Month: April 2015

mid-week apologetics booster (4-30-15)

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Good morning Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

I hope you’re having a blessed week!  Here are some links for you:

  1. Does God exist? Here are six straightforward reasons to believe that God is really there: http://www.everystudent.com/features/isthere.html
  2. Are Christians Less Intelligent Than Atheists? Here’s What All Those Studies REALLY Say (Natasha Crain – Christian Mom Thoughts): http://christianmomthoughts.com/are-christians-less-intelligent-than-atheists-heres-what-all-those-studies-really-say/
  3. Five Consequences of Having Been Created (Brian Thomas, M.S.): http://www.icr.org/article/5844/288/
  4. Does Carbon 14 Dating Disprove the Bible? (Dr. Andrew Snelling – 3 minute 43 second video):https://cdn.answersingenesis.org/vid/ondemand/new-answers-dvds/na1-doesnt-carbon-dating-disprove-the-bible.mp4
  5. Radiometric Dating: Back to Basics (Dr. Andrew Snelling): https://answersingenesis.org/geology/radiometric-dating/radiometric-dating-back-to-basics/
  6. Index fossils—really? “For example, if dinosaur fossils are found in a rock layer, the rocks are assumed to be at least 65 million years old. So if a radiometric dating result indicates an age of 40 million years, it is interpreted as representing, not the age of the rock, but a later geological process, such as disturbance, reworking or contamination. The fossils always trump the supposedly objective radiometric dating!”: http://creation.com/index-fossils
  7. Trial balloons and the age of the earth – “When a scientist publishes an ‘age’, it is like releasing a balloon. If other scientists like his answer they will let the balloon float, but if they don’t like it they will shoot it down”: http://creation.com/trial-balloons-geochronology
  8. Evolution Exposed: Earth Science – Geologic Column (Roger Patterson): https://answersingenesis.org/geology/geologic-time-scale/geologic-column/
  9. When Making a Case for Christianity is Futile (J. Warner Wallace): http://coldcasechristianity.com/2015/when-making-a-case-for-christianity-is-futile/
  10. Relative Morality (Frank Turek and David Silverman debate) – This clip (~ 5 minutes) is SOOO good: https://www.facebook.com/191900549668/videos/10153317922069669/
  11. Why did Paul begin his preaching with creation as opposed to the Law? https://dailyevidence.wordpress.com/2015/04/27/why-did-paul-begin-his-preaching-with-creation-as-opposed-to-the-law-2/
  12. Apologetics is Becoming Very Practical in America: http://southernbyhisgrace.com/apologetics-becoming-practical-america/?utm_content=buffer4b0e2
  13. God, Science & the Big Questions: Leading Christian Thinkers Respond to the New Atheism (2 hour video panel moderated by Hugh Hewitt) – Join John Lennox, William Lane Craig, JP Moreland, and Hugh Hewitt for this fast-paced, wide-ranging and supremely stimulating discussion among some of the finest thinkers in the Christian world. Nothing is off the table as they discuss science vs. Christianity, arguments for God, the decline of Darwinism, radical Islam and the Gospel, responding to skeptics, the problem of consciousness, mathematics and the cosmos, the nature of knowledge, and much, much more. Originally broadcast live from Biola University on Friday, January 30th, 2015.: http://open.biola.edu/resources/god-science-the-big-questions-leading-christian-thinkers-respond-to-the-new-atheism
  14. Doctrine of God Part 8: God’s Omnipresence (William Lane Craig – Defenders Class – 32 minute video lecture): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AhYguRSR_SA&feature=youtu.be
  15. The Movie ‘Killing Jesus’ Avoids the Essentials Regarding The Day Christ Died: http://goddoesexistuknowit.blogspot.com/2015/03/the-movie-killing-jesus-avoids.html?m=1
  16. We Don’t Need Apologetics, We Just Need to ‘Experience’ Jesus – Attempts at Honesty: http://www.mhmcintyre.us/we-dont-need-apologetics-we-just-need-to-experience-jesus/
  17. Frank Turek Dialogue 2- Does God Exist? // Debate – Turek vs Nørmark (~30 minute video): https://youtu.be/_9lIKQwNjWQ

