Reply to Timothy Flanders’ Defense of Taylor Marshall

Last updated on: July 9, 2019 at 11:19 pm By Dave Armstrong

Timothy Flanders, writing in the reactionary venue One Peter Five (“Conspiracy and Catholic Doctrine: A Defense of Taylor Marshall”: 7-8-19), offers a rare substantive reply to any serious criticism of Taylor Marshall’s book, Infiltration. He deals with my first lengthy treatment of the book (technically not a book review): Reactionary Infiltration of Taylor Marshall’s Book, Infiltration (5-30-19). He also counter-replies to Dr. Jeff Mirus (towards whom he is the most critical and disparaging), and Fr. Dwight Longenecker and Dr. Jennifer Roback Morse (both... Read more

Dialogue w Atheist on Christianity & the Scientific Method

Last updated on: July 8, 2019 at 1:33 pm By Dave Armstrong

From discussions in a forum devoted to the question of God’s existence: originally uploaded on 19 July 2001, with the full permission of Sue Strandberg (self-identified as a secular humanist): whose words will be in blue. ***** My point was that if a mistaken conclusion is formed from scientific methods it can be and probably will be corrected using the same methods. Nothing shows the critical, crucial importance of science more than bad science. A continuing discussion and dispute on evidence — and a strict... Read more

Apologetics Sometimes Entails “Vinegary” Conflict

Last updated on: July 6, 2019 at 3:50 pm By Dave Armstrong

The apologist necessarily has to sometimes (reluctantly, unhappily, in a small number of instances) enter into what many call “negative” or “polemical” territory because we say (just as Jesus and Paul did) that some things or ideas are wrong, and people don’t like that in our nicey-nicey, relativistic, supposedly so “tolerant” (but in reality quite the opposite) age. We condemn errors and show why they are errors out of a motivation of love, because falsehood and sin never helped anyone... Read more

Jesus Didn’t Always Turn the Other Cheek (Proverbs)

Last updated on: July 6, 2019 at 12:01 pm By Dave Armstrong

So many times, I am told (when opposing some falsehood being spewed about me or my work or alleged opinion) that we (and I) must “turn the other cheek” and not respond: as if this were an unwavering biblical command. But I have reflected recently about how even Jesus didn’t totally turn the other cheek at His trial. He responded to Caiaphas the high priest: Matthew 26:62-64 (RSV) And the high priest stood up and said, “Have you no answer... Read more

Bodily Assumption of Mary: Harmonious with the Bible?

Last updated on: July 5, 2019 at 4:36 pm By Dave Armstrong

[From The Catholic Answer Bible (2002). I wrote the 44 apologetics inserts, which can be purchased by themselves for $2.99.] The Assumption can easily be reconciled with Scripture because it is not contrary to it in any way. The premise that all Christian doctrines must appear in Scripture in order to be accepted cannot itself be found anywhere in Scripture. Catholics agree that no Christian teaching can contradict anything in the Bible. The Assumption of Mary is a belief of this sort. We believe in it... Read more

Do Catholics & the Catholic Church Preach the Gospel?

Last updated on: July 5, 2019 at 4:14 pm By Dave Armstrong

[From The Catholic Answer Bible (2002). I wrote the 44 apologetics inserts, which can be purchased by themselves for $2.99.] In Holy Scripture, we have a record of the apostles preaching the gospel (literally, “Good News”) immediately after Pentecost. St. Peter preached the gospel in the Upper Room (Acts 2:22-40), and 3000 people became Christians upon hearing it (2:41). In this speech, “faith alone” (a notion which is often claimed to be the substance of the gospel) does not appear at all. Rather, he... Read more

Reactionaries, “Filthy Lucre”, & Catholic Patheos Writers

Last updated on: July 3, 2019 at 11:43 am By Dave Armstrong

Perhaps Father Longenecker can tell us all how much money he makes from blogging at Patheos. Perhaps he can advise us how much money he puts into their bank by writing for them – a webpage that puts the one, true, faith of Catholicism on an even par with Protestantism, Hinduism, Paganism, witchcraft and atheism! Is that something that a faithful Catholic priest or layman such as Armstrong or Shea should be supporting? What does Father Longenecker do all day?... Read more

Fruit: 156 Reasons Why Catholic Apologetics is a Good Thing

Last updated on: February 16, 2020 at 10:57 am By Dave Armstrong

Documented Conversions or Reversions in Part Due to My Work (Completely Caused by God’s Grace) All glory to God always, for everything. We are just vessels, if He uses us to spread the message to someone else: one sinning beggar sharing spiritual food with other beggars. It all goes back to God and His grace in the end. No one can do the slightest good thing without it. Praise Him! If someone asks me why I do apologetics, this is... Read more

Blocking Revilers Online is Wise, Sez Apostle Paul

Last updated on: July 2, 2019 at 8:08 pm By Dave Armstrong

St. Paul tells us not to associate with ’em, not to eat with such people. Block them (if they show that they can’t stop doing this, and it’s all they do). Spend time with people who can engage in normal, civil conversation. Don’t cast your pearls before swine. Coveting and envy are often the root of slanders and calumnies and verbal abuse, so I have included them among the terms highlighted. I didn’t even cite the passages on avoiding foolish... Read more

Pope Francis & Transubstantiation (vs. Sedevacantists)

Last updated on: July 2, 2019 at 12:08 pm By Dave Armstrong

I wrote my post, No, Pope Francis Did Not Deny Transubstantiation (Phenomenological Language in Holy Scripture and in the Addresses of Pope Francis) in response to the arguments of Novus Ordo Watch, a sedevacantist venue (i.e., one that denies that there is presently a pope; and they usually believe that Ven. Pope Pius XII was the last valid one). They have now counter-replied with On Francis’ Denial of Transubstantiation: A Rejoinder to Dave Armstrong (7-1-19). The words of this article (written by who... Read more