Month: March 2016

mid-week apologetics booster (3-31-2016)

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Good morning friends,

Here are a bunch of links that may interest you. Hopefully this information will encourage you and equip you to explain what you believe and why you believe it to someone that needs to hear:

  1. What does it mean that Jesus died for our sins? http://www.gotquestions.org/Jesus-died-for-our-sins.html
  2. Why do Christians practice the indoctrination of children? http://www.gotquestions.org/indoctrination-of-children.html
  3. Come Reason’s Apologetics Notes: How Not to Get Mad When Talking with Non-Believers: http://apologetics-notes.comereason.org/2015/06/how-not-to-get-mad-when-talking-with.html?m=1
  4. 5 Changes Elementary Sunday Schools Need To Make…ASAP: http://christianmomthoughts.com/5-changes-elementary-sunday-schools-need-to-makeasap/
  5. About a Bike Lock: Responding to Richard Dawkins – Evolution News & Views: http://www.evolutionnews.org/2016/03/about_a_bike_lo102722.html
  6. The Threat From ‘Extreme’ Christians | The American Conservative: http://www.theamericanconservative.com/dreher/the-threat-from-extreme-christians/
  7. Come Reason’s Apologetics Notes: Finally! Television that takes religion seriously: http://apologetics-notes.comereason.org/2004/10/finally-television-that-takes-religion.asp
  8. Properly Understanding Properly Basic Beliefs: http://www.reasonablefaith.org/properly-understanding-properly-basic-beliefs
  9. Doesn’t faith contradict reason? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=etPYLzmActo
  10. Can monotheism be proven? http://www.gotquestions.org/monotheism.html
  11. MINIMAL FACTS ARGUMENT FOR THE RESURRECTION OF JESUS CHRIST: http://worldviewofjesus.com/2013/02/03/minimal-facts-argument-for-the-resurrection-of-jesus-christ/
  12. God´s Not Dead 2 – J. Warner Wallace clip (this movie is out tomorrow): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=67uCTpp_uPg

I will never forget your precepts, for by them you have preserved my life. Save me, for I am yours; I have sought out your precepts.  Psalms 119:93-94

mid-week apologetics booster (3-24-2016)

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Hi All,

This is a great time to talk about Jesus.  Ask someone if they know what Christians celebrate on Easter.  It may lead to an interesting conversation and an open door to share the Gospel.

Here are your weekly links:

  1. The F-E-A-T that Demonstrates the FACT of Resurrection – Christian Research Institute: http://www.equip.org/article/the-f-e-a-t-that-demonstrates-the-fact-of-resurrection/
  2. Students: How Can You Stand Strong for Your Faith in College? http://seanmcdowell.org/blog/students-how-can-you-stand-strong-for-your-faith-in-college
  3. Are the Biblical Documents Reliable? http://www.leaderu.com/orgs/probe/docs/bib-docu.html
  4. History of the Bible: How The Bible Came To Us: http://www.godandscience.org/apologetics/bibleorigin.html
  5. 10 Ways to Get Your Kids More Interested in Their Faith: http://christianmomthoughts.com/10-ways-to-get-your-kids-more-interested-in-their-faith/
  6. THE MURATORIAN FRAGMENT, DATED 170 A.D., AFFIRMS 22 OUT OF 27 NEW TESTAMENT BOOKS: http://winteryknight.com/2016/03/19/the-muratorian-fragment-dated-170-a-d-affirms-22-out-of-27-new-testament-books-2/
  7. Is Religion the Cause of Most Wars? http://www.str.org/blog/is-religion-the-cause-of-most-wars#.Vu3R5stlDqA
  8. A Helpful List of Short Apologetic Videos: http://www.str.org/blog/resource-a-helpful-list-of-short-apologetic-videos#.Vu3SqstlDqA
  9. Are there errors in the Qur’an (Koran)? http://www.gotquestions.org/errors-Quran.html
  10. Why Should Christians Be More Like Donald Trump? | DEFENDING TRUTH APOLOGETICS: https://howtodefendyourfaith.wordpress.com/2015/11/07/why-should-christians-be-more-like-donald-trump/
  11. Gender Ideology Harms Children: http://www.acpeds.org/the-college-speaks/position-statements/gender-ideology-harms-children
  12. How do you explain discrepancies in the Scriptures-such as those between the four Gospels-in light of scriptural inerrancy? https://www.biblegateway.com/devotionals/tough-questions-with-rc-sproul/2014/08/26
  13. Differences, or Contradictions? Responding to Apparent Contradictions in the Bible: https://www.biblegateway.com/blog/2013/08/differences-or-contradictions-responding-to-apparent-contradictions-in-the-bible/
  14. What Should We Make of the Discrepancies Found in the Bible? https://www.biblegateway.com/blog/2012/04/what-should-we-make-of-the-discrepancies-found-in-the-bible/
  15. Do the Biblical Accounts of Easter Contradict Each Other? https://www.biblegateway.com/blog/2016/03/do-the-biblical-accounts-of-easter-contradict-each-other-2/
  16. How the Moon Supports the Privileged Planet Hypothesis: http://www.evolutionnews.org/2013/12/our_moon_still079861.html
  17. The human nose knows better than we thought – CMI Mobile: http://creation.mobi/a/10583
  18. Jesus Christ as God and the Trinity Was Not Invented Until the Fourth Century? http://www.godandscience.org/apologetics/trinity.html
  19. 5 Tips for Young Apologists – bethinking.org: http://www.bethinking.org/apologetics/5-tips-for-young-apologists
  20. Ancient Evidence for Jesus from Non-Christian Sources – bethinking.org: http://www.bethinking.org/jesus/ancient-evidence-for-jesus-from-non-christian-sources
  21. 3 Ways Rising Secularism Affects Evangelism: https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/3-ways-rising-secularism-affects-evangelism
  22. Part 3 Answering pro-abortion objections – Biblical Worldview Academy: http://biblicalworldviewacademy.org/defending-the-life-of-the-unborn-part-3/
  23. Jihad Returns to Belgium (David Wood): https://youtu.be/C48FArTKtJA
  24. How do we know what we have in our Bibles today is the same as the originals? http://truthfaithandreason.com/case-making-101-how-do-we-know-what-we-have-in-our-bibles-today-is-the-same-as-the-originals/
  25. 3 ways Christians can stand up to free-speech bullies who want to shut us up: http://www.premierchristianity.com/Blog/3-ways-Christians-can-stand-up-to-free-speech-bullies-who-want-to-shut-us-up
  26. If God knew that Satan would rebel, why did He create him? http://www.gotquestions.org/if-God-knew.html
  27. 4 Wycliffe Associates Bible Translators Brutally Murdered by Radicals; 2 Sacrificed Bodies to Save Lead Translator: http://www.christianpost.com/news/4-wycliffe-bible-translators-brutally-murdered-by-radicals-sacrificed-bodies-to-save-lead-translator-159645/
  28. How do You Motivate People to Care about Apologetics? Part 1: http://seanmcdowell.org/blog/how-do-you-motivate-people-to-care-about-apologetics-part-1