Enjoy!

mid-week apologetics booster (4-23-2015)

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Good morning everyone,

I hope this day will be a good one for you and that I can help make it a little better as you consider some the following communications (text, audio and video) which are intended to both build your faith and equip you to defend your faith in the marketplace of ideas:

  1. What’s The Importance Of Giving A Defense Non-Defensively? (J. Warner Wallace 2 min 27 second video interview on the One Minute Apologist): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gg_NukIs6WU
  2. Epigenetics—an epic challenge to evolution – This growing discipline challenges a number of ‘holy cows’ of neo-Darwinism: http://creation.mobi/epigenetics-challenges-neo-darwinism
  3. Why Atheists Change Their Mind: 8 Common Factors: http://www.wordonfire.org/resources/blog/why-atheists-change-their-mind-8-common-factors/4729/
  4. Christians, You Will Suffer (Amy Hall – Stand To Reason): http://www.str.org/blog/christians-you-will-suffer#.VTjYoZMsMVT
  5. Has the Big Bang Gone Bust? By Dr. Jeff Zweerink – http://www.reasons.org/articles/has-the-big-bang-gone-bust
  6. Tim Keller – Humble Cultural Engagement (~25 minute video): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xMgsZKzZp-g&feature=youtu.be
  7. Tim Keller on evangelism in the 21st century (~11 minute video): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DHQBoLo31Ns&feature=youtu.be
  8. Timothy J Keller sermon Gospel Centered Ministry (54 minute video sermon): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FfEnPeKUQcc
  9. The City Podcast: Nancy Pearcey (and Holly Ordway)  on How to Dismantle Materialism (~46 minute podcast – interview format).  Here is the link: http://www.civitate.org/2015/04/the-city-podcast-your-idol-is-too-small/
  10. The Insider and the Outcast Encounter Jesus – this is Dr. Timothy Keller giving a really good illustration about a son and his mother and why ‘good works’ are not good enough: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xk8z1OMUg-c&t=30m39s (it is queued up to about ½ way through a 1 hour video where he actually gives the illustration).  The audio is not that great – turn up your volume!
  11. Was the Universe Designed? Stephen C. Meyer and Dr. Michael Shermer debate on “Faith Under Fire” (moderated by Lee Stobel – ~11 minute video): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VF0pOFzqoRE&feature=youtu.be
  12. Exodus of youth from churches must stop: http://gbcommunitychurch.com/blogs/exodus-of-youth-from-churches-must-stop/
  13. Vestigial Organs – 4 part video from Answers in Genesis recorded at Creation College:
    1. Vestigial Organs 1 of 4: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ca9t0834Ufs
    2. Vestigial Organs 2 of 4: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hZ6JehACBBc
    3. Vestigial Organs 3 of 4: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ELHKRtZhdDo
    4. Vestigial Organs 4 of 4: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VOlIWjv_IQA
  14. Vestigial Organs: To Function or not to Function, that is the Question: http://www.creationstudies.org/Education/vestigal_organs.html
  15. Scientific Evidence for Creation CSE BIBLE FORUM Origins 0714 Vestigial Organs From One Hundred to 0 (~26 minute “Origins” TV program with guest Dr. Jerry Bergman): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aqexeq6AODE
  16. “Vestigial organs” – Kent Hovind (~8 minute video): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wvSuuPAXR2c
  17. Darwinism Refuted – The Myth of Vestigial Organs: http://www.darwinismrefuted.com/embryology_02.html
  18. Vestigial Organs—Evidence for Evolution? David Menton: https://answersingenesis.org/human-body/vestigial-organs/vestigial-organs-evidence-for-evolution/
  19. Why Do Men Have Nipples? Tommy Mitchell: https://answersingenesis.org/human-body/vestigial-organs/why-do-men-have-nipples/
  20. The Appendix: Useless Vestige or Evolutionary Innovation? Elizabeth Mitchell: https://answersingenesis.org/human-body/vestigial-organs/appendix-useless-vestige-or-evolutionary-innovation/
  21. Sean and Josh McDowell on the Impact of Reasonable Faith (~ 5 minute video): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WIs_BcURsTE&feature=youtu.be
  22. Are Fossils the Result of Noah’s Flood? By John D. Morris, Ph.D. http://www.icr.org/article/are-fossils-result-noahs-flood/
  23. Should We Expect To Find Transitional Forms In The Fossil Record? By John D. Morris, Ph.D. http://www.icr.org/article/should-we-expect-find-transitional-forms-fossil-re/
  24. God’s Sovereignty and Free Will: https://thei535project.wordpress.com/2015/04/15/gods-sovereignty-and-free-will/
  25. An awesome testimony from a rock music villain (Alice Cooper) and prodigal son (~ 8 minute video testimony): https://thei535project.wordpress.com/2015/04/15/an-awesome-testimony-from-a-rock-music-villain-and-prodigal-son/
  26. The foolishness of atheism: https://thei535project.wordpress.com/2015/04/16/the-foolishness-of-atheism/

