{"id":52688,"date":"2020-11-21T12:09:54","date_gmt":"2020-11-21T16:09:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/davearmstrong\/?p=52688"},"modified":"2020-11-21T12:09:54","modified_gmt":"2020-11-21T16:09:54","slug":"dialogue-on-biblical-views-re-following-jesus-riches","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/davearmstrong\/2020\/11\/dialogue-on-biblical-views-re-following-jesus-riches.html","title":{"rendered":"Dialogue on Biblical Views Re Following Jesus & Riches"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<\/head>

vs. Dr.\u00a0Steven DiMattei\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Dr. Steven DiMattei<\/a> is\u00a0a biblical scholar and author, formally trained in the New Testament and early Christianity, with M.A degrees in Classics and Comparative Literature as well. Rumor has it that he is an atheist, but I haven\u2019t been able to confirm that on his site. He put up a website called<\/span> Contradictions in the Bible<\/em>.<\/a> It seems inactive now (or he has lost interest or moved onto other things: who knows?), but the themes are things I really enjoy discussing and debating, and his articles are still online for all to see; thus fair game for critique \u2014 and stimulating food for thought, too. There is almost nothing I like to discuss and think about more than the interpretation of the Bible. Steven wrote in<\/span> a post dated 5-7-16<\/a>:<\/p>\n

One of my reasons in choosing the word \u201cdefend\u201d to describe my aims as a biblical scholar and author was in part to attract Christian apologists to my work and hopefully to get them to read these ancient texts on\u00a0their terms<\/em>\u00a0and from within their own cultural contexts and to create a conversation around the biblical texts, their authors, and their competing beliefs, messages, worldviews, theologies, etc. As you can imagine this has proven quite difficult, nay impossible. Many Christian apologists and fundamentalists just cannot read, or simply identify, the text on its own terms separate from the beliefs and assumptions\u00a0about the text<\/em>\u00a0handed-down through this collection of ancient literature\u2019s title, \u201cthe Holy Book.\u201d<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Here\u00a0 I am: an apologist quite willing to engage in conversation. It takes two. So we\u2019ll see if Steven is willing to follow through on his stated desire. I have had my own long history (in almost 40 years of apologetics) of<\/span> \u201cdifficult, nay impossible\u201d attempts to discuss matters with many people who tend to be of a few particular belief-systems, though I have no problem talking with anyone<\/em> who is civil and can stick to a topic.<\/span>\u00a0I don\u2019t just say<\/em> this, I have a demonstrable record of doing<\/em> it, which is evident on my blog, with its 1000+ dialogues. But as I said, dialogue takes two, and I would add that it also requires a degree of at least minimal mutual respect.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>Steven\u2019s words will be in<\/span> blue<\/span>.<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

This is a response to his very thought-provoking article,<\/span> \u201cIn Defense of Jesus:\u00a0A Challenge To Those Claiming To \u2018Follow Jesus\u2019 (part I)\u201d<\/a> (10-27-18).<\/span><\/p>\n

Like many, I have grown tired of hearing overzealous Christian apologists and fundamentalists claim that they \u201cfollow Jesus\u201d or are \u201cfollowers of Jesus.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

As a professional<\/span> Catholic and general Christian apologist<\/a> myself, I would simply note that apologists and \u201cfundamentalists\u201d (real or imagined) do not have a monopoly<\/em> on either ignorance or misguided zeal. But let\u2019s hear the man out and see how strong his case is.<\/span><\/p>\n

I\u2019m tired of people glibly using soundbites and catchphrases to justify and promote their own agendas and beliefs with no accountability, especially when this irresponsibleness misrepresents and defames the biblical texts, or Jesus himself and what he stood for, at least according to the extant traditions about him.<\/span><\/p>\n

Yeah, me, too. We\u2019re very much in agreement on this general principle, but I suspect that it works itself out in very different ways from our two differing perspectives.<\/span><\/p>\n

So I ask anew: What does it actually mean to \u201cfollow Jesus\u201d? What does Jesus himself, or the extant traditions about him, say about this matter? Do Christian apologists even know? <\/span><\/p>\n

