Debates and Expositions on the Troublesome Problem of Evil

Last updated on: June 3, 2017 at 12:41 pm By Dave Armstrong

Osama Bin Laden (1957-2011), from c. 1997-1998. Photograph by Hamid Mir [Wikimedia Commons / Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported license] *** These are old Blogspot papers of mine (except for the asterisked papers). Be sure to allow a minute or two for them to load, and select archived versions from July 2015 or earlier. ***** Dialogue with an Atheist on the “Problem of Good” & the Nature of Meaningfulness in Atheism (Flip Side of the Problem of Evil Argument Against... Read more

Church Fathers: Were They “Protestant” or Catholic?

Last updated on: October 22, 2018 at 1:02 pm By Dave Armstrong

Four doctors of the Church: left to right: St. Augustine, Pope St. Gregory the Great, St. Jerome, and St. Ambrose (1516), by Pier Francesco Sacchi (c. 1485–1528) [pubic domain / Wikimedia Commons] *** [Most of the papers previously listed here in their Blogspot versions, are now uploaded to my Patheos blog: on my Fathers of the Church web page] *** Read more

Flat Earth: Biblical Teaching?

Last updated on: September 16, 2018 at 6:17 pm By Dave Armstrong

Atheist “Proof Texts” Examined (vs. Ed Babinski) A “flat-Earth” map drawn by Orlando Ferguson in 1893 [public domain / Wikimedia Commons] *** (9-17-06) *** This is a continuation of a preliminary reply to atheist Matthew Green. In the discussion thread for that post, Matthew’s friend John Loftus suggested his own paper on the topic, and two by Ed Babinski, an agnostic who is particularly interested in Bible-and-science discussions. Matthew then referred to yet another paper by Robert M. Price (one that,... Read more

John 6, the Eucharist, & Parables (Dialogue)

Last updated on: February 25, 2017 at 3:38 pm By Dave Armstrong

Jesus Teaches the People by the Sea, by James Tissot (1836-1902) [public domain / Wikimedia Commons] *** (8-16-09) ***** I put up the post, “John 6: Literal Eucharistic Interpretation (Analogical Cross-Referencing and Insufficient Counter-Arguments).” My friend then responded on his site with More Discussion on the Hard Sayings of Jesus in John 6. I am now counter-replying to that. Calvinist “Pilgrimsarbour”‘s words will be in blue: * * * * * Dave’s post deals specifically with John 6:44-66,... Read more

Luther: Scripture Easily Grasped by “Plowboys”

Last updated on: February 25, 2017 at 3:39 pm By Dave Armstrong

Plowing with a horse drawn plow in an irrigated garden in Porcupine District. Department of the Interior. Bureau of Indian Affairs. Standing Rock Agency (May 1938) [public domain / Wikimedia Commons] ***** (11-1-08) ***** This is one of those proverbial-type pieces of information that is commonly assumed by people to be from a particular source, yet not always (if ever) documented; much like Luther’s alleged statement whereby he compared a justified man to “snow on a dunghill” — which turns out... Read more

Protestantism: Insurmountable Logical Difficulties

Last updated on: November 12, 2018 at 4:33 pm By Dave Armstrong

Self-Defeating Propositions, “Quests for Uncertainty,” False Dichotomies, & the Alleged “Infallibility Regress” Image by “geralt” [Pixabay / CC0 public domain] *** These papers can now be found on my Calvinism & General Protestantism page, in the sections: “THE PROTESTANT “QUEST FOR UNCERTAINTY” / THE SO-CALLED CATHOLIC “PROBLEM” OF THE “INFALLIBILITY REGRESS” ” and “PROTESTANTISM: LOGICALLY SELF-DEFEATING / REDUCTION TO SELF-CONTRADICTION”. ***** Read more

Pope Francis: Obsessed with “Change”?

Last updated on: February 25, 2017 at 3:41 pm By Dave Armstrong

Bus rushes by Big Ben in London [Pixabay / CC0 public domain] *** This exchange is from my Facebook page, with a Catholic. His words will be in blue. ***** Change. The present hierarchy just wants to change something, anything. The craving for change, for making a unique mark, is behind most Vatican decisions. It’s getting old. And predictable. What do you mean by “change”? Consistent developments or corruptions and false doctrines / heresies (evolution of dogma)? Heresy aside, change in general. The... Read more

Dialogue: Clearness (Perspicuity) of Scripture

Last updated on: February 27, 2017 at 12:32 pm By Dave Armstrong

. . . and the Formal Sufficiency of Scripture (vs. Carmen Bryant) Image by “Jsaneke88” [Pixabay / CC0 public domain] *** Counter-Reply to: Carmen Bryant’s paper: “The Perspicuity of Scripture: How did the Evangelical Church Come to Insist that the Message of the Bible is Clear?” *** (8 June 2000) *** Carmen Bryant is a friendly Internet acquaintance. I greatly appreciate her ever-present cordial manner and Christian charity (oftentimes rare qualities in Internet debates, especially across religious lines), as well... Read more

Dialogue w Traditionalist re Deaconesses

Last updated on: February 27, 2017 at 12:33 pm By Dave Armstrong

vs. Dr. Peter Kwasniewski Peter Kwasniewski [You Tube image / Creative Commons license] *** This is from an exchange on my Facebook page with Dr. Peter Kwasniewski: Professor of Theology and Philosophy at Wyoming Catholic College, and contributor to the reactionary sites, One Vader Five and Rorate Caeli. He was responding to my post, Are Deaconesses Inconceivable? No. I engaged in very lengthy dialogue with him regarding the reform of the liturgy, in February 2014 (see Part I / Part II). His words... Read more

Are Deaconesses Inconceivable? No.

Last updated on: February 20, 2020 at 1:28 pm By Dave Armstrong

St. Hildegard von Bingen (1098-1179), Doctor of the Church [public domain / Wikimedia Commons] ***** This article has been re-uploaded under the title, Deaconesses: Examination of Biblical & Patristic Data. *** Read more

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