2025-06-24T12:56:40-04:00

Last updated on: June 24, 2025 at 12:56 pm   By
BaptismJesus3
The Baptism of Christ, by Joachim Patinir (c. 1480-1524) [public domain / Wikimedia Commons]
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
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I. BAPTISM
II. HOLY EUCHARIST  
III. RECONCILIATION / PENANCE / CONFESSION / ABSOLUTION 
IV. CONFIRMATION 
V. HOLY ORDERS / ORDINATION 
VI. MATRIMONY 
VII. ANOINTING / EXTREME UNCTION 
VIII. SACRAMENTS (GENERAL), SACRAMENTALISM, AND SACRAMENTALS
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I. BAPTISM
 
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Protestant Unity on “Central” Doctrines?: Baptism as Test Case (vs. Methodist Philosophy professor Jerry Walls) [1-9-17]
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What the Bible Reveals About Infant Baptism [National Catholic Register, 7-27-17]
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John 3:5: Baptism or No? [Facebook, 2-17-18]
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Baptismal Regeneration and Justification (vs. Jason Engwer) [6-4-20]
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14 Bible Verses That Show We’re Saved Through Baptism [National Catholic Register, 11-30-21] [see also my video commentary on the article, from 10-25-24]
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Debate: Is Baptism Necessary to Salvation? (vs. Jerome Smith) [1-15-22]
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Explicit Biblical Instruction on Saving Souls [National Catholic Register, 2-28-22]
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The Sacrament of Baptism (chapter seven of my 2009 book, Bible Truths for Catholic Truths: A Source Book for Apologists and Inquirers) [11-3-23]
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VIDEO: BAPTISM NOW SAVES YOU – Fridays With Dave!! [I appear on Catholic Bible Highlights with Kenny Burchard, in a 49-minute discussion, 10-25-24]
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Born Again: Baptism in the Early Fathers (Evangelical Catholic Apologetics)
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Church Fathers on Baptism (Armchair Theologian; Lutheran site)
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The Church Fathers on Baptismal Regeneration (Bryan Cross, Called to Communion)
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II. HOLY EUCHARIST  

(see Eucharist, Sacrifice of the Mass, & Liturgy Index Page)


III. RECONCILIATION / PENANCE / CONFESSION / ABSOLUTION 

(see Saints, Purgatory, and Penance Index Page)

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IV. CONFIRMATION 
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The Sacrament of Confirmation (chapter eight of my 2009 book, Bible Truths for Catholic Truths: A Source Book for Apologists and Inquirers) [11-3-23]
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V. HOLY ORDERS / ORDINATION 
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(see Church and Papacy Index Pages) 
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VI. MATRIMONY 

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(see Sexuality, Gender, Feminism, and Divorce and Life Issues Pages)

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VII. ANOINTING / EXTREME UNCTION 
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Sacrament of Anointing / Extreme Unction: The Biblical Evidence [2009; Addendum added on 1-10-17]

Sacrament of Anointing: Yay or Nay? (vs. Calvin #52) [12-21-09]

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VIII. SACRAMENTS (GENERAL), SACRAMENTALISM, AND SACRAMENTALS

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Heartfelt Sacramentalism (Not Mere Charms) [1996]

Thief on the Cross (Are Sacraments Unnecessary?) [1996]

Why do Catholics Believe that Sacraments are Necessary? [2002]

“Man-Centered” Sacramentalism: The Remarkable Incoherence of James White: How Can Martin Luther and St. Augustine Be Christians According to His Definition? [11-26-03]

Sacraments & the Moral Responsibility of Their Recipients [8-26-06]

Are Relics & Sacraments Mere Magical Charms? [2007]

Luther on Crucifixes, Images, & Sign of the Cross [4-15-08]

Bible on Candles, Incense, & Symbolism for Prayer [2-16-09]

Dialogue on Sacramentalism, Holy Objects, and Relics [2-26-09]

Bible on Physical Objects as Aids in Worship [4-7-09]

Unbiblical Antipathy to Holy Water (vs. Calvin #29) [8-25-09]

Sacraments: Bible & Church Fathers (vs. Calvin #34) [9-25-09]

Sacraments & the Church Fathers (vs. Calvin #36) [10-19-09]

Sacramentalism & Ex Opere Operato (vs. Calvin #37) [10-21-09]

Radically Anti-Traditional Sacramentalism (vs. Calvin #38) [10-27-09]

Crucifixes: Abominable Idols or Devotional Aids? [11-10-09]

Tonsure, Holy Oil, and “Judaizing”? (vs. Calvin #54) [12-22-09]

St. Augustine Accepted All Seven Catholic Sacraments [9-25-10]

Sacraments vs. Jesus?: Unbiblical False Dichotomies [3-20-17]

The Biblical Understanding of Holy Places and Things [National Catholic Register, 4-11-17]

Biblical Evidence for Sacramentalism [National Catholic Register, 8-29-17]

Did St. Augustine Accept All Seven Sacraments? [National Catholic Register, 11-15-17]

How Many Sacraments: According to Martin Luther? (+ Luther Expert James Swan’s and Luther’s Works Editors’ Confusion as to Luther’s Position) [11-17-18]

Madison vs. Jesus #8: Holy Eucharist as “Grotesque Magic”? [8-7-19]

Sacraments and Our Moral Responsibility [National Catholic Register, 1-7-20]

Is it Biblical to Say That We Are Saved & Redeemed by Jesus’ Blood? [Facebook, 6-6-23]

Reply to Hays’ “Catholicism” #27: Historic Exodus; NT & Jesus’ Blood; Hays vs. Omnipresence; God & Matter; Hays’ Anti-Biblical Hyper-Rationalism; Holy Eucharist & Other Miracles; Luther & the Real Presence; Manna & the Eucharist [6-7-23]

Does the Catholic Church Claim Sole Possession of the Sacraments? [Catholic365, 11-28-23]

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Practical Matters:  I run the most comprehensive “one-stop” Catholic apologetics site: rated #1 for Christian sites by leading AI tool, ChatGPT — endorsed by popular Protestant blogger Adrian Warnock. Perhaps some of my 5,000+ free online articles or fifty-six books have helped you (by God’s grace) to decide to become Catholic or to return to the Church, or better understand some doctrines and why we believe them. If you believe my full-time apostolate is worth supporting, please seriously consider a much-needed monthly or one-time financial contribution. “The laborer is worthy of his wages” (1 Tim 5:18, NKJV).
*
PayPal donations are the easiest: just send to my email address: [email protected]. Here’s also a second page to get to PayPal. You’ll see the term “Catholic Used Book Service”, which is my old side-business. To learn about the different methods of contributing (including Zelle and 100% tax-deductible donations if desired), see my page: About Catholic Apologist Dave Armstrong / Donation Information.
*
You can support my work a great deal in non-financial ways, if you prefer; by subscribing to, commenting on, liking, and sharing videos from my two YouTube channels, Catholic Bible Highlights and Lux Veritatis (featuring documentaries), where I partner with Kenny Burchard (see my own videos), and/or by signing up to receive notice for new articles on this blog. Just type your email address on the sidebar to the right (scroll down quite a bit), where you see, “Sign Me Up!” Thanks a million!
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Last updated on 24 June 2025
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2025-06-10T22:59:31-04:00

Last updated on: June 10, 2025 at 10:59 pm   By

Cover (551x832)

[published in February 2011, 222 pages]
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
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The Holy Eucharist
I. GENERAL / TRANSUBSTANTIATION
II. JOHN, CHAPTER 6 IN PARTICULAR
III. WINE AND GRAPE JUICE
IV. DIALOGUES WITH PROTESTANTS
The Sacrifice of the Mass
V. CHURCH FATHERS AND PROTESTANT SCHOLARS
VI. GENERAL / EUCHARISTIC ADORATION
VII. EUCHARISTIC ADORATION
VIII. PRIESTHOOD AND PRIESTS
IX. THE IDOLATRY CHARGE
Liturgical Issues
X. TRIDENTINE MASS / “NEW” / PAULINE MASS
XI. COMMUNION IN THE HAND / REVERENCE AND SOLEMNITY / POSTURE
XII. ABUSES OF THE RUBRICS / ORANS AND HAND-HOLDING DURING THE OUR FATHER
XIII. ALTAR GIRLS
XIV. EXTRAORDINARY MINISTERS OF HOLY COMMUNION
XV. “VAIN REPETITION” AND “DEAD” FORMAL WORSHIP CHARGES  / THE ROSARY 
XVI. MASS OBLIGATION, SUNDAY WORSHIP, AND HOLY DAYS
XVII. COMMUNION IN ONE KIND OR SPECIES
XVIII. CLOSED / RESTRICTED COMMUNION
XIX. MUSIC AT MASS
XX. MISCELLANEOUS
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I. THE HOLY EUCHARIST: GENERAL / TRANSUBSTANTIATION
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Reflections on the Holy Eucharist & Transubstantiation [3-8-92; slightly revised on 2-26-94]
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The Eucharist: This is My Body [3-8-92; rev. May 1996]
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Eucharist: Orthodox and Catholic Views [5-3-13 and 15 and 20 September 2016] 
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The Biblical Understanding of Holy Places and Things [National Catholic Register, 4-11-17]
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Transubstantiation, John 6, Faith and Rebellion [National Catholic Register, 12-3-17]
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The Holy Eucharist and the Treachery of Judas [National Catholic Register, 4-6-18]
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Transubstantiation is No More Inscrutable Than Many Doctrines [National Catholic Register, 9-26-18]
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Holy Eucharist & Sacrifice of the Mass (chapter six [pp. 255-270] of my 2009 book, Bible Truths for Catholic Truths: A Source Book for Apologists and Inquirers) [10-19-23]
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20 Ways the Bible Affirms the Real Presence of Christ [National Catholic Register, 5-27-25]
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II. THE HOLY EUCHARIST: JOHN, CHAPTER 6 IN PARTICULAR
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An undesigned coincidence involving John 6 (Dr. Lydia McGrew [Anglican]) [5-3-15]
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Transubstantiation, John 6, Faith and Rebellion [National Catholic Register, 12-3-17]
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Was Jesus Unclear in John 6 (Eucharist)? (vs. Jason Engwer) [11-16-21]
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Was Jesus Unclear in John Chapter 6? [National Catholic Register, 1-25-22]
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VIDEO: Why Catholics are 100% Right about John 6 [with Kenny Burchard at Catholic Bible Highlights, 58 minutes, 3-5-25]
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III. THE HOLY EUCHARIST: WINE AND GRAPE JUICE
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IV. THE HOLY EUCHARIST: DIALOGUES WITH PROTESTANTS
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Treatise on Transubstantiation in Reply to Protestants [2-4-05; abridged and very slightly edited on 12-7-17]
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John Calvin’s Erroneous Mystical View of the Eucharist [4-9-04, 9-7-05, abridged and re-edited on 11-30-17]
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Vs. James White #5: Real Eucharistic Presence or Symbolism? [9-20-19]

Catholic Transubstantiation vs. Lutheran Consubstantiation [4-2-20]

Refuting Jason Engwer’s “Real Absence” Argument (Including Biblical Evidence of Analogous Miracles of a Supernatural Change of a Substance Minus Outward Physical Evidence) [11-18-21]

Reply to Hays’ “Catholicism” #27: Historic Exodus; NT & Jesus’ Blood; Hays vs. Omnipresence; God & Matter; Hays’ Anti-Biblical Hyper-Rationalism; Holy Eucharist & Other Miracles; Luther & the Real Presence; Manna & the Eucharist [6-7-23]

Reply to Hays’ “Catholicism” #28: Nicodemus & Baptism; Symbolic Baptism?; Universal Atonement; Relics; Hay’s Disbelief & Jn 6; Biblical Analogies to Transubstantiation; God & the Supernatural Eucharist; Eucharist & Dark Matter [6-9-23]

François Turretin and the Debate Over the Lord’s Supper [Vs. Turretin #11: Eucharist, Pt. 1] (Does a traditional literal reading of “this is my body” entail “a thousand absurdities and contradictions”? The book of Job is instructive) [2-24-25]

Reply to François Turretin #12: Transubstantiation, Pt. 1 (Does Turretin think biblically in this regard or hyper-rationally and skeptically?) [2-26-25]

Reply to François Turretin #13: Transubstantiation, Pt. 2 (Language of “bread” & “wine” after consecration; transubstantiation and transformation: compendium from the Church fathers) [2-27-25]

Reply to François Turretin #14: Eucharist, Pt. 2 (False premises; unfounded, unbiblical divine “impossibilities”; cessationism; ten types of physical divine presence) [2-28-25]

VIDEO: How Can That Be Jesus? (Turretin & the Eucharist): Calvinist Hyper-Rationalism vs. the Biblical Teaching of Twenty Kinds of God’s Presence [Catholic Bible Highlights, 5-23-25]

Dialogue on Reformed Eucharistic Theology [5-25-25]

VIDEO: Eucharist = Jesus? Protestant Doubts vs. Biblical Faith [Catholic Bible Highlights, 5-29-25]

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V. THE SACRIFICE OF THE MASS: CHURCH FATHERS AND PROTESTANT SCHOLARS  
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“New” / Ordinary Form / Pauline Mass: a Traditional Defense (with Massive Historical Documentation, + Summary of Vatican II on Liturgical Reform) [6-18-08]
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Holy Communion in the Hand (Norm till 500-900 AD) [9-3-15; some additions on 3-13-20]
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“Re-Presentation” vs. “Re-Sacrifice” in the Mass: Doctrinal History [4-4-18]

Vs. James White #5: Real Eucharistic Presence or Symbolism? [9-20-19]

Did Pope Gelasius (r. 492-496) Deny Transubstantiation? [3-24-21]

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VI. THE SACRIFICE OF THE MASS: GENERAL / EUCHARISTIC ADORATION

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The Sacrifice of the Mass: A Lamb . . . Slain [3-8-92; rev. May 1996]
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Sacrifice of the Mass & Hebrews 8 (vs. James White) [3-31-04]
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Is Jesus “Re-Sacrificed” at Every Mass? [National Catholic Register, 8-19-17]

Why is Melchizedek So Important? [National Catholic Register, 1-15-18]

“Re-Presentation” vs. “Re-Sacrifice” in the Mass: Doctrinal History [4-4-18]

Time-Transcending Mass and the Hebrew “Remember” [National Catholic Register, 8-3-18]

Vs. Pasqualucci Re Vatican II #11: Sacrosanctum Concilium & Sacrifice of the Mass [7-22-19]

Crucifixes & Worship Images: “New” (?) Biblical Arguments [1-18-20]

Hebrews 10:12, Vulgate, & the Mass (James White’s Lie) [9-3-21]

Holy Eucharist & Sacrifice of the Mass (chapter six [pp. 255-270] of my 2009 book, Bible Truths for Catholic Truths: A Source Book for Apologists and Inquirers) [10-19-23]

The Sacrifice of the Mass in Hebrews & Revelation [3-6-25]

Worthy Is the Lamb Who Was Slain [Biblical Evidences for the Sacrifice of the Mass] [National Catholic Register, 3-31-25]

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VII. THE SACRIFICE OF THE MASS: EUCHARISTIC ADORATION
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IX. THE SACRIFICE OF THE MASS: THE IDOLATRY CHARGE
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Catholic Mass as “Idolatry” Reductio ad Absurdum [12-7-17]
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The Absurdity of Claiming That the Mass is Idolatrous [National Catholic Register, 6-17-19]
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X. LITURGICAL ISSUES: TRIDENTINE MASS / “NEW” / PAULINE MASS
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“New” / Ordinary Form / Pauline Mass: a Traditional Defense (with Massive Historical Documentation, + Summary of Vatican II on Liturgical Reform) [6-18-08]
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Books by Dave Armstrong: Mass Movements: Radical Catholic Reactionaries, the New Mass, and Ecumenism [12-20-12]

