The Solution to the Problem of Evil/Suffering

The following series of quotes from “Revelations of Divine Justice” gives the basic description of how God can be omnipotent, omniscient, perfectly opposed to all evil/suffering (such that no greater opposition can be conceived), and yet the evil in the world exists as it does. On this model, all evil is gratuitous (i.e. not necessary for any greater good) when considered in itself, but... Read More

A Dialogue on the Origin of Natural Evil

This conversation (posted with permission) covers a number of difficult aspects of theodicy – especially concerning predation, evolution, the origin of natural evil, and how the overall bloodbath reconciles with God’s goodness. There’s also a succinct proof for the entire Christian worldview (redemptive suffering, theosis, etc.) at the end. Really. ————————–————— Sri... Read More

An Introduction to Gift/Demand Algebra in the Gospels: A Proof of the Historicity and Divinity of Christ

We’ve never had much of an interest in Gospel historicity controversies because the very nature of historical argumentation seemed to us to be too loose to be compelling. Consequently, our research at New Apologetics has tended to favor deductive forms of argumentation, especially those benefiting from the rigor of analytic philosophy. By means of our research in other areas, and without... Read More

Matt McCormick’s Paraduxx (sic) of Divine Agency

Matt McCormick’s original article “The Paradox of Divine Agency”, In Michael Martin & Ricki Monnier (eds.), The Impossibility of God. Prometheus (2003) can be found here: http://www.csus.edu/indiv/m/mccormickm/DivineAgency.htm I don’t blame McCormick. In the order of blameworthy, it goes like this: the devil, the apologists (including myself), and then me again (for not writing faster).... Read More

Conclusively Solving the Problem of Evil – A Discussion / Debate

Atheist philosopher Dan Linford has agreed to publicly discuss the problem of evil with New Apologetics. The aim of this dialogue / debate is to test the solution offered by New Apologetics to determine whether it is, in fact, the definitive solution to the philosophical / theological problem of evil. Our intention is to continue to respond to Dan’s questions and objections until there are no... Read More

The Redemption Series, Part I: Finding Our Way Out

In “The Theodicy of Divine Chastity, Part I,” we explored some aspects of the problem of evil in light of God’s perfect opposition to evil. Because of our experience of injustice, it can seem that God is either complicit in evil (i.e. “the end justifies the means”), or powerless, or nonexistent. Our first article in that series explained how it is possible for us to coherently... Read More

Divine Hiddenness, Part 2: You Are Here with Me Always

A lot of people want to have a relationship with God, but can’t find him, and many who “have” a relationship with God may be inclined to wonder from time to time (or all the time, in hindsight) if there is any external participant in that relationship. Knowledge that the “other” exists is universally agreed to be the starting point in any normal relationship. When it comes to our... Read More

New Evangelization Series, Part II: Compassion or Something Better?

We Christians have a problem. We know that God is love, and that all of the teachings of the Church are to be understood as propositional manifestations of that love. We know that we are called to love one another as Christ loves us. And yet, we often find ourselves on the outside of social interactions where someone is talking about something that they are happy about. You may have heard the maxim,... Read More

“Three Pains” – A Lesson about Spiritual Abortion

[This is a conversation between one of our contributors and an agnostic reader of NA. The names have been changed, and permission to publish has been granted.  This conversation is a wake-up call of sorts, in that it it portrays the unintentional, mostly unidentified, but nonetheless death-dealing phenomenon of what we’ve named “spiritual abortion”. Fear-based caring on the part... Read More

Angelus Dixit

[Note to our readers: This is a very unusual piece of writing. If you find it hard to understand, don’t worry because we do too. We are posting it just in case you can get something from it. We are going to post a commentary eventually which will explain it piece by piece to the best of our understanding.] I. When you hear God and say something back to God, then you have something to say to... Read More

Letting the Cat Out of the Bag (A Dialogue on Pseudo-Catholicism)

