Seidensticker Folly #76: Resurrection Eyewitnesses

Last updated on: January 21, 2022 at 10:59 am By Dave Armstrong

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

Reply to Attacks from Anti-Apologist Shawn McElhinney

Last updated on: December 6, 2021 at 11:58 pm By Dave Armstrong

I have decided to restore this piece, originally from 8-6-13, to my blog, for reasons that I shared at the end of my revised article, Top Ten All-Time Favorite Insults Sent My Way, underneath Shawn’s entry (which must be read to be believed) that had been restored to its rightful #1 position. What may appear petty or indicative of bitterness is much better understood as not that at all, once all the facts and the backstory are known. I had... Read more

James Listed Before Peter (Gal 2:9)? (vs. Jason Engwer)

Last updated on: December 3, 2021 at 5:19 pm By Dave Armstrong

Galatians 2:9 (RSV) and when they perceived the grace that was given to me, James and Cephas and John, who were reputed to be pillars, gave to me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship, that we should go to the Gentiles and they to the circumcised; Protestant anti-Catholic apologist Jason Engwer remarked: Another relevant passage that uses the pillar metaphor is Galatians 2:9. It’s doubtful that people would have been grouping Peter with other apostles as pillars of the church... Read more

Origen & the Rule of Faith (vs. “Turretinfan”)

Last updated on: December 2, 2021 at 7:47 pm By Dave Armstrong

Reformed Protestant apologist “Turretinfan” (words in blue below) wrote an article entitled, How does “Read Your Bible” Translate into “Formal Sufficiency”? (1-14-20). One can’t tell from the title, but it’s about the views of Origen (c. 184 – c. 253) regarding the rule of faith, supposed formal sufficiency of Scripture (i.e., it alone being necessary for the understanding of itself and for doctrine), and sola Scriptura (i.e., the Bible is the only infallible source of Christian truth). Turretinfan scrounges up... Read more

Elizabeth’s Veneration of God-Blessed Mary

Last updated on: December 2, 2021 at 1:18 pm By Dave Armstrong

I was looking over an article by an anti-Catholic apologist, examining examples of “allegedly early veneration of Mary” and the thought came to me: “the earliest veneration of Mary is in the Bible itself!” I submit that we see it in [mother of John the Baptist] Elizabeth’s response to Mary: Luke 1:39-44 (RSV) In those days Mary arose and went with haste into the hill country, to a city of Judah, [40] and she entered the house of Zechari’ah and greeted Elizabeth.... Read more

Pearce’s Potshots #55: “3” in the Bible & Literature

Last updated on: December 1, 2021 at 1:05 pm By Dave Armstrong

Atheist anti-theist Jonathan M. S. Pearce is the main writer on the blog, A Tippling Philosopher. His “About” page 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, Matthew & John’s Threes: Fact or Literary Device? (11-30-21). His words will be in blue; Michael Alter’s in green. ***** The... Read more

Secularist, Atheist Nations = More “Happy” People?

Last updated on: December 1, 2021 at 12:57 pm By Dave Armstrong

This article came about as a result of dialogues on atheist Jonathan MS Pearce’s blog, A Tippling Philosopher. Words of atheist Geoff Benson will be in blue; those of atheist eric in green, and Jonathan MS Pearce‘s in purple. ***** On the odd occasions I venture to religious Patheos I never fail to be surprised by how little comment they generate. I’ve explained this several times. We’re preaching to the choir in large part and so our followers agree with... Read more

Mary’s Assumption & Biblical Evidence (Analogies)

Last updated on: November 30, 2021 at 12:57 pm By Dave Armstrong

Protestant anti-Catholic apologist Jason Engwer, who runs the Tribalblogue site, takes some potshots against the Assumption of Mary in his article, Luke Against Roman Catholic Mariology (10-24-21). I counter with similar arguments, using his incessantly skeptical, cynical methodology (two can play at this game). His words will be in blue. ***** Similarly, she’s mentioned in Acts 1:14, but not in the three decades of church history narrated afterward. No assumption of Mary is mentioned either. . . . if she... Read more

Were Simon & Jude Jesus’ Literal Siblings, or Cousins?

Last updated on: December 1, 2021 at 3:11 pm By Dave Armstrong

Matthew 13:55 (RSV) Is not this the carpenter’s son? Is not his mother called Mary? And are not his brothers James and Joseph and Simon and Judas? Matthew 27:55-56, 61 There were also many women there [at the crucifixion], looking on from afar, who had followed Jesus from Galilee, ministering to him; [56] among whom were Mary Mag’dalene, and Mary the mother of James and Joseph, . . . [61] Mary Mag’dalene and the other Mary were there, sitting opposite the sepulchre. Matthew... Read more

Table of Nations (Gen 10), Interpretation, & History

Last updated on: November 27, 2021 at 1:58 pm By Dave Armstrong

I’ve written about this chapter from the perspective of biblical archaeology. Here I wish to look at it from a different perspective, and delve into the question of the intentions and perspective of the author of the chapter, and how to most accurately interpret it. Friendly atheist “Lex Lata” has made some comments about it on Jonathan MS Pearce’s blog. These will be the jumping-off point for my analysis. His words will be in blue. ***** . . . the... Read more