My Literary Resume

I was received into the Catholic Church (and Judy returned to it), on 8 February 1991, by the eminent catechist and author Fr. John A. Hardon, S.J.

DAVE ARMSTRONG

CATHOLIC APOLOGIST, EVANGELIST, AND AUTHOR

BRIEF RELIGIOUS BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Born July 30, 1958 in Detroit, Michigan. Raised Methodist; converted to non-denominational evangelicalism in 1977. During the 1980s, informally studied Christian apologetics and basic theology extensively, and was active in evangelistic, counter-cult and pro-life work, writing many "tracts" on these subjects. Church-supported missionary to college students from May 1985 until October 1989. Received into the Catholic Church on February 8, 1991 by Fr. John A. Hardon, S.J., after a year of intense study and discussion. Married to Judy Kozora (October 6, 1984) with four children: three boys and a girl.

Bachelor of Arts, Sociology (cum laude) from Wayne State University, Detroit, 1982; a broad liberal arts education, including much philosophy and history, and a minor in psychology. Multiple thousands of hours studying theology, Church history, philosophy, and general Christian and Catholic apologetics since 1981 (no formal training in theology). I have about 2000 books in my own library (mostly these same subjects).

Full-time author, apologist, evangelist, and free-lance writer since December 2001. I have taken on additional part-time jobs as necessary to support my apologetic vocation (often in the delivery business: the last non-writing full-time job that I had, throughout the 1990s).

In November 2007, I joined the staff of the Coming Home Network as Facilitator of Online Apologetics and CHNI Discussion Group (see my article describing it).

My wife Judy home schools our four children (no small task considering that two of them have special needs).

The Bible Christian Society, Inc., headed by John Martignoni, a gifted Catholic apologist and speaker who offers free tapes to the public. Tax-deductible donations to my apostolate are channeled through The Bible Christian Society.

Thy Faith, Inc., a non-profit Catholic apologetic and evangelization organization headed by Gary Michuta. I was a contributing editor for its bi-monthly periodical, Hands On Apologetics, endorsed by Scott Hahn, Karl Keating, and others. A commendatory article on Thy Faith appeared in Patrick Madrid's Envoy magazine (May/June 1998, pp. 17-18), in the regular column "Friends in the Field," by Zoe Romanowsky.

Catholic Information League, an apostolate which produces evangelistic comic tracts. I am the primary or sole author of the text of five of the tracts (all art by Daniel Grajek; consulting editor: Joe Polgar). Endorsed by Karl Keating (This Rock, October 1993, p. 7), Fr. Peter Stravinskas (The Catholic Answer, March/April 1997, p. 27), Envoy (March/April 1997, pp. 17-18; "Friends in the Field," by Tracy Moran), and others. Fr. John A. Hardon (+ 2000) was formerly the senior editor and theological advisor, recommended the tracts on Mother Angelica Live (June 21, 1995), and had even shown them to Pope John Paul II. These comic tracts are now distributed by Grotto Press. See an article on the tracts from Los Angeles Lay Catholic Mission, December 2001.

The Coming Home Network International, an organization founded by Marcus Grodi (host of the EWTN program The Journey Home); designed to aid and assist Catholic converts, or potential converts (especially Protestant pastors). Advisors to The Coming Home Network include Scott and Kimberly Hahn, Thomas Howard, Fr. Michael Scanlan, Fr. Ray Ryland, Patrick Madrid, Steve Wood, and Karl Keating. It was also recommended in Envoy (March/April 1997, pp. 16-17; "Friends in the Field," by Tracy Moran). I have had several articles published in its periodical, The Coming Home Journal. Joined staff in November 2007 (see the previous section for more details).

The Grotto Press (Catholic publisher): apologetic consultant and advisor, starting in April 2007.

Nineveh's Crossing (Catholic media and filmmaking company): apologetic contributor and advisor, starting in May 2007.

"The Real Martin Luther," The Catholic Answer, Jan/Feb 1993, 32-37.

"A Church Shopper's Road to Catholicism," This Rock, September 1993, 14-16.

"Martin Luther's Devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary," Hands On Apologetics, Nov/Dec 1994, 20-23,26.

"Tradition is Not a Dirty Word," Hands On Apologetics, Mar/April 1995, 30-32,34.

"The Communion of Saints," Hands On Apologetics, July/Aug 1995, 8-11.

"Is Development of Doctrine a Corruption of Biblical Teaching?," The Catholic Answer, Sep/Oct 1995, 8-11.