  Conversation started November 24, 2013   11/24, 12:06am James Christopher Are you discerning a vocation to the priesthood?   11/24, 12:07am Matthew Von Zarovich Yes.   11/24, 12:08am James Christopher You can ask whatever is on your mind here. There is a sort of behind the scenes ministry through FB chat.   11/24, 12:09am Matthew Von Zarovich What kind of ministry?   11/24,... Read More

The Christian Charism – An Explorative Conversation

This three-part talk is a spontaneous recording which took place in late 2013. The topics are very substantial, and are of import to all interested in the spiritual life.  Read More →

The New Evangelization Series, Part I: The Atheists are Right

  You’ve probably heard the question, “Is the glass half-empty or half-full?” It’s a question that supposedly introduces a person to the perennial struggle between optimists and pessimists – one which is supposedly never to resolve. We’re taught that these are two divergent ways of seeing the world, and are led to believe them to be incompatible. However, if we approach... Read More

Divine Hiddenness, Part I: We Don’t Know What We Know

We apologists don’t always make mistakes, but when we do we poison the hope of billions of people. Here’s a prime example: “The possibility of the world being filled with evil of all kinds while God is perfectly and omnipotently opposing every evil with all the power of his holiness seems like a definitive logical vacuum. …if God were perfectly opposing evil with the fullness of his... Read More

Seamless

This is an original poem by New Apologetics, reposted here from where it first appeared on our Facebook page.  Please continue to check our Facebook page for additional content, as new poems and prayers will usually appear there first. We include the poem here as an artistic representation of the theology of the Church as it has been, is, and always will be. Seamless I Upon some altar I offer my... Read More

Scott Maddox versus New Apologetics on God’s Existence

  Scott Maddox‎New Apologetics January 19, 2013 ·  What is the newest Apologetics argument for the existence of God? LikeLike ·  · Share New Apologetics We are happy that you asked. As far as we know, our version of the modal ontological argument is the newest. One of our contributors has been working on it for about 15 years, and it finally seems to have reached... Read More

Adam, Eve, Original Sin

  Tim Kesser‎New Apologetics January 19, 2013 ·  With the concept of original sin. We have all heard the story of Adam & Eve. The story of mankind’s fall from grace and the emergence of original sin with Eve getting tricked, by the talking snake, into eating the apple is well known throughout the world. Now, with modern genetics ruling out the whole of mankind coming from... Read More

Three Categories of Suffering, Double-Bind Devotional Language v. Story Framing, Analysis of St. Thomas More Quote, Mental Reservation (Approved Article), Trolleyology

  Michael Zimmerman‎New Apologetics January 19, 2013 ·  RE: God’s infinite opposition to suffering, but still allowing it (Taken from an earlier conversation) It would seem to me that some kinds of suffering work to enhance our lives, and strengthen our bond with God. You don’t know what you’ve got until you almost lose it, after all. The suffering in Purgatory... Read More

We Have One Enemy?

  Jeremy Budd Witte‎New Apologetics January 18, 2013 ·  Question… Why does it appear to me as if somehow, the debate between Catholics & Protestants seeps into public arenas where we ought be more unified in? (I’ve noticed the common enemies to Protestants & Catholics are targeting OUR CHILDREN!!!!!!) LikeLike ·  · Share Nicole DeMille likes... Read More

NA is the only one allowed?

  Sandra Crotinger‎New Apologetics January 14, 2013 ·  Wow didnt realize that “New Apolpgetics” was the only one allowed to try and help people understand the Bible…..Dissapointed  LikeLike ·  · Share Ridwan Ritonga likes this. New Apologetics You are very welcome to express an opinion or question in a post to the timeline. We welcome... Read More

Parable of Goats and Sheep commentary, Ankit states the Little Way, Miracles to believe?

  Juan Jimenez‎New Apologetics January 12, 2013 · El Cajon, CA ·  Question : If Jesus is God how is it that the father will reign and jesus will be at his right hand…? wouldnt that make jesus a lesser God? i cant seem to wrap my mind around this one… anyone? LikeLike ·  · Share New Apologetics Thank you for your question. The answer is forthcoming.... Read More

Baptize “in the Name of Jesus” or “in the Name of the Trinity”?