Peter Kwasniewski, Fr. Thomas Kocik and a Growing Chorus Disagree with Pope Benedict XVI Regarding the Ordinary Form of the Roman Rite Mass (Or, Reports of the Death of the Reform of the Reform are Greatly Exaggerated)  [+ Part Two] [2-26-14]

Who’s Defending Pope Benedict’s  Summorum Pontificum Now? [2-26-14]

You Prefer the Tridentine / EF Mass? Great! You Prefer Novus Ordo / OF (like me)? Great! [8-14-15]

Two Forms of One Rite (Pope Benedict XVI) [11-4-15]

Critique of Criticisms of the New Mass [11-5-15]

Worshiping the TLM vs. Worshiping God Through It [12-16-15]

Ratzinger “Banal” Quote: Traditionalist & Reactionary Misuse [12-17-15]

Chris Ferrara vs. Pope Benedict XVI (New Mass) [12-18-15]

Superstition About the “Preserved” High Altar at Notre Dame (And Continued Cynical, Highly Selective, “Pick and Choose” Acceptance of the Teaching of Pope Benedict XVI) [4-17-19]

Vs. Pasqualucci Re Vatican II #12: Sacrosanctum Concilium & Liturgical “Creativity” [7-22-19]

Discussion on Extraordinary vs. Ordinary Form Mass (Matt Fradd’s Comment) [Facebook, 8-18-20]

We Attended an Extraordinary Form [Tridentine] Mass Today [Facebook, 8-30-20]

Pope Francis’ Traditionis Custodes is for the Sake of Unity [7-16-21]

Skojec Loathes Traditionis; Illustrates Why it is Necessary [7-19-21]

Catholics (?) Trash, Judge, & Mind-Read the Pope (In 1968, “all” the liberal Catholics rejected Humanae Vitae. Now in 2021, “all” the self-described “conservative” Catholics reject Traditionis Custodes — and none see the outright absurdity and irony of this) [7-20-21]

Traditionis Custodes Results: No Fallen Sky (I Called It) [9-6-21]

The Pauline (“New”) Mass [Ch. 14 of my book, Reflections on Radical Catholic Reactionaries (December 2002; revised in November 2023 for the purpose of the free online version) [11-27-23]

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XI. LITURGICAL ISSUES: COMMUNION IN THE HAND / REVERENCE AND SOLEMNITY / POSTURE

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Holy Communion in the Hand (Norm till 500-900 AD) [9-3-15; some additions on 3-13-20]
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XII. LITURGICAL ISSUES: ABUSES OF THE RUBRICS / ORANS AND HAND-HOLDING DURING THE OUR FATHER /AD ORIENTEM
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XIII. LITURGICAL ISSUES: ALTAR GIRLS

Do Altar Girls Alter Intentions of Would-Be Altar Boys? [5-19-14]

Altar Girls: Consideration of Pro & Con Arguments [May 2014]

Dialogue on Altar Girls and Altar Boys [3-16-18]

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XIV. LITURGICAL ISSUES: EXTRAORDINARY MINISTERS OF HOLY COMMUNION
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XV. LITURGICAL ISSUES: “VAIN REPETITION” AND “DEAD” FORMAL WORSHIP CHARGES  / THE ROSARY 
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Catholic Converts’ Qualms: Mariology, Formal Worship, Etc. [2-11-04; some new recommended links added on 5-2-17]
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Bible on Wholehearted Formal Worship [6-4-07; revised and expanded 1-22-16]
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XVI. LITURGICAL ISSUES: MASS OBLIGATION, SUNDAY WORSHIP, AND HOLY DAYS
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Sunday Worship vs. Sabbatarianism (Links) [1-19-08; expanded 6-28-18]
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Reasons for the Sunday Mass Obligation [National Catholic Register, 11-14-18]
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XVII. LITURGICAL ISSUES: COMMUNION IN ONE KIND OR SPECIES
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The Host and Chalice Both Contain Christ’s Body and Blood [National Catholic Register, 12-10-19]
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XVIII. LITURGICAL ISSUES: CLOSED / RESTRICTED COMMUNION

Exclusion of Non-Catholics from Communion: Why? [1-30-03]

Catholic Closed Communion: A Defense [10-30-08]

Divorced & Remarried (Etc.) & Holy Communion [10-19-15]

Catholic Closed Communion: Reply to a Foolish Objection [12-9-17;  extra note added on 3-23-18]

Why Are Non-Catholics Excluded from Holy Communion? [National Catholic Register, 7-3-19]

On Denying Communion to Pro-Abort Politicians and Other Notorious Figures: Not Quite as Clear-Cut in Catholic History as we Might Suppose [Facebook: Fr. Angel Sotelo, 11-1-19]

Cowardly (?) Bishops, Pro-Abort Biden, & Holy Communion [6-22-21]

Review: The Orthodoxy of Amoris Laetitia (Pedro Gabriel) [5-10-22]

Would Jesus Agree with Catholic Closed Communion and Absolution Before Communion? [Facebook, 5-14-25]

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XIX. LITURGICAL ISSUES: MUSIC AT MASS
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Musical Instruments in Worship: Biblical Evidence [3-22-10]

Is Modern Catholic Church Music Aesthetically Mediocre? [6-10-15; with slight revisions and additions on 3-23-18]
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XX. LITURGICAL ISSUES: MISCELLANEOUS

Communitarian Aspects of Catholic Worship at Mass [11-29-07]

Women’s Head Veils in Church [7-31-08]

Our Father (Lord’s Prayer): “Debts” or “Trespasses”? [11-7-08]

Bible on Candles, Incense, & Symbolism for Prayer [2-16-09]

Sunny Optimism Regarding God’s Guidance of His Church Now and Always (Including Liturgical Discussion) [7-22-11]

Biblical Evidence Regarding Calling Priests “Father” [2-24-16]

Pope Francis Foot-Washing Controversy Redux [3-26-16]

The Art and Science of Lectoring [Facebook, 7-16-18]

Bible on Sacramentals, Liturgy, & Devotions (Ch. 10 of my book, Bible Truths for Catholic Truths: A Source Book for Apologists and Inquirers) [12-10-23]

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Practical Matters:  I run the most comprehensive “one-stop” Catholic apologetics site: rated #1 for Christian sites by leading AI tool, ChatGPT — endorsed by popular Protestant blogger Adrian Warnock. Perhaps some of my 5,000+ free online articles or fifty-six books have helped you (by God’s grace) to decide to become Catholic or to return to the Church, or better understand some doctrines and why we believe them. If you believe my full-time apostolate is worth supporting, please seriously consider a much-needed monthly or one-time financial contribution. “The laborer is worthy of his wages” (1 Tim 5:18, NKJV).
*
PayPal donations are the easiest: just send to my email address: [email protected]. Here’s also a second page to get to PayPal. You’ll see the term “Catholic Used Book Service”, which is my old side-business. To learn about the different methods of contributing (including Zelle and 100% tax-deductible donations if desired), see my page: About Catholic Apologist Dave Armstrong / Donation Information.
*
You can support my work a great deal in non-financial ways, if you prefer; by subscribing to, commenting on, liking, and sharing videos from my two YouTube channels, Catholic Bible Highlights and Lux Veritatis (featuring documentaries), where I partner with Kenny Burchard (see my own videos), and/or by signing up to receive notice for new articles on this blog. Just type your email address on the sidebar to the right (scroll down quite a bit), where you see, “Sign Me Up!” Thanks a million!
*
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*
Last updated on 10 June 2025
***
2025-07-01T11:57:31-04:00

Last updated on: July 1, 2025 at 11:57 am   By
Cover (555 x 828)
(September 2010, 189 pages)
[see full book content and purchase info.]
Spanish Cover (165 x 246)
“La Virgen de los católicos”: ¿Muy al contrario de la Biblia?
(Spanish translation by Lizette Sellar Moon: June 2017, 220 pages)
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
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I. GENERAL
II. SINLESSNESS, IMMACULATE CONCEPTION, NEW EVE, AND THE ANNUNCIATION 
III. A SUPPOSED “SINFUL MARY” AND ALLEGED INSTANCES OF JESUS “REBUKING” OR “DISRESPECTING” HER
IV. BODILY ASSUMPTION 
V. MOTHER OF GOD (THEOTOKOS) / SPOUSE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT 
VI. PERPETUAL VIRGINITY / VIRGIN BIRTH
VII. EARLY PROTESTANTS’ BELIEF IN MARY’S PERPETUAL VIRGINITY
VIII. MARY’S IN PARTU VIRGINITY (MIRACULOUS, NON-NATURAL CHILDBIRTH)
IX. VENERATION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY / [“EXCESSIVE”?] MARIAN DEVOTIONS 
X. THE ROSARY
XI. QUEEN OF HEAVEN / QUEEN MOTHER / REVELATION 12
XII. INTERCESSOR AND SPIRITUAL MOTHER
XIII. MARY MEDIATRIX 
XIV. MARIAN APPARITIONS
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I. GENERAL
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Mary: Do Catholics Have a Biblical View?  [cartoon tract; art by Dan Grajek; early 90s]
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“Live Chat” Debate on Mary (vs. James White) [12-29-00]
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Catholic Converts’ Qualms: Mariology, Formal Worship, Etc. [2-11-04; some new recommended links added on 5-2-17]
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Did Mary Know That Jesus Was God? [National Catholic Register, 4-29-18]
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The Exalted Blessed Virgin Mary and Theosis [National Catholic Register, 11-28-18]
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The “High”, Glorious Mariology of Cardinal Newman (Foreword to The Mariology of Cardinal Newman, by Rev. Francis J. Friedel) [4-11-19]
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St. John Henry Newman’s High Mariology [National Catholic Register, 10-18-19]
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II. SINLESSNESS, IMMACULATE CONCEPTION, NEW EVE, AND THE ANNUNCIATION 
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Blessed Virgin Mary & God’s Special Presence in Scripture [1994; from first draft of A Biblical Defense of Catholicism]
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“All Have Sinned” vs. a Sinless, Immaculate Mary? [1996; revised and posted at National Catholic Register on 12-11-17]
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Was Mary’s Immaculate Conception Absolutely Necessary? [1-5-05; published at National Catholic Register on 12-8-17]
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Sinless Mary: Dialogue w OT Professor (Dr. Jonathan Huddleston) [12-8-14]
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Martin Luther’s “Immaculate Purification” View of Mary [National Catholic Register, 12-31-16]
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Scripture, Through an Angel, Reveals That Mary Was Sinless [National Catholic Register, 4-30-17]
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Why Would a Sinless Mary Offer Sacrifices? (vs. Matt Slick) [10-29-20]
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St. Thomas Aquinas and Mary’s Immaculate Conception [National Catholic Register, 6-13-24]
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VIDEO: Was the Virgin Mary A Sinner? [The Bible has the answer!] (with Kenny Burchard on the Catholic Bible Highlights YouTube channel, 12-6-24)
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III. A SUPPOSED “SINFUL MARY” AND ALLEGED INSTANCES OF JESUS “REBUKING” OR “DISRESPECTING” HER
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“All Have Sinned” vs. a Sinless, Immaculate Mary? [1996; revised and posted at National Catholic Register on 12-11-17]
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On Whether Jesus’ “Brothers” Were “Unbelievers” [National Catholic Register, 6-11-20]
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Why Would a Sinless Mary Offer Sacrifices? (vs. Matt Slick) [10-29-20]
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Immaculate Mary and the Finding of the Child Jesus in the Temple [National Catholic Register, 8-31-22]

Did Mary Sin By Thinking Jesus was Crazy? (vs. Lucas Banzoli) [9-8-22]

Lucas Banzoli’s Mindless Denigration of an Imagined “Mary” (Including Extensive Biblical Analyses of Exceptionally “Righteous” and “Holy” People, and Merit) [9-11-22]

Was Our Lady Among Those Who Accused Our Lord of Being ‘Beside Himself?’ [National Catholic Register, 9-28-22]

Anti-Catholic Eric Svendsen Blasphemes Mary & Claims She (the Mother of God Whom an Angel Declared was “Full of Grace”!) Didn’t Have the “Light of Faith” During Jesus’ Ministry [Facebook, 2-3-23]

Mary and “Crazy” Jesus, Pt. II (vs. Lucas Banzoli): In Which Our Quixotic Anti-Catholic Warrior Desperately Savages Several Highly Reputable English Bible Translations in Order to “Prove” That Mary Thought Jesus was Out of His Mind [2-9-23]

Reply to Steve Christie on Catholic Mariology (Part I: Steve’s 15-Minute Opening Statement, Covering the Perpetual Virginity, Immaculate Conception, & Bodily Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary) [+ Part II / Part III] [7-12-23]

Luther’s Odd Take On Mary & Jesus In The Temple At 12 (And James Swan’s Unwarranted Conclusion from Luther’s Sermon, That He Was Accusing Her of Sin) [6-14-24]

Immaculate Conception: Reply to Gavin Ortlund (Including Analysis of Catholic Anathemas in Dogmatic Statements / Development of Doctrine and Mary) [8-22-24]

Jesus Rebuked Mary at Cana? (vs. Dr. Robert Gagnon) [8-24-24]

Jesus Rebuked His Mother (Jn 2:4)? (Robert Gagnon) (“What have you to do with me?”) [9-16-24]

Jesus Disparaged Mary (“Woman”)? (vs. Robert Gagnon) [9-19-24]

Mary Wasn’t a “Believer”?: Robert Gagnon’s Ignorance [9-20-24]

Mary’s Spiritual Knowledge and Belief in Jesus [10-31-24]

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Jesus’ Use of the Term “Woman” [for Mary. Was it Disrespectful?] (by Jimmy Akin)

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IV. BODILY ASSUMPTION 

Bodily Assumption of Mary (John Saward: Protestant) [edited in 1994; Facebook]

Cardinal Newman on the Bodily Assumption of Mary [edited in 1994]

Ven. Fulton Sheen on the Bodily Assumption of Mary [edited in 1994]

Assumption & Immaculate Conception: Part of Apostolic Tradition (vs. James White) [June 1996]

Mary’s Assumption: Dialogue w Evangelical Protestant [1-21-02]

Bodily Assumption of Mary: Harmonious with the Bible? [2002]

Mary’s Assumption: Brief Explanation, with a New (?) Biblical Parallel [3-1-07]

Mary’s Assumption vs. Material Sufficiency of Scripture? [4-22-07]

Mary’s Assumption & “Reformer” Heinrich Bullinger [4-6-08]

Mary’s Assumption & Historic Protestantism [6-30-08]

Immaculate Conception and Assumption: Why Defined So Late? [2-1-09]

Mary’s Bodily Assumption: Eleven Related Bible Passages [2009]

Defending Mary (Revelation 12 & Her Assumption) [5-28-12]

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Biblical Arguments in Support of Mary’s Assumption [National Catholic Register, 8-15-18]
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Debate on Mary’s Assumption & the Bible (vs. Matt Slick) [11-17-20]
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V. MOTHER OF GOD (THEOTOKOS) / SPOUSE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT 
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VI. PERPETUAL VIRGINITY / VIRGIN BIRTH
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Jesus’ “Brothers” Always “Hangin’ Around” Mary … (Doesn’t This Prove That They Are Actually His Siblings?) [8-31-09]
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Perpetual Virginity: Not “Intuitive” But Still True (see also the vigorous discussion with a deist in the combox underneath) [4-13-18]
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Biblical Evidence for the Perpetual Virginity of Mary [National Catholic Register, 4-13-18]
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More Biblical Evidence for Mary’s Perpetual Virginity [National Catholic Register, 4-25-18]
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Perpetual Virginity of Mary: “Holy Ground” [National Catholic Register, 5-8-18]
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Were Sts. Simon and Jude the Cousins of Jesus? [National Catholic Register, 12-24-21]
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Mary’s Perpetual Virginity and Biblical Language [National Catholic Register, 1-20-23]
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VIDEO: Undeniable Truth: Jesus had NO Siblings!! [20+ Verses Prove It] [Dave Armstrong & Kenny Burchard, Catholic Bible Highlights), 11-1-24]
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Calvin & Mary Ever Virgin (expanded version, with Tim Staples vs. James Swan) [6-5-14]
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VIII. MARY’S IN PARTU VIRGINITY (MIRACULOUS, NON-NATURAL CHILDBIRTH)
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Mary’s Perpetual Virginity “In Partu” (a Miraculous, Non-Natural Childbirth) is a Binding Catholic Dogma [9-24-08; expanded on 9-21-15]