"The Pre-eminence of St. Peter: 45 New Testament Proofs," Hands On Apologetics, Sep/Oct 1995, 8-13.

"Problems With the Proof Texts for 'The Bible Alone,' " Hands On Apologetics, Nov/Dec 1995, 12-13,34.

"A 'Plowboy's' Guide to the Clarity of Scripture," Hands On Apologetics, Jan/Feb 1996, 12-13,24-25,34.

"Converts to Catholicism: G.K. Chesterton," The Coming Home Newsletter, Sep/Oct 1996, 5-7.

"Converts to Catholicism: John Henry Cardinal Newman," The Coming Home Newsletter, Nov/Dec 1996, 4-5.

"The Megabyte Before Christmas" (poem), The Coming Home Newsletter, Nov/Dec 1996, 12.

"The Pre-Eminence of St. Peter: 50 New Testament Proofs," The Catholic Answer, Jan/Feb 1997, 32-35.

"Reflections: Where is the Church?," The Coming Home Newsletter, Jan/Feb 1997, 6.

"Converts to Catholicism: Monsignor Ronald Knox," The Coming Home Newsletter, Jan/Feb 1997, 9.

"Dialogue on Infant Baptism," Hands On Apologetics, March/April 1997, 24-25,32.

"Converts to Catholicism: Malcolm Muggeridge," The Coming Home Newsletter, March/April 1997, 6-7.

"The Imitation of Mary," Hands On Apologetics, May/June 1997, 14-17,21,33-34.

"Why Not the Orthodox Church?," Hands On Apologetics, Sep/Oct 1997, 8-13,27.

"To Orthodox Critics of Catholic Apostolicity: Unity Still Sought," The Catholic Answer, Nov/Dec 1997, 32-35,38-39,62.

"How Newman Convinced Me of the Apostolicity of the Catholic Church," lead conversion (and cover) story (with family photograph), The Coming Home Newsletter, September-December 1997, 1-8.

"Martin Luther's Devotion to Mary," The Coming Home Journal, January-March 1998, 12-13.

"Dialogue on Liturgical Worship," Hands On Apologetics, Mar/Apr 1998, 28-29,31.

"The Imitation of Mary," The Catholic Answer, May/June 1998, 8-11.

My website was positively reviewed in New Covenant magazine, August, 1998. See Feedback Comments From Catholics for the text.

"Why Catholics Have Bigger Bibles," Credo, August 15, 1998, 4.

"Transubstantiation and the Eucharist," The Coming Home Journal, July-December 1998, 12-13, 31.

"St. Augustine's Belief in the Real Presence," The Coming Home Journal, July-December 1998, 18-20.

"The Communion of Saints," The Catholic Answer, Nov/Dec 1998, 8-12.

I received the Award Website of the Year (for 1998) from the staff and advisors of Envoy Magazine, and was a finalist (with three others) for "Best New Evangelist" (Envoy, January/February 1999, 10).

"An Agnostic Meets Dave Armstrong," Hands On Apologetics, two-part series: May/June 1999, 16-17, 24-25, and July/August 1999, 14-17, 24-25.

"Newman Persuaded Me of the Apostolicity of the Catholic Church," The Latin Mass, Fall 1999, Vol. 8, No. 4, 65-71.

"Pope Silvester and the Council of Nicaea," Hands On Apologetics, September/October 1999, 14-17.

"The Perspicuity ('Clearness') of Scripture," The Coming Home Journal, July-December 1999, 16-18.

"Is This God?," Cover story on the Holy Eucharist, Envoy Magazine, January/February 2000, cover and 1, 34-40. See also the Envoy online version.

"Martin Luther, Indulgences, and the Origins of the Protestant Revolt," Hands On Apologetics, July/August 2000, vol. 5, No. 3, cover story, 6-9, 11.

"Transubstantiation 0101," Hands On Apologetics, July/August 2000, vol. 5, No. 4, 12-15, 23, 34.

"Interview With a Catholic Apologist" (interview with Peter Vere, JCL), November 2001 posted on the Onerock Online website, and in the January 2002 edition of The Write Stuff, the monthly e-zine of The Catholic Writer's Association (CWA).

Dave Armstrong: Catholic Apologetics' "Socratic Evangelist," interview with, and article by Tim Drake, for the regular feature "Diplomatic Corps," Envoy Magazine, Spring 2002, volume 5.6, 8-9.