The crowd joined in the attack against Paul and Silas, and the magistrates ordered them to be stripped and beaten. After they had been severely flogged, they were thrown into prison, and the jailer was commanded to guard them carefully. Upon receiving such orders, he put them in the inner cell and fastened their feet in the stocks.  About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them. Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. At once all the prison doors flew open, and everybody’s chains came loose.  The jailer woke up, and when he saw the prison doors open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself because he thought the prisoners had escaped. But Paul shouted, “Don’t harm yourself ! We are all here!” The jailer called for lights, rushed in and fell trembling before Paul and Silas. He then brought them out and asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved –you and your household.” Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all the others in his house. At that hour of the night the jailer took them and washed their wounds; then immediately he and all his family were baptized. The jailer brought them into his house and set a meal before them; he was filled with joy because he had come to believe in God–he and his whole family.  Acts 16:22-34

mid-week apologetics booster (3-17-2016)

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Hi All,

Good morning friends.  I hope you’re having a blessed week.  Here are some links for you to take a look at:

  1. Are Christian High School Students Really Ready for College? http://crossexamined.org/are-christian-high-school-seniors-really-ready-for-college/
  2. New Official Trailer for God’s Not Dead 2 (Video) – this movie comes out April 1st!  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C2gr5cO-5is
  3. Investigating Easter: Were the Disciples Fooled By An Imposter? http://coldcasechristianity.com/2016/investigating-easter-were-the-disciples-fooled-by-an-imposter/
  4. 10 Commandments of Apologetics: http://www.newyorkapologetics.com/10-commandments-of-apologetics/
  5. 5 really bad reasons Christians avoid apologetics: http://www.christiantoday.com/article/five.reasons.christians.avoid.apologetics.and.why.we.shouldnt/75997.htm
  6. Deep Core Dating and Circular Reasoning: http://www.icr.org/article/9186
  7. The Shocking Youth Message (Paul Washer): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cncEhCvrVgQ
  8. Are books such as 90 Minutes in Heaven, Heaven is for Real, and 23 Minutes in Hell biblically sound? http://www.gotquestions.org/90-minutes-in-heaven.html
  9. Did Jesus Rise from the Dead? (4 1/2 min video) – this is a great video to pass along to your unbelieving friends: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fwXx_EQuQdQ
  10. Mistakes about mistakes – CMI Mobile: http://creation.mobi/a/10582
  11. The Impotence of Darwinism: A Christian Scientist Looks at the Evidence: https://www.probe.org/the-impotence-of-darwinism/
  12. Stephen C. Meyer and Keith Fox debate intelligent design and evolution: http://winteryknight.com/2016/03/15/stephen-c-meyer-and-keith-fox-debate-intelligent-design-and-evolution-8
  13. Can Evolution Explain Morality?” Frank Turek answers question from audience member – “I want to raise a generation of young people who are devoid of conscience, imperious, relentless, and cruel.” – Adolf Hitler: https://youtu.be/5FWbxtJcnkI
  14. Do Arguments Help with Ministry? | The Institute for Creation Research: http://www.icr.org/article/9193
  15. Christian Youth in America. Frank Turek of Cross Examined shares that 3 out of 4 Christian teens are walking away from the church after they leave home (this is a bit of an advertisement, but it still has some good content): https://youtu.be/eqyJNmE9ALw
  16. The Importance of Understanding the Jewish Roots of the Christian Faith: https://chab123.wordpress.com/2016/03/15/the-importance-of-understanding-the-jewish-roots-of-the-christian-faith/
  17. How Intellectual Christians Can Fit in with the Evangelical Church: http://www.reasons.org/blogs/reflections/how-intellectual-christians-can-fit-in-with-the-evangelical-church

