How Many Sacraments: According to Martin Luther?

Last updated on: November 17, 2018 at 3:03 pm By Dave Armstrong

+ Luther Expert James Swan’s and Luther’s Works Editors’ Confusion as to Luther’s Position Martin Luther, the founder of Protestantism, believed that there were only two sacraments (not seven). And he believed that there were more than two. If you’re confused by the previous two sentences, you should be. Luther was quite capable of both vacillation and believing several contradictory things at the same time. So why should the issue of sacramentalism be any different? I’m writing about this because... Read more

Old Liberal Moral Causes (“The Post”) vs. Tabloid Liberalism

Last updated on: November 17, 2018 at 3:22 pm By Dave Armstrong

The Media Today is Vastly Different than it Was in 1971 but Remains as Free as it Ever Was I watched Steven Spielberg‘s film, The Post last night: about the Washington Compost and its publishing of The Pentagon Papers (obtained from Daniel Ellsberg). I was struck yet again by the fact that it’s been so long since the Democrats and liberals (I generalize, but accurately) actually stood for Liberal Causes and Issues that Catholics and other Christians could agree with; things... Read more

Protestant Revolt Was Largely Politically Motivated

Last updated on: November 15, 2018 at 4:10 pm By Dave Armstrong

I mostly compiled citations from Catholic and Protestant scholars, in this section, which was part of my much longer original 1994 version of my first book, A Biblical Defense of Catholicism. The few interjections of my own will be in blue. The rest of the material (minus my category titles) consists of citations: which I won’t bother to indent.*1. Summary *It was purely and simply by means of this league between the princes and the preachers and theologians that the... Read more

Debate: SCOTUS & GOP in Relation to Abortion Rates

Last updated on: November 15, 2018 at 5:49 pm By Dave Armstrong

Scott Eric Alt, my friend and a pro-lifer who proudly voted Democrat in November 2018, wrote on his Facebook page on 13-14 November (his words in blue henceforth): The majority opinion in Roe v Wade was written by Harry Blackmun. Blackmun was appointed by Nixon. The dissent in Roe v Wade was written by Byron White. White was appointed by JFK. The majority opinion in Planned Parenthood v Casey was written by Sandra Day O’Connor (Reagan appointee), Anthony Kennedy (Reagan... Read more

Debate [?] on Biblical Honor of Rulers: Including Trump

Last updated on: November 14, 2018 at 2:44 pm By Dave Armstrong

I had an exchange on my Facebook page. It’s now deleted from there because my opponent (a man who has visited my page for years: almost always commenting on political matters, rather than theological) absolutely refused to allow me to post his words here. He also absolutely refused to ever answer my questions (as you will see). He was reacting to my post, Wicked Rulers Honored (Saul, Solomon, Nero, High Priest). I shall paraphrase his thoughts in blue (so as... Read more

Review of The White Album (Beatles): 50th Anniversary Remix

Last updated on: November 16, 2018 at 6:37 pm By Dave Armstrong

My favorite-sounding songs from The White Album up till now were a mixture of mono and stereo (I preferred ten in mono). Generally in my “Beatles taste” I prefer the rockers in mono, with the drums centered (unless they’re already centered in the stereo). Almost always, I dislike the drums in one channel only. It takes away the power, punch, and overall impact, and doesn’t sound live at all. In a word, it’s wimpy drums, and that just ain’t right... Read more

Silly Atheist Arguments vs. the Resurrection & Miracles

Last updated on: November 13, 2018 at 12:47 pm By Dave Armstrong

From my book, Mere Christian Apologetics (2002; published in paperback in 2007) *** It is often claimed that the Resurrection is suspect because it defies natural laws. But that’s what all miracles do. The question is whether they occur or not, and that is determined by substantiation and eyewitnesses. More than 500 people saw the risen Jesus (1 Corinthians 15:6). There was without doubt an empty tomb, which had been watched by a Roman Guard under penalty of death if they had allowed... Read more

Wicked Rulers Honored (Saul, Solomon, Nero, High Priest)

Last updated on: November 13, 2018 at 12:17 pm By Dave Armstrong

This was originally a back-and-forth debate on Facebook. I have condensed the heart of my thoughts. ***** From his Facebook page tonight. Rod Dreher wrote a hit-piece on President Trump (“Trump: The Long Emergency”), with all the usual insinuations of out-of-control insanity, etc. It’s yet more Trump Derangement Syndrome. Did he go after the turkey-pardoning ceremony? Did Trump screw that up somehow, too: just like Melania’s Christmas decorations were described as post-nuclear destruction? I was hoping Dreher would go after the... Read more

Good Christians Can Support Trump (Amazingly Enough)!

Last updated on: November 12, 2018 at 5:48 pm By Dave Armstrong

***** Of course a Christian can do that, and quite obviously so: 1. Just as God made an eternal covenant with David and made him a forerunner of the Messiah Jesus, knowing from eternity that he would have a man killed in order to have his wife, whom he was already sleeping with. 2. Just as God gave Moses the Ten Commandments and responsibility to deliver, lead, and teach the Jews and write five books of the Old Testament, even... Read more

Calling of St. Paul & Church Authority: Dialogue w Calvinist

Last updated on: November 12, 2018 at 1:08 pm By Dave Armstrong

This is a Facebook exchange I had with Neil Shenvi, a chemist who is a Calvinist. His words will be in blue. * * * * * I haven’t actually been arguing for Sola Scriptura. In fact, it is completely compatible with my argument to claim that there are also traditions passed on by the apostles that are in some way authoritative. What I am asking is whether the words of God are given ultimate authority over everything else, including the practice of the church.... Read more