Judaism & Christianity: Profound Closeness in the New Testament

Last updated on: April 19, 2017 at 10:47 am By Dave Armstrong

Nicodemus and Jesus on a Rooftop (1899), by Henry Ossawa Tanner (1859-1937) [public domain / Wikimedia Commons] *** (1-2-09) *** I shall contend that Paul and the early Christians did not consider Judaism and Christianity two separate religions or fundamentally different. * I had one of those wonderful “aha!” moments today when I noticed a few small (but highly important!) details, in defending the broad notion of the openness of the young Church to the existing Judaism (which I have dealt... Read more

Anti-Semitism in the Church Fathers & Catholic History

Last updated on: April 19, 2017 at 10:48 am By Dave Armstrong

Resources and Recent Catholic Repentance Dave & Judy Armstrong in the underground tunnel tour next to the current Western or “Wailing” Wall in Jerusalem (October 2014): exploring the ancient temple retaining walls built by Herod, in Jesus’ time. [photograph by Margie Prox Sindelar] *** (7-7-08) *** Suggested Examples of Patristic Anti-Semitism St. Ignatius of Antioch (98-117 A.D.) – Epistle to the Magnesians For if we are still practicing Judaism, we admit that we have not received God’s favor…it is wrong... Read more

“One Mediator” (1 Tim 2:5) vs. All Human Mediation?

Last updated on: December 28, 2016 at 5:26 pm By Dave Armstrong

The Preaching of St Paul at Ephesus (1649), by Eustache Le Sueur (1616-1655): St. Paul is being a “mini-mediator”: by sharing God’s grace through his proclamation of the gospel [public domain / Wikimedia Commons] *** (10-14-08) ***** 1 Timothy 2:5 (RSV) For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus. I was asked: “How do Catholics deal with the sole mediation of Jesus versus the mediation of the saints?” Perhaps the following... Read more

The Bible on Asking Dead Men to Intercede (Luke 16)

Last updated on: May 22, 2020 at 6:38 pm By Dave Armstrong

The Bad Rich Man in Hell, by James Tissot (1836-1902) [public domain / Wikimedia Commons] *** (7-8-14) *** Luke 16:24 (RSV) And he called out, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy upon me, and send Laz’arus to dip the end of his finger in water and cool my tongue; for I am in anguish in this flame.’ This is the Abraham of the Bible: long dead by that time, being asked to do something by a “rich man” (16:19, 22), traditionally known... Read more

Democrat Sore Losers, Race, & Political Unity

Last updated on: December 28, 2016 at 5:29 pm By Dave Armstrong

American Anti-Slavery Tract: 1853 [public domain / Wikimedia Commons] ***** Bernard Davis is a Facebook friend of mine from Birmingham (UK), who always makes challenging and interesting comments: usually about political and ethical matters (he is very informed about US politics). We almost always disagree, but he is unfailingly polite and congenial (which I greatly respect). His political description on his Facebook profile is: “G.K.Chesterton Liberal, Communitarian, Civilization of Life”. This was an exchange on my Facebook page. I had posted... Read more

KKK and Kooky Kanned Karikatures of Konservatives

Last updated on: April 19, 2017 at 10:52 am By Dave Armstrong

vs. Dr. Edwin Woodruff Tait Ku Klux Klan members burning a cross in Denver, Colorado: 1921 [public domain / Wikimedia Commons] *** Edwin Tait has been an online friend for about 18 or so years, and we have engaged in many debates which I enjoyed, and thought were helpful and constructive (so that I have posted them on my blog). He is an Anglican church historian who recently decided to enter the Catholic Church. The rhetoric concerning the campaign and... Read more

Mark Shea, Lies, Bannon / Breitbart, & the Novelty of FACTS

Last updated on: November 22, 2021 at 3:52 pm By Dave Armstrong

Steve Bannon: currently challenging President-elect Donald Trump for the coveted, prestigious honor of being “The Most Hated Person in America” (i.e., by liberals) [Wikimedia Commons / Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported license] ***** Mark Shea: the guy who used to specialize in writing excellent and insightful Catholic apologetics (which continue to be excellent and very worthwhile, on the rare occasion that he still produces such material), has been on a relentless campaign to Tarnish and Trash Anything Trump. Mark... Read more

Dialogue with Traditionalist “Boniface” Regarding Modernism in the Church

Last updated on: April 19, 2017 at 10:55 am By Dave Armstrong

Venerable Pope Pius XII (r. 1939-1958) [public domain / Wikimedia Commons] *** (8-16-13) *** The first indented part was something I wrote prior to 2002, which was included in my book, Reflections on Radical Catholic Reactionaries. I then had a discussion with “Boniface”: a well-known legitimate traditionalist, who runs the large website, Unam Sanctam Catholicam. I invited him to my house not long ago, to give a presentation on traditionalism, so we have met. His words will be in blue. ***... Read more

Amoris Laetitia Has ALREADY Been Clarified Many Times

Last updated on: November 20, 2021 at 3:29 pm By Dave Armstrong

. . . including by high-ranking cardinals. Raymond Leo Cardinal Burke (2-22-14) [Wikimedia Commons / Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported license] ***** So why are Cardinal Burke and three other retired cardinals asking for it again? I have massively documented the repeated clarifications and defenses of this papal document, in my collection, Pope Francis Defended: Resources for Confused or Troubled Folks. Here are the articles I have compiled (including a few thoughts of my own), with their original numbers in my... Read more

Luther’s Projection of His Depression & Crises Onto St. Paul

Last updated on: April 19, 2017 at 10:56 am By Dave Armstrong

Statue of Martin Luther [public domain / Pixabay] *** (6-1-06) *** I don’t maintain any particular position as to Luther’s mental health, though I understand that it is pretty much the consensus of historians that he at least suffered fairly regular (if not cyclical) bouts with severe depression, wrestling with the devil (actually or imagined), etc. His overscrupulosity in the confessional and generally during his monastery days is also common knowledge and may, I submit, possibly suggest neurosis or personality... Read more