Jesus praying: “I have given them your word and the world has hated them, for they are not of the world any more than I am of the world.  My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. They are not of the world, even as I am not of it. Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth. As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world.  For them I sanctify myself, that they too may be truly sanctified. My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you.”  John 17:14-21

mid-week apologetics booster (3-11-2016)

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Good morning all,

Sorry I’m a little later than normal due to me being out of town on business this week 🙂  Better late than never!  As you tell people about Christ’s resurrection around Easter time, you may get this same reaction Paul got:

When they heard about the resurrection of the dead, some of them sneered, but others said, “We want to hear you again on this subject.” At that, Paul left the Council.  A few men became followers of Paul and believed. Among them was Dionysius, a member of the Areopagus, also a woman named Damaris, and a number of others. Acts 17:32-34

I hope it has been a good week for you.  Here are some links:

  1. When Someone says the Bible can’t be Trusted. | New York Apologetics: http://www.newyorkapologetics.com/when-someone-says-the-bible-cant-be-trusted/
  2. Share the Evidence for the Resurrection This Easter (Video) | Think Christianly: http://www.thinkchristianly.org/share-the-evidence-for-the-resurrection-this-easter-video/
  3. 4 Reasons the Internet May Influence Your Kids’ Faith More Than You: http://christianmomthoughts.com/4-reasons-the-internet-may-influence-your-kids-faith-more-than-you/
  4. Do Your Kids Know Why They Need God? http://crossexamined.org/do-your-kids-know-why-they-need-god/
  5. Is Easter Based on a Pagan Holiday? | Bible Gateway Blog: https://www.biblegateway.com/blog/2016/03/is-easter-based-on-a-pagan-holiday-3/
  6. Why Doesn’t God Prove He Exists? Because It Wouldn’t Help Disbelief: http://apologetics-notes.comereason.org/2016/02/why-doesnt-god-prove-he-exists-because.html
  7. You Might Be a Hyper-Skeptic of Christianity If . . . | Tough Questions Answered: http://www.toughquestionsanswered.org/2013/12/30/you-might-be-a-hyper-skeptic-of-christianity-if/
  8. Eight Steps to Investigating the Case for Christianity – Cross Examined – Christian Apologetic Ministry: http://crossexamined.org/eight-steps-investigating-case-christianity/
  9. Why Past History Cannot Be Infinite: There Must Be a Beginning – Evolution News & Views: http://www.evolutionnews.org/2016/03/why_past_histor102661.html
  10. How Logic Can Help Save a College Student’s Faith: http://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/how-logic-can-help-save-a-college-students-faith/
  11. Funsized Tactics: Chapter 10 – A Clear Lens: http://clearlens.org/2014/08/30/funsized-tactics-chapter-ten/
  12. The Role of Apologetics in the Church: http://servantsofgrace.org/role-apologetics-church/
  13. Why Won’t God Show Me A Miracle? – THINKAPOLOGETICS.COM: https://chab123.wordpress.com/2016/03/04/why-wont-god-show-me-a-miracle/
  14. Volitional Resistance To Christianity Often Masquerades As Rational Opposition | Cold Case Christianity: http://coldcasechristianity.com/2013/volitional-resistance-to-christianity-often-masquerades-as-rational-opposition/
  15. The Tree of Life as a Challenge to Darwinism — Denton on the Distinctness of Types (inc 3 1/2 min video conversation): http://www.evolutionnews.org/2016/03/the_tree_of_lif102655.html
  16. What Explains the Existence of the Physical Universe? | Tough Questions Answered: http://www.toughquestionsanswered.org/2013/06/03/what-explains-the-existence-of-the-physical-universe/
  17. What is the Cause of the Universe? | Tough Questions Answered: http://www.toughquestionsanswered.org/2009/07/26/what-is-the-cause-of-the-universe/
  18. DNA repair mechanisms ‘shout’ creation – CMI Mobile: http://creation.mobi/a/10618
  19. Secularist Intolerance Against Scientific Paper | Answers in Genesis: https://answersingenesis.org/who-is-god/creator-god/secularist-intolerance-against-scientific-paper-briefly-mentions-creator/
  20. What is the best objection to the resurrection? Listen here for Dr. Licona’s answer to this question and his reply: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EaqPWX0DISc

