(10-10-06) *** I reply to the comments of “drunken tune” (never was there a more apt nickname) on the Debunking Christianity blog: *** Here’s some short answers that most Christians will have trouble with. Us atheists need not answer them because they do not contradict with [sic] atheism, Well, you have plenty of your own to deal with, so I wouldn’t wish more upon you. but they do with Christianity. According to you . . . While atheism may be depressing for some, It... Read more
(4-9-06) *** I’d like to deal with a proposed dilemma. A Lutheran professor of history with whom I was debating, stated: “Samuel, Elijah, young Solomon, etc.) did precisely what Hezekiah and Josiah felt commanded by the word of God to reject.” This was a fascinating line of inquiry. Were the righteous prophets Samuel and Elijah actually on the wrong side of the issue and on the side of a corrupt tradition later corrected by good Torah-alone proto-Protestants Josiah and Hezekiah? As we’ll see,... Read more
(4-9-06) *** The original 2006 version of this material was a very lengthy dialogue with a Lutheran professor of history, in five parts. It’s available on Internet Archive (allow time to upload): parts one / two / three / four / five. The first, basic part of that, summarizing relevant biblical passages, is also available on this website, by itself. For those interested in going much more in-depth regarding this issue, read on: *** In looking for some [Protestant] scholarly... Read more
This occurred on my Facebook [public] page underneath the posting of the related article, Holding Hands at Mass During the “Our Father”. One man’s words will be in blue, and a woman’s in green. See also my in-depth treatment of the rubrics (citing many liturgical experts: which I am assuredly not): Posture During the “Our Father” Over Against the Rubrics. ***** 1 Then some Pharisees and scribes came to Jesus from Jerusalem and asked, 2 “Why do Your disciples break the... Read more
(2-19-14) *** [originally a short post on Facebook, followed by a huge discussion: 334 comments; the Facebook thread also includes a sub-discussion on clapping for musicians — or anyone else — at Mass. I have collected my comments from the discussion] *** [see also my very popular in-depth article on this topic (7497 shares): Posture During the “Our Father” Over Against the Rubrics] *** It’s against the rubrics, folks, which in English means that the Church does not permit it. Makes me... Read more
(8-26-06) *** [This was a chapter intended for my book, The One-Minute Apologist (2007), but not included in the final draft] SACRAMENTALISM Catholics believe that sacraments give grace even if one is in unrepentant sin Isn’t that the point of ex opere operato? Initial reply Sacraments possess an inherent power to give grace, yet the effect is hindered or rendered null and void if the recipient is in serious sin. Extensive reply The Catholic belief about the efficacy of sacraments is... Read more
(12-16-09; reformulated and abridged on 3-15-17) *** Catholics believe in sola gratia, but reject sola fide as an unbiblical innovation. The fact remains that works are profoundly involved in the salvation (ultimately by grace) in some sense: St. Paul’s Teaching on the Organic Relationship of Grace / Faith and Works / Action / Obedience (Collection of 50 Pauline Passages) More “Catholic Verses” and Biblical Defenses of Catholicism: On Sanctification as Part of Salvation, and Merit and “Doing Something for Salvation” ... Read more
Including a Lengthy Analysis of 2 Peter 1:20: “no prophecy of scripture is a matter of one’s own interpretation.” Anti-Catholic polemicists David T. King and William Webster produced a self-published three-volume series entitled Holy Scripture: The Ground and Pillar of Our Faith (2001). Volume 1 from David T. King is entitled A Biblical Defense of the Reformation Principle of Sola Scriptura. I have the set in my library (they were given to me; I’d never buy ’em). I was looking through them... Read more
(3-13-14) *** Some of the texts brought forth as evidence of theosis / deification / divinization, or the attainment of a profound oneness with God, are the following (RSV): Romans 6:5 For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his. 1 Corinthians 6:17 But he who is united to the Lord becomes one spirit with him. 2 Corinthians 3:18 And we all, with unveiled... Read more
(2013) *** Initially, I got this idea for this chapter from Blessed John Henry Cardinal Newman, Lectures on the Doctrine of Justification (1838), chapter 6. Following the lead of his analogy and exegetical argument, I expanded upon it with my usual Scripture study and comparison of words. The argument, briefly stated, is an analogical one. “Gift” throughout Scripture means something actually imparted internally to us (as in the spiritual gifts). In the overall context of Romans 5, we see a... Read more
Select your answer to see how you score.
Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In