mid-week apologetics booster (6-1-2023)

Good morning friends,

Here is a random quote (of over 2600) from Nuggets:

To say all sins are the same is to confuse the effect of sin with the heinousness of sin.  While all sins are equal in their effect (they separate us from God), they are not all equally heinous. – Michael Krueger

To view more of these quotes, visit:

http://www.ps11911.com/bible-app/browseQuotes

Now, here are your weekly links:

1. ‘Slaughtered Like Chicken’: The Muslim Persecution of Christians, April 2023: https://www.raymondibrahim.com/2023/05/22/slaughtered-like-chicken-the-muslim-persecution-of-christians-april-2023/
2. Cave Formations | Answers in Genesis: https://answersingenesis.org/geology/caves/cave-formations/
3. What if Everyone Lived the Sexual Ethic of Jesus? | Sean McDowell: https://seanmcdowell.org/blog/what-if-everyone-lived-the-sexual-ethic-of-jesus
4. Professor of New Testament, Craig Keener, explains his journey from atheism to Christianity. – Bishop’s Encyclopedia of Religion, Society and Philosophy: https://jamesbishopblog.com/2015/06/12/professor-of-new-testament-craig-keener-explains-his-journey-from-atheism-to-christianity/
5. How Not Letting Your Children Ask a Question Leads Them to Atheism: https://crossexamined.org/how-not-letting-your-children-ask-a-question-leads-them-to-atheism/
6. If Christianity is True, Why Do So Many Kids Have Doubts Today?: https://crossexamined.org/if-christianity-is-true-why-do-so-many-kids-have-doubts-today/
7. Stream Let Us Reason | Listen to podcast episodes online for free on SoundCloud – Let Us Reason exists to reach Muslims for Christ by utilizing theology, apologetics, and evangelism while comparing and contrasting Christian and Muslim doctrines.: https://m.soundcloud.com/let-us-reason
8. Is Atheism Dead? | Eric Metaxas: https://daystar.tv/?video=5535343586001
9. How Can We Know That The Gospels Are Historically Reliable? – YouTube: https://youtu.be/QNJJiNhQCPY
10. My Goal in Every Conversation with Mormons – Stand to Reason Blog: https://str.typepad.com/weblog/2015/09/my-goal-in-every-conversation-with-mormons.html
11. Prominent Atheist Admits Intelligent Design Probability: https://logosherald.com/atheist-admits-intelligent-design-probability/
12. Ready for the Knock on Your Door: https://www.str.org/w/ready-for-the-knock-on-your-door#.WTqPFWgrKUl
13. If Human Eugenics Wouldn’t Work, Human Evolution Has a Big Problem | Evolution News: https://evolutionnews.org/2020/02/if-human-eugenics-wouldnt-work-human-evolution-has-a-big-problem/
14. Progressive Ideology and the Hijacking of the Christian Faith: https://crossexamined.org/progressive-ideology-and-the-hijacking-of-the-christian-faith/
15. What are the historical arguments for the empty tomb narrative? | WINTERY KNIGHT: https://winteryknight.com/2021/04/25/what-are-the-historical-arguments-for-the-empty-tomb-narrative-5/
16. The Biggest Hindrance to Your Kids’ Faith Isn’t Doubt. It’s Silence | Christianity Today: https://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2019/february-web-only/doubt-parenting-biggest-hindrance-kids-faith-is-silence.html
17. New study: there is no gay gene that causes homosexuality | WINTERY KNIGHT: https://winteryknight.com/2019/08/31/new-study-there-is-no-gay-gene-that-determines-homosexuality/
18. Atheists Want a World Without Christianity. Here’s How It Would Look – ChristianWeek: https://www.christianweek.org/atheists-want-a-world-without-christianity-heres-how-it-would-look/
19. What is the fine-tuning argument for God’s existence, and does the multiverse counter it? | WINTERY KNIGHT: https://winteryknight.com/2018/01/17/what-is-the-fine-tuning-argument-for-gods-existence-and-does-the-multiverse-counter-it/
20. Hidden truths behind Mormonism and the Church of the Latter Day Saints (James R White) – YouTube: https://youtu.be/a1BLR4rufYA
21. Evolutionary Relationships In Echolocation – An Obsession that Smothers Wonder | Evolution News: https://evolutionnews.org/2018/10/evolutionary-relationships-in-echolocation-an-obsession-that-smothers-wonder/
22. (2018) New Harvard Research Says U.S. Christianity Is Growing Stronger: https://thefederalist.com/2018/01/22/new-harvard-research-says-u-s-christianity-not-shrinking-growing-stronger/
23. In-N-Out Burger owner Lynsi Snyder on spiritual warfare, desire to be ‘plugged in’ to God’s plan | Living News: https://www.christianpost.com/news/in-n-out-billionaire-lynsi-snyder-on-spiritual-warfare-desire-to-be-plugged-in-to-gods-plan.html
24. If Jesus Is God, Why Was It a Secret? | Answers in Genesis: https://answersingenesis.org/jesus/jesus-is-god/if-jesus-is-god-why-was-it-a-secret/
25. Why Belief in God is a Rational Position – Straight Talk with Claudia K: https://straighttalkwithclaudiak.com/2016/05/20/why-belief-in-god-is-a-rational-position/
26. Many ways to present the message about Jesus | George’s Journal: https://georgesjournal.net/2018/11/07/many-ways-to-present-the-message-about-jesus/
27. Blake Long • The Gospel Is Offensive. Is That Okay? • The Majesty’s Men: https://themajestysmen.com/the-gospel-is-offensive/
28. Identifying Neandertal Man | The Institute for Creation Research – Bones were discovered in a cave in Germany’s Neander Valley in the middle 1800s. Since then, many more “Neandertal” remains have been uncovered. The story has been told that they wore no clothes, had a very primitive culture, and hunted animals with clubs as they evolved from an ape-like to a man-like creature. But is this an accurate picture?: https://www.icr.org/article/identifying-neandertal-man
29. Examining Islam: is it a reasonable faith to trust? – Think Divinely: https://thinkdivinely.com/examining-islam-is-it-a-reasonable-faith-to-trust/
30. What is the Best Evidence for Intelligent Design?… | Sean McDowell: https://seanmcdowell.org/blog/what-is-the-best-evidence-for-intelligent-design-interview-with-brian-johnson
31. Atheist Garage – Adam4d.com: https://adam4d.com/atheist-garage/
32. Understanding Worldview – Engaging the World Around Us – Impact 360 Institute: https://www.impact360institute.org/articles/understanding-worldview-engaging-the-world-around-us/
33. Polystrate Fossils — evidence against millions of years – YouTube: https://youtu.be/hqUtY23L4iQ
34. 5 Simple Steps for Connecting with Gen Zers | Sean McDowell: https://seanmcdowell.org/blog/5-simple-steps-for-connecting-with-gen-zers
35. Who Chose the Books of the Bible? (VIDEO) – Jonathan Morrow: https://www.jonathanmorrow.org/who-chose-the-books-of-the-bible-video/

Do not say, “I’ll pay you back for this wrong!” Wait for the LORD, and he will deliver you. –Proverbs 20:22

Blessings to you all

mid-week apologetics (5-24-2023)

Good morning friends,

(Note – I’m sending this a little early this week because I will not be available to send it on Thursday)

Here is a random quote (of over 2600) from Nuggets:

Worldly people imagine that the saints must find it difficult to live with so many restrictions, but the bondage is with the world, not with the saints. There is no such thing as freedom in the world, and the higher we go in the social life the more bondage there is. – Oswald Chambers

To view more of these quotes, visit:

http://www.ps11911.com/bible-app/browseQuotes

Now, here are your weekly links:

1. Introduction to Logic (Curriculum Pack $44) | Biblical Science Institute – This logic course will both challenge and inspire high school students to be able to defend their faith against atheists and skeptics alike.: https://biblicalscienceinstitute.com/shop/introduction-to-logic-curriculum-pack/
2. The Truth About Truth (Podcast) | Cold Case Christianity – Is truth simply a matter of opinion or “lived experience”? Is anything objectively true? What impact does a correct understanding of truth have on culture? In this podcast from one of his teaching seminars, J. Warner examines the nature of truth, and the impact truth has on our understanding of the world.: https://coldcasechristianity.com/podcasts/the-truth-about-truth-podcast/
3. Did Moses Really Write About Jesus? A Look at Messianic Prophecy in the Torah – THINKAPOLOGETICS.COM – Anyone who has studied evidential apologetics will see that many apologists have laid a great emphasis on messianic prophecy as one of the keys to demonstrating Jesus is the Jewish Messiah. One thing that is left out of these discussions is that when it comes to prophecy, it is not always predictive. The Greek word for fulfill is πληρόω (pleroo) –  which has a much broader usage than “the prediction of an event.” But in this case, on more than one occasion, Jesus appealed to the fact that Moses wrote about him in the Torah. I will not take the time to argue for Mosaic authorship in this post. That is dealt with elsewhere. Anyway, let’s look at where Jesus discusses this issue: https://wp.me/pCHEG-6Ex
4. A Brief Overview of the Jehovah’s Witness Worldview | Cold Case Christianity – Every worldview has to answer three important questions. First, “How did we get here”? This question is obviously foundational to how we see the world around us and how we understand our role in the world. Secondly, “How did things get so messed up?” All of us know there is something broken about the world and our worldview helps us to understand what has been broken. Finally, “How can we fix it?” This last question is the culmination and conclusion of our worldview. We begin with an idea related to how we got here, but ultimately find ourselves answering the most important questions of life. The Jehovah’s Witness worldview offers answers to these three worldview questions. Let’s examine these answers to see if they are cohesive and relate to the world as we know it.: https://coldcasechristianity.com/writings/a-brief-overview-of-the-jehovahs-witness-worldview/
5. Three Things The Gospel Authors Would Have Never Invented About Jesus – THINKAPOLOGETICS.COM – Over the years, one of the common complaints by skeptics of the Gospels is that the Gospel writers supposedly took great liberty to make up or embellish certain parts of their work to make their point. In other words, many parts of the Gospel authors ‘invented’ or ‘fabricated’ certain aspects of the life of Jesus. Also, the Gospels are supposed to be so biased and given they are written by the ‘insiders’ how can we trust these documents? In response, the more I have studied the Second Temple Jewish period in Jewish history, I have found the exact opposite. Let me offer a few examples: https://wp.me/pCHEG-5OQ
6. Should Christian women wear head coverings? | GotQuestions.org – 1 Corinthians 11:3-16 addresses the issue of women and head coverings. The context of the entire passage of 1 Corinthians 11:3-16 is submission to the God-given order and “chain of command.” A “covering” on a woman’s head is used as an illustration of the order, headship, and the authority of God. The key verse of this passage is 1 Corinthians 11:3 “But I want you to know that the head of every man is Christ, the head of woman is man, and the head of Christ is God.” The implications of this verse are found in the rest of the passage. The order is: God the Father, God the Son, the man or husband, and the woman or wife. The veil or covering on the head of a believing Corinthian wife showed that she was under the authority of her husband, and therefore under submission to God.: https://www.gotquestions.org/head-coverings.html
7. How Can You Trust Christianity Is True If You Haven’t Examined All the Alternatives? | Cold Case Christianity – I’ve had the privilege to speak on university campuses across the country, making a case for the reliability of the New Testament Gospels and the truth of the Christian Worldview. One of the most common questions asked in the Q and A is something similar to: “Have you taken the time to apply the same approach with all the other religious worldviews?” Sometimes people ask this question because they are curious about how well other ancient religious claims (or alleged eyewitness accounts) hold up under investigative scrutiny. But many times this question is followed by a more pointed objection: “How can you trust Christianity is true if you haven’t examined all the alternatives?” Given the large number of spiritual claims circulating across the globe (and throughout history), why should we conclude one (or any) of them is true until we’ve examined all of them? At first blush, this seems like a reasonable approach, and when it’s asked by a skeptic, it’s typically offered in an effort to expose the inadequate or incomplete nature of my investigation (or some underlying bias I may have against opposing claims). Although I investigated several theistic and atheistic worldviews prior to becoming a Christian, I didn’t examine every view. Is my certainty related to Christianity therefore misplaced? Should the limited nature of my investigation disqualify or temper the case I’m presenting to skeptics and believers? I don’t think so.: https://coldcasechristianity.com/writings/how-can-you-trust-christianity-is-true-if-you-havent-examined-all-the-alternatives/
8. No, The Growth of Progressive Christian Politicians is Not a Good Thing for America [A Response to the New York Times Opinion Piece by Nicholas Kristof] – In an opinion piece for The New York Times titled, “Progressive Christians Arise! Hallelujah!” Nicholas Kristof made the case this week that “with a churchgoing Democrat in the White House, faith becomes more complicated in America – and that that’s a good thing. The piece is filled with so many logical problems (and equivocation in particular) that I have to respond. Why? Mainstream media loves articles like this because they paint theologically conservative Christians in a negative (or at least inferior) light-all to the praise of thousands who buy into the lack of nuance and critical thinking exhibited in articles like this one. It’s important that Christians are able to see through this confusion, so I’m going to respond to several quotes from the article point-by-point: https://natashacrain.com/no-the-growth-of-progressive-christian-politicians-is-not-a-good-thing-for-america-a-response-to-the-new-york-times-opinion-piece-by-nicholas-kristof/
9. The Materialist Narrative and the Power of Bias | Evolution News – Scientists in Western cultures have been trained to see the world through a materialist metanarrative where the only acting players are matter and energy. In other words, the universe is a closed system where no higher power or non-material forces are believed to interact. Those inculcated with this way of thinking see nature through a lens where all evidence for design is assumed to be an illusion, so all arguments for design are treated a priori as false. In contrast, those operating from a non-materialist viewpoint typically see the world though a design-tolerant lens. From this perspective, the materialists appear to demonstrate as much bias and disregard for empirical evidence as they accuse design proponents of exhibiting.: https://evolutionnews.org/2017/12/the-materialist-narrative-and-the-power-of-bias/
10. Is Jesus the only way to get to God? – bethinking.org – Christians are often accused of being narrow-minded because we assert there is no other way to get to God than through Jesus Christ. People often ask the question “Don’t all religions point to the same God?” or “What’s so special about Jesus? Why is he the only way?”: https://www.bethinking.org/is-christianity-the-only-way/q-is-jesus-the-only-way-to-get-to-god
11. Was the Bible updated? While we would wholly reject the documentary hypothesis, as you can read in many articles on our site by searching for “Documentary hypothesis” and “JEDP”, it is clear that scribal edits and updates did happen. These were limited to what would have been necessary to keep the text understandable to the audience.: https://creation.com/text-updates
12. Three arguments you’ll face on why faith and science are incompatible | Beyond Teachable Moments – Before you reach the age of twenty, I guarantee you will hear one or all of the following reasons why faith and science are incompatible: Most scientists are atheists (implying that science and faith don’t mix). Science is about facts and empirical evidence. Faith is about feelings, moral meaning, and value. (Implying that science and faith have no areas of intersection) Science doesn’t need God to explain anything (implying that God and faith have no place in science). Let’s kick the tires of these arguments to see how well they stand up.: https://wp.me/p3SFzw-u5
13. Spiritual Spackle: Reaching the Lost: Apologetics and More – It was a hard process for me to become a Christian, because of various factors. I would like to talk about the things that kept me away from God for so many years, discuss what we can do to help people come to Christ. Some things are beyond our control because of the world we live in. Those should not be your focus. Instead, look at the things under your control. I know you can impact lives positively, because there were people who impacted mine.: http://spiritualspackle.blogspot.com/2013/11/reaching-lost-apologetics-and-more.html?m=1
14. The Difference Between Knowing and Showing God Exists – THINKAPOLOGETICS.COM – Here is a chart on some of the differences between knowing and showing God exists. Obviously, there is much more to it than what is displayed here.: https://wp.me/pCHEG-5Mo
15. No Real Jesus Without the Trinity – The Trinity may be a rather neglected doctrine in the church today, even seen as secondary by many. In this article, we’ll consider some of the responses from Christians and non-Christians objecting to the importance of the necessary doctrine of the Trinity and evaluate them. Non-Trinitarians may seem to be Christian, especially in their avowal for a love for Jesus, but if the Trinity issue is raised, they will usually denounce it as a non-issue, pagan, evil, a man-made doctrine, not a Bible teaching, etc. All non-Trinitarians deny the personhood of the Holy Spirit. The main question is this: If the Trinity is not true, then where does that leave Jesus? There are many Christian scholars who have written books on this topic – both on the Trinity and on anti-trinitarian views, giving responses. I have resources listed at the end for those who want to read further.: https://christianapologeticsalliance.com/2018/04/17/no-real-jesus-without-the-trinity/
16. What is Faith ? – YouTube – Animation defining what faith is, and explains what our problem is if we lack faith? Let’s know Christ more together…: https://youtu.be/FLzBOnlvN4w
17. Unmarried 35-year-old woman reflects on her adventurous life of fun, travel and serial cohabitation. WINTERY KNIGHT found an interesting article featuring a 35-year-old woman who is alarmed that her approach to life has left her in debt and single, with a gap-filled resume of short-term jobs. I thought it might be useful for young women to read this, and consider whether making “rash” decisions and being “adventurous” works out.: https://winteryknight.com/2019/06/16/unmarried-35-year-old-woman-reflects-on-her-adventurous-life-of-fun-travel-and-serial-cohabitation-2/
18. Are Evolution and a Historical Adam Possible? Sean McDowell interviews Dr. Josh Swamidass – What do you see as the proper relationship between theology and science? I understand science as a conversation among scientists. Theology is a conversation among theologians, but it is also a conversation in the Church. The proper relationship between theology and science is dialogue, a meaningful exchange between two communities with different ways of understanding the world. Each community, theological and scientific, has its own legitimacy and autonomy. Good conversations are shaped by constructive resistance, not capitulation. Dialogue includes an exchange of good-faith questions. Whether they come from theology or science, questions should be taken seriously, answered with honesty, rigor, and empathy.: https://seanmcdowell.org/blog/are-evolution-and-a-historical-adam-possible-a-provocative-model
19. Giraffes: Testimonies to God’s Design | Answers in Genesis – Towering tall over the African savanna, the giraffe looks as if it belongs in the circus. It strolls on stilt-like legs, and its neck parades high in the sky. But the giraffe is no comic freak of nature. It displays divine design. Since the giraffe gives birth standing up, the newborn calf falls more than five feet to the ground. Within 15 minutes after the calf is born, it stands up on those gangly legs.: https://answersingenesis.org/mammals/giraffes-towering-testimonies-to-gods-design/
20. The Gospel (Paul Washer) – YouTube: https://youtu.be/cqbPaXhK4Zw
21. That’s Just Your Opinion – YouTube – Greg Koukl of Stand to Reason shares how to respond when someone says, “That’s just you’re opinion” when you’re sharing your faith.: https://youtu.be/j_r51x10Paw
22. How can I overcome sin in my Christian life? | GotQuestions.org – The Bible presents several different resources to aid us in our effort to overcome sin. In this lifetime, we will never be perfectly victorious over sin (1 John 1:8), but that should still be our goal. With God’s help, and by following the principles of His Word, we can progressively overcome sin and become more and more like Christ.: https://www.gotquestions.org/victory-over-sin.html
23. Is the Astronomy in the Book of Job Scientifically Consistent? | Cold Case Christianity – In the past, I’ve posted a number of scientific consistencies found in the Old Testament. While I think there are good reasons why God might not reveal advanced scientific details in Scripture, I do expect God’s Word to be scientifically consistent with the world we experience. One interesting scientific consistency seems to exist in the ancient book of Job. I am obviously not a scientist or astronomer, so I’ll try to provide links to the references you might use to further investigate these claims. As you may remember, Job was extremely wealthy and had a large family. Tragedy struck and Job lost his wealth, his children and his wife. Job eventually began to accuse God of being unjust and unkind. In response to Job’s complaining, God challenged Job’s authority and power relative to His own. God asked the following series of questions to demonstrate Job’s comparative weakness…: https://coldcasechristianity.com/writings/is-the-astronomy-in-the-book-of-job-scientifically-consistent/
24. How I Get So Much Done | Sean McDowell – This is one of the most common questions people ask me. After all, I teach full time at Biola University, part-time at a Christian school in Orange County, co-host a podcast, blog regularly, have a YouTube channel, write books, have a busy speaking schedule, and am also a husband and father. To be honest, I have hesitated to write this blog for a long time. There are many people much more productive than I am. I still can’t figure out how people like J. Warner Wallace, Tim Challies, and my father do everything they do! Nevertheless, here are five things that help me: https://seanmcdowell.org/blog/how-i-get-so-much-done
25. Was Jesus a Religious Pluralist? Some people, to my surprise, say Jesus never made an exclusivist claim. They believe He never said that Christianity alone is the true religion. Rather, they suggest, He would have considered many approaches to God. My guess is that these people have not read the Gospels carefully. In fact, even a cursory reading of Jesus’ words would lead you to think He rejected pluralism.: https://www.str.org/w/was-jesus-a-religious-pluralist-#.WzwKTWhlA0M
26. Did Darwin Promote Racism? | Answers in Genesis – The human heart is a factory for all kinds of evil-including the evil of racism (see Jeremiah 17:9 and Matthew 15:18–19). Still, while Darwin certainly didn’t invent racism, his ideology of evolution has fostered it. Consider the case of Ota Benga-a pygmy from Central Africa, who in 1906 was caged in the Bronx Zoo with an orangutan. Remember the Jews in the gas chambers devised by Hitler to advance the Aryan “master race.” Reflect on the Australian aborigines hunted down in the 1800s by evolutionists in search of the “missing link.”: https://answersingenesis.org/charles-darwin/racism/did-darwin-promote-racism/
27. The Impossibility of Life’s Evolutionary Beginnings | The Institute for Creation Research – The hypothetical naturalistic origin of life and its most basic biomolecules from non-living matter is called abiogenesis. This paradigm lies at the very foundation of biological evolution, but the immensity of its naturalistic improbability is often brushed aside by evolutionists, who prefer to focus on other facets of evolution that seem less daunting.: https://www.icr.org/article/10456/
28. 3 Ways Christian Parenting is Like Being a Personal Trainer | Josh Daffern – Paul instructs Christian fathers to bring their children up in the training and instruction in the Lord. The word for “bring them up” is the idea of nurturing, and it has a holistic connotation. Paul actually uses the same word in the previous chapter when he says, “no one ever hates his own body, but he feeds and cares for it.” It’s the concept (which we should all understand as parents) of making sure that you care for the development of your child, not just feeding them and caring for their physical development, but caring for their mental, emotional and spiritual development as well.: https://www.patheos.com/blogs/newwineskins/3-ways-christian-parenting-is-like-personal-trainer/
29. Stephen Meyer: DNA and Information – Science Uprising Expert Interview – YouTube – In this bonus interview footage from Science Uprising, philosopher of science Stephen Meyer discusses DNA, biological information, and how the information encoded in DNA points to an intelligent cause. He appears in Science Uprising EP3 DNA: The Programmer. Is the software that runs life the result of accumulated copying errors? Or does it require a programmer?: https://youtu.be/7c9PaZzsqEg
30. What Does It Mean to Have Been Created In the “Image of God”? | Cold Case Christianity – I can understand why so many of us hope that our pets will be part of our eternal life with God. I’m convinced from scripture that animals have souls, but I still have my reservations about whether or not the souls of animals are eternal. I’m not sure that the Bible is emphatically clear on that issue. One thing is certain, however: we humans are different. According to Genesis 1, we have been created in the “image of God”; we are His last creation, placed carefully in our world after God prepared our environment and filled it with other creatures. Much can be said about what distinguishes us from the other creations of God, but three characteristics of humans seem to stand out as the key to understanding what it means to bear the image of God: https://coldcasechristianity.com/writings/what-does-it-mean-to-have-been-created-in-the-image-of-god/
31. Apologia Sophia: “Apologetics Wisdom” – Preparation – Are you prepared for apologetic engagement? In part 3 (of six) in this series, I’ll offer three practical suggestions to help prepare you for potentially life-changing interactions with nonbelievers. As noted in parts 1 and 2, the term Apologia Sophia Apologia Sophia (Gk: ἀπολογία σοφία) transliterates the Greek word endings and roughly translates to “apologetics wisdom.” These three points will help provide you with such wisdom, whether you’re a professional or lay Christian apologist.: https://wp.me/p1hVym-W2
32. 3 Questions You Need to Ask When Reading the Bible – YouTube – Apologetics Tip #7: Alan Shlemon of Stand to Reason shares the right questions to ask when reading the Bible so that you can get the most out of the meaning of the text.: https://youtu.be/ut0jA0OvQ5g
33. Apologetics in Your Teaching: Four Ways You Can Aim Your People Higher | Tom Gilson – There’s a fine line between challenging people and scaring them. Of course I use the word “scare” advisedly. I’m talking about what happens when people get pushed beyond their comfort limits – which could happen in all kinds of ways in church. Talk to them about sharing Christ with friends, co-workers, or classmates, and if they hear you, and if you don’t include the right Spirit-directed encouragement and equipping, they’ll be scared. Talk to them about buckling down to learning reasons to believe and some of them will be scared, too. It sounds too much like homework. (The interesting thing is how much evangelism and apologetics have to do with each other. I’ll come back to that another time.) So again, there’s a fine line there; but too many pastors and teachers are fine with keeping the challenge so low, their people never have to step up to it. That runs the serious risk of encouraging your people of settling into a comfortable pattern of sin. Remember, Paul told Timothy to study well (2 Tim. 2:15). That wasn’t just a pastor’s instruction: We’re all responsible to know how to give an answer (1 Pet. 3:15).: https://www.thinkingchristian.net/posts/2018/05/apologetics-teaching-aim-them-higher/
34. Fishless Fishermen’s Fellowship – YouTube – When was the last time you had a conversation with someone specifically to win them to Christ? As Christians, we need to get into the habit of preaching the gospel to those around us. Unfortunately, many churches are filled with people who don’t do much when it comes to evangelism. Let’s read the parable of the Fishless Fishermen’s Fellowship.: https://youtu.be/XVBXrknp9x8
35. Tips for Memorizing a Book of the Bible. Yes, it’s possible, even if you’re not a memorization genius! Start with one of the shorter books-Jude, Philippians, 2 Timothy, etc.-or pick a set of chapters in your favorite book (preferably, start from the beginning). When you’re finished, that book will become part of you; you’ll know it more deeply than you thought was possible. It will change you, and God will bring it out of you to bless others at the most surprising times.: https://www.str.org/w/tips-for-memorizing-a-book-of-the-bible
36. Skin deep – Many people still think that ‘light’ skin is somehow tremendously different from ‘dark skin’, in spite of the scientific evidence that shows overwhelming biological similarity among all the people of the world. However, over the past several decades, sophisticated studies of human skin pigmentation using special stains and the electron microscope have shown that the differences in skin pigmentation among the so-called races of mankind are only very minor.: https://creation.com/skin-deep
37. Chances of a producing a functional protein by chance – YouTube – This is Stephen Meyer and Doug Axe discussing the probability of a functional protein occurring via mutation and selection.: https://youtu.be/-5p4T8MD7aA
38. Early Christianity Overview: The Ante-Nicene Era and the Apostles’ Churches – The Council of Nicaea in A.D. 325 is a natural time to end “early Christianity,” the post-apostolic period. Almost every history book will refer to the period from A.D. 100, which is about the time of John the apostle’s death, to A.D. 325 as the “Pre-Nicene” or “Ante-Nicene” era.: https://www.christian-history.org/early-christianity-2.html
39. The Amazing Unity of Scripture | ChristianCourier.com – The Bible claims to be the divinely inspired Word of God. Is there any support for this affirmation? Evidence for the inspiration of the Bible falls into two general categories. Some evidences are classified as external in nature, while others are viewed as internal.: https://christiancourier.com/articles/the-amazing-unity-of-scripture
40. How did we get the Bible? – YouTube – Dr. Robert Plummer answers in Honest Answers | Episode 77 (12:44): https://youtu.be/aEAPWac19a4

And the Levites–Jeshua, Kadmiel, Bani, Hashabneiah, Sherebiah, Hodiah, Shebaniah and Pethahiah–said: “Stand up and praise the LORD your God, who is from everlasting to everlasting. ” “Blessed be your glorious name, and may it be exalted above all blessing and praise. You alone are the LORD. You made the heavens, even the highest heavens, and all their starry host, the earth and all that is on it, the seas and all that is in them. You give life to everything, and the multitudes of heaven worship you. Nehemiah 9:5-6

Blessings to you all

mid-week apologetics booster (5-11-2023)

Good morning friends,

Here is a random quote (of over 2600) from Nuggets:

Love in its truest sense is not based on feelings, rather love determines the show thoughtful actions even when there seems to be no reward (Matt 5:46). – The Love Dare

To view more of these quotes, visit:

http://www.ps11911.com/bible-app/browseQuotes

Now, here are your weekly links:

1. Why are the 5 Sola’s important today? – Mike Gendron answers: https://www.facebook.com/reel/2463013167170110?sfnsn=mo&s=F5x8gs&fs=e&mibextid=6AJuK9
2. What Does It Mean When Politicians Literally Hide the Bible?: https://washingtonstand.com/commentary/what-does-it-mean-when-politicians-literally-hide-the-bible-
3. An awesome quote about how the conversion of Paul is one of the greatest Christian evidences we have | Is Jesus Alive?: https://isjesusalive.com/an-awesome-quote-about-how-the-conversion-of-paul-is-one-of-the-greatest-christian-evidences-we-have/
4. Examining Extra-biblical Sources for Jesus (w/ Gary Habermas) – YouTube: https://youtu.be/lXEAZw9Oz-s
5. What is Tolerance? As the golden rule asserts, we need to treat everyone as we would like to be treated. We, therefore, need to be tolerant of others. But what is tolerance? A well-known dictionary defines tolerance as, “a fair, objective, and permissive attitude toward those whose opinions, practices, race, religion, nationality, etc., differ from one’s own.”: https://www.cltruth.com/2017/what-is-tolerance/
6. Only the Appearance of Design? – There is perhaps no more famous atheist than Richard Dawkins. The evolutionary biologist has spent many years of his life pushing back against religious ideas. One of his better-known books, however, finds a sort of common ground between Christians and atheists. His book, The Blind Watchmaker (1986), describes how precisely fine-tuned our planet is for life. However, he refers to this as an illusion. It is only the appearance of design, and he spends most of the book explaining why it is only an appearance. Let’s stop there for a moment and consider the implications. The appearance of design begs many questions regarding our universe, planet, and God’s existence.: https://tentmakingchristianity.com/only-the-appearance-of-design/
7. How Should Young Earth & Old Earth Christians Interact? – YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mf2cJdBz0Rs
8. Mammoth DNA: The Oldest Ever Found? | The Institute for Creation Research – Scientists have sequenced small amounts of DNA from the teeth of two Siberian mammoths said to have lived more than a million years ago. The discovery has set an official record for the oldest DNA ever recovered, and it also raises a number of questions relevant to the creation-evolution controversy. Can DNA survive longer than a million years? Creationists have pointed out that original proteins found in dinosaur remains are a powerful argument for a young Earth, as experiments show that proteins cannot survive even a million years at the temperatures in situ dinosaur fossils are exposed to, let alone the 66 million years since dinosaurs supposedly went extinct.: https://www.icr.org/article/mammoth-dna-oldest-ever-found/
9. Ambassador at Work – Faith, Vocation, and Apologetics – Dr. Mikel Del Rosario | Apologetics Guy℠ – At the end of the day, our spiritual conversations are always heard in the context of our lives, including our lives at work. As Christian ambassadors, we need to see the value God sees in our work and the opportunities he’s has placed for us to represent him well in our places of employment. Take this week to intentionally build relationships with your coworkers, supervisors, customers and clients, genuinely loving them through your work. By God’s grace, these simple acts of kindness can help open the door to spiritual conversations and even break down emotional barriers to the Gospel.: https://apologeticsguy.com/2018/10/vocation/
10. Is Religious Freedom Addressed in Scripture? | Answers in Genesis – So how does all of this come together in Scripture in regard to religious freedom? Well we see several cases where Paul appealed to his Roman citizenship or his religious affiliations to avoid persecution or to hold people accountable when he was persecuted unjustly. : https://answersingenesis.org/religious-freedom/religious-freedom-addressed-scripture/
11. Why Every Christian Needs to Be A Sheepdog | Cold Case Christianity: https://coldcasechristianity.com/writings/why-every-christian-needs-to-be-a-sheepdog/
12. Rich Sam and the Trouble with Faith – Tactical Faith: https://tacticalfaith.com/defending-the-faith/rich-sam-and-the-trouble-with-faith/
13. The Importance of Hell | Core Christianity – The doctrine of hell is crucial-without it we can’t understand our complete dependence on God, the character and danger of even the smallest sins, and the true scope of the costly love of Jesus. Nevertheless, it is possible to stress the doctrine of hell in unwise ways. Many, for fear of doctrinal compromise, want to put all the emphasis on God’s active judgment, and none on the self-chosen character of hell. Ironically, as we have seen, this unBiblical imbalance often makes it less of a deterrent to non-believers rather than more of one. And some can preach hell in such a way that people reform their lives only out of a self-interested fear of avoiding consequences, not out of love and loyalty to [Christ]: https://corechristianity.com/resource-library/articles/the-importance-of-hell/
14. Creation Kids: Saguaros and Gila Woodpeckers | The Institute for Creation Research: https://www.icr.org/article/saguaros-woodpeckers/
15. Investigating Bart Ehrman’s Top Ten Troublesome Bible Verses | Cold Case Christianity: https://coldcasechristianity.com/writings/investigating-bart-ehrmans-top-ten-troublesome-bible-verses/
16. Deepak Chopra vs Christian Apologist Debate (Chopra Loses) – YouTube – The most prominent teacher of mysticism and New Age philosophy in the West Deepak Chopra goes toe to toe in a debate with Christian apologist Greg Koukl on Lee Strobel’s show “Faith under Fire”. This episode called “The Future of Faith” aired in 2005. Chopra, who has written two books on the topic of Jesus, seems to be at loss for words as the well-researched Koukl keeps correcting him on his false view of Jesus, his false doctrine, and the historicity of the Gospels. Chopra’s Eastern/secular interpretation of Jesus does not seem to hold water when confronted with someone who teaches apologetics and defends the faith for a living.: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=meYHmFz33NE
17. Why the Resurrection of Jesus Matters – THINKAPOLOGETICS.COM: https://chab123.wordpress.com/2019/02/21/why-the-resurrection-of-jesus-matters-3/
18. Was the Divinity of Jesus a Late Invention of the Council of Nicaea? – Canon Fodder: https://www.michaeljkruger.com/was-the-divinity-of-jesus-a-late-invention-of-the-council-of-nicea/
19. It is a popular view these days. Many people have the impression that the Bible is simply an outdated book of fairytales and contradictions. We are told that biblical stories are fine for children, and perhaps they even contain some moral value. “But, surely” says the critic, “such stories cannot be taken seriously in our modern age of science and technology.” After all, the Bible speaks of floating ax-heads, the sun apparently going backwards, a universe created in six days, an earth that has pillars and corners, people walking on water, light before the sun, a talking snake, a talking donkey, dragons, and a senior citizen taking two of every animal on a big boat! On the surface, these things may seem absurd, particularly to those unfamiliar with the Christian worldview. But to make matters even worse, it is alleged that the Bible contains contradictions. That is, the Bible seems to say one thing in one place, and then the opposite in another. Which are we to believe? Obviously, two contradictory statements cannot both be true. The claim of contradictions is a serious allegation against the Christian worldview, and we must be prepared to defend the Bible against such claims.: https://answersingenesis.org/answers/books/demolishing-supposed-bible-contradictions-1/introduction/
20. What about those who have never heard? – YouTube – Frank Turek on the problem of those who never heard the Gospel.: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yQISdCWQhRg
21. Chelsea Clinton’s Brand New Argument FOR Abortion Sparks Heated Debate – Faithwire: https://www.faithwire.com/2018/08/15/chelsea-clinton-stuns-the-abortion-of-60-million-babies-has-helped-boost-u-s-economy/
22. Contend for the Faith | Reformed Bible Studies & Devotionals at Ligonier.org – As we contend for the faith, let us always love those who disagree with us on negotiable matters (James 1:19–21; 1 Peter 1:22; 1 John 4:7–8). However, let us always love others in the truth and contend for the faith delivered to the saints as we serve the living God.: https://www.ligonier.org/learn/devotionals/contend-faith
23. Handling an Objection: “Jesus is Just One of Several Messianic Figures in the First Century” – THINKAPOLOGETICS.COM: https://chab123.wordpress.com/2019/02/25/handling-an-objection-jesus-is-just-one-of-several-messianic-figures-in-the-first-century-2/
24. The importance of having a narrative when confronting the assumption of naturalism | WINTERY KNIGHT: https://winteryknight.com/2023/05/10/the-importance-of-having-a-narrative-when-confronting-the-assumption-of-naturalism-5/
25. 4 Historical Facts that Prove Jesus Really Did Rise from the Dead – YouTube: https://youtu.be/RmKg62GDqF4
26. Massive Genetic Study Purporting Human Evolution Debunked | The Institute for Creation Research: https://www.icr.org/article/10243/
27. How Can I Be Better Prepared for Evangelism? – Living Waters: https://livingwaters.com/how-can-i-be-better-prepared-for-evangelism/
28. A Case for the Bible 101: Manuscript Evidence Part 11 – Are there errors in the manuscripts? – Truth, Faith and Reason: https://truthfaithandreason.com/a-case-for-the-bible-101-manuscript-evidence-part-11-are-there-errors-in-the-manuscripts/
29. Why Do You Need a Fighting Faith? | Tim Challies: https://www.challies.com/sponsored/why-do-you-need-a-fighting-faith/
30. Why does God allow evil? | GotQuestions.org: https://www.gotquestions.org/God-allow-evil.html

You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others. 2 Timothy 2:1-2

Blessings to you all

mid-week apologetics booster (5-4-2023)

Good morning friends,

Here is a random quote (of over 2600) from Nuggets:

Imagine you were at a table about to eat dinner and you have two bowls of white powder in front of you. Do you put them on your food? After all, they look pretty similar. But what if I told you that one was ordinary table salt and the other was cyanide? The differences matter far more than the similarities! So it is with religion and its path for your eternal future. – Jonathan Morrow

To view more of these quotes, visit:

http://www.ps11911.com/bible-app/browseQuotes

Now, here are your weekly links:

1. Apathy, Atheism, and the Absurdity of Life Without God – Here is a statement that may seem controversial at first but upon reflection the truth of which becomes more apparent: If God does not exist and there is no life after death, then there is no ultimate meaning, value, or purpose in life.: https://crossexamined.org/apathy-atheism-and-the-absurdity-of-life-without-god/
2. The Flagellum’s Hook Connects to the Case for a Creator – Reasons to Believe: https://reasons.org/explore/blogs/the-cells-design/the-flagellum-s-hook-connects-to-the-case-for-a-creator
3. Frank Turek – Session 5 – Is the New Testament True? – YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iuV3Qv4whNY
4. The (Often) Missing Key In Passing Faith to the Next Generation – YouTube – What is the vital key we must do to raise up a generation that knows and follows the Lord? At a live conference, Sean offers a BRIEF response that parents, pastors, teachers, and other caring adults MUST take to heart for the sake of the next generation.: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7fMOgBrsFWs
5. Where Are All the Women in Apologetics? | Mary Jo Sharp – Over the last decade, I’ve been asked this question many times. Typically, the question arose because someone in the audience noticed that I was the only female speaker at that particular apologetics conference. I would assure the questioner that other women speakers existed in apologetics and I would begin to rattle off a list of names, including my colleagues at Houston Baptist University. I would then follow up with, “You’ll see, the women are there.”…: https://confidentchristianity.com/?p=1754
6. Darwin’s Abominable Mystery and the Genesis Flood | The Institute for Creation Research: https://www.icr.org/article/abominable-mystery-and-the-flood
7. Responding to a Claim that your Argument is “God of the Gaps” – Adherent Apologetics – God of the Gaps is an argument that states that when there is a gap in scientific knowledge, then people who believe in God place God as the answer to that gap of knowledge. Skeptics would say that arguments such as the origin of the universe, the fine-tuning of the universe, and the origin of life, are just “God of the Gaps” arguments but science will soon find an answer. Here are 3 Arguments for God that are not “God of the Gaps.”: https://adherentapologetics.com/2018/12/28/responding-to-a-claim-that-your-argument-is-god-of-the-gaps/
8. Examine Evidence for the Bible’s Reliability, This article has a good summary of how to evaluate the Bible’s reliability: https://faithphilosophy.com/en/bible-examine-evidence-for-the-bible-reliability.php
9. Hell Interrupted Part 1 – You may not have noticed, but Hell is not as popular as it used to be. Simply put, the doctrine of Hell has fallen on hard times. Jehovah’s Witnesses have long denied Hell, at least the everlasting punishment part at the heart of the classical view, along with Seventh Day Adventists, each teaching that, in the final judgment, the unrepentant wicked will be snuffed from existence – annihilated.: https://www.str.org/w/hell-interrupted-part-1
10. Mann’s Word: CAN WE TRUST THE TEXT OF THE NEW TESTAMENT? How then do we square this teaching – “not a dot passing from the law” – with the fact that there are many thousands of textual variants, although many of them are simply misspellings?: https://mannsword.blogspot.com/2019/10/can-we-trust-text-of-new-testament.html
11. The Neo-Liberal Stealth Offensive : 9Marks – The gospel’s most dangerous earthly adversaries are not raving atheists who stand outside the door shouting threats and insults. They are church leaders who cultivate a gentle, friendly, pious demeanor but hack away at the foundations of faith under the guise of keeping in step with a changing world.: https://www.9marks.org/article/neo-liberal-stealth-offensive/
12. Richard Dawkins is releasing an atheist children’s book: https://creation.com/dawkins-childrens-book
13. Are There Any Good Reasons to Believe in God? – YouTube – Is it reasonable to believe in Jesus as the Messiah? Is it reasonable to believe in God in general? In this Q and A session, J. Warner begins to answer a question about Jewish believers and turns to a more significant issue related to Jesus and the existence of God.: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vY4jsNmDawU
14. 150 Pastors Arrested at Year-End Gathering – Police monitored China Gospel Fellowship and swooped in when all pastors were in one place. One had a heart attack, and all were threatened to sign “repentance.”: https://bitterwinter.org/150-pastors-arrested-at-year-end-gathering/
15. The earth’s magnetic field: evidence that the earth is young: https://creation.com/the-earths-magnetic-field-evidence-that-the-earth-is-young
16. Gracious Uncertainty | My Utmost For His Highest: https://utmost.org/gracious-uncertainty/
17. Fox’s ‘Family Guy’ Calls Religious Believers ‘Stupid People,’ ‘Idiots’ | Newsbusters: https://www.newsbusters.org/blogs/culture/elise-ehrhard/2019/11/03/foxs-family-guy-calls-religious-believers-stupid-people
18. “I Believe in Science!” – Something No One Should Say – “I believe in science,” said Hillary Clinton. “We should not have people in office who do not believe in facts and truths and modern science,” said Leonardo DiCaprio. What these two have in common with the general public is their misunderstanding of the nature of science and the lack of appreciation of the number of philosophical presuppositions on which science depends – assumptions that must be taken at face value without any proofs of their own.: https://www.cltruth.com/2017/i-believe-in-science/
19. Quick Challenge Answer: Did Paul Hallucinate The Risen Jesus? There are many naturalistic theories that attempt to disprove the resurrection of Jesus. The problem is, there are so many evidences for the resurrection, that one explanation can’t discredit them all. Paul’s conversion to believe in the risen Jesus is cited as one of these evidences. Paul (previously named Saul) had been one of Christianity’s greatest enemies. He was active in the persecution of the early Church. That is, until he encountered Jesus for himself. Historians and theologians agree that Paul had a radical transformation in his personality. He went from an enemy of Christianity, to perhaps its greatest champion and hero. But what was this event that changed Paul so profoundly?: https://tentmakingchristianity.com/did-paul-hallucinate-the-risen-jesus-2/
20. 12 Ways To Preserve Christian Unity | Tim Challies – Satan hates God and therefore he hates God’s people, the church. His great plan for the church is to cause Christians–true believers who ought to be together in the gospel–to find ways of disagreeing among themselves, to divide, to be bitter and jealous, and ultimately to “bite and devour one another” (Gal. 5:15). Here are twelve ways that you can repulse Satan’s attacks.: https://www.challies.com/reading-classics-together/12-ways-to-preserve-christian-unity/
21. Scientist Confirms: An Unborn Baby is a Human Being From the Moment of Conception – LifeNews.com: https://www.lifenews.com/2017/02/09/scientist-confirms-an-unborn-baby-is-a-human-being-from-the-moment-of-conception/
22. Is the Oral Tradition Comparable to the Telephone Game? (Facebook 2 minute video with William Lane Craig answering this question): https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=271130120428729
23. How Could Noah Care for the Animals? | Answers in Genesis – Even if Noah could build a wooden Ark strong enough to survive a yearlong Flood, how could he house and feed all those animals? Imagine the challenges of space, food storage, waste removal, ventilation, and fresh water. It sounds too fantastic to believe! Or is it?: https://answersingenesis.org/noahs-ark/fantastic-voyage-how-could-noah-care-animals/
24. 8 Predictions about the Future of Sex, Gender, and Marriage in America: https://crossexamined.org/8-predictions-future-sex-gender-marriage-america/
25. Preaching & Apologetics (Optional Session) by Steven Lawson from Defending the Faith: 2018 West Coast Conference – In this session, Dr. Steven Lawson emphasizes the necessity of preaching and defending the truth when addressing both believers and unbelievers.: https://www.ligonier.org/learn/conferences/defending-the-faith-2018-west-coast-conference/preaching-and-apologetics
26. Does God Know & Not Know Simultaneously? | Free Thinking Ministries: https://freethinkingministries.com/does-god-know-not-know-simultaneously/
27. The Most Destructive Idea w/ Dr. J.P. Moreland | Cross Examined Official Podcast – YouTube – Rigid adherence to scientism as opposed to a healthy respect for science is all too prevalent in our world today. Rather than leading to a deeper understanding of our universe, this worldview actually undermines real science and marginalizes morality and religion. In this interview, celebrated philosopher J. P. Moreland exposes the self-defeating nature of scientism and equips us to recognize scientism’s harmful presence in different aspects of culture, emboldening our witness to biblical Christianity and arming us with strategies for the integration of faith and science the only feasible path to genuine knowledge.: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NB4cUoOUyto
28. Why is Hell Eternal? Evangelical Christians have spent a lot of time talking about the doctrine of hell. One question weighs particularly heavily: Why, if there is a hell, is it forever? The idea of eternal hell weighs heavily on the heart, as we think of those we know and love apart from Christ. Sometimes a devilish desire to condemn (“You will not surely die”) is behind a denial of future judgment, but sometimes the human motive is just the unbearable gravity of it all. Why would God sentence an everlasting punishment for crimes committed in what God himself describes as a life so quick that it’s like a vapor of mist (James 4:14; Psalm 39:5; Psalm 144:4)?: https://www.christianity.com/wiki/heaven-and-hell/why-is-hell-eternal.html
29. Competing Worldviews Influence Today’s Christians – Barna Group – We live in a world of competing ideas and worldviews. In an increasingly globalized and interconnected world, Christians are more aware of (and influenced by) disparate views than ever. But just how much have other worldviews crept into Christians’ perspectives? Barna’s research shows that only 17 percent of Christians who consider their faith important and attend church regularly actually have a biblical worldview. So, if Christians are open to nonbiblical perspectives, what are they believing?: https://www.barna.com/research/competing-worldviews-influence-todays-christians/
30. A Practical Plan to Equip the Next Generation – I grew up in a Christian home. I came to Christ at five and was baptized at six. My family was committed to the local church. My dad faithfully taught Sunday school, led small groups, and was even an elder. My mom was always involved in ministry as well. I grew up attending Sunday school, Royal Ambassadors, and Awana. As a teenager, I was the model youth group kid, a student leader in high school, and a ministry intern as a senior, even committing my life to full-time vocational ministry before I graduated. Then I met Dr. David Lane. It was my freshman year in college and the course was Philosophy 101. Dr. Lane systematically dismantled the Christianity I grew up with. In class. In front of everyone. And I was not ready. But why not? I had spent the first eighteen years of my life in the church. Wasn’t that enough time to prepare me to engage the world for Christ? Sadly, the majority of our Christian students aren’t ready either. They’re not prepared for the serious intellectual challenges awaiting them, let alone the barrage of moral challenges from an increasingly secular culture. It’s a huge reason why we continue to hemorrhage youth from our churches. Thank God I discovered apologetics amidst Professor Lane’s intellectual assault on my Christianity. Apologetics helped rebuild my faith in Christ, and I became convinced of its absolute necessity for student discipleship. That’s right, I said necessity. Apologetics is not optional in a post-Christian culture.: https://www.str.org/w/a-practical-plan-to-equip-the-next-generation
31. Why Should Christians Study Rhetoric? – by Jacob Allee – Rhetoric is the crown of the verbal arts. The trivium is composed of three language related disciplines, namely, Grammar, Logic, and Rhetoric. Grammar focuses on the composition of various kinds of sentences, understanding their various parts and relations, so as to equip students to clearly understand and communicate ideas expressed through language. Logic builds upon grammar by teaching students how to arrange sets of statements (sentences which make truth claims) in order to form arguments in favor of, or in opposition to, an idea. Rhetoric takes command of both the Grammatical and Logical arts and adds to it the art of persuasion. The goal of a rhetorician is to use words so as to move their audience to either take some action or change their convictions about an issue. If Christians will not teach and study rhetoric then we leave ourselves and our neighbors open to be manipulated while being helpless to do anything about it. Just as we shouldn’t let only criminals have guns, nor should we allow it to be that only the wicked may make use of the tools of persuasion. We must learn the art of rhetoric so that the enemies of justice and truth can never say to us, “I would challenge you to a battle of wits, but I see that you are unarmed.”: https://stgb.substack.com/p/why-should-christians-study-rhetoric
32. Faith Is Not Wishing – Some think that having a level of certainty about the truth of Christianity makes “belief” unnecessary or irrelevant. That kind of knowledge undermines genuine faith and offends God. The reasoning goes something like this. We all know God wants us to have faith. In fact, without faith, it’s impossible to please him (Hebrews 11:6). However, gathering evidence for God and Christianity leaves little room for faith. After all, how can one have faith in something he knows is true? Faith, then, is opposed to knowledge. Therefore, apologetics undermines the faith project and thus displeases the Lord. On this view, faith is believing the unbelievable, clinging to your convictions when all the evidence is against you. Faith is a “leap”, a blind, desperate lunge in the darkness. When doubts or troubles beset us, we’re told to “just have faith,” as if we could squeeze out spiritual hope by intense acts of sheer will. This view of faith reduces Christian conviction to religious wishful thinking. We can hope, but we can never know.: https://www.str.org/w/faith-is-not-wishing
33. Persuasive Apologetics Principle 7: Bonus Tips: https://www.jaymedenwaldt.com/2019/02/effective-apologetics-bonus-tips.html
34. When we let the doubts win – More people de-converting than converting? Even today that depends on where in the world you are. Christianity is flourishing in Asia, South America, the Middle East, and Africa. And still, who cares? It’s not hard to see why Christianity is losing ground in the West; ‘science’ is falsely proffered as a panacea for understanding the world, and Christian morality is being actively undermined. But these factors have no real intellectual teeth to them. Science can’t explain everything, e.g. morality, nature itself, and the philosophy of science. Moral objections to Christianity are very parochial and have no ontological foundation. Just because it feels right doesn’t mean it is; there has to be some reason for why something is right or wrong.: https://creation.com/when-we-let-the-doubts-win
35. Origin of Life: You Can’t Trust Everything You Hear (Long Story Short, Episode 9) – YouTube – Can you trust everything you hear about the origin of life? The short answer is “No.” Many popular science expositors overstate the evidence for the natural, chemical origin of life and promote gross misinformation to the public on this topic. This video reviews popular claims made about the origin of life and shows why they are contradicted by the evidence, misleading, or flat out false.: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E501YvJgNdA
36. Not Radical Enough: A Conversation with David Platt | Sean McDowell – What is the “American Gospel”? And what does it mean to leave it behind and follow Jesus today? Sean talks with pastor and author David Platt about his latest book Don’t Hold Back. They discuss David’s season of discouragement and what clarity came out of it for his life and ministry today.: https://seanmcdowell.org/blog/not-radical-enough-a-conversation-with-david-platt
37. Guest post: Christians should oppose Black Lives Matter | WINTERY KNIGHT: https://winteryknight.com/2023/05/03/guest-post-christians-should-oppose-black-lives-matter-2/
38. A Guy Says He Had a Heart Attack and Went to Hell in 2016. Here’s What He Saw. – certainly not a Christian article, nor about apologetics, but it is certainly an interesting topic to ponder and could lead to productive spiritual conversations: https://www.msn.com/en-us/tv/recaps/a-guy-says-he-had-a-heart-attack-and-went-to-hell-in-2016-here-s-what-he-saw/ar-AA16zN7R
39. Deseret alphabet – Wikipedia – another weird and interesting fact about the history of Mormonism. The Deseret alphabet is a phonemic English-language spelling reform developed between 1847 and 1854 by the board of regents of the University of Deseret under the leadership of Brigham Young, the second president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church)… The Deseret alphabet was a project of the Mormon pioneers, a group of early followers of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) which had set about building a new, unique theocracy in the Utah desert, which was then still part of Mexico, after the death of the church’s founder, Joseph Smith. In March of 1859, they declared “a free and independent government” designated the State of Deseret: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deseret_alphabet

Listen to my prayer, O God, do not ignore my plea; hear me and answer me. My thoughts trouble me and I am distraught at the voice of the enemy, at the stares of the wicked; for they bring down suffering upon me and revile me in their anger. Psalms 55:1-3

Blessings to you all

mid-week apologetics booster (4-20-2023)

Good morning friends,

Here is a random quote (of over 2600) from Nuggets:

Natural Selection may explain the survival of the species, but it does not explain the arrival of the species. – Dr. Jason Lisle

To view more of these quotes, visit:

http://www.ps11911.com/bible-app/browseQuotes

Now, here are your weekly links:

1. ‘Christian Nationalism’ Allie Beth Stuckey interviews guest Dr. Voddie Baucham – YouTube – Dr. Voddie Baucham is dean of theology at African Christian University in Zambia. He and Allie Beth Stuckey discuss the current state of the country and the topics of public schools, race, diversity, and Christian nationalism. We look at how Christians can come to terms with where we’ve found ourselves as a nation in the midst of drag queen story hours and corporate CRT policies. They talk about the depravity of public school curriculum and the popular philosophy of sending kids to public school as “missionaries.” They break down how CRT and race politics are merely about power and how the secularists only want diversity if it’s ethnic diversity. Then, they dive into how “Christian nationalism” has become a trigger phrase for secularists and what it actually means: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=otGF0e05QVk
2. Why Doesn’t God Make Himself More Obvious? – The Stream: https://stream.org/god-himself-obvious/
3. Apathy, Atheism, and the Absurdity of Life Without God: https://crossexamined.org/apathy-atheism-and-the-absurdity-of-life-without-god/
4. How Do We Know the Bible is True? – Focus on the Family: https://www.focusonthefamily.com/faith/how-do-we-know-the-bible-is-true-2/
5. American Minute With Bill Federer: – Jefferson’s words are a forceful and explicit warning that to remove God from this country will destroy it: https://www.fggam.org/2019/11/american-minute-with-bill-federer-jeffersons-words-are-a-forceful-and-explicit-warning-that-to-remove-god-from-this-country-will-destroy-it/
6. J. Warner Wallace: I am not a Christian because it works for me | WINTERY KNIGHT: https://winteryknight.com/2018/04/13/j-warner-wallace-i-am-not-a-christian-because-it-works-for-me-6/
7. Forensic Faith 101: Do you have an accidental or evidential faith? Truth, Faith and Reason: https://truthfaithandreason.com/forensic-faith-101-do-you-have-an-accidental-or-evidential-faith/
8. New Report Examines Scientific Studies on Sexuality and Gender: https://www.str.org/w/new-report-examines-scientific-studies-on-sexuality-and-gender
9. 7 eye-opening facts we learn about early Christianity from a Roman Historian who hated Christians | Is Jesus Alive?: http://isjesusalive.com/7-eye-opening-facts-we-learn-about-early-christianity-from-a-roman-historian-who-hated-christians/
10. The universe of the lone brain: https://creation.com/universe-of-the-lone-brain
11. Answering Objections to the Fine-Tuning Argument with Dr. Robin Collins and Dr. Josh Rasmussen – YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/live/k6Yi2vR7ps4?feature=share
12. Following Jesus’ Example? Its Biblical: https://mintools.com/blog/following-jesus-example.htm
13. Is the Bible from God? – Dr. Mikel Del Rosario | Apologetics Guy: https://apologeticsguy.com/2011/07/is-the-bible-from-god/
14. A Curious Clue About the Origins of the New Testament Canon – Canon Fodder: https://www.michaeljkruger.com/a-curious-clue-about-the-origins-of-the-new-testament-canon/
15. Preaching God’s Love in Acts? What was the emphasis in the evangelistic preaching of the Apostles as recorded in the book of Acts? Does the record of Acts support the notion that the central focus of Christianity is ones love relationship with God and personal life enhancement? Or did these disciples of Christ focus on something else? The list below includes every instance of evangelistic preaching in the book of Acts, a summary of content, and an analysis of emphasis.: https://www.str.org/w/preaching-god-s-love-in-acts-
16. May Christians Mock? Perhaps our dismissal of ridicule as a lawful form of expression for a Christian represents a concession to our culture’s apathy and indifference to right and wrong, and deference to a kind of social equanimity, so visibly manifested in what is called “Minnesota Nice” in that cheerful and chilly State. Courtesy, aversion to argumentativeness or conflict, quiet and modest disagreement, and a generous opinion of all others is seen as “niceness,” and of course, Christians are supposed to lead the pack in niceness. | G3 Ministries: https://g3min.org/may-christians-mock/
17. ‘Remove Your Church’: The Persecution of Christians, March 2023 :: Gatestone Institute: https://www.gatestoneinstitute.org/19583/persecution-of-christians-march
18. 5 Statistics Reveal Christianity Is Good for the World – There’s a massive gap between the perception of Christianity in the world and on social media, and the reality of who Christians are and what they do: https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/christianity-not-bad/
19. Disgraced Former Pastor James MacDonald Charged With Attacking a 59-Year-Old Woman After Fender-Bender: https://churchleaders.com/news/448845-disgraced-former-pastor-james-macdonald-charged-with-attacking-a-59-year-old-woman-after-fender-bender.html
20. Mecca hit by plague of locusts during Ramadan rainfall: https://www.israel365news.com/369556/mecca-hit-by-plague-of-locusts-during-ramadan-rainfall/
21. Secular left feminist Sarah Stankorb explains why women leave Christianity | WINTERY KNIGHT: https://winteryknight.com/2023/04/15/secular-left-feminist-sarah-stankorb-explains-why-women-leave-christianity-2/
22. Wayne Grudem explains what the Bible says about parents and schools | WINTERY KNIGHT: https://winteryknight.com/2023/04/16/wayne-grudem-explains-what-the-bible-says-about-parents-and-schools-6/
23. What About Those Who’ve Never Heard About Jesus? – YouTube – Greg Koukl of Stand to Reason answers the question, “Isn’t it unfair to condemn people who have never heard the Gospel?” : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XIXs5wOSVk4
24. Common Objections to Christianity from Skeptics by Steve Hays: https://www.monergism.com/thethreshold/sdg/qa_steve_hays.html
25. Biblical Faith VS. Blind Faith | Crossexamined.org: https://crossexamined.org/biblical-faith-vs-blind-faith/
26. What is Faith ? – YouTube. Animation defining what faith is, and explains what our problem is if we lack faith?: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FLzBOnlvN4w
27. J Warner Wallace: Developing a Forensic Faith – YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T_lyyw-x2Kk
28. 8 Ways you’re Doing Apologetics Wrong: https://grounds4faith.org/2019/02/20/8-ways-youre-doing-apologetics-wrong/
29. How to Become a Better Apologetics Communicator | Sean McDowell: https://seanmcdowell.org/blog/how-to-become-a-better-apologetics-communicator
30. How Chinese Christians Worship in the Face of Persecution: https://bitterwinter.org/how-chinese-christians-worship-in-the-face-of-persecution/
31. Does God do miracles today? – YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dj9RQIUcur8
32. The Other Side of the Good News: Hell – Think Divinely: https://thinkdivinely.com/hell/
33. Are Biblical Manuscripts Reliable? Amy Orr-Ewing: It may well come as a shock to some that the manuscript tradition of the Old and New Testaments stands up to rigorous scrutiny. There is a widespread belief that much of the Bible was written centuries after the events it records and that it has been changed and tampered with on the whim of different scribes or interested parties. The breadth and age of the existing ancient manuscripts tell a very different story. However, the next question is invariably: “Just because the manuscripts are reliable, that doesn’t make the content of them true.”: https://www.cslewisinstitute.org/resources/are-biblical-manuscripts-reliable/
34. The Deity of Jesus is Not a Late Legend | Cold Case Christianity: https://coldcasechristianity.com/writings/the-deity-of-jesus-is-not-a-late-legend/
35. Is it rational to believe in God? An interview with John Lennox – YouTube – Professor John Carson Lennox is an Irish mathematician, philosopher of science, Christian apologist and – last, but not least – Professor of Mathematics at the University of Oxford. He is also a Fellow in Mathematics and Philosophy of Science at Green Templeton College, Oxford University as well as Pastoral Advisor of Green Templeton College and Fellow of Wycliffe Hall. Professor Lennox is known of being a leading voice defending the notion of the relationship between science and religion: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B6bgoiVPXy0
36. Do Christians Hate Homosexuals? – bethinking.org – Christians must be prepared to tolerate other views, but this does not mean they have to agree with them: https://www.bethinking.org/morality/do-christians-hate-homosexuals
37. Sean McDowell on Instagram: Have you ever been stumped by someone’s argument against Christianity or the Bible? Has anyone ever made fun of you because the Bible sounds like a fairy tale? Here’s some ways to respond to that question. I think the evidence is compelling enough that it is certainly reasonable to reach this conclusion.: https://www.instagram.com/reel/Cq8mISSttgb/
38. How to spot a deceived person – short snippet by John MacArthur: https://www.facebook.com/reel/591115562891575?sfnsn=mo&s=F5x8gs&fs=e&mibextid=6AJuK9
39. 7 Important Social Benefits Kids Develop From Homeschooling: https://thefederalist.com/2023/04/17/7-important-social-benefits-kids-develop-from-homeschooling/
40. The Art of One-Anothering: How the Church Loves Like Christ | Desiring God: https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/the-art-of-one-anothering