"Top Ten Questions Catholics Are Asked" -- pamphlet published by Our Sunday Visitor for mass distribution in churches, July 2002.

"Catholics Need to Read Their Bibles," This Rock, February 2004, 20-22.

"On Sinners in the Church: How Could it be Otherwise?," This Rock, April 2004, 25-27.

Review of A Biblical Defense of Catholicism, by Michael J. Miller, in Homiletic & Pastoral Review, May 2004.

"A Quick Ten-Step Refutation of Sola Scriptura," This Rock, September 2004.

"The Pleasures and Perils of a Catholic Apologetics Apostolate," This Rock, November 2004.

"Excerpt from: The New Catholic Answer Bible (NAB) with inserts by Paul Thigpen and Dave Armstrong: Why the Catholic Church is Unique," Our Sunday Visitor online version, 22 June, 2005.

Review of The Catholic Verses, by Dr. Stanley Williams, on Catholic Exchange website, 24 June 2005.

"Excerpt from: The New Catholic Answer Bible (NAB), inserts by Paul Thigpen and Dave Armstrong: Are Catholics ‘Born Again’?," Our Sunday Visitor online version, 13 July 2005.

Review of The Catholic Verses, by Michael J. Miller, in Homiletic & Pastoral Review, October 2005; reprinted in Ignatius Insight.

DVD Study Guide for Common Ground [a Catholic - evangelical Protestant ecumenical endeavor], June 2007.

DVD Study Guide for What Catholics Really Believe [answers portion of the Guide for the teaching series by Dr. Ray Guarendi and Fr. Kevin Fete], July 2007.

Review of The One-Minute Apologist, by Carl E. Olson, in National Catholic Register, August 26 - September 1, 2007 issue.

Cartoon Tracts:

Catholic Cartoon Tracts (see my "Catholic affiliations" above) produces excellent apologetic cartoon tracts. I am the sole or primary author of the text of five of these (all art by Dan Grajek; co-editor Joe Polgar): The Cloud of Witnesses, The Resurrection: Hoax or History?, The Class Struggle, Mary: Do Catholics Have a Biblical View? [see my text only], and Joe Hardhat, the Quintessential Catholic: On Justification [see my text only].

"The Resurrection: Hoax or History?" (comic tract), co-author and cartoonist Daniel Grajek, This Rock, "Dragnet," February 1994, 8-9 (also briefly mentioned in the October 1993 "Dragnet").

Books (all available for purchase -- follow the linked titles):

"Confessions of a 1980s' Jesus Freak," 241-252 in Surprised by Truth, edited by Patrick Madrid, San Diego: Basilica Press, 1994 (one of eleven conversion stories). Surprised by Truth has sold more than 400,000 copies and is the second-largest Catholic bestseller after the Catechism of the Catholic Church.

"The Imitation of Mary," chapter 5 in The Catholic Answer Book of Mary, edited by Fr. Peter M.J. Stravinskas, Huntington, Indiana: Our Sunday Visitor, 2000, 31-35.

A Biblical Defense of Catholicism was published in October 2001, by AuthorHouse (formerly 1stBooks Library) and in June 2003 by Sophia Institute Press. It includes a Foreword by the late Fr. John A. Hardon, S.J.

More Biblical Evidence for Catholicism, was published in February 2002, by AuthorHouse (formerly 1stBooks Library) and republished (without appendices) in May 2007 by Lulu. It includes a Foreword by Dr. Scott Hahn.

I wrote all of the apologetic commentary (44 articles on various topics, on 22 color inserts) for The Catholic Answer Bible, published by Our Sunday Visitor in 2002.

The Catholic Verses: 95 Bible Passages That Confound Protestants, was published by Sophia Institute Press in August 2004.

The New Catholic Answer Bible (revision and expansion of The Catholic Answer Bible) was published by Our Sunday Visitor in April 2005. I am the co-author of the 88 articles, with Paul Thigpen (my original 44 comprise half of the total).

The One-Minute Apologist, was published by Sophia Institute Press in May 2007.

Bible Conversations: Catholic-Protestant Dialogues on the Bible, Tradition, and Salvation, was completed in June 2002 and published in May 2007 by Lulu.

Development of Catholic Doctrine: Evolution, Revolution, or an Organic Process?, was completed in June 2002 and published in May 2007 by Lulu.

Christian Worldview vs. Postmodernism, was completed in September 2002 and published in May 2007 by Lulu.

