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

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

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