***** St. Paul wrote that those taking the bread and cup “in an unworthy manner” were “guilty of profaning the body and blood of the Lord” (1 Cor 11:27-30; cf. 1 Cor 10:14-22). Does he “need” the Aristotelian philosophy of substance and accidents to know this? No. He doesn’t even need Stoic or Epicurean or Platonic philosophy. He doesn’t need any philosophy at all. All he needs is Jewish realism,... Read more