The Christian Vanguard

A couple of months ago, I read an article about how semi academic talks were being hosted in bars. Like TED talks, but a lot more casual, and not as pretentious. I was vaguely aware of these happening, but they were picking up steam and so, it merited an article in either the LA Times or NY Times or some other legacy paper. I shared it with a friend, and told him what it really was is just a bunch of socialist millennials who didn’t want to leave the college scene. I’ve been to a meeting like that once years ago, when I was still in community college, and didn’t like the people. Literally socialists, talking Marx. So I looked down my nose and didn’t think much of it.  The algorithm being what it is, suggested to me on Instagram to follow one of the pages who host these events, called the Saturday Salon. I was mildly interested, and followed really just to confirm what I had already believed, that it was just a socialist club. Again, didn’t think much of it.  Soon after that, s...

I met this guy, let's call him Tom, at an engagement party, and he is a member of the ICOC, which I used to be a member of. We had a discussion about Original Sin (which they deny) and Infant Baptism (they're Anabaptists) and he sent me some Bible verses which he believed denied Original Sin, and I said I would think about it and get back to him. Of course, I've heard it all before, being a former member of the ICOC, but I was just being polite since I didn't want to get into the nitty gritty there at a mutual friends party. He has stopped responding to me, and it's been a while now, so I'm sharing our exchange here. Some arguments I was toying and experimenting with here with, so a ny feed back is appreciated. His emails are in Blue , while mine are in Red . 

Today was my debate with Professor Garcia at LBCC. It went really well. I went in a bit worried, which is not normal for me when I do debates. Why was I worried? I was worried because Garcia had requested that I specifically do a medieval argument, and then he later requested I do only Aquinas. I've not defended Aquinas or scholastic metaphysics in any depth as I have done with arguments like the Kalam or Liebnizian Cosmological arguments, so, not only did I have to defend it, but I had to defend it from someone who has at least a Masters in Philosophy (I'm unsure if he has a PhD). It would be a challenge, but I suppose philosophy isn't worth doing if it's not challenging.  I had tried to email him so we could collaborate on some slides, but it just didn't happen for a number of reasons. There was some comfort that I took in thinking that I would be able to see his presentation so I could prepare some remarks, but that didn't happen and I had to think on my...

I have a small debate on the existence of God coming up with one of the philosophy professors at LBCC for our Philosophy Club. It's short, and only an hour, so, my statement is about ten minutes. Nothing original, just what Edward Feser has been saying for a while. I figure it might be a good idea just to put up here for future reference. Prayers appreciated for my debate coming up Thursday! 

I participated in a debate two nights ago. It was on the infallibility of the pope. The podcast isn't up yet, but here is my opening speech. When the podcast is up, I'll give my thoughts on the entire thing.

My debate on gun control. Transcript coming soon.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FJX84OroFso