King David: from “Myth” to History

Last updated on: March 14, 2023 at 3:30 pm By Dave Armstrong

This excerpt is the first four-and-a-half pages of Chapter Eleven (“King David Versus King Arthur”) of my book, The Word Set in Stone: How Archaeology, Science, and History Back up the Bible (Catholic Answers Press, March 15, 2023: see further book and purchase information). Bible passages: RSV. ***** Then all the tribes of Israel came to David at Hebron, and said, “Behold, we are your bone and flesh.” —2 SAMUEL 5:1 The substantial historicity of the united monarchy of Judah (reigns of... Read more

Prayers to & for the Dead, Pt. 2 (vs. Jason Engwer)

Last updated on: March 13, 2023 at 3:09 pm By Dave Armstrong

0 Comments

Jason Engwer, a Protestant apologist who runs the Triablogue site, wrote posts entitled, “Agreement Among The Gospels About How Jesus Raised The Dead” (5-29-22) and “Did Jesus offer support for praying to the deceased by speaking to people he raised from the dead?” (3-5-23). I replied with my article, “Prayers to and for the Dead: Did Jesus & Peter Talk to Dead People Before They Rose from the Dead, and — Along with Elijah and Elisha — Pray for the Dead, or Only... Read more

Irish Ecclesiastical Record vs. Anti-Catholic George Salmon, Pt. 3

Last updated on: March 16, 2023 at 7:41 pm By Dave Armstrong

0 Comments

. . . In Which Our Sophist-Critic Massively Misrepresents Cardinal Newman and Utterly Misunderstands the Distinction Between Implicit and Explicit Faith The book, The Infallibility of the Church (1888) by Anglican anti-Catholic polemicist George Salmon (1819-1904), may be one of the most extensive and detailed — as well as influential — critiques of the Catholic Church ever written. But, as usual with these sorts of works, it’s abominably argued and relentlessly ignorant and/or dishonest, as the critique below will amply demonstrate and document. *... Read more

Irish Ecclesiastical Record vs. Anti-Catholic George Salmon, Pt. 2

Last updated on: March 16, 2023 at 7:43 pm By Dave Armstrong

0 Comments

. . . In Which Dr. Salmon Accuses Cardinal Newman of Lying Through His Teeth in His Essay on Development, & Dr. Murphy Magnificently Defends Infallibility and Doctrinal Development Against Gross Caricature The book, The Infallibility of the Church (1888) by Anglican anti-Catholic polemicist George Salmon (1819-1904), may be one of the most extensive and detailed — as well as influential — critiques of the Catholic Church ever written. But, as usual with these sorts of works, it’s abominably argued and relentlessly... Read more

Daniel & the Lion’s Den & History

Last updated on: March 11, 2023 at 10:44 am By Dave Armstrong

0 Comments

This excerpt is from Chapter Twelve (“Digging Up Proofs of the Prophets”) of my book, The Word Set in Stone: How Archaeology, Science, and History Back up the Bible (Catholic Answers Press, March 15, 2023: see further book and purchase information). Bible passages: RSV. ***** Daniel in the Lions’ Den The famous story of Daniel in the lions’ den can be found in [Daniel] chapter 6: Then the king [Darius] commanded, and Daniel was brought and cast into the den of lions.... Read more

Irish Ecclesiastical Record vs. Anti-Catholic George Salmon, Pt. 1

Last updated on: March 16, 2023 at 7:44 pm By Dave Armstrong

0 Comments

The book, The Infallibility of the Church (1888) by Anglican anti-Catholic polemicist George Salmon (1819-1904), may be one of the most extensive and detailed — as well as influential — critiques of the Catholic Church ever written. But, as usual with these sorts of works, it’s abominably argued and relentlessly ignorant and/or dishonest, as the critique below will amply demonstrate and document. * The most influential and effective anti-Catholic Protestant polemicist today, “Dr” [???] James White, cites Salmon several times... Read more

Sanctification: Part & Parcel of Salvation? (vs. Calvin #64)

Last updated on: March 9, 2023 at 11:59 am By Dave Armstrong

0 Comments

This is an installment of a series of replies (see the Introduction and Master List), starting with #56, to portions of Book III of Institutes of the Christian Religion, by early Protestant leader John Calvin (1509-1564). I utilize the public domain translation of Henry Beveridge, dated 1846, from the 1559 edition in Latin; available online. Calvin’s words will be in blue. All biblical citations (in my portions) will be from RSV unless otherwise noted. Related reading from yours truly: Biblical Catholic Answers for John Calvin (2010 book: 388 pages) A... Read more

Caricatures of Catholic Confession (vs. Calvin #63)

Last updated on: March 9, 2023 at 11:31 am By Dave Armstrong

0 Comments

Calvin Claims That the Catholic Church Requires Formal Confession of Every Venial Sin (!) This is an installment of a series of replies (see the Introduction and Master List), starting with #56, to portions of Book III of Institutes of the Christian Religion, by early Protestant leader John Calvin (1509-1564). I utilize the public domain translation of Henry Beveridge, dated 1846, from the 1559 edition in Latin; available online. Calvin’s words will be in blue. All biblical citations (in my portions) will be from RSV unless otherwise noted. Related... Read more

Is True Faith Always Permanent? (vs. Calvin #62)

Last updated on: March 7, 2023 at 3:27 pm By Dave Armstrong

0 Comments

Luther, James, Faith & Works: Additional Relevant Data

Last updated on: March 7, 2023 at 12:07 pm By Dave Armstrong

0 Comments

Previously, over 18 years ago, I dealt at length with Luther’s negative comments made about James: that it was a book not written by an apostle, that it supposedly contradicts the soteriology of St. Paul, that it was “an epistle of straw” and either not fit for the biblical canon, or if so, only in a secondary, lesser sense (it was, in fact, included in his German Bible, and not thrown out). I noted how the potshot about James being... Read more

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

How many commandments were written on stone tablets?

Select your answer to see how you score.