One who was there had been an invalid for thirty-eight years. When Jesus saw him lying there and learned that he had been in this condition for a long time, he asked him, “Do you want to get well?” “Sir,” the invalid replied, “I have no one to help me into the pool when the water is stirred. While I am trying to get in, someone else goes down ahead of me.” Then Jesus said to him, “Get up! Pick up your mat and walk.” At once the man was cured; he picked up his mat and walked. The day on which this took place was a Sabbath, and so the Jews said to the man who had been healed, “It is the Sabbath; the law forbids you to carry your mat.” But he replied, “The man who made me well said to me, ‘Pick up your mat and walk.’ ” So they asked him, “Who is this fellow who told you to pick it up and walk?” The man who was healed had no idea who it was, for Jesus had slipped away into the crowd that was there. Later Jesus found him at the temple and said to him, “See, you are well again. Stop sinning or something worse may happen to you.” The man went away and told the Jews that it was Jesus who had made him well. So, because Jesus was doing these things on the Sabbath, the Jews persecuted him. John 5:5-16

Blessings to you all

mid-week apologetics booster (4-6-2023)

Good morning friends,

Here is a random quote (of over 2600) from Nuggets:

Willing to appear openly to those who seek him with all their heart, and to be hidden from those who flee from him with all their heart, God so regulates the knowledge of himself that he has given indications of himself, which are visible to those who seek him and not to those who do not seek him. There is enough light for those to see who only desire to see, and enough obscurity for those who have a contrary disposition. – Blaise Pascal

To view more of these quotes, visit:

http://www.ps11911.com/bible-app/browseQuotes

Now, here are your weekly links:

1. If Jesus’ Resurrection Were A Hoax (The Babylon Bee – 5 minute video, great and hilarious!!!) – In an alternate universe, Peter, James, John, and the rest of the disciples get together to pull off the greatest hoax of all time. But does the plan have a flaw?: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=23UNLLbOS3w
2. 3 More Logical Fallacies to Avoid (and How to Tell When Someone Else is Committing Them) Apologetics for the Church: https://apolotheo.wordpress.com/2018/09/24/3-more-logical-fallacies-to-avoid/
3. Internal Telomere-like Sequences Are Abundant and Functional | The Institute for Creation Research: https://www.icr.org/article/internal-telomere-like-sequences-are
4. 4 Reasons Why Christianity is True – Discover the Compelling Evidence – The reason why Christianity is true is because the answer to these 4 questions is, Yes.: https://notashamedofthegospel.com/apologetics/4-reasons-christianity-true/
5. Letters to a Mormon Elder (full book online), by Dr. James R. White. Nearly everyone likes to read someone else’s mail. James White allows us to look over his shoulder as he writes a series of friendly and penetrating letters addressed to a Mormon elder who might be any one of the many he has met. He draws upon hundreds of hours of discussions with Mormon missionaries and dedicated members of the Mormon Church encountered through his work with Alpha and Omega Ministries. We urge you to peek over James’ shoulder and follow the vital truths he presents.: http://www.novus2.com/alphamin/LETTERS/MAINPAGE.htm
6. Is God an Exalted Man? When I was meeting with Mormon missionaries, it was their view of God that was particularly grieving to me. I wanted them to know the God who is, was, and always would be God, who is not of the same species we are, who isn’t limited by a physical body, and who was always perfect, never sinned, and isn’t getting better (because such a thing wouldn’t be possible). But in this video by Aaron Shafovaloff, some Mormons explain why the very same LDS ideas about God that horrify me are actually encouraging to them. How can this be? The answer goes to the heart of the difference between the Mormon and Christian gospels.: https://www.str.org/w/is-god-an-exalted-man-#.W7Nmu2hKiUn
7. EPIC Debate on Sola Scriptura w/ Patrick Madrid & James White – YouTube: https://youtu.be/LlLlzDBHhhA
8. The False Doctrines of Bill Johnson Revisited Reasoned Cases For Christ: https://bcooper.wordpress.com/2022/06/18/the-false-doctrines-of-bill-johnson-revisited/
9. Which day is the Sabbath REALLY… Saturday or Sunday? – YouTube – Q&A with Frank Turek: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PaXQEKYOncM
10. Bringing Laughter to Everyday Life – Tim Hawkins – YouTube – this was VERY funny!: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kng_FHPoTCo
11. Kirk Cameron: Hollywood Icon and a Child of God | Kirk Cameron on TBN – YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k24uM-oJ3AA
12. How Can I Better Study a Bible Passage? Explanation of “Arcing” | Desiring God: https://www.desiringgod.org/interviews/how-can-i-better-study-a-bible-passage
13. From the Movie God’s Not Dead… You got to see this explanation of the problem of Evil…: https://www.facebook.com/JJLEWIS01/videos/778899332122963/
14. Spirituality vs. Christianity – Creation Today – Are Religion, Christianity, and Spirituality all basically the same? If not, what’s the difference? Is there a pure form of Spirituality that can bring together all the religions of the world despite their differences? Or does the claim by Jesus Christ, I Am the Way make all other ways, including Spirituality, insufficient? Join Eric Hovind and a prior-devoted Hindu mystic and New Age philosopher, Atticus Carr for a thought-provoking discussion about the truth behind Spirituality and Christianity.: https://creationtoday.org/on-demand-classes/spirituality-vs-christianity/
15. What Does Gospel Really Mean? | Cold Case Christianity: https://coldcasechristianity.com/writings/what-does-gospel-really-mean/
16. How to Receive Critical Feedback: https://www.str.org/w/how-to-receive-critical-feedback
17. Was religion invented to control people? | carm.org: https://carm.org/questions/was-religion-invented-to-control-people/
18. On the Origin of the Cosmos – An Interview with Dr. Michael Strauss – YouTube: https://youtu.be/I-5uyGaLYJM
19. Politics is becoming our new religion. God help us.: https://www.usatoday.com/story/opinion/voices/2020/12/22/politics-becoming-our-new-religion-god-help-us-column/3926804001/
20. Should Christians Use the Argument from Martyrdom? A Reply to Bart Ehrman: https://crossexamined.org/should-christians-use-the-argument-from-martyrdom-a-reply-to-bart-ehrman/
21. Are Christian High School Students Really Ready for College?: https://crossexamined.org/are-christian-high-school-seniors-really-ready-for-college/
22. What does it mean to be transformed by the renewing of the mind? | GotQuestions.org: https://www.gotquestions.org/renewing-the-mind.html
23. Did Jesus appeal to evidence when reaching out to skeptics? | WINTERY KNIGHT: https://winteryknight.com/2018/09/23/did-jesus-appeal-to-evidence-when-reaching-out-to-skeptics-2/
24. How Should The Church Engage Those With Same-Sex Attraction Or Gender Dysphoria? | Cross Examined Official Podcast: https://crossexamined.org/how-should-the-church-engage-those-with-same-sex-attraction-or-gender-dysphoria/
25. How are we to live our lives in light of Christs return? | GotQuestions.org: https://www.gotquestions.org/live-lives-Christ-return.html
26. Atheism Doubles Among Generation Z – Barna Group: https://www.barna.com/research/atheism-doubles-among-generation-z/
27. That’s a Fact – The Fossil Record on Vimeo: https://vimeo.com/290548930
28. From Reliable to Divine: Fulfilled Prophecy in the Old Testament | Cold Case Christianity: https://coldcasechristianity.com/writings/from-reliable-to-divine-fulfilled-prophecy-in-the-old-testament/
29. Should Christians Get Involved With Politics Or Stay Out Of It? Straight Talk with Claudia K: https://straighttalkwithclaudiak.com/2018/10/23/should-christians-be-involved-with-politics-or-mind-our-own-business/
30. If a person’s best efforts to believe the Bible fail, do they still deserve to burn in hell?: http://www.provethebible.net/T2-Objec/G5-002.htm
31. Apologetics: An Alternative for the Next Generation – The Stream: https://stream.org/apologetics-alternative-next-generation/
32. Christians Face 2 Years in Prison for Evangelism in 8th India State to Pass ‘Anti-Conversion’ Law | World News: https://www.christianpost.com/news/8th-state-india-anti-conversion-law-christians-face-2-years-prison-for-evangelism-223463/
33. Let’s Stop Pretending Sex Is Merely A Private Act | Sean McDowell: https://seanmcdowell.org/blog/lets-stop-pretending-sex-is-merely-a-private-act
34. Why is Christianity true over and above all other religions? 1 Peter 4:12-16: https://wp.me/p4WCk1-kV
35. 4 Historical Facts that Prove Jesus Really Did Rise from the Dead – YouTube: https://youtu.be/RmKg62GDqF4
36. How Christian Case Making Impacts the Convinced, the Opposed, and the Undecided: https://coldcasechristianity.com/writings/how-christian-case-making-impacts-the-convinced-the-opposed-and-the-undecided/
37. Christian Nationalism and Christian Hope – Breakpoint: https://breakpoint.org/christian-nationalism-and-christian-hope/
38. Jesus Christ: Our Prophet, Priest, and King: https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/jesus-christ-our-prophet-priest-and-king
39. Don’t All Religions Basically Say the Same Thing? – YouTube: https://youtu.be/bO_tmWPNf3w
40. I went on a date with a Christian woman who couldn’t defend the pro-life view | WINTERY KNIGHT: https://winteryknight.com/2021/09/30/i-went-on-a-date-with-a-christian-woman-who-couldnt-defend-the-pro-life-view/
41. WLC Reacts! to Ricky Gervais on Why He Trusts Science – YouTube: https://youtu.be/R-j9FF3IbUQ
42. John Lennox Busts a Myth About Religion, Faith and Science Solas: https://www.solas-cpc.org/john-lennox-busts-a-myth-about-religion-faith-and-science/
43. Horrifying New Sex Ed Standards Mean You Need to Get Your Kids Out of Public School Now: https://www.westernjournal.com/horrifying-new-sex-ed-standards-mean-need-get-kids-public-school-now/
44. 3 Startling Truths about the Early Church from the Pre-New Testament Texts: https://crossexamined.org/3-startling-truths-early-church-pre-new-testament-texts/
45. Take Every Thought Captive – What 1 Corinthians 10:5 Means & How to Do It: https://www.crosswalk.com/faith/prayer/take-your-thoughts-captive-509888.html
46. Largest Canyons Were Formed by the Receding Flood | The Institute for Creation Research: https://www.icr.org/article/largest-canyons-were-formed-by-the-receding-flood/
47. Renewing Your Mind | Law of Causality | Mar 12, 2022: https://renewingyourmind.org/2022/03/12/law-of-causality

If you falter in times of trouble, how small is your strength! Proverbs 24:10

Blessings to you all

mid-week apologetics booster (3-30-2023)

Good morning friends,

Here is a random quote (of over 2600) from Nuggets:

I converted from atheism to theism (specifically Christianity) because God sent two apologists and an evangelist into my life. Each one of the three men had different gifts and talents and used different apologetic methods, but they all had one important thing in common: they were responding to the Lord’s command to make disciples. – Mark McGee

To view more of these quotes, visit:

http://www.ps11911.com/bible-app/browseQuotes

Now, here are your weekly links:

1. Kennedy Classics: The Spiritual Pulse of America – Dr. D. James Kennedy – YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V7ZxnjoHOXk
2. Christian Historian Bill Federer (Part 1) Faith of Founding Fathers – 8-18-14 – YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x1hOyDdM7yU
3. Does The Punishment Fit The Crime When It Comes To Hell? – YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n-zvdKF1kFU
4. When Making a Case for Christianity is Futile | Cold Case Christianity: https://coldcasechristianity.com/writings/when-making-a-case-for-christianity-is-futile/
5. Why Would Richard Dawkins Say That Aliens Created Life? – YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hDvaPzg32W8
6. Good Works Don’t Save. – YouTube – Ray Comfort shares with Jamie the claims of Jesus Christ. She turns out to be very open to the things of God.: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T7G2-FW-1C0
7. Dr. D. James Kennedy Sermons: Jesus Christ Myth or Messiah – YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b_z-taVoIlw
8. Case-Making 101: Christianity and Islam? Reasoned Cases For Christ: https://bcooper.wordpress.com/2017/09/02/case-making-101-christianity-and-islam/
9. Can Christians claim to have the One, True God?: https://crossexamined.org/can-christians-claim-to-have-the-one-true-god-2/
10. 7th Grader Argues The Case for Christianity – Blows the Doors Off Jesus Skeptics: https://faithit.com/7th-grader-makes-case-christianity/
11. Racism Is Incompatible With Christianity | Reasons for Jesus: https://reasonsforjesus.com/racism-is-incompatible-with-christianity/
12. The Debate on Apologetic Methodology Part 1 – Reasonable Faith – Dr. Craig listens to excerpts from a debate between a Classical and a Presuppositional apologist.: https://subsplash.com/reasonablefaith/media/mi/+fsrszlo
13. Why did the people in Genesis live such long lives? | GotQuestions.org: https://www.gotquestions.org/Genesis-long-lives.html
14. The Quran, the Bible, and the Islamic Dilemma (David Wood) – YouTube – The Quran affirms the inspiration, preservation, and authority of the Christian scriptures (including the Torah and the Gospel). Yet the Quran contradicts the Christian scriptures on fundamental doctrines (e.g., Jesus’ death, resurrection, and deity). By affirming scriptures that contradict Islam, the Quran self-destructs. In this short video, David Wood (Acts 17 Apologetics) explains “The Islamic Dilemma.”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nNAS0aaViM4
15. [J Warner Wallace] Getting to the Original Message through Multiple Copies with Errors – YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZNfp6M8kMDc
16. You MUST understand this…or else. Trinity with Lutheran Satire – St. Patrick’s Bad Analogies for the Trinity – YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dADpSJan3Qc
17. The Dating of the New Testament – bethinking.org – When the New Testament was written is a significant issue, as one assembles the overall argument for Christianity. Confidence in the historical accuracy of these documents depends partly on whether they were written by eyewitnesses and contemporaries to the events described, as the Bible claims. Negative critical scholars strengthen their own views as they separate the actual events from the writings by as much time as possible.: https://www.bethinking.org/bible/the-dating-of-the-new-testament
18. Gospel Dates and Reliability – If we saw the text of a novel set in New York, and it straightforwardly mentioned the Twin Towers dominating the skyline, with no hint of their destruction by terrorists, it would be good evidence that it was written before 11 September 2001.: https://creation.com/gospel-dates-and-reliability
19. Why Parents Need to Become Good Christian Case Makers – YouTube – J. Warner Wallace speaks to Green Bay Community Church about the challenges facing young Christians when they enter college and how parents can help their students meet these challenges. Now is he time for parents to step up and prepare themselves so they can help their kids.: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8qxFlTY-2Pc
20. Racism countered by biblical creation: https://creation.com/racism-vs-biblical-creation
21. What do scientific studies show about the long-term effects of gender-affirming care? | WINTERY KNIGHT: https://winteryknight.com/2023/03/24/what-do-scientific-studies-show-about-the-long-term-effects-of-gender-affirming-care/
22. Why Are the Books of the Bible in the Order They’re In? | Crossway Articles: https://www.crossway.org/articles/why-are-the-books-of-the-bible-in-the-order-theyre-in/
23. High school football coach fired for praying with players rehired, awarded nearly $2 million – LifeSite: https://www.lifesitenews.com/news/high-school-football-coach-fired-for-praying-with-players-rehired-awarded-nearly-2-million/
24. What a Biblical Worldview Looks Like: https://probe.org/what-a-biblical-worldview-looks-like/
25. Why Everyone Should Believe that the Gospels are Reliable – Capturing Christianity: https://capturingchristianity.com/why-everyone-should-believe-that-the-gospels-are-reliable/
26. What got me started on apologetics? William Lane Craig debate transcripts | WINTERY KNIGHT: https://winteryknight.com/2023/03/26/what-got-me-started-on-apologetics-william-lane-craig-debate-transcripts-5/
27. Paper: Neo-Darwinism Must Mutate to Survive | Evolution News: https://evolutionnews.org/2023/03/peer-reviewed-paper-neo-darwinism-must-mutate-to-survive/
28. Answering Difficult Questions Non-Believers Ask – YouTube – message by Greg Laurie: https://youtu.be/GCwuOJt5gnM
29. Predestination: Do we have a choice? | Ep 132 – YouTube – Allie Beth Stuckey – look at the comments thread, great discussion: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fTU0yP3EH24
30. Evangelical Christian college fires professor for taking Biblical position on homosexuality | WINTERY KNIGHT: https://winteryknight.com/2023/03/27/evangelical-christian-college-fires-professor-for-talking-biblical-position-on-homosexuality/
31. Scott Klusendorf discusses right to life, assisted reproduction, and end of life | WINTERY KNIGHT: https://winteryknight.com/2023/03/29/scott-klusendorf-discusses-right-to-life-assisted-reproduction-and-end-of-life/
32. Explain the Gospel with simple preparation: https://www.evangelismcoach.org/you-want-me-to-explain-the-gospel/
33. What is the cost of discipleship? | Outline Notes on the Cost of Discipleship: https://carm.org/christianity/what-is-the-cost-of-discipleship/
34. How Apologetics Builds a Tougher Faith | A Well-Designed Faith: http://welldesignedfaith.net/2017/12/05/how-apologetics-builds-a-tougher-faith/
35. Movies – Award-winning. Inspiring. Convicting. Free. | Living Waters: https://livingwaters.com/movies/
36. Why Claiming Belief is a Psychological Crutch Backfires: https://apologetics-notes.comereason.org/2015/09/why-claiming-belief-is-psychological.html
37. A Beginners Guide to the Argument from Rationality: https://www.solas-cpc.org/a-beginners-guide-to-the-argument-from-rationality/
38. Mormonism Disproved – Book of Abraham: http://www.mormonismdisproved.org/book_abraham.html
39. How Can Jesus Be the Only Way? – YouTube: https://youtu.be/RRyq6RwzlEM

Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always try to be kind to each other and to everyone else. 1 Thessalonians 5:15

Blessings to you all

mid-week apologetics booster (3-16-2023)

Good morning friends,

Here is a random quote (of over 2500) from Nuggets:

Why does hell have to last forever? Biblical teaching does not allow for the two responses of annihilationism and universalism, which both run into conceptual difficulties. So if hell is forever (as Jesus taught), then why? How can someone sinning in a finite lifetime earn an eternity in hell? The punishment doesn’t seem to fit the crime. Two reasonable explanations have been offered. First, people continue to sin in hell. Their rebellion has not ceased; they still don’t want God and thus incur further punishment. Or second, their rebellion against an infinite God warrants an eternal debt to be paid. – Is God Just a Human Invention and 17 Other Questions Raised by the New Atheists

To view more of these quotes, visit:

http://www.ps11911.com/bible-app/browseQuotes

Now, here are your weekly links:

1. American Church History in 5 Movements | Ligonier Ministries: https://www.ligonier.org/podcasts/5-minutes-in-church-history-with-stephen-nichols/american-church-history-in-5-movements
2. What Should I Say to Someone Who Claims to Be a Christian but Doesn’t Live Like It? – Stand to Reason: https://subsplash.com/standtoreason/media/mi/+twycvs4
3. Study Finds 61% Of Christians Believe New Age Ideas | Reasons for Jesus: https://reasonsforjesus.com/study-finds-61-of-christians-believe-new-age-ideas/
4. Grounds for Belief in Biblical Inspiration | Reasonable Faith: https://www.reasonablefaith.org/writings/question-answer/grounds-for-belief-in-biblical-inspiration
5. Reasoned Musings: Animal Rights, Veganism & Abortion (Considering Abortion From The Perspective Of Veganism And Animal Rights): http://rajkumarrichard.blogspot.com/2019/02/animal-rights-veganism-abortion.html
6. The Dangers of “Jesus Calling” with Doreen Virtue – YouTube – On today’s Equipping You in Grace show, Dave and Doreen consider Sarah Young’s Jesus calling, how it contradicts the Bible, and the dangerous teaching in it, along with discussing the dangers of self-love and self-help books, the difference between false judgment and judging rightly according to Scripture, and why Christians need to be on guard against false teaching, What you’ll hear in this episode How Jesus Calling contradicts the Bible. The dangers of automatic writing. Why we as Christians need to be on guard against false teaching. The difference between false judgment and judging rightly according to Scripture. The danger of lawless living. The nature and purpose of putting our sin to death. The work of the Holy Spirit in the life of the Christian. The danger of self-love and self-help.: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Whije9sbjg
7. Biblical worldview ‘much closer to extinction’ after Covid-19 lockdowns – survey: https://www.christiantoday.com/article/biblical.worldview.much.closer.to.extinction.after.covid.19.lockdowns.survey/139919.htm
8. Chinese worshipers must register online for prayer meetings – UCA News: https://www.ucanews.com/news/chinese-worshipers-must-register-online-for-prayer-meetings/100588
9. 4 Things to Tell Parents of LGBTQ Kids – YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KzF2Xju-s4Y
10. John MacArthur on the Asbury Revival! | Shepherd’s Conference 2023 – YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IA95hM0mlo0
11. Stephen C. Meyer lectures on intelligent design and the origin of life | WINTERY KNIGHT: https://winteryknight.com/2022/04/23/stephen-c-meyer-lectures-on-intelligent-design-and-the-origin-of-life-11/
12. Book Review: Human Freedom, Divine Knowledge, and Mere Molinism by Timothy Stratton Apologetics315: https://apologetics315.com/2021/04/book-review-human-freedom-divine-knowledge-and-mere-molinism-by-timothy-stratton/
13. Why Christians Must Continue to Guard the Truth of the Gospel | Cold Case Christianity: https://coldcasechristianity.com/writings/why-christians-must-continue-to-guard-the-truth-of-the-gospel/
14. What Is the Role of Apologetics In Evangelism? – YouTube: https://youtu.be/7umMcyW1R2I
15. Am I unloving for not affirming same sex behavior? – YouTube: https://youtu.be/438wl_11aJ0
16. Is Your Modern Translation Corrupt? – Christian Research Institute: https://www.equip.org/articles/is-your-modern-translation-corrupt/
17. The Challenge of Complex Adaptation for Evolution – YouTube: https://youtu.be/6_OTy4fYSwY
18. Is getting drunk a sin? | GotQuestions.org: https://www.gotquestions.org/is-getting-drunk-a-sin.html
19. Dennis Prager on Evolution: Stephen Meyer Turned Me Around | Evolution News: https://evolutionnews.org/2018/10/dennis-prager-on-evolution-stephen-meyer-turned-me-around/
20. Reasonable Answers for Honest Skeptics: I Don’t Believe in the Bible – YouTube: https://youtu.be/JEjO_rmZN00
21. A Proof of God from Reason: http://mannsword.blogspot.com/2017/11/a-proof-of-god-from-reason.html?m=1
22. Why Jesus? Part 1 – Greg Koukl focuses on Gods Rescuer – who He was and what He came to do – and answer the question, Why Jesus?: https://www.str.org/w/why-jesus-part-1
23. Has the Bible been corrupted, altered, edited, revised, or tampered with? | GotQuestions.org: https://www.gotquestions.org/Bible-corrupted.html
24. Witnessing to Hindus – what is the key? | GotQuestions.org: https://www.gotquestions.org/witnessing-Hindus.html
25. Michael Egnor: The Evidence against Materialism – Science Uprising Expert Interviews – YouTube: https://youtu.be/BqHrpBPdtSI
26. Transubstantiation: What Catholicism Teaches About the Supper | Desiring God: https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/transubstantiation
27. Isn’t the Christian View of Sexuality Dangerous and Harmful?: https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/isnt-the-christian-view-of-sexuality-dangerous-and-harmful/
28. The Top 3 Apologetics Books Christian Philosophers Say You Should Read – Capturing Christianity: https://capturingchristianity.com/top-3-apologetics-books-christian-philosophers-say-read/
29. Apologetics Leads to a Resilient Faith | A Well-Designed Faith: http://welldesignedfaith.net/2019/05/21/apologetics-leads-to-a-resilient-faith/
30. Taking Jesus to Work – Christian Research Institute. – challenges to effective evangelism reflect the realities of the world in which we live – a world that is descending rapidly into a post-Christian morass. The earliest evangelists interacted with people who believed in the supernatural, who were all conscious of divine judgment, and who believed that the world had once been better than it now is. In 1946, C. S. Lewis observed that those whom we aim to evangelize share none of these predispositions.3 Today the situation is more pronounced. Many believe that only progress can make a better world and that the problems we have now can be rightfully attributed to religion in general, or Christianity in particular. That is the bad news. The good news is that the gospel reflects ultimate reality and promises a different ending.: https://www.equip.org/articles/taking-jesus-work/
31. California county used cell phone tracking, stakeouts to monitor churchgoers during COVID lockdown: report: https://www.lifesitenews.com/news/california-county-used-cell-phone-tracking-stakeouts-to-monitor-churchgoers-during-covid-lockdown-report/
32. Court rules against NY worker fired for refusing LGBTQ training: https://nypost.com/2023/03/15/court-rules-against-worker-who-was-fired-for-refusing-lgbtq-training/
33. (Video) Why I (Jillian) Quit Kundalini Yoga and Gave My Life to Jesus PatriotandLiberty: https://patriotandliberty.com/video-why-i-jillian-quit-kundalini-yoga-and-gave-my-life-to-jesus/

Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him; do not fret when men succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes. Psalms 37:7

Blessings to you all

mid-week apologetics booster (3-9-2023)

Good morning friends,

Here is a random quote (of over 2500) from Nuggets:

Give me a holy avarice to redeem the time, to awake at every call to charity and piety, so that I may feed the hungry, clothe the naked, instruct the ignorant, reclaim the vicious, forgive the offender, diffuse the gospel, show neighbourly love to all. – Valley of Vision

To view more of these quotes, visit:

http://www.ps11911.com/bible-app/browseQuotes

Now, here are your weekly links:

1. A skeptic writes in about Just your version of Christianity? Shaun Doyle responds – Of course, your whole assertion is that we can’t know who’s using the Bible well and who’s using it badly because disagreement exists on what it says. But that doesn’t make any sense. It assumes, at a minimum, that we should reject a knowledge claim if experts don’t all agree on it. But experts in the epistemology of disagreement themselves disagree about whether we should reject a knowledge claim if experts disagree on it. So, the claim on which your argument rests (i.e. we should reject a knowledge claim if experts disagree) doesn’t satisfy its own criterion of acceptability, and thus refutes itself. So, its necessarily false that we need agreement among experts to believe a knowledge claim – including a knowledge claim about what the Bible means.: https://creation.com/versions-of-christianity
2. 13 Important Questions for the Christian Science Worldview | Cold Case Christianity – Every worldview has to be both internally and externally consistent. The challenge for Christian Science appears to exist at both levels. There are a number of philosophical questions (and Biblical Questions for that matter) exposing the internal contradictions of the worldview. In addition, it would be difficult (if not impossible) to measure whether or not Christian Science is externally consistent if we can’t trust our observations in the material world in the first place. For these reasons, the Church of Christ, Scientist (Christian Science) worldview does not pass the test of internal and external examination.: https://coldcasechristianity.com/writings/13-important-questions-for-the-christian-science-worldview/
3. School board member blasts contract with Arizona Christian University : https://nypost.com/2023/03/03/school-board-member-blasts-contract-with-christian-college/
4. Pastor is assaulted and arrested for opposing drag shows where children are present | WINTERY KNIGHT: https://winteryknight.com/2023/03/03/pastor-is-assaulted-and-arrested-for-opposing-drag-shows-where-children-are-present/
5. Identical Twin Studies Prove Homosexuality is Not Genetic – OrthodoxNetwork Blog In Defense of Truth and Righteousness: https://www.orthodoxytoday.org/blog/2013/06/identical-twin-studies-prove-homosexuality-is-not-genetic/
6. New study: there is no gay gene that causes homosexuality | WINTERY KNIGHT: https://winteryknight.com/2023/03/04/new-study-there-is-no-gay-gene-that-causes-homosexuality-4/
7. Additional Judges Needed for the Camelback Classic – We have over 150 Community Judges signed up so far. Our goal is to have 400. This is in addition to the 103 parents who will be working to put on the tournament and also judging. If you have not yet signed up, there is still time and WE NEED YOU! Please consider signing up at Camelback Classic (homeschooldebate.net). If you know of another adult who would be interested, please feel free to pass on this invitation to others as well. It will be a blessing to both the students and I am certain to you as well. Please feel free to contact us with any questions at: mhsdaz@gmail.com: https://mailchi.mp/701e10b9c14c/additional-judges-needed?e=06f15ab4db
8. Marine Fossils on Mount Everest – YouTube – What do marine fossils on the top of Mount Everest tell us about the Biblical Flood? Well, we find fossils of marine creatures in limestone near the summit, which means that this area must have been under the sea in the past. Everyone agrees that the top of Everest was once under the sea. However, many people do not associate these rocks and fossils with Noah’s Flood because they think there is not enough water to cover the highest mountains. However, they are not considering how the Flood changed the earth’s topography. The mountain ranges formed at the end of the Flood. With vertical earth movements towards the end of the flood, the mountains rose and the water flowed off the continents into the newly formed oceans basins. Indeed, such mountains must have formed quickly and recently, otherwise they would have eroded as quickly as they formed. That’s why we have marine fossils at the tops of high mountains. To find out more from Creation Ministries International visit our website Creation.com.: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8dxotQINycE
9. Bible study: the importance of truth in religion | WINTERY KNIGHT: https://winteryknight.com/2023/03/05/bible-study-the-importance-of-truth-in-religion-8/
10. Gnosis: The Main Expression of Paganized Christianity in the New Age: https://patriotandliberty.com/gnosis-the-main-expression-of-paganized-christianity-in-the-new-age/
11. What is Progressive Christianity? One of the benefits of studying church history is that you realize that Solomon was right: There is nothing new under the sun (Eccl 1:9). This proverb has certainly been proven true when it comes to different versions of Christianity that have popped up throughout the life of the church. In every generation it seems there’s a new group that comes along insisting that their new and improved Christianity beats all predecessors hands down. But, upon closer examination, it becomes clear that this new version isn’t new at all. It’s simply a microwaved version of some other alternate brand of Christianity that the church has faced (and rejected) before.: https://www.michaeljkruger.com/what-is-progressive-christianity/
12. Are You an Evangelist? | ChristianCourier.com – You may not be able to fulfill the role of a preacher, or teacher, or elder, or deacon. But in the general sense, you can be an evangelist. Here’s how: https://christiancourier.com/articles/are-you-an-evangelist
13. Quick Challenge Answer: You Shouldn’t Push Your Views On Me: https://tentmakingchristianity.com/you-shouldnt-push-your-views-on-me/
14. Genetic entropy: The silent killer. Simply put, genetic entropy means that the information content in the genome (all of our genes) is progressively declining, due to the accumulation of mutations, generation after generation. In short, if the world were even several hundred thousand years old, genetic entropy means that we would have long since become extinct: https://creation.com/genetic-entropy-vs-evolution
15. Why we all need to be trained in Christian Apologetics Take the test (7 common questions/objections) Truth, Faith and Reason: https://truthfaithandreason.com/defending-your-faith-101-why-we-all-need-to-be-trained-in-christian-apologetics-take-the-test/
16. Timeline of the Apostle Paul’s ministry: http://christianityinview.com/paulstimeline.html
17. Why Do Two People See the Same Evidence Differently? | Cold Case Christianity: https://coldcasechristianity.com/writings/why-do-two-people-see-the-same-evidence-differently/
18. 8 False Assumptions about Christianity | Cccdiscover: https://cccdiscover.com/8-false-assumptions-about-christianity/
19. Is the God of the Old Testament the Same God of the New Testament? – One Minute Apologist: https://oneminuteapologist.com/is-the-god-of-the-old-testament-the-same-god-of-the-new-testament/
20. Distant Starlight Unlikely Solutions Part 2: ASC – Questions for Dr. Lisle Rational Faith – Lisle’s ASC theory. I initially thought it provided the best solution to the distant starlight problem. But after much study on the matter I came to the conclusion that not only does Lisle’s theory fall to Occam’s razor, if a key required stipulation is not true concerning light, it doesn’t even qualify to explain a 6,000 year old creation. I was thus forced to conclude Danny Faulkner’s Dasha theory (essentially God did it somehow we don’t know how) is the best answer. But I wanted to return to Lisle’s ASC and look more closely at what I consider the failings of the theory that I thought when I started the previous series would be the preferred solution to the distant starlight problem.: https://rationalfaith.com/2021/03/distant-starlight-unlikely-solutions-part-2-asc-questions-for-dr-lisle/
21. Is Mormon Salvation Possible? | Cold Case Christianity – One of the most important questions any monotheistic system can answer is simply this: How is one saved; how can one have eternal life? Every monotheistic faith system provides some mechanism by which we can be united to God, be in His Presence, or attain the ultimate life in eternity. As Christians, we believe Salvation is eternal life. For us, there is no difference. We believe there is one level of heaven, one opportunity for salvation, and this is called eternal (or everlasting) life: John 3:15-16 That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For Mormons, however, general Salvation comes to everyone on the planet, and is provided by the death of Jesus on the cross. It is simply the opportunity to be resurrected into one of the lower levels of heaven. But this is not the ambition of faithful Mormons; it is not what they hope for: https://coldcasechristianity.com/writings/is-mormon-salvation-possible/
22. Why Your Children DO Need Apologetics: Correcting Misconceptions – Mama Bear Apologetics – This weekend, a blog was released titled Why Your Children do NOT Need Apologetics. In it, apologetics was characterized as a fear-based recitation of doctrines which denies the realities of human experience. I suspect that it was written in response to the blog and podcast that Rebekah and I did the last week critiquing their Easter article. The article we critiqued was written by a children’s pastor, and it discouraged teaching children about the literal death and resurrection of Jesus, or the concept of original sin. (You can see our podcast response with extensive summary notes here.) We definitely didn’t mince words in the podcast, but neither did we throw any punches. Upon seeing this new blog, explicitly aimed at discouraging teaching apologetics to kids, I did what I think we should all do on a regular basis: I listened to their critique and tried to evaluate their message with a spirit of humility and self-reflection. I truly believe that we can learn from anyone. We all have blind spots. Are there things that we as an apologetics community could do better?: https://mamabearapologetics.com/children-do-need-apologetics/
23. Were The Gospels Written By The Disciples Originally In Greek? – YouTube – The questioner can’t name the scholars and just started looking at the topic in question but he’s absolutely sure that the evidence falsifies what Frank is saying…: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zOvl0SYh6Tw
24. Am I a Christian Simply Because I Was Raised in a Christian Culture? | Cold Case Christianity: https://coldcasechristianity.com/writings/am-i-a-christian-simply-because-i-was-raised-in-a-christian-culture/
25. Is the definition of atheism a lack of belief in God? | WINTERY KNIGHT – First, let’s see check with the Stanford University Encyclopedia of Philosophy: Atheism means the negation of theism, the denial of the existence of God. Stanford University is one of the top 5 universities in the United States, so that’s a solid definition. To be an atheist is to be a person who makes the claim that, as a matter of FACT, there is no intelligent agent who created the universe. Atheists think that there is no God, and theists think that there is a God. Both claims are objective claims about the way the world is out there, and so both sides must furnish forth arguments and evidence as to how they are able to know what they are each claiming.: https://winteryknight.com/2021/05/12/is-the-definition-of-atheism-a-lack-of-belief-in-god-13/
26. Why are Christians allowed to eat shellfish but not allowed to have sex before marriage? | WINTERY KNIGHT – The challenge: An argument frequently advanced by those attempting to defend homosexual practice is that Christians cherry pick the commands in the Bible that is, they chose to emphasize some commands while ignoring others. The Old Testament may forbid homosexual acts (Leviticus 18:2; 20:13) but it also forbids eating seafood without fins and scales (Leviticus 11:9-12; Deuteronomy 14:9, 10). So how can Christians then justify upholding laws on sexual morality whilst at the same time ignoring the food laws from the very same books of the Bible? Why may they eat shellfish but not be allowed to have sex outside marriage? Isn’t this inconsistent and hypocritical? The solution is that God enters into covenants with his people, and the terms of those covenants change.: https://winteryknight.com/2018/07/06/why-are-christians-allowed-to-eat-shellfish-but-not-allowed-to-have-sex-before-marriage-4/
27. The Holiness of God – Wrath & Grace Kids (A. W. Pink) – YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BGK-Oq4qUQc
28. Four Ways to Come Alongside Your Kids to Strengthen Their Faith | Cold Case Christianity – Summit Worldview Conference is also an important resource for parents. As a member of the faculty there, I’ve seen what happens in this intensive two-week worldview training experience. It is nothing short of life changing. I cannot recommend it highly enough. Look for opportunities, prioritize your calendar, and encourage your kids to engage in a short-term, high intensity adventure. Come alongside your kids to help them have a pivotal moment.: https://coldcasechristianity.com/writings/four-ways-to-come-alongside-your-kids-to-strengthen-their-faith/
29. The Top Ten Questions to Ask Skeptical Friends – Cross Examined – How do you get a spiritual conversation started? Can you do it without appearing awkward? Should your goal be to bring someone to the foot of the cross in every conversation you have? Join Frank as he reveals the Top Ten questions that will help you have effective evangelism conversations with friends and even people you meet for the first time. As you’ll see, your goal should not be to bring everyone to the foot of the cross in every conversation. Just moving people closer to Christ incrementally should be your goal in most instances. This takes the pressure off of you by acknowledging that other people and the Holy Spirit have roles in the process too, which will mean you’ll be more apt to evangelize. Your job is to be faithful and to leave the results to God. Franks Ten Questions will help you be faithful and move people closer to Jesus. Don’t miss this very practical show!: https://subsplash.com/crossexamined/media/mi/+fmnc59y
30. Why does God require faith? Why doesn’t God “prove” Himself to us?: https://www.gotquestions.org/God-require-faith.html
31. 3 Times Jesus Responded to Doubt – With Evidence. A Few Takeaways on Doubts First, every believer will have doubts at some point. Doubts are not necessarily good in and of themselves, but they are to be expected. How we respond to them is the more important part, and can be a good opportunity to strengthen our convictions. If John and Thomas, who walked with the guy and saw his miracles live, had doubts, don’t be surprised when you do. You are not a weak Christian just because you have questions. Second, take your doubts before God. Don’t be passive and just let them sit and grow. Pray that he shows you what you need. This may come through witness of the holy spirit, reading his word in scripture, or maybe an article online with other insights. However, he may not answer every question, and simply ask that you be still and know that he is God. If that happens, I would recommend meditating on Peters words. Either way, I do not think that if we truly ask God to help us with our unbelief he will say no.: https://tentmakingchristianity.com/3-times-jesus-responded-to-doubt/
32. How the Ontological Argument Proves the Existence of God: https://crossexamined.org/how-the-ontological-argument-proves-the-existence-of-god/
33. What’s the Best Way to Talk to Mormon Missionaries about Their View of Baptism? – Stand to Reason: https://subspla.sh/zrdm8zb
34. Extraordinary Claims and Extraordinary Evidence | Evolution News: https://evolutionnews.org/2023/03/yes-extraordinary-claims-require-extraordinary-evidence-lets-hear-some-for-darwinian-evolution/

The highest heavens belong to the LORD, but the earth he has given to man. Psalms 115:16

Blessings to you all

mid-week apologetics booster (3-2-2023)

Good morning friends,

Here is a random quote (of over 2500) from Nuggets:

Sin and the child of God are incompatible. They may occasionally meet; they cannot live together in harmony. – John Stott

To view more of these quotes, visit:

http://www.ps11911.com/bible-app/browseQuotes

Now, here are your weekly links:

1. Where wolves wander – Regular readers of creation materials will know that domestic dogs, coyotes, jackals, and many others are part of the same created kind. The ancestors of this kind are a pair of wolf-like animals that came off Noah’s ark.: https://creation.com/wandering-wolves
2. Beijing Shouwang Church: The House Church That Refuses to Die: https://bitterwinter.org/beijing-shouwang-house-church-refuses-to-die/
3. 7 PROBLEMS WITH THE HE GETS US CAMPAIGN | The Battle Cry: https://thebattlecry49.com/2022/12/19/7-problems-with-the-he-gets-us-campaign/
4. 3 Overlooked Ways to Do Pre-Evangelism: https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/3-overlooked-ways-pre-evangelism/
5. How Do We Know That the Apostles Really Died As Martyrs? | Cold Case Christianity: https://coldcasechristianity.com/writings/how-do-we-know-that-the-apostles-really-died-as-martyrs/
6. What is the Difference Between Evangelism and Apologetics? – Stephen J Bedard: http://www.stephenjbedard.com/2017/02/28/difference-evangelism-apologetics/
7. Adam: Five things you may not know about him. Adam is one of the best-known people in the Bible. Despite this, most people only know a few basic facts about him. His connection to every person on the planet, and therefore our need for the Gospel, is outlined below, as are five things about Adam you may not have known before. 1. Adam is grounded in Hebrew, 2. Dust of the ground, 3. Men and women: same number of ribs, 4. Y-chromosome Adam, 5. A man of firsts: https://creation.com/five-things-about-adam
8. Scientific Proof Creation Moments – if the latter (Creationists) say something like, But evolution is only a theory. They will wax lyrical on how a scientific theory is something designed to fit all the available facts and evidences. Yet evolutionary theory fails to do that. It is indeed true that a theory cannot be proved. It can, of course, be disproved, and large amounts of evidence can be accumulated to support a theory. But the theory fails if just one piece of evidence is found which contradicts the theory.: https://creationmoments.com/sermons/scientific-proof-2/
9. Peter J. Williams debates Bart Ehrman on his book Misquoting Jesus | WINTERY KNIGHT: https://winteryknight.com/2023/02/26/peter-j-williams-debates-bart-ehrman-on-his-book-misquoting-jesus-4/
10. The lies of Lynchburg – How U.S. evolutionists taught the Nazis. Beginning in the 1920s, many thousands of people in the United States were sterilized against their will and without their consent, to prevent undesirable breeding. Over 8,000 of these procedures took place at a major centre to which such undesirables were sent, in Lynchburg, Virginia.: https://creation.com/the-lies-of-lynchburg
11. PDF Transcript of a conversation with Dr. John Dickson about his book Bullies and Saints (church history): https://crossexamined.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/BulliesAndSaints-IDHEFTBAAPodcast11.18.21.pdf
12. I Came to Faith Through Apologetics | Cold Case Christianity: https://coldcasechristianity.com/writings/i-came-to-faith-through-apologetics/
13. The Difference Between Believing the Gospels and Trusting the Gospel | Cold Case Christianity: https://coldcasechristianity.com/writings/the-difference-between-believing-the-gospels-and-trusting-the-gospel/
14. The Use and Abuse of Christian Apologetics – Lifeway Research: https://research.lifeway.com/2019/11/06/the-use-and-abuse-of-christian-apologetics/
15. Why A Classical Historian Changed His Mind About Christianity | Blog | Think Theology: https://thinktheology.co.uk/blog/article/why_a_classical_historian_changed_his_mind_about_christianity
16. Origins | CornerStone Television Network – Discover how Science confirms the Genesis account of Creation! : https://ctvn.org/shows/origins/
17. TOP Atheists BEST Arguments Against God. How Bad Are They? – YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c159bJUL0t0
18. How Developing A Forensic Faith Increases Your Christian Confidence – YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v0-Z_EecKGU
19. Evolutions Failed Predictions and Unfalsifiability | Penses – The history of modern biological studies is filled with surprising and unexpected findings that were not at all predicted by evolutionary theory, in fact, in some cases, quite the opposite was predicted. And yet, unlike other theories that face counter-intuitive evidence, this theory continues to remain fundamentally unquestioned as a matter of scientific orthodoxy.: https://pspruett.wordpress.com/2022/07/05/evolutions-failed-predictions-and-unfalsifiability/
20. Erwin Lutzer lays out 5 false gospels within evangelical churches | Church & Ministries News: https://www.christianpost.com/news/erwin-lutzer-lays-out-5-false-gospels-within-evangelical-churches.html
21. When Someone says the Bible can’t be Trusted. – New York Apologetics: http://www.newyorkapologetics.com/when-someone-says-the-bible-cant-be-trusted/
22. Stop Using the Term Fetus | Cold Case Christianity – I have been trying to eliminate the term, fetus from my vocabulary for many of the same reasons that Hazzard suggested we eliminate the three aforementioned terms. I think the word fetus is a dehumanizing expression that allows people to objectify the unborn.: https://coldcasechristianity.com/writings/stop-using-the-term-fetus/
23. Is Jesus God? – Good News – This is the third Google high frequency search question we are considering. While the evangelists and apostles are clear that Jesus is God (several citations will be given at the end of the article), it is best to consider the question through the means that Jesus himself used to introduce his divinity to his disciples: he displayed his sovereignty over the Sea of Galilee. We will attempt to display Jesus divinity through the same sequence we see him using in the Gospels.: https://www.goodnewsfl.org/is-jesus-god/
24. This Theologian Has An Answer To Claims That Evil Disproves God: https://thefederalist.com/2018/01/03/theologian-answer-new-atheists-claims-existence-evil-disproves-gods/
25. The Origin of the Sexes (OB3) | Answers in Genesis – How is it then possible that such different and complex organs, which fit one another in every morphological and physiological detail, could have evolved suddenly?: https://answersingenesis.org/human-evolution/origins/23-the-origin-of-the-sexes-ob3/
26. Christian Leaders, Please Speak the Truth About Homosexuality Plainly and With Love – The Stream: https://stream.org/christian-leaders-please-speak-truth-homosexuality-plainly-love/
27. 5 Reasons Why It’s Unreasonable to Ask Who Created God: https://www.cltruth.com/2017/who-created-god-reasons-why-its-unreasonable/
28. Plant Diversity and Computer Programming | Evolution News: https://evolutionnews.org/2021/01/plant-diversity-and-computer-programming/
29. 7 Essential Questions to Ask When You Study the Bible | Josh Daffern: https://www.patheos.com/blogs/newwineskins/7-essential-questions-to-ask-when-you-study-the-bible/
30. What is Bethel Church, Redding CA? | GotQuestions.org: https://www.gotquestions.org/Bethel-Church-Redding.html
31. 2084 with Dr. John Lennox – Cross Examined – “Summoning a Demon” is how Tesla CEO Elon Musk referred to Artificial Intelligence. Is he right? Artificial Intelligence is here, and more is coming. Will it bring us utopia or dystopia? Should we be enthralled or afraid? What are the ethics of AI? Will AI machines ever become conscious? What does the Bible have to say about AI? Could AI actually be predicted by the book of Revelation?: https://subsplash.com/crossexamined/media/mi/+pp966r3
32. The Best Question to Ask When Starting a Conversation About God | Cold Case Christianity: https://coldcasechristianity.com/writings/the-best-question-to-ask-when-starting-a-conversation-about-god/
33. Did John Really Write John? – The Gospel according to John has received more scrutiny than the other Gospels put together. Case in point, dating back to the 1920s, critical scholars have argued that the apostle John could not have written the Gospel. Rather, they’ve suggested a whole slew of other possibilities (anonymous, John the Elder, Lazarus, John Mark, the rich young ruler, etc.) But is there any evidence to back up their contentions? Should we reject the traditional position which the church has subscribed to for almost two thousand years?: https://crossexamined.org/did-john-really-write-john/
34. What are the consequences of sin? | GotQuestions.org: https://www.gotquestions.org/consequences-of-sin.html
35. How radiometric dating works – Media Center – A layman’s explanation on how radiometric dating works, and where potential inaccuracies originate. Watch the full episode at: https://creation.com/cml7-15: https://creation.com/media-center/youtube/how-radiometric-dating-works
36. The Reliability of the Bible: 4 Quick Thoughts | ReasonableTheology.org: https://reasonabletheology.org/reliability-bible-4-quick-thoughts/
37. Jesus Is A Myth, Just Like President Kennedy | Cold Case Christianity – I was born in ‘61, so I was too young to recall the national tragedy that my mother remembered with such shock and dismay. She talked often of presidential assassination that occurred in ‘63, and it was clear that it impacted her deeply. You probably already know the president to whom I am referring: https://coldcasechristianity.com/writings/jesus-is-a-myth-just-like-president-kennedy/
38. The Most Important Thing to Tell Your Child When They Doubt Their Faith – The Benefit of the Doubt: https://www.travisdickinson.com/the-most-important-thing-to-tell-your-child-when-they-doubt-their-faith/
39. The Book of Revelation: How Difficult Was Its Journey into the Canon? – Canon Fodder: https://www.michaeljkruger.com/the-book-of-revelation-how-difficult-was-its-journey-into-the-canon/
40. Has the dark matter mystery been solved: https://creation.com/has-the-dark-matter-mystery-been-solved
41. What Is the General Theory of Evolution Unable to Explain? – YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jpuog3h_tb0
42. Free Apologetics E-Book Library – this is a great list of free resources!!: http://truthbomb.blogspot.com/2009/07/free-apologetics-e-book-library.html

Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. If we have been united with him like this in his death, we will certainly also be united with him in his resurrection. For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin — because anyone who has died has been freed from sin. Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. For we know that since Christ was raised from the dead, he cannot die again; death no longer has mastery over him. The death he died, he died to sin once for all; but the life he lives, he lives to God. In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus. Romans 6:3-11

Blessings to you all

mid-week apologetics booster (2-16-2023)

Good morning friends,

Here is a random quote (of over 2500) from Nuggets:

Of course it is self-defeating for Ehrman at once to say we do not have the original words, and then to claim that the copies we have are incorrect or ridden with errors. How does he know any copies are incorrect if he doesn’t have the original by which to make a comparison? In fact, the only way he could judge that any copies were copied incorrectly, is if he assumes that the original is preserved in the copies, which he then uses as a standard of measure by which to measure specific instances of variation. – Thomas A. Howe, Ph.D., Professor of Bible and Biblical Languages, Southern Evangelical Seminary, 2006

To view more of these quotes, visit:

http://www.ps11911.com/bible-app/browseQuotes

Now, here are your weekly links:

1. Voddie Baucham addresses the question Jesus never addressed homosexuality in the Bible. – nails it: https://twitter.com/i/status/1623375167207641088
2. Leading gender dysphoria expert says 80% of children grow out of gender confusion | WINTERY KNIGHT: https://winteryknight.com/2023/02/09/leading-gender-dysphoria-expert-says-80-of-children-grow-out-of-gender-confusion/
3. New Testament Gods word – The NT authors understood that they were passing on the authoritative apostolic tradition.: https://creation.com/new-testament-gods-word
4. Tim Keller – We are pleased to announce the launch of a major new TGC initiative: The Keller Center for Cultural Apologetics. Inspired by the legacy of TGC co-founder Timothy Keller, The Keller Center will raise up and support a new generation of bold evangelists and effective apologists who will communicate the unchanging gospel for a changing world.: https://www.facebook.com/reel/751633359975347
5. Threat Alert: ISIS Calls for Muslims to Attack Christians Around the World, Especially in Europe PatriotandLiberty: https://patriotandliberty.com/threat-alert-isis-calls-for-muslims-to-attack-christians-around-the-world-especially-in-europe/
6. The long-awaited James Webb Space Telescope – Will the new space telescope find ET life?: https://creation.com/space-telescope-et
7. Only 28% of Gen Z attends church at least once a month: survey | U.S. News: https://www.christianpost.com/news/only-28-of-gen-z-attends-church-at-least-once-a-month-survey.html
8. What are Falun Gong and Shen Yun? Of course, we also oppose both atheism and belief in molecules-to-man evolution. But there is a wide gulf between the beliefs of this revived Eastern religion, and Christianity, which we should be aware of. If you have the opportunity and desire to see Shen Yun, then be cautious and mindful that you will be exposed to the carefully-organised promotion of a non-Christian Eastern mystical religion.: https://creation.com/falun-gong-shen-yun
9. Most Americans think cohabitation leads to a stable marriage, but what does the data say? | WINTERY KNIGHT: https://winteryknight.com/2023/02/13/most-americans-think-cohabitation-leads-to-a-stable-marriage-but-what-does-the-data-say-3/

Blessed is he who has regard for the weak; the LORD delivers him in times of trouble. Psalms 41:1

Blessings to you all

mid-week apologetics booster (2-9-2023)

Good morning friends,

Here is a random quote (of over 2500) from Nuggets:

Men do not reject the Bible because it contradicts itself, but because it contradicts them. – E. Paul Hovey

To view more of these quotes, visit:

http://www.ps11911.com/bible-app/browseQuotes

Now, here are your weekly links:

1. Privileged Species featuring Dr. Michael Denton – YouTube – Privileged Species is a 33-minute documentary by Discovery Institute that explores growing evidence from physics, chemistry, biology, and related fields that our universe was designed for large multi-cellular beings like ourselves. Featuring geneticist and author Michael Denton, the documentary investigates the special properties of carbon, water, and oxygen that make human life and the life of other organisms possible, and it explores some of the unique features of humans that make us a truly privileged species.: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VoI2ms5UHWg
2. Book review of Frank Turek’s Stealing from God | WINTERY KNIGHT: https://winteryknight.com/2023/02/04/book-review-of-frank-tureks-stealing-from-god-2/
3. Old-Earth Creationism on Trial by Tim Chaffey, Jason Lisle – Audiobook – Audible.com – I would recommend you listen to this book with an open mind.  It addresses the debate of Old Earth vs. Young Earth in the same way that a court trial is handled with prosecution, defense and cross-examination, which I think is a fair way to handle it.  Here is the book summary from the publisher:  As the modern church struggles to find a place of relevancy for a new generation that already has massive demands on its time and attention, more and more young people raised in the church are leaving it – failing to find the answers to their questions of faith and life, beset with doubts raised by issues that the church chooses not to address. Opting to skirt the controversy of Genesis as literal history, the biblical authority of the Holy Word is called into question and reduced to a collection of mere stories. More popularly considered an issue for schools or in the public realm, the conflicting views on the age of the earth also remain a pivotal issue within the church – as it has for over two centuries. Was the Creation week literally six days? Does science really point to an old earth? Does the issue really matter for Christians? Should this issue even be discussed within the church? Join authors Dr. Jason Lisle and Tim Chaffey as they put forth a case against an old-earth interpretation of Scripture. A comprehensive biblical, theological, and scientific critique of old-earth creationism, the book presents its compelling testimony in layman’s terms to create a powerful debate that leads to unquestionable truth.: https://www.audible.com/pd/1982696982?source_code=ASSOR150021921000R
4. Frank Turek lectures on the case against same-sex marriage | WINTERY KNIGHT: https://winteryknight.com/2023/02/05/frank-turek-lectures-on-the-case-against-same-sex-marriage-7/
5. Faithful synod member reported by bishop for ‘hate crime’ for expressing a biblical view of sexuality – Christian Concern: https://christianconcern.com/news/faithful-synod-member-reported-by-bishop-for-hate-crime/
6. Bats have an innate knowledge of the speed of sound. I love the experiment that was done (raising bats in an environment with gases that make the speed of sound faster) to give evidence that the speed of sound is “built-in” to the bat: https://creation.com/bats-speed-of-sound
7. Review of Avatar The Way of Water, director James Cameron – There is a fundamental difference between the pantheistic worldview portrayed in this film, and that of biblical Christianity. Christian believers come to know and worship God as Father, the one who is the Creator and Sustainer of all things.: https://creation.com/avatar-2-movie-review
8. New DNA Discovery Reveals That All Humans are Descendants of an Adam and Eve – Christ News Today: https://www.beliefnet.com/columnists/christnewstoday/2018/12/new-dna-discovery-reveals-humans-descendants-adam-eve.html
9. Physicist: Multiverse Is Religion, Not Science | Evolution News: https://evolutionnews.org/2019/07/physicist-multiverse-is-religion-not-science/
10. Antibiotic Resistance & Bacterial Evolution: What’s the Real Story? (Long Story Short, Ep. 3) – YouTube: https://youtu.be/jlmgFFBBopM
11. Is the Bible a Fairy Tale? The Bible does not qualify as a fairy tale. What remains is the underlying question, can it really be what it claims to be? It is only in the Bible that the answer becomes crystal clear not as a fictional work, but as Gods Word.: https://www.christianity.com/wiki/bible/is-the-bible-a-fairy-tale.html
12. Don’t Forget Why We Do What We Do: https://www.str.org/w/don-t-forget-why-we-do-what-we-do
13. On Worldviews by James Anderson – Ligonier Ministries : https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/worldviews
14. Apologetics Isnt Argumentative: https://www.str.org/w/apologetics-isn-t-argumentative
15. Were Cavemen Real? | Answers in Genesis: https://answersingenesis.org/human-evolution/cavemen/who-were-cavemen/
16. What is the significance of the Roman Empire in biblical history? | GotQuestions.org: https://www.gotquestions.org/Roman-empire.html
17. Ehrman’s Misquoting Jesus Misleads Readers from its Inception Christian Apologist: https://christian-apologist.com/2019/02/09/ehrmans-misquoting-jesus-misleads-readers-from-its-inception/
18. Responding to Pride Month with Genuine Love: https://www.str.org/w/responding-to-pride-month-with-genuine-love
19. A Trillion First Responders | Answers in Genesis: https://answersingenesis.org/human-body/trillion-first-responders/
20. Former Johns Hopkins head psychiatrist: transgender surgery isn’t the solution – LifeSite: https://www.lifesitenews.com/news/former-johns-hopkins-head-psychiatrist-transgender-surgery-isnt-the-solutio/
21. You Can Forgive Your Parents | Desiring God: https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/you-can-forgive-your-parents
22. Dr. Brandon van der Ventel Interview. Nuclear scientist Dr. Brandon van der Ventel shares his creationist faith with Dr. Jonathan Sarfati: https://creation.com/brandon-vd-interview
23. The persecution and betrayal of the pro-life cause – Voice of the Family %: https://voiceofthefamily.com/the-persecution-and-betrayal-of-the-pro-life-cause/
24. That’s a Fact – The Fossil Record on Vimeo: https://vimeo.com/290548930
25. Should We Expose Students to Arguments Against | Sean McDowell: https://seanmcdowell.org/blog/should-students-be-exposed-to-evidence-against-christianity
26. Credo The Story Of Reality – YouTube: https://youtu.be/wm4Z8A2Co3A
27. 40 Influential Christian Books | Living News: https://www.christianpost.com/news/40-influential-christian-books-217650/
28. A Memorial for a Melted Glacier? | Answers in Genesis: https://answersingenesis.org/environmental-science/climate-change/memorial-melted-glacier/
29. 5 Reasons the Resurrection of Jesus is NOT a Copy of Ancient Pagan Myths: https://www.alisachildersblog.com/blog/5-reasons-the-resurrection-of-jesus-is-not-a-copy-of-ancient-pagan-myths
30. Nurturing Christian Students As They Engage the Challenges of Atheism | Cold Case Christianity: https://coldcasechristianity.com/writings/nurturing-christian-students-as-they-engage-the-challenges-of-atheism/

Do not love sleep or you will grow poor; stay awake and you will have food to spare. Proverbs 20:13

Blessings to you all

mid-week apologetics booster (2-2-2023)

Good morning friends,

Here is a random quote (of over 2500) from Nuggets:

The taking up of the cross is not going to be something heroic or dramatic or enviable. It’s going to be a daily practice of acceptance of small duties which you don’t really like. – Elisabeth Elliot

To view more of these quotes, visit:

http://www.ps11911.com/bible-app/browseQuotes

Now, here are your weekly links:

