Does Catholic Merit = “Works Salvation”?

Last updated on: February 25, 2017 at 12:33 pm By Dave Armstrong

Photograph by “Gadini” (2-23-15) [Pixabay / CC0 public domain] *** From my book, The One-Minute Apologist (2007); but this is my initial draft version: different in several ways from the text of the published book. *** The Catholic System of Merit is Contrary to Grace Alone No one can earn salvation by their own works; it’s impossible Initial Reply Many non-Catholics dimly understand the Catholic notion of merit. Rightly understood (see Catechism citations below), it is indeed harmonious with Grace... Read more

16 Atheists / Agnostics & Me (At a Meeting)

Last updated on: February 25, 2017 at 12:34 pm By Dave Armstrong

Further Adventures at an Atheist “Bible Study” Group Image by “josemiguels” [Pixabay / CC0 public domain] *** (11-24-10) ***** Last night I attended for the third time an “atheist Bible study” group in metro Detroit led by Jon, a former evangelical and friendly fellow, with whom I have debated the Galileo issue. He has a blog called Prove Me Wrong. The first time I went there, several months back, I was invited as a guest speaker. It was simply a... Read more

Nuclear Bombings vs. Catholic Social Teaching: A Collection

Last updated on: July 27, 2019 at 11:18 am By Dave Armstrong

Nagasaki, Japan, before and after the atomic bombing of August 9, 1945 [public domain / Wikimedia Commons] *** Nuclear Bombing of Japan vs. Just War Ethics [8-25-05] Nuclear Bombing of Japan vs. Just War Ethics (Part II) [9-5-05] Nuclear Bombings of Japan: Justified by “Double Effect”? [8-28-05 and 9-5-05] Declassified 1945 Documents Regarding Nuclear Strikes (President Harry Truman and Others Reveal Moral Qualms and Quandaries Concerning the Nuclear Bombing of Japan) [8-29-05] Indiscriminate Nuclear Destruction: Condemned by the Magisterium [1-23-06] Ethics of Hiroshima & Nagasaki: Catholic... Read more

Dialogue with a Protestant on Catholics and the Bible

Last updated on: April 19, 2017 at 1:02 pm By Dave Armstrong

My New Testament, that I edited and compiled from six existing public domain translations [see book and purchase info.] *** From my Facebook page: 5 June 2016. Words of Marcos Zuñiga will be in blue. *** The first topic (and one of the most foundational ones) that we will discuss is the issue of authority. Catholics look to a combination of Scripture, Sacred Tradition, and the Magisterium as their final authority, while most Protestants believe in Sola Scriptura (the Bible Alone). But what do... Read more

Relative Value of Gorillas vs. Humans (Animal Rights)

Last updated on: April 19, 2017 at 1:03 pm By Dave Armstrong

Photography by “Sommersprosse21” (3-9-13) [Pixabay / CC0 public domain] *** I put up a meme on my Facebook page that read: “3000 babies are killed in American abortion clinics every day and nobody says a word. One gorilla dies and everybody loses their mind.” My (formerly evangelical Protestant) atheist friend Jon replied and we had a little chat. His words will be in blue. *** Couldn’t you say this about anything, though? Christians are shutting down combox discussions. Why talk about... Read more

Herbalism, Holistic Health, & Alternative Medicine

Last updated on: May 18, 2025 at 5:47 pm By Dave Armstrong

***** This is one of my big interests outside of apologetics and theology (one of many, such as: travel, nature photography, hiking, chess, all kinds of music, NBA, good movies, softball, flying, bike-riding, ping pong . . .). I have managed to come up with a number of “cures” for ailments that my wife Judy has suffered from. In my family, one of my nicknames is “Dr. Dave” (or, “Dr. Dad”) because of it. *** Homeopathy and Herbalism / General Holistic... Read more

Honoring Jesus Through Mary: 50 Biblical Reasons

Last updated on: April 19, 2017 at 1:04 pm By Dave Armstrong

Detail of The Coronation of the Virgin with Six Saints (1504), by Ridolfo del Ghirlandaio (1483-1561) [public domain / Wikimedia Commons] *** [originally published at Catholic365.com. As of 6-3-16, after 13 months, it had been shared 6,900 times on Facebook] *** St. Louis Marie de Montfort (one of the giants in the history of Catholic Marian devotion) wrote: We never give more honour to Jesus than when we honour his Mother, and we honour her simply and solely to honour him all... Read more

Dialogue: Are Dead Saints Playing Harps or Interceding?

Last updated on: February 25, 2017 at 2:50 pm By Dave Armstrong

Photograph by “AdinaVoicu” (1-4-14) [Pixabay / CC0 public domain] *** (2-15-06) ***** “Grubb” is a friendly Baptist regular on my blog. I’ve compiled this from interactions in my comments sections below. Originally, it began with Grubb’s response to certain aspects of the argument in my paper: “Biblical Evidence for Communication From God and Ghosts (?) in Dreams.” His words will be in green. Note: I’ve added several new replies or clarifications as I edit and cut-and-paste this. ********** Interesting post... Read more

New (?) Biblical Argument in Favor of Prayers for the Dead

Last updated on: April 19, 2017 at 1:05 pm By Dave Armstrong

St. Peter Raising Tabitha, by Masolino da Panicale (c. 1383 – c. 1447); portion of a fresco in the Brancacci Chapel, in the Church of Santa Maria del Carmine in Florence, Italy [public domain / Wikimedia Commons] *** The first portion is from my book, The Catholic Verses (Sophia Institute Press: April 2004): ***** Acts 9:36-37, 40-41 (RSV): “Now there was at Joppa a disciple named Tabitha, which means Dorcas . . . 37 In those days she fell sick and died . .... Read more

Errors of Radical Catholic Reactionaries (Collection)

Last updated on: April 19, 2017 at 1:07 pm By Dave Armstrong

Photograph by “PourquoiPas” [Pixabay / CC0 public domain] ***** These are old Blogspot papers. Allow a minute or two for them to upload on Internet Archive and select versions from July 2015 or earlier. ***** LEGITIMATE CATHOLIC TRADITIONALISM Dietrich von Hildebrand & Legitimate Catholic “Traditionalism” [2-6-06] Is a Catholic at Liberty to Selectively Choose Which Catholic Dogmas He Will Abide By? [8-16-06] Catholic “Traditionalists” Are Conscientiously Monitoring “Angry, Pharisaical” Types in Their Ranks / Amiable Phone Discussion with a “Traditionalist”... Read more