Gospel of John & Archaeology & History

Last updated on: March 22, 2023 at 11:51 pm By Dave Armstrong

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

Pearce’s Potshots #61: The Rationale for Prayer

Last updated on: March 11, 2022 at 12:52 pm By Dave Armstrong

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

Evangelist Luke & Archaeology & History

Last updated on: March 22, 2023 at 11:48 pm By Dave Armstrong

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: St. Luke the Evangelist (1655), by Jan de Stomme (1615-c. 1658) [public domain / Wikimedia Commons] *** Read more

Pearce’s Potshots #60: Fairy-Tale Atheist Eisegesis (2)

Last updated on: February 1, 2022 at 11:41 am By Dave Armstrong

Pearce’s Potshots #59: Fairy-Tale Atheist Eisegesis (1)

Last updated on: February 1, 2022 at 11:32 am By Dave Armstrong

Paul Knew the Gospels (vs. Richard Carrier)

Last updated on: January 30, 2022 at 4:46 pm By Dave Armstrong

Richard Carrier is an atheist historian who exotically believes (over against virtually all credentialed historians) that Jesus never existed. I have a quibble with a statement he made in his article, “Craig’s Empty Tomb & Habermas on Visions (1999, 2005)” [no date, but probably 2005 or 2006; hosted on The Secular Web / infidels.org]. He stated: It is also silly to suppose that Paul read Mark or any gospel, considering that he never mentions them, much less quotes them, . .... Read more

Pearce’s Potshots #58: Paul & Jesus’ “Empty” Tomb

Last updated on: January 30, 2022 at 3:03 pm By Dave Armstrong

Dialogue: Gospel Writers’ Knowledge of “Hidden” Events

Last updated on: January 29, 2022 at 12:38 pm By Dave Armstrong

This came from an exchange with an atheist in the combox of Jonathan MS Pearce’s article, “Why Matthew’s guards at Jesus’ tomb are so important” (1-27-22). The atheist’s words will be in blue. ***** I’ve always had problems with so many bible passages that purport to document what happened either in secret or at least unobserved. Jesus praying, for example. It seems unlikely he issued a press release containing the words he used to commune with God. * 1. Jesus... Read more

Pearce’s Potshots #57: Matthew & the Tomb Guards

Last updated on: February 2, 2022 at 5:44 pm By Dave Armstrong

Including the Analogy of Xenophon and Plato as Biographers of Socrates 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.” ***** This is a reply to his post, “Why Matthew’s... Read more

Prophet Amos’ Earthquake & Archaeology

Last updated on: March 22, 2023 at 11:40 pm By Dave Armstrong

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: The Prophet Amos (Amos 1:1-15) (1866), by Gustave Doré (1832-1883) [public domain / Wikimedia Commons] *** Read more