Francis Collins (b. 1950): eminent evangelical Protestant scientist [public domain / Wikimedia Commons] *** (10-18-10) *** A survey of scientists who are members of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, conducted by the Pew Research Center for the People & the Press in May and June 2009, . . . [found that] just over half of scientists (51%) believe in some form of deity or higher power; specifically, 33% of scientists say they believe in God, while 18%... Read more
The Immaculate Conception (c. 1678), by Bartolomé Esteban Murillo (1617-1682) [public domain / Wikimedia Commons] *** (9-30-10) *** [Luther’s own words are in blue] *** I have compiled more opinions from Luther scholars and other historians with regard to Luther’s acceptance of the doctrine, and particularly whether he modified his views sometime after 1527 (some think he did so). * * * * * 1) Donald G. Bloesch, The Church: Sacraments, Worship, Ministry, Mission (Downers Grove, Illinois: InterVarsity Press: 2002). [I]t... Read more
Immaculate Conception (c. 1667), by Juan Antonio de Frías y Escalante (1633-1670) [public domain / Wikimedia Commons] ** (9-30-10) *** I wrote very extensively about the topic over seven years ago, and much of that research made it into my book about Martin Luther. Way back in 2003 I demonstrated how many Lutheran and other non-Catholic Luther scholars affirmed that Luther believed in Mary’s immaculate conception (in slightly modified form).Anyone interested in the fine (and many!) details can peruse my paper,... Read more
James Clerk Maxwell ((1831-1879): Scottish Presbyterian mathematical physicist, who formulated the classical theory of electromagnetic radiation. Engraving by George J. Stodart from a photograph by Fergus of Greenock [public domain / Wikimedia Commons] * * * (8-4-10) *** This constitutes Chapter Fifteen of my book, Science and Christianity: Close Partners or Mortal Enemies? (2010, 301 pages). * * * * * Bibliographical Sources (Books) John Hedley Brooke, Science and Religion: Some Historical Perspectives (Cambridge, 1991). John Hedley Brooke & Christopher Southgate, God, Humanity and... Read more
Astronomer Copernicus, conversation with God (1872), by Jan Matejko (1838-1893) [public domain / Wikimedia Commons] *** (7-29-10) *** Why is it that one always hears about the notorious trials of Galileo and the errors made by (one faction of) the Catholic Church (on a sub-magisterial, sub-infallible level) about science in the early 17th century, but never about Galileo’s own misguided dogmatism in some areas, and several flat-out errors? Some of those were held by Galileo even in the face of... Read more
Original Title: Reply to Atheist Scientist Jerry Coyne: Are Science and Religion Utterly Incompatible? (Even Theistic Evolution is Disallowed?) Jerry Coyne (b. 1949); photo by Emma Rodewald: 8-17-06 [Wikimedia Commons / Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported license] *** (7-13-10) *** Dr. Jerry A. Coyne is a Professor in the Department of Ecology and Evolution at the University of Chicago. He earned his Ph.D. in evolutionary biology at Harvard University in 1978, working in the laboratory of Richard Lewontin. He has written over 110 refereed... Read more
Dave and Judy Armstrong: December 1991: I was a father, a Catholic, and had a driving / delivery job (all new things in that year). My first published article (in The Catholic Answer) was just 13 months away. I had already written by this time my conversion story in Surprised by Truth and portions of my first book, A Biblical Defense of Catholicism. *** (4-23-10) *** Please visit Catholic Books and Gifts and purchase their products. You can see this... Read more
(completed on 11 March 2010; published on 11 March 2010 by Lulu; 388 pages) *** [cover design by Dave Armstrong] *** — to purchase, go to the bottom of the page — *** TABLE OF CONTENTS Dedication Introduction PART ONE: CRITICISM I. Ecclesiology (Theology of the Church and Church Government)…………………………………………..……..15 1. The Catholic Church vs. the Bible?.………………………..15 2. Denigration of Tradition……………………………………17 3. Denial of Apostolic Succession…………………………….19 4. Indefectibility of the Church vs. Massive Apostasy………..24 5. “Primary” vs. “Secondary” Doctrines………………………44 6.... Read more
[see full book and purchase information] *** (12-8-09) ***** Pito, a commenter on my blog, has asked some very penetrating questions, that I took a crack at answering: ***** I was just wondering whether Catholics are permitted to believe that God gave Moses an Oral as well as a Written Torah on the Mountain, as Orthodox Jews believe, however corrupt some of the Pharisees may have been or made the Law? Sure. I have used the argument myself, as an... Read more
[cover design by Theodore Schluenderfritz] *** [full book and purchase information] *** [originally discovered by my friend John O’Connor; my additional clarifications are in blue; errors in the paperback are in red; corrections are in green] Page 5 — Footnote #8 cites “Acts 16:14.” This should be “Acts 16:4” instead. Page 23 — Footnote #2 references 1 Cor 13:1; the actual footnote on page 22 refers, in fact, to 1 Cor 14:1. Page 29 — Reference to Luke 2:42 near... Read more
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