Depression and Anxiety: Some Natural Remedies Do Exist!

Last updated on: August 2, 2019 at 12:18 pm By Dave Armstrong

Millions have problems with depression and anxiety. Why that is (apart from physiological reasons) would be a huge discussion in itself. But I wanted to share with others the success that my wife Judy has had with various natural remedies. She has had fairly serious depression and post-partum depression, particularly from 1993 (when our second child was born) to 2000. She took Zoloft during that time, and it had several negative side-effects, such as making her what we called “zombie-like”.... Read more

Caiaphas’ Unjust Accusation of Jesus as a Blasphemer

Last updated on: August 2, 2019 at 11:13 am By Dave Armstrong

At Jesus’ trial, He was questioned by Caiaphas the high priest: Matthew 26:63-66 (RSV) And the high priest said to him, “I adjure you by the living God, tell us if you are the Christ, the Son of God.” [64] Jesus said to him, “You have said so. But I tell you, hereafter you will see the Son of man seated at the right hand of Power, and coming on the clouds of heaven.” [65] Then the high priest tore his... Read more

Dr. David Madison vs. Jesus #1: Hating One’s Family?

Last updated on: August 3, 2019 at 8:34 pm By Dave Armstrong

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

Jesus: Faith + Works (Not Faith Alone) Leads to Salvation

Last updated on: August 1, 2019 at 9:36 am By Dave Armstrong

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

Great Catholic Mystics on the “Dark Night of the Soul”

Last updated on: July 31, 2019 at 11:43 am By Dave Armstrong

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

Blessed Cardinal Newman on Mary’s Immaculate Conception

Last updated on: July 31, 2019 at 11:12 am By Dave Armstrong

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

Jesus Said He Was God: Reply to Ex-Christian Atheist

Last updated on: July 30, 2019 at 3:44 pm By Dave Armstrong

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

Biblical Evidence for Catholic Ecclesiological Claims

Last updated on: July 30, 2019 at 11:57 am By Dave Armstrong

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

Debate: Calling People “Fools” (vs. Dr. Dawn Eden Goldstein)

Last updated on: July 29, 2019 at 12:45 pm By Dave Armstrong

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

Contraception: Chesterton, C. S. Lewis, & Teddy Roosevelt

Last updated on: July 29, 2019 at 11:06 am By Dave Armstrong

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