“Personal Relationship” vs. “Join the One Church”?

Last updated on: March 28, 2017 at 12:51 pm By Dave Armstrong

Head of Christ (c. 1648), by Rembrandt (1606-1669) [public domain / Wikimedia Commons] * * * * * A Protestant in one of the Facebook groups I am part of, observed (paraphrased): The emphasis of Catholics is for you to join their church. The emphasis of Protestants is to want others to experience a personal relationship with Jesus. The question is typical of Protestantism’s characteristic “either/or” outlook, or what convert from Lutheranism Louis Bouyer called “the dichotomous mindset of Protestantism.”I freely... Read more

Paul’s “Nature” Argument as Regards Homosexual Acts

Last updated on: December 6, 2019 at 1:28 pm By Dave Armstrong

(originally 1998; slightly revised on 2-2-16) Photo credit: St. Paul Preaching in Athens (1515), by Raphael (1483-1520) [public domain / Wikimedia Commons] Re-uploaded under the title, Homosexual Sex and St. Paul’s “Nature” Argument. *** Read more

Dialogue: Is Premarital Sex Wrong?

Last updated on: September 16, 2019 at 12:13 pm By Dave Armstrong

(vs. C. Jack Elliott) Cary Grant and Ingrid Bergman, in the film, Notorious (1946) [public domain / Wikimedia Commons] * * * * * This article has been re-uploaded under the title, “Is Premarital Sex Morally Wrong? Why? (A Dialogue)”. ***** Read more

Paul Sanctions Premarital Sex (1 Corinthians 7:36)?

Last updated on: September 17, 2019 at 12:29 pm By Dave Armstrong

(vs. Scott Nemeth) Image by “Belleza87” [public domain / Pixabay] * * * This paper has been re-uploaded under the title, “Does St. Paul Sanction Premarital Sex (1 Cor 7:36)?” *** Read more

Martin Luther’s Early Belief in Invocation of the Saints

Last updated on: April 19, 2017 at 12:38 pm By Dave Armstrong

. . . as Late as 1521 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] * * * (10-4-11) * * I just discovered this today, and can’t believe that I have missed it all these years. It comes from Works of Martin Luther, Vol. III (Philadelphia: A. J. Holman Company and The Castle Press, 1930 / reprinted by Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Book House,... Read more

Sunny Optimism Regarding God’s Guidance of His Church

Last updated on: March 28, 2017 at 1:09 pm By Dave Armstrong

. . . Now and Always (Including Liturgical Discussion) Image by “angelac72” [public domain / Pixabay] * * * (7-22-11)* * * The following remarks of mine were compiled from a recent fruitful Facebook thread (with a few more from another thread, below the five asterisks). Here are the two paragraphs that kicked off the two threads: THE GOOD OL’ DAYS “Traditionalists” maintain that a Catholic born, say, in 1943, knows all about how wonderful the Church used to be, whereas now it... Read more

Church Music & Hymns in the New Testament?

Last updated on: March 29, 2017 at 1:27 pm By Dave Armstrong

Photograph by “delphinmedia” [public domain / Pixabay] * * * * * Some Calvinist, hyper-fundamentalists, and Church of Christ denominations do not allow any music in church. The following passages (RSV) show that music in church is certainly conceivable and harmonious with Scripture, and sometimes specifically mentioned as occurring (presumably) in church in conjunction with worship and praise: Romans 15:5-9 May the God of steadfastness and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, [6]... Read more

Debate with an Atheist on Evidences & Belief

Last updated on: March 29, 2017 at 1:29 pm By Dave Armstrong

Image by “ArtsyBee” [public domain / Pixabay] * * * Atheist J. Gravelle responded to my post, Bible on Participation in Our Own Salvation, and we had the following intellectually stimulating exchange (his words in blue): * * * * * So my choices would appear to be: an eternity of fire and brimstone, or an eternity spent listening to the likes of our friend Mr. Armstrong tell me “I told you so”. It doesn’t appear so much then that... Read more

Defense of My “Ten-Step Refutation of Sola Scriptura”

Last updated on: March 29, 2017 at 1:31 pm By Dave Armstrong

Defending sola Scriptura is rather like a dog chasing his tail. Either he never catches it, or if he does, it hurts and is not nearly as much fun or fulfilling as he thought it would be. Photo by “Lil Shepherd”: 16 May 2012 [Flickr / CC BY 2.0 license] * * * Quick Ten-Step Refutation of Sola Scriptura is a paper of mine from 2003. I recently posted it in a large Facebook theological group. A Protestant named Milan... Read more

Philippians 2:12 & “Work[ing] Out” One’s Salvation

Last updated on: March 29, 2017 at 1:33 pm By Dave Armstrong

Finish line for a marathon race in Eugene, Oregon. Photo by Michael McCullough, 1 May 2011 [Flickr / CC BY 2.0 license] * * * * * This came about in a closed Facebook theological group, where I had posted my paper, The Bible on Participation in Our Own Salvation. One of the passages presented there (it’s simply a collection of Bible passages) is the following: Philippians 2:12-13 (RSV) Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only... Read more