David Madison vs. the Gospel of Mark #11: Chapter 12

Last updated on: August 26, 2019 at 2:08 pm By Dave Armstrong

Jesus Predicts His Passion & Death / Judgment Day / God’s Mercy / God as Cosmic Narcissist? This is an installment of my replies to a series of articles on Mark by Dr. David Madison: an atheist who was a Methodist minister for nine years: with a Ph.D. in Biblical Studies from Boston University. His summary article is called, “Not-Your-Pastor’s Tour of Mark’s Gospel: The falsification of Christianity made easy” (Debunking Christianity, 7-17-19). His words will be in blue below. Dr. Madison has... Read more

Isaiah Foretells the Gospel & the Suffering Messiah

Last updated on: August 20, 2019 at 6:54 pm By Dave Armstrong

The Jews for centuries had had a dual notion of the Messiah: that of the Suffering Servant and of the conquering king. So this was nothing new. Educated Christians knew the Old Testament. It included Isaiah 53, which is the famous passage of the Messiah suffering. Whereas during the time of Jesus it was understandable that some thought that the [physical, institutional] messianic kingdom was to be established, and the end of the age was near, after He died, of... Read more

David Madison vs. the Gospel of Mark #10: Chapter 11

Last updated on: March 19, 2022 at 1:14 pm By Dave Armstrong

Two Donkeys? / Fig Tree / Moneychangers This is an installment of my replies to a series of articles on Mark by Dr. David Madison: an atheist who was a Methodist minister for nine years: with a Ph.D. in Biblical Studies from Boston University. His summary article is called, “Not-Your-Pastor’s Tour of Mark’s Gospel: The falsification of Christianity made easy” (Debunking Christianity, 7-17-19). His words will be in blue below. Dr. Madison has utterly ignored my twelve refutations of his “dirty dozen” podcasts... Read more

David Madison vs. the Gospel of Mark #9: Chapter 10

Last updated on: August 26, 2019 at 2:13 pm By Dave Armstrong

Christian Biblical Ignorance / Jesus vs. Marriage & Family? / Divinity of Jesus This is an installment of my replies to a series of articles on Mark by Dr. David Madison: an atheist who was a Methodist minister for nine years: with a Ph.D. in Biblical Studies from Boston University. His summary article is called, “Not-Your-Pastor’s Tour of Mark’s Gospel: The falsification of Christianity made easy” (Debunking Christianity, 7-17-19). His words will be in blue below. Dr. Madison has utterly ignored my twelve... Read more

David Madison vs. the Gospel of Mark #8: Ch. 9 (“Mean” Jesus)

Last updated on: August 19, 2019 at 11:39 am By Dave Armstrong

This is an installment of my replies to a series of articles on Mark by Dr. David Madison: an atheist who was a Methodist minister for nine years: with a Ph.D. in Biblical Studies from Boston University. His summary article is called, “Not-Your-Pastor’s Tour of Mark’s Gospel: The falsification of Christianity made easy” (Debunking Christianity, 7-17-19). His words will be in blue below. Dr. Madison has utterly ignored my twelve refutations of his “dirty dozen” podcasts against Jesus, and I fully expect that... Read more

David Madison vs. the Gospel of Mark #7: Ch. 7 (Gentiles)

Last updated on: August 19, 2019 at 11:36 am By Dave Armstrong

“Spiritual” Kingdom of God: Old Testament Precursors

Last updated on: August 18, 2019 at 3:55 pm By Dave Armstrong

As with many words and phrases in the Bible, kingdom of God has more than one meaning. It’s obvious in many passages that “kingdom of God” (and the equivalent “kingdom of heaven”: used only by Matthew) in the New Testament refer to a spiritual reality, as opposed to the physical and “institutional” messianic kingdom to come. This was foreshadowed in the Old Testament in the motif of changed “hearts” that served and followed God: especially in Jeremiah: Jeremiah 31:33 (RSV) But... Read more

David Madison vs. the Gospel of Mark #6: Chapters 5-6

Last updated on: August 26, 2019 at 2:38 pm By Dave Armstrong

Supernatural & Miracles / Biblical Literary Genres & Figures / Perpetual Virginity / Healing & Belief / Persecution of Jesus in Nazareth This is an installment of my replies to a series of articles on Mark by Dr. David Madison: an atheist who was a Methodist minister for nine years: with a Ph.D. in Biblical Studies from Boston University. His summary article is called, “Not-Your-Pastor’s Tour of Mark’s Gospel: The falsification of Christianity made easy” (Debunking Christianity, 7-17-19). His words will... Read more

Old Testament Sacrifices: Killing Animals to be Saved?

Last updated on: August 17, 2019 at 1:14 pm By Dave Armstrong

An atheist asked: “How can killing an animal cancel human sin? Why would a good God set up such a scheme?” First of all, I’ll dispose of the implication (“good God”) that it’s intrinsically wrong to kill an animal from the outset. I’m unaware of a vegetarian entrance requirement among atheists, so as not to “murder” animals and commit the sin of eating a Big Mac or a Whopper. Until that happens, I’ll take a pass on dealing with the... Read more

Why Jesus Was So Unpopular (Parallel with Socrates)

Last updated on: August 17, 2019 at 11:22 am By Dave Armstrong

Great human beings are routinely vastly misunderstood. For example, here is the gist of what Plato wrote about the cause of the well-known ancient Greek philosopher Socrates’ persecution and death, in his Apology: At his trial, Socrates is accused of two things: impiety (asebeia) against Athens’s gods, by introducing new gods, and corruption of Athenian youth, by teaching them to question the status quo. He is accused of impiety because the Oracle at Delphi said there was no wiser man in Athens then Socrates,... Read more