 

All praise to God!  Oh what a Savior!

mid-week apologetics booster (4-16-2015)

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Hi Everyone,

I hope your allergies are not flaring up like mine 🙂  Here are some items for you to peruse – pick one or two things that look interesting to you:

  1. Does God expect us to have blind faith? http://www.gotquestions.org/blind-faith.html
  2. Are Modern Bibles Accurate? http://www.daviddesonier.com/apologetics/2015/1/12/is-todays-bible-an-accurate-copy
  3. The New Age. What is it? http://christiananswersforthenewage.org/Articles_NewAge.html
  4. Overview of Hinduism – including a section “Witnessing to Hindus”: http://www.4truth.net/fourtruthpbworld.aspx?pageid=8589952127
  5. Is working on Sunday a sin? http://www.gotquestions.org/working-on-Sunday.html
  6. Freedom of and from Religion (John Stossel) – interesting perspective, even though this guy is an agnostic: http://townhall.com/columnists/johnstossel/2015/04/15/freedom-of-and-from-religion-n1985136
  7. Hasn’t Life Been Created in the Laboratory? http://www.icr.org/article/571/387
  8. 7 Questions Skeptics Ask About the Validity of Christianity: https://www.probe.org/7-questions-skeptics-ask/
  9. The (Mormon) Book of Abraham: “Except for Those Willfully Blind, the Case is Closed”.  This is a VERY long article with a lot of detailed information.  It even includes an embedded (and good) 23 minute video on the Book of Abraham papyri (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f5FAFVVv_os).  Here is the main article: http://cesletter.com/apologetics/the-book-of-abraham-except-for-those-willfully-blind-the-case-is-closed.html
  10. Why it Is Reasonable and Scientific to Consider the Soul: http://apologetics-notes.comereason.org/2015/04/why-it-is-reasonable-and-scientific-to.html
  11. Jesus and Logical Fallacies: Answering Absurd Claims: http://apologetics-notes.comereason.org/2015/04/jesus-and-logical-fallacies-answering.html
  12. 4 Informal Logical Fallacies & Biblical Examples: http://www.dyerthoughts.com/home/4-informal-logical-fallacies-biblical-examples
  13. Evolution Can’t Explain Dancing Babies: http://www.icr.org/article/evolution-cant-explain-dancing-babies/
  14. DNA: The Tiny Code That’s Toppling Evolution – Good News Magazine | United Church of God: http://www.ucg.org/science/dna-tiny-code-thats-toppling-evolution/
  15. Expect to See This Argument against Religious Freedom – Stand to Reason Blog: http://str.typepad.com/weblog/2015/04/expect-to-see-this-argument-against-religious-freedom.html
  16. Armored Fish Fossils Rewrite Evolutionary Story: http://www.icr.org/article/armored-fish-fossils-rewrite-evolutionary/
  17. Answers in Genesis – Check This Out: Evolution Refuted (~ 2 ½  minute Facebook video): https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=10153084284774899
  18. Politico Hypes ‘Gender-Neutral’ Bathroom at the White House: http://newsbusters.org/blogs/matthew-balan/2015/04/09/politico-hypes-gender-neutral-bathroom-white-house
  19. Quote: But if you want to be prepared to defend the truth, you’ll need to work hard and do whatever it takes to succeed. This may sound daunting, but I’m not asking you to do something you don’t already do. I bet there’s some aspect of your life where you are willing to invest time and energy for a much less important cause. How many hours a week do you spend catching up on our favorite television dramas? How much time do you spend watching sports, or reading about your favorite hobby? Few of us are so busy we have absolutely no time to spend studying what we believe about God. It’s really all a matter of priorities. Most of us are willing to spend time on the things that interest us most. Are our metaphysical beliefs about the existence of God important enough for us to invest the time necessary to become successful case makers? I’ve often described the impact of C. S. Lewis’ words when I first read the following: “Christianity is a statement which, if false, is of no importance, and, if true, is of infinite importance. The one thing it cannot be is moderately important.” (C.S. Lewis, from God in the Dock)  Nothing could be truer. If Christianity is an accurate description of reality, it ought to inspire us to commit our time and effort. It ought to cause us to do whatever necessary to become the best Christian case makers possible. The reason why few of us are willing to become case makers is simply because case making requires work. Hard work. But it’s worth it, because this kind of work is actually a form of worship. When we dedicate ourselves to understanding and defending what we believe, we are worshiping God with our minds. I hope you’re willing to be part of the “ten percent”. Let’s do whatever it takes to make the case. – J. Warner Wallace
  20. Compelling Evidence from Astronomy Regarding a Young Universe (Dr. Jason Lisle) – roughly 1 hour video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bEejUyEyhhg
  21. Does Distant Starlight Prove the Universe Is Old – Jason Lisle. 3 minute 53 second video.  This was pretty good: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=83brK_yohRA
  22. Questioner wants to know how ‘deep’ to go into apologetics (answered by Dr. William Lane Craig) http://www.reasonablefaith.org/somebody-stop-me
  23. How should Christians stand up for their faith in such an anti-Christian world? http://www.gotquestions.org/anti-Christian.html

