How can God judge entire nations, including young children? * * * * * God as Creator and judge has the prerogative to judge and take any human life as He wills. He could kill all of us and it would be perfectly just, since we are all sinners and saved only by His grace and mercy if we are at all. It is not ever “intrinsically evil” for God to judge individuals or nations; it’s not “evil” at all,... Read more
The reproach of Nathan and the penance of King David (Paris Psalter, folio 136v, 10th century) [public domain / Wikimedia Commons] (4-11-11) * * * * * My friend “Pilgrimsarbor” (Presbyterian: OPC) was commenting on the anti-Catholic Reformed Apologist site, in the combox for the post, “Carl Trueman and A Need For A Contemporary Polemic Against Romanism”. I responded. “Pilgrimsarbor”‘s words will be in blue. * * * Regarding a need for a contemporary polemic against Romanism, as much as... Read more
The Matterhorn (Alps, Switzerland, 14,692 ft / 4,478 m). Image by “skeeze” [CCO public domain / Pixabay] * * * Catholics believe that the Catholic Church cannot and will not ever fall away from the fullness of apostolic, biblical truth. These Bible passages (KJV except where noted) are the reasons for why we believe this. Taken from my book, Revelation: 1001 Bible Answers to Theological Questions. * * * * * 19. Indefectible 19-1. Is the Davidic covenant a permanent one?... Read more
King David Playing the Harp (1622), by Gerard van Honthorst (1590-1656) [public domain / Wikimedia Commons] * * * (3-22-04) * * * Revised Standard Version (RSV) Psalm 9:9-10 The LORD is a stronghold for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. 10 And those who know thy name put their trust in thee, for thou, O LORD, hast not forsaken those who seek thee. Psalm 23 (all) 1 A Psalm of David. The LORD is my shepherd, I... Read more
The Death of Korah, Dathan and Abiram (1865), by Gustave Doré (1832-1883) [public domain / Wikimedia Commons] * * * * * See my lengthy treatment of the theology of this film, and my follow-up. * * This exchange occurred in the combox of my first post (above). The words of John (Catholic) will be in blue. * * * * * It’s just a movie! Chill out! It’s just a theologically certain truth about our Lord Jesus Christ that... Read more
The Synaxis of the holy and the most praiseworthy Twelve Apostles. Russia: 14th century [public domain / Wikimedia Commons] (2-14-10) * * * This is an exchange with a person on the CHNI forum who has a Lutheran background. His words will be in blue. * * * * * I have a question about saints and whether they can hear our prayers. What is the logic that they can? The standard answers of “they’re not dead, they are alive... Read more
. . . Persecuted by English Royalty, Anglicans, & Cromwellians: 1565-1713 High Cross at the Rock of Cashel (County Tipperary). Photograph by Jon Sullivan (15 June 2002) [released into public domain / Wikimedia Commons] * * * (2-27-08) * * * [names not linked are found on the Irish Confessors and Martyrs page, from The Catholic Encyclopedia] * [ adding the 269 Irish martyrs during the reign of Butcher Henry VIII, we arrive at a grand total of 713 documented Irish martyrs... Read more
+ Comment on the Inadequacy and Unbiblical Nature of Libertarianism Figure 8-6, page 288, chapter 8 in: Mitchell, Richard Sheppard; Kumar, Vinay; Abbas, Abul K.; Fausto, Nelson Robbins Basic Pathology, Philadelphia: Saunders ISBN: 1-4160-2973-7. 8th edition. Häggström, Mikael. “Medical gallery of Mikael Häggström 2014“. Wikiversity Journal of Medicine 1 (2). DOI:10.15347/wjm/2014.008. ISSN 20018762. [released into public domain / Wikimedia Commons] * * * (2-25-08) * * * * * These are some related thoughts that have come up in different discussions on the CHNI... Read more
Dialogue with a Calvinist Cloisters of Essen Minster, Essen, Germany. Photo: Andreas Praefcke (June 2008) [released for public domain / Wikimedia Commons] * * * (11-10-09) * * * * * Calvinist preacher Charles Spurgeon wrote: I. First, let us enquire, WHAT IS THIS CROSS OF CHRIST to which some men are sadly said to be enemies? Of course, it is not the material cross. It is not anything made in the shape of the cross. There are some who can... Read more
Istanbul: Chora Church Museum (Kariye Cami). Nartex. A mosaic showing the Virgin Mary beside Jesus. Photograph by Giovanni Dall’Orto, May 29, 2006. Released into public domain by the photographer [Wikimedia Commons] * * * (10-29-08) * * * I was asked on the CHNI board: The passage where Jesus says “who are my mothers and brothers” in answer to someone saying his mother was there. The pastor wonders if we are supposed to show such veneration to Christ’s mother,... Read more
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