Dave Van Allen runs the large website ExChristian.Net [or at least he did in September 2007, when this was written]. His words will be in blue. Dr. Jim Arvo’s words will be in green. * * * * * One of the biggest contradictions I could not rectify was whether or not Judas threw his money into the temple and hanged himself or bought a field and fell headlong into it. Let’s examine this alleged contradiction: Matthew 27:5-10 (RSV) And throwing down the pieces... Read more
John Calvin’s extreme position that music in worship is rank idolatry is wrong in light of the following biblical data. * * * * * With regard to musical instruments in a context of worshiping God, we have the model of David and others of his time worshiping God with harps, tambourines, etc.: Psalm 33:2 (RSV) Praise the LORD with the lyre, make melody to him with the harp of ten strings! Psalm 71:22 I will also praise thee with the harp for thy faithfulness, O my... Read more
[words of anti-Catholics “Turretinfan” will be in blue; Ken Temple’s in green; Ron DiGiacomo’s in purple] Turretinfan recently wrote: Men love idols. We can see this throughout the Old Testament and New Testament. . . . The Israelites are repeatedly warned against the dangers of idolatry . . . The New Testament likewise describes the pagan fondness for idolatry . . . It’s a huge temptation, and the religion of Rome is rife with it. For example, the bread and wine are worshiped... Read more
[Excerpts from the original 750-page 1994 version of my first book, A Biblical Defense of Catholicism] ***** 1. Alan Schreck The Catholic Church has never taught that in the Mass Jesus is “resacrificed” or offered up to suffer again. The Catholic Mass is called a sacrifice because it “re-presents,” “e-enacts,” or presents once again before us, the one sacrifice of Christ on Calvary . . . What Jesus did in the past — his death on the cross — is present... Read more
[Material compiled for the early (750 page!) draft (1994) of my first book, A Biblical Defense of Catholicism] ***** I. THE EUCHARIST AS AN EXTENSION OF THE INCARNATION 1. Thomas Howard Sacrament, recalling and presenting the Incarnation itself, is not so much supernatural as quintessentially natural, because it restores to nature its true function of being full of God . . . Indeed heaven and earth are full of His glory. Nature is the God-bearer, so to speak . . .... Read more
In Catholic (and biblical) ascetic spirituality, or what are called “the evangelical counsels,” a person may voluntarily (sometimes heroically) renounce something for the kingdom of God. Some biblical examples are the prophets, John the Baptist, and the disciples. There are many callings and roles to fill. Not everyone can be a Marine, or a Green Beret, or a Rhodes scholar, or an NBA all-star. Those are things that call for qualifications that not everyone can meet (if you’re five feet... Read more
I’ve been accused by some of being “anti-Luther” in ways in which I am not at all. I disagree as a consistent Catholic with several of his teachings; happily agree with others. But I do not subscribe to certain excesses of Catholic Luther polemics: especially of the sort that prevailed before Vatican II. Some Catholic historians, like Grisar, have a natural Catholic bias, but are not strictly “anti”-Luther. Others, like O’Hare, and Cochlaeus and Denifle, clearly are slanderously and venomously... Read more
This is a dialogue with an evangelical pastor (5-27-97), followed by clarifying remarks made in response to the questions of a Catholic friend (6-3-97), and further dialogues with several Protestants from late 1998. Words of all those besides myself are in blue. ***** These verses may form a rationale, but the question is what kind of rationale do they form? Since the author puts the matter on the rational level rather than a strict biblical one it would be proper to... Read more
Wayne Conner showed up underneath one of my real dialogues with an atheist, and gave us a quintessential display of the hypocrisy and essential silliness of the “angry”-type, sophistical atheist, who demands “evidence” for why the Christian believes as he does, and then mocks and ignores it when it is provided. It’s all just a big game, folks. Don’t waste time with people like this! I did, only to illustrate an important point. His words will be in blue. *****... Read more
Follow-up to Part I. Words of Anthrotheist will be in blue. *** “To the contrary, there is a unified set of moral principles common to all societies at all times.” The example given (Lewis) basically seems to boil down to: don’t murder, don’t steal, don’t break vows (marriage or otherwise), don’t lie, respect authority, and take care of the sick, the elderly, and children. I think it would be difficult to find a stable, enduring society without these basic behaviors... Read more
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