Luther & Mary’s Virginity During Childbirth [10-12-11]

Rationalist Objection to the In Partu Virginity of Mary [Facebook, 1-9-13]

Mary Was a Virgin During Jesus’ Birth (In Partu) [9-19-14; slight modifications and additions on 4-18-18]

Martin Luther’s Belief in the Perpetual Virginity of Mary (+ Reformed Apologist James Swan’s Belittling Contempt of Luther) [9-23-14]

Mary’s Virginity During Childbirth: Ott’s Revision & Latin Analysis [9-29-15]

Dialogue: Mary’s “In Partu” Virginity (During Birth) (with Ryan Grant) [3-9-17]

Biblical and Patristic Evidence for Mary’s “In Partu” Virginity [National Catholic Register, 11-14-19]

Mary’s “In Partu” Virginity: Reply to False Charges [11-16-19]

Why Protestants Reject Mary’s Perpetual Virginity / “In Partu” [9-3-22]

Martin Luther: Mary Was a Perpetual Virgin [6-10-24]

Brief Reply to an Orthodox Priest Who Denies Mary’s In Partu Virginity [Facebook, 6-14-24]

Luther & Mary’s Perpetual Virginity: More Context (+ His Belief in Her Virginity During Christ’s Birth (In Partu) [12-17-24]

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The Virginitas in Partu Revisited (Msgr.  Arthur Calkins)

The Virgin Birth of Christ — What the Church Really Teaches (Fr. Ryan Erlenbush)

The Virginity of Our Lady In Partu: The Painless, Miraculous Birth of Our Lord Jesus Christ (biblical, patristic, and magisterial proofs)

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IX. VENERATION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY / [“EXCESSIVE”?] MARIAN DEVOTIONS 

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The Blessed Virgin Mary is Our Role Model [National Catholic Register, 4-20-17]
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50 Biblical Reasons to Honor Jesus Through Mary [National Catholic Register, 7-24-19]
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Catholics Do Not Worship Mary Like God (vs. Matt Slick) [11-13-20]
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Catholics Don’t Worship Mary — We Love and Honor Her [National Catholic Register, 7-31-23]
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X. THE ROSARY
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The Rosary: ‘Vain Repetition’ or Biblical Prayer? [National Catholic Register, 3-16-18]
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XI. QUEEN OF HEAVEN / QUEEN MOTHER / REVELATION 12
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Mary as the “Queen Mother” and “Queen of Heaven”: Is 1 Kings 2:17-25 a Fatal Counter-Example? (with Steve Ray) [9-5-08]
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Mary is Queen Mother and Queen of Heaven [National Catholic Register, 6-6-19]

Vs. James White #12: Mary the Woman of Revelation 12 [11-7-19]

Is Our Lady the Woman of Revelation 12? [National Catholic Register, 11-27-19]

The Queen Mother & the Bible (vs. James White) [10-8-21]

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XII. INTERCESSOR AND SPIRITUAL MOTHER

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Reflections on the Spiritual Motherhood & Mediation of Mary [1994]

Mary: Spiritual Motherhood & Rosary: Dialogue w Protestant [1-21-02]

Defense of the Our Lady of Perpetual Help Devotion vs. Calvinists [7-16-07]

People Extend God’s Comfort & Peace (Communion of Saints) [Sep. 2010]

Martin Luther’s Belief in the Invocation and Intercession of Mary and the Saints, as Late as 1521 [10-4-11]

Does Invoking Mary at Death Ignore Jesus? [2013]

Dialogue with an Anglican on “Praying to Mary,” Patron Saints, Etc. [11-10-14]

Reply to Lutheran on Invocation of Saints [12-1-15]

Lutheran Pastor Bashes Prayer to Mary and the Rosary (“Vain Repetition”) [5-5-17]

Can Mary Hear “Simultaneous” Prayers of Millions? (vs. Matt Slick) [9-30-20]

How Can a Saint Hear the Prayers of Millions at Once? [National Catholic Register, 10-7-20]

Reply to Gavin Ortlund on Praying to the Saints (Including a Reply Regarding the [Blasphemous?] “Excesses of Marian Prayers” from the Protestant Point of View) [5-15-22]

Why Do We Ask Mary to Pray for Us? [National Catholic Register, 5-24-22]

5 Replies to Questions About Catholic (and Biblical) Prayer [National Catholic Register, 11-30-22]

“God as the Mediator of Mary”?: vs. Francisco Tourinho [1-18-23]

How Can a Human Like Mary Hear Millions of Prayers? The Answer Is in the Bible [National Catholic Register, 2-18-23]

Our Mother Mary & “Mother Earth” (Rosemarie Scott) [4-4-23]

Mary, Mother Of The Church (By Dr. Robert Fastiggi) [3-18-24]

Quick Refutation of James White Re Praying to Mary [Facebook, 5-10-24]

VIDEO: Praying To Mary?? [Catholic Bible Highlights, with Kenny Burchard, utilizing my biblical research, 10-9-24]

Quick Reply to a Lutheran Pastor About “Prayer” to Mary [Facebook, 11-11-24]

Reply to Anglican E. B. Pusey #2 (Mary’s Intercession Analogous to “The prayer of a righteous man has great power in its effects”: James 5:16) [1-23-25]

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XIII. MARY MEDIATRIX 

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Reflections on the Spiritual Motherhood & Mediation of Mary [1994]

Mary Mediatrix (Fr. William G. Most) [originally compiled in 1994; Facebook]

Mary Mediatrix: Patristic, Medieval, & Early Orthodox Evidence [1998]

Dialogue on Mary Mediatrix & Spouse of the Holy Spirit [1998]

Mary Mediatrix: A Biblical Explanation [1999]

Mary Mediatrix: Dialogue w Evangelical Protestant [1-21-02]

Mary Mediatrix vs. Jesus Christ the Sole Mediator? [1-30-03]

Mary Mediatrix & the Bible (vs. Dr. Robert Bowman) [8-1-03]

Critique of Mary — Another Redeemer? by James White (Whitewashing History: By William Possidento and Dave Armstrong) [3-12-04; slight revisions and updated links: 6-12-20] 

Defense of Critique of Jame’s White’s Misinformed Mariology (particularly with regard to the differing views on early Mariology of Protestant Church historians J.N.D. Kelly and Philip Schaff) (vs. James Swan) [3-15-04 and 9-7-05]

Mary Mediatrix and the Church Fathers (+ Documentation That James White Accepts the Scholarship of the Protestant Church Historians I Cite [J. N. D. Kelly and Philip Schaff] ) [9-7-05]
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Exchange on Catholic Mariology and Mary Mediatrix [12-3-16]

Mary Mediatrix: Close Biblical Analogies [National Catholic Register, 8-14-17]

Mary Mediatrix & Jesus (Mere Vessels vs. Sources) [8-15-17]

Todd Baker’s Exodus from Rome (Tradition, Mary, Sola Fide) [4-23-18]

Pope Francis vs. the Marian Title “Co-Redemptrix”? (+ Documentation of Pope Francis’ and Other Popes’ Use of the Mariological Title of Veneration: “Mother of All”) [12-16-19]

Pope Francis’ Deep Devotion to Mary (Esp. Mary Mediatrix) [12-23-19]

“God as the Mediator of Mary”?: vs. Francisco Tourinho [1-18-23]

Mary, Not Jesus, is the Catholic “Savior”? (Response to More Misrepresentation of St. Alphonsus de Liguori’s Book, The Glories of Mary) [7-21-23]

Mary Mediatrix: A Biblical and Theological Introduction (Including a Discussion of the Doctrine’s Dogmatic Status and Espousal of it by Nine Recent Popes and Vatican II) [9-15-15; revised and expanded on 1-18-25]

Reply to Anglican E. B. Pusey #2 (Mary’s Intercession Analogous to “The prayer of a righteous man has great power in its effects”: James 5:16) [1-23-25]

VIDEO: MARY – Mediatrix of ALL Graces (THE BIBLICAL PROOF!) [my discussion with Kenny Burchard at Catholic Bible Highlights, 1-24-25]

Reply to Anglican E. B. Pusey #3 (Admirable Ecumenical Sentiments; Mary as Our “Hope” & “Refuge” & “Comfort”; Must We Always Know of Mary’s Co-Mediation?) [1-26-25]

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Seven Contemporary Fruits from a New Marian Dogma (Mark Miravalle) [1-15-19]

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XIV. MARIAN APPARITIONS
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Biblical Evidence for Marian Apparitions [National Catholic Register, 5-21-17]
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The Amsterdam Apparitions: Where Are We Now? (by Dr. Robert Fastiggi) [8-13-21]
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*****
Last updated on 1 July 2025
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Practical Matters:  I run the most comprehensive “one-stop” Catholic apologetics site: rated #1 for Christian sites by leading AI tool, ChatGPT — endorsed by popular Protestant blogger Adrian Warnock. Perhaps some of my 5,000+ free online articles or fifty-six books have helped you (by God’s grace) to decide to become Catholic or to return to the Church, or better understand some doctrines and why we believe them. If you believe my full-time apostolate is worth supporting, please seriously consider a much-needed monthly or one-time financial contribution. “The laborer is worthy of his wages” (1 Tim 5:18, NKJV).
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PayPal donations are the easiest: just send to my email address: [email protected]. Here’s also a second page to get to PayPal. You’ll see the term “Catholic Used Book Service”, which is my old side-business. To learn about the different methods of contributing (including Zelle and 100% tax-deductible donations if desired), see my page: About Catholic Apologist Dave Armstrong / Donation Information.
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You can support my work a great deal in non-financial ways, if you prefer; by subscribing to, commenting on, liking, and sharing videos from my two YouTube channels, Catholic Bible Highlights and Lux Veritatis (featuring documentaries), where I partner with Kenny Burchard (see my own videos), and/or by signing up to receive notice for new articles on this blog. Just type your email address on the sidebar to the right (scroll down quite a bit), where you see, “Sign Me Up!” Thanks a million!
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2025-06-25T09:44:49-04:00

Last updated on: June 25, 2025 at 9:44 am   By
ChurchSignAnti-Catholics
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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I. JIM ANDERSON

II. VICTOR ANDRADE

III. DR. JOHN ANKERBERG AND DR. JOHN WELDON (BAPTIST)
 
IV. DR. GREG BAHNSEN
 
V. TODD BAKER
 
VI. LUCAS BANZOLI
 
VII. CHRIS BAYACK

VIII. RICHARD BENNETT

IX. BIBLE AND THE CATHOLIC CHURCH
 
X. GABRIEL BRASILEIRO
XI. BART BREWER
 
XII. JOHN BUGAY
 
XIII. KEVIN CAULEY (CHURCH OF CHRIST)
 
XIV. CHAT ROOM DEBATE CHALLENGE
 
XV. JACK CHICK
 
XVI. JASON ENGWER

XVII. “EXCATHOLIC4CHRIST” (TOM)

XVIII. FOXE’S BOOK OF MARTYRS

XIX. DR. ROBERT GAGNON
 
XX. PEDRO FRANCA GAIAO 
 
XXI. STEVE HAYS (REFORMED)

XXII. MATT HEDGES

XXIII. TIMOTHY F. KAUFFMAN

XXIV. DAVID T. KING

XXV. BRUNO LIMA
XXVI. LEN LISENBEE 
XXVII. LUTHERANISM
XXVIII. DOUGLAS MABRY (aka “GOJIRA”)
XXIX. DR. JOHN MACARTHUR
XXX. YAGO MARTINS
XXXI. JAMES McCARTHY
XXXII. JUAN ROBERTO DE OLIVEIRA
XXXIII. ORTHODOX ANTI-CATHOLICISM
XXXIV. POPE AS “GOD” OR “ANTICHRIST” 
XXXV. AUSTIN REED
XXXVI. “SAINT AND SINNER”
XXXVII. GEORGE SALMON (19TH CENTURY ANGLICAN)
XXXVIII. MATT SLICK (PRESBYTERIAN; FOUNDER OF CARM)
XXXIX. DR. ERIC SVENDSEN
XL. JAMES SWAN (REFORMED)
XLI. KEN TEMPLE (REFORMED BAPTIST)
XLII. EDGAR TREVIÑO
XLIII. FRANK TURK (AKA “CENTURION”) (BAPTIST)

XLIV. FRANCOIS TURRETIN (1623-1687)

XLV. “TURRETINFAN” (AKA “THE ANONYMOUS ONE” OR “TAO”) (REFORMED)

XLVI. JERRY WALLS (+ KENNETH COLLINS)

XLVII. WILLIAM WEBSTER
XLVIII. WILLIAM WHITAKER

XLIX. BISHOP JAMES WHITE (REFORMED BAPTIST)

L. MIKE WINGER

LI. CATHOLIC INQUISITION

LII. MISCELLANEOUS REFUTATIONS AND OBSERVATIONS

LIII. “ANTI-CATHOLIC” / “ROMANISM”: DEFINITIONAL AND TERMINOLOGICAL CONTROVERSIES

LIV. IDOLATRY CHARGE (THE MASS, IMAGES, AND MISC.)

LV. IDOLATRY CHARGE (MARIAN VENERATION)
***

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I. JIM ANDERSON

Dialogue on Meritorious Works & the Gospel [6-30-23]

Dialogue: Rich Young Ruler, Works, & Salvation [7-3-23]

II. VICTOR ANDRADE

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III. DR. JOHN ANKERBERG AND DR. JOHN WELDON (BAPTIST)
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IV. DR. GREG BAHNSEN
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V. TODD BAKER
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VI. LUCAS BANZOLI
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Defense of Immortal, Conscious Souls (vs. Lucas Banzoli) [17-Part Series]:
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VII. CHRIS BAYACK
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VIII. RICHARD BENNETT

IX. BIBLE AND THE CATHOLIC CHURCH
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Did Luther Rescue the Bible in German from Utter Obscurity? [National Catholic Register, 10-30-17]

The Catholic Church Does Not Claim Superiority Over the Bible [National Catholic Register, 8-13-18]

Catholic Biblical Interpretation: Myths and Truths [National Catholic Register, 12-3-18]

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X. GABRIEL BRASILEIRO
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XI. BART BREWER
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XII. JOHN BUGAY
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Anti-Catholic “Humor”: St. Thérèse of Lisieux as Hitler (John Bugay Tries to Justify it Based on Historic Anti-Semitism) [11-24-11]

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XIII. KEVIN CAULEY (CHURCH OF CHRIST)
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XIV. CHAT ROOM DEBATE CHALLENGE
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XV. JACK CHICK
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Jack Chick’s Lies: The Real Alberto Rivera Exposed (including a letter from an Alberto supporter and counter-reply) [7-9-03]
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XVI. JASON ENGWER
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Dialogue on Development of Doctrine (Esp. the Papacy) [2000]

Dialogue on Doctrinal Development (Papacy & NT Canon) [2-26-02]

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Papias (c. 60-c. 130) & the Rule of Faith [1-18-10]

Papal Passages Lk 22:31-34 & Jn 21:15-17 [5-12-20]

My Four Ballyhooed Debates w Anti-Catholics (All Forfeited): My Opponent Split Before It Was Over, Every Time (!) [5-21-20]

Invocation of Saints and Angels (Luke 16 [Lazarus & the Rich Man & Abraham] is One of the Most Unanswerable Arguments in Catholic Apologetics) [5-26-20]