1. Mountains and molehills. A reply to Ben Stanhope on Jobs behemoth. As I see it, there is far too little engagement between young- and old-earth Christians as it is, so by all means I will count this dialogue as a good development. Any time we can take steps to break through the internet’s echo chamber, I suggest we should do so.: https://creation.com/ben-stanhope-reply-on-behemoth
2. The Sign of Jonah Creation Moments – By referring this matter to Himself, Jesus was also validating the truthfulness of the account of Jonah and the big fish in Jonah chapter 1. Yet many people prefer to think of the account of Jonah and the big fish as a fairy tale…Jonah was taken by the creature to Ninevah a gentile town, which repented for that time. It is fitting that Jonah was used as a type of the death and resurrection of Christ because it is by Christs death and resurrection that all peoples of the world are able to be reconciled to God.: https://creationmoments.com/sermons/the-sign-of-jonah-2/
3. Observations from the Bible Belt (Podcast) | Cold Case Christianity – this section of the podcast starts about 1/2 the way through: https://coldcasechristianity.com/podcasts/observations-from-the-bible-belt-podcast/
4. This is what happens when you don’t know the Bible – YouTube: https://youtu.be/e5GTo6PKL8w
5. Alexander Vilenkin: All the evidence we have says that the universe had a beginning | WINTERY KNIGHT: https://winteryknight.com/2023/01/25/alexander-vilenkin-all-the-evidence-we-have-says-that-the-universe-had-a-beginning-10/
6. Why the Appearance of Design in Biology Is a Problem for Atheistic Naturalism | Cold Case Christianity: https://coldcasechristianity.com/writings/why-the-appearance-of-design-in-biology-is-a-problem-for-atheistic-naturalism/
7. Ryan Visconti: On Sept. 19, 2019, I was invited to a private dinner with about 15 pastors at a local church in Gilbert, AZ to participate in a Q&A with @AndyStanley after he finished speaking at a conference. The subject of homosexuality came up and over the next 1.5 hours Andy shared overtly heretical views that clearly contradict what the Word of God says. I was shocked to find myself arguing with *Andy Stanley* along with the other pastors despite our respect for him.: https://twitter.com/ryanvisconti/status/1618415547611492356
8. What are the New Heavens and the New Earth? | GotQuestions.org: https://www.gotquestions.org/new-heavens-earth.html
9. How Proverbs Changed How I See Everything – YouTube: https://youtu.be/38VG0nHAhFY
10. Roman Catholicism: Contending for the Faith – YouTube: https://youtu.be/7ZVHHmCOjOg
11. Christianity Is Objectively True | Answers in Genesis – Responding to Todd Woods claim of purely subjective faith. Most people who go to church grow up mainly hearing the Bible on Sundays, learning Bible stories in Sunday school, and hearing preaching from the pulpit. But then many of them go to schools where the education is purely secular and at least sometimes may be overtly hostile to the Bible. This leads to the impression that religion is subjective, emotional, and personal, while the real world belongs to the secularists.: https://answersingenesis.org/young-earth-evolution/christianity-objectively-true/
12. Water vapour: a more powerful greenhouse gas than CO2 – Media Center – Forget CO2. To stop global warming we need to reduce water vapour. For details watch the entire episode here: https://creation.com/cml9-01b: https://creation.com/media-center/youtube/water-vapour-a-more-powerful-greenhouse-gas-than-co2
13. Why Is It a Mortal Sin to Miss Mass? | Catholic Answers – disclaimer: I’m not a Roman Catholic, nor am I advocating for Roman Catholicism, but this article has some interesting historical details about the persecution of Christians from the first 300 years of the church: https://www.catholic.com/magazine/print-edition/why-is-it-a-mortal-sin-to-miss-mass
14. William Lane Craig explains the doctrine of penal substitutionary atonement | WINTERY KNIGHT: https://winteryknight.com/2023/01/29/william-lane-craig-explains-the-doctrine-of-penal-substitutionary-atonement-9/
15. The Relationship Between Jesus and Lucifer in a Mormon Context Mormonism Research Ministry: https://www.mrm.org/lucifers-brother
16. The Name of God: Jehovah’s Witnesses and the Name of God – Christian Research Institute: https://www.equip.org/perspectives/the-name-of-god-jehovahs-witnesses-and-the-name-of-god/
17. What to say to Jehovah’s Witnesses – 1. About the Jehovah’s Witnesses – bethinking.org: https://www.bethinking.org/jehovahs-witnesses/what-to-say-to-jehovahs-witnesses/2-about-jws
18. A Challenge to the Modern Church: Invest in Christian Education! – American Thinker: https://www.americanthinker.com/articles/2021/06/a_challenge_to_the_modern_church_invest_in_christian_education.html
19. Pain – A consequence of the curse, not from evolutionary processes: https://creation.com/pain
20. Gods DNA-detangling motors – The topoisomerase enzymes. All living creatures contain incredible machines, as well as the instruction manual to build them. This manual comprises sequences of chemical letters (nucleotides) in the famous deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) molecule, just as information in a book is written in letters on a page. Furthermore, these instructions are copied to the next generation. You didn’t really get your mothers eyes and fathers ears; rather, it was the instructions to re-manufacture your mothers eyes and fathers ears that were copied to your DNA. DNAs physical dimensions pose many problems that would need to be solved before even the simplest life could function. : https://creation.com/dna-detangling-motors-topoisomerase
21. If you get canceled, like paleontologist Gunter Bechly, where do you go? As a colleague pointed out yesterday, American life is taking on new aspects with an increasingly underground feel. It’s become suffocating on the surface, so truth seeks shelter. People monitor what they permit themselves to say in public, and often in private, too. Social media are watching what you post. A lot of people have learned what it feels like to have your Facebook or Twitter account suspended as a punishment for saying something politically disfavored. As Discovery Institutes Chris Rufo has extensively reported, your employer, in the public or private sphere, may decide it’s time for you to be reprogrammed in line with woke racial ideology. The experience of being canceled or expelled is no longer limited to controversial speakers on college campuses, who make students feel unsafe. It’s not limited to intelligent design advocates either.: https://evolutionnews.org/2020/12/gunter-bechly-welcome-to-the-underground/
22. Scientists Conclude: Human Origins Research Is a Big Mess | Evolution News – human origins research is in a ridiculous state of constant major rewritings and refutations of allegedly indisputable textbook wisdom. This is mainly due to surprising new discoveries of hominin fossils. The situation goes far beyond the healthy normal progress of science. Instead, it suggests that something is wrong with the general narrative, which needs not just some rewriting here and there, but a major rethinking and paradigm change: https://evolutionnews.org/2021/05/scientists-conclude-human-origins-research-is-a-big-mess/
23. In this 13 min 49 second TED-style talk, Tim Barnett tackles the question, “So Many Religions – What Do We Do?” This talk took place at the youth event, Big Deal Questions. – YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vSb2ae_mPaE
24. Breakpoint: Talking Worldview at Thanksgiving – Here are six questions I’ve found extremely helpful in any conversation: https://colsoncenter.libsyn.com/talking-worldview-at-thanksgiving
25. Bible Contradiction? Did Jesus baptize anyone? | The Domain for Truth – There is no Bible contradiction here. Not only do we see the author of the Skeptic Annotated Bible failed with claiming there is a Bible contradiction in this example but one must also keep in mind that the author also have a Self-Defeating Worldview that undermine the intelligibility and meaningfulness of his project of attacking the Bible in the first place: https://veritasdomain.wordpress.com/2018/08/14/bible-contradiction-did-jesus-baptize-anyone/
26. Did John Really Write John? The Gospel according to John has received more scrutiny than the other Gospels put together.: https://crossexamined.org/did-john-really-write-john/
27. Interview with computer scientist Ed Knorr. Asked about scientific/mathematical evidence on origins, Ed referred to the work of creationist genetic-engineering pioneer Dr. John Sanford: I learned there are at least 100 new mutations per person born, and almost none of these are advantageous. Furthermore, DNA is poly-constrained and poly-functional: any mutation in a single letter of DNA could affect multiple genes. Thus, the likelihood of harmful effects adding up over time is high. Given the low probability of advantageous mutations, multiplying low probabilities over long stretches of time implies the probabilities become statistically zero for the formation of any significant new functionality in an organism. Things are heading downhill; the notion of perfect design right from the start, with variability encoded in the DNA, makes much more scientific sense.: https://creation.com/ed-knorr-interview
28. Here Are 5 Tips for Conversations in Our Tense Cultural Moment – Canon Fodder: https://www.michaeljkruger.com/here-are-5-tips-for-conversations-in-our-tense-cultural-moment/
29. Four Reasons the New Testament Gospels Are Reliable (Free Bible Insert) | Cold Case Christianity: https://coldcasechristianity.com/writings/four-reasons-the-new-testament-gospels-are-reliable/
30. Contend for the Faith | Ligonier.org – Unless we are well-grounded in our faith, we will not be able to recognize false doctrine and help rescue those who have fallen prey to it Jude reminds us that believers must contend for the faith once delivered to the saints because of the goats who set themselves up as teachers of the sheep (vv. 34). Yet this call to fight actively for the faith is not limited to Jude alone; it is one theme uniting all of the General Epistles.: https://www.ligonier.org/learn/devotionals/contend-faith
31. Bible Word of God – How can we be sure we have the Word of God? How accurate are our copies of the Bible?: https://creation.com/bible-word-of-god
32. An Atheist Explains the True Reason Religion Terrifies Him – Intellectual Takeout: https://intellectualtakeout.org/2018/06/an-atheist-explains-the-true-reason-religion-terrifies-him/
33. A Case for Creation 101: Made in His Image or evolved over time? Truth, Faith and Reason – includes several embedded YouTube videos and a list of Twelve questions Darwinian evolutionary theory cannot answer: https://truthfaithandreason.com/a-case-for-creation-101-made-in-his-image-or-evolved-over-time/
34. Aliens, the Multiverse, or God? (Stephen C. Meyer) Science and God – YouTube – Even staunch Darwinists have acknowledged that life in the universe displays an appearance of design, rather than being created out of random chance. If that’s true, where did that design come from? In other words, does a design require a designer?: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6VQy0B_sY0U
35. What should parents think about Disney’s position on grooming children for sex? | WINTERY KNIGHT: https://winteryknight.com/2023/02/01/what-should-parents-think-about-disneys-position-on-grooming-children-for-sex-2/

but I will not take my love from him, nor will I ever betray my faithfulness. I will not violate my covenant or alter what my lips have uttered. Once for all, I have sworn by my holiness– and I will not lie to David– that his line will continue forever and his throne endure before me like the sun; it will be established forever like the moon, the faithful witness in the sky.” “Selah” Psalms 89:33-37

Blessings to you all

Message to my son, from 2009

I was going back through some old documents on my computer and noticed that I’d composed a rather long letter to my son in 2009. At the time I wrote this, he was in his freshman year in college, living in a dorm room on campus. As I read it, I thought that this may be inspiring or useful to some of my readers, so I’m sharing it with you. This was written at a time in my spiritual life when I was on fire for Christ. After my conversion in 1999, there had been a slow “fading away”, but on September 9, 2009, I had a spiritual crisis and a great event of repentance which elevated my faith and zeal to a whole new level.

If you would like to use this and customize it to send to someone you know, that is perfectly fine. Note, I have changed the greeting to Dear Son, instead of using his real name. Here it is:

Dear Son,                                                                                                                                      11-13-2009

I chose to write to you in email because it is so difficult to find the time to talk to you about these things in person. Furthermore, I can collect and organize my thoughts much better in the written word. However, I can assure you though that this message is coming from my heart. I ask for 15 minutes of your time today to read this email – 15 minutes out of your day so your Dad can pour out his heart to you… I want to share some of the most important things I have learned in my 47 years of life. Please read it with an open mind and open heart.

I deeply love you and care about you. Hopefully you know that and you’ll realize how fully one day in the future. All that I am about to say to you comes out of that deep love – it is not a lecture or preaching… I want only the best for you (in this world and the next) and pray for you every day and sometimes many times a day – this is the truth. I pray that wherever you are right now that the Lord will protect you and keep you safe. I pray that the Lord will keep you in the Christian faith as He has promised and as you have committed during your confirmation. The one prayer that I truly want answered above all others is for you to place your trust in Jesus Christ and to love Him with all your heart, soul, mind and strength – to be “on fire” for Christ. Everything else in your life will take care of itself if that one prayer is answered. However, before you can be on fire for Christ, you have to know Him.

I know how the temptations and “busyness” of this world can leave little time for things like this – believe me I truly do understand and I’ve personally been there. But we all as humans need to step back and take a look at the big picture of life. We all need to answer the big questions, like “why am I here on earth – how did I get here – what is my purpose?”, “what is going to happen when I die – where am I going?”. The answers to these questions are more important than anything else we deal with on a day-to-day basis. The answers to these questions have **eternal** significance, as well as significance for the here and now. Not to say those other things are not important (school, current job, future career, friends, romance, health, fitness, football etc), but they pale in comparison to these grand questions in life. I don’t know if you ever think about these big questions or whether you pray or whether you trust in Christ. Unfortunately, I don’t know you well enough to answer those questions. And that is why I want to share with you how important God is to me and how a relationship with Him is really important for you here and now as well as eternity. And you might be asking yourself “why should I be concerned about all this now? I have my whole life to live. I’m not going to die for another 70 years!” But unsuspecting people die every day. They are going about their normal business and boom something happens (it could be a car accident or maybe something else) and their life ends. You could be driving home from work and someone crosses the center line and crashes into you head on. You could be gone in an instant – it happens all the time. Then, suddenly all the material things that were so important during this life become irrelevant. You are facing your Creator. And the question is, where did you place your trust during your life? Did you place your trust in Christ or yourself or in something else (money, friends, material things, etc)? When you really think about this possibility, it makes you live with an “eternal perspective” and value those things that are of eternal significance. I only say this because I care about you – really…

Actually, I’m sorry to say that I don’t know for sure if you still even believe in God – although I think (and hope) that you do. The last time we probably even talked about this was in confirmation. And to be honest with you, I really haven’t been a good father to you in this area – the spiritual area. But I want to be there for you if you want to talk to me about these things. I can’t try to change someone’s heart – only God can do that. But I can be here to listen, without judgment. You need to know however that there are many very rational reasons to believe that there is a God – that life and this universe were designed and that we did not just come about by accident. You’ll be taking Biology again next semester and I can guarantee you that there will be no room for a God in your teacher’s mind and probably in most of the students as well. But I have studied both sides in this debate and I am truly convinced that evidence and logic points to the only possible explanation – “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth” (Genesis 1:1). If you are interested, I can send you the reasons I have gathered during my research…

Also, I know that Jesus Christ is real. He was a real person that walked the earth over 2000 years ago and died, was buried and rose again. I know He is real because of the historical facts (empty tomb, transformation of the 12 apostles – how could these common people change the course of history – and post resurrection appearances of Christ). But, I think more importantly, I know that He is real because of what He has done in my life. God has transformed my life in a way that I could never have done on my own! He has given me the burning desire to do that which is good, because I’m forgiven and I know that doing good pleases Him. This is something that I know does not come from me. It comes from Him. I personally know this because I know how I was (my inner thoughts) before I gave my life to Him and how I am after. When I was your age, I knew about God, but I didn’t really place my trust in Him. According to the Bible, just believing there is a God is not enough – see James 2:19, which says “You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that–and shudder.”

In any case, hopefully I have shown you (by example) that you don’t have to live like some kind of religious nut case in order to be committed to God. What matters is what is in the heart. God sees what is in the heart. True belief in Christ…true repentance for sins…true trust in Jesus as your Savior and Lord. God knows what is authentic and what is for show. And I don’t think it is good to be coerced or guilted into believing and trusting in Christ. That is not my intent here. My intent is to just get you to think about it more. I want you to believe because you want to and because it is reasonable.

In closing, I just want to emphasize that God loves you and I love you as well. I really do want the best for you. Can’t wait for the football game Sunday – Go Cards!

Love,

Dad

p.s. I think you might remember this song – I like the message of the lyrics:

Come, now is the time to worship, Come, now is the time to give your heart. Come, just as you are to worship, Come, just as you are before your God. Come. One day every tongue will confess you are God, One day every knee will bow , Still the greatest treasure remains for those who gladly chose You now…

mid-week apologetics booster (12-29-2022)

Good morning friends,

Here is a random quote (of over 2400) from Nuggets:

We could put it this way: The shadows prove the sunshine. There can be sunshine without shadows, but there can’t be shadows without sunshine. In other words, there can be good without evil, but there can’t be evil without good; and there can’t be objective good without God. So evil may show there’s a devil out there, but it can’t disprove God. Evil actually boomerangs back to show that God exists.  – Frank Turek

To view more of these quotes, visit:

http://www.ps11911.com/bible-app/browseQuotes

Now, here are your weekly links:

1. A Parent’s Guide to the 5 Skeptics Who Want to Shame Your Kids for Being Christian: https://www.str.org/w/a-parent-s-guide-to-the-5-skeptics-who-want-to-shame-your-kids-for-being-christian
2. Rubber Crutches – Everyone has a crutch.  Will yours hold you up?  When people ask me, “Isn’t Christ just a crutch?” I have a simple reply.  I tell them, “You’re right.  Christ is a crutch.  But you’ve asked the wrong question.”  No one makes fun of a lame person who uses a crutch.  So the real question is, “Am I lame; am I crippled?” because crippled people need crutches.  The fact is, everybody leans on something.  As a Christian I lean on Jesus, because He’s a crutch that can hold me.  What about you?: https://www.str.org/w/rubber-crutches
3. Dr. Stephen C. Meyer explains intelligent design for Prager University | WINTERY KNIGHT: https://winteryknight.com/2022/12/28/2022-the-year-in-review-for-evolution-vs-intelligent-design/
4. Tract: Are Roman Catholics Christians? This is a 23 page tract that examines Roman Catholic beliefs in light of Scripture: https://chick.com/products/tract?stk=71&ue=d
5. Is it wrong to have pictures of Jesus? | GotQuestions.org: https://www.gotquestions.org/pictures-of-Jesus.html
6. St. Augustine Was a Young-Earth Creationist | Answers in Genesis: https://answersingenesis.org/blogs/calvin-smith/2021/07/12/st-augustine-young-earth-creationist/
7. Stephen C. Meyer and Marcus Ross lecture on the Cambrian explosion | WINTERY KNIGHT: https://winteryknight.com/2022/12/23/stephen-c-meyer-and-marcus-ross-lecture-on-the-cambrian-explosion-9/
8. Nigeria has before it a crucial opportunity to step out as an international leader by abolishing once and for all its Sharia blasphemy law – in spite of clear-cut evidence of mass human rights atrocities, the U.S. government remains silent, failing to designate Nigeria as a country of particular concern. Between January 2021 and March 2022, more than 6,000 Christians were targeted and killed in Nigeria. In May of this year, Christian student Deborah Yakubu was stoned to death and her body burned in Sokoto State, Nigeria, after classmates deemed her WhatsApp messages blasphemous.: https://thefederalist.com/2022/12/23/as-christians-face-death-sentences-nigerian-court-can-and-should-overturn-its-dangerous-blasphemy-law/
9. How to T.R.A.I.N. Christian Students (Rather than Teach Them) | Cold Case Christianity: https://coldcasechristianity.com/writings/how-to-t-r-a-i-n-christian-students-rather-than-teach-them/
10. How are Christians treated in communist, atheist China? | WINTERY KNIGHT: https://winteryknight.com/2021/04/13/how-are-christians-treated-in-communist-atheist-china/
11. Should Christians Ever Offend Anyone? | Answers in Genesis: https://answersingenesis.org/bible-questions/christians-should-never-offend-anyone/
12. The Three Ds of Tolerance | Cold Case Christianity: https://coldcasechristianity.com/writings/the-three-ds-of-tolerance/
13. Jehovah: Was the name removed from the New Testament? | Carm.org: https://carm.org/jehovahs-witnesses/was-the-name-jehovah-removed-from-the-new-testament-does-it-matter/
14. Robert Gagnon debates gay activist Jayne Ozanne on Bible vs homosexuality | WINTERY KNIGHT: https://winteryknight.com/2020/04/26/robert-gagnon-debates-gay-activist-jayne-ozanne-on-bible-vs-homosexuality-6/
15. Apologetics Resources for Alabama Baptist – Tactical Faith: https://tacticalfaith.com/apologetics/apologetics-resources-for-alabama-baptist/
16. Who Was Athanasius?: https://www.ligonier.org/posts/who-was-athanasius
17. Why the Bible is Reliable Think Divinely: https://thinkdivinely.com/why-the-bible-is-reliable/
18. How I Got into Apologetics (And How You Can Too!): https://crossexamined.org/how-i-got-into-apologetics-and-how-you-can-too/
19. Jesus Created The Universe: The Deity Of Christ | Reasons for Jesus: https://reasonsforjesus.com/jesus-created-the-universe-the-deity-of-christ/
20. Did Jesus Rise From The Dead? – Stand to Reason: https://subsplash.com/standtoreason/media/mi/+mzeycxu
21. There are a lot of charges brought up against the God of the Bible; perhaps one of the most common is, “If God is supposed to be loving, how could He send people to Hell just because they didn’t worship Him?” It’s implied that it’s deeply unjust for God to judge sin at all, and even worse to do so by sending the sinners to a place of eternal punishment. However, these critics often profess they don’t believe in the God they are accusing, and also deny any objective standard of right and wrong anyway. Sometimes believers also struggle with this question, wondering how God could condemn someone who never heard of Jesus and so never had a chance to believe in Him, for example.  The question of Hell is not an appealing one even for people who affirm its existence. No one likes the idea of many people suffering judgment in the life to come. But the ‘Good News’ of the Gospel requires that there be ‘Bad News’—salvation in Jesus Christ would not bring glory to God if there were actually nothing to be saved from. So it’s important to be able to give an answer, even in the case of a subject that no one particularly likes contemplating.: https://creation.com/hell
22. Teaching Apologetics to the Next Generation | Christian Research Institute: https://www.equip.org/articles/teaching-apologetics-next-generation/
23. Diagnose before You Treat – Stand to Reason – What should you say to your non-Christian friend who rejects Christianity? In this episode, Alan explains an important principle to help him navigate this situation: https://subsplash.com/standtoreason/media/mi/+8wzpswd
24. What Are the Top Ten Problems with Darwinian Evolution? THINKAPOLOGETICS.COM: https://wp.me/pCHEG-2pX
25. Is Marks Gospel an Early Memoir of the Apostle Peter? | Cold Case Christianity: https://coldcasechristianity.com/writings/is-marks-gospel-an-early-memoir-of-the-apostle-peter/
26. Ready to Answer – sometimes Christians, armed with all the information they can get, assault unbelievers with what they know and effectively blow them out of the water. They have won the argument but lost the soul, and that is not the objective. Even though we may know a great deal, we should present the information with love and humility.: https://harvest.org/resources/devotion/ready-to-answer/
27. Is The Bible Full Of Contradictions? 6 Quick Responses | Reasons for Jesus: https://reasonsforjesus.com/is-the-bible-full-of-contradictions-6-quick-responses/
28. Evolutionists Sense Life’s Design and Deify Nature | The Institute for Creation Research: https://www.icr.org/article/evolutionists-sense-design-deify-nature
29. Rapid Response: The Gospels Are Unreliable | Cold Case Christianity: https://coldcasechristianity.com/writings/rapid-response-the-gospels-are-unreliable/
30. Come Reason’s Apologetics Notes: Why You Can Be Confident We Have the Original Bible Texts: https://apologetics-notes.comereason.org/2015/01/why-you-can-be-confident-we-have.html?m=1
31. What Does the Bible Say about Masturbation?: https://www.crosswalk.com/faith/spiritual-life/what-does-the-bible-say-about-masturbation.html
32. Problem 9: Neo-Darwinism Struggles to Explain the Biogeographical Distribution of Many Species | Evolution News: https://evolutionnews.org/2015/02/problem_9_neo-d/

By the word of the LORD were the heavens made, their starry host by the breath of his mouth. He gathers the waters of the sea into jars; he puts the deep into storehouses. Let all the earth fear the LORD; let all the people of the world revere him. For he spoke, and it came to be; he commanded, and it stood firm. Psalms 33:6-9

Blessings to you all

mid-week apologetics booster (12-15-2022)

Good morning friends,

Here is a random quote (of over 2400) from Nuggets:

If Christians could be trained to provide solid evidence for what they believe and good answers to unbelievers’ questions and objections, then the perception of Christians would slowly change. Christians would be seen as thoughtful people to be taken seriously rather than as emotional fanatics or buffoons. The gospel would be a real alternative for people to embrace. – William Lane Craig

To view more of these quotes, visit:

http://www.ps11911.com/bible-app/browseQuotes

Now, here are your weekly links:

1. I Won’t Lie To My Kids About Santa Claus – The effort I would spend trying to sell Santa to my kids is much better spent on teaching them about the true reason for the season.: https://thefederalist.com/2022/12/08/i-wont-lie-to-my-kids-about-santa-claus/
2. Way Of The Master – Latter Day Saints, Mormon Church – YouTube: https://youtu.be/MdIcWvyixZU
3. Does God Whisper? Part 1: https://www.str.org/w/does-god-whisper-part-1
4. Does God Whisper? Part 2: https://www.str.org/w/does-god-whisper-part-2
5. Does God Whisper? Part 3: https://www.str.org/w/does-god-whisper-part-3
6. N.T. Wright: what is the best explanation for the early belief in a bodily resurrection? | WINTERY KNIGHT: https://winteryknight.com/2022/12/11/n-t-wright-what-is-the-best-explanation-for-the-early-belief-in-a-bodily-resurrection-2/
7. Dominion mandate: https://creation.com/dominion-mandate
8. Are You a Christian? – JA Show Articles: https://jashow.org/articles/are-you-a-christian/
9. Is Jesus God? | Answers in Genesis: https://answersingenesis.org/jesus/jesus-is-god/is-jesus-god/
10. Are There Transitional Intermediates in the Fossil Record? – Reasons to Believe: https://reasons.org/explore/publications/articles/q-a-are-there-transitional-intermediates-in-the-fossil-record
11. If we can’t see God, how can we know He exists? | Christian Research Institute: https://www.equip.org/bible_answers/if-we-cant-see-god-how-can-we-know-he-exists-/
12. Your Challenge Does Not Apply- The Strawman: https://lukenixblog.blogspot.com/2012/01/your-challenge-does-not-apply-strawman.html
13. Is apologetics relevant to today’s Church?: https://www.christianweek.org/apologetics-relevant-todays-church/
14. Gary Habermas and James Crossley discuss the minimal facts case for the resurrection | WINTERY KNIGHT (video not available, listen to MP3 instead): https://winteryknight.com/2017/01/05/gary-habermas-and-james-crossley-discuss-the-minimal-facts-case-for-the-resurrection-3/
15. The New Face of Atheism (And It’s Not Dawkins!) | Sean McDowell: https://seanmcdowell.org/blog/the-new-face-of-atheism-and-its-not-dawkins
16. Atheists Who Convert: A Case Study, What Do They Have In Common? – HubPages: https://discover.hubpages.com/religion-philosophy/Atheists-Who-Convert-A-Case-Study
17. Dawkins’s Dilemma: Misrepresent the Mechanism or Face the Math | Evolution News: https://evolutionnews.org/2016/03/about_a_bike_lo/
18. Properly Understanding Properly Basic Beliefs | Reasonable Faith: https://www.reasonablefaith.org/writings/question-answer/properly-understanding-properly-basic-beliefs
19. Twelve Points That Show Christianity Is True – Stand to Reason Blog: https://str.typepad.com/weblog/2015/10/twelve-points-that-show-christianity-is-true.html
20. Only the Trinity Fits All of the Scriptural Data – Stand to Reason Blog: https://str.typepad.com/weblog/2015/11/only-the-trinity-fits-all-of-the-scriptural-data.html
21. Mormonism: Same Language, Different Meanings – Stand to Reason: https://subsplash.com/standtoreason/media/mi/+df9d078
22. Lila Rose: Why Should a Child Conceived in Rape Pay for the Crimes of Her Father? – LifeNews.com: https://www.lifenews.com/2015/11/06/lila-rose-why-should-a-child-conceived-in-rape-pay-for-the-crimes-of-her-father/
23. Mark Mittelberg | My Reason for Faith – YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lEpRA5G8g84
24. Are gays born that way? Most Americans now say yes, but science says no – LifeSite: https://www.lifesitenews.com/news/for-the-first-time-a-majority-of-americans-believe-homosexuals-are-born-tha/
25. J. Warner Wallace: practical advice on becoming an effective one-dollar apologist | WINTERY KNIGHT: https://winteryknight.com/2015/06/01/j-warner-wallace-practical-advice-on-becoming-an-effective-one-dollar-apologist-3/
26. A Jewish take on Jesus – Jesus was smack in the middle of the Jewish tradition of his time. Remembering that can make you a better Christian, says this Jewish scholar of the New Testament: https://uscatholic.org/articles/201209/a-jewish-take-on-jesus-amy-jill-levine-talks-the-gospels/
27. Does God expect us to have blind faith? | GotQuestions.org: https://www.gotquestions.org/blind-faith.html
28. Hasn’t Life Been Created in the Laboratory? | The Institute for Creation Research: https://www.icr.org/article/571/387
29. 7 Questions Skeptics Ask About the Validity of Christianity: https://probe.org/7-questions-skeptics-ask/
30. DNA: The Tiny Code That’s Toppling Evolution: https://www.ucg.org/the-good-news/dna-the-tiny-code-thats-toppling-evolution
31. How should Christians stand up for their faith in such an anti-Christian world? | GotQuestions.org: https://www.gotquestions.org/anti-Christian.html

“Right then three men who had been sent to me from Caesarea stopped at the house where I was staying. The Spirit told me to have no hesitation about going with them. These six brothers also went with me, and we entered the man’s house. He told us how he had seen an angel appear in his house and say, ‘Send to Joppa for Simon who is called Peter. He will bring you a message through which you and all your household will be saved.’ “As I began to speak, the Holy Spirit came on them as he had come on us at the beginning. Then I remembered what the Lord had said: ‘John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.’ So if God gave them the same gift as he gave us, who believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I to think that I could oppose God?” Acts 11:11-17

Blessings to you all

mid-week apologetics booster (11-10-2022)

Good morning friends,

Here is a random quote (of over 2300) from Nuggets:

Why would the apostles lie? Liars always lie for selfish reasons. If they lied, what was their motive, what did they get out of it? What they got out of it was misunderstanding, rejection, persecution, torture, and martyrdom. Hardly a list of perks!  – Peter Kreeft

To view more of these quotes, visit:

http://www.ps11911.com/bible-app/browseQuotes

Now, here are your weekly links:

1. Was Mark 16:9-20 Originally Part of Marks Gospel?: https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/was-mark-16-9-20-originally-mark-gospel/
2. American Worldview Inventory 2022 Release #6: Only Half of Evangelical Pastors Possess a Biblical Worldview; Incidence Even Lower for Most Denominations: https://www.arizonachristian.edu/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/AWVI2022_Release_06_Digital.pdf
3. Following Jesus’ Example? It’s Biblical: https://mintools.com/blog/following-jesus-example.htm
4. Frank Turek analyzes tweets of a pastor left the faith – After 40 years, ‘megachurch’ pastor slams Christianity and quits… This is part of the headline of an article in the Christian Post about former pastor Dave Gass who recently renounce his faith publicly on social media. Frank takes a look at the reasons Mr. Gass gives for rejecting the faith to see if they are good reasons for waking away from Christianity: https://subsplash.com/crossexamined/media/mi/+3476rnd
5. Is the Watchmaker Blind? – Part II – Logic & Light: http://www.logicandlight.org/blind-watchmaker-part-ii/
6. Was the Virgin Conception Borrowed from Prior Mythologies? | Cold Case Christianity: https://coldcasechristianity.com/writings/was-the-virgin-conception-borrowed-from-prior-mythologies/
7. Isn’t the God of the Old Testament Harsh, Brutal, Downright Evil? | Answers in Genesis: https://answersingenesis.org/who-is-god/isnt-the-god-of-the-old-testament-harsh-brutal-and-downright-evil/
8. A Logical Faith – Why your teen’s college prep should include an understanding of the Christian worldview | Focus on the Family: https://www.focusonthefamily.com/parenting/a-logical-faith/
9. Are Christians Ignorant, Uneducated, Simpletons? “Sort Of” – Canon Fodder: https://www.michaeljkruger.com/are-christians-ignorant-uneducated-simpletons-sort-of/
10. An Investigation: Is Jesus Liar, Lunatic, or Lord? – Josh.org: https://www.josh.org/jesus-liar-lunatic-lord/

Yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom all things came and for whom we live; and there is but one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things came and through whom we live. 1 Corinthians 8:6

Blessings to you all

mid-week apologetics booster (10-6-2022)

Good morning friends,

Here is a random quote (of over 2300) from Nuggets:

When someone asks if you’re going to heaven, saying “I hope so” isn’t humble, it’s arrogantly believing that your salvation is resting on your works. But if you respond, “Yes, I’m certain,” isn’t arrogance, it’s humble assurance because you’re resting on the works of Christ. – Burk Parsons

To view more of these quotes, visit:

http://www.ps11911.com/bible-app/browseQuotes

Now, here are your weekly links:

1. What does it mean to be transformed by the renewing of the mind? | GotQuestions.org: https://www.gotquestions.org/renewing-the-mind.html
2. An Open Letter (from John MacArthur) to Governor Gavin Newsom | Grace Community Church: https://www.gracechurch.org/news/posts/3592
3. Was Queen Elizabeth II a true Christian? | George’s Journal: https://georgesjournal.net/2022/10/01/was-queen-elizabeth-ii-a-true-christian/
4. Why did Dan Barker leave Christianity for atheism? | WINTERY KNIGHT: https://winteryknight.com/2020/06/23/why-did-dan-barker-leave-christianity-for-atheism-2/
5. Chinas religion problem: Why the Chinese Communist Party views religious belief as a threat Asia Dialogue: https://theasiadialogue.com/2019/10/17/chinas-religion-problem-why-the-chinese-communist-party-views-religious-belief-as-a-threat/
6. The Fossil Record on Vimeo – Do fossils really show that creatures gradually evolved from simple to complex? The late fossil expert and evolution-defender Stephen Gould recognized they didn’t. He said the fossil record shows two clear features 1) Sudden appearance, and 2) Stasis.: https://vimeo.com/290548930
7. Is Hell Real? | Crossway Articles – Ortlund – Scripture teaches us these five truths and more about hell: https://www.crossway.org/articles/is-hell-real/
8. 7 Things We Know about Jesus and His Followers from Non-Biblical Sources | Cloud of Witnesses: https://greatcloud.wordpress.com/2013/06/30/7-things-we-know-about-jesus-and-his-followers-from-non-biblical-sources/
9. Ancient Dinosaur Depictions | Genesis Park – The purpose of Genesis Park is to showcase the evidence that dinosaurs and man were created together and have co-existed throughout history (there is a lot of archeological evidence listed on this page): https://www.genesispark.com/exhibits/evidence/historical/ancient/dinosaur/
10. The shocking Beliefs of John Calvin: https://www.patheos.com/blogs/frankviola/shockingbeliefsofjohncalvin/
11. There’s No Good Reason to Deny the Early Dating of the Gospels | Cold Case Christianity: https://coldcasechristianity.com/writings/theres-no-good-reason-to-deny-the-early-dating-of-the-gospels/
12. Why believe in Christianity over all other religions? | carm.org: https://carm.org/atheism/why-believe-in-christianity-over-all-other-religions/
13. William Murray, Son of the Founder of American Atheists, Converts to Christianity | Reasons for Jesus: https://reasonsforjesus.com/william-murray-son-of-the-founder-of-american-atheists-converts-to-christianity/
14. Evidence For Resurrection Turns Josh McDowell From Skeptic To Christian Apologist | Reasons for Jesus: https://reasonsforjesus.com/evidence-for-resurrection-turns-josh-mcdowell-from-skeptic-to-christian-apologist/
15. Dr. Gary R. Habermas (free on-line book) – The Uniqueness of Jesus Christ Among the Major World Religions – Jesus claimed to be Deity, but does this make him unique? Dig into this easy-to-read examination of this serious topic with Dr. Gary Habermas to see just how unusual this claim really is. Then realize that there’s even more to consider than this! Jesus said that he was the path to salvation. Very early sources tell us that he performed supernatural miracles. Jesus and his followers said that his death served the purpose of saving others, dying in their place. Jesus’ death affirms and explains the reality of suffering and death in the world. And finally, and perhaps most importantly, Jesus is unique in rising from the dead bodily. When these ideas are all combined, especially the powerful combination of the Resurrection and the Gospel, Jesus stands dramatically apart as unique in a way that surpasses all others!: http://www.garyhabermas.com/Evidence2/
16. If we can’t see God, how can we know he exists? | Christian Research Institute: https://www.equip.org/bible_answers/if-we-cant-see-god-how-can-we-know-he-exists-/
17. Why Are There So Many Atheists on College Campuses? THINKAPOLOGETICS.COM: https://chab123.wordpress.com/2017/01/24/why-are-there-so-many-atheists-on-college-campuses-3/
18. A Christians Rebuttal to Why I Am Not A Christian By Bertrand Russell Christian Apologist: https://christian-apologist.com/2017/04/13/a-christians-rebuttal-to-why-i-am-not-a-christian-by-bertrand-russell/
19. When Someone You Love Says, I’m Gay – As homosexuality becomes more broadly accepted within the culture, it’s no surprise that more Christian families are hearing a loved one say, I’m gay; I’ve accepted it; I intend to live it out. Aside from the obvious emotions raised, a number of questions come up as well: Can I say anything to change his mind? How do I handle it if she gets into a relationship with another woman? What about my gay teen? What if he marries another man? These concerns spring from a real-life crisis many Christian homes are facing today. Two primary questions arise as well: What about us? and What about God? Both questions are relevant to the discussion families will have when addressing the issue, and believers need to frame them wisely. When responding to a family member coming out, a Christian should first clarify his own feelings in response, then stress the importance of the relationship and clarify mutual expectations as well. A broader discussion about worldview, the claims of Christ, and what created intent there may be for the human sexual experience should follow. While we cannot override someone else’s free will, we can and should seek to engage them, thereby being part of the work God is seeking to do in their lives.: https://www.equip.org/articles/someone-love-says-im-gay/
20. 5 Ways Christian Parents Fail to Prepare Their Kids to Engage with Questions of Faith and Science: https://natashacrain.com/5-ways-christian-parents-fail-to-prepare-their-kids-to-engage-with-questions-of-faith-and-science/
21. The Book of Mormon problems with reliability and consistency | carm.org: https://carm.org/mormonism/problems-with-the-book-of-mormon/
22. 7 Tips For Apologetics Judo Intelligent Christian Faith – Apologetics can be modeled after any number of other helpful analogies, for example (1) Cultivating an Intellectual Garden, (2) Worldview Surgery, (3) Theological Housecleaning, or (4) Ideological Homebuilding, etc. etc.: https://intelligentchristianfaith.com/2015/06/14/philosophical-judo-apologetics-as-a-martial-art/
23. How Geographic Separation Affirms the Reliability of the New Testament | Cold Case Christianity: https://coldcasechristianity.com/writings/how-geographic-separation-affirms-the-reliability-of-the-new-testament/
24. Should We Expose Students to Arguments Against | Sean McDowell – Sheltering students from beliefs contrary to Christianity is a big mistake. Let me say it again, to be sure it sinks in: Sheltering students from arguments for other religions, or against Christianity, is a bad strategy for developing them as disciples in the faith.: https://seanmcdowell.org/blog/should-students-be-exposed-to-evidence-against-christianity
25. The Ambassador Model – Here’s the model we use at Stand to Reason to help us fulfill Paul’s admonition to be ambassadors for Christ: https://www.str.org/w/the-ambassador-model
26. 5 Things Christian Parents Must Do to Raise Godly Children in a Secular World: https://crossexamined.org/5-things-christian-parents-must-do-to-raise-godly-children-in-a-secular-world/
27. The Relationship Between Arguments and Persuasion THINKAPOLOGETICS.COM: https://chab123.wordpress.com/2021/05/12/the-relationship-between-arguments-and-persuasion/
28. Why Would Scholars Leave Mormonism? Interview with | Sean McDowell: https://seanmcdowell.org/blog/why-would-scholars-leave-mormonism-interview-with-author-corey-miller
29. The Story of Reality – YouTube – Every religion, every worldview is telling a story. They’re trying to take the things we know about the world and fit them together into a big picture. : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vxU0UNlnnOA
30. Is The Bible Relevant Today? | Cold Case Christianity: https://coldcasechristianity.com/writings/is-the-bible-relevant-today/
31. If God knew that Satan would rebel, why did He create him? | GotQuestions.org: https://www.gotquestions.org/if-God-knew.html
32. Should we trust the Bible? – creation.com – How should we answer those who claim that it’s been re-written so many times that we no longer have the original? And even if we do, was it written long after the events it claimed to report? Also, does archaeology disprove the Bible? Finally, even if it is true, what’s the point? https://creation.com/trust-the-bible
33. A RESPONSE TO BART D. EHRMANS MISQUOTING JESUS – this is a 60 page PDF containing a point by point response to Ehrman’s book: http://www.isca-apologetics.org/sites/default/files/papers/Jared%20Martinez/Howe-AResponseToBartEhrman.pdf
34. Where are the Kantian Agnostics? | Tough Questions Answered: https://www.toughquestionsanswered.org/2011/11/07/where-are-the-kantian-agnostics/
35. Who was J. C. Ryle? | GotQuestions.org: https://www.gotquestions.org/J-C-Ryle.html
36. Eve and the definition of a woman – creation.com: https://creation.com/eve-defining-woman

Every Sabbath he reasoned in the synagogue, trying to persuade Jews and Greeks. Acts 18:4

Blessings to you all

mid-week apologetics booster (9-29-2022)

Good morning friends,

Here is a random quote (of over 2300) from Nuggets:

Sanctification thus begins with justification (declaring the sinner just before God by graciously imputing Christ’s righteousness to him, Phil. 3:9), and continues as a process of purification that goes on until glorification, when the Christian sees Jesus face to face. – John MacArthur (MacArthur Study Bible commentary on 1 Peter 1:2)

To view more of these quotes, visit:

http://www.ps11911.com/bible-app/browseQuotes

Now, here are your weekly links:

1. The Real Friendship Between Queen Elizabeth and Billy Graham | Time: https://time.com/5168217/queen-billy-graham-friendship/
2. Does Islam teach salvation by our works? | carm.org: https://carm.org/islam/does-islam-teach-salvation-by-works/
3. TOP Atheists BEST Arguments Against God. How Bad Are They? – YouTube: https://youtu.be/c159bJUL0t0
4. What are the Earliest Creeds in Christian History? With Gary Habermas – YouTube: https://youtu.be/dEzLTtXeqs4
5. William Lane Craig debates atheist Lawrence Krauss: Does God Exist? | WINTERY KNIGHT: https://winteryknight.com/2022/09/25/william-lane-craig-debates-atheist-lawrence-krauss-does-god-exist-6/
6. The Pro-Life Two-Step at Central Michigan University: https://www.str.org/w/the-pro-life-two-step-at-central-michigan-university
7. Why I Think Calvinism Is Unbiblical – YouTube – I present this in Christian brotherhood to my fellow believers. Expand this description for TIME STAMPS for the video… I am not intending to attack or misrepresent Calvinism but to offer an honest biblical critique of what I see as one of the major pillars in Calvinism. I welcome responses and encourage them to stay on topic and to focus on clear exegesis.: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oxakEl8BYBE
8. Students Don’t Have to Be Intimidated by Evolution – Brett Kunkle: https://www.str.org/w/students-don-t-have-to-be-intimidated-by-evolution
9. What does it mean that Jesus died for our sins? | GotQuestions.org: https://www.gotquestions.org/Jesus-died-for-our-sins.html
10. 5 Changes Elementary Sunday Schools Need to Make — ASAP: https://natashacrain.com/5-changes-elementary-sunday-schools-need-to-makeasap/
11. Properly Understanding Properly Basic Beliefs | Reasonable Faith: https://www.reasonablefaith.org/writings/question-answer/properly-understanding-properly-basic-beliefs
12. Minimal Facts Argument for the Resurrection of Jesus Christ | Worldview of Jesus: https://worldviewofjesus.com/2013/02/03/minimal-facts-argument-for-the-resurrection-of-jesus-christ/
13. The F-E-A-T that Demonstrates the FACT of Resurrection | Christian Research Institute: https://www.equip.org/articles/the-f-e-a-t-that-demonstrates-the-fact-of-resurrection/
14. Is Religion the Cause of Most Wars? Brett Kunkle: https://www.str.org/w/is-religion-the-cause-of-most-wars-
15. Are the Biblical Documents Reliable?: http://www.leaderu.com/orgs/probe/docs/bib-docu.html
16. How the Moon Supports the Privileged Planet Hypothesis | Evolution News: https://evolutionnews.org/2013/12/our_moon_still/
17. How do we know what we have in our Bibles today is the same as the originals? Truth, Faith and Reason: http://truthfaithandreason.com/case-making-101-how-do-we-know-what-we-have-in-our-bibles-today-is-the-same-as-the-originals/
18. Part 3 Answering pro-abortion objections | Biblical Worldview Academy: https://biblicalworldviewacademy.org/defending-the-life-of-the-unborn-part-3/
19. Defending life of unborn | Biblical Worldview Academy – this is a 22 part series on how to defend the pro-life position: https://biblicalworldviewacademy.org/3-defending-life-of-unborn/
20. When Someone says the Bible can’t be Trusted. – New York Apologetics: http://www.newyorkapologetics.com/when-someone-says-the-bible-cant-be-trusted/
21. Do Your Kids Know Why They Need God?: https://crossexamined.org/do-your-kids-know-why-they-need-god/
22. The Necessity of Apologetics in the Marketplace of Ideas: https://servantsofgrace.org/christians-public-square-necessity-apologetics-marketplace-ideas/
23. Why Apologetics is Applicable to all of Life and a Calling for all Believers – Servants of Grace: https://servantsofgrace.org/why-apologetics-is-applicable-to-all-of-life-and-a-calling-for-all-believers/
24. Apologetics in the Local Church – Focus on the Family – Apologetics is a discipline often looked over in the local church. Seasoned apologist and philosopher Douglas Groothuis helps us think through the implications of a church that does not engage in the cultural topics of our day.: https://www.focusonthefamily.com/church/apologetics-in-the-local-church/
25. Volitional Resistance to Christianity Often Masquerades as Rational Opposition | Cold Case Christianity: https://coldcasechristianity.com/writings/volitional-resistance-to-christianity-often-masquerades-as-rational-opposition/
26. DNA repair mechanisms shout creation – creation.com – Tomas Lindahl, Paul Modrich, and Aziz Sancar won the 2015 Nobel Prize for Chemistry for discovering DNA repair mechanisms. As the BBC article says, In the 1970s, scientists had thought that DNA was a stable molecule, but Prof. Lindahl demonstrated that it decays at a surprisingly fast rate. This led him and then the others to look for repair mechanisms, and the researchers found several (hence the three recipients of the prize).: https://creation.com/dna-repair-mechanisms-shout-creation
27. Secularist Intolerance Against Scientific Paper | Answers in Genesis: https://answersingenesis.org/who-is-god/creator-god/secularist-intolerance-against-scientific-paper-briefly-mentions-creator/
28. Are Christian High School Students Really Ready for College? We have sent this year’s graduating seniors off to college hoping that we as parents and teachers have prepared them for the challenges of college life. We gave them the best education we could, prodded them when they wanted to goof off instead of study, made college visits, wrote recommendations, and helped them write admissions essays. But have we prepared them for the most serious confrontations to their faith that they will face on the university campus?: https://crossexamined.org/are-christian-high-school-seniors-really-ready-for-college/
29. Dr. David Menton: Lucy–She’s No Lady — Clip – YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p6RfIEVO6YQ
30. Darwin’s God: Gene Regulation Not Enough in Human Evolution: http://darwins-god.blogspot.com/2014/01/gene-regulation-not-enough-in-human.html
31. Bill Nye Epitomizes The Left’s Authority Complex: https://thefederalist.com/2016/04/19/bill-nye-epitomizes-the-lefts-authority-complex/
32. The Ungodly Surveillance of Anti-Porn Shameware Apps | WIRED – this is definitely not a Christian article, but interesting that this type of technology exists, however the article says Google banned apps from their play store, so you may not be able to take advantage of this technology even if you wanted to : https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.wired.com/story/covenant-eyes-anti-porn-accountability-monitoring-apps/amp
33. Human chimp DNA similarity – creation.com – Evidence for evolutionary relationship? The idea that human beings and chimps have close to 100% similarity in their DNA seems to be common knowledge. The figures quoted vary: 97%, 98%, or even 99%, depending on just who is telling the story. What is the basis for these claims and do the data mean there really is not much difference between chimps and people? Are we just highly evolved apes?: https://creation.com/human-chimp-dna-similarity
34. William Lane Craig explains the faith enterprise in an 8-minute video | WINTERY KNIGHT: https://winteryknight.com/2022/09/27/william-lane-craig-explains-the-faith-enterprise-in-an-8-minute-video-3/
35. Origin of the First Self-Replicating Molecules | Evolution News: https://evolutionnews.org/2022/09/origin-of-the-first-self-replicating-molecules/
36. Why are Christians pro-life when it comes to abortion while at the same time in favor of the death penalty and supportive of war? | GotQuestions.org: https://www.gotquestions.org/pro-life-war-death.html

I love those who love me, and those who seek me find me. Proverbs 8:17

Blessings to you all

mid-week apologetics booster (9-22-2022)

Good morning friends,

Here is a random quote (of over 2300) from Nuggets:

What kinds of conclusions would people draw about our Lord after watching us closely for a week, a month, a year? – Marshall Segal

To view more of these quotes, visit:

http://www.ps11911.com/bible-app/browseQuotes

Now, here are your weekly links:

1. Transubstantiation: What Catholicism Teaches About the Supper | Desiring God: https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/transubstantiation
2. Is it wrong for a Christian girl/woman to be a tomboy? | GotQuestions.org: https://www.gotquestions.org/Christian-girl-tomboy.html
3. How the presence and quality of fathers affects belief in God | WINTERY KNIGHT: https://winteryknight.com/2022/09/18/how-the-presence-and-quality-of-fathers-affects-belief-in-god-7/
4. Do More Than Keep Your Cool in Todays Heated Topics (Dr. Sean McDowell): https://think-well.org/2022/09/19/do-more-than-keep-your-cool-in-todays-heated-topics-dr-sean-mcdowell/
5. June 2020 The Cross Newsletter Concerned Christians: https://concernedchristians.com/june-2020-the-cross-newsletter/
6. A Look at Jesus View of Scripture THINKAPOLOGETICS.COM: https://chab123.wordpress.com/2017/07/26/a-look-at-jesus-view-of-scripture/
7. New study: rising oxygen levels rejected as explanation of Cambrian explosion | WINTERY KNIGHT: https://winteryknight.com/2017/07/28/new-study-rising-oxygen-levels-rejected-as-explanation-of-cambrian-explosion-2/
8. Why I Know the Story of Jesus Wasn’t Changed Over Time | Cold Case Christianity: https://coldcasechristianity.com/writings/why-i-know-the-story-of-jesus-wasnt-changed-over-time/
9. Is the Bible Reliable? Many see the Bible as irrelevant. They may commend it as literature or denounce it as folklore, but it’s merely one old text among many. This detail-rich series presents the powerful authority of Scripture. John MacArthur delves into the Bibles composition it’s inspiration and inerrancy and how science, history, and archaeology back its claim to be the Word of God. Gain confident answers to the question Is the Bible Reliable? and see why you can put complete trust in it.: https://www.gty.org/library/topical-series-library/65/is-the-bible-reliable
10. Is the Bible Reliable? | Explore God Article – Christians believe the Bible speaks truth about God. But is the Bible reliable?: https://www.exploregod.com/articles/is-the-bible-reliable
11. Christianity: Its Either Objectively True or Objectively False – Lately, I’ve begun to realize just how much relativism is ingrained in our culture, particularly when it comes to religion. In conversations with people about Christianity, I’ve found that sometimes I am literally unable to communicate the idea that I’m claiming Christianity is an objectively true description of reality. Unfortunately, I’ve even had a conversation or two like this with Christians.: https://www.str.org/w/christianity-it-s-either-objectively-true-or-objectively-false#.WXz68Xqp7qC
12. Refuting Evolution 2 chapter 11: Argument: Evolution of sex – creation.com – Evolutionists say, One of the so-called problems of evolution sexuality can easily be explained: https://creation.com/refuting-evolution-2-chapter-11-argument-evolution-of-sex
13. Supposed Bible Contradictions: Scripture Index | Answers in Genesis: https://answersingenesis.org/contradictions-in-the-bible/scripture-index/
14. Hell on Trial by John Blanchard (Ligonier) – The idea that untold billions of human beings, including many who would have seemed decent, law-abiding citizens, will spend eternity exposed to God’s unrelenting anger, is simply unacceptable to many people.: https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/hell-trial
15. FACE the Facts about Evolution | Christian Research Institute: https://www.equip.org/articles/face-the-facts-about-evolution/
16. Please Don’t Tell Your Kids to Believe in God Just in Case He Exists: https://crossexamined.org/please-dont-tell-your-kids-to-believe-in-god-just-in-case-he-exists/
17. Did Jesus Rise From The Dead? – Stand to Reason – This talk was given at Praise Church (praisechurch.tv) in Beaumont, TX. Tim Barnett looks at some of the reasons why he believes Jesus resurrection is the best explanation of the historical evidence.: https://subsplash.com/standtoreason/media/mi/+mzeycxu
18. World Famous Atheist Illusionist, Andre Kole, Tried to Debunk Jesus & Converted Instead | Reasons for Jesus: https://reasonsforjesus.com/world-famous-atheist-illusionist-andre-kole-tried-to-debunk-jesus-converted-instead/
19. Zeitgeist Debunked: Jesus Is Not A Copy Of Pagan Gods | Reasons for Jesus: https://reasonsforjesus.com/zeitgeist-debunked-jesus-is-not-a-copy-of-pagan-gods/
20. Dilbert Comic Strip on 1993-05-30 – on free will and the brain: https://dilbert.com/strip/1993-05-30
21. So Many Religions–What Do We Do? – Tim Barnett – YouTube – In this short TED-style talk, Tim Barnett tackles the question, “So Many Religions What Do We Do?” This talk took place at the youth event, Big Deal Questions. : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vSb2ae_mPaE
22. The Attitude of Apologetics – Ligonier.org – When people first hear the word apologetics, they typically think of our modern use of the word apology. They often conclude that the task of apologetics is apologizing for the Christian faith as if to say we are sorry for our faith. However, the word apologetics derives from the Greek word apologia, which means to give an answer or to make a defense. Apologetics is not an apology, it’s an answer – a defense of what we believe.: https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/attitude-apologetics
23. Is the probability of getting a universe that supports complex life 100%? | WINTERY KNIGHT: https://winteryknight.com/2015/06/16/is-the-probability-of-getting-a-universe-that-supports-complex-life-100/
24. Why are Atheists Generally Smarter Than Religious People? – The Stream: https://stream.org/atheists-generally-smarter-religious-people/
25. Two More Ways Learning to Defend Your Faith Benefits You | Come Reason’s Apologetics Notes: https://apologetics-notes.comereason.org/2014/09/two-more-ways-learning-to-defend-your.html
26. When Youth Pastors Ought to Feel Responsible | Cold Case Christianity – As youth pastors, we aren’t responsible for some of the poor choices our students will make. But we are responsible for teaching them the complete and robust truth about the Christian worldview.: https://coldcasechristianity.com/writings/when-youth-pastors-ought-to-feel-responsible/
27. Communicating Biblical Worldview to Millennials and iGens: Taste and See Apologetics – drcone.com: https://drcone.com/2017/04/20/communicating-biblical-worldview-millennials-igens-taste-see-apologetics/
28. Should we expect to know what God’s reason is for allowing evil and suffering? | WINTERY KNIGHT: https://winteryknight.com/2016/12/11/should-we-expect-to-know-what-gods-reason-is-for-allowing-evil-and-suffering/
29. 4 Ways to become a better listener and a better Apologist: https://crossexamined.org/4-ways-become-better-listener-better-apologist/
30. How To Better Apply Apologetics When Talking to Non-Believers – YouTube – How can we efficiently use apologetics to reach the end goal? : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iArt_fe-EmM
31. Scientists associated with the Institute for Creation Research have finished an eight-year research project known as RATE, or Radioisotopes and the Age of the Earth. For over a hundred years, evolutionists have insisted that the earth is billions of years old, and have arrogantly dismissed any views contrary to this belief. However, the team of seven creation scientists have discovered incredible physical evidence that supports what the Bible says about the young age of the earth. Learn about their discoveries and explore the scientific evidence that supports biblical truth here!: https://www.icr.org/rate
32. Stunning Protein Fossils Confirm the Flood | The Institute for Creation Research: https://www.icr.org/article/9940
33. 8 False Assumptions about Christianity | Cccdiscover: https://cccdiscover.com/8-false-assumptions-about-christianity/
34. Case-Making 101: Why Do Christians Need To Understand and Practice Apologetics? Truth, Faith and Reason: http://truthfaithandreason.com/case-making-101-why-do-christians-need-to-understand-and-practice-apologetics/
35. Notecard Answers for Why I Believe the Bible: https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/erik-raymond/notecard-answers-to-why-i-believe-the-bible/
36. Four Ways the Earth Is Fine-Tuned for Life | Cold Case Christianity: https://coldcasechristianity.com/writings/four-ways-the-earth-is-fine-tuned-for-life/
37. How does God relate to time? – creation.com – God exists without beginning or end; that much the Bible is clear on. But what does that mean about the nature of time and how God relates to it? Is He essentially timeless? Must He be in time? Or can God choose between being timeless and in time?: https://creation.com/god-and-time
38. 5 apologetics arguments Christians should avoid | Premier Christianity: https://www.premierchristianity.com/home/5-apologetics-arguments-christians-should-avoid/2615.article
39. Christianity is rejected because of dislike rather than rational reasons | Real Life Apologetics: https://reallifeapologetics.wordpress.com/2015/06/12/is-the-rejection-of-christianity-an-emotional-or-a-rational-decision/
40. Stop Using the Term Fetus | Cold Case Christianity – Language is important. When we allow the debate to embrace terms that objectify and dehumanize the unborn, we give ground unnecessarily to those who would deny the humanity of fetal humans. That’s why I’m doing my best to stop using the term fetus.: https://coldcasechristianity.com/writings/stop-using-the-term-fetus/
41. What does it mean to not be ashamed of the Gospel (Romans 1:16)? | GotQuestions.org: https://www.gotquestions.org/not-ashamed-Gospel.html
42. Ten quick responses to atheist claims – You don’t have to read hundreds of books before you can discuss your faith with an atheist. Sometimes claims and questions that are just short soundbites can be answered just as quickly. At the London Evangelists’ Conference, Professor John Lennox offered some quick responses to some common claims from atheists.: https://www.christiantoday.com/article/ten.quick.responses.to.atheist.claims/41439.htm
43. Don’t All Religions Basically Say the Same Thing? – YouTube – Alisa Childers: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bO_tmWPNf3w
44. Let’s Make Jesus Less … Offensive! (Satire) – The Stream: https://stream.org/make-jesus-less-offensive/
45. The Absence Of A Papacy In Early Responses To Christianity – Men like Aristides and Tertullian wrote apologies in which they responded to objections to Christianity and anticipated potential objections. They address the deity of Jesus, his virgin birth, his resurrection, the second coming, the inspiration of scripture, how to interpret various passages of scripture, Christian moral standards, the apostles, Christian teachers, the nature of the church, and many other topics. But they say nothing of a papacy, to explain it, defend it, anticipate objections to it, or anything else.: http://triablogue.blogspot.com/2017/03/the-absence-of-papacy-in-early.html
46. Does James 1:5 teach about praying for a testimony? Mormonism Research Ministry: https://www.mrm.org/james-15-testimony
47. Cartoon Explaining Jehovah’s Witnesses – YouTube – This video is for the education of the saints. Jesus rules in Heaven and still exists as the Son of God and not as a created archangel. Jesus Christ always existed and was not created because He and the Father are one and God is eternal (has no beginning and no end): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YVDPQq9EGtk
48. Code Of Ethics for SQLite database.  As a software developer, I use this database technology (SQLite) quite frequently.  According to the about page, “SQLite is the most widely deployed database in the world”.  I know this doesn’t seem like apologetics, but I like to take note when I see some distinctly Christian content in a secular context (look at #3 “The Rule“) – this is a set of rules, distinctly Christian that the SQLite founder strongly believes that one should live by: https://www.sqlite.org/codeofethics.html

“Will a man rob God? Yet you rob me. But you ask, ‘How do we rob you?’ “In tithes and offerings. You are under a curse –the whole nation of you–because you are robbing me. Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the LORD Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it. I will prevent pests from devouring your crops, and the vines in your fields will not cast their fruit, ” says the LORD Almighty. Malachi 3:8-11