Have a blessed week!

Discussion about Jesus with a Hindu Colleague

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I met with an Indian (Hindu) colleague of mine at work this week about a work matter. He came and sat at my desk early Wednesday morning. That day, everyone was working from home in my department – he and I were the only ones there. After we resolved the technical issue that had to be resolved, he started telling me about his son, who is 9 years old and what was going on with him. I mentioned that I also work with kids around his son’s age. I told him I’m a leader in AWANA for 3rd to 6th graders. He asked a little about it and I told him it was Bible based teaching, memorization and games for kids. He told me that he “believes in” Jesus. I said, “Oh really…” He said that he believes that Jesus is a god. Rather going after that statement with intensity, I just asked him in a very polite and curious way how he had learned about Jesus. He said that when he was in school many years ago, they had instruction in world religions and Jesus was one of the religious figures they studied. I always try to carry with me small New Testaments I can give out to people if need be and fortunately, I had 2 of them in my back-pack. I know Indian people like gold, so I gave him the small black leather New Testament (NIV) that I’d purchased at Good Will for $2.99. He said, “Oh, may I keep it?” I said, “Absolutely!” I then explained to him that this book contains the earliest and most reliable information we possess about Jesus’ life and teachings. I opened the book to the Gospel of John and suggested to him that if he wants to know more about Jesus and what he taught, he should read starting there. I explained that there are 21 chapters in that book and then it continues from there. He said he would read it. Hopefully, if and when he reads it, he will be able to understand some of the key verses in the book of John that let us know that Jesus is not just ‘a god’. For example, when he reads John 1:1, he will find out that Jesus is God and that He is the Creator of all things. And progressing to John 1:14, he will find out that Jesus, who is the one and only God, became flesh and made his dwelling among us. Furthermore, he will see that Jesus is God’s Son and that God the Father gave His only Son so that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. And also, that God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him, and whoever believes in Him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already (John 3:16-18). This is quite a different picture than Karma and reincarnation! I hope that when he reads that, if he has any questions, he will reach out to me. It might be a shock to him based on his Hindu world view that “men loved darkness, because their deeds were evil” (John 3:19), but he’ll hopefully acknowledge that he is a sinner in need of a Savior. He will have to ultimately come to grips with this Jesus he says he believes in and who says “There is a judge for the one who rejects me and does not accept my words. That very word which I spoke will condemn him at the last day” (John 12:48) and who also said “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me” (John 14:6). If he gets to the end of the book, I hope he responds when he reads the statement by the book’s author “Jesus did many other miraculous signs in the presence of His disciples which are not recorded in this book. But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, and that by believing, you may have life in His name” (John 20:30-31). Let’s pray that this Hindu friend of mine will see the light and be saved!