Family Matters: Catholic Theology of the Family, was completed in December 2002 and published in May 2007 by Lulu.

Pensées on Catholic Traditionalism, was completed in December 2002 and published in May 2007 by Lulu.

Mere Christian Apologetics, was completed in September 2002 and published in August 2007 by Lulu.

Protestantism: Critical Reflections of an Ecumenical Catholic, was completed in May 2003 and published in August 2007 by Lulu.

Twin Scourges: Thoughts on Anti-Catholicism and Theological Liberalism, was completed in June 2003 and published in September 2007 by Lulu.

Orthodoxy and Catholicism: A Comparison, was completed in July 2004 and published in September 2007 by Lulu.

The Church Fathers Were Catholic: Patristic Evidences for Catholicism, was completed in November 2007 and published in November 2007 by Lulu.

Martin Luther: Catholic Critical Analysis and Praise (my 16th book) was completed in April 2008 and published in April 2008 by Lulu.

Love Talks with Foster Braun, WCM 990 AM, Ann Arbor, MI, 11 AM-1 PM EST on 14 November 1988; my call-in concerning my first participation in Operation Rescue pro-life activism two days earlier.

Evangel Echoes with Emery Moss, WMUZ-FM 103.5, Detroit, MI, 12 midnight-1:15 AM EST on 3 November 1989; on the false teaching of Jehovah's Witnesses (I was an evangelical Protestant at this time).

The Al Kresta Show Live, WDEO, 990 AM, Ann Arbor, MI, from 12:00-12:30 PM EST on 8 September 1997; interviewed concerning my conversion story. See also the transcript.

"Appearances" (via phone) on the Connecticut Catholic apologetics television program Pillar of Truth (host Dick Kelley), on 8 May 1999 (Development of Doctrine) and 15 May 1999 (Questions and Answers) -- half hour each. See also the transcripts (Development / Q & A).

Kresta in the Afternoon (host Al Kresta), WDEO, 990 AM, Ann Arbor, MI, from 3:00-4:00 PM EST on 30 April 2002 (Parts One / Two / Three / Four); interviewed concerning my conversion story and my first book, A Biblical Defense of Catholicism.

Faith and Family Live (host Steve Wood), syndicated nationwide by EWTN radio, "A Biblical Defense of Catholicism," 11:00 AM-12 Noon EST, 10 July 2003. See websites: www.dads.org / www.familylifecenter.net.

Catholic Answers Live (host Jerry Usher); affiliated with Karl Keating's apologetic apostolate, Catholic Answers. Syndicated nationally on EWTN radio. "Why We Need More than the Bible", 6:00-7:00 PM EST, 10 October 2003. Listen (Real audio) | Listen (mp3). Jerry wrote (letter of 16 October 2003):

You did a terrific job . . . I could tell by the response from our listeners . . . that they benefited from the program. We'll be happy to have you on the show again in the future . . . may the Lord continue to bless you and the fine work you're doing.

Hands-On Apologetics Live (hosts Gary Michuta and Tony Gerring) on Michigan Catholic Radio: 1090 WCAR in metro Detroit and 1080 in Lansing area. Interview and Q & A, 10:00-11:00 AM EST, 18 October 2003.

Kresta in the Afternoon (host Al Kresta), WDEO, 990 AM, Ann Arbor, MI, from 5:00-5:30 PM EST on 2 April 2004 (Parts One / Two); interviewed concerning general apologetics and my authorship of all the notes for The Catholic Answer Bible.

Live From the Shrine (hosts John Kruse and Julie Komasara), Michigan Catholic Radio: WCAR: 1090 AM. General interview (conversion, books, etc.) by Julie Komasara: 4:15-5:00 PM, 24 September 2004.

Catholic Answers Live (host Jerry Usher); affiliated with Karl Keating's apologetic apostolate, Catholic Answers. Syndicated nationally on EWTN radio. "Communion of Saints: A Cloud of Witnesses", 7:00-8:00 PM EST, 26 June 2006. Listen (real audio) | Listen (mp3).

Son Rise Morning Show (host Brian Patrick); Sacred Heart Radio: 740 AM in the Cincinnati area. Q & A on a variety of apologetic issues, 8:10-8:30 AM EST, 17 January 2008.

Spirit Morning Show (hosts Bruce and Kris McGregor); Spirit Catholic Radio: 88.9 FM, Omaha. Interview concerning The One-Minute Apologist and brief conversion testimony; 8:00-8:45 AM EST, 15 February 2008.
[ Listen ]

Fr. Peter M.J. Stravinskas (prominent Catholic apologist and author). My articles have appeared in the magazine he edited: The Catholic Answer, six times. He has stated: "I always appreciate your work."

