Christian Sinners & “Puritanical” Fanaticism (Reply to Calvin #5)

December 17, 2018 By Dave Armstrong

This is an installment of a series of replies (see the Introduction and Master List) to much of Book IV (Of the Holy Catholic Church) of Institutes of the Christian Religion, by early Protestant leader John Calvin (1509-1564). I utilize the public domain translation of Henry Beveridge, dated 1845, from the 1559 edition in Latin; available online. Calvin’s words will be in blue. All biblical citations (in my portions) will be from RSV unless otherwise noted. Related reading from yours truly: Biblical Catholic Answers for John Calvin (2010 book:... Read more

Bible “Contradictions” & Plausibility (Dialogue w Atheist)

December 17, 2018 By Dave Armstrong

This exchange occurred underneath my post, Reply to Atheists: Defining a [Biblical] “Contradiction”. Words of Stewart Felker will be in blue. He gave even further replies in this thread than what I have recorded below, if anyone is interested. ***** I think you’re being a bit uncharitable with some of this, Dave. Their question of your method for disputing contradictions and suggesting alternatives — particularly, whether you think that the mere possibility of an alternative interpretation alone is enough to counteract claimed... Read more

Old Testament Citations in the NT Defended (Jn 7:38)

December 15, 2018 By Dave Armstrong

Mitch / “ProfMTH” (words in blue below) is about 46 years old and is an atheist and former Catholic. In his video, The Book of Job – Part One (at 0:57 – 1:03), Mitch says he was getting ready to graduate from high school in 1981 and at the same time “was considering entering religious life, to study for the priesthood.” In a comment under his August 2009 video, The “Real” Paul, Mitch states, “I teach various law courses and courses on debate.” I... Read more

“How Can we Find a List of Infallible Catholic Doctrines?”

December 15, 2018 By Dave Armstrong

This question about which Catholic doctrines are infallible, was asked in another forum. Since I’ve heard it asked many times, I thought it would be good to share my answer for public consumption: All this talk about the infallible doctrines of the RC got me to wondering: where can I find the book or books in which these doctrines are set forth? Is there some kind of list, like all the decisions of all the Councils plus all the Papal... Read more

St. Paul: Two-Faced Re Unbelief? (Romans 1 “vs.” Epistles)

December 14, 2018 By Dave Armstrong

The video under consideration was posted at You Tube on 3 August 2009. Mitch / “ProfMTH” is about 46 years old and is an atheist and former Catholic. In his video, The Book of Job – Part One (at 0:57 – 1:03), Mitch says he was getting ready to graduate from high school in 1981 and at the same time “was considering entering religious life, to study for the priesthood.” In a comment under his August 2009 video, “The ‘Real’ Paul”, Mitch states, “I teach... Read more

Reply to Atheist Queries Re God (Esp. Trinity & Salvation)

December 13, 2018 By Dave Armstrong

This exchange took place on an Internet List devoted to the question of God’s existence. I had just recently arrived. Dr. Ted Drange‘s words will be in blue. The first series of questions (in green) was asked by another atheist who didn’t want his words recorded. But the short questions themselves seemed to perhaps be from another source, so I have retained them, as a valuable means for allowing an explanation of Christianity. * * * * * Catholicism is a rather... Read more

Dialogue w Atheist on Post-Resurrection “Contradictions”

December 13, 2018 By Dave Armstrong

This is what our friend “DagoodS” (former fundamentalist Christian and now atheist) does: he loves to gleefully suggest supposed contradictions in the Bible, so he can feel all the more comfortable and comfy-cozy in his relatively new atheist “skin.” He can confidently, triumphantly face each new day with his head held high, “knowing” that he has refuted those ignorant, lying, intellectually dishonest Christian apologists once again. He correctly understands the Bible; we Christians don’t, because (so he tells us) we are blinded by our belief... Read more

Reply to Atheists: Defining a [Biblical] “Contradiction”

December 12, 2018 By Dave Armstrong

This exchange with the atheist “Dagoods” (words in blue) occurred in the original Blogspot combox of Dialogue w Atheist: Joseph of Arimathea “Contradictions” (??) (Lousy Atheist Exegesis Example #5672). Later, a second atheist chimes in. ***** Commenter Robert wrote: DagoodS, Aristotle gave the standard definition of a contradiction. Two statements are contradictory if they cannot both be true and also they cannot both be false. (His explanation is a bit more involved, but this is sufficient). For instance “it rained yesterday... Read more

Dialogue w Atheist: Joseph of Arimathea “Contradictions” (??)

December 12, 2018 By Dave Armstrong

Lousy Atheist Exegesis Example #5672 ***** Words of “DagoodS” words will be in blue. * * * * * If I’ve seen this tendency in atheist “exegesis” once, I’ve seen it a hundred times. I have noted over and over in my critiques of atheism how our non-believing friends cannot for the life of them approach the Bible with fairness and objectivity. They will see the slightest difference in two texts and assert “contradiction.” They will blithely, with complete arbitrariness, assert... Read more

12 Disciples of Jesus: Alleged Contradictions Debunked

December 11, 2018 By Dave Armstrong

This is a favorite argument of atheists and skeptics, who relish opportunities to show how the Bible is so “obviously” contradictory and how Christians are such gullible fools for not seeing that this is the case: supposedly so clearly and often. But, as usual, the truth of the matter is not nearly as simple as the atheist would love it to be. Bible scholars have studied the question (as all matters in Bible interpretation) inside and out, up and down,... Read more