This is an installment of my series of replies to an article by Dr. David Madison: a pastor in the Methodist Church for nine years, who has a PhD in Biblical Studies from Boston University. It’s called, “Things We Wish Jesus Hadn’t Said” (Debunking Christianity, 7-21-19). His words will be in blue below. Dr. Madison makes several “generic” digs at Jesus and Christianity, in the written portion (it details a series of 12 podcasts): A challenge for Christians: If you’re so... Read more
This is a response to a comment underneath my National Catholic Register article, “Jesus on Salvation: Works, Merit and Sacrifice” (7-28-19). Bill Bannon’s words will be in blue. ***** All your quotes are correct but you are leaving out how Christ talked to the works prone people: John 6:28 Then they asked him, “What must we do to do the works God requires?” 29 Jesus answered, “The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent.” So now Christ... Read more
From my book, Quotable Catholic Mystics and Contemplatives (April 2014; available for $2.99 as an e-book). ***** “Dark Night of the Soul” …the man goes out, and finds himself poor and miserable and forsaken. Here all the tempest and fury and impatience of love grow less,… Then the man begins to complain because of his wretchedness: Whither has gone the ardent love, the inwardness, the gratitude, the joyful praise? And the inward consolation, the intimate joy, the sensible savour, how has he... Read more
From my book, Cardinal Newman: Q & A in Theology, Church History, and Conversion (May 2015; available as an e-book for only $2.99). The questions are my own. All other words are from Blessed John Henry Cardinal Newman (who is to be canonized this October). Drawn from The Letters and Diaries of John Henry Newman [excluding volumes 11-12, 27-30, 32] ***** What Does it Mean to Call Mary the “New Eve”? Of course the comparison between Eve and Mary is in all... Read more
Libby Anne was raised (like so many atheists I have encountered) as a fundamentalist Protestant and later became an atheist. Her blog on Patheos is called Love, Joy, Feminism. Today I am responding to her piece, “Jesus, the Trinity, and Subterfuge” (7-29-19). I want to focus on her specific claim as to whether Jesus claimed to be God or not. Her words will be in blue. ***** I spent my evangelical childhood and adolescence studying apologetics; as a young adult, .... Read more
From my book, Revelation! 1001 Bible Answers to Theological Topics (2013; available for as low as $2.99 in e-book formats). [all passages from KJV unless indicated otherwise (RSV) ] ***** II. Doctrine of the Church (Ecclesiology) 12. Oneness / Unity of the Church 12-1. Is the Church “one body”? 1 Corinthians 12:12-13 For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ. [13] For by... Read more
From a public thread on my Facebook page. Dawn’s words will be in blue. ***** I appreciate your theological points very much but refrain from sharing your posts because you use polemic insults such as “blowhard fools.” That was my strongest language, reserved for a person who richly deserves it (Chris Ferrara). I could give literally scores of examples as to why I think that. He has childishly and unjustly insulted my good friend and your associate, Bob Fastiggi, among... Read more
Theodore Roosevelt, Sixth Annual Message to Congress: When home ties are loosened, when men and women cease to regard a worthy family life, with all its duties fully performed and all its responsibilities lived up to, as the best life worth living, then evil days for the commonwealth are at hand. There are regions in our land, and classes of our population, where the birth rate has sunk below the death rate. Surely it should need no demonstration to show... Read more
As for the “utility (or lack thereof) of debates” question, here are a few observations: 1) I never assume that I will have any likelihood of persuading my debate opponent (in the rare event that I do, though, then it can be a pleasant surprise). 2) Debates are almost entirely for the benefit of those observing who are on the fence, or those who are open-minded enough to be persuaded of a different position, and sensible enough to be willing... Read more
My dialogue opponent’s words (originally posted on Mark Shea’s site) will be in blue. ***** Unfortunately, the errors that many prominent Catholic apologists and writers make in issuing blanket condemnations of the bombings are too many to discuss in an exhaustive manner. So, I will restrict myself to what I think is the most glaring: that we targeted non-combatants. This is not only false, but absolutely impossible when you consider that Japan had complete[ly] erased the distinction between combatant and non-combatant... Read more
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