mid-week apologetics booster (4/9/2015)

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Good Morning All,

Hope you had a great Easter celebrating the glorious resurrection of our Lord and Savior, Jesus the Christ, which is the lynchpin of our faith (1 Cor. 15:16-17)!

Here are some links for you to read, watch and listen to:

  1. Why Should I Believe in the Resurrection? (J. Warner Wallace) http://www.str.org/articles/why-should-i-believe-in-the-resurrection#.VSE0lpMsMVS
  2. EVIDENCE FOR THE RESURRECTION OF JESUS – this is a page full of links to other pages containing evidences for the resurrection: https://chab123.wordpress.com/evidence-for-the-resurrection-of-jesus/
  3. If Jesus Is God, Then Why Did He Say “My God My God Why Have You Forsaken Me”? https://carm.org/jesus-my-god-forsake
  4. A.C.T’s of the Resurrection of Jesus (~41 minute video by Eric Chabot, Director of Ratio Christi at The Ohio State University) – FACT is an acronym (Fact, Appearances, Conviction of the Disciples, Transformation): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HrskAYYl2iY
  5. Evidence for the Resurrection (~56 minute video lecture by Dr. Craig Hazen, Professor at Biola University – we watched this one in our apologetics class Sunday at church): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ocbtjLgUnQY
  6. Jesus’ Resurrection: Basis of Our Hope – In 2014 Dr. William Lane Craig was approached by Flynn Larsen to speak on the resurrection of Jesus at his funeral. Flynn had just been diagnosed with terminal cancer. He wanted Dr. Craig to speak on how Flynn’s faith allowed him to face his impending death. Flynn was a part of Dr Craig’s Defenders Class as well as a board member of Reasonable Faith (20 min. 30 second video): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7HP_IqyI1MQ
  7. Marathon runner (Joe Marquez) collapses; legally dead for 19 minutes (but, praise God, he’s alive!) – http://www.fox10phoenix.com/Clip/11332949/marathon-runner-collapses-legally-dead-for-19-minutes
  8. Suffering in Apologetic Mission (Douglas Groothuis): http://www.equip.org/article/suffering-apologetic-mission/#christian-books-1
  9. If after a person exerts their sincere best efforts to believe the Bible, but cannot accept it, do they still deserve to burn in hell? http://www.provethebible.net/T2-Objec/G5-002.htm Here is an excerpt which was really good:

    “EMAIL FROM THE CEO” ILLUSTRATION: if at work we receive an email from a secretary claiming to speak for the CEO, and it displays the words “Come gather in my office before I arrive”, what do we do? Some people would just go to the office, but not me. In my life I said “How do I know this is real?” I hadn’t seen any CEO, and as far as I knew the secretary hadn’t either. I asked around, checked the email’s properties, and talked to some I.T. people. I might have even opened up my CPU once or twice, but I finally relented and headed for the CEO’s office. For all that inquiry, I’m not going to make the CEO any less or more glad to see me when he arrives than those who had just gone to his office. By contrast, others doubt as I did, but they are still cross-examining friends of cousins to figure out if we even have a secretary. Collecting as many alternate explanations as possible to explain away that email, they are putting sincere, hard work into dissecting their motherboards and conferencing about what each chip does. Some have finally headed off to different rooms believing those to be the CEO’s real office. Others are still doubting the email’s authenticity, citing it likely to be spam or garbled in transmission, or doubting a CEO exists at all, or that they themselves even work here. All of those people will be caught off guard amongst piles of well-worn manuals, diplomas, and 3D diagrams when the CEO suddenly arrives and tells them, “You’re not in my office – you’re fired.” But wait, look at these complex circuit diagrams they worked out! Look at how much more they’ve learned about interoffice wiring than many others. And don’t forget the spelling mistakes the secretary’s sister may have made in the third grade. Certainly the CEO will understand when they show him all the different ways the letters in his email can be rearranged to spell other things. I mean, they worked really HARD! What could they have possibly done that they didn’t do?? One thing – what he told them to do. Well, you say maybe a boss wouldn’t be fair, but God’s supposed to be fair. He is, and maybe that’s why salvation is not achievement based. It’s not how much you know, but who you love. I’m a geek and I use the illustrations I do, but life is also a love story. “I never knew you” are about the last words unbelievers will hear from God. God wants us that close that much.  Go ahead, check your boards, RAM, and drives, but do it as quickly as you can and come join the believers by the CEO’s office. For he’s not coming to quiz us on our knowledge, but coming to liquidate the business (indeed the industry!) and split its assets with all his attendees, and you have been forwarded an invitation just like the rest of us.

  10. What should you say when a co-worker asks you if you believe in evolution? https://winteryknight.wordpress.com/2015/04/03/what-should-you-say-when-a-co-worker-asks-you-if-you-believe-in-evolution/
  11. Understanding the Trinity rightly and not using bad analogies (Wretched – Todd Friel) – 7 min 45 second video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dADpSJan3Qc
  12. What Jesus Said about Homosexuality (Melinda Penner – Stand to Reason): http://str.typepad.com/weblog/2015/04/what-jesus-said-about-homosexuality.html
