Reply to Critique of “50 NT Proofs for the Papacy” (vs. Jason Engwer)

Last updated on: September 1, 2017 at 2:36 pm By Dave Armstrong

Christ Handing the Keys to St. Peter (c. 1482) by Pietro Perugino (1448-1523) [public domain / Wikimedia Commons] *** (3-14-02) *** Jason Engwer’s satirical reply to my 50 New Testament Proofs for Petrine Primacy and the Papacy is entitled 51 Biblical Proofs of a Pauline Papacy and Ephesian Primacy. This is my counter-reply. His words will be in blue. * * * * * . . . Catholic apologist Dave Armstrong says that the evidence “is quite strong, and is inescapably compelling by virtue of its... Read more

“New” vs. “Old” Pro-Life Strategies (vs. John Cavanaugh-O’Keefe)

Last updated on: August 31, 2017 at 6:23 pm By Dave Armstrong

Image by “geralt” (10-29-12) [Pixabay / CC0 Creative Commons license] * * * The following dialogue is a continuation of my earlier interaction with Mr. O’Keefe: Are “Old” Pro-Lifers Racists & “Anti-Woman”? His words (posted on my Facebook page) will be in blue: ***** A few days ago, I wrote about a bitter division within the pro-life movement – people who defend Trump with little or no critical distance, versus a determined band of reformers. The reformers, of course, are in... Read more

THIS “Conservative” is VERY Passionate About Social Justice

Last updated on: December 4, 2017 at 12:06 pm By Dave Armstrong

The Good Samaritan, by Théodule Ribot (1823-1891) [public domain / Wikimedia Commons] * * * * * Mark Shea put up a post called, “Bp. Robert Barron on the pro-life/social justice split in the Church” (8-30-17). It consisted entirely of comments from Bishop Barron in an interview. The thing is, I completely agreed with the good bishop, even though I’m not “supposed” to, according to the splits and mutual suspicions, stereotypes, caricatures, false dichotomies, prejudices, and forced “boxes” people are habitually forced into:... Read more

1 Timothy 3:15: Sola Scriptura or Visible Church Authority?

Last updated on: September 6, 2017 at 1:24 pm By Dave Armstrong

Some Protestants argue that "church" means all believers and that "truth" in 1 Timothy 3:15 refers to the gospel only, not all spiritual matters. Here's the Catholic take. Read more

Are “Old” Pro-Lifers Racists & “Anti-Woman”? (vs. John Cavanaugh-O’Keefe)

Last updated on: August 30, 2017 at 11:18 am By Dave Armstrong

2017 March for Life; photograph by James McNellis (1-27-17) [Wikimedia Commons / Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic license] ***** John Cavanaugh-O’Keefe has been involved in pro-life rescues and related groups, that block the doors of abortion clinics, in order to save lives. Indeed, he is even thought to be the founder of such pro-life sit-ins. I was heavily involved in Operation Rescue, myself, from 1988-1990. I’ve known of his name from that time. So it’s very sad to see such a man sink so low... Read more

Was Luther “Bloodthirsty” & Violent? (James Swan & I Agree!)

Last updated on: August 29, 2017 at 4:37 pm By Dave Armstrong

Just Reward for the Most Satanic Pope and His Cardinals: “hanging” woodcut by Lucas Cranach the Elder (1472-1553), commissioned by Martin Luther in 1545. Luther’s accompanying text reads: “If the pope and cardinals were to receive temporal punishment on earth, their blasphemous tongues would deserve what is rightly depicted here.” * * * * * Reformed Protestant apologist, polemicist and Luther defender James Swan was recently objecting to an Anabaptist polemicist who was raving against Martin Luther on the large CARM... Read more

The “Problem of Good”: Great Dialogue with an Atheist (Part Two)

Last updated on: August 29, 2017 at 1:53 pm By Dave Armstrong

(the Flip Side of the Problem of Evil Argument Against Christianity) + the Nature of Meaningfulness in Atheism (vs. Mike Hardie) Image by “geralt”. Uploaded on 6-6-15 [Pixabay / CC0 public domain] *** (6-5-01) *** See Part One *** [Mike Hardie’s words will be in blue] How about committing genocide or child molestation, or deliberately oppressing people through wealth or political power? What if those things gave a person “meaning,” since you have admitted that these things are relative to the person, and... Read more

The “Problem of Good”: Great Dialogue With an Atheist

Last updated on: August 31, 2017 at 2:35 am By Dave Armstrong

I consider this the best dialogue I have ever been involved in with anyone, ever. Read more

God’s Immutability, Omniscience, & Timelessness (Atemporality)

Last updated on: August 28, 2017 at 1:27 pm By Dave Armstrong

Can God “Change His Mind”? Image by “geralt” (2-27-15) [Pixabay / CC0 Creative Commons license] *** (1-17-09) *** This is a re-edited version of earlier material from two long papers and comboxes, minus the “polemical” aspects involving another person. I want my arguments to be considered on their own apart from all the needless, fruitless “controversy.” * * * * * Here’s a helpful article I found: “Does God Change His Mind?” by Wayne Jackson. Another excellent one, far more in... Read more

Did Martin Luther Advocate & Praise the Raping of Nuns?

Last updated on: August 26, 2017 at 2:35 pm By Dave Armstrong

Katharina von Bora (1499-1552), former Catholic nun and Luther’s wife. Portrait (1529) by Lucas Cranach the Elder (1472-1553) [public domain / Wikimedia Commons] *** (11-3-16; revised on 8-26-17) ***** The Toronto Catholic Witness blog put up an article on 10-31-16, entitled, “Martin Luther advocated the raping of Nuns ~ how can any Catholic praise him, or this hideous, evil “Reformation”?” It cited Jacques Maritain’s book, The Three Reformers, which referred to “a rape of nuns which took place on the... Read more