He makes nations great, and destroys them; he enlarges nations, and disperses them.  He deprives the leaders of the earth of their reason; he sends them wandering through a trackless waste. They grope in darkness with no light; he makes them stagger like drunkards.  Job 12:23-25

Blessings

mid-week apologetics booster (3-3-2016)

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Good morning friends,

Praise be to the Lord, for He is good!  Last night it was my turn to teach at AWANA truth and training.  Once a month I teach on one of the memory verses that the 3rd and 4th grade clubbers are learning.  This month, it was Mark 1:17.  As I prepared the lesson, I marveled that the 1st two recorded statements of Jesus in His public ministry were:

  1. A call to repentance and faith – Mark 1:15 – “The time has come,” he said. “The kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the good news!“
  2. A call to follow Him and to evangelize – Mark 1:17 – “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will make you fishers of men.“

What I get out of that is something akin to that familiar airplane analogy – “Secure your own oxygen mask first, before helping others”.  We are to first repent, believe and become Jesus’ disciples ourselves, then go teach others to do the same.  As I taught the AWANA clubbers last night, you can’t give what you don’t have!  But once you have it, you can’t keep it to yourself!

Here are the slides and notes I used for the AWANA teaching:

AWANA Teaching on Mark 1:17

With that in mind, here are some apologetics links that can assist you in answering objections as you go out and share your faith:

  1. 4 Key Points Christian Kids Need to Understand About Evolution: http://crossexamined.org/4-key-points-christian-kids-need-to-understand-about-evolution/
  2. Basic Differences Between Islam and Christianity: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N6dkexljCiU
  3. Case-Making 101: A Case for the Bible–How was the Bible transmitted over time? – Truth, Faith and Reason: http://truthfaithandreason.com/case-making-101-a-case-for-the-bible-how-was-the-bible-transmitted-over-time/
  4. The Evidence for God: The Universe | Saints and Sceptics: http://www.saintsandsceptics.org/the-evidence-for-god-the-universe/
  5. Funsized Tactics: Chapter 5 – A Clear Lens: http://clearlens.org/2014/07/26/funsized-tactics-chapter-five/
  6. The Case for the Reliability of the New Testament (Free Bible Insert) – Cross Examined – Christian Apologetic Ministry: http://crossexamined.org/case-reliability-new-testament-free-bible-insert/
  7. A Basic Introduction to the Types of Apologetics – Christian Apologetics Training: http://christianapologeticstraining.com/a-basic-introduction-to-the-types-of-apologetics
  8. Greg Laurie: Jesus Christ Calls on Christians to Share the Gospel, Refusing to Can Be a Sin: http://m.christianpost.com/news/greg-laurie-jesus-christ-calls-christians-share-gospel-harvest-crusade-158800/?m=1
  9. Nine Steps to Presenting the Case for Christianity – Cross Examined – Christian Apologetic Ministry: http://crossexamined.org/nine-steps-presenting-case-christianity/
  10. Loving Someone Doesn’t Mean Accepting Their Behavior: http://str.typepad.com/weblog/2016/03/loving-someone-doesnt-mean-accepting-their-behavior.html
  11. What is cheap grace? http://www.gotquestions.org/cheap-grace.html
  12. Have Population III stars finally been discovered? – CMI Mobile: http://creation.mobi/a/10625
  13. The Gospel According to Columbo – What if Lieutenant Columbo was a Christian? How would he present the Gospel? What would he say and how would he say it? Alan Shlemon says Columbo would ask three questions. Find out what they are in this episode: http://www.str.org/podcasts/thinking-out-loud/the-gospel-according-to-columbo

Moses said to the LORD, “O Lord, I have never been eloquent, neither in the past nor since you have spoken to your servant. I am slow of speech and tongue.” The LORD said to him, “Who gave man his mouth? Who makes him deaf or mute? Who gives him sight or makes him blind? Is it not I, the LORD? Now go; I will help you speak and will teach you what to say.” – Exodus 4:10-12

Blessings to you all!