I think I do, after 43 years of intense study of the Bible and defending it and Christianity.<\/span><\/p>\n

And more importantly, are they being honest to Jesus?<\/span><\/p>\n

I believe I am (to speak just for myself<\/em>, as a representative of one of the groups Steven is focusing on). I know I have always sought<\/em> to be an honest, committed, non-hypocritical, and knowledgeable follower of Jesus, but we all fall short, of course, in many ways, because it\u2019s such a sublime and lofty ideal. But at least to truly and honestly seek<\/em> this from the very depths of one\u2019s heart and soul \u2014 all by virtue of God\u2019s boundless mercy and grace always \u2014 is a good start.<\/span><\/p>\n

Some of the first words Jesus speaks in the gospels to his disciples are \u201cFollow me!\u201d (Mk 1:16, 2:14; Matt 4:19, 8:22, 9:9; Lk 5:11, 5:27, 9:59-62; Jn 1:43).<\/span><\/p>\n

At heart these words express an imminent socioeconomic imperative: immediately stop what you\u2019re doing, leave your job, your livelihood, and even your family, and \u201cfollow me!\u201d And indeed, this is what the disciples are depicted doing in every account\u2014immediately leaving behind jobs, possessions, social status, family, and even social and familial obligations.<\/span><\/p>\n

Well, to start with (a very important consideration), we need to consider\u00a0whom<\/em> Jesus\u2019 words apply<\/em> to in this instance. I deny that it is required of every Christian to leave their families, or to be single and celibate. That is the higher calling of what Catholics call the \u201cevangelical counsels.\u201d Some are called to that; most of us are not. St. Paul makes these distinctions clear in 1 Corinthians 7.<\/span><\/p>\n

I contend that what is being referred to in the passages above is the \u201cabove and beyond\u201d discipleship of those who are apostles<\/em>: a select group of individuals that were present and required only during the period of the very early Church. Not all disciples are apostles. In fact, 99.99999999999999% are not<\/em>. The Bible repeatedly refers to the initial group of the disciples of Jesus, as<\/span> \u201cthe twelve\u201d<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Even this<\/em> select group was not necessarily required<\/em> to completely<\/em> forsake their families. Peter is still caring for his mother-in-law (for whom he sought healing (Mt 8:14; Mk 1:30; Lk 4:38). Paul is still contending about \u201capostles\u201d: \u201cDo we not have the right to be accompanied by a wife, as the other apostles and the brothers of the Lord and Cephas?\u201d (1 Cor 9:5: RSV, as throughout). If it\u2019s not an absolute break even for them<\/em>, it\u2019s certainly no universal requirement of every<\/em> Christian follower.<\/span><\/p>\n

The initial disciples (of the twelve) who were fishermen indeed \u201cleft their nets\u201d (Mt 4:20; Mk 1:18) and concentrated on a radical faith-led Christian ministry. But Peter and several other disciples were fishing again after the death of Jesus. Indeed, in one of His post-Resurrection appearances, this is how Jesus found them (Jn 21:1-11). Jesus not only did not<\/em> chastise them for returning to their previous work (as if this violated being His \u201cfollower\u201d); He asked them, \u201cChildren, have you any fish?\u201d (Jn 21:5).<\/span><\/p>\n

Moreover, Paul was still making tents for a living after becoming an apostle (\u201cthey worked, for by trade they were tentmakers\u201d: Acts 18:3), even though he argued that he had the right to be supported by other Christians in his work of evangelism (1 Cor 9:1-15). He himself renounced these rights (9:12, 15, 18), but it doesn\u2019t follow that all<\/em> Christians must do so.<\/span><\/p>\n

When Jesus encountered the Roman centurion who asked that He heal his servant, He said about him,\u00a0\u201cTruly, I say to you, not even in Israel have I found such faith\u201d (Mt 8:10). But He didn\u2019t require him to forsake his military assignment in order to (implied) be His follower, who had great faith. He said nothing about that, just as John the Baptist didn\u2019t tell Roman soldiers to cease being soldiers. He merely told them, when they specifically asked: \u201cRob no one by violence or by false accusation, and be content with your wages\u201d (Lk 3:14).<\/span><\/p>\n