Jesus’ “Brothers” Were “Unbelievers”? (Jason Engwer also claims that “Mary believed in Jesus,” but wavered, and had a “sort of inconsistent faith”) [5-27-20]

Dialogue: Galatians 3 & Justification [5-29-20]

Baptismal Regeneration and Justification [6-4-20]

Invocation of Saints: Jesus Allegedly “Calling on Elijah” [6-8-20]

Reply to Protestant Challenges Re Eternal Security [7-26-20]

Defense of Bible Passages vs. Eternal Security & Faith Alone [8-12-20]

Mary’s Assumption: Patristic Analogy to Protestant Distinctives [8-15-20]

St. Peter Listed First in Lists of Disciples: A Debate [10-12-20]

Anti-Catholic Hypocrisy Re the Term “Anti-Catholic” (Jason Engwer Sez Catholicism is Not Christian & Teaches a False Gospel) [10-14-20]

Jason Engwer, Origen, & the New Testament Canon [10-15-20]

Jason Engwer, Origen, & Intercession of Saints [10-16-20]

Jason Engwer, Hippolytus, & Mary’s Perpetual Virginity [10-17-20]

Peter’s Primacy is Disproved By His Personality? (Protestant Apologist Jason Engwer Continues His All-Out War on St. Peter & the Papacy) [10-18-20]

Jason Engwer and a Supposedly Sinful Mary (Doubting Jesus’ Sanity? / Inconsiderate (?) Young Jesus in the Temple / “Woman” and the Wedding at Cana) [11-16-20]

Reply to Engwer’s Alleged “Absence of a Papacy” [8-25-21]

Jesus’ “Brothers” (Not Siblings) 0101: vs. Jason Engwer (The Actual Biblical Data Brought to Bear, Rather Than Late (Post-Luther and Post-Calvin) Protestant Traditions of Men) [9-23-21]

I Timothy 3:15 vs. Sola Scriptura & Jason Engwer [10-4-21]

Anti-Perpetual Virginity Arguments Debunked (vs. J. Engwer) [11-7-21]

Was Mary Sinless? (vs. 3 Church Fathers & Jason Engwer) [11-9-21]

Was Jesus Unclear in John 6 (Eucharist)? [11-16-21]

Refuting Jason Engwer’s “Real Absence” Argument (Including Biblical Evidence of Analogous Miracles of a Supernatural Change of a Substance Minus Outward Physical Evidence) [11-18-21]

Mary’s Assumption & Biblical Evidence (Analogies) [11-30-21]

James Listed Before Peter (Gal 2:9)? (vs. Jason Engwer) [12-3-21]

Anti-Catholic Argument (!) for Mary’s Assumption [3-11-22]

Is First Clement Non-Papal? (vs. Jason Engwer) [4-19-22]

Sinning Mary in the Bible? (vs. Jason Engwer) [6-21-22]

Jason Engwer, Trent Horn, & My 50 NT Petrine Proofs [7-28-22]

No Papacy in the NT? Think Again (vs. Jason Engwer). With Special Emphasis on the Protestant Exegesis of “The keys of the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 16:19) [8-1-22]

Jason Engwer’s Anti-Papalism Refutes Denominationalism [8-2-22]

A Lot of Patristic Problems with Sola Scriptura [Facebook, 8-17-22]

Debate: Early Catholic Authority & Development of Ecclesiology [12-10-22]

Polycarp vs. “Faith Alone” (vs. Jason Engwer) [1-27-23]

Protestant Anti-Catholic Apologist Jason Engwer Denies Direct Biblical Proof of Sola Scriptura [Facebook, 2-18-23]

Prayers to and for the Dead (vs. Jason Engwer): 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 Ask Them to Move After They Were Raised? (+ Part 2) [3-13-23]

Jason Engwer vs. the Biblical Case for Invoking Saints [4-22-23]

Invocation of Saints: Jason Engwer Still Out to Sea [7-19-23]

Does Baptism Save or Only Sanctify (1 Pet 3:21)? [9-19-23]

St. John Chrysostom Rejected “Faith Alone” (Contra Jason Engwer) [Facebook, 9-22-23]

Reply to Jason Engwer on Justification [9-23-23]

Reply to Jason Engwer Re Eternal Security [9-26-23]

Vs. J. Engwer Re Church Authority, #1: Preliminaries (Including St. Augustine on the Visible Catholic Church; St. Irenaeus on Church Infallibility; Biblical Data Regarding Infallibility & Indefectibility; Peter & the “Keys”; Jesus’ Prayer for St. Peter) [10-12-23]

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XVII. “EXCATHOLIC4CHRIST” (TOM)

“Catholic Verses” #1: 1 Tim 3:15 (Church) (Also, the Biblical Definition of the Gospel) [10-24-23]

“Catholic Verses” #2: Jerusalem Council (Also: the Ten Commandments in the New Covenant; Church Fathers On the Binding Nature of the Council of Nicaea) [10-25-23]

“Catholic Verses” #3: Tradition, Pt. 1 (Including the Church Fathers’ Opinion Regarding Authoritative Apostolic Oral Tradition) [10-26-23]

“Catholic Verses” #4: Sinners in the Church (Including the Biblical Conception of “Saints” and “Sinners”) [10-26-23]

“Catholic Verses” #5: Denominationalism (Including “Straight Talk” on the Catholic and Protestant Inquisitions) [10-27-23]

“Catholic Verses” #6: Interpreting Scripture (Including: How Far Away Were the Cities that the Jerusalem Council Bound to its Decrees?) [10-30-23]

“Catholic Verses” #7: Tradition, Pt. 2 [11-1-23]

“Catholic Verses” #8: Tradition, Pt. 3 [11-1-23]

“Catholic Verses” #9: The Papacy [11-2-23]

XVIII. FOXE’S BOOK OF MARTYRS

Inaccuracies of Anti-Catholic Foxe’s Book of Martyrs [2-10-11]

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XIX. DR. ROBERT GAGNON
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XX. PEDRO FRANCA GAIAO 
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XXI. STEVE HAYS (REFORMED)
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Hays’ Calvinist Prooftexts #3: Absalom’s Judgment [10-27-21]

Hays’ Calvinist Prooftexts #4: Judgment of Assyria [10-27-21]

Debate: Matthew 16:18-19 & the Papacy (vs. Steve Hays) [10-30-21]

Steve Hays, Onan, Bible Commentary, & Contraception [1-11-07, 2-28-14; revised & expanded on 12-14-21]

Sola Scriptura: Self-Refuting? (vs. Steve Hays) [12-14-21]

All in a Day’s Work: The Late Anti-Catholic Polemicist Steve Hay’s Amazing and Colorful Variety of Ultra-Slanderous, Lying Insults Sent My Way (+ “Dr.” James White’s & James Swan’s Childish, Ridiculous Insults) [Facebook, 12-10-22]

Reply to Steve Hays’ Caricatures of the Papacy [2-28-23]

Tackling Steve Hays’ 695-page Catholicism [Facebook, 5-11-23]

Reply to Hays’ “Catholicism” #1: 6-10,000-Year-Old Universe (?); “Myths” in Genesis; Straw Men; Protestant Scholarly “Authorities”; Exorcism; Symbolic Interpretation of Scripture [5-12-23]

Reply to Hays’ “Catholicism” #2: Asking Patron Saints to Intercede; Miracles Among Catholics & Protestants [5-14-23]

Anti-Catholic Steve Hays’ Remarkable Change of Mind Regarding Me as a Person and Apologist [Facebook, 5-14-23]

Reply to Hays’ “Catholicism” #3: Catholic Miracles Unfairly Criticized & Biblically Defended; St. Padre Pio; St. Joseph Cupertino [5-15-23]

Reply to Hays’ “Catholicism” #4: Miracle of the Sun at Fatima [5-15-23]

Reply to Hays’ “Catholicism” #5: Our Lady of Fatima [5-16-23]

Reply to Hays’ “Catholicism” #6: Purported Cures from Lourdes [5-17-23]

Reply to Hays’ “Catholicism” #7: Bogus Charges of Catholic Eisegesis; Biblical Types & Symbols; Mystical Church; “Full of Grace”; Protestant False Dichotomies [5-17-23]

Reply to Hays’ “Catholicism” #8: Tradition & Authority; Bankruptcy of Sola Scriptura [5-18-23]

Reply to Hays’ “Catholicism” #9: Rule of Faith; Catholic Mariology [5-18-23]

Reply to Hays’ “Catholicism” #10: Conversion Paradigms; Dispensers of Sacraments; Salvation Outside the Church; Catholicism: Bible Totally Inerrant [5-20-23]

Reply to Hays’ “Catholicism” #11: Visible Church; Eucharist in Acts 2:42; Ever-Changing Catholicism? [5-22-23]

Reply to Hays’ “Catholicism” #12: Church, Seven Sacraments, Papacy, Saints, Priesthood, & Mariology in the Gospels [5-22-23]

Reply to Hays’ “Catholicism” #13: Denominationalism; Salvation Outside the Church; Catholic & Protestant Baptism; Catholic Scholars; Doctrinal Development [5-23-23]

Reply to Hays’ “Catholicism” #14: Canonicity; God’s Guidance; Ancient Contraception; Relics; Intercession of Saints [5-24-23]

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Series: Reply to [Steve] Hays’ “Biblical Calvinism”: the many replies are posted on my Calvinism & General Protestantism web page in the first section at the top (starting on 6-12-23)
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XXII. MATT HEDGES

Dialogue on St. John Chrysostom & Sola Scriptura (Includes a Discussion of the Proper Definition of Sola Scriptura) [2-23-21]

Did Pope Gelasius (r. 492-496) Deny Transubstantiation? [3-24-21]

Pope St. Clement of Rome & Papal Authority [7-28-21]

St. Augustine, St. Basil the Great, & Veneration of Images (+ St. Augustine’s Enthusiastic Advocacy of Relics) [8-3-22]

Biblical Defense of Images and Icons (vs. Matt Hedges) [8-3-22]

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XXIII. TIMOTHY F. KAUFFMAN

St. Ignatius, Bishops, & the Rule of Faith (vs. T.F. Kauffman) [7-14-23]

Is All Bowing Before Images “Idolatry”? (vs. T.F. Kauffman) [7-14-23]

Catholics Think Mary is “Co-Creator”? (vs. T.F. Kauffman) (Refuting a Distortion of What St. Alphonsus de Liguori Actually Teaches in The Glories of Mary) [7-17-23]

Bible on Imitating Saints (vs. T.F. Kauffman) [7-17-23]

Sinless(?) Joseph, John the Baptist, Anne, & the Incarnation [7-18-23]

Mary, Not Jesus, is the Catholic “Savior”? (Response to More Misrepresentation of St. Alphonsus de Liguori’s Book, The Glories of Mary) [7-21-23]

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XXIV. PASTOR DAVID T. KING (REFORMED)

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“Romanists” Killed 100 Million? David T. King & Other Geniuses [6-29-00]

Was Cardinal Newman a Modernist? Pope St. Pius X vs. Anti-Catholic Polemicist David T. King (Development, not Evolution of Doctrine) [3-6-02]

Absurd Anti-Newman Rhetoric in Anti-Catholic Polemics [3-19-02 and 9-27-05]

Chrysostom & Irenaeus: Sola Scripturists?: Refutation of Anti-Catholic Polemicist and Reformed Protestant Pastor David T. King [4-20-07]

Mary’s Assumption vs. Material Sufficiency of Scripture? (Refutation of Anti-Catholic Polemicist & Reformed Protestant Pastor David T. King) [4-22-07]

“Podunk” & Self-Publishing Efforts of Leading Anti-Catholics: David T. King, William Webster, and Eric Svendsen [4-17-09]

Anti-Catholic Double Standards on Self-Published Books (James Swan and His Love of the Ridiculous Self-Published Books of David T. King and William Webster) [8-1-11]

John Henry Newman’s Alleged Disbelief  in Papal Infallibility Prior to 1870, and Supposed Intellectual Dishonesty Afterwards (Classic Anti-Catholic Lies: George Salmon, James White, David T. King et al) [8-11-11]

Answer to Sola Scriptura “Prooftexts” 2 Timothy 3:16-17 & Romans 16:15-16 (vs. Reformed Pastor David T. King) [6-26-12]

David T. King and William Webster: Out-of-Context or Hyper-Selective Quotations from the Church Fathers on Christian Authority: Introduction to the Series [11-8-13]

David T. King and William Webster: Out-of-Context or Hyper-Selective Quotations from the Church Fathers on Christian Authority: Part I: St. Cyril of Jerusalem [11-9-13]

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David T. King Ignores Sola Scriptura Biblical Disproofs  (Incl. lengthy analysis of 2 Peter 1:20: “no prophecy of scripture is a matter of one’s own interpretation”) [11-13-17]
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XXV. BRUNO LIMA
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XXVI. LEN LISENBEE
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XXVII. LUTHERANISM
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XXVIII. DOUGLAS MABRY (aka “GOJIRA”)
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XXIX. DR. JOHN MACARTHUR
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XXX. YAGO MARTINS
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XXXI. JAMES McCARTHY
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XXXII. JUAN ROBERTO DE OLIVEIRA
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Next Brazilian Protestant to be Refuted: Juan Roberto de Oliveira [Facebook, 9-27-23]
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XXXIII. ORTHODOX ANTI-CATHOLICISM
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XXXIV. POPE AS “GOD” OR “ANTICHRIST”
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What Year Did Popes Become Antichrist? (vs. John Calvin) [3-11-10]
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XXXV. AUSTIN REED

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XXXVI. “SAINT AND SINNER”
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Six Anti-Catholics Challenged: “Is Catholicism Christian?” Wouldn’t a real debate be nice for a change? (All Declined) [in effect, S&S declined on 10-27-07 by saying “amen” to “Turretinfan’s” decline and giving no indication otherwise after five previous related comments (one / two / three / four / five) ] [10-8-07] 
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XXXVII. GEORGE SALMON (19TH CENTURY ANGLICAN)

Absurd Anti-Newman Rhetoric in Anti-Catholic Polemics [3-19-02 and 9-27-05]

John Henry Newman’s Alleged Disbelief  in Papal Infallibility Prior to 1870, and Supposed Intellectual Dishonesty Afterwards (Classic Anti-Catholic Lies: George Salmon, James White, David T. King et al) [8-11-11]

Next Big Project: Replies to Anglican Anti-Catholic Polemicist George Salmon (1819-1904) [Facebook, 3-10-23]

Irish Ecclesiastical Record vs. Anti-Catholic George Salmon, Pt. 1 [3-10-23]

Irish Ecclesiastical Record vs. Anti-Catholic George Salmon, Pt. 2 . . . 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 [3-12-23]

Irish Ecclesiastical Record vs. Anti-Catholic George Salmon, Pt. 3 . . . In Which Our Sophist-Critic Massively Misrepresents Cardinal Newman and Utterly Misunderstands the Distinction Between Implicit and Explicit Faith [3-12-23]

Irish Ecclesiastical Record vs. Anti-Catholic George Salmon, Pt. 4 . . . in which Dr. Salmon Sadly Reveals Himself to be a Hyper-Rationalistic Pelagian Heretic, and Engages in Yet More Misrepresentation of Development of Doctrine and Cardinal Newman’s Statements and Positions [3-15-23]
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Irish Ecclesiastical Record vs. Anti-Catholic George Salmon, Pt. 5: Private Judgment, the Rule of Faith, and Dr. Salmon’s Weak Fallible Protestant “Church”: Subject to the Whims of Individuals; Church Fathers Misquoted [3-15-23]
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Irish Ecclesiastical Record vs. Anti-Catholic George Salmon, Pt. 6: The Innumerable Perils of Perspicuity of Scripture and Private Judgment [3-16-23]
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XXXVIII. MATT SLICK (PRESBYTERIAN; FOUNDER OF CARM)
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XXXIX. DR. ERIC SVENDSEN
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Have Heterodox Catholics Overthrown Official Doctrine? (vs. Eric Svendsen, James White, Phillip Johnson, & Andrew Webb) [6-3-96]
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Apostolic [Quasi-] Protestantism?: Dialogue with Eric Svendsen [6-26-96]

