Why Not Become a Protestant, Due to the Sex Scandals?

Last updated on: March 25, 2019 at 12:39 pm By Dave Armstrong

This is a reply to the nicely provocative article, “Why No Roman Catholic Conversions to Protestant Churches?” (8-20-18). It was written by D. G. Hart, who blogs at Patheos in the Evangelical section, called Putting the “Protest” in Protestant. Hart teaches history at Hillsdale College in Michigan: a great politically and culturally conservative college, and is “currently finishing a book on conservative Roman Catholics and American exceptionalism.” His words will be in blue. ***** With the release of Pope Francis‘ letter... Read more

Isaac and Abraham’s Agony: Dialogue with Agnostic

Last updated on: March 6, 2019 at 5:13 pm By Dave Armstrong

Words of the late Dr. Jan Schreurs will be in blue. ***** If you want a Biblical example, look at the story of Abraham about to kill Isaac (Gen. 22). God, of course, would not command Abraham to commit a sin. In a letter to a theologian, I entertained the following positions: (1) Child sacrifice was not a sin in those days; It was a sin under Old Testament Law, but this was before the Law was given to Moses. Abraham’s... Read more

Secular Humanism & Christianity: Seeking Common Ground

Last updated on: March 6, 2019 at 1:42 pm By Dave Armstrong

From discussions in a forum devoted to the question of God’s existence: May 2001. Uploaded with full permission of Sue Strandberg (a very friendly, thoughtful, and impressive person), whose words will be in blue. ***** Hi, Dave; Welcome to the list. As you can tell, the volume of mail can get heavy at times. I began last summer trying to read each and every letter with careful attention: well, that soon went out the window. It’s enough if I can follow the threads that... Read more

God’s Proof of Himself Via Miracles (vs. an Atheist)

Last updated on: March 6, 2019 at 12:34 pm By Dave Armstrong

Words of the friendly and civil atheist Gavin G. Young will be in blue. This took place in one of my blog comboxes. ***** Dave, are you familiar with what is called the problem of divine hiddenness? It is related to the problem of evil. Namely, if a loving personal god exists why has the god not revealed himself/herself to some people – including people why prayed to the god and called out to the god to provide evidence of the... Read more

Armstrong Fan Club #3: Mary Hammond, Anti-Apologetics Oracle

Last updated on: March 6, 2019 at 12:07 am By Dave Armstrong

Mary Hammond is a Catholic. She wrote all of the words below (save for a few on her page) on my own [public] Facebook page [see the entire unabridged discussion], in April 2017 [see also another related Facebook thread where she was active]. Her words will be in blue. ***** I put forth to you right now that Dave Armstrong, without regard to who trained the ass, educated the ass, is a reflection of exactly what’s wrong with the Catholic... Read more

Oral vs. Written Debates About Theology: Which is Better?

Last updated on: March 5, 2019 at 12:43 pm By Dave Armstrong

Elsewhere, I have explained in great detail why I think that public oratorical debates between Catholics and anti-Catholics are unfruitful, unhelpful exercises, for many reasons. I think it is possible to overcome these pitfalls in written exchanges. My view of such public debates has remained constant for at least five years now. I refused “King James” White when he challenged me to a live oratorical formal debate in 1995 (yes, he asked me first — I have the snail mail... Read more

Did Jesus’ “Hard Saying” (Jn 6) Make Disciples Leave?

Last updated on: March 5, 2019 at 12:09 pm By Dave Armstrong

This is an exchange with Protestant “Realist1234” (Peter) in a combox on my blog. As of writing, he still hasn’t responded to my inquiring questions, over 18 hours. If he ever does respond, I will post it here, with my counter-reply. His words will be in blue. ***** The reason why Protestants like myself do not believe the wine and bread used in the Eucharist are not the actual blood and body of Jesus is not because we don’t believe that... Read more

Veneration of Human Beings: Seven Biblical Examples

Last updated on: March 4, 2019 at 3:23 pm By Dave Armstrong

Apostles Paul and Silas, Kings David and Saul, Prophets Daniel and Samuel, Patriarch Joseph Acts 16:29-31 (RSV) And he called for lights and rushed in, and trembling with fear he fell down before [prospipto] Paul and Silas, [30] and brought them out and said, “Men, what must I do to be saved?” [31] And they said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.” Paul and Silas issue no rebuke or clarification: that they... Read more

Nuclear Bombing of Japan vs. Just War Ethics (Part I)

Last updated on: May 22, 2019 at 12:58 pm By Dave Armstrong

[See also Part II] Introduction In an e-mail, I wrote (more or less “off the cuff”): As for my $00.02 on this, I think the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki was clearly immoral by just war standards, and cannot be morally justified. Pre-emption is a notion I have no trouble with, and I believe it can be synthesized with traditional just war standards, but killing 100,000 civilians, whether at Dresden or in Japan, cannot. The decision may have been “complex” or... Read more

Latest Anti-Catholic Theory on Catholic Converts: Filthy Lucre

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

Scott Hahn and Steve Ray Supposedly Were Motivated Primarily or Solely by Financial Gain, to Become Catholics? [all material below is public Internet material] *** One “Binky Brown” [a former Catholic] writes [on the anti-Catholic CARM discussion forum] (7-10-04): “Observations About ‘Clergy Converts To Catholicism’ “ You know the people I’m talking about: Scott Hahn, David Currie, etc.. My observation is that, if you study these men, sooner or later it becomes obvious that they were in a position where... Read more