The message is clear: Following Jesus means to\u00a0immediately\u00a0<\/em>\u201cforsake all\u201d and \u201cleave everything behind.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

It\u2019s a total commitment<\/em>, but not necessarily a complete forsaking of all existing familial and employment situations, as just shown.<\/span><\/p>\n

this is what \u2018having faith\u2019 truly means in these ancient texts<\/em><\/strong>\u2014abandon one\u2019s job, bank account(s), future plans, social stability and status, familial and social obligations, entitlements, etc.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Why is Paul still making tents, then? Why were several of the twelve initial disciples still fishing after Jesus died? Why does Paul say that apostles have a right to be accompanied by wives? Just a few of the questions I would ask . . .<\/span><\/p>\n

1. \u201cDo not store up treasures for yourself on earth.\u201d\u00a0<\/strong>(Mat 6:19; Lk 12:21, 33) . . . Or, in a modern sense:\u00a0Do not save anything on earth!<\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

It\u2019s a general principle: don\u2019t live for money; don\u2019t idolatrously place your allegiance to it higher than your allegiance to Me.\u201d But it\u2019s not against all money, or else Jesus couldn\u2019t have taught the parable of the talents (Mt 25:14\u201330); which was specifically about not only having money but making interest and profit in investing it.<\/span><\/p>\n

All of the gospels\u2019 \u201cSell as much as you have . . . and come follow me\u201d stories (Mk 10:17-25; Matt 19:16-24; Lk 18:18-30)<\/span><\/p>\n

Again, we have to look at who this applies<\/em> to. These are all the same story: of the rich young ruler who asked what he must to do obtain eternal life. There is no indication whatsoever that what Jesus required of him is required of every Christian believer (to literally sell all they have or own). This man had made money his idol, and so he<\/em> was required to give it up.\u00a0 So we go back to Paul making tents again. He wasn\u2019t living solely on faith, like the birds of the air. He was providing for himself. That\u2019s fine. We can have money and jobs and even be wealthy, as long as we don\u2019t place them above God<\/em>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Joseph of Arimathea is casually referred to as a \u201crich man\u201d without the slightest hint of condemnation (Mt 27:57) and is even called in the same passage \u201ca disciple of Jesus.\u201d Therefore, a rich person can be a disciple. There is no contradiction. Period. End of story. Jesus was buried in his tomb, that he wouldn\u2019t have owned if he wasn\u2019t rich. I\u2019ve been in it. Praise God for Joseph of Arimathea and his riches and generosity! The Bible condemns the \u201cdelight in riches\u201d (Mk 4:19), not all riches per se. Paul didn\u2019t condemn riches, but only wrong use or view of riches:<\/span><\/p>\n

1 Timothy 6:17-18\u00a0<\/strong>As for the rich in this world, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on uncertain riches but on God who richly furnishes us with everything to enjoy.\u00a0[18] They are to do good, to be rich in good deeds, liberal and generous,<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

And the same Jesus Who told the disciples, going out preaching, to \u201cCarry no\u00a0<\/b>purse, no bag, no sandals\u201d (Lk 10:4) later said, \u201d \u2018When I sent you out with no purse or bag or sandals, did you lack anything?\u2019 They said, \u2018Nothing.\u2019\u00a0He said to them, \u2018But now, let him who has a purse take it, and likewise a bag. And let him who has no sword sell his mantle and buy one\u2019 \u201d (Lk 22:35-36).<\/span><\/p>\n

3 & 4. \u201cYou cannot serve God and money\/wealth\u00a0[mamona]!\u201d<\/em>\u00a0<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

This saying, found in both Matthew and Luke (Matt 6:21; Lk 16:13), means exactly what it says, and is yet another requirement for following Jesus that demands one to denounce and abandon a life conceived, built, and valued upon socioeconomic principles.<\/span><\/p>\n

Well, yes: if by this one mans that we must not make money our idol. It doesn\u2019t mean that we have no money at all, or jobs or insurance or savings or investments, etc. The view that we must not have any of those things is what is \u201cfundamentalism\u201d . . .<\/span><\/p>\n