Fr. Ray Ryland (advisor to Catholic Answers and Coming Home Network; prominent ecumenist and apologist).

God bless you in your indefatigable labors on behalf of the Faith! Only God knows how many lives your efforts have touched with the truth. May God continually bless you and guide you . . .

Your splendid book [A Biblical Defense of Catholicism] . . . spreads forth a feast of intellectual nourishment for the Catholic faith. I do hope it has wide circulation . . . God bless you and give you joy and strength in persevering in your important ministry.

I spent over an hour romping around your website. Nice, very nice . . . Good stuff. Keep up the great work . . . rather remarkable cyber-talents.

Thanks again for the great work you're doing for Christ and His Church. No matter how long it's taken, the Lord clearly has you right where He wants you.

I hope you can find a publisher. If attractively printed and correctly promoted, your manuscript [A Biblical Defense of Catholicism] could sell widely.

Keep up the good work. I am constantly sending people to your page to find answers for their questions and sources for their search.

You utterly amaze me! Such good stuff . . . Dave, keep up your effective and eternally valuable apologetic journalism!

I've been noticing a lot of positive comments from around the country on your apologetics efforts on the Internet. Bravo!

I admire, as ever, your fantastic and penetrating work for Christ and His Church.

Keep up the fantastic work with "Biblical Catholicism." All of us at Envoy love it and often refer people to it.

You do such good work. Without pride, don't minimize the gifts God has given you. Your web page is excellent and you are obviously a self-taught man.

Wow, Dave--the fountain just keeps gushing! You'll never know this side of eternity just how many souls have been brought closer to the Kingdom and to the fullness of the Faith through your efforts. I recommend your website frequently . . . Just wanted to let you know I appreciate your labors of love . . .

There is someone out there who says what I have to say much better than I ever could - the smartest Catholic apologist I know of - Dave Armstrong.

I certainly think it [the earlier, much longer version of my manuscript A Biblical Defense of Catholicism] is a valuable tool.

I love your books, love your site, love everything you do. God bless you in your work. I'm very grateful for all you've done, and for all you make available. If someone pitches a hard question at me, I go first to your site. Then I send the questioner directly to the page that best answers the question. I know it's going to be on your site.

People regularly tell me how much they appreciate your work. This new book sounds very useful.

Your website is incredible and I recommend it regularly to new Catholics.

Dave Armstrong is a Catholic author and apologist, who has been actively proclaiming and defending Christianity for more than twenty-five years. Formerly a campus missionary, as a Protestant, Dave was received into the Catholic Church in 1991, by the late, well-known catechist and theologian, Fr. John A. Hardon, S.J.

His conversion story was published in the bestselling book Surprised by Truth (edited by Patrick Madrid; San Diego: Basilica Press, 1994). Dave’s articles have frequently appeared in many Catholic periodicals, including The Catholic Answer, This Rock, Envoy, The Coming Home Journal, Credo, and The Latin Mass. Dave’s apologetic and writing apostolate was the subject of a feature article in the May 2002 issue of Envoy.

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 Biblical Evidence for Catholicism (named Cor ad cor loquitur up till October 2007: http://www.biblicalcatholic.com/), begun in February 2004, contains more than 1900 web pages and papers.

Sophia Institute Press has published three of Dave’s books: A Biblical Defense of Catholicism (Foreword by Fr. John A. Hardon, S.J., 2003), The Catholic Verses (2004), and The One-Minute Apologist (2007). He is co-author (with Dr. Paul Thigpen) of the inserts for The New Catholic Answer Bible (Our Sunday Visitor: 2005), and also wrote More Biblical Evidence for Catholicism (Foreword by Dr. Scott Hahn, AuthorHouse, 2002 / Lulu, 2007). Several of his sixteen books are bestsellers in the field.

Dave’s writing has been enthusiastically endorsed by many leading Catholic apologists, authors, and priests, including Dr. Scott Hahn, Fr. Peter M.J. Stravinskas, Marcus Grodi, Patrick Madrid, Steve Ray, Karl Keating, and Fr. John A. Hardon, S.J.

He married Judy Kozora in 1984; they have three sons and a daughter, and reside in Melvindale, Michigan (metro Detroit).

Last updated: 17 April 2008