  Carla Jazel‎New Apologetics January 12, 2013 ·  Hello! I’m a Catholic and I would like to clarify some points regarding on our holy faith. Jesus told His disciples to baptize in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit (Matt. 28:19). But Peter baptized in the name of Jesus Christ (Acts 2:38). As the first pope, he probably used Jesus’ name instead of the... Read More

Grounds for a New Apologetics Discussion/Dialogue/Debate with Ankit Dhawan Concerning an Analysis of the Vedas in Light of the Bible and the Bible in Light of the Vedas

  Ankit Dhawan‎New Apologetics January 12, 2013 ·  I am enamored by the sincere effort put in by the most kind and merciful administrator of this facebook page in responding to my question. Although, I am not in complete understanding of all the answers to my questions, but bulk of my misunderstanding about Christian faith has been straightened out. Previously, I was getting all... Read More

Suffering Dissertation, Are EWTN executives “culpably negligent”?

  James Rinkevich‎New Apologetics January 10, 2013 ·  Per your remark below explain what mean about either (a) suffering being an evil. Note consider that Jesus did suffer per the symbol of Nicea and to say that suffering is an evil would be to say Jesus did evil. 2. Or that the world does not drive (many) men through suffering to seek, serve, and love God and to be justified (by... Read More

What are we? What is our relationship to God? Why are we separate from God? Psychology? Redemption?

  Ankit Dhawan‎New Apologetics January 8, 2013 ·  As I am reading all these wonder ful posts (thanks!) my apetite for seeking straight answers to some of the foundational questions is increasing. So, here it goes: 1. Who are we? Are we the body or the soul? Someone gave the analogy of car and the driver… car being hte body and driver being the soul. 2. Who creates us? (OK!... Read More

Why doesn’t the Catholic Church accept Eastern Orthodox Saints?

  Pati Sorge‎New Apologetics January 7, 2013 ·  I was asked and had never thought of this before.. Does the Catholic church except the Eastern Orthodox saints as saints? I know the canonization process differs. LikeLike ·  · Share New Apologetics Pati Sorge The Catholic Church teaches that any person who is in heaven is a saint. However, the lives of those individuals... Read More

How to give an Answer Concerning Evil to a Child

  Lisa Franzoy-Neal‎New Apologetics January 6, 2013 ·  My daughter, Trinity, asked me this question but I don’t think I answered the question adequately: “If God knew that Satan and all the bad angels would turn against Him, that Adam and Eve would fall, and that some people would goto hell than why did God create them? Why wouldn’t God just create those that he... Read More

Learning from Atheists, Other Things

  Jomil Mulvey‎New Apologetics January 6, 2013 ·  WHY bis not being one of the People of the book equated with Athism?? I am a religious Pagan who says her prayers morning and night and enjoys the fellowship of more or less like minds. I happen to harbor a deep love for ST Therese, and a deep respect for ST. Hypatia of Alexanfia martyred for rhr crime of saying that ftruth was greater... Read More

Sola Scriptura? Art as Idolatry? Is Jesus Necessary? Mary needs Jesus?

  Ankit Dhawan‎New Apologetics January 5, 2013 ·  I have another inquiry thread asking some foundational questions that are being addressed by this wonderful servant of God. I have some related but different questions about Catholicism that I have the urge to submit respectfully… 1. If we deviate from Sola Scripture and add man made traditions and interpretations as components... Read More

Salvation Outside the Church?

  Garrett Beckstrom‎New Apologetics January 1, 2013 ·  Are those who are not Catholic allowed in the Kingdom of God? Will they be sent to Hell or can they be purged in Purgatory? LikeLike ·  · Share New Apologetics The Church teaches that God is just, and therefore it follows that those who desire God (even if they do not know him or his Church) are *sure* to... Read More

Once Saved, Always Saved?

