Unbiblical Antipathy to Holy Water (vs. Calvin #29)

Last updated on: May 23, 2023 at 9:47 am 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

Takeaways from Covington “Bigots” Media Frenzy & Fiasco

Last updated on: January 28, 2019 at 5:17 pm By Dave Armstrong

Random thoughts from several Facebook threads . . . Someone said that the Covington / March for Life story ought to go away soon. The people who have made fools of themselves — including many Catholics — condemning the Covington students (many of whom, but not all, have retracted) are quite happy to see it go away. I think it’s a good learning / teaching moment, because it is perhaps the classic and quintessential example (one of hundreds in just the... Read more

Catholic Authority and Conscience (vs. Calvin #28)

Last updated on: January 23, 2019 at 4:46 pm By Dave Armstrong

Tradition, Church, & the Rule of Faith (vs. Calvin #27)

Last updated on: January 23, 2019 at 3:48 pm By Dave Armstrong

Is it “Racist” to Criticize President Obama or Any Black Person?

Last updated on: January 21, 2019 at 1:57 pm By Dave Armstrong

Equality means that a black man who is President or who holds any high office is treated exactly like anyone else: and that includes being criticized and blasted on policy and being described accurately as a far-left liberal. Welcome to the rough-and-tumble world of politics! If someone can’t take it, he or she ought to get out of the kitchen. But that’s equality. If we treat a person with kid gloves, it’s precisely because we think they are too ignorant... Read more

Civil Rights Movement Sadly Ignored Sexual Morality

Last updated on: January 28, 2019 at 5:17 pm By Dave Armstrong

For necessary background information, in order to understand my opinion below, see the tremendously insightful article: “The Black Family: 40 Years of Lies,” by Kay S. Hymowitz (City Journal, Summer 2005). * * * * * As we celebrate the true greatness of the accomplishments of Dr. Martin Luther King as a civil rights leader on this holiday in his honor, it is also good to ponder where the civil rights movement went wrong. I would contend that its fatal decision and crossroads... Read more

Theological / Doctrinal “Anti-Catholicism”: Scholarly Use

Last updated on: January 20, 2019 at 4:53 pm By Dave Armstrong

(1) . . . theological anti-Catholicism or anti-‘Romanism’ remains an important part of Irish Protestant identity. (Irish Society: Sociological Perspectives, edited by Patrick Clancy; this section [“Nation Unequally: Sectarianism in Ireland”] by R McVeigh, 1995, 637) (2) Brewer (1998) also argues that theological anti-Catholicism does not necessarily lead to a strong unionist position and, in fact, that some evangelicals are . . . (“The Moral Minority: Evangelical Protestants in Northern Ireland and Their Political Behaviour,” Claire Mitchell and James Tilley, Political Studies, Volume 52, Number 3, October 2004 , pp. 585-602(18)... Read more

Biblical “Ass” (Donkey) & Holier Than Thou Anti-Catholics

Last updated on: January 20, 2019 at 12:18 am By Dave Armstrong

It Matters Not to Anti-Catholics Like James Swan Whether “Ass” is a Legitimate Term in the Bible, Shakespeare, & Even John Calvin *** This was a surreal 2007 exchange with several prominent online anti-Catholics, including James Swan. I have abridged the original, which can be viewed in all its gory details at Internet Archive (Parts One / Two / Three): and have added just a little bit presently. Words of my opponents will be in various colors. ***** [My original... Read more

Biblical Evidence: Personal Relationship with Jesus

Last updated on: January 18, 2019 at 6:17 pm By Dave Armstrong

This material is from my 2013 book, Revelation! 1001 Bible Answers to Theological Topics; except that here the Bible passages will be RSV. In the book they are mostly KJV, for copyright reasons. The book was designed to answer 1001 theological questions solely by Scripture. I have included selected portions of the section on indwelling also, since it is a closely related concept. I’ve also added two additional questions (answered by Galatians 4:9 and Philippians 3:8) that weren’t in the book.... Read more

Authority and Infallibility of Councils (vs. Calvin #26)

Last updated on: January 18, 2019 at 3:54 pm By Dave Armstrong