Bible & Catholicism on Ghosts & Messages from God in Dreams

Last updated on: January 18, 2017 at 1:22 pm By Dave Armstrong

Joseph’s Dream, by Gaetano Gandalfi (1734-1802) [public domain / Wikimedia Commons] *** (2-7-06) *** This is a fascinating area of study. I was thinking about this a few days ago as a result of a letter I received from a woman who had recently lost her mother. She reported how she had had a dream that seemed so vivid and real and whether it was possible to think that she had some sort of authentic encounter with her mother. My... Read more

“Witnesses” of Hebrews 12:1 (Communion of Saints)

Last updated on: January 18, 2017 at 12:39 pm By Dave Armstrong

Ancient Theatre in Philippi, built by Philip II in the 4th century BC. Photograph by Carol Raddato (4-7-12) [Wikimedia Commons / Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.0 Generic license] *** (1998) ***** This is the Greek word martus, from which is derived the English word “martyr.” 1) Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament (Joseph H. Thayer, Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Book House, 4th ed., 1977; orig. 1901, 392) defines it — as used in this verse — as follows: “One who... Read more

Natural Family Planning (NFP) & Contraceptive Intent

Last updated on: January 17, 2017 at 4:20 pm By Dave Armstrong

Image by Hea Poh Lin (9-29-16) [Wikimedia Commons / Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International license] *** (8-28-13) *** I agree with what seems to be a Catholic traditionalist emphasis in pointing out that NFP (Natural Family Planning) is widely, wrongly used; in effect as a contraceptive tool. Any good NFP instructor will point this out (since morality begins in the heart and intent: Sermon on the Mount). It’s nothing unheard of. Such a critique of suspicious and morally suspect... Read more

Reply to “Left-Wing” and “New” Pro-Lifers

Last updated on: January 17, 2017 at 3:29 pm By Dave Armstrong

Crisis Pregnancy Centers, the Supreme Court, and “Old” Pro-Life Efforts to Help Struggling Pregnant Women “Premature baby set” [Flickr / CC BY-ND 2.0 license] *** (10-24-16) *** [I’ll be replying to a hypothetical “dialogue opponent” (based on many real remarks I have heard) whose comments will be in blue] *** The Supreme Court is not the only way to end abortion. I never said that it was the only way to end abortion, but it is a way to end many... Read more

Worship of God Via Natural Images (vs. Jim Drickamer)

Last updated on: January 16, 2017 at 8:03 pm By Dave Armstrong

Joshua passing the River Jordan with the Ark of the Covenant (1800), by Benjamin West (1738-1820) [public domain / Wikimedia Commons] ***** [The words of Reformed Baptist elder Jim Drickamer will be in blue. Words of mine cited from my older paper by Jim will be in green] ***** You wrote that you were glad to discuss things with me if I take one of your papers and respond point-by-point, showing you where you are wrong in each particular. Indeed.... Read more

Christianity = Love (Orthopraxy) + Correct Doctrine (Mormonism?)

Last updated on: January 16, 2017 at 4:03 pm By Dave Armstrong

The Good Samaritan, by Augustin Théodule Ribot (1823-1891) [public domain / Wikimedia Commons] *** This is a vigorous dialogue that took place on my Facebook page, starting with criticism of my Facebook dialogue: Dialogue with an Atheist as to Whether or Not Mormons are Christians. My main Catholic counterpart’s words will be in blue. A Presbyterian friend’s words will be in green. ***** I’m with the atheist on this one. For me, a Christian is anyone who sincerely follows Christ. If... Read more

Good Discussion: Back-and-Forth Dialogue vs. “Mutual Monologue”

Last updated on: January 15, 2017 at 4:22 pm By Dave Armstrong

Image by geralt (12-4-13) [Pixabay / CC0 public domain] ***** (1-21-01) ***** As a Christian apologist (first evangelical Protestant, now Catholic) and a philosophically-minded person (and, I hope, also a fair-minded and open-minded one) who has engaged in more than 20 years’ worth of discussions with people of almost every conceivable point of view, I have come to some conclusions about the various types of discourse, and which are more fruitful and constructive than others. I distinguish between what I... Read more

Dialogue on Authoritative Bible Interpretation in the NT

Last updated on: January 14, 2017 at 10:59 am By Dave Armstrong

vs. Reformed Baptist Elder Jim Drickamer The Baptism of the Eunuch (1623), by Pieter Lastman (1583-1633) [public domain / Wikimedia Commons] *** I am replying to Jim’s comments made underneath another blog post of mine. His words will be in blue. ***** Well, then, how about this: On page 32 of your book, The Catholic Verses, you ask, “Does the Bible itself teach that it can always be understood by anyone who is filled with the Holy Spirit…?” This citation comes... Read more

My “Review” of Martin Scorsese’s “Silence”

Last updated on: January 15, 2017 at 4:42 pm By Dave Armstrong

Japanese Christians In Portugese Costume (17th century painting) [public domain / Wikimedia Commons] *** [spoilers in the latter part of this article. I clearly indicate when they start to appear] *** I don’t do true movie reviews (hence my quotation marks). I leave that to the experts, since it is primarily an artistic thing and that’s not my area. When a film is touches upon theological and spiritual themes, however, I usually have some thoughts on it, as a Catholic... Read more

Pope Silvester & the Council of Nicaea (vs. James White)

Last updated on: January 12, 2017 at 2:50 pm By Dave Armstrong

Fresco of the Council of Nicaea (325), from the Sistine Chapel, Vatican (1590) [public domain / Wikimedia Commons] *** (August 1997) *** James White, a professional anti-Catholic, wrote in his own public discussion list (of which I was a member) on 7-15-96:***I simply encourage everyone on the list to read any decent modern historical source, Roman Catholic or Protestant, on the subject of Nicea and the role of the bishop of Rome. The idea that the council was called by, presided... Read more