Is 1 Kings 2:17-25 a Fatal Counter-Example? (with Steve Ray) I received the following letter: We are Anglican, and looking very deeply into the Catholic church. There is one matter that troubles me which I hope you will be able to clarify for me. I ordered Knowing Mary Through the Bible, a DVD series by Ted Sri, and have been watching it. At one point, Dr. Sri makes the point that Jesus will not refuse Mary’s requests, and the text... Read more
Grimlock (a Norwegian) is a regular (and rather inquisitive and provocative) contributor on my blog. He was responding underneath my paper, “Do Catholics Believe in Predestination? Yes! But . . .” His words will be in blue. ***** Not finding this very intuitive to grasp, so I’ve got some questions to clarify. I tried to make them yes/no questions. Let me know if any of the questions need to be clarified. 1. Does God know before a person is created whether... Read more
This was a chapter, intended for, but not included in my book, The One-Minute Apologist (2007). ***** SALVATION Catholics don’t believe in predestination *** Catholics think that man’s free will is the final determinant of salvation *** Initial Reply * The Catholic Church believes in the predestination of the elect, or those who are saved; it only denies that God predestines anyone to hell from eternity without any consideration of their own free will decisions. Extensive Reply * It is a common... Read more
VicQRuiz is a friendly “agnostic/deist” who commented on my 2001 exchange: The “Problem of Good”: Great Dialogue With an Atheist. I compiled those replies and my responses, and now will reply to further comments of his. His words (complete) will be in blue. My older words to which he is responding will be indented. ***** From your lengthy reply I have selected those comments upon which I think I can best opine. If there is something else you said which you think I really... Read more
The following list of alleged biblical “contradictions” was put together by Dr. Ted Drange, philosophy professor, an atheist on an atheist-dominated Internet list devoted to God’s existence. Another person on the list (Nick) originally presented them (with some discrepancies from Ted’s version) and challenged me to provide a counter-reply. I was informed by yet another prominent, active list member that these two men were the most biblically knowledgeable of the atheists on the list (which has some 70 or so... Read more
This is a follow-up to my dialogue, “Pro-Abortion”: Reply to an Objection to its Use. My dialogue opponents’ words will be in blue. The dialogue in its original format (I’ve made it more “back-and-forth” here, like a Platonic / Socratic dialogue) can be seen in this combox. ***** In addressing your points —> (1-2) I also support legalizing cannabis across the board, & am supportive of legalizing euthanasia under certain conditions. That does not make me “pro-cannabis” or “pro-euthanasia”. I support the... Read more
This is an example that Reformed Protestant scholar Dr. Armstrong provides in support of his oft-expressed disdain for what he calls “popular apologetics.” In an article entitled “Roman Catholic Special Pleading,” he stated: I am also amazed at some of the Scripture twisting I hear from earnest and sincere Catholic apologists. . . . Like fundamentalists, these folks often go to unusual extremes to ‘prove’ a point of controversial, non-mainstream, non-apostolic theology. Such was the case on Monday, June 20... Read more
A person on my blog raised this objection, after I used the term “pro-abort” in one of my articles. Her words will be in blue. ***** No doubt it ingratiates you with very conservative readers, but unless you wish to alienate those of us who are more moderate or liberal, please try to refrain from unnecessarily derogatory language such as calling pro-choicers “pro-aborts”. Or, just estrange part of your readership, if that’s your desire. Are you in favor of legal... Read more
Even St. Paul’s books were disputed by at least two major early figures, or at least not introduced as “Scripture” per se. For example, we have no positive evidence that St. Justin Martyr (d. c. 165) regarded Philippians, 1, 2 Timothy, Titus, Philemon, Hebrews, James, 2 Peter, or 1, 2, and 3 John. as biblical books. That’s eleven out of 27 books. The same is true of 2 Timothy, Titus, and Philemon, with regard to St. Polycarp (c. 69 – c. 155). St. Irenaeus,... Read more
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Modernism vs. History in Genesis & Biblical Inspiration
This all occurred when a man came onto one of my comboxes, chiming in about an existing discussion with an agnostic / deist, saying about himself, “I’d be OK with the label progressive or even liberal.” He has (by his own report) “a Ph.D. in philosophy from Catholic University, Washington, D.C.”, and is “a retired teacher of Church, theology, liturgy, the Bible, science, children’s books, traditional virtues, social justice, ecological responsibilities, . . .”; also a “lector, cantor, and extraordinary... Read more