Jesus\u2019 followers are to abandon any and all means of procuring a socio-economic livelihood, or more accurately conceiving of a livelihood in socio-economic terms. Matters of clothing, food, drink, shelter, etc. are not to be sought out.<\/span><\/p>\n

Really? Why did Paul make tents? Why did John the Baptist tell Roman soldiers to be content with their wages? Why did the disciples start fishing again after Jesus\u2019 death, and why didn\u2019t Jesus condemn them for doing so? Why is the rich man Joseph of Arimathea commended in the Bible with no slightest hint of any condemnation? Why would Jesus\u2019 disciples consent to His being laid in a rich man\u2019s grave? After all, He said He had nowhere to lay His head. Why did Paul not tell all rich people to give up all they owned (1 Tim 6:17-18)? Why did Jesus tell His disciples to carry a purse and buy a sword? How in the world could Jesus teach the parable of the talents, if all these claims are true? Lots of questions . . .<\/span><\/p>\n

[O]ur goal as modern readers of these ancient texts\u2014all of us\u2014is to set modern beliefs aside and to enter into the worldview and messages conveyed in these ancient text, to listen and acknowledge their messages and even competing beliefs to those of our own, and lastly to understand\u00a0the world from which the Jesus movement emerged and Jesus\u2019 reaction to that\u00ad\u00ad\u2014not to hypocritically claim that we believe the same or are followers of Jesus, because we need to justify our own guilt and fragility in accepting a world where we are all servants of\u00a0mammon.<\/em>\u00a0Being honest to these ancient texts, and here being honest to Jesus, means listening to his counter-cultural message, acknowledging it, and grappling with it, and attempting to historically understand it\u00ad\u2014not to feign allegiance to it, or unabashedly manipulate Jesus\u2019 saying so that they conform to our own socioeconomic beliefs and lifestyle.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Amen! This is all good and true except for the legalistic slant put on it: that no one can even seek a job or plan for the future, etc. People served mammon in Jesus\u2019 time, and they massively do so today. They ought\u00a0not<\/em> do so. It\u2019s idolatry. But we still have to make a living and provide for loved ones. Nothing whatsoever in the Bible condemns any of that. It condemns serving<\/em> money \u2014 the god of mammon \u2014 and making it one\u2019s idol<\/em>.<\/span><\/p>\n

***<\/span><\/p>\n

Photo credit:\u00a0<\/strong><\/span>Christ and the Rich Young Ruler<\/em>\u00a0(1889), by Heinrich Hofmann (1824-1911)<\/span>\u00a0[public domain \/<\/span>\u00a0Wikimedia Commons<\/a>]<\/p>\n

