Catholic (?) Vatican II-Bashing: Cutting Thru the Crap

Last updated on: April 28, 2019 at 10:05 am By Dave Armstrong

This was a spontaneous exchange on my Facebook page. Words of the participants (besides myself) are color-coded. Thanks to Deacon David Oatney in particular for his very helpful contributions. ***** Joshua Herbert [U.S. church membership has ] been in decline since Vatican II, go figure. There was also this thing called “the 60s” and the sexual revolution . . . But people prefer to blame an orthodox ecumenical council. Go figure. Are you claiming that VCII is heterodox or not? [Joshua... Read more

“Former Christian” Atheists & Theological Ignorance

Last updated on: April 25, 2019 at 10:00 am By Dave Armstrong

The knowledge that any given atheist has of Christianity (and many claim to be former Christians) always has to be demonstrated. I don’t simply accept one’s word for it. I know far better than that. I’ve rarely met an atheist who truly understands Christianity to the extent that is often made out. Knowledge about theology and being a Christian are two entirely different things. Instead I see lots of basic category and factual mistakes in atheist polemics against Christians. Occasionally... Read more

Seidensticker Folly #32: Sophistically Redefining “Contradiction”

Last updated on: April 20, 2019 at 1:42 pm By Dave Armstrong

Atheist and anti-theist Bob Seidensticker, who was “raised Presbyterian”, runs the influential Cross Examined blog. He asked me there, on 8-11-18: “I’ve got 1000+ posts here attacking your worldview. You just going to let that stand? Or could you present a helpful new perspective that I’ve ignored on one or two of those posts?” He also made a general statement on 6-22-17: “Christians’ arguments are easy to refute . . . I’ve heard the good stuff, and it’s not very good.” He added in the combox: “If I’ve misunderstood the Christian position or Christian... Read more

Seidensticker Folly #31: Jesus’ Burial Spices Contradiction?

Last updated on: April 20, 2019 at 10:53 am By Dave Armstrong

My Holy Land Journal: Church of the Holy Sepulchre

Last updated on: August 14, 2023 at 2:44 pm By Dave Armstrong

[from my 2014 book, Footsteps that Echo Forever: My Holy Land Pilgrimage] ***** Day Nine: 26 October [2014] [Church of the Holy Sepulchre] After the first night in our hotel in Jerusalem (with some delightful fun walking the nearby streets after the Sabbath ended, for a pizza), we set out in the morning to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre: using a map that we had in a free pamphlet. It was a very interesting walk: passing through the New... Read more

Holy Trinity: Hundreds of Biblical Proofs (RSV Edition)

Last updated on: April 18, 2019 at 10:55 am By Dave Armstrong

[all passages RSV unless otherwise noted] 1. The Unity of God and Monotheism Deuteronomy 6:4 Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD; (cf. Mk 12:29; 1 Cor 8:6; Eph 4:5-6; 1 Tim 2:5; Jas 2:19) Deuteronomy 32:39 …there is no god beside me.… Isaiah 37:20 …thou alone art the LORD. (cf. 37:16) Isaiah 43:10 …Before me no god was formed, nor shall there be any after me. Isaiah 44:8 …Is there a God besides me? There is... Read more

Jesus is God: Hundreds of Biblical Proofs (RSV Edition)

Last updated on: November 26, 2024 at 11:29 pm By Dave Armstrong

300 Biblical Proofs + Many Additional Related Cross-References [all passages RSV unless indicated otherwise] [green verses indicate words of Jesus Himself] 1. Direct Statements of Jesus’ Equality with God the Father Matthew 1:23 “Behold, a virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and his name shall be called Emmanuel” (which means, God with us). Matthew 4:7 Jesus said to him, “Again it is written, ‘You shall not tempt the Lord your God.’” [the devil was tempting Jesus: 4:3, 5-6] Matthew... Read more

Superstition About the “Preserved” High Altar at Notre Dame

Last updated on: April 18, 2019 at 10:35 am By Dave Armstrong

. . . And Continued Cynical, Highly Selective, “Pick and Choose” Acceptance of the Teaching of Pope Benedict XVI 2 Timothy 4:3-4 (RSV) For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own likings, [4] and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander into myths. ***** Now there are memes circulating about the high altar at Notre Dame (for the Old / Tridentine... Read more

Dialogue on the Renaissance: Good or Bad Thing?

Last updated on: April 16, 2019 at 12:12 pm By Dave Armstrong

This occurred spontaneously on one of my Facebook threads. I argued that it was mostly “good”; my dialogue opponent, William C. Michael, thought the opposite (with some eventual minor qualifications). His words will be in blue. ***** The danger of all of the Christian energy wasted on political action is that, eventually, it leads to a let-down, as the Crusades led to the Renaissance. We’re not supposed to be exhausting our energy in politics and when we do, the result... Read more

Take Heart: Notre Dame WILL be Rebuilt: Better Than Ever!

Last updated on: April 16, 2019 at 11:11 am By Dave Armstrong

Be of good cheer! All three rose windows survived. The two iconic towers with their wonderful bells are still standing. Notre Dame can and will be rebuilt. The entire stone frame is still more or less intact. Other cathedrals have been restored: some, with far worse damage (and some even from scratch). The most precious relics were saved, too, by heroic action. I have collected several articles below about cathedral rebuilding and restoration. Images appear to show that Notre Dame’s... Read more