  13. Gary Habermas Answers Important Questions – this is a great page full of many questions (adapted from questions asked by real people).  The questions are categorized into the following categories:
    1. General Apologetics (http://www.garyhabermas.com/qa/qa_index.htm#gen)
    2. Religious Doubt (http://www.garyhabermas.com/qa/qa_index.htm#rel1)
    3. The Problem of Pain and Suffering (http://www.garyhabermas.com/qa/qa_index.htm#pro)
    4. Theology (http://www.garyhabermas.com/qa/qa_index.htm#the)
    5. The Deity of Jesus Christ (http://www.garyhabermas.com/qa/qa_index.htm#dei)
    6. The Reliability and Inspiration of the Bible (http://www.garyhabermas.com/qa/qa_index.htm#rel)
    7. The Canonization of the Bible (http://www.garyhabermas.com/qa/qa_index.htm#can)
    8. The Historical Jesus (http://www.garyhabermas.com/qa/qa_index.htm#hist)
    9. Miracles (http://www.garyhabermas.com/qa/qa_index.htm#mir)
    10. Death and Resurrection of Christ
    11. -Death of Jesus (http://www.garyhabermas.com/qa/qa_index.htm#dea)
    12. -Naturalistic Theories (http://www.garyhabermas.com/qa/qa_index.htm#nat)
    13. -Evidence for the Resurrection (http://www.garyhabermas.com/qa/qa_index.htm#evi)
    14. -The Shroud of Turin (http://www.garyhabermas.com/qa/qa_index.htm#shr)
    15. Near-Death Experiences and Life After Death (http://www.garyhabermas.com/qa/qa_index.htm#nea)
  14. Everyday Apologist-Eric Chabot on Evangelism and Apologetics (~3 min 53 seconds video interview): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5HDUEJOJU64
  15. Spiritually Investing in the Lives of Your Kids (Greg Koukl – Stand to Reason) – this is some good advice: http://www.str.org/articles/spiritually-investing-in-the-lives-of-your-kids-mentoring-letter-april-2015#.VSZ9hZMsMVR
  16. Evidence for a Young World (D. Russell Humphreys, Ph.D.):http://www.icr.org/article/evidence-for-young-world/
  17. RFRA Is Not Jim Crow (Melinda Penner – Stand to Reason): http://str.typepad.com/weblog/2015/04/rfra-is-not-jim-crow.html
  18. An Illustration to Help Reconcile God’s Sovereignty with Evil (Amy Hall – Stand to Reason): http://str.typepad.com/weblog/2015/04/an-illustration-to-help-reconcile-gods-sovereignty-with-evil.html
  19. Sorry to Disappoint the Social-Justice Warriors, but the Faithful Won’t Yield on Religious Liberty: http://www.nationalreview.com/corner/416284/sorry-disappoint-social-justice-warriors-faithful-wont-yield-religious-liberty-david
  20. Refusing to Serve Individuals vs. Refusing to Participate in Events (Amy Hall – Stand to Reason): http://str.typepad.com/weblog/2015/04/refusing-to-serve-individuals-vs-refusing-to-participate-in-events.html
  21. How RFRA Works – info graphic (Amy Hall – Stand to Reason): http://str.typepad.com/weblog/2015/04/how-rfra-works.html
  22. Angie’s List pays price for ‘religious freedom’ law opposition – Two conservative Christian groups want their members to drop Angie’s List after the company’s CEO threatened to halt a $40 million headquarters expansion in Indianapolis over Indiana’s “freedom of religion” law: http://upstart.bizjournals.com/news/wire/2015/04/01/angies-list-religious-freedom-frc-afa.html
  23. Is Earth Unique (42 second video from ICR)? https://vimeo.com/108977441
  24. Another Horizontal Gene Transfer Fairy Tale (ICR – Jeffrey P. Tomkins, Ph.D.): http://www.icr.org/article/8673/

