Church Fathers & Justification: Martin Chemnitz vs. Catholicism

Last updated on: August 25, 2017 at 5:12 pm By Dave Armstrong

Martin Chemnitz (1522-1586) was an eminent second-generation Lutheran theologian. 16th century anonymous portrait [public domain / Wikimedia Commons] *** (9-9-07) ***** This is one of a series of replies to the prominent 16th century Lutheran theologian Martin Chemnitz’ Examination of the Council of Trent, Part I (St. Louis: Concordia Pub. House, 1971; translated by Fred Kramer). *** Chemnitz’s words will be in blue. The words of Church fathers will be in green. * * * * * A particular interest of mine, where Chemnitz is... Read more

Calvin the “Destroyer” of Servetus: James Swan Misses Forest for Trees

Last updated on: August 28, 2017 at 1:48 pm By Dave Armstrong

We know from letters, that Calvin expressed his wish that Servetus not be burned. He wanted him beheaded. Even so, he still expressed things virtually identical to the sentiment above, that has been determined to be a bogus quotation. Read more

John Calvin: Torment of an Inept Execution “Special Will of God”

Last updated on: August 24, 2017 at 11:58 am By Dave Armstrong

Portrait of John Calvin (French school, 17th century) [public domain / Wikimedia Commons] *** (3-23-10) *** [Calvin’s own words will be highlighted in blue] From: Williston Walker, John Calvin: The Organiser of Reformed Protestantism, 1509-1564, New York and London: G. P. Putnam’s Sons; The Knickerbocker Press, 1906 [a non-Catholic work], pp. 353-355: The Comparets, who were in the city prison, were now examined with cruel torture to force from them the acknowledgment of a conspiracy . . . Calvin’s share in these... Read more

Martin Luther: “Our manner of life as evil as that of the papists”

Last updated on: August 23, 2017 at 11:01 pm By Dave Armstrong

Martin Luther, 31 December 1525 (age 42), by Lucas Cranach the Elder [public domain / Wikimedia Commons] * * * * * (12-29-07) ***** Version 1: Our manner of life is as evil as is that of the papists. Wickliffe and Huss assailed the immoral conduct of papists; but I chiefly oppose and resist their doctrine; I affirm roundly and plainly, that they preach not the truth. To this am I called; I take the goose by the neck, and set the... Read more

My Luther Research Lied About Again (James Swan & CARM)

Last updated on: August 29, 2017 at 2:31 pm By Dave Armstrong

Photograph of Pinocchio, by “sferrario1968” (1-3-16) [Pixabay / CC0 Creative Commons license] ***** I’ve gone through this nonsense repeatedly through the years. The “logic” seems to run as follows: 1. Dave Armstrong writes critically about Martin Luther. 2. Dave Armstrong is a Catholic, and worse still, a Catholic apologist! 3. Therefore, his research is immediately questionable and inaccurate. This is assumed without proof, and often (i.e., when closely scrutinized) flows largely from mere anti-Catholic prejudice. If someone actually makes a false... Read more

Dialogue on “Natural Evil” (Diseases, Hurricanes, Drought, etc.)

Last updated on: November 21, 2017 at 12:00 pm By Dave Armstrong

Photograph of a cyclone by “Comfreak” (March 2017) [Pixabay / CC0 Creative Commons] ***** (2-15-04) ***** The words of Catholic Mark Kasper will be in blue. ***** Compliments on your Romanticism discussion. Growing up on a midwestern farm, I never had much use for ‘nature-mysticism.’ Tornadoes, blizzards, -25 F nights, and +105 F days teach you quickly that nature is not a friendly force. It’s not as if us city-folk haven’t experienced most of these phenomena. But your comment misses... Read more

John Calvin & St. Cyril of Jerusalem: Comparative Eucharistic Theology

Last updated on: August 22, 2017 at 12:27 pm By Dave Armstrong

Historical Mixed Media Figure of John Calvin produced by artist/historian George S. Stuart and photographed by Peter d’Aprix (9-18-07). This image, from the George S. Stuart Gallery of Historical Figures archive (http://www.galleryhistoricalfigures.com) is provided for all uses with appropriate attribution. Any derivatives must be shared in the same manner. Contributor mharrsch is webmaster for the gallery site. [Wikimedia Commons / Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported license] *** (6-14-04) *** Reformed Protestant (or Reformed Catholic; take your pick) Kevin D. Johnson has been... Read more

Harvard / MIT Study: Breitbart & Bannon NOT Alt-Right

Last updated on: August 21, 2017 at 7:04 pm By Dave Armstrong

Dr. Samuel Green, Ku Klux Klan Grand Dragon, at an initiation ceremony in Atlanta, Georgia (July 24, 1948) [Wikimedia Commons / Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic license] ***** I have thoroughly dealt with this topic once before, in a copiously documented article (11-18-16). A key to the problem here is that “alt-right” as the title of a movement is somewhat ambiguous and ill-defined. Different people use it in different ways. This is common in newer social movements. Boundaries and parameters and definitions can... Read more

Church Fathers and the Sacrifice of the Mass (Thoroughly Catholic!)

Last updated on: August 21, 2017 at 11:44 am By Dave Armstrong

John Calvin described the Sacrifice of the Mass as an "abomination unknown to the purer Church," and stated that "this perverse course was unknown to the purer Church... Read more

St. Augustine’s Eucharistic Doctrine and Protestant “Co-Opting”

Last updated on: August 18, 2017 at 2:20 pm By Dave Armstrong

The Consecration of St Augustine, by Jaume Huguet (1412-1492) [public domain / Wikimedia Commons] *** (9-25-10) *** “Sola Scriptura‘s” words will be in blue; my cited words will be in green. *** This came about as a result of a vocal Protestant at the Catholic Answers forum (in the thread: “SPLIT: The Real Presence”). Randy Carson, a Catholic regular there, cited several of my papers, and then informed me of the thread. I then posted (through him) material from my older papers, and add now some largely... Read more