Debate on the Nature of the Church and Catholicism [7-5-96]

Dialogue on “Tradition” in the New Testament [1996]

Dialogue with Protestants on Various Aspects of Development of Doctrine (Particularly Concerning the Canon of Scripture) [vs. Jason Engwer & Eric Svendsen] [3-19-02, at Internet Archive]

Eric Svendsen: Catholics Raise Mary to the Holy Trinity [4-2-04]

What is it With Anti-Catholics & Written Debate? (The Sad Case of Eric Svendsen as a Typical Example) [10-4-04, at Internet Archive] 

“It’s Greek to Me”: Illuminating Exchange w Eric Svendsen [6-5-03 and 1-10-05]

James White’s, Eric Svendsen’s, and Jason Engwer’s Glowing Tributes to Pope St. John Paul II [4-5-05, at Internet Archive]
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Eric Svendsen Sez Billy Graham, Franklin Graham, and Dr. James Dobson Betray the Gospel and R Lousy Evangelicals, in Distinct Danger of Damnation [4-28-05, at Internet Archive]

“Podunk” & Self-Publishing Efforts of Leading Anti-Catholics: David T. King, William Webster, and Eric Svendsen [4-17-09]

Follies of Anti-Catholic Former Apologist Eric Svendsen [4-25-10] 

Dave Armstrong Fan Club #2: Anti-Catholic Protestant Polemicist Eric “the Yellow” Svendsen [Facebook, 3-3-19]

Svendsen’s Dissertation on Mary: 1. Preliminaries (Including Explicit Biblical Indications or Analogies for Mary’s Universal Intercession and the Notion of “Fittingness”) [2-2-23]

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XL. JAMES SWAN (REFORMED)

Martin Luther’s Mariology: Reply to James Swan: . . . Particularly the Immaculate Conception / Has Present-Day Protestantism Maintained the Classical “Reformational” Heritage of Mariology? [4-26-03; rev. 4-6-23]

Luther’s Mariology: the Protestant View [4-26-03]

Use of Primary Citations: James Swan’s Double Standards (and his particular animus against the Austrian Jesuit and biographer of Luther: Hartmann Grisar) [4-26-03; expanded on 7-15-20] 

Anti-Catholic Caricatures of Catholic Mariology [4-26-03]

Vs. James Swan #2 Re Luther’s Mariology (+ Part 2) [original full dialogue: 6-28-03; uploaded on 4-29-24]

2nd Reply to James Swan Re Luther’s Mariology [6-28-03; abridged on 7-19-20]

Defense of Critique of Jame’s White’s Misinformed Mariology (particularly with regard to the differing views on early Mariology of Protestant Church historians J.N.D. Kelly and Philip Schaff) [3-15-04 and 9-7-05]

Biblical “Ass” (Donkey) & Holier Than Thou Anti-Catholics (subtitle: It Matters Not to Anti-Catholics Like James Swan Whether “Ass” is a Legitimate Term in the Bible, Shakespeare, & Even John Calvin) [2007; abridged & revised: 1-19-19]

Luther: Death Penalty for Anabaptists & 1525 Peasants’ Revolt (Critique of James Swan’s Misrepresentation on the Radio Show, Iron Sharpens Iron, with Chris Arnzen) [11-6-07] 

Anti-Catholic James Swan’s Goofy Anonymous “Reviews” of My Book [6-30-10]

How Anti-Catholic Apologists “Argue” and “Reason”: Documentation of James Swan’s Avalanche of Childish Personal Insults and Ridiculous Flat-Out Lies About Yours Truly [6-30-10]

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Calvin & Mary Ever Virgin (w Tim Staples vs. James Swan) [6-5-14]

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XLI. KEN TEMPLE (REFORMED BAPTIST)
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XLII. EDGAR TREVIÑO
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XLIII. FRANK TURK (AKA “CENTURION”) (BAPTIST)
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Salvation by Works in the Catholic Catechism? [5-8-02]

Proper Theological Application of the Term “Anti-Catholic” [9-24-05]

Frank Turk and Phil Johnson Reply to My Critique With Christlike Examples of Charity and Reason / James White’s January 2001 Resolution to Avoid All Interaction With Me (!!) [7-21-11, at Internet Archive]

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XLIV. FRANCOIS TURRETIN (1623-1687)

For many counter-replies, see the section, “Replies to Francois Turretin” on my Calvinism & General Protestantism: Catholic Critique web page.

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XLV. “TURRETINFAN” (AKA “THE ANONYMOUS ONE” OR “TAO”) (REFORMED)

Did Jesus Commission the New Testament (or the Disciples?) [5-31-18]

Armstrong Fan Club #5: Reformed Protestant Fanatic “Turretinfan” [Facebook, 3-5-19]

Rome, the Biblical Canon, & Tradition (vs. Turretinfan & James White) . . . Observed in the Views of John of Damascus (aka John Damascene: c. 676-749) [11-7-19]

Chalice or Host Only Contain the Body & Blood of Christ (Reply to Two Direct Challenges from the Calvinist Anti-Catholic Sophist and Polemicist, “Turretinfan”) [11-21-19]

Jerusalem Council (Acts 15) Decrees: Universally Binding? [11-21-19]

“Turretinfan” Calls a Statue of Jesus Christ an “Idol” (While His Buddy Bishop James White Praises the Statues of “Reformers” Calvin, Farel, Beza, and Knox) [6-8-10; rev. 6-24-20]

Origen & the Rule of Faith (vs. “Turretinfan”) [12-2-21]

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A Discourse on The Discourse on the Holy Theotokos (Anti-Catholic Distortion of St. Athanasius) (Paul Hoffer) [4-10-09]

TAO’s Continued Use of the Pejorative Papist (+ Part Two) (Paul Hoffer) [6-23-09]

What Saint Augustine, Bishop, Saint and Doctor of the Catholic Church Actually Held Pertaining to Transubstantiation: A Response to Turretinfan (+ Part Two) (Paul Hoffer) [8-20-11]
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XLVI. JERRY WALLS (+ KENNETH COLLINS)
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Series of Critiques of Kenneth Collins’ and Jerry Walls’ Book, Roman but Not Catholic: What Remains at Stake 500 Years after the Reformation (Oct. 2017):

My Amazon Review (good overview of #1-#10 below) [10-21-17]

Defense of My Amazon Review [10-23-17]

Odd Trio: Jerry Walls, Ken Collins, & Anti-Catholic John Bugay [10-24-17]

#1: Newman’s Mariology [10-17-17]

#2: Queen of Heaven [10-18-17]

#3: Necessity of Immaculate Mary? [10-18-17]

#4: Mary “Not a Genuine Human Being”? [10-19-17]

#5: The Church “Gave” the Bible? [10-19-17]

#6: Assumption, Queen Redux [10-19-17]

#7: Unbiblical / Non-Patristic Purgatory? [10-19-17]

#8: Heretical Tobit? (Alms & Salvation) [10-20-17]

#9: “Apocrypha” (Jerome, Athanasius, Etc.) [10-21-17]

#10: St. Peter & the Papacy [10-21-17]

#11: Good & Bad Monothelite Heretics [10-22-17]

#12: Salvation (Soteriology) [10-22-17]

#13: “Reformed” Censorship & Intolerance [10-26-17]

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XLVII. WILLIAM WEBSTER
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XLVIII. WILLIAM WHITAKER
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XLIX. BISHOP JAMES WHITE (REFORMED BAPTIST)

The material formerly listed here has been moved to a new page: Bishop “Dr.” [???] James White: Anti-Catholic Extraordinaire

L. MIKE WINGER

Reply to Mike Winger on Sola Scriptura [4-30-22]

Symbolic Adult Baptism? (vs. Mike Winger) [5-2-22]

Papal Authority In The NT And The Fathers (Vs. Mike Winger): Incl. “Papal” & Patristic Exegesis of Matthew 16 and John 21; Relationship of the Bible & the Church [3-9-24]

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LI. CATHOLIC INQUISITION

“Romanists” Killed 100 Million? David T. King & Other Geniuses [6-29-00]

The Inquisition Killed 4.9 Million? (John Bugay’s Whoppers) [6-4-10]

Catholic Inquisition Murdered “50-68 Million”? [April 2014]

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Were 50 Million People Really Killed in the Inquisition? [National Catholic Register, 5-30-18]
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The Inquisition, as Medieval Catholics Would View It [National Catholic Register, 7-31-19]
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LII. MISCELLANEOUS REFUTATIONS AND OBSERVATIONS

Classic Anti-Catholic Polemicists (Chick, Boettner, & Hislop) [1-25-91]

Anti-Catholicism: Classic Catholic Replies and Retorts [1-25-91]

Are Catholics Christians? (vs. James White) [May 1995]

Dialogue on Grace (vs. Anti-Catholic Phil Johnson) [1996]

“Xmas” & the Christian “Fish”: Etymology & History (vs. Matthew Bell) [12-22-98]

Sophistry: Reflections on “Debating” Anti-Catholic Polemicists [11-27-00]

Oral vs. Written Debates About Theology: Which is Better? [Jan. 2001; rev. 9-30-04]

Anti-Catholics Are Catholics’ Brothers in Christ [4-18-02; reposted on 4-22-24]

Books by Dave Armstrong: Twin Scourges: Thoughts on Anti-Catholicism and Theological Liberalism [June 2003]

Latest Anti-Catholic Theory on Catholic Converts: Filthy Lucre (Scott Hahn and Steve Ray Supposedly Were Motivated Primarily or Solely by Financial Gain, to Become Catholics?) [7-15-04; rev. 1-27-17]

Absurd Anti-Newman Rhetoric in Anti-Catholic Polemics [3-19-02 and 9-27-05]

“Moderate” Heinrich Bullinger: “Reformation” Anti-Catholicism [1-16-07]

Old website editions of the Anti-Catholicism Page preserved at the Internet Archive (much material later deleted or modified: choose from between the dates of 6-11-04 and 2-11-07)

Prayer For Our Non-Catholic Brothers and Sisters (Especially Those Who Do Not Regard Us As Their Brothers and Sisters in Christ) [6-2-07, at Internet Archive]

The “Adolescent Theory” of Pervasive Anti-Catholic Mindsets and Behavior [Facebook, 10-4-07]

Zwingli, Bucer, Oecolampadius: Luther & Lutherans Not Christians [1-10-08]

Anti-Catholics: Sincere & Ignorant or Malicious? [10-7-08]

Why Folks Like the New Catholic Answer Bible (+ Clueless Anti-Catholic Attacks On It) [4-5-09; slightly revised on 8-5-21]

“Podunk” & Self-Publishing Efforts of Leading Anti-Catholics: David T. King, William Webster, and Eric Svendsen [4-17-09]

Clarification of Why I No Longer Attempt Debate With Anti-Catholic Protestants [7-4-09, at Internet Archive]

Mary as a Guide & Model of Holiness: Mutual Monologues with Several Anti-Catholics + One Real Dialogue [10-14-09]

Is the Anti-Catholic Myth of Total Catholic Apostasy Analogous to the Jewish-Christian Split in the 1st Century? [12-8-09]

Judaizers: “Proto-Catholics”? (Alleged Works-Salvation) [12-14-09]

Amazing Grace: “Anti-Catholic” Hymn? [11-1-10]

How Anti-Catholics Often Argue (Massive Use of Ad Hominem, Personal Insult, Smear Tactics) / My Humorous, Satirical Retorts [2-24-10, at Internet Archive]

Young Earth Creationism of Notable Anti-Catholic Protestants [9-18-10]

High Praise from a Protestant Critic of Mine [sarcastic title: Facebook comment on an anonymous critic who claims that no Protestant apologist takes me “seriously” at all; 12-22-11]

C. S. Lewis’ Belfast Childhood & Contra-Catholicism [6-26-12]

Pitting Paul Against Peter (Pathetic, Pitiful Pedantry): Reply to Failed Anti-Catholic Protestant Attempts to Tear Down St. Peter and His Papal Authority [8-10-12]

Dialogue on Newman’s Kingsley / “Apologia” Controversy [11-27-12]

Multiple Meanings of “Paradise” in Scripture and Anti-Catholic Cluelessness About Literary Genre  [see also the accompanying Facebook discussion] [12-1-14]

Bizarre Anti-Catholic Junk Refuted (Series) [compiled on 4-7-16]

Debates with Anti-Catholic Polemicists [compiled 4-20-16]

Brief Exchange with an Anti-Catholic Regarding Whether Catholicism Teaches a False Gospel [Facebook, 3-18-17]

A Friend of 34 Years (Who is Anti-Catholic) Would Rather End Our Friendship Than Read and Discuss One of My Papers [Facebook, 8-11-17]

“Church Sign” Regarding Anti-Catholic Willful Ignorance [Facebook, 3-22-19]

St. Cardinal Newman on English Anti-Catholic Prejudice [2-17-20]

Defining “Church”: “Exchange” w Anti-Catholic Zealot [3-9-20]

More of that Profound Anti-Catholic Calvinist Love (Gene “Troll” Bridges) [Facebook, 8-15-20]

Is it Wrong to Celebrate and “Make Merry” About the Birth of Jesus and God Becoming Man? No! Clear Biblical Models [Facebook, 12-15-20]

Christmas: Theological (Reformed / Calvinist) Opposition . . . With My Biblical and Historical Refutations [12-16-20]

Discussion with Brazilian Catholics About the Leading Brazilian Anti-Catholic Protestant Apologists [Facebook, 5-24-22]

Does Lucas Banzoli Intend to Ignore My Critiques [So Far, Ten] of His Writing? [Facebook, 6-7-22]

Just a Coincidence (Five Influential Anti-Catholics Who — After Years of Debates With Me — Suddenly Pretended That I No Longer Existed) [Facebook, 9-19-23]

My 29-Year Experience with Anti-Catholic Protestant Debate Opponents: Notice Any Pattern Here? [Facebook, 4-3-24]

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LIII. “ANTI-CATHOLIC” / “ROMANISM”: DEFINITIONAL AND TERMINOLOGICAL CONTROVERSIES

Dialogue on the Anti-Catholic Definition of “Christian” (vs. Matthew Bell) [1-11-99; new introduction added on 3-16-11]
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Dialogue: Definition of “Christian” (vs. Reformed Pastor) (+ Did Trent Anathematize all Protestants?) [6-5-10]

Debates on the Controversial Term, “Anti-Catholic[ism]” [compilation of old archived discussions, from 5-11-16]

Anti-Catholic Hypocrisy Re the Term “Anti-Catholic” (Jason Engwer Sez Catholicism is Not Christian & Teaches a False Gospel) [10-14-20]

Quick and Handy Definition of “Anti-Catholic” [Facebook, 7-29-24]

“Romanist”: Dialogue with a Protestant [12-3-24]

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LIV. IDOLATRY CHARGE (THE MASS, IMAGES, AND MISC.)

