Are Relics & Sacraments Mere Magical Charms?

Last updated on: December 28, 2016 at 6:29 pm By Dave Armstrong

13th-century reliquary (container for relics) from Cologne, Germany, with figures of eight apostles [public domain / Wikimedia Commons] ***** Critics of Catholicism sometimes bring up the objection that sacraments, sacramentalism, and particularly belief in relics, amount to the notion of magic charms or talismans. We’re told that matter cannot convey grace, and that grace and salvation come through the spirit (Jn. 6:63), not through “holy objects”. But the incarnation of Jesus “raised” matter, and His death on the cross was intensely... Read more

Catholic Refutations of Freemasonry (Collection of Links)

Last updated on: June 5, 2019 at 5:07 pm By Dave Armstrong

The Catholic Church & Freemasonry (Rev. Robert I. Bradley, S.J.) Can Catholics Become Freemasons? (Cathy Caridi, J.C.L.; Catholic Exchange website) Is Freemasonry Incompatible with the Catholic Faith? (Wlodzimierz Redzioch; Inside the Vatican / Catholic Culture) Irreconcilability between Christian faith and Freemasonry (L’Osservatore Romano, 11 March 1985) Can Catholics Be Freemasons? (Catholics United for the Faith, 1998; PDF) Christianity and American Freemasonry (book by William J. Whalen; “The Origins of Masonry” — excerpt from chapter two) Freemasonry and the Anti-Christian Movement... Read more

Is St. Paul Superior to St. Peter? (Dialogue)

Last updated on: December 28, 2016 at 6:31 pm By Dave Armstrong

St. Peter as Pope (1610-1612), by Peter Paul Rubens (1577-1640) [public domain / Wikimedia Commons]*****[1998; expanded on 5-13-02] ***** A Baptist wrote on a public bulletin board (his words in blue):* * * * * And, of course, some things happened after Paul’s conversion . . . 1) He magnifies HIS office as the Apostle to the Gentiles. Romans 11:13, Romans 15:16. * Paul being sent to the Gentiles has not a whit to do with Peter’s office and function.... Read more

Are Modern Papal Encyclicals Too Long?

Last updated on: December 28, 2016 at 6:33 pm By Dave Armstrong

Photograph by “PublicDomainPictures” (4-5-14) [Pixabay / CC0 public domain] *** (7-9-15) ***** [this was made a point of contention both by a legitimate traditionalist: “Boniface” at Unam Sanctam Catholicam, and radical Catholic reactionary Chris Ferrara at The Remnant. I responded at the former site as follows]: I thought it [Pope Francis’ encyclical Laudato si] was just the right length and quite clear. Saying that long stuff fails to connect is simply another way of saying that “modern folks don’t /... Read more

Were Apostles Always Aware of Writing Scripture?

Last updated on: December 28, 2016 at 6:34 pm By Dave Armstrong

Apostle Paul (1633?), by Rembrandt (1606-1669) [public domain / Wikimedia Commons] ***** (6-29-06; abridged with slight revisions on 9-25-16) *** This is an abridged version of a much longer dialogue. ***** 1 Corinthians 14:37 (RSV) If any one thinks that he is a prophet, or spiritual, he should acknowledge that what I am writing to you is a command of the Lord. This doesn’t prove that Paul thought that this particular letter was Scripture. Of course it was, but this doesn’t... Read more

Orthodoxy & Heresy: Biblical Notions?

Last updated on: December 28, 2016 at 6:35 pm By Dave Armstrong

Notre Dame Basilica, Montreal. Photograph by Kris Schulze (12-27-13) [Pexels.com / CC0 public domain] * * * * I was having a discussion with an Anglican underneath one of my posts. I’m sure he is sincere and well-meaning and all that (most people are), but be that as it may, he started objecting to how the Catholic Church has doctrinal requirements in order to be a member. This is what gives many people pause. But it’s a thoroughly biblical idea. This... Read more

Bible vs. Denominationalism

Last updated on: December 28, 2016 at 6:36 pm By Dave Armstrong

. . . and Against “Primary / Secondary” Doctrines How much more does Protestantism have to “branch out” into yet more sectarianism; more sects and denominations, before its system and rule of faith is to be questioned, having produced such chaos? Photograph by “aitoff” (6-5-16) [Pixabay / CC0 public domain] ***** (8-18-06) ***** [Bible passages: RSV] *** Our Protestant brethren tell us that denominationalism is not condemned in Scripture, and that St. Paul allowed disagreement on secondary doctrines — the... Read more

Church Authority vs. Rampant Sectarianism

Last updated on: December 28, 2016 at 6:38 pm By Dave Armstrong

When will Protestant internal divisions and proliferation of sects ever end? Image by PeteLinforth (Oct. 2015) [Pixabay / CC0 public domain] *** This is a discussion that occurred underneath my post, Catholic Approach to Protestants: Reflections. Anglican Iain’s words will be in blue. *** Speaking as a Protestant (well sort of I’m an Anglican) I’m glad to know Catholics still think I’m a Christian (you might want to publicise this a bit more, though). Speaking personally, however, the reason I am... Read more

Catholic Approach to Protestants: Reflections

Last updated on: April 18, 2017 at 6:35 pm By Dave Armstrong

First Congregational Church of Ceredo, West Virginia (1886). Photo by “Youngamerican” (3-23-09) [Wikimedia Commons / Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported license] *** (8-9-13) *** Random thoughts from a Facebook discussion thread: *** If we try to dialogue and persuade at all (and we’re not obligated to do it with everyone: I don’t, myself), it has to be charitable and fair to the other. Christian Ethics 0101. *** The ecumenical approach has to do with the difference between an attempted friendly... Read more

Eucharist: Orthodox & Catholic Views

Last updated on: February 24, 2017 at 3:30 pm By Dave Armstrong

Some things are ultimately mysterious. The Holy Eucharist is one of them. Image by “uroburos” (1-29-15) [Pixabay / CC0 public domain] * * * * (5-3-13 and 9-15-16) ***** The Orthodox don’t like to explain things with reason too much. They regard that as “hyper-rationalism” (hence, Aquinas and Augustine are often their whipping-boys, which is a shame). They believe essentially what Catholics do regarding the Holy Eucharist, minus the Aristotelian discussion of substance and what-not. Let’s rejoice in what we... Read more

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