Blessings to you all

mid-week apologetics booster (9-15-2022)

Good morning friends,

Here is a random quote (of over 2300) from Nuggets:

We are to live on our guard like men in an enemy’s country. We are to remember that evil is about us, and near us, and in us – that we have to contend daily with a treacherous heart, an ensnaring world, and a busy devil! Remembering this, we must put on the whole armor of God, and beware of spiritual drowsiness. – J.C. Ryle

To view more of these quotes, visit:

http://www.ps11911.com/bible-app/browseQuotes

Now, here are your weekly links:

1. The King Follett Discourse | Times & Seasons – I’m including this in the apologetics booster not because it answers any objection to orthodox Christianity, but rather that it explicitly shows the heretical doctrines that the founder of the Mormons taught, and this material can be used to education LDS believers about what their founder really taught: https://www.timesandseasons.org/index.php/2022/05/the-king-follett-discourse/
2. 6 Ways You May Be Raising Your Kids with an Oversimplified Faith – If we raise our kids with an oversimplified faith, were building a ramp to eventual shame when difficult questions arise.: https://natashacrain.com/6-ways-you-may-be-raising-your-kids-with-an-oversimplified-faith/
3. Why Spiritual but not religious won’t solve your problems – YouTube: https://youtu.be/j6HkBGl9mOI
4. Who was Desiderius Erasmus? | GotQuestions.org: https://www.gotquestions.org/Desiderius-Erasmus.html
5. One of the Clearest (and Earliest) Summaries of Early Christian Beliefs – Canon Fodder: https://www.michaeljkruger.com/one-of-the-clearest-and-earliest-summaries-of-early-christian-beliefs/
6. Is Jesus Christ a Copy of Pagan Religions? Bishop’s Encyclopedia of Religion, Society and Philosophy – As Dan Brown in his book The Da Vinci Code (2003) writes, Nothing in Christianity is original. In recent times a number of people are claiming that the historical Jesus is simply a rehash of older pagan secretive religions, and of the religions of dying and rising gods. This is a view expressed in media such as Zeitgeist, The Da Vinci Code, and Irreligious which attempt to be factual and convincing. But how factually based are these claims? This article argues, in reference to reputable scholars, that these claims are false and, on many occasions, deliberately deceitful in their fabrications. : https://jamesbishopblog.com/2015/01/19/23-reasons-why-scholars-know-jesus-is-not-a-copy-of-pagan-religions/
7. Start teaching kids apologetics as early as possible, Young Defenders author says | Church & Ministries News: https://www.christianpost.com/news/start-teaching-kids-apologetics-as-early-as-possible-young-defenders-author-says.html
8. An 11-Day Study On Challenges To Biblical Authority – We want to know God and meet Him in His Word. But why is Scripture so confusing at times? In this 11-day Bible reading plan, you’ll walk through some of the most challenging aspects in Scripture, find a new confidence in the Bible and a deeper trust in God.: https://www.bible.com/reading-plans/17194-an-11-day-study-on-challengesto-biblical-authority/day/1?ret=1
9. What Is a Biblical Worldview? with George Barna | Natasha Crain: https://natashacrain.com/what-is-a-biblical-worldview-with-george-barna/
10. Take a Tip from Lt. Columbo – Have you ever taken a verbal beating when trying to talk about Jesus? If so, I’ve got a tip for you. It’s the simplest tactic imaginable to help stop a challenger in his tracks, turn the tables, and put you back in the driver’s seat. And it can be done almost effortlessly.: https://www.str.org/w/take-a-tip-from-lt.-columbo-
11. The Apologetics of Jesus: Asking Tactful Questions – Sometimes we apologists can forget that human beings are more than intellectual machines. That’s why it’s important to ask tactful questions that go beyond the surface of intellectual arguments. Three of Jesus questions in particular can be easily adapted to use in apologetic and evangelistic conversations. : https://wisedisciple.org/podcast-episodes/apologetics-of-jesus-asking-tactful-questions
12. How Media Consumption Threatens the Future of Christianity (It’s Not What You Think) | Cold Case Christianity: https://coldcasechristianity.com/writings/how-media-consumption-threatens-the-future-of-christianity-its-not-what-you-think/
13. Fearfully and Wonderfully Made – YouTube – Dr. David Menton from Creation Ministries international presents a stunning lecture on how babies are conceived in their mother’s womb. This presentation will leave you marveling at the awesome design of God in the mother’s womb.: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w9LKweRWpLk
14. Abiogenesis – creation.com – Fantastic claims highlight the scientific absurdity of this recycled philosophy of spontaneous generation: https://creation.com/abiogenesis
15. DNA and An Argument for God The DNA molecule (deoxyribonucleic acid) is a coiled ladder, two chains of sugar and phosphate running in opposite directions. And on the DNA base pairs, the rungs of this ladder, are segments of biological code called genes. This code is used in our cells for the production of proteins, the essentials components of life.: https://respondblogs.wordpress.com/2019/08/01/dna-and-an-argument-for-god/
16. Jay Richards answers the objection Who Designed the Designer? | WINTERY KNIGHT: https://winteryknight.com/2018/11/25/jay-richards-answers-the-objection-who-designed-the-designer/
17. Beyond Adaptation: The Human Brain Is Something New | Evolution News – Who or what are we? The materialist viewpoint is that we are matter in motion governed by our brains, a wetware operating system of three pounds of grey and white matter. Our identity is packed into our brains and if they die, so do we. There is no soul, and consciousness is an illusion. Is that what we are? From the materialist point of view our human brains are the product of evolution an ape-like brain grown larger and more sophisticated. Physically a human brain is three times the size of a chimpanzee brain, and uses considerably more energy. Our brain represents 2 percent of our body weight but uses 20 percent of the oxygen we breathe: https://evolutionnews.org/2018/09/beyond-adapation-the-human-brain-is-something-new/
18. The Four Miracles of Atheism | ReasonableTheology.org – Richard Dawkins stated that Faith is belief in spite of, even perhaps because of, the lack of evidence. However, even naturalistic worldviews also take some things on faith. For the purposes of this discussion, we will define a miracle as an event which occurs outside of the natural order and cannot be repeated or explained by the scientific process.: https://reasonabletheology.org/four-miracles-athiesm/
19. How can a Christian overcome the fear of witnessing? | GotQuestions.org: https://www.gotquestions.org/Christian-witnessing.html
20. Contradictions In The Life of a Christian – The Christian Church is no stranger to hypocrisy. The Church is comprised of sinners who do not always practice what they preach, and sometimes such practice is in stark contradiction to what we preach. Some of the most heinous acts have been committed by Christians while they speak truth. It seems that sexual misconduct within the Church is always on the radar. : https://crossexamined.org/contradictions-in-the-life-of-a-christian/
21. Dr. Michael G Strauss: An Introduction to the Anthropic Principle and Fine Tuning: https://www.michaelgstrauss.com/2017/04/an-introduction-to-anthropic-principle.html
22. 3 More Logical Fallacies to Avoid (and How to Tell When Someone Else is Committing Them) Apologetics for the Church: https://apolotheo.wordpress.com/2018/09/24/3-more-logical-fallacies-to-avoid/
23. Does having an extra forearm artery prove evolution? – creation.com: https://creation.com/extra-artery
24. How does fetal blood circulation differ from circulation after birth? – creation.com: https://creation.com/how-does-fetal-blood-circulation-differ-from-circulation-after-birth
25. Here are the companies that will cover costs for employees seeking abortion services: https://www.wsls.com/news/local/2022/06/25/here-are-the-companies-that-will-cover-costs-for-employees-seeking-abortion-services/
26. America After 9/11: Is Religion Evil? – Dr. Mikel Del Rosario | Apologetics Guy: http://apologeticsguy.com/2011/09/religion-in-america-after-911-is-religion-evil/
27. The Three Faces of Evil and a Christian Response Welcome to Rob Lundberg.org: https://roblundberg.org/2011/09/10/the-three-faces-of-evil-and-a-christian-response/
28. The Next Stage in Evangelism and Apologetics: | Sean McDowell – What is the next stage in evangelism and apologetics? I recently caught up with Lee Strobel to ask him about his new center for evangelism and apologetics. Check out the brief interview below for some insight as to how he, along with Mark Mittelberg, plan to equip people in the church to naturally share and defend their faith:: https://seanmcdowell.org/blog/the-next-stage-in-evangelism-and-apologetics-interview-with-lee-strobel
29. EVIDENCE FOR THE RESURRECTION OF JESUS THINKAPOLOGETICS.COM – 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/
30. If a person’s best efforts to believe the Bible fail, do they still deserve to burn in hell?: http://www.provethebible.net/T2-Objec/G5-002.htm
31. Is There a God? 6 Reasons Point to God’s Existence – Does God exist? Here are six straightforward reasons to believe that God is really there. Just once wouldn’t you love for someone to simply show you the evidence for God’s existence? No arm-twisting. No statements of, “You just have to believe.” Well, here is an attempt to candidly offer some of the reasons which suggest that God exists. But first consider this. When it comes to the possibility of God’s existence, the Bible says that there are people who have seen sufficient evidence, but they have suppressed the truth about God.1 On the other hand, for those who want to know God if he is there, he says, “You will seek me and find me; when you seek me with all your heart, I will be found by you.”2 Before you look at the facts surrounding his existence, ask yourself, If God does exist, would I want to know him?: https://www.everystudent.com/features/is-there-a-god.html
32. Index fossils – creation.com – 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!: https://creation.com/index-fossils
33. San Francisco Decriminalizes Psychedelics | DoubleBlind Mag – all I can say is, wow: https://doubleblindmag.com/san-francisco-decriminalizes-psychedelics/
34. Stealing From God – If you think atheists have reason, evidence, and science on their side, think again! Dr. Frank Turek shows how atheists steal reason, evidence, science, and other arguments from God trying to make their case for atheism. Sound contradictory? It is! Atheists can’t make their case without appealing to realities only theism can explain. Stealing from God exposes intellectual crimes atheists commit, then provides powerful reasons why Christianity is true.: https://www.bible.com/es/reading-plans/2928-stealing-from-god/day/5

Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. Because of these, the wrath of God is coming. You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. But now you must rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator. Colossians 3:5-10

Blessings to you all

mid-week apologetics booster (9-8-2022)

Good morning friends,

Here is a random quote (of over 2300) from Nuggets:

Sorrow and sickness, and poverty, and persecution, can never touch them (servants of Christ in every age), unless God sees fit. They may boldly say to every cross—”You could have no power against me, except it were given you from above.”  – J.C. Ryle

To view more of these quotes, visit:

http://www.ps11911.com/bible-app/browseQuotes

Now, here are your weekly links:

1. Satanists’ Prayer Stunt Is To Shush Christians, Not Speak Freely: https://thefederalist.com/2022/09/01/satanists-prayer-stunt-isnt-about-free-speech-its-about-silencing-christians/
2. Islam Advances by the Sword (Hank Unplugged Short) | Christian Research Institute: https://www.equip.org/hank-unplugged-shorts/islam-advances-by-the-sword-hank-unplugged-short/
3. Do moral dilemmas undermine objective moral absolutes? | WINTERY KNIGHT: https://winteryknight.com/2022/09/01/do-moral-dilemmas-undermine-objective-moral-absolutes-4/
4. Mormon Jesus vs Bible Jesus – Jeff Durbin – YouTube: https://youtu.be/39EO83sbWWk
5. Who created God? | John Lennox at UCLA – YouTube: https://youtu.be/UIknACeeS0g
6. Tips for Memorizing a Book of the Bible: https://www.str.org/w/tips-for-memorizing-a-book-of-the-bible
7. 5 Apologetics Questions Every Christian Should Learn How to Answer – Blog – Eternal Perspective Ministries: https://www.epm.org/blog/2021/Aug/9/five-apologetics-questions
8. In This Day and Age, Evangelism Is Spelled: A-P-O-L-O-G-E-T-I-C-S | Cold Case Christianity: https://coldcasechristianity.com/writings/in-this-day-and-age-evangelism-is-spelled-a-p-o-l-o-g-e-t-i-c-s/
9. Exclusivity Claims of Major World Religions – Christian Apologetics Alliance: http://christianapologeticsalliance.com/2017/08/02/exclusivity-claims-major-world-religions/
10. Jesus Calling: Channeling A False Christ | Reasons for Jesus – Jesus Calling by Sarah Young, and other similar books by her, have multiplied themselves into a publishing empire with offerings of Jesus Calling books for teens and for children, calendars, special editions, accompanying journals, a Jesus Calling Bible Storybook, and even a Jesus Calling Devotional Bible. This is not a conventional review of the book or her story, nor is the purpose to analyze the whole content. Although several troubling areas are addressed, this paper is a response primarily to two issues: 1) The claims made by Young regarding what she wrote and the alleged words spoken to her by Jesus; and 2) Young’s admission that a primary influence on her was the book, God Calling, by Two Listeners. Due to Young’s admiration for and admitted inspiration from this latter book, it will also be examined.: https://reasonsforjesus.com/jesus-calling-channeling-a-false-christ/
11. Why Apologetics Has a Bad Name | Sean McDowell: https://seanmcdowell.org/blog/why-apologetics-has-a-bad-name
12. The Shack Movie Review Heresy, Universalism, & False Gospel | Reasons for Jesus: https://reasonsforjesus.com/the-shack-movie-review-heresy-universalism-false-gospel/
13. Free Apologetics E-Book Library: http://truthbomb.blogspot.com/2009/07/free-apologetics-e-book-library.html
14. What to say to Mormons – 2. The Bible is Reliable – bethinking.org: https://www.bethinking.org/mormons/what-to-say-to-mormons/3-the-bible-is-reliable
15. The Potters Hands A very handy thing to have – creation.com: https://creation.com/potters-hands
16. 50 Alleged Bible Contradictions Refuted | The Domain for Truth: https://veritasdomain.wordpress.com/2017/10/16/50-alleged-bible-contradiction-refuted/
17. Why Did Jesus Have To Die? Couldn’t God Just Forgive Sins?: https://www.whatchristianswanttoknow.com/why-did-jesus-have-to-die-couldnt-god-just-forgive-sins/
18. How Does the Old Testament Law Apply to Christians Today?: https://www.str.org/w/how-does-the-old-testament-law-apply-to-christians-today-#.WkD-aN-nGUk
19. Lobster eye design – New design innovations from biomimetics – creation.com – The exquisite designs of the organisms on Earth have served as inspiration to countless engineers and scientists. Important inventions, such as Velcro or the airplane, owe their inceptions to those who first observed these qualities in Gods handiwork and then sought to mimic these abilities.: https://creation.com/lobster-eye-design
20. The Kalaam Cosmological Argument: Short, Sweet, and Stout Pastor Brian Chilton: https://pastorbrianchilton.wordpress.com/2013/09/27/the-kalaam-cosmological-argument-short-sweet-and-stout/
21. American Atheists Hide Behind the Fairy Tale of Evolution – The American Vision: https://americanvision.org/11504/american-atheists-hide-behind-fairy-tale-evolution/
22. The Right and Wrong Reasons to Pursue Apologetics THINKAPOLOGETICS.COM: https://chab123.wordpress.com/2013/08/09/the-right-and-wrong-reasons-to-pursue-apologetics/
23. The Three Ds of Tolerance | Cold Case Christianity – Of the many self-refuting statements offered on college campuses across America, perhaps the most dangerous for Christians is the new definition of tolerance.: https://coldcasechristianity.com/writings/the-three-ds-of-tolerance/
24. What does it mean to say Christianity is true? THINKAPOLOGETICS.COM: https://chab123.wordpress.com/2018/03/05/what-does-it-mean-to-say-christianity-is-true-3/
25. Who Decided What Books to Include in the Bible? 5 Principles – The Stream: https://stream.org/decided-books-include-bible-5-principles/
26. 10 Reasons to Accept the Resurrection of Jesus as an Historical Fact: https://crossexamined.org/10-reasons-accept-resurrection-jesus-historical-fact/
27. 3 Startling Truths about the Early Church from the Pre-New Testament Texts: https://crossexamined.org/3-startling-truths-early-church-pre-new-testament-texts/
28. Responding to the objection by Christians who say I don’t need any evidence for my faith! THINKAPOLOGETICS.COM: https://chab123.wordpress.com/2018/04/02/responding-to-the-objection-by-christians-who-say-i-dont-need-any-evidence-for-my-faith-4/
29. Dr. Walter Bradley lectures on scientific evidence the creation and design of the universe | WINTERY KNIGHT: https://winteryknight.com/2018/04/27/dr-walter-bradley-lectures-on-scientific-evidence-the-creation-and-design-of-the-universe/
30. Undesigned Coincidences and the Reliability of Scripture: https://thedailyapologist.com/blog/undesigned-coincidences-and-the-reliability-of-scripture
31. Five Steps to Help Your Child Remain a Christian Into Adulthood | Beyond Teachable Moments: https://beyondtm.wordpress.com/2014/11/24/five-steps-to-help-your-child-remain-a-christian-into-adulthood/
32. Does the church do a good job of equipping Christians to talk to non-Christians? | WINTERY KNIGHT: https://winteryknight.com/2014/10/19/does-the-church-do-a-good-job-of-equipping-christians-to-talk-to-non-christians-2/
33. Do faith in God and science contradict? | GotQuestions.org: https://www.gotquestions.org/science-God.html
34. Minimal Facts Argument for the Resurrection of Jesus Christ | Worldview of Jesus: https://worldviewofjesus.com/2013/02/03/minimal-facts-argument-for-the-resurrection-of-jesus-christ/
35. A Stone in His Shoe – In some circles there’s pressure for Christian ambassadors to close the sale as soon as possible. When pressed for time, get right to the meat of the message. Get to the Gospel. If the person doesn’t respond, you’ve still done your part. Shake the dust off your feet and move on. A wise ambassador, though, seasons his words. He weighs his opportunities and adopts an appropriate strategy for each occasion. Sometimes, the simple truth of the cross is all that’s needed. The fruit is ripe for harvesting. Bump it and it falls into your basket. Usually, though, the fruit is not ripe; the nonbeliever is simply not ready. He may not even have begun to think about Christianity in the right way.: https://www.str.org/w/a-stone-in-his-shoe
36. Apologists are Fighting the Wrong Battle – Capturing Christianity: https://capturingchristianity.com/apologists-are-fighting-the-wrong-battle/
37. 5 Terrible Reasons Your Kids May Think They Can Outgrow Christianity: https://natashacrain.com/5-terrible-reasons-your-kids-may-think-they-can-outgrow-christianity/
38. Why Aren’t More Women Interested in Apologetics?: https://www.str.org/w/why-aren-t-more-women-interested-in-apologetics-
39. Should Christians Ever Offend Anyone? | Answers in Genesis – Clearing Up Misconceptions – Do Christians need to avoid offending anyone? What does Paul mean when he says to give no offense in anything? Jeremy Ham, AiGUS, explains.: https://answersingenesis.org/bible-questions/christians-should-never-offend-anyone/
40. 4 Reasons It is Critical to Believe the Bible Is God’s Word | Sean McDowell: https://seanmcdowell.org/blog/4-reasons-it-is-critical-to-believe-the-bible-is-gods-word
41. 3 Logical Fallacies to Avoid (and How to Tell When Someone Else is Committing Them) Apologetics for the Church: https://apolotheo.wordpress.com/2018/09/21/3-logical-fallacies-to-avoid-and-how-to-tell-when-someone-else-is-committing-them/
42. Ricochet Evangelism When we are sharing the Gospel or defending the reason for our hope, we may not be sharing it with the person we are sharing it with.: https://mrpatvincent.com/2018/09/25/ricochet-evangelism/
43. Jesus Specifically Said, I am God | Cold Case Christianity: https://coldcasechristianity.com/writings/jesus-specifically-said-i-am-god/

And they were calling to one another: “Holy, holy, holy is the LORD Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory.”  –Isaiah 6:3

Blessings to you all

mid-week apologetics booster (9-1-2022)

Good morning friends,

Here is a random quote (of over 2300) from Nuggets:

The thought of delight in religion is so strange to most men, that no two words in their language stand further apart than “holiness” and “delight.” But believers who know Christ, understand that delight and faith are so blessedly united, that the gates of hell cannot prevail to separate them. – Charles Spurgeon

To view more of these quotes, visit:

http://www.ps11911.com/bible-app/browseQuotes

Now, here are your weekly links:

1. Contend Earnestly for the Faith (Greg Koukl – Solid Ground): https://www.str.org/w/contend-earnestly-for-the-faith
2. The Crucifixion and Old Testament Prophecy: https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/crucifixion-and-old-testament-prophecy
3. 47 Old Testament Prophecies About Jesus: https://www.learnreligions.com/prophecies-of-jesus-fulfilled-700159
4. God, the universe, tolerance and suffering – creation.com: https://creation.com/god-the-universe-tolerance-and-suffering
5. What are historical facts of Jesus and crucifixion- Nabeel Qureshi – YouTube: https://youtu.be/9JNbdt2mZ5E
6. Claim Being Made that Biden Student Loan Payoff is Christ-like, Is This Correct? Kingsjester’s Blog: https://kingsjestersblog.com/2022/08/28/dems-claim-biden-student-loan-payoff-is-christ-like-are-you-kidding-me/
7. Are We Really Full of Junk DNA? | The Creation Podcast: Episode 30 – YouTube – Is it really true that less than 2% of genes are functional? Is the other 98% just “junk?” In episode 30 of The Creation Podcast, host Lauren Pennington and ICR geneticist Dr. Jeff Tomkins debunk misconceptions about the usefulness of genes. This episode will reveal some surprising facts about RNA production, regulatory functions of genes, and more!: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I0dPntyyCpU
8. I’m Sorry! But the Church Needs Apologetics Faith Beyond Belief: https://www.faithbeyondbelief.ca/blog/2015/09/03/im-sorry-but-the-church-needs-apologetics
9. Is the Christian Faith Evidentially Reasonable? | Cold Case Christianity: https://coldcasechristianity.com/writings/is-the-christian-faith-evidentially-reasonable/
10. I don’t see God. Therefore, God doesn’t exist: https://think-well.org/2015/09/05/i-dont-see-god-therefore-god-doesnt-exist/
11. Vital Function Found for Whale ‘Leg’ Bones | The Institute for Creation Research: https://www.icr.org/article/vital-function-found-for-whale-leg/
12. A Concise Summary of the Corporate View of Election and Predestination: http://evangelicalarminians.org/a-concise-summary-of-the-corporate-view-of-election-and-predestination/
13. I Came to Faith Through Apologetics | Cold Case Christianity: https://coldcasechristianity.com/writings/i-came-to-faith-through-apologetics/
14. If God Created The Universe, Who Created God?: https://crossexamined.org/if-god-created-the-universe-who-created-god/
15. Why Claiming Belief is a Psychological Crutch Backfires | Come Reason’s Apologetics Notes: https://apologetics-notes.comereason.org/2015/09/why-claiming-belief-is-psychological.html
16. Portrait of a Fanatic – A top physicists embarrassing tirade – Professor Lawrence M. Krauss (Atheist professor at Arizona State University) | National Review: https://www.nationalreview.com/2015/09/lawrence-krauss-physicist-fanatic/
17. What Ought We Make of the Word Proof? | Douglas Groothuis, Ph.D.: https://douglasgroothuis.com/2015/04/02/what-ought-we-make-of-the-word-proof/
18. Cleverly designed camel – creation.com – The camel – a drought-defying marvel of design. A wonderful water-conserving mammal: https://creation.com/cleverly-designed-camel
19. Think the Church’s Precarious Cultural Situation is Unique? Think Again – Canon Fodder: https://www.michaeljkruger.com/think-the-churchs-precarious-cultural-situation-is-unique-think-again/
20. Following Kitzmiller v. Dover, an Excellent Decade for Intelligent Design | Evolution News: https://evolutionnews.org/2015/09/following_dover/
21. Apologetics and Your Kids (4) Inculcating the Right Worldview DR. RELUCTANT: https://drreluctant.wordpress.com/2015/04/07/apologetics-and-your-kids-4-inculcating-the-right-worldview/
22. I Just Want To Know The Truth: The Absurdity Of Life Without God: https://blogabouttruth.blogspot.com/2015/10/the-absurdity-of-life-without-god.html
23. Isn’t the Bible Full of Contradictions? | Answers in Genesis – For many people, the belief that the Bible contains contradictions and inaccuracies is an excuse for not believing.: https://answersingenesis.org/contradictions-in-the-bible/isnt-the-bible-full-of-contradictions/
24. Nine Tips for Public Speaking | Sean McDowell: https://seanmcdowell.org/blog/tips-for-public-speaking
25. When Someone says the Bible can’t be Trusted. – New York Apologetics: http://www.newyorkapologetics.com/when-someone-says-the-bible-cant-be-trusted/
26. Eight Steps to Investigating the Case for Christianity | Cold Case Christianity: https://coldcasechristianity.com/writings/eight-steps-to-investigating-the-case-for-christianity/
27. The Tree of Life as a Challenge to Darwinism Denton on the Distinctness of Types | Evolution News: https://evolutionnews.org/2016/03/the_tree_of_lif/
28. Why Is It Wrong to Have Surgery to Alter Your Sex? – Stand to Reason (#STRAsk podcast): https://subspla.sh/g9czztd
29. Families Don’t Need Disney Anymore. Does Disney Need Them?: https://thefederalist.com/2022/08/31/faith-centered-families-dont-need-disney-anymore-but-does-disney-need-them/
30. Rhetoric: This is a full text-book (not a Christian book, but useful to anyone trying to persuade by speaking or writing), designed for use in schools and colleges, and for private study : Haven, E. O. (Erastus Otis), 1820-1881 : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive: https://archive.org/details/rhetorictextbook00haverich/page/vi/mode/2up?ref=ol&view=theater

because the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes everyone he accepts as a son. Hebrews 12:6

Blessings to you all

mid-week apologetics booster (8-25-2022)

Good morning friends,

Here is a random quote (of over 2300) from Nuggets:

I believe that a man of God—under trial and difficulty and affliction, bearing up, and patiently submitting with holy acquiescence and still rejoicing in God—is a real preacher of the Gospel, preaching with an eloquence which is mightier than words can ever be, and which will find its secret and silent way into the hearts of those who might have resisted other arguments! – Charles Spurgeon  

To view more of these quotes, visit:

http://www.ps11911.com/bible-app/browseQuotes

Now, here are your weekly links:

1. Knight and Rose Show Episode 19: The Historical Reliability of the Gospels | WINTERY KNIGHT: https://winteryknight.com/2022/08/20/knight-and-rose-show-episode-19-the-historical-reliability-of-the-gospels/
2. Book Review: 40 Questions About Heaven and Hell (40 Questions Series) by Alan Gomes THINKAPOLOGETICS.COM: https://chab123.wordpress.com/2022/08/20/40-questions-about-heaven-and-hell-40-questions-series-by-alan-gomes/
3. The seven fatal flaws of moral relativism | WINTERY KNIGHT: https://winteryknight.com/2022/08/22/the-seven-fatal-flaws-of-moral-relativism-8/
4. Texas Fire Dept. Chaplain Axed for Biblical View of Gender: https://washingtonstand.com/news/texas-fire-chaplain-axed-for-biblical-view-of-gender
5. First life arrival – creation.com – In this BBC-Discovery TV program Sir David Attenborough tells us his purpose is to look at the origin of life and for the very first living creature that appeared on Earth. As he presents the evolutionist worldview, we shall examine what he says and compare it with the biblical worldview.: https://creation.com/first-life-arrival
6. The Reliability of the Bible: 4 Quick Thoughts | ReasonableTheology.org: https://reasonabletheology.org/reliability-bible-4-quick-thoughts/
7. Designed by the Watchmaker – creation.com – William Paley (17431805) was an English archdeacon and theologian known mainly for a book he wrote. The book is Natural Theology: or Evidences of the Existence and Attributes of the Deity Collected from the Appearance of Nature (he is less well known for his fervent opposition to slave trade and denunciation of slavery in an earlier book). It was very influential in the first half of the nineteenth century. In this book, Paley draws proof for the existence of a Creator from the design apparent in natural phenomena, and particularly in the human body.: https://creation.com/designed-by-the-watchmaker
8. Should Christians Use Evidence and Logic to Proclaim the Gospel?: http://askingthegodquestions.blogspot.com/2013/08/should-christians-use-evidence-and.html
9. The Perilous Pitfalls Facing Tent-Making Christian Case Makers | Cold Case Christianity: https://coldcasechristianity.com/writings/the-perilous-pitfalls-facing-tent-making-christian-case-makers/
10. Should We Go to Our Gay Neighbors’ Wedding?: https://probe.org/should-we-go-to-our-gay-neighbors-wedding/
11. How the presence and quality of fathers affects belief in God | WINTERY KNIGHT: https://winteryknight.com/2015/10/04/how-the-presence-and-quality-of-fathers-affects-belief-in-god-3/
12. How Do You Best Handle Challenges to Your Faith? | Sean McDowell: https://seanmcdowell.org/blog/how-do-you-best-handle-challenges-to-your-faith
13. 5 Reasons Why the Church Should Care About Apologetics – Christian Week: https://www.christianweek.org/5-reasons-church-care-apologetics/
14. Tactics: the worst mistake a Christian can make when doing apologetics | WINTERY KNIGHT: https://winteryknight.com/2016/01/29/tactics-the-worst-mistake-a-christian-can-make-when-doing-apologetics-2/
15. How Is Apologetics Bringing Christians Together? | Tough Questions Answered: https://www.toughquestionsanswered.org/2014/02/10/how-is-apologetics-bringing-christians-together/
16. 4 Key Points Christian Kids Need to Understand About Evolution: https://crossexamined.org/4-key-points-christian-kids-need-to-understand-about-evolution/
17. How other religions began vs. how Christianity began (1 minute video) – There is a huge difference between Christianity and other religions. Watch the video to find out how.: https://www.facebook.com/27769441696/videos/10153373385331697/
18. Answering the Skeptic: Is the Bible a Myth? – Come Reason Ministries: http://www.comereason.org/skeptic-bible.asp
19. Skateboarding and Darwinism | The Institute for Creation Research: https://www.icr.org/article/9292
20. 4 Pieces of Wisdom from a Street Level Apologist: https://crossexamined.org/4-pieces-of-wisdom-from-a-street-level-apologist/
21. So, You Just Became a Christian? – YouTube: https://youtu.be/idDoRftSuRU
22. What Made Paul Washer’s “Shocking Message” So Very Shocking? – YouTube: https://youtu.be/PH0mnIO9K7I
23. Are You Really A Christian? | Paul Washer – YouTube: https://youtu.be/6N7f8hvUMxg
24. The J.C. Ryle Archive – Since J.C. Ryle died in 1900, his writing are public domain and not copyrighted. So, you are able to use any of the materials on this site with no expressed permission. May the writings of J.C. Ryle help you become a more committed follower of Jesus Christ and compel you to good works. : https://www.jcryle.info/

since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities–his eternal power and divine nature–have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse. Romans 1:19-20

