Atheist anti-theist and “philosopher” Jonathan M. S. Pearce runs the blog, A Tippling Philosopher. He has encouraged me to visit his site and offer critiques, and wrote under a post dated 12-14-21: “I even need to thank the naysayers. Some of them have put up with a lot of robust pushback and still they come. Bravery or stupidity – it’s a fine line. But they are committed, and there is something to be said for taking that commitment into the lion’s den. Dave, you are welcome... Read more
Jerry (or Jerome) Smith is a Protestant acquaintance of mine (of the Baptist — or similar — variety, as far as I know), who, years ago, gave a presentation at my house in a group discussion. He is the editor of The New Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (1992): a remarkably encyclopedic and thorough revision of a classic Bible reference work. I was good friends with his brother, the late Martin Smith: a devoted Baptist who often attended my group discussions and... Read more
Atheist anti-theist Jonathan M. S. Pearce is the main writer on the blog, A Tippling Philosopher. His “About” page from his former site states: “Pearce is a philosopher, author, blogger, public speaker and teacher from Hampshire in the UK. He specialises in philosophy of religion, but likes to turn his hand to science, psychology, politics and anything involved in investigating reality.” He has encouraged me to visit his site and offer critiques. Before he departed his former site at Patheos, he wrote under a post dated... Read more
Atheist anti-theist Jonathan M. S. Pearce is the main writer on the blog, A Tippling Philosopher. His “About” page from his former site states: “Pearce is a philosopher, author, blogger, public speaker and teacher from Hampshire in the UK. He specialises in philosophy of religion, but likes to turn his hand to science, psychology, politics and anything involved in investigating reality.” He has encouraged me to visit his site and offer critiques. Before he departed his former site at Patheos, he wrote under a post dated... Read more
Unpacking a Statement from Historian A. N. Sherwin-White For Acts the confirmation of historicity is overwhelming. Yet Acts is, in simple terms and judged externally, no less of a propaganda narrative than the Gospels, liable to similar distortions. But any attempt to reject its basic historicity even in matters of detail must now appear absurd. Roman historians have long taken it for granted. (A. N. Sherwin-White, Roman Society and Roman Law in the New Testament, Oxford University Press, 1963, 173)... Read more
. . . and Christian Epistemology This exchange took place on atheist anti-theist Bob Seidensticker’s blog, under his article entitled, “Christians weaponizing scholars’ quotes: Sherwin-White, Russell, and Vilenkin” (2-14-22). Words of atheist “ericc” will be in blue. Seidensticker wrote in the article above: “Christians quoting atheists can be legitimately done. They just need to follow the basic rules of research that one might learn in eight grade: a quote can be used only if it’s accurately quoted, correctly understood, excerpted... Read more
Atheist and anti-theist Bob Seidensticker runs the influential Cross Examined blog. He asked me there, on 8-11-18: “I’ve got 1000+ posts here attacking your worldview. You just going to let that stand? Or could you present a helpful new perspective that I’ve ignored on one or two of those posts?” He added in June 2017 in a combox: “If I’ve misunderstood the Christian position or Christian arguments, point that out. Show me where I’ve mischaracterized them.” For over three years, we have had (shall we say) rather difficult... Read more
[see book and purchase info.] In a discussion on an atheist blog, I stated that Calvinism was “a tiny minority amongst Christians.” I have mentioned this sort of thing in the past and it always seemed to be controversial. I don’t know why. What I stated is easily demonstrable, as a matter of “religious sociology” and demographics. One simply looks up the figures (Wikipedia is sufficient for that). They are a tiny percentage. Look up the numbers (all who doubt... Read more
Atheist and anti-theist Bob Seidensticker runs the influential Cross Examined blog. He asked me there, on 8-11-18: “I’ve got 1000+ posts here attacking your worldview. You just going to let that stand? Or could you present a helpful new perspective that I’ve ignored on one or two of those posts?” He added in June 2017 in a combox: “If I’ve misunderstood the Christian position or Christian arguments, point that out. Show me where I’ve mischaracterized them.” For over three years, we have had (shall we say) rather difficult relations,... Read more
The material formerly here has been re-worked, modified, and edited and is now included only in my book, The Word Set in Stone: How Archaeology, Science, and History Back Up the Bible (Catholic Answers Press: March 15, 2023) *** Photo credit: Pool of Bethesda: steps into the southern pool (Courtesy of Bible Lands Pictorial Library / Tours to the Holy Land, “Pools of Bethesda Puzzle Archaeologists”, Cheryl Anderson, 11-1-16) *** Read more
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