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davearmstrong

2021-12-03T17:19:02-04:00

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

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

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

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

Anti-Catholicism

Papacy & Infallibility

apostolic succession

Bible & Papacy

biblical authority

Cephas

ecclesiology

Galatians 2:9

James & Peter & John

James Listed Before Peter

Jason Engwer

lists of apostles

lists of disciples

papacy

Peter & Paul

Peter the first

Petrine primacy

pillars of the Chuch

popes

preeminence of Peter

primacy of Peter

primacy of Rome

St. Peter

2021-12-02T19:47:58-04:00

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

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

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

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

Anti-Catholicism

Bible and Tradition

Fathers of the Church

apostolic succession

Bible Only

church authority

Church fathers

Fathers & sola Scriptura

Origen & Scripture

Origen & sola Scriptura

Origen & the rule of faith

patristics

patrology

Rule of Faith

Scripture Alone

Sola Scriptura

Tradition

turretinfan

2021-12-02T13:18:32-04:00

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Elizabeth’s Veneration of God-Blessed Mary

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

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

Blessed Virgin Mary

Blessed Virgin Mary

communion of saints

dulia

Elizabeth & Mary

Elizabeth's veneration

honoring Mary

idolatry

latria

Marian devotion

Marian doctrine

Mariology

Maryolatry

veneration of Mary

Virgin Mary

worship

2026-06-05T23:59:43-04:00

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

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

Last updated on: June 5, 2026 at 11:59 pm   By Dave Armstrong

Atheist anti-theist Jonathan M. S. Pearce is the main writer on the blog, A Tippling Philosopher. His “About” page states: “Pearce is a philosopher, author, blogger, public speaker and teacher from Hampshire in the UK. He specialises in philosophy of religion, but likes to turn his hand to science, psychology, politics and anything involved in investigating reality.”  This is a reply to his post, Matthew & John’s Threes: Fact or Literary Device? (11-30-21). His words will be in blue; Michael Alter’s in green. ***** The... Read more

Atheism & Agnosticism

Jews & Judaism & Old Testament

"3" in the Bible

A Tippling Philosopher

alleged Bible contradictions

anti-theism

Atheism

atheist biblical exegesis

atheists & the Bible

atheists & theology

Bible "contradictions"

Bible "difficulties"

biblical inspiration

biblical numerology

biblical skeptics

biblical theology

exegesis

Greek numerology

hermeneutics

Holy Bible

inerrancy

infallibility

Jonathan MS Pearce

Numbers

numerology

Pythagoras

rule of three

2021-12-01T12:57:28-04:00

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Secularist, Atheist Nations = More “Happy” People?

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

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

Atheism & Agnosticism

Catholic Apologetics

"happy" people

Atheism

atheist nations

Christianity & happiness

secularism

secularism & happiness

Secularist

sociology & happiness

2021-11-30T12:57:02-04:00

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Mary’s Assumption & Biblical Evidence (Analogies)

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

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

Anti-Catholicism

Blessed Virgin Mary

Ascension

Ascension of Jesus

Assumption of Mary

bodily assumption of Mary

Dormition

Jason Engwer

Marian doctrine

Mariology

Mary's assumption

Mary's bodily assumption

Mary's death

2021-12-01T15:11:25-04:00

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

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

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

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

Blessed Virgin Mary

Fathers of the Church

always-virgin

Blessed Virgin Mary

brethren of the Lord

brothers of the Lord

Catholic Mariology

Cleophas

Clopas

ever-virgin

Hegesippus

Jude

Marian doctrine

Mariology

Mary mother of Jesus

Mother of God

Our Lady

perpetual virginity

Perpetual Virginity of Mary

Simon

Simon & Jude

Thaddeus

virgin birth

Virgin Mary

2021-11-27T13:58:35-04:00

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

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

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

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

Jews & Judaism & Old Testament

ancient Hebrews

ancient Israelites

ancient Jews

archaeology & the Bible

ark of the covenant

Bible & archaeology

Bible & History

Bible & Science

biblical accuracy

biblical archaeology

Book of Genesis

Egyptology

Generations of Noah

Genesis 10

Hebrews

historical accuracy of the Bible

Holy Bible

infallibility

Kenneth A. Kitchen

Moses

Pentateuch

table of nations

Torah

2021-11-24T13:21:05-04:00

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Pearce’s Potshots #54: Tower of Babel; Who’s the “Idiot”?

Last updated on: November 24, 2021 at 1:21 pm   By Dave Armstrong

Atheist anti-theist Jonathan M. S. Pearce is the main writer on the blog, A Tippling Philosopher. His “About” page states: “Pearce is a philosopher, author, blogger, public speaker and teacher from Hampshire in the UK. He specialises in philosophy of religion, but likes to turn his hand to science, psychology, politics and anything involved in investigating reality.”  This is a reply to his post, The Tower of Babel Story Is OBVIOUSLY Not Historical (11-23-21). Jonathan’s words will be in blue. ***** Genesis 11:1-9 (RSV) Now the whole... Read more

Atheism & Agnosticism

Jews & Judaism & Old Testament

A Tippling Philosopher

alleged Bible contradictions

ancient Hebrews

ancient Israelites

ancient Jews

anthropomorphism

anthropopathism

anti-theism

archaeology & the Bible

Atheism

atheist biblical exegesis

atheists & the Bible

atheists & theology

Babel

baked bricks

Bible "contradictions"

Bible "difficulties"

Bible & archaeology

Bible & History

biblical accuracy

biblical archaeology

biblical inspiration

biblical skeptics

biblical theology

bitumen & tower of babel

Book of Genesis

exegesis

fired bricks

historical accuracy of the Bible

Holy Bible

infallibility

Jonathan MS Pearce

kiln bricks & Tower of Babel

Tower of Babel

2026-06-05T23:59:43-04:00

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Dialogue: Institutional Jewish Opposition to Jesus

Last updated on: June 5, 2026 at 11:59 pm   By Dave Armstrong

Was it Based on His Claim to be the Messiah, or Because He Also Claimed to be God? Also, Further Discussion on Mary’s Knowledge (or Lack Thereof) of His Divinity Dr. Lydia McGrew is a philosopher and Anglican author of the wonderful books Hidden in Plain View: Undesigned Coincidences in the Gospels and Acts (2017), The Mirror or the Mask: Liberating the Gospels from Literary Devices (2019), and The Eye of the Beholder: The Gospel of John as Historical Reportage (2021). We were... Read more

Blessed Virgin Mary

Jews & Judaism & Old Testament

Trinitarianism & Christology

angel Gabriel

Annunciation

Blessed Virgin Mary

Catholic Mariology

deity of christ

divinity of Christ

Elizabeth

Immaculate Conception

incarnation of Jesus

Jesus as Messiah

Jewish leaders & Jesus

Jewish messianic thought

Jewish opposition to Jesus

Joseph

Magnificat

Marian doctrines

Mariology

Mary mother of Jesus

Mary's knowledge

Mary's knowledge of Jesus' divinity

Messiah

Mother of God

Pharisees & Jesus

prophetess Anna

Sanhedrin & Jesus

shepherds in the field

Simeon

three wise men

Virgin Mary

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