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The Absurdity of Claiming That the Mass is Idolatrous [National Catholic Register, 6-17-19]
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LV. IDOLATRY CHARGE (MARIAN VENERATION)
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*
You can support my work a great deal in non-financial ways, if you prefer; by subscribing to, commenting on, liking, and sharing videos from my two YouTube channels, Catholic Bible Highlights and Lux Veritatis (featuring documentaries), where I partner with Kenny Burchard (see my own videos), and/or by signing up to receive notice for new articles on this blog. Just type your email address on the sidebar to the right (scroll down quite a bit), where you see, “Sign Me Up!” Thanks a million!
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***
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 Last updated on 25 June 2025
  

***  

 

2025-06-10T22:53:12-04:00

Last updated on: June 10, 2025 at 10:53 pm   By
*****
TABLE OF CONTENTS
***
I. CALVIN’S VIEW OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH HEADED BY THE POPE (AND OF LUTHERANISM) / ECCLESIOLOGY
II. SECTARIANISM, CALVINISTS OF HIS DAY, TRADITION, RULE OF FAITH, AND SOLA SCRIPTURA
III. PREDESTINATION / SUPRALAPSARIANISM / SOVEREIGNTY / ELECT / PERSEVERANCE OF THE SAINTS / TOTAL DEPRAVITY
IV. SOTERIOLOGY / SALVATION /  GRACE / FAITH AND WORKS / SIN
V. SACRAMENTS (ESP. BAPTISM AND THE EUCHARIST) AND SACRAMENTALS
VI. MARIOLOGY
VII. CHRISTOLOGY
VIII. DEUTEROCANON
 IX. SCIENCE 
X. INTOLERANCE, PERSECUTION, AND DOUBLE STANDARDS
XI. CALVIN VS. THE CHURCH FATHERS

XII. CELIBACY

XIII. CONTRACEPTION

XIV. ICONOCLASM, ART, AND MUSIC

XV. COMMUNION OF THE SAINTS / INTERCESSION OF SAINTS / PENANCE / ABSTINENCE / LENT

XVI. PURGATORY AND PRAYER FOR THE DEAD

XVII. ORDINATION / PRIESTS / MONKS AND NUNS / MONASTICISM

XVIII. MIRACLES / EXORCISM

XIX. FALSE ACCUSATIONS 

XX. MISCELLANEOUS
***
***
I. CALVIN’S VIEW OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH HEADED BY THE POPE (AND OF LUTHERANISM) / ECCLESIOLOGY
*
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What Year Did Popes Become Antichrist? (vs. John Calvin) [3-11-10]
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John Calvin’s 15 Surprisingly Catholic Views [National Catholic Register, 10-10-17]
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John Calvin’s Ten Striking “Catholic” Views (the video immediately below is a commentary on this article) [2-11-25]
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VIDEO: Calvin’s Strikingly Catholic Views: Ten Catholic Truths John Calvin Embraced!!! [with Kenny Burchard, Catholic Bible Highlights, 1 hr, 28 minutes, 2-13-25]
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II. SECTARIANISM, CALVINISTS OF HIS DAY, TRADITION, RULE OF FAITH, AND SOLA SCRIPTURA
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III. PREDESTINATION / SUPRALAPSARIANISM / SOVEREIGNTY / ELECT / PERSEVERANCE OF THE SAINTS / TOTAL DEPRAVITY
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Good Works and Men, God’s Grace, and Regeneration [National Catholic Register, 8-6-20]
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Is True Faith Always Permanent? (vs. Calvin #62) [3-7-23]
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IV. SOTERIOLOGY / SALVATION /  GRACE / FAITH AND WORKS / SIN
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Bible vs. “Faith Alone” vs. John Calvin Series
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V. SACRAMENTS (ESP. BAPTISM AND THE EUCHARIST) AND SACRAMENTALS

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VI. MARIOLOGY
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Calvin & Mary Ever Virgin (expanded version, with Tim Staples vs. James Swan) [6-5-14]
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VII. CHRISTOLOGY
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Calvin’s Fawning Over a 13-Year-Old Head of the Church of England [5-26-09; revised for a National Catholic Register article, 9-3-17]
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XII. CELIBACY 

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XIII. CONTRACEPTION
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Luther and Calvin Opposed Contraception and “Fewer Children is Better” Thinking [2-21-04; published at National Catholic Register, 9-13-17]

Publishers Omit Calvin’s Anti-Contraception View?! [9-14-13]

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XIV. ICONOCLASM, ART, AND MUSIC

Early Protestant Antipathy Towards Art (+ Iconoclasm) [1991]

John Calvin, Early Calvinism, & Violent Iconoclasm [7-4-04]

Calvin, Zwingli, & Bullinger vs. Statues of Christ, Crucifixes, & Crosses [9-19-09]

John Calvin: Worship Instruments = Idols & Superstition [3-14-10]

Musical Instruments in Worship: Biblical Evidence [3-22-10]

“Graven Images”: Unbiblical Iconoclasm (vs. John Calvin) [Oct. 2012]

Church Music & Hymns in the New Testament? [1-28-16]

John Calvin Didn’t Oppose All Religious Images [4-10-23]

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XV. COMMUNION OF THE SAINTS / INTERCESSION OF SAINTS / PENANCE / ABSTINENCE / LENT
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Veneration of Saints and Angels (vs. John Calvin) [Oct. 2012]

Intercession & Invocation of Saints & Angels (vs. Calvin) [Oct. 2012]

Temporal Punishment After Forgiveness: Catholicism vs. John Calvin [10-18-12]

John Calvin Did Not Pray to Philip Melanchthon [9-19-09; revised, with retraction, on 5-3-16]

Absolution, Sanctification, & Forgiveness: Reply to Calvin #7 [12-19-18]

John Calvin vs. the Bible and John the Baptist, with Regard to Abstinence from Wine [Facebook, 1-26-19]

John Calvin in Effect Regards Jesus’ Teaching on Prayer to Abraham as “Novel and Impure” [Facebook, 3-8-23] 

XVI. PURGATORY AND PRAYER FOR THE DEAD

Prayer for the Dead (vs. Calvin #57) [2012]

Purgatory in the Bible (vs. Calvin #60) [1-15-21]

XVII. ORDINATION / PRIESTS / MONKS AND NUNS / MONASTICISM

Unbiblical Opposition to Priest’s Vows (vs. Calvin #32) [9-21-09]

Evangelical Counsels & Monasticism (vs. Calvin #33) [9-22-09]

Calvin’s Self-Contradictory Trashing of Monasticism [1-26-19]

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XVIII. MIRACLES / EXORCISM

Unbiblical Antipathy to Miracles & Exorcism (vs. Calvin #53) [12-22-09]

XIX. FALSE ACCUSATIONS 

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XX. MISCELLANEOUS
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Practical Matters:  I run the most comprehensive “one-stop” Catholic apologetics site: rated #1 for Christian sites by leading AI tool, ChatGPT — endorsed by popular Protestant blogger Adrian Warnock. Perhaps some of my 5,000+ free online articles or fifty-six books have helped you (by God’s grace) to decide to become Catholic or to return to the Church, or better understand some doctrines and why we believe them. If you believe my full-time apostolate is worth supporting, please seriously consider a much-needed monthly or one-time financial contribution. “The laborer is worthy of his wages” (1 Tim 5:18, NKJV).
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PayPal donations are the easiest: just send to my email address: [email protected]. Here’s also a second page to get to PayPal. You’ll see the term “Catholic Used Book Service”, which is my old side-business. To learn about the different methods of contributing (including Zelle and 100% tax-deductible donations if desired), see my page: About Catholic Apologist Dave Armstrong / Donation Information.
*
You can support my work a great deal in non-financial ways, if you prefer; by subscribing to, commenting on, liking, and sharing videos from my two YouTube channels, Catholic Bible Highlights and Lux Veritatis (featuring documentaries), where I partner with Kenny Burchard (see my own videos), and/or by signing up to receive notice for new articles on this blog. Just type your email address on the sidebar to the right (scroll down quite a bit), where you see, “Sign Me Up!” Thanks a million!
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Last updated: 19 June 2025

 

 

2025-05-04T19:25:32-04:00

Last updated on: May 4, 2025 at 7:25 pm   By
Strasbourg Cathedral
Strasbourg Cathedral (Alsace, France). At 466 feet, it was the world’s tallest building from 1647 to 1874. It remains the highest extant structure built entirely in the Middle Ages. Photo by David Iliff (2-8-14) [Wikimedia Commons / CC-BY-SA 3.0 license]
***
This testimony of the universal holy Christian Church, even if we had nothing else, would be a sufficient warrant for holding this article [on the sacrament] and refusing to suffer or listen to a sectary, for it is dangerous and fearful to hear or believe anything against the unanimous testimony, belief, and teaching of the universal holy Christian churches, unanimously held in all the world from the beginning until now over fifteen hundred years.
 
(Martin Luther, in the year 1532; from Protestant Luther biographer Roland H. Bainton, Studies on the Reformation [Boston: Beacon Press, 1963], p. 26; primary source: WA [Werke, Weimar edition in German], XXX, 552)
***
TABLE OF CONTENTS
***
I. GENERAL ECCLESIOLOGY 
II. THE INDEFECTIBILITY OF THE CHURCH
III. APOSTOLIC SUCCESSION
IV. CLERGY AND ORDINATION / HOLY ORDERS / BISHOPS
V. WOMEN’S ORDINATION / CATHOLIC VIEW OF WOMEN
VI. ECCLESIASTICAL AUTHORITY / HIERARCHICAL AND EPISCOPAL ECCLESIOLOGY
VII. RULE OF FAITH (BIBLE + CHURCH + TRADITION)
VIII. CONSCIENCE AND PRIVATE JUDGMENT / DISSENT
IX. ECCLESIASTICAL AUTHORITY: THE SECOND VATICAN COUNCIL
X. ECCLESIASTICAL AUTHORITY: THE FIRST VATICAN COUNCIL
XI. ECCLESIAL INFALLIBILITY AND INFALLIBLE ECUMENICAL COUNCILS 
XII. HERETICAL CONCILIARISM
XIII. THE JERUSALEM COUNCIL (ACTS 15)
XIV. REASONS WHY PEOPLE LEAVE THE CATHOLIC CHURCH
XV. THE “INFALLIBILITY REGRESS” (PROTESTANT POLEMICAL ARGUMENT)
XVI. THE CHARISMATIC MOVEMENT
XVII. CLERICAL CELIBACY
XVIII. TITLE OF CATHOLIC
XIX. GENERAL AND MISCELLANEOUS
XX. ST. TERESA OF CALCUTTA (MOTHER TERESA)
***
I. GENERAL ECCLESIOLOGY 
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Are Catholics Christians? (vs. James White) [May 1995]
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Is the One True Church a Visible or Invisible Entity? [National Catholic Register, 9-12-18]
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The Authority of the Catholic Church (+ Pt. 2): chapter two of my 2009 book, Bible Truths for Catholic Truths: A Source Book for Apologists and Inquirers [10-16-23]
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II. THE INDEFECTIBILITY OF THE CHURCH
*

“Could the Catholic Church Go Off the Rails?” (Indefectibility) [1997]

Anti-Catholic Orthodox Claims of Exclusive Apostolic Succession [Nov. 1998; revised in 2004]

Indefectibility: Does God Protect His Church from Doctrinal Error? [11-1-05; abridged and reformulated a bit on 2-14-17]

“The Gates of Hell Shall Not Prevail” Against the Church [11-11-08]

Indefectibility of the One True Church (vs. Calvin #9) [5-16-09]

Indefectibility & Apostolic Succession (vs. Calvin #10) [5-18-09]

Sunny Optimism Regarding God’s Guidance of His Church Now and Always (Including Liturgical Discussion) [7-22-11]

Dialogue with a Lutheran on Ecclesiology & Old Testament Indefectibility Analogies [11-22-11]

St. Francis de Sales: Bible vs. Total Depravity (+ Biblical Evidence for the Indefectibility of the Church, from the Psalms)  [11-24-11]

The Bible on the Indefectibility of the Church [2013]

Michael Voris’ Ultra-Pessimistic Views Regarding the Church [7-3-13]

Critique of Three Michael Voris Statements Regarding the State of the Church [7-3-13]

Indefectibility, Fear, & the Synod on the Family [9-30-15]

Quasi-Defectibility and Phil Lawler vs. Pope Francis (see also more documentation of Lawler’s reactionary leanings, on the Facebook thread) [12-28-17]

Salesian Apologetics #1: Indefectibility of the Church [2-4-20]

Reply to a Despairing Catholic Seminarian (Indefectibility) [6-26-21]

The Indefectibility of the Church [Ch. 3 of my book, Reflections on Radical Catholic Reactionaries (December 2002; revised in December 2023 for the free online version) ]
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III. APOSTOLIC SUCCESSION
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Apostolic Succession as Seen in the Jerusalem Council [National Catholic Register, 1-15-17]
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Answers to Questions About Apostolic Succession [National Catholic Register, 7-25-20]
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A New Biblical Argument for Apostolic Succession [National Catholic Register, 4-23-21]
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Dave Armstrong Responds to Gavin Ortlund on Jerome & the Monepiscopacy [30-minute audio presentation Suan Sonna’s YouTube channel, Intellectual Catholicism, on 2-4-24]
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IV. CLERGY AND ORDINATION / HOLY ORDERS / BISHOPS
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Bishops in the Apostolic Church [1-16-01; rev. 5-7-03]
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Bishops: NT, Early Church, & Baptists (vs. James White) [1-16-01] 
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Dialogue: “Bad” Bishops & “Confusing” Francis (vs. Dr. Peter Kwasniewski) [4-28-16]
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The Biblical Basis for the Priesthood [National Catholic Register, 11-2-18]
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Offices in the Early Church [Facebook, 10-16-23]
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YouTube VIDEO: Biblical Proof you should call Catholic Priests “Father” (Kenny Burchard, utilizing my research, 9-15-24)
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V. WOMEN’S ORDINATION / CATHOLIC VIEW OF WOMEN
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Dialogue with a Traditionalist Regarding Deaconesses (vs. Dr. Peter Kwasniewski) [5-13-16]
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VI. ECCLESIASTICAL AUTHORITY / HIERARCHICAL AND EPISCOPAL ECCLESIOLOGY

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Anathemas of Trent & Excommunication: An Explanation [5-20-03, incorporating portions from 1996 and 1998; abridged on 7-30-18]
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Catholics Accept All of the Church’s Dogmatic Teaching [National Catholic Register, 9-18-18]
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Orthodoxy: The ‘Equilibrium’ That Sets Us Free [National Catholic Register, 3-29-19]
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Does Sola Scriptura Create Chaos? (vs. Steve Hays) [5-15-20]
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VII. RULE OF FAITH (BIBLE + CHURCH + TRADITION)

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Papal Infallibility Doctrine: History (Including Luther’s Dissent at the Leipzig Disputation in 1519) (Related also to the particular circumstances of the origins of sola Scriptura) [10-8-07]
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Orthodoxy: The ‘Equilibrium’ That Sets Us Free [National Catholic Register, 3-29-19]
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1 Timothy 3:15 = Church Infallibility (vs. Steve Hays) [5-14-20]
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Does Sola Scriptura Create Chaos? (vs. Steve Hays) [5-15-20]
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VIII. CONSCIENCE AND PRIVATE JUDGMENT / DISSENT
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Conscience Must be Formed in Harmony with the Church (Proof from Scripture & the Catechism of the Catholic Church) [7-19-09] 
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How Much Can Catholics Disagree with the Church? [4-7-01 and 3-13-09 and 9-23-10]
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Irish Ecclesiastical Record vs. Anti-Catholic George Salmon, Pt. 5: Private Judgment, the Rule of Faith, and Dr. Salmon’s Weak Fallible Protestant “Church”: Subject to the Whims of Individuals; Church Fathers Misquoted [3-15-23]
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Irish Ecclesiastical Record vs. Anti-Catholic George Salmon, Pt. 6: The Innumerable Perils of Perspicuity of Scripture and Private Judgment [3-16-23]
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IX. ECCLESIASTICAL AUTHORITY: THE SECOND VATICAN COUNCIL
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Dialogue on Vatican II: Its Relative Worth, Interpretation, and Application (with Patti Sheffield vs. Traditionalist David Palm) [9-15-13]
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Series: Vs. Paolo Pasqualucci Re Vatican II
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Vatican II Upheld Biblical Inerrancy (vs. David Palm) [4-23-20]
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Bp. Schneider Evokes Luther’s Disdain for Councils [7-17-20]

Is Vatican II Analogous to “Failed” Lateran Council V? (Reply to Timothy Flanders) [8-11-20]

