Why I Believe in “Non-Miraculous” Intelligent Design

Last updated on: October 20, 2020 at 1:16 pm By Dave Armstrong

This is a follow-up dialogue and discussion of my paper, Catholics & Origins: Irreducible Complexity or Theistic Evolution? VicqRuiz is a self-described deist who has been a very congenial dialogue / sparring partner for some time now on my blog. His words will be in blue. My position on evolution / creation issues has actually significantly shifted today (I love when that happens!), after listening to the podcast dialogue mentioned in the above paper. ***** Suppose that a creator built a perfect 1/12... Read more

My (Censored) Amazon Review of Dr. Marshall’s “Infiltration”

Last updated on: July 12, 2019 at 10:10 am By Dave Armstrong

I discovered on 6-19-19 that my Amazon review had been removed from the Amazon Book Page for Infiltration. It was, for about two weeks, listed as the “top review” and the first one listed of over 1000, and also the “top critical review.” It had more than 250 “helpful” votes: more than any other review. Now it’s gone, and is no longer listed on my Amazon profile page, listing all my book reviews there. I tried unsuccessfully with two Amazon... Read more

Reactionary Louie Verrecchio’s Three Lies About Vatican II

Last updated on: June 19, 2019 at 12:20 pm By Dave Armstrong

I’ve written about radical Catholic reactionary Louie Verrecchio (words in blue below) three times before, though only on Facebook (one / two / three). His quasi-schismatic extremism and serious error regarding Vatican II is laid out in his “About” page from his aka Catholic website. He has followed the same sad path that Taylor Marshall, Peter Kwasniewski and other reactionaries are now also following: For years, I was warmly welcomed as a presenter in Catholic parishes and dioceses throughout the... Read more

Roberto de Mattei Misrepresents Gaudium Et Spes on Procreation

Last updated on: June 19, 2019 at 12:10 pm By Dave Armstrong

Gaudium et spes (Pastoral Constitution on the Church in the Modern World) was promulgated at the Second Vatican Council, in agreement with Pope St. Paul VI, on 7 December 1965. Roberto de Mattei is a radical Catholic reactionary, who signed the Filial Correction of Pope Francis in July 2017. He is regularly published at the reactionary websites Rorate Caeli (e.g., 7-2-17 / 1-28-15 / 7-13-17 / 3-29-17 / 10-19-16 / 11-2-16), One Peter Five (e.g., 3-8-17 and 5-16-17), and Lifesite News. I shall critique his article published at the latter site:... Read more

23 Catholic Medieval Proto-Scientists: 12th-13th Centuries

Last updated on: June 18, 2019 at 12:57 pm By Dave Armstrong

From my 2010 book, Science and Christianity: Close Partners or Mortal Enemies? (pp. 38-46). Follow the link for book and purchase information: available for as low as $2.99. I have not checked all the links. Some may be defunct after nine years. Generally, Amazon, Google Books, and Wikipedia links are pretty stable and unchanging. [New Introduction] Many people (particularly atheists) seem to have this notion that the Catholic Church in the Middle Ages was hostile to empirical inquiry, the study of processes... Read more

Scientific & Empiricist Church Fathers: To Augustine (d. 430)

Last updated on: June 18, 2019 at 12:15 pm By Dave Armstrong

From my 2010 book, Science and Christianity: Close Partners or Mortal Enemies? (pp. 19-28). Follow the link for book and purchase information: available for as low as $2.99. I have not checked all the links. Some may be defunct after nine years. Generally, Amazon, Google Books, and Wikipedia links are pretty stable and unchanging. [New Introduction] Many people (particularly atheists) seem to have this notion that the early Church and the Church fathers were hostile to empirical inquiry, the study of processes... Read more

Swearing & Post-Boomer Generations: Literary Progress?

Last updated on: June 17, 2019 at 2:18 pm By Dave Armstrong

I’ve addressed this fascinating and complex topic many times: Biblical “Ass” (Donkey) & Holier Than Thou Anti-Catholics [2007; abridged & revised: 1-19-19] Cussing Women, Chivalry, Etc. [8-24-16] Salty Language = Being “Salt”? (+ extensive Facebook discussion) [8-26-16] Simcha Fisher, Swearing, St. Paul, & Evangelizing [2-1-17] Swearing & “Younger” Generations (Sliding Scales) [1-27-18] Swearing and Sharing the Faith Don’t Mix Very Well! [National Catholic Register, 7-16-18] Recently, a discussion on the topic developed on my Facebook page. Enjoy! ***** René Albert [early 30s, I think]: You got me where... Read more

Catholics & Origins: Irreducible Complexity or Theistic Evolution?

Last updated on: June 17, 2019 at 12:40 pm By Dave Armstrong

I ran across the article, “Two Catholic Scientists Debate Intelligent Design” (Pat Flynn, Chronicles of Strength.com). The two scientists are: Dr. Stacy Trasancos: a convert to Catholicism and a nationally-recognized author, speaker, and educator on the topic of theology and science. She has a PhD in chemistry and an MA in dogmatic theology. She is a teaching fellow for Bishop Robert Barron’s new Word on Fire Institute and regularly appears on Catholic Answers Live to answer questions about faith and... Read more

On Homeschooling & Dilapidated Public Education

Last updated on: June 15, 2019 at 12:45 pm By Dave Armstrong

Here I was responding on the Coming Home Network forum (where I was the moderator from 2007-2010) to the usual horror stories about public schools and defended our own choice to homeschool our children, while calling at the same time for Christian citizens to do something about the horrifying decline of public education. * * * Even keeping one’s child away from public school dances is not complete protection. For at least fifteen years girls’ drill teams and cheerleading squads... Read more

Neo-Scholastic Thomism & Popes John Paul II & Benedict XVI

Last updated on: June 14, 2019 at 1:30 pm By Dave Armstrong

“JS”, a Thomist, with whom I have recently been debating the nature of predestination, has claimed that Pope John Paul II was a “Thomist.” In a very broad sense, one could state this. But once one looks more closely, I think it is a misleading categorization. Here is our brief exchange, from previous comments on my blog (his words in blue), and a collection of several commentaries on the general question of Thomism and the proponents of it, in its various... Read more