Predestination & the Ingenious “Solution” of Fr. Most

Last updated on: September 17, 2018 at 4:21 pm By Dave Armstrong

This will be a collection of interesting, thought-provoking material I have dug up today in my own library and on the Internet about this fascinating issue. For those unfamiliar with the general controversies surrounding the issue of free will and God’s providence and foreknowledge, with regard to salvation and election (particularly within a Catholic theological framework), the following will be (I hope) a helpful (albeit very philosophically dense and heavy) aid. * I have sought to cite the most clearly... Read more

Seidensticker Folly #18: Resurrection “Contradictions”?

Last updated on: September 17, 2018 at 2:15 pm By Dave Armstrong

Atheist and anti-theist Bob Seidensticker runs the influential Cross Examined blog. He asked me there, on 8-11-18: “I’ve got 1000+ posts here attacking your worldview. You just going to let that stand? Or could you present a helpful new perspective that I’ve ignored on one or two of those posts?” He also made a general statement on 6-22-17: “In this blog, I’ve responded to many Christian arguments . . . Christians’ arguments are easy to refute.” He added in the combox: “If I’ve misunderstood the Christian position or Christian arguments, point that... Read more

“Could the Catholic Church Go Off the Rails?” (Indefectibility)

Last updated on: September 15, 2018 at 2:01 pm By Dave Armstrong

Back in 1997, a Protestant correspondent, who was considering conversion to Catholicism asked me about this. His words will be in green. Then a Catholic chimed in (his words in blue). ***** My question is a hypothetical one. What would your response be if Rome issued a statement affirming the homosexual lifestyle (I know homosexuality is a sin along the lines of heterosexual immorality), or for that matter, affirming the ordination of women into the priesthood? I hope you understand where... Read more

Dialogue on Hell & the “Possibility” of Universalism

Last updated on: September 15, 2018 at 12:15 pm By Dave Armstrong

Geoffrey’s words will be in blue; Kevin’s in green. ***** What does the Roman Catholic Church teach regarding the theologoumenon that at the moment before death, each unsaved individual encounters Christ who offers him one last chance at salvation? I believe we teach that our fate is sealed before we die, which is why it is so important to “die a good death.” God can give much grace near the end, but once we die, the “chances” are done with. We... Read more

Jesus’ Death: Proof of a “Bloodthirsty” God, or Loving Sacrifice?

Last updated on: September 14, 2018 at 2:10 pm By Dave Armstrong

— primarily written to and for atheists — Jesus’ death makes perfect sense, even from our human perspective. Sin and rebellion against God cause great damage to the cosmos: a disruption. God has set things up so that suffering (as a result of man’s general rebellion against God: what Christians call the Fall of Man) can help others and can be turned into ultimate good. When we willingly suffer, it helps other souls (just as Christians believe prayer also does).... Read more

Dialogue: Lutherans, Sola Scriptura, & the Church Fathers

Last updated on: September 14, 2018 at 1:16 pm By Dave Armstrong

“wildboar” (Steve Parks, a Lutheran pastor, or soon to be one) has written an interesting piece over at Here We Stand, a conservative Lutheran blog, entitled, Honor Thy Fathers? This short essay gets right to the heart of the matter, with regard to the nature of the Protestant Rule of Faith, or sola Scriptura. Following Luther and Calvin, it states that while properly biblical tradition is helpful and worthy of respect, Holy Scripture is the sole infallible rule of faith, over against any Church or Tradition.... Read more

Dialogue on Molinism and on How God Predestines

Last updated on: September 13, 2018 at 2:30 pm By Dave Armstrong

I received the following letter from a fellow Catholic and asked permission to post it and discuss the issue on this blog. He wanted to remain anonymous, and so will be known as “JS” here. His words will be in blue. * * * * * Background: Catholic theologian Ludwig Ott provides a brief but very technical definition of Molinism (not for the faint of heart), which is my own position: Most of the Molinists, and also St. Francis de Sales... Read more

Dialogue on Deconversion & Losing One’s Faith in College

Last updated on: September 13, 2018 at 1:33 pm By Dave Armstrong

Daniel Morgan (atheist) responded in my comments boxes, with regard to my critique of John Loftus’ deconversion story. This is my reply. His words will be in blue; my older cited words in green. * * * * * Hi Daniel, Thanks much for the rational response. It’s good to know that at least one atheist who comments here has his wits about him [see, e.g., John Loftus’ astounding display of hostile non sequiturs, in “response” to my critique] . Y’all are generally a pretty sharp... Read more

Dialogue on God’s Middle Knowledge & Foreknowledge

Last updated on: September 12, 2018 at 12:54 pm By Dave Armstrong

vs. Dr. Alexander Pruss The following is my friendly dialogue (from 1997) with Dr. Alexander Pruss [an orthodox Catholic with Ph.D.’s in mathematics and philosophy] on the subject of middle knowledge (or, scientia media). He had obtained his doctorate in mathematics the year before and would also earn one in philosophy in 2001. His dissertation was entitled, his dissertation, Possible Worlds: What They Are and What They Are Good For. He is one of the leading orthodox Catholic philosophers today. See some of... Read more

Calvinist Total Depravity vs. Catholic Concupiscence

Last updated on: June 6, 2026 at 12:36 am By Dave Armstrong

I think an orthodox “Reformation” Calvinist would agree with the definition of Total Depravity in The Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church (edited by F. L. Cross, rev. 1983, 1387) — with which I also agree: [T]he extreme wretchedness of man’s condition as the result of the Fall. It emphasizes the belief that this result was not a mere loss or deprivation of a supernatural endowment possessed by unfallen man, but a radical corruption or deprivation of his whole nature, so that apart from Christ he... Read more

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

What was Cornelius' profession?

Select your answer to see how you score.