Questions Re Catholic Mariology & the Rosary

Last updated on: February 25, 2017 at 11:57 am By Dave Armstrong

Madonna and Child (c. 1742), by Pompeo Batoni (1708-1787) [public domain / Wikimedia Commons] *** [1-29-07] ** The following is my response to a Catholic convert, Jonathan, who described himself as “struggling.” His words will be in blue. *** As a recent convert to Catholicism I must admit that the most difficult and frightening thing for me to understand is the Catholic perception of Mary. You’re not alone, believe me. Ironically, this wasn’t true in my case. My biggest beef... Read more

Biblical Evidence for Marian Apparitions

Last updated on: February 25, 2017 at 11:59 am By Dave Armstrong

Transfiguration, by Giovanni Gerolamo Savoldo (c. 1480 – c. 1548) [public domain / Wikimedia Commons] *** [2-26-11] *** By analogy, biblical accounts of “appearances” of those who have died, are of the same essential nature as a Marian apparition. Angels (i.e., also creatures like men) might also be included in such a survey, but stories of angels are relatively well-known, and for the sake of closer analogy and brevity, I have selected only passages with men or the appearance of... Read more

Is America Arguably the Wickedest Nation of All Time?

Last updated on: April 18, 2017 at 6:53 pm By Dave Armstrong

Pro-Life Sarasota Florida: 33rd March For Life. Photograph by Elvert Barnes (22 January 2006) [Flickr / CC BY 2.0 license] *** [9-21-01] *** [Excerpts from a much longer paper, written at the same time] *** The most rebellious nations (by definition), and the most worthy of judgment, are the most Judaism- or Christianity-saturated nations. They are all the more accountable for their rebellion, just as ancient Israel became an abomination to God time and time again because she was given... Read more

Luther Wasn’t a Revolutionary?! HUH?!

Last updated on: April 18, 2017 at 6:54 pm By Dave Armstrong

Posthumous Portrait of Martin Luther as an Augustinian Monk (after 1546), from the workshop of Lucas Cranach the Elder (1472-1553) [public domain / Wikimedia Commons] *** [4-27-04] *** Many Protestants have argued that Martin Luther never intended to start a “new religion” or denomination, or to split Christianity; in fact that he never intended to leave the Catholic Church. One can quibble about when and why he intended on starting a new version of Christianity, but the fact remains that he did. It... Read more

Protestantism Was NOT a Revolt?

Last updated on: April 18, 2017 at 6:56 pm By Dave Armstrong

Luther at the Diet of Worms (1877), by Anton von Werner (1843-1915) [public domain / Wikimedia Commons] *** [6-2-03; slightly revised on 12-8-11] *** The so-called Protestant “Reformation” had to do with the abolition of five of seven sacraments, the move to sola Scriptura as the rule of faith over against an authoritative Church and councils and apostolic succession and episcopacy (and including a papacy as well), the ending of the Sacrifice of the Mass, the move away from... Read more

Presidential Poll Reversals / Likely Voters Analysis

Last updated on: April 19, 2017 at 12:57 pm By Dave Armstrong

Original title: “Past Presidential Polls Mid-Race and Contrary Outcome in November” John F. Kennedy and Richard Nixon taken prior to their first debate at WBBM-TV in Chicago: 26 September 1960 (Asociated Press) [public domain / Wikimedia Commons] ***** [I originally posted this about a month ago (6-24-16) on my Facebook page. Presently I will simply add some recent polling indications for the general election and battleground states that show Trump now even or ahead] *** 1960 August / September: Kennedy: 44% /... Read more

Catholic “Trump Wars” & Civil Discourse

Last updated on: February 25, 2017 at 12:06 pm By Dave Armstrong

Photograph from Pexels.com [CC0 license; free for any use with no attribution] ***** [the initial impetus for this article came from learning about a friend who opposes Trump, who expressed that she had been deeply hurt by friends] There is plenty of vitriol on both sides. No one has a monopoly on it. We need to condemn harsh rhetoric and gratuitous insults wherever it comes from. I will vote for Trump, not because he is a canonized saint, but because he is... Read more

The Real Pope Francis vs. the Imaginary Pope Francis

Last updated on: June 3, 2017 at 12:36 pm By Dave Armstrong

Venice carnival masks (February 2008. Photo by “Dagoos” [Wikimedia Commons / Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.5 Generic license] *** As any conscious person who follows Catholic affairs at all, knows, there seems to be a constant uproar and “buzz” about this, that, or the other thing that the Holy Father said. One of my friends claimed that Pope Francis’ shortcomings were the cause, and asked my opinion about it. The following was my reply (expanded for this article): 1) I... Read more

Ratzinger: Avoid Criticizing Church in “Mass Media”

Last updated on: November 22, 2021 at 2:30 pm By Dave Armstrong

Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger (the future Pope Benedict XVI) on 12 May 2001. Photograph by Manfredo Ferrari [Wikimedia Commons / Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International license] ***** Four days ago, I produced a post entitled, “‘Confusing’ Pope Francis & Prudent Public Discussion.” In it, I summarized my position in the following words: Even if our objections are perfectly legitimate and worthy of attention and concern, it’s another question entirely, whether they ought to be aired in public, with the whole world watching. I... Read more