Bless you all and have a great week!

mid-week apologetics booster (4-2-2015)

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Good Morning!

Here are your weekly links – pick 1 or 2 and learn something new!

  1. The Atheist and His Metal Detector (Frank Turek): https://stream.org/atheist-metal-detector/
  2. Testimony of Nabeel Qureshi (a former devout Muslim): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2bjv2t7PC7E
  3. Christian Evangelism: Apologetics and Evangelism: http://www.equip.org/article/christian-evangelism-apologetics-and-evangelism/#christian-books-2
  4. How Can You Trust Christianity Is True When There Are So Many Unanswered Questions? (J. Warner Wallace): http://coldcasechristianity.com/2014/how-can-you-trust-christianity-is-true-when-there-are-so-many-unanswered-questions/
  5. How Can You Trust Christianity Is True If You Haven’t Examined All the Alternatives? (J. Warner Wallace): http://coldcasechristianity.com/2014/how-can-you-trust-christianity-is-true-if-you-havent-examined-all-the-alternatives/
  6. How To Break Free From Skepticism With One Simple Question (Jonathan Morrow): http://www.thinkchristianly.org/how-to-break-free-from-skepticism-with-one-simple-question/
  7. Challenge Response: You Can’t Trust the Christian Authors of the Gospels – because they were eager to promote Christianity (Brett Kunkle – 8 ½ minute video): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ODr9LEPA9VE&feature=youtu.be
  8. Who Is Jesus Christ? A Challenge to Christians (Andrew A. Snelling) – “…so many Christians still choose the “tree of knowledge” (Genesis 3:6) rather than the Word of God (Genesis 2:17)”: http://www.icr.org/article/who-jesus-christ-challenge-christians/
  9. Evolution’s ‘Best’ Examples (Brian Thomas): http://www.icr.org/article/5838/
  10. 8 Reasons the Church shouldn’t view Philosophy as the Enemy: http://www.dyerthoughts.com/home/8-reasons-the-church-shouldnt-view-philosophy-as-the-enemy
  11. Evangelism Never Changes, But the Methods Do: http://www.christianitytoday.com/edstetzer/2015/february/evangelism-never-changes-but-never-stays-same.html?paging=off
  12. If You Grew Up In Iran, You Would Be Muslim… So What? – Scott M. Sullivan (3 ½ minute video): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hiwp56RBnIE
  13. Why Did Jesus Have to Die? A series of short videos from Josh McDowell on this topic.  (http://www.josh.org/video-2/additional-videos/) Here are the topics covered:
    1. For whom did Jesus Die?
    2. Is it all about me?
    3. Cafeteria Theology
    4. Is there anything God cannot do?
    5. How do we become righteous?
    6. Righteousness apart from the law
    7. Redemption
    8. Propitiation
    9. Redemption Story
    10. Propitiation Story
  14. Responding to Skepticism (And the Proper Use of Tactics): http://str.typepad.com/weblog/2015/03/responding-to-skepticism-and-the-proper-use-of-tactics.html
  15. Personal Evangelism and Pastors: 14 Findings:
    1. http://thomrainer.com/2014/01/21/personal-evangelism-and-pastors-14-findings-part-one/
    2. http://thomrainer.com/2014/01/28/personal-evangelism-and-pastors-14-findings-part-two/
  16. What is Pascal’s Wager? http://www.gotquestions.org/Pascals-wager.html
  17. How can the light of stars billions of light years away from the earth have reached us if the earth is only thousands of years old? http://www.gotquestions.org/star-light.html
  18. Cambrian Fossil Intensifies Evolutionary Conundrum: http://www.icr.org/article/cambrian-fossil-intensifies-evolutionary/
  19. Science and the Glory of God (wall builders): http://us2.campaign-archive2.com/?u=24ff978071728b002d42f126f&id=20ad8f49f9&e=c97d948a51
  20. When the Real Jesus Is Preached: http://str.typepad.com/weblog/2015/03/when-the-real-jesus-is-preached.html
  21. The New Age Worldview: Is it Believable? (Douglas Groothuis): http://www.bethinking.org/other-religions/the-new-age-worldview-is-it-believable
  22. Get Into the Game of Apologetics and Evangelism: http://southernbyhisgrace.com/get-into-the-game-of-apologetics-and-evangelism/
  23. An Appeal To Ex-Jehovah’s Witnesses’ Who Are Now Atheists Or Agnostics, By Jason Wright: http://watchtowerinvestigated.co.uk/2015/03/21/an-appeal-to-ex-jws-who-are-now-atheists-or-agnostics-by-jason-wright/
  24. A Few Reasons an Evolutionary Origin of Life Is Impossible: https://www.icr.org/article/3140
  25. A Universe from Nothing? http://www.icr.org/article/6901
  26. Shooting down the claims that Easter has pagan origins: http://www.patheos.com/blogs/geneveith/2015/03/shooting-down-the-claims-that-easter-has-pagan-origins/
  27. Is Jesus Simply a Retelling of the Horus Mythology? | Cold Case Christianity: http://coldcasechristianity.com/2014/is-jesus-simply-a-retelling-of-the-horus-myth/
  28. 22 Important Questions for the Buddhistic Worldview | Cold Case Christianity: http://coldcasechristianity.com/2014/22-important-questions-for-the-buddhistic-worldview/

Blessed be the name of the Lord!

Biblical Worldview post #50 – April fools day supplement

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April fools day supplement!

Passage Reference Passage Text
Proverbs 26:4 (NLT) When arguing with fools, don’t answer their foolish arguments, or you will become as foolish as they are.
Proverbs 10:14 (NLT) Wise people treasure knowledge, but the babbling of a fool invites trouble.
Proverbs 12:15 (NLT) The way of a fool seems right to him, but a wise man listens to advice.
Proverbs 14:16 (NLT) A wise man fears the LORD and shuns evil, but a fool is hotheaded and reckless.
Proverbs 17:28 (NLT) Even fools are thought to be wise when they keep silent; when they keep their mouths shut, they seem intelligent.
Proverbs 18:2 (NLT) Fools have no interest in understanding; they only want to air their own opinions.
Proverbs 26:11 (NIV) As a dog returns to its vomit, so a fool repeats his folly.