  Abet Layug‎New Apologetics December 28, 2012 ·  Once Saved, always saved??? Is this teaching Biblical? Is it in contrary with the following verses- 2 Peter 2:20-22, Heb. 6:4-7, Heb.10:26 and 2 John 1:8? LikeLike ·  · Share New Apologetics We begin by offering the full text of the quotes you cited:For if they, having escaped the defilements of the world through... Read More

Rich Dialogue on original sin, Reconciliation, and souls

  Ankit Dhawan‎New Apologetics December 28, 2012 ·  My inquiry into Christian faith has been an interesting journey so far. I have a few questions that I have not gotten convincing answers. Can someone help? 1. Where does soul come from? How does it take birth and what is the final destination of soul? 2. When Adam and Eve fell, my soul was not there? Why does the entire humanity... Read More

“Everything is Grace: The Life and Way of Thérèse of Lisieux” by Joseph F. Schmidt

  Brenda Lee Guptill-Oliver‎New Apologetics December 27, 2012 ·  Saint Therese, the little flower, is one of my favorite saints. I just got the new book about her, and how she tried to please people because of how she felt, so she prayed and God helped. My mom had a devotion to her as well, and I did not know until I got her jewelry after she died. LikeLike ·  · Share New... Read More

Biblical Proofs for Sola Scriptura?

  Abet Layug‎New Apologetics December 26, 2012 ·  Sola Scriptura? what are the Biblical proofs for that claim? can we consider the Divine Oral Tradition as also a basis of faith? how about the apostolic tradition since some of the apostles did not write anything? LikeLike ·  · Share 3 people like this. New Apologetics There is no biblical basis for... Read More

What are we if not Believers?

  Therese Carmel I. Huelar‎New Apologetics December 23, 2012 ·  what are we” if not Believers LikeLike ·  · Share New Apologetics We are awaiting the grace to believe. December 24, 2012 at 12:39pm · Like Paul Cameron waiting praying and believing? just like the old testiment believers did? December 25, 2012 at 3:20pm · Like New... Read More

What can wash away our sins? What about Apostolic Authority?

  Gareth Northam‎New Apologetics December 22, 2012 ·  What can wash away our sins? LikeLike ·  · Share Cris Laurence Ocampo Abayata likes this. New Apologetics Nothing but the blood of Jesus. December 22, 2012 at 7:18pm · Like · 10 Amanda DeAnne How very Protestant of you. December 22, 2012 at 11:11pm · Like Paul... Read More

Different Denominations and Social Justice

  Paul Cameron‎New Apologetics December 22, 2012 ·  what doctrine is the background of this web page??? LikeLike ·  · Share New Apologetics We are fully loyal to the teachings of the Catholic Church. December 22, 2012 at 1:09pm · Like · 4 Emy Casabuena so true December 22, 2012 at 3:49pm · Like Paul Cameron so does... Read More

The Theodicy of Divine Chastity, Part II

Feast of the Prodigal Son — Vasily Polenov In The Theodicy of Divine Chastity, Part I, we began to describe how God, who is infinite love, gives of himself in a simple, innocent, and unconditionally faithful way regardless of whether or not we abuse or ignore his love. This perfection of self-offering is what we named the “chastity” of God. We chose this term in recognition that chastity, understood... Read More

Purgatory

  Dean Victor Lanestosa Montalvo‎New Apologetics December 10, 2012 ·  Hello guys, as a modern apologist? how can we defend about the doctrine on purgatory? hope you can help me with this topic thanks God Bless Like ·  James P Dimichino likes this. New Apologetics The necessity of purgatory is easily explainable when we come to see how much resistance... Read More

“Christian Manners”

  Beatriz Payne‎New Apologetics December 6, 2012 ·  Parents live a holy life and educate your children in a christian manners. Children obey and follow directions of your parents. Members of the family pray and worship together. Like ·  2 people like this. New Apologetics It is interesting that you wrote “christian manners.” It really does... Read More

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