Blessings to you all

mid-week apologetics booster (8-18-2022)

Good morning friends,

Here is a random quote (of over 2300) from Nuggets:

Lead me to the cross and show me his wounds, the hateful nature of evil, the power of Satan; May I there see my sins as the nails that transfixed him, the cords that bound him, the thorns that tore him, the sword that pierced him. – Valley of Vision

To view more of these quotes, visit:

http://www.ps11911.com/bible-app/browseQuotes

Now, here are your weekly links:

1. Can science answer all of life’s questions? – Sharon Dirckx – OCCA: https://www.theocca.org/resources/can-science-answer-all-of-lifes-questions/
2. Why Do Humans Differ from Animals in Courtship and Sexual Dimorphism? | Answers in Genesis: https://answersingenesis.org/animal-behavior/humans-animals-courtship-sexual-dimorphism/
3. The Secret Origin of One of Bugs Bunny’s Best Insults. Because of Bugs’s popularity, the bunny’s use of nimrod became, over time, the predominant version of the word so much so that, today, few people even know it is actually a Biblical reference. The Dot and Line: https://dotandline.net/when-bugs-bunny-beat-the-bible/
4. Why Can’t Something Come from Nothing? – YouTube – Alex J. O’Connor, aka. (The) Cosmic Skeptic, questions Dr. Craig on the first premise of the kalam cosmological argument for God’s existence.: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YUhKnzA_0dM
5. Many scientists believe scientific theories religiously | George’s Journal: https://georgesjournal.net/2022/08/16/many-scientists-believe-scientific-theories-religiously/
6. Defending the Faith in Your Community – Every Day – Ask a Christian to defend the faith and you get a variety of reactions. Why does the faith need defending? God can take care of Himself. How do I do that? I don’t want to do that! Are you serious? I wouldn’t know how. Isn’t that for professionals? Me? I’m not one of those apologists. I’m just a Christian. Whatever your reaction, the fact is that every Christian can and should defend the faith in their community every day.: http://christianapologeticsalliance.com/2013/01/15/defending-the-faith-in-your-community-every-day/
7. Is Natural Selection the Same Thing as Evolution? | Answers in Genesis – Natural selection is an observable process that is often purported to be the underlying mechanism of unobservable molecules-to-man evolution.: https://answersingenesis.org/natural-selection/is-natural-selection-the-same-thing-as-evolution/
8. Who are the “other sheep” in John 10:16? And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd John 10:16 Christians have traditionally viewed the above passage as a reference to the Gentiles who would soon be presented the Good News of salvation and engrafted into the Christian fold. Mormons, however, have used John 10:16 as a proof-text to support the existence of one of the people groups in the Book of Mormon. : https://www.mrm.org/john-10-16
9. A must-read series of posts on cosmic fine-tuning by Allen Hainline | WINTERY KNIGHT: https://winteryknight.com/2014/07/18/a-must-read-series-of-posts-on-cosmic-fine-tuning-by-allen-hainline/
10. Does the Doctrine of Hell Make God Unjust? | The Cripplegate: https://thecripplegate.com/does-the-doctrine-of-hell-make-god-unjust/
11. Apologetics, Evidence, and Relevance | The Institute for Creation Research: https://www.icr.org/article/8205/
12. 4 Reasons Christian Parents Need to Care More About Atheism: https://natashacrain.com/4-reasons-christian-parents-need-to-care-more-about-atheism/
13. Advice to Young Aspiring Apologists – 13 lessons – Jonathan McLatchie: https://jonathanmclatchie.com/advice-to-young-aspiring-apologists/
14. Truthbomb Apologetics: The Art of Listening – In conversations I am continually learning that what I don’t say is sometimes just as important as what I do say.: http://truthbomb.blogspot.com/2014/08/the-art-of-listening.html
15. Why Christians Must Continue to Guard the Truth of the Gospel | Cold Case Christianity: https://coldcasechristianity.com/writings/why-christians-must-continue-to-guard-the-truth-of-the-gospel/
16. Are Christians Narrow-Minded and Intolerant? – Canon Fodder: https://www.michaeljkruger.com/are-christians-narrow-minded-and-intolerant/
17. How to Talk About Evolution | Evolution News: https://evolutionnews.org/2012/10/how_to_talk_abo/
18. Historical Evidence of Jesus Christs Resurrection – There are many skeptics of Jesus Christ and of His resurrection. Can it be proven as an actual historical event? Are we to believe only on faith? What empirical, concrete evidence do we have today that Jesus Christ indeed was resurrected from the dead? Can His resurrection be proven? : https://www.whatchristianswanttoknow.com/historical-evidence-of-jesus-christs-resurrection/
19. Dialogue with Muslims about evidence why Islam is true: https://carm.org/dialogues/dialogue-with-muslims-about-evidence-why-islam-is-true/
20. 7 Tips to Engage Skeptics Like the Apostle Paul Did in the Bible – Part 1: http://apologeticsguy.com/2013/05/acts-17-bible-study-apostle-paul-athens-1/
21. Was There a Great Apostasy? | Douglas Beaumont – Some kind of apostasy narrative is required to explain why a group that did not exist for nearly 2,000 years can consider itself the true expression of Christianity. Obviously, if the Church founded by Jesus did not go into apostasy, there would be no excuse to create a new group or restore what was lost. Unlike most Christian sects that attempt to locate themselves (in some form) throughout Christian history, the Mormons accept and explain their non-existence by claiming the Church founded by Jesus Christ disappeared from the Earth shortly after its creation.: https://douglasbeaumont.com/2014/10/04/was-there-a-great-apostasy/
22. Refuting Evolution chapter 1: Evolution & creation, science & religion, facts & bias – creation.com: https://creation.com/refuting-evolution-chapter-1-evolution-creation-science-religion-facts-bias
23. Christianity is a Thinking-Man’s Faith | Come Reason’s Apologetics Notes: https://apologetics-notes.comereason.org/2014/11/christianity-is-thinking-mans-faith.html
24. Is the Watchmaker Argument Still Valid? | Reasonable Faith: https://www.reasonablefaith.org/media/reasonable-faith-podcast/is-the-watchmaker-argument-still-valid
25. A Recent Origin for Stonehenge? | The Institute for Creation Research: https://www.icr.org/article/8488
26. Galapagos evolution – creation.com – Whether or not evolution has occurred on Galpagos (or anywhere else on Earth for that matter) depends very much on what is meant by the term evolution. The theory that creationists oppose is the idea (and consequent atheistic worldview) that all living things on Earth have arisen from a single source (which itself came from non-life). The key issue is the type of change required. For example, to change microbes into marine iguanas would require massive successive increases in the genetic information of the genome.: https://creation.com/galapagos-evolution
27. This Twitter thread about Roman Catholicism “blew up”. Interesting (and sad) to read the comments from Catholics and also the debate back and forth: https://twitter.com/JoRo_______/status/1559542221896032257?t=cLaCM2ic5Kl-ivqgqJppFQ&s=19

When the apostles returned, they reported to Jesus what they had done. Then he took them with him and they withdrew by themselves to a town called Bethsaida, but the crowds learned about it and followed him. He welcomed them and spoke to them about the kingdom of God, and healed those who needed healing. Luke 9:10-11

Blessings to you all

mid-week apologetics booster (8-11-2022)

Good morning friends,

Here is a random quote (of over 2300) from Nuggets:

Unlike national Israel, God’s people, the new and true Israel, are an “inter-ethnic” church with a heavenly citizenship. – Paul Copan

To view more of these quotes, visit:

http://www.ps11911.com/bible-app/browseQuotes

Now, here are your weekly links:

1. 17 Year-Old British Podcast Host Interviews Dr. William Lane Craig (I didn’t notice until about ½ way through that the interviewer was not a Christian, but he’s very respectful and it was a good interview) – YouTube: https://youtu.be/Swk2eTmGHCE
2. How Mainstream Media Gaslights Christians (and Everyone Else Who Disagrees with Them): https://natashacrain.com/how-mainstream-media-gaslights-christians-and-everyone-else-who-disagrees-with-them/
3. Were penguins designed for freezing cold environments? – creation.com: https://creation.com/hot-and-cold-penguins
4. Climate totalitarianism | George’s Journal – your worldview greatly affects your view of the fate of the earth’s climate. Belief in a Creator and Sustainer changes your view of these things. As it says in the Bible, Genesis 8:22 “As long as the earth endures, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night will never cease.”: https://georgesjournal.net/2022/08/09/climate-totalitarianism/
5. 10 Answers Every Creationist Should Know adamlickey.com: https://adamlickey.com/2012/10/02/10-answers-every-creationist-should-know/
6. Programming of Life – YouTube – An exploration of microbiology, information science, and the origin of life.: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=00vBqYDBW5s
7. Prof. John Lennox on His New Book Seven Days That Divide the World – On this episode of ID The Future, Jay Richards talks with Professor and author John Lennox about one of his latest books, Seven Days that Divide the World: The Beginning According to Genesis and Science. In his book, Lennox delves into controversial issues surrounding science and faith, answering common questions regarding apparent tensions between scripture and scientific evidence. Tune in as Professor Lennox demonstrates that science and faith are indeed compatible.: https://www.podomatic.com/podcasts/intelligentdesign/episodes/2013-02-25T16_29_26-08_00
8. Soul Searching : The Religious and Spiritual Lives of American Teenagers … – Christian Smith Dr. William R Kenan Jr Professor of Sociology University of Notre Dame, Candidate University of North Carolina Melina Lundquist Denton Ph.D, Chapel Hill USA – Google Books (see snippet from pg. 89): https://books.google.com/books?id=AN85V20yRmQC&printsec=frontcover&dq=soul+searching+lundquist&hl=en&sa=X&ei=HE5wUffRLK264APGnYGIAw#v=onepage&q=intellectual&f=false
9. Christian Apologetics UK: Six short Pro-life responses to Six popular Pro-choice slogans – Part 1: https://apologeticsuk.blogspot.com/2013/07/six-short-pro-life-responses-to-six.html
10. I Don’t Have Enough Faith to Be an Atheist – Google Books (short book snippet regarding the quote “Please consider this question to see if you are open to acceptance [of Christianity]: If someone could provide reasonable answers to the most significant questions and objections you have about Christianity reasonable to the point that Christianity seems true beyond a reasonable doubt would you then become a Christian? Think about that for a moment. If your honest answer is no, then your resistance to Christianity is emotional or volitional, not merely intellectual. No amount of evidence will convince you because evidence is not what’s in your way you are. In the end, only you know if you are truly open to the evidence for Christianity.”): https://books.google.com/books?id=FPmV30uX1_4C&lpg=PA30&ots=d8nw3cVf5J&dq=Please+consider+this+question+to+see+if+you+are+open+to+acceptance+%5Bof+Christianity%5D:+If+someone+could+provide+reasonable+answers+to+the+most+significant+questions+and+objections+you+have+about+Christianity+%E2%80%93+reasonable+to+the+point+that+Christianity+seems+true+beyond+a+reasonable+doubt+%E2%80%93+would+you+then+become+a+Christian%3F++Think+about+that+for+a+moment.++If+your+honest+answer+is+no,+then+your+resistance+to+Christianity+is+emotional+or+volitional,+not+merely+intellectual.++No+amount+of+evidence+will+convince+you+because+evidence+is+not+what%E2%80%99s+in+your+way+%E2%80%93+you+are.++In+the+end,+only+you+know+if+you+are+truly+open+to+the+evidence+for+Christianity.&pg=PA30&hl=en#v=onepage&q&f=false
11. Twenty good arguments for Christianity: http://pjsaunders.blogspot.com/2013/01/twenty-good-arguments-for-christianity.html
12. America’s Godly Heritage 1 – David Barton.flv – YouTube – Historian, Founder and President David Barton Wallbuilders, talks about Americas Godly Heritage – bulletproof George Washington and so so many inspiring lost American facts. This is just an introduction to the unbelievable forgotten information about our country. He restores your faith and hope in this great land.: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pme3o0WimkU&list=PL9A8002C80FA935C5&index=1
13. I’m At Home With Evidentialism Because the Evidence Brought Me Home | Cold Case Christianity: https://coldcasechristianity.com/writings/im-at-home-with-evidentialism-because-the-evidence-brought-me-home/
14. Why 66? | Answers in Genesis – How can we be sure that we have the correct 66 books in our Bible? The Bible is a unique volume. It is composed of 66 books by 40 different writers over 1,500 years. But what makes it unique is that it has one consistent storyline running all the way through, and it has just one ultimate author – God. The story is about Gods plan to rescue men and women from the devastating results of the Fall, a plan that was conceived in eternity, revealed through the prophets, and carried out by the Son of God, Jesus Christ.: https://answersingenesis.org/the-word-of-god/why-66-books/
15. You want me to keep my what to myself? – Adam4d.com: https://adam4d.com/you-want-me-to-keep-my-what-to-myself/
16. Is the Church A Cruise Ship Or A Rescue Boat? | Cold Case Christianity: https://coldcasechristianity.com/writings/is-the-church-a-cruise-ship-or-a-rescue-boat/
17. If God Exists, Why Does He Allow Evil? | Watermark Community Church: https://www.watermark.org/message/2231-if-god-exists-why-does-he-allow-evil?autoplay=video
18. Top 10 Reasons the Church Is Losing Our Youth: https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/justin-taylor/top-10-reasons-the-church-is-losing-our-youth/
19. Answering the Skeptic: Is the Bible a Myth? – Come Reason Ministries: http://www.comereason.org/skeptic-bible.asp
20. The Rosetta Stone, SETI, and the Existence of God | Come Reason’s Apologetics Notes: https://apologetics-notes.comereason.org/2014/10/the-rosetta-stone-seti-and-existence-of.html
21. Do We Really Need to Teach Our Kids Apologetics When God is in Control Anyway?: https://natashacrain.com/do-we-really-need-to-teach-our-kids-apologetics-when-god-is-in-control-anyway/
22. Biblical Insights into Todays Violent Mob Mentality | The Institute for Creation Research: https://www.icr.org/article/biblical-insights-todays-vmmentality/
23. One Question I Ask My Atheist Friends – Melissa Cain Travis: https://melissacaintravis.com/2013/12/11/the-one-question-i-ask-my-atheist-friends/
24. How Do I Share What I Believe? The Relationship Between Respect and Reach | Cold Case Christianity: https://coldcasechristianity.com/writings/how-do-i-share-what-i-believe-the-relationship-between-respect-and-reach/
25. How Certain Can We Be That Jesus Actually Died and Rose Again From the Dead? | Beyond Teachable Moments: https://beyondtm.wordpress.com/2014/03/19/how-certain-can-we-be-that-jesus-actually-died-and-rose-again-from-the-dead/
26. Ultimate Proof for Creation/God’s Existence | Presuppositional Apologetics | Dr. Jason Lisle – YouTube – In this teaching video, Dr. Jason Lisle talks about the ULTIMATE PROOF for God’s Existence, Creation and Creationism- Presuppositional Apologetics. The facts are that without the God of the Bible, we couldn’t:-Know Anything-Say Anything is Right or Wrong-Couldn’t Trust Our 5 Senses-Couldn’t Engage in Scientific Experimentation-Couldn’t Engage in Logical Discourse – In this teaching video, Dr. Jason Lisle talks about the ULTIMATE PROOF for God’s Existence, Creation and Creationism- Presuppositional Apologetics. The facts are that without the God of the Bible, we couldn’t: -Know Anything -Say Anything is Right or Wrong -Couldn’t Trust Our 5 Senses -Couldn’t Engage in Scientific Experimentation -Couldn’t Engage in Logical Discourse: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-j9-cyRbFcs
27. To Witness Like Jesus, Use Logic and Reason | Come Reason’s Apologetics Notes: https://apologetics-notes.comereason.org/2014/12/to-witness-like-jesus-use-logic-and.html
28. 10 Reasons Kids Leave the Church | Jim Daly: https://jimdaly.focusonthefamily.com/ten-reasons-kids-leave-the-church/
29. Why You Can Be Confident We Have the Original Bible Texts | Come Reason’s Apologetics Notes: https://apologetics-notes.comereason.org/2015/01/why-you-can-be-confident-we-have.html
30. Galapagos adaptation – creation.com – Surtsey: https://creation.com/galapagos-adaptation
31. Bone building: perfect protein (Osteocalcin) – creation.com: https://creation.com/bone-building-perfect-protein-osteocalcin
32. New study: women who have fewer premarital sex partners have lower risk of divorce | WINTERY KNIGHT: https://winteryknight.com/2022/08/09/new-study-women-who-have-fewer-premarital-sex-partners-have-lower-risk-of-divorce-4/
33. The Legend of the Social Justice Jesus: https://www.str.org/w/the-legend-of-the-social-justice-jesus
34. How Could Adam Have Named All the Animals in a Single Day? | Answers in Genesis: https://answersingenesis.org/adam-and-eve/how-could-adam-have-named-all-the-animals-in-a-single-day/
35. The difference between proof and persuasion | with Jon Steingard – YouTube: https://youtu.be/AHiwu8DKC-4
36. Absolute Truth, Greg Laurie, from his worldview series – YouTube: https://youtu.be/5nYz6rNMdCw
37. Evolution’s fatal problem of non-standard genetic codes: https://creation.com/non-standard-genetic-codes

But even the archangel Michael, when he was disputing with the devil about the body of Moses, did not dare to bring a slanderous accusation against him, but said, “The Lord rebuke you!” Jude 1:9

Blessings to you all

mid-week apologetics booster (8-4-2022)

Good morning friends,

Here is a random quote (of over 2300) from Nuggets:

Let me never forget that the heinousness of sin lies not so much in the nature of the sin committed, as in the greatness of the Person sinned against. – Valley of Vision

To view more of these quotes, visit:

http://www.ps11911.com/bible-app/browseQuotes

Now, here are your weekly links:

1. Ambassador’s Creed: https://www.str.org/ambassadors-creed
2. Truthbomb Apologetics: Jesus Argued Reductio Ad Absurdum: http://truthbomb.blogspot.com/2013/12/jesus-argued-reductio-ad-absurdum.html
3. Jehovah’s Witness Role Play – YouTube – Mike Felker role plays as a Jehovah’s Witness to a college apologetics group. Most of the students had no idea that I was actually a Christian until I revealed my identity at about 40 minutes into it. Thanks to Brett Kunkle for inspiring me to do this. It was my first time and I’d love to do more of this.: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lNNqBRpv2Bk
4. Jesus and Logical Fallacies: The False Dilemma | Come Reason’s Apologetics Notes: https://apologetics-notes.comereason.org/2015/01/jesus-and-logical-fallacies-false.html
5. You Have to Come Out As A Christian Before You Can Step Out As An Apologist | Cold Case Christianity: https://coldcasechristianity.com/writings/you-have-to-come-out-as-a-christian-before-you-can-step-out-as-an-apologist/
6. Above All the Earth | The Institute for Creation Research – Few can say they’ve left planet Earth. Jeff Williams has done it three times. After a lengthy military career, Colonel Jeffrey N. Williams was chosen from among a handful of candidates to become an astronaut for NASA and work on the International Space Station (ISS). He has been a longtime supporter of ICR and recently visited our headquarters for the first time, graciously allowing us an interview.: https://www.icr.org/article/8635
7. String theory has come to be seen as faith, not reason? Uncommon Descent: https://uncommondescent.com/intelligent-design/string-theory-has-come-to-be-seen-as-faith-not-reason/
8. Apologetics for Kids: Free Resources for Parents | Beyond Teachable Moments: https://beyondtm.wordpress.com/2015/03/03/apologetics-for-kids-free-resources-for-parents/
9. How the Body Works: Intelligent Design in Action | Evolution News: https://evolutionnews.org/2015/02/how_the_body_wo/
10. New Testament Bible Reliability by Daniel Wallace, PhD – YouTube – If you encounter someone who questions or doubts the accuracy and reliability of our New Testament, such as a Mormon, the information Dr. Daniel Wallace provides in this presentation at Heights Baptist Church in 2013 will address those issues directly. Mormon apologists must admit that the staggering majority of the textual variants are merely minor in nature. Dr. R. L. Anderson, a Mormon scholar and authority in the LDS Church on Biblical manuscripts, recognizes that the variations in the New Testament manuscripts are essentially insignificant. Dr. Anderson notes the overwhelming agreement between the thousands of manuscripts; he explains that : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6lEmch2OAhs
11. Lecture – Dr. Peter Williams – Things Which Ought To Be Better Known About The Resurrection Of Jesus – YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CbBVBUeHXZ4
12. The Argument from Consciousness in Eight Quick Points | Saints and Sceptics: http://www.saintsandsceptics.org/the-argument-from-consciousness-in-seven-quick-points/
13. Inspired or Not? What Does Paul Mean by What He Says in 1 Corinthians 7:6, 7:12, and 7:25? Did Paul fill his letters with opinion?: https://answersingenesis.org/contradictions-in-the-bible/contradictions-in-the-bible/inspired-or-not-1-corinthians-7/
14. Can Evolution Explain the Appearance of Design in Biology? | Cold Case Christianity: https://coldcasechristianity.com/writings/can-evolution-explain-the-appearance-of-design-in-biology/
15. Why the Appearance of Design in Biology Is a Problem for Atheistic Naturalism | Cold Case Christianity: https://coldcasechristianity.com/writings/why-the-appearance-of-design-in-biology-is-a-problem-for-atheistic-naturalism/theistic-naturalism/
16. Life in the Big Tent: Traditional Creationism and the Intelligent Design Community | Christian Research Institute: https://www.equip.org/articles/life-in-the-big-tent/
17. Evangelical Elites Can’t Let Go Of Beefs Against Conservatives: https://thefederalist.com/2022/08/02/russell-moore-and-evangelical-elites-cant-let-go-of-their-jeremiad-against-conservative-evangelicals/
18. Scientists Are Undermining Our Trust in Science | Evolution News: https://evolutionnews.org/2022/07/scientists-are-undermining-our-trust-in-science/

But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, Philippians 3:20

Blessings to you all

mid-week apologetics booster (7-28-2022)

Good morning friends,

Here is a random quote (of over 2300) from Nuggets:

Thou hast attended to our happiness more than we can do; Though we are fallen creatures thou hast not neglected us. In love and pity thou hast provided us a Saviour; Apply his redemption to our hearts, by justifying our persons, and sanctifying our natures. – Valley of Vision

 To view more of these quotes, visit:

http://www.ps11911.com/bible-app/browseQuotes

Now, here are your weekly links:

1. Social Media, Identity, and the Church – I don’t see social media going away, either, because it has enormous benefits, too. It is also deeply embedded in the psyches especially of the young. So Christians can’t ignore it, and most of all we need to begin to understand it. (Note – I find especially helpful in the article the section with the title “Hacking the social media platform” pg. 6): https://mcusercontent.com/a03a982fbbfe3cacb8520b8d6/files/7ffdcf4b-ee1b-3cb0-93c9-9df4f95a0064/Social_Media_Identity_and_the_Church.pdf
2. Empower Your Kids to Defend Their Faith With This Free Video Series with Natasha Crain : https://www.focusonthefamily.com/raising-your-kids-to-defend-their-faith-binge-sign-up-form/
3. Examining the Case for the Christian Faith (Sean McDowell interviews Doug Groothuis) – YouTube: https://youtu.be/RY9ggdGGrjw
4. Greg Introduces Robby Lashua (one of the newest speakers) and the Upcoming STR Outposts: https://www.str.org/w/greg-introduces-robby-lashua-and-the-upcoming-str-outposts
5. Robby Lashua speaking at Mission Grove Church in Phoenix this Sunday on topics “Has God Preserved His Word?” “How can we trust the Bible?”: https://www.str.org/robby-lashua
6. Thoughts from Greg and Amy on Having Meaningful Spiritual Conversations: https://www.str.org/w/thoughts-from-greg-and-amy-on-having-meaningful-spiritual-conversations
7. An Example of the Helpfulness of Tactics – Stand to Reason: https://subspla.sh/xzht84p

I will give them a heart to know me, that I am the LORD. They will be my people, and I will be their God, for they will return to me with all their heart. Jeremiah 24:7

Blessings to you all

mid-week apologetics booster (6-30-2022)

Good morning friends,

Here is a random quote (of over 2300) from Nuggets:

Death to the world, and burial with Christ, are experiences which carnal minds treat with ridicule, and hence the ordinance which sets them forth is almost universally neglected, and even condemned. – Charles Spurgeon

To view more of these quotes, visit:

http://www.ps11911.com/bible-app/browseQuotes

Now, here are your weekly links:

1. Sex abnormalities and transgender – creation.com – Abnormal sexual development has nothing to do with choosing which gender you would like to be.: https://creation.com/sex-abnormalities-v-transgender
2. How to Make the Case against Abortion in Less Than a Minute: https://www.str.org/w/how-to-make-the-case-against-abortion-in-less-than-a-minute
3. Make the Pro-Life Case in 60 Seconds – YouTube – You’re in a conversation and someone says, Pro-lifers just want to force their religious views on everyone else. They don’t really have a good reason to oppose abortion. What would you say? Dismissing opposition to abortion as religious ideology is intellectually lazy. There are rational arguments against abortion, and those who oppose abortion make them often. So, when abortion advocates dismiss arguments against abortion, remember these three steps: First, formally state the case against abortion. Second, defend the case against abortion by clearly stating the reasons for your pro-life position. Third, establish ground rules for further discussion.: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uEnokKiwtkA
4. Is Hell Real? – YouTube – You’re in a conversation and someone says, I don’t believe a loving God would send anyone to Hell. He wouldn’t even allow a place like that to exist. What would you say? It’s easier to believe in things like Heaven, redemption, and eternal joy with God you know, the things we want to be true — than those things that are hard to imaging and even stomach, like eternal punishment. Hell is a hard thing to talk about, but the next time it comes up in conversation, here are three things to remember: First, God doesn’t force anyone into Hell, but He doesn’t force anyone to love Him or be with Him either. Second, Jesus taught that Hell is real, and talks about it more than anyone else in the New Testament. Third, Hell does not diminish Gods love; it displays it.: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ucC8O471qyE
5. How to Have a Conversation: When Under Pressure – YouTube – you’re in a conversation and suddenly an assertion is leveled against your view and you don’t know how to answer it. Now maybe you’ve forgotten the reasoning or evidence, or maybe haven’t done your research in the first place. What would you say? The What Would You Say videos are a great way to ground yourself in the basic arguments for Christian values and convictions, but the pressure of the moment, you may not be able to recall the details. For those situations, you need a game plan. The next time you’re in over your head, here are three things to remember: First, don’t try to answer the challenge immediately. If you do, you’re giving them a free ride. Second, don’t be taken in by their, I can explain that response and Third, ask for specific reasons why their ideas should be taken seriously : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NhyMclem04A
6. The Heart of the Abortion Issue – In this clip from To the Point LIVE, Jon Noyes asks how a civil society should treat innocent human beings who challenge our current way of life and reminds us not to be distracted away from the most important question in the abortion debate: What is the unborn?: https://www.str.org/w/the-heart-of-the-abortion-issue
7. What Is the General Theory of Evolution Unable to Explain? – YouTube – Dr. Craig answers a question about certain limits within the theory of evolution, common ancestry, random mutation, natural selection, etc. : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jpuog3h_tb0
8. Must You Remain Silent on Abortion Unless You Adopt a Baby? If you’ve never adopted a child, does this disqualify you from speaking out against abortion? Alan offers five reasons why this challenge is mistaken.: https://www.str.org/w/must-you-remain-silent-on-abortion-unless-you-adopt-a-baby-1
9. What does the Bible say about abortion? | GotQuestions.org: https://www.gotquestions.org/abortion-Bible.html
10. Values Voter Summit Highlights Abortion, Adoption Link | Politics News: https://www.christianpost.com/news/values-voter-summit-highlights-abortion-adoption-link.html
11. When Christians Have a Contagious Faith – The Stream – While it’s easy to feel intimidated by the thought of sharing Jesus with others, Marks approach emphasizes the different gifts and skills within the body of Christ.: https://stream.org/when-christians-have-a-contagious-faith/
12. The Significance of the Overturning of Roe – The Stream: https://stream.org/the-significance-of-the-overturning-of-roe/
13. Barr: Public Schools Are So Hostile To Christians, They’re Unconstitutional – That’s because there are only two ways to restrain people from following disordered passions, Barr said: internal restraints, which are largely provided by ones beliefs; and external restraints, which are typically provided by government. So in order to have a limited government, Barr noted in an explicit echo of the American Founders, citizens must practice self-restraint.: https://thefederalist.com/2022/06/27/barr-public-schools-are-now-so-hostile-to-christians-theyre-unconstitutional/

About that time there arose a great disturbance about the Way. A silversmith named Demetrius, who made silver shrines of Artemis, brought in no little business for the craftsmen. He called them together, along with the workmen in related trades, and said: “Men, you know we receive a good income from this business. And you see and hear how this fellow Paul has convinced and led astray large numbers of people here in Ephesus and in practically the whole province of Asia. He says that man-made gods are no gods at all. There is danger not only that our trade will lose its good name, but also that the temple of the great goddess Artemis will be discredited, and the goddess herself, who is worshiped throughout the province of Asia and the world, will be robbed of her divine majesty.” When they heard this, they were furious and began shouting: “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!” Soon the whole city was in an uproar. The people seized Gaius and Aristarchus, Paul’s traveling companions from Macedonia, and rushed as one man into the theater. Paul wanted to appear before the crowd, but the disciples would not let him. Even some of the officials of the province, friends of Paul, sent him a message begging him not to venture into the theater. The assembly was in confusion: Some were shouting one thing, some another. Most of the people did not even know why they were there. The Jews pushed Alexander to the front, and some of the crowd shouted instructions to him. He motioned for silence in order to make a defense before the people. But when they realized he was a Jew, they all shouted in unison for about two hours: “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!” The city clerk quieted the crowd and said: “Men of Ephesus, doesn’t all the world know that the city of Ephesus is the guardian of the temple of the great Artemis and of her image, which fell from heaven? Therefore, since these facts are undeniable, you ought to be quiet and not do anything rash. You have brought these men here, though they have neither robbed temples nor blasphemed our goddess. If, then, Demetrius and his fellow craftsmen have a grievance against anybody, the courts are open and there are proconsuls. They can press charges. If there is anything further you want to bring up, it must be settled in a legal assembly. As it is, we are in danger of being charged with rioting because of today’s events. In that case we would not be able to account for this commotion, since there is no reason for it.” After he had said this, he dismissed the assembly. Acts 