***<\/span><\/p>\n<\/body><\/html>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

vs. Dr.\u00a0Steven DiMattei\u00a0 Dr. Steven DiMattei is\u00a0a biblical scholar and author, formally trained in the New Testament and early Christianity, with M.A degrees in Classics and Comparative Literature as well. Rumor has it that he is an atheist, but I haven\u2019t been able to confirm that on his site. 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Formerly a campus missionary, as a Protestant, Dave was received into the Catholic Church in February 1991, by the late, well-known catechist and theologian, Fr. John A. Hardon, S. J. Dave\u2019s articles have appeared in many influential Catholic periodicals, including \\\"This Rock\\\" (now called \\\"Catholic Answers Magazine\\\"), \\\"Envoy Magazine\\\" (Patrick Madrid), \\\"The Catholic Answer,\\\" \\\"The Coming Home Journal,\\\" \\\"Gilbert Magazine\\\" (American Chesterton Society), and \\\"The Latin Mass.\\\" He also writes a featured column for every issue of \\\"The Michigan Catholic\\\": published by the archdiocese of Detroit, and was editor for most of the apologetics tracts published by the St. Paul Street Evangelization apostolate. 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Unsolicited correspondence has indicated many hundreds of conversions (or returns) to the Catholic faith as a result, by God's grace, of these writings. Dave's conversion story was published in the bestselling book \\\"Surprised by Truth\\\" (edited by Patrick Madrid; San Diego: Basilica Press, 1994). Sophia Institute Press has published six of his books: \\\"A Biblical Defense of Catholicism\\\" (Foreword by Fr. John A. Hardon, S. J., 1996 \/ 2003), \\\"The Catholic Verses\\\" (2004), \\\"The One-Minute Apologist\\\" (2007), \\\"Bible Proofs for Catholic Truths\\\" (2009), \\\"The Quotable Newman\\\" (editor: 2012), and \\\"Proving the Catholic Faith is Biblical\\\" (2015). He is co-author (with Dr. Paul Thigpen) of the inserts for \\\"The New Catholic Answer Bible\\\" (Our Sunday Visitor: 2005), and editor for \\\"The Wisdom of Mr. Chesterton: The Very Best Quotes, Quips, and Cracks from the Pen of G. K. Chesterton\\\" (Saint Benedict Press \/ TAN Books: 2009). \\\"100 Biblical Arguments Against Sola Scriptura\\\" was published by Catholic Answers in May 2012. His \\\"Quotable Wesley\\\" compilation was published by (Protestant \/ Wesleyan publisher) Beacon Hill Press in April 2014. Several of his 49 books are bestsellers in their field. Dave maintains a popular personal Facebook page, a Facebook author page, and has a Twitter account as well. He offers almost all of his books in e-book form on his own Biblical Catholicism site (http:\/\/biblicalcatholicism.com\/), at a permanent deep discount: only $2.99 for ePub, mobi, and AZW, and $1.99 for PDF. His writing has been enthusiastically endorsed or recommended by many leading Catholic apologists, authors, and priests, including Dr. Scott Hahn, Fr. Peter M. J. Stravinskas, Marcus Grodi, Patrick Madrid, Steve Ray, Tim Staples, Devin Rose, Mike Aquilina, Al Kresta, Karl Keating, Fr. Dwight Longenecker, Brandon Vogt, Marcellino D'Ambrosio, and Fr. John A. Hardon, S. J. Dave has been happily married to his wife Judy since October 1984. They have three sons and a daughter, and reside in southeast Michigan (metro Detroit).\",\"sameAs\":[\"https:\/\/biblicalcatholicism.com\/\",\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/dave.armstrong.798\",\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/@LuxVeritatisApologetics\"],\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/davearmstrong\/author\/davearmstrong\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"Dialogue on Biblical Views Re Following Jesus & Riches Dialogue on Biblical Views Re Following Jesus & Riches","description":"vs. Dr.\u00a0Steven DiMattei\u00a0 Dr. Steven DiMattei is\u00a0a biblical scholar and author, formally trained in the New Testament and early Christianity, with M.A What does \"following Jesus\" mean? Does it mean that no one can have any family or a regular job, insurance, savings, investments? 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No.","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/davearmstrong\/2020\/11\/dialogue-on-biblical-views-re-following-jesus-riches.html#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/davearmstrong\/2020\/11\/dialogue-on-biblical-views-re-following-jesus-riches.html"]}]},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/davearmstrong\/2020\/11\/dialogue-on-biblical-views-re-following-jesus-riches.html#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/davearmstrong"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Dialogue on Biblical Views Re Following Jesus & Riches"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/davearmstrong\/#website","url":"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/davearmstrong\/","name":"Biblical Evidence for Catholicism","description":"Catholic biblical apologetics","potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/davearmstrong\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":"required name=search_term_string"}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/davearmstrong\/#\/schema\/person\/471eaa20e441eca4bb1ea50393cf632e","name":"Dave Armstrong","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/davearmstrong\/#\/schema\/person\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/820e6db89734ae7a9e5dac8d498f5ac7?s=96&d=mm&r=g","contentUrl":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/820e6db89734ae7a9e5dac8d498f5ac7?s=96&d=mm&r=g","caption":"Dave Armstrong"},"description":"Dave Armstrong is a Catholic author and apologist, who has been actively proclaiming and defending Christianity since 1981, and Catholicism in particular since 1991 (full-time since December 2001). Formerly a campus missionary, as a Protestant, Dave was received into the Catholic Church in February 1991, by the late, well-known catechist and theologian, Fr. John A. Hardon, S. J. Dave\u2019s articles have appeared in many influential Catholic periodicals, including \"This Rock\" (now called \"Catholic Answers Magazine\"), \"Envoy Magazine\" (Patrick Madrid), \"The Catholic Answer,\" \"The Coming Home Journal,\" \"Gilbert Magazine\" (American Chesterton Society), and \"The Latin Mass.