Viganò’s Outrageous Lie Re Pope Benedict XVI & Tradition (Unwillingness to Make Even Rudimentary Efforts to Consult Context or to Understand a Pope’s Overall Thinking) [8-21-20]

Vatican II: Documentation of Bishops’ Voting on its Documents (Ranked in Order from Most Dissenting Votes to Least Dissenting Votes) [9-17-21]

Defense of Vatican II vs. Oliveira Leonardo’s Attacks [10-13-22]

Is Vatican II a “Modernist” Council? [Ch. 11 of my book, Reflections on Radical Catholic Reactionaries (December 2002; revised in November 2023 for the purpose of the free online version)] [11-22-23]
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Are the Vatican II Documents “Ambiguous”? [Ch. 12 of my book, Reflections on Radical Catholic Reactionaries (December 2002; revised in November 2023 for the purpose of the free online version)] [11-24-23]
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A Response to Archbishop Viganò’s Letter about Vatican II (Fr. Thomas G. Weinandy, OFM., Cap., The Catholic World Report, 8-13-20)

Vatican II and “weaponized ambiguity” (Dr. Pedro Gabriel, Where Peter Is, 10-1-20)

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X. ECCLESIASTICAL AUTHORITY: THE FIRST VATICAN COUNCIL
*
XI. ECCLESIAL INFALLIBILITY AND INFALLIBLE ECUMENICAL COUNCILS 
*

Pope Silvester and the Council of Nicaea (vs. James White) [August 1997]

Conciliar Infallibility: Summary from Church Documents [6-5-98] 

Infallibility, Councils, and Levels of Church Authority: Explanation of the Subtleties of Church Teaching and Debate with Several Radical Catholic Reactionaries [7-30-99; terminology updated, and a few minor changes made on 7-31-18] 

Eastern Orthodoxy, Councils, & Doctrinal Development [2000]

The Analogy of an Infallible Bible to an Infallible Church [11-6-05; rev. 7-25-15; published at National Catholic Register: 6-16-17]

Cdl. Newman, Vatican I & II, & Papal Infallibility (Clarification) [12-10-05]

The Bible on Papal & Church Infallibility [5-16-06]

Galileo Affair: No Disproof of Catholic Infallibility (vs. Ken Temple) [5-18-06]

Council of Nicea: Reply to James White: Its Relationship to Pope Sylvester, Athanasius’ Views, & the Unique Preeminence of Catholic Authority [4-2-07]

Protestant Historian Philip Schaff: The Church Fathers Believed in Conciliar Infallibility Based on the Jerusalem Council (Acts 15) [Facebook, 10-8-07]

Infallibility: Dialogue with a Traditional Anglican [10-6-08] 

Papal Participation in the First Seven Ecumenical Councils [4-22-09]

Popes & Early Ecumenical Councils (vs. Calvin #16) [6-15-09]

Authority and Infallibility of Councils (vs. Calvin #26) [8-25-09]

Catholic Development of Doctrine: A Defense (vs. Jason Engwer; Emphasis on the Canon of the Bible & Church Infallibility) (+ Pt. II / Pt. III / Pt. IV) [1-15-10]

Dialogue with an Atheist on the Galileo Fiasco and its Relation to Catholic Infallibility (vs. Jon Curry) [8-11-10]

Books by Dave Armstrong: Biblical Proofs for an Infallible Church and Papacy [2012]

“Reply to Calvin” #2: Infallible Church Authority [3-3-17]

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1 Timothy 3:15 = Church Infallibility (vs. Steve Hays) [5-14-20]
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Ecumenical Councils: Catholic vs. Lutheran Perspective (vs. Pastor Ken Howes [LCMS]) [6-16-20]
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Irish Ecclesiastical Record vs. Anti-Catholic George Salmon, Pt. 2 . . . 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 [3-12-23]
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Irish Ecclesiastical Record vs. Anti-Catholic George Salmon, Pt. 5: Private Judgment, the Rule of Faith, and Dr. Salmon’s Weak Fallible Protestant “Church”: Subject to the Whims of Individuals; Church Fathers Misquoted [3-15-23]
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XII. HERETICAL CONCILIARISM
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Which Has More Authority: A Pope or an Ecumenical Council? [National Catholic Register, 5-19-21]
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XIII. THE JERUSALEM COUNCIL (ACTS 15)
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Apostolic Succession as Seen in the Jerusalem Council [National Catholic Register, 1-15-17]
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Were the Jerusalem Council Decrees Universally Binding? [National Catholic Register, 12-4-19]
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Which Has More Authority: A Pope or an Ecumenical Council? [National Catholic Register, 5-19-21]
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XIV. REASONS WHY PEOPLE LEAVE THE CATHOLIC CHURCH
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Leaving Catholicism (Not Primarily Due to Sex Scandals!) (reply to Michael Boyle & Melinda Selmys) [10-5-18]
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Why Do I Continue to Blog at Patheos Catholic: Which Also Hosts Many Heterodox and Leftist Writers? (+ discussion of Mindy Selmys’ departure) [Facebook, 3-16-19]
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Are Abuse Scandals a Reason to Leave the Church? [National Catholic Register, 3-31-19]
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XV. THE “INFALLIBILITY REGRESS” (PROTESTANT POLEMICAL ARGUMENT)
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XVI. THE CHARISMATIC MOVEMENT
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Catholic Charismatic Movement Defended [1998; abridged on 8-2-18] 
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The People of the Bible Were ‘People of Praise’ [National Catholic Register, 10-15-20]
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XVII. CLERICAL CELIBACY

Clerical Celibacy & the Principle of Asceticism in Catholicism (Louis Bouyer) [1997; Facebook]

Mandatory Celibacy of Priests & Religious (Dialogue) [1997-1998]

Why Peter’s Marriage Doesn’t Disprove Catholicism: A Dialogue [January 1999]

Clerical Celibacy: Hostile Protestant Commentary & Catholic Replies [2-21-04]

Martin Luther & Antipathy Towards Clerical Celibacy [2-21-04]

Dialogue w a Baptist on Required Clerical Celibacy [7-2-06] 

Objections to Clerical Celibacy: In-Depth Dialogue [7-12-06]

Unbiblical Rejection of Priestly Celibacy (vs. Calvin #31) [9-15-09]

Clerical Celibacy: Dialogue with John Calvin [9-17-09]

Mandatory Celibacy of Catholic Priests in the Western / Latin Rite: A New (?) Argument [11-16-12]

Further Reflections on Mandatory Priestly Celibacy [8-2-14]

The Fruitfulness of the Eunuch Devoted to God (Isaiah 56) (Paul Seberras) [Facebook, 2-7-17]

Consecrated Virginity & Catholic “Both / And” [9-13-17]

Priestly Celibacy: Ancient, Biblical and Pauline [National Catholic Register, 9-18-17]

Priestly Celibacy: Garden-Variety Objections Debunked [9-18-17]

Married Bishops (1 Tim 3) & Catholic Celibacy: Contradiction? [9-18-17; expanded on 6-20-18]

Q & A with a Critic of Priestly Celibacy [National Catholic Register, 2-4-19]

Thoughts on Fr. Jonathan Morris’ Laicization Request [5-21-19]

Madison vs. Jesus #5: Cultlike Forsaking of Family? [8-5-19]

Pope Francis: Strong Defender of Priestly Celibacy [1-14-20]

Priestly Celibacy as a Discipline: Steve Skojec’s Ignorance [3-20-20]

St. Peter’s Marriage and Priestly Celibacy [National Catholic Register, 4-9-20]

Dialogue: Are More Married Catholic Priests Desirable? [1-13-22]

On Whether Required Celibacy is “Biblical” (vs. Lucas Banzoli) [9-24-22]

Objection to Mandatory Priestly Celibacy Based on Married Bishops (1 Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:6-9) [Facebook, 9-24-22] 

Clergy Celibacy: Back-and-Forth with Lucas Banzoli [11-16-22]

Priestly Celibacy: Explicit and Undeniable Biblical Proof [Catholic365, 11-6-23]

Peter’s Wife, James Swan, Celibacy, & Catholicism (The Perfectly Sensible and Explicit Biblical Rationale for Priestly Celibacy) [3-15-24]

Celibate Clergy: Reply to a Methodist Polemic [5-20-24]

Is Celibacy “Superior” to Marriage in Some Sense? [7-24-24]

Consecrated Celibacy (vs. Lutheran von Hase) [3-28-25]

Priestly Celibacy: A Short Exchange [Facebook, 5-4-25]

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XVIII. TITLE OF CATHOLIC

Catholic or Roman Catholic? (Proper Titles) (w J. Akin) [1996] 

Catholic Christian Implies a Non-Catholic Ecclesiology? [3-23-06] 

Objections to the Reactionary Epithet Neo-Catholic [3-9-07] 

In What Century Did the Title, “Catholic Church” Begin? [7-22-07]

On the Use of Traditionalist Preceding the Name of Catholic [7-3-13]

On the Use of the Titles Catholic & Roman Catholic [10-20-17]

Jame’s White: Hypocritical Use of “Roman Catholic Church” [11-11-19]

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XIX. GENERAL AND MISCELLANEOUS

Is Catholicism Half-Pagan? [1999; revised in one section on 2-22-06]

Is Catholicism Half-Pagan, & a Blend of Gospel & Lies? [2007]

Biblical Evidence for Expensive Church Buildings [3-18-08]

Why Is the Catholic Church Singularly Despised & Hated? [7-7-08]

“Why are Catholics So Legalistic and Rationalistic?” (Response to Orthodox and Protestant Criticisms) [9-8-08]

Biblical Evidence Against Tithing [2-4-09]

Biblical Evidence for Holy Days [9-21-09]

Mandatory Tithing: Further Thoughts [11-1-09]

“Leaven” of the Pharisees: Hypocrisy or False Doctrine? (vs. Nathan Rinne) [11-3-11]

Reply to Robin Phillips’ “Why I’m Not a Catholic” [1-31-12]

Dialogue on the Renaissance: Good or Bad Thing? [3-20-13]

Discussion of the Met Gala, in Which Catholicism was Mocked in Some of the Costumes [Facebook, 5-8-18]

Take Heart: Notre Dame Will be Rebuilt: Better Than Ever! [4-16-19]

“Who is My Mother?”: Beginning of “Familial Church” [8-26-19]

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XX. ST. TERESA OF CALCUTTA (MOTHER TERESA)

Mother Teresa on Love & Theology [9-5-16]

Malcolm Muggeridge & Mother Teresa: A Blessed, Fruitful Meeting [9-6-16]

The Holy Collaboration of Mother Teresa and Malcom Muggeridge [National Catholic Register, 6-20-18]

*
***
*

Practical Matters:  I run the most comprehensive “one-stop” Catholic apologetics site: rated #1 for Christian sites by leading AI tool, ChatGPT — endorsed by popular Protestant blogger Adrian Warnock. Perhaps some of my 5,000+ free online articles or fifty-six books have helped you (by God’s grace) to decide to become Catholic or to return to the Church, or better understand some doctrines and why we believe them. If you believe my full-time apostolate is worth supporting, please seriously consider a much-needed monthly or one-time financial contribution. “The laborer is worthy of his wages” (1 Tim 5:18, NKJV).
*
PayPal donations are the easiest: just send to my email address: [email protected]. Here’s also a second page to get to PayPal. You’ll see the term “Catholic Used Book Service”, which is my old side-business. To learn about the different methods of contributing (including Zelle and 100% tax-deductible donations if desired), see my page: About Catholic Apologist Dave Armstrong / Donation Information.
*
You can support my work a great deal in non-financial ways, if you prefer; by subscribing to, commenting on, liking, and sharing videos from my two YouTube channels, Catholic Bible Highlights and Lux Veritatis (featuring documentaries), where I partner with Kenny Burchard (see my own videos), and/or by signing up to receive notice for new articles on this blog. Just type your email address on the sidebar to the right (scroll down quite a bit), where you see, “Sign Me Up!” Thanks a million!
*
***
*

Last updated on 4 May 2025

***** 
2025-05-01T12:29:19-04:00

Last updated on: May 1, 2025 at 12:29 pm   By
Trinity2

Basic minimal (equilateral triangular) version of the “Shield of the Trinity” or “Scutum Fidei” diagram of traditional Christian symbolism [public domain / Wikimedia Commons]

*****

TABLE OF CONTENTS

***

I. CHRISTOLOGY / DEITY OF JESUS CHRIST

II. EVENTS IN JESUS’ LIFE / JESUS’ TEACHING

III. DIALOGUES WITH JEWISH APOLOGIST MICHAEL J. ALTER ON JESUS’ RESURRECTION AND ALLEGED NT “CONTRADICTIONS”

IV. JESUS AND MARY

V. YOUNG MESSIAH FILM (2016) / KNOWLEDGE OF JESUS

VI. TRINITARIANISM / THE HOLY TRINITY / THE HOLY SPIRIT

VII. THEOLOGY PROPER (THEOLOGY OF GOD) / GOD’S ATTRIBUTES AND NATURE 

VIII. GOD AS JUDGE

IX. THEISTIC ARGUMENTS

***

 

 

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I. CHRISTOLOGY / DEITY OF JESUS CHRIST
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50 Biblical Proofs That Jesus is God [National Catholic Register, 2-12-17]
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Can the Prayers of Jesus Go Unanswered? [National Catholic Register, 6-10-19]
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The Bible is Clear — Jesus is True God and True Man [National Catholic Register, 9-12-20]
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9 Ways Jesus Tells Us He is God in the Synoptic Gospels [National Catholic Register, 10-28-20]
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II. EVENTS IN JESUS’ LIFE / JESUS’ TEACHING
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The Resurrection: Hoax or History? [cartoon tract with art by Dan Grajek: 1985]
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The Passion of the Christ: Review and Reflections [2-29-04; abridged and edited on 4-10-17]
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Silent Night: A “Progressive” and “Enlightened” Reinterpretation [12-10-04; additionally edited for publication at National Catholic Register: 12-21-17]
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Was Christ Actually Born Dec. 25? [National Catholic Register, 12-18-18]
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The Bethlehem Nativity, Babe Ruth, and History [National Catholic Register, 1-1-19]
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Are the Two Genealogies of Christ Contradictory? [National Catholic Register, 1-5-19]
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What Does “Turn the Other Cheek” Mean? [National Catholic Register, 7-20-19]
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Did Jesus Teach His Disciples to Hate Their Families? [National Catholic Register, 8-17-19]
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Why Jesus Opposed the Moneychangers in the Temple [National Catholic Register, 9-26-19]
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Jesus’ Agony in Gethsemane: Was it “Anxiety”? [National Catholic Register, 10-29-19]
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On Whether Jesus’ “Brothers” Were “Unbelievers” [National Catholic Register, 6-11-20]
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Star of Bethlehem, Astronomy, Wise Men, & Josephus (Amazing Astronomically Verified Data in Relation to the Journey of the Wise Men  & Jesus’ Birth & Infancy) [12-14-20]
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Conjunctions, the Star of Bethlehem and Astronomy [National Catholic Register, 12-21-20]
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A Fresh Look at Joseph, Mary and Bethlehem [National Catholic Register, 3-25-22]
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What We Know About Nazareth at the Time of Jesus [National Catholic Register, 11-24-23]
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50 OT Messianic Prophecies Fulfilled by Jesus [initial research from 1982; slightly revised in 1997; revised and reformatted for RSV edition in 2012; separated from the larger article on 11-26-24]
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III. DIALOGUES WITH JEWISH APOLOGIST MICHAEL J. ALTER ON JESUS’ RESURRECTION AND ALLEGED NT “CONTRADICTIONS”
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IV. JESUS AND MARY
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V. YOUNG MESSIAH FILM (2016) / KNOWLEDGE OF JESUS
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VI. TRINITARIANISM / THE HOLY TRINITY / THE HOLY SPIRIT
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Filioque: Catholic-Orthodox Dialogue (William Klimon) [July 1997]
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50 Biblical Evidences for the Holy Trinity [National Catholic Register, 11-14-16]
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VII. THEOLOGY PROPER (THEOLOGY OF GOD) / GOD’S ATTRIBUTES AND NATURE 
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Dialogue w Mormon Apologist: God & Doctrinal Development (vs. Dr. Barry Bickmore) (+ Part Two) [12-22-01]
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Is God in Time? (vs. John W. Loftus) [11-30-06]
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Is God the Author of Evil? (vs. John Calvin) [Oct. 2012]
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Thoughts on the Level of Our “Comprehension” of God (St. John Chrysostom) (dialogue with Deacon Steven D. Greydanus) [Facebook, 9-14-17]
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Seidensticker Folly #20: An Evolving God in the OT? (God’s Omnipotence, Omniscience, & Omnipresence in Early Bible Books & Ancient Jewish Understanding) [9-18-18]
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Does God Ever Actively Prevent Repentance? [National Catholic Register, 9-1-19]
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Who Caused Job to Suffer — God or Satan? [National Catholic Register, 6-28-20]
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The Bible Teaches That Other “Gods” are Imaginary [National Catholic Register, 7-10-20]
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Does God Have Any Need of Praise? [National Catholic Register, 9-24-20]
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God in Heaven & in His Temple: Contradiction? (vs. Dr. Steven DiMattei) [11-23-20]
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God in Heaven and in His Temple: Biblical Difficulty? [National Catholic Register, 12-10-20]
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Dark Energy, Dark Matter and the Light of the World [National Catholic Register, 2-17-21]
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Bible on God’s Revealed Nature & Character (Ch. 6 of the book, Inspired!: 191 Supposed Biblical Contradictions Resolved: which examines examples of alleged biblical contradictions & disproves all of these patently false claims) [12-5-23]
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VIII. GOD AS JUDGE
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Grace, Faith, Works, & Judgment: A Scriptural Exposition [12-16-09; reformulated and abridged on 3-15-17]
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Does God Punish to the Fourth Generation? [National Catholic Register, 10-1-18]
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IX. THEISTIC ARGUMENTS
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Seidensticker Folly #13: God Hasta Prove He Exists! [8-29-18]