\" He also writes a featured column for every issue of \"The Michigan Catholic\": published by the archdiocese of Detroit, and was editor for most of the apologetics tracts published by the St. Paul Street Evangelization apostolate. Dave\u2019s apologetics and writing apostolate was the subject of a feature article in the May 2002 issue of \"Envoy Magazine.\" He served as the staff moderator at the Internet discussion forum for The Coming Home Network, from 2007-2010. Dave has been interviewed on many nationally syndicated Catholic radio shows, including \"Catholic Answers Live\" (twice), \"Faith and Family Live\" (Steve Wood), \"Kresta in the Afternoon,\" \"Son Rise Morning Show,\" \"Catholic Connection\" (Teresa Tomeo), and \"The Catholics Next Door.\" His large and popular website, \"Biblical Evidence for Catholicism,\" was online from March 1997 to March 2007, and received the 1998 Catholic Website of the Year award from \"Envoy Magazine.\" His blog of the same name (now transferred to Patheos), begun in February 2004, contains more than 1,500 papers, at least 500 debates or dialogues, and over 50 distinct \"index\" web pages. Unsolicited correspondence has indicated many hundreds of conversions (or returns) to the Catholic faith as a result, by God's grace, of these writings. Dave's conversion story was published in the bestselling book \"Surprised by Truth\" (edited by Patrick Madrid; San Diego: Basilica Press, 1994). Sophia Institute Press has published six of his books: \"A Biblical Defense of Catholicism\" (Foreword by Fr. John A. Hardon, S. J., 1996 \/ 2003), \"The Catholic Verses\" (2004), \"The One-Minute Apologist\" (2007), \"Bible Proofs for Catholic Truths\" (2009), \"The Quotable Newman\" (editor: 2012), and \"Proving the Catholic Faith is Biblical\" (2015). He is co-author (with Dr. Paul Thigpen) of the inserts for \"The New Catholic Answer Bible\" (Our Sunday Visitor: 2005), and editor for \"The Wisdom of Mr. Chesterton: The Very Best Quotes, Quips, and Cracks from the Pen of G. K. Chesterton\" (Saint Benedict Press \/ TAN Books: 2009). \"100 Biblical Arguments Against Sola Scriptura\" was published by Catholic Answers in May 2012. His \"Quotable Wesley\" compilation was published by (Protestant \/ Wesleyan publisher) Beacon Hill Press in April 2014. Several of his 49 books are bestsellers in their field. Dave maintains a popular personal Facebook page, a Facebook author page, and has a Twitter account as well. He offers almost all of his books in e-book form on his own Biblical Catholicism site (http:\/\/biblicalcatholicism.com\/), at a permanent deep discount: only $2.99 for ePub, mobi, and AZW, and $1.99 for PDF. His writing has been enthusiastically endorsed or recommended by many leading Catholic apologists, authors, and priests, including Dr. Scott Hahn, Fr. Peter M. J. Stravinskas, Marcus Grodi, Patrick Madrid, Steve Ray, Tim Staples, Devin Rose, Mike Aquilina, Al Kresta, Karl Keating, Fr. Dwight Longenecker, Brandon Vogt, Marcellino D'Ambrosio, and Fr. John A. Hardon, S. J. Dave has been happily married to his wife Judy since October 1984. They have three sons and a daughter, and reside in southeast Michigan (metro Detroit).","sameAs":["https:\/\/biblicalcatholicism.com\/","https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/dave.armstrong.798","https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/@LuxVeritatisApologetics"],"url":"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/davearmstrong\/author\/davearmstrong"}]}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/davearmstrong\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/52688","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/davearmstrong\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/davearmstrong\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/davearmstrong\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2331"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/davearmstrong\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=52688"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/davearmstrong\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/52688\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/davearmstrong\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/52691"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/davearmstrong\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=52688"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/davearmstrong\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=52688"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/davearmstrong\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=52688"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}