Dialogue: Has God Demonstrated His Existence (Romans 1)? [9-1-18]

Seidensticker Folly #14: Something Rather Than Nothing [9-3-18]

Seidensticker Folly #38: Eternal Universe vs. an Eternal God [4-16-20]

Seidensticker Folly #41: Argument from Design [8-25-20]

Seidensticker Folly #42: Creation “Ex Nihilo” [8-28-20]

Creation Ex Nihilo is in the Bible [National Catholic Register, 10-1-20]

“Quantum Entanglement” & the “Upholding” Power of God [10-20-20]

Quantum Mechanics and the “Upholding” Power of God [National Catholic Register, 11-24-20]

*

*
***
*

Practical Matters:  I run the most comprehensive “one-stop” Catholic apologetics site: rated #1 for Christian sites by leading AI tool, ChatGPT — endorsed by popular Protestant blogger Adrian Warnock. Perhaps some of my 5,000+ free online articles or fifty-six books have helped you (by God’s grace) to decide to become Catholic or to return to the Church, or better understand some doctrines and why we believe them. If you believe my full-time apostolate is worth supporting, please seriously consider a much-needed monthly or one-time financial contribution. “The laborer is worthy of his wages” (1 Tim 5:18, NKJV).
*
PayPal donations are the easiest: just send to my email address: [email protected]. Here’s also a second page to get to PayPal. You’ll see the term “Catholic Used Book Service”, which is my old side-business. To learn about the different methods of contributing (including Zelle and 100% tax-deductible donations if desired), see my page: About Catholic Apologist Dave Armstrong / Donation Information.
*
You can support my work a great deal in non-financial ways, if you prefer; by subscribing to, commenting on, liking, and sharing videos from my two YouTube channels, Catholic Bible Highlights and Lux Veritatis (featuring documentaries), where I partner with Kenny Burchard (see my own videos), and/or by signing up to receive notice for new articles on this blog. Just type your email address on the sidebar to the right (scroll down quite a bit), where you see, “Sign Me Up!” Thanks a million!
*
***
*

Last updated on 29 March 2025

***

 

2023-11-30T15:05:08-04:00

Last updated on: November 30, 2023 at 3:05 pm   By

 One-MinuteApologist (396x613)

[143 pages; published by Sophia Institute Press in May 2007]

 —– To purchase, go to the bottom of the page —–

[cover design by Theodore Schluenderfritz]
 
 

Helpful Supplementary Information 

The One-Minute Apologist: Information for the Massively Hyper-Linked Microsoft Excel Spreadsheet File

 
 

Reviews

Review by Carl E. Olson [National Catholic Register, 8-21-07]

From Purify Your Bride blog

“This is one of the most easily-understandable, easy to retain, powerfully and concisely written books in my entire apologetics library. If you do not have this book yet, get it, ASAP. If you disagree with me, I’ll buy it back from you. This is one of the two best books Dave has written and it is one of the three or four best apologetics books in print. Period!”

— Patrick McNally: unsolicited recommendation on my Facebook page (3-5-13)

 

Table of Contents

 [blue-colored text = link to online excerpt]
 

Common Protestant claims about:

Scripture

*
The Bible is the only infallible source of theological truth
The Bible is clear, or “perspicuous,” in all its broad teachings about salvation
The Catholic Church added illegitimate books to the Bible
We can know which books belong in the Bible simply by reading them
Catholics are taught not to read the Bible for themselves 

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The Church

The notion of bishops and a hierarchical Church is unbiblical 

The Church is the invisible sum total of all true believers
Catholicism is a half-pagan religion, blending non-Christian beliefs and practices with the gospel
Miracles and the supernatural gifts ceased after the death of the Apostles
The Catholic Church believes it can damn people to hell by excommunication
The Church can contain only the holy and saved
Denominationalism is not condemned in Scripture
The Galileo incident proves that the Catholic Church isn’t infallible

*
The Papacy

The Bible doesn’t teach that the Church had one leader
Jesus didn’t make Peter the leader of the Apostles
Peter himself is not the “rock” to which Jesus referred
Paul rebuked Peter
How can a mere man be infallible?
The case of Pope Honorius proves that popes are not infallible

*

The Priesthood

The Bible says we’re all priests
Celibacy for priests is both unnatural and unbiblical
The Catholic Church’s male-only priesthood is sexist

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The Sacraments

The thief on the cross proves that sacraments are unnecessary
Holy Communion was meant to be a symbolic rite only
The Catholic Mass is an abomination in the sight of God
The Catholic Mass is a form of idolatry
It is wrong for Catholics not to allow everyone to receive Holy Communion
Baptism is merely a symbolic rite
Infants cannot be baptized because they’re not able to choose Jesus
The Catholic Church teaches that a baby who dies unbaptized will go to hell
Confession to a priest is an unbiblical concept

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Salvation

Works play no part whatsoever in salvation
The Catholic system of “merit” is no different from works-salvation
True Christian believers cannot fall away from salvation
Justification is external and imputed, not internal or “infused”
There is no difference between “mortal” and “venial” sins
Original sin is not taught in the Bible
Eternal hellfire is not taught in the Bible
The Church teaches that all non-Catholics will go to hell
The Bible says nothing of a third state besides heaven and hell
Our sufferings have nothing to do with those of Jesus

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Theology of God

God is not three-in-one, as in the irrational doctrine of the Trinity
The Holy Spirit is neither a person nor God
God could not have become a man
Jesus had to grow into the understanding that He was God 

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Mary and the Saints 

Mary was not sinless throughout her whole life
Mary had other children besides Jesus
Calling Mary the “Mother of God” makes her greater than God
Mary could not have been “assumed” into heaven
Calling Mary the “Mediatrix” of graces makes her equal to Jesus
There’s no reason for Christians to pray for the dead
Praying to saints is wrong
“Venerating” the saints through statues or icons is idolatry

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Other Topics

Indulgences are a way for Catholics to buy salvation and “indulge” themselves in sin
Formal ritual worship is opposed to a vibrant spiritual life
The Rosary is “vain repetition”
Crucifixes prove that Catholics believe Jesus is not yet glorified in heaven
Catholic “sacramentals” and relics are unbiblical magic
Marriage is not absolutely indissoluble
“Annulments” are just the Catholic rationalization for divorce
The Catholic ban on contraception is an arbitrary, unbiblical restriction
***

  Introduction to the Book

This book continues what might be called a “Bible and Catholicism” trilogy (the previous two volumes being A Biblical Defense of Catholicism and The Catholic Verses).
The first was geared more towards a “catechetical” approach: a positive presentation of the basic teachings of Catholics that are different from most Protestant denominations, along with the biblical rationale for them (our proof texts, so to speak).
The second dealt with a similar theme, but with a twist: it focused on how prominent Protestant commentators have traditionally tried to deal with texts which we feel support our position, and how these (oftentimes quite desperate) counter-explanations fail in many ways to meet the mark or overcome the Catholic interpretations of the same passages. It was more “polemical” and featured reactions to Catholicism and our replies.
In this work I have sought to show how Catholics can easily, decisively answer non-Catholic “garden-variety” objections to Catholicism. To do so, I have adopted a standard format (very vaguely reminiscent of St. Thomas Aquinas’s Summa Theologica) throughout the entire book:

1. Topics (in the form of possible objections to Catholic teaching) are stated in two lines in the title.
2. Short and extensive replies to the objection.
3. “A Protestant Might Further Object” and counter-reply.
4. A relevant citation (often from a Protestant, such as Luther or C.S. Lewis).
5. This is all done in no more than two pages for each topic.

Once again I have happily been made quite aware of both the extraordinary riches of Holy Scripture itself (I discovered many “new” and exciting passages which gave further support to Catholic views), and how compellingly its teachings harmonize with the Catholic faith. This is one of the somewhat unique blessings of the Catholic apologist. During the course of defending the Church and her teachings, the apologist sees more and more that our explanations make perfect sense and that opposing ones are weighed down and made implausible or incoherent by serious deficiencies (both biblical and logical).
As a former Protestant, this continues to particularly delight me (as I suspect is the case for other converts and also lifelong Catholics who have had a lot of contact with Protestants or familiarity with Protestant distinctives), For many years I had assumed that Protestantism was “obviously” more biblically-grounded than Catholicism.
My goal has been to provide readers with a handy, concise reference work to be used in the proverbial “encounter with an evangelist at the door” or at the workplace, or with non-Catholic relatives, etc. If and when a non-Catholic inquires about or strongly opposes some Catholic teaching; this “pocketbook” hopefully may be of some practical usefulness.
It should be noted that my use of the word “Protestant” is very broad. Usually I have in mind more traditional, conservative, or evangelical Protestants, but in relatively few instances the term applies (in context) to more progressive or “liberal” strains of the spectrum (encompassing an array of belief all the way up to and including Unitarianism: a theological system that even rejects the Holy Trinity).
I’ve been known, in some Internet circles, for writing lengthy tomes on my website and blog. I don’t regret doing that at all, but I must say that I now more fully appreciate the importance and utility of short treatments as well, in order to effectively provide Catholic replies to the usual arguments that we encounter against our faith. I hope and pray that the present effort will be helpful in that way, and that my answers provide a lot of “meat” and substance within the brief format.
Purchase Options
***

Last updated on 15 October 2019


***  
2023-11-30T15:58:56-04:00

Last updated on: November 30, 2023 at 3:58 pm   By
Christian Worldview (555x848)
[completed in September 2002; published by Lulu in April 2007]
 
—– To purchase, go to the bottom of the page —–
 
[Cover design by Chad Toney]
 
Intended for general Christian reading — no Catholic distinctives presented
 

Table of Contents

Dedication


Chapter One: The Rationality of the Christian Worldview
Chapter Two: Reflections on Agnosticism, Atheism, and Skepticism
Chapter Three: Replies to Atheists’ and Agnostics’ Questions About Christianity
Chapter Four: Christian Replies to the Argument From Evil (Free Will Defense): Is God Malevolent, Weak, or Non-Existent Because of the Existence of Evil and Suffering?
Chapter Five: The “Problem of Good” and the Nature of Meaningfulness in Atheism (The Flip Side of the Problem of Evil Argument Against Christianity) [see the original online dialogue with an atheist]
Chapter Six: Miracles, Natural Scientific Laws, and the Relationship of Christianity and Metaphysics to the Scientific Method
Chapter Seven: The Atheist’s Boundless Faith in Deo-Atomism (“The Atom-as-God”) [see revised online version]

Chapter Eight: First Cause: The Cosmological Argument for God’s Existence
Chapter Nine: The Teleological Argument for God’s Existence: Irreducible Complexity, and Intelligent Design


Appendix One: G.K. Chesterton on Humanist Skepticism
Appendix Two: John Henry Newman: The Illative Sense (Epistemology)
Appendix Three: John Henry Newman: Biblical Miracles

Purchase Options
***
***

Last updated on 3 June 2023

2023-11-30T15:57:54-04:00

Last updated on: November 30, 2023 at 3:57 pm   By
Mere Christian Apologetics (555x848)
[completed in September 2002; published by Lulu in August 2007]


 —– To purchase, go to the bottom of the page —–

[Cover design by Chad Toney]

Intended as “general Christian reading” — no Catholic distinctives presented
 

 Table of Contents

[chapters 6, 7, and 10 are hyper-linked and can be read online. Some differences exist in the final book edit]

*
Dedication
Introduction [below]

Chapter One: Why Believe in Christianity?
Chapter Two: Why Believe the Bible?: Archaeological, Prophetic, and Manuscript Evidences
Chapter Three: An Introduction to Bible Interpretation
Chapter Four: The Biblical Basis for Apologetics, or Defense of the Christian Faith
Chapter Five: Miracles, Skepticism, and the Historicity and Believability of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ
Chapter Six: Jesus is God: Biblical Proofs
Chapter Seven: The Holy Trinity: Biblical Proofs
Chapter Eight: God, Morality, Free Will, and Reason
Chapter Nine: The Biblical Evidence for an Eternal Hell
Chapter Ten: Reasons for Suffering and Encouragement and Hope in the Midst of It: A Biblical Compendium

Appendix One: An Unpublished Essay on the Trinity (Jonathan Edwards)
Appendix Two: The Strangest Story in the World (G.K. Chesterton)
Appendix Three: Sermon: On Divine Providence (John Wesley)
Appendix Four: The General Resurrection and Heaven (Charles Hodge)


Recommended Books: Christian Apologetics & Philosophy

*
[285 books listed, under 20 categories; perhaps the most extensive and up-to-date general Christian apologetics bibliography anywhere]

 
Introduction

The present work is designed and intended as general Christian apologetics, applying to all branches of Christianity, as historically understood and believed, and (hopefully) agreeable to virtually all those of Christian persuasion who subscribe to the Nicene and Apostles’ Creeds.

Many readers will note the deliberate allusion to C. S. Lewis’s Mere Christianity in the title. The purpose of that work was to identify and elaborate upon Christian doctrines held in common by all Christians. Similarly, my purpose is to present various aspects of Christian apologetics (or, the intellectual and rational defense of the faith) which virtually all Christians accept.

I am a Catholic, yet most of the chapters in this book were actually written when I was an evangelical Protestant apologist. The fact that I didn’t feel any need at all to change the contents after I converted to Catholicism, is an indication, I think, that in these areas, there is large-scale agreement among the different communions of Christianity.

Traditional, “orthodox” Christians (that is, those who hold to the traditional beliefs of their own denomination) – sadly — disagree on many things, but they also agree on much. This book is devoted to the latter category of topics, and as such, contains nothing specifically or distinctively Catholic (with which other Christians would disagree).

Purchase Options
***
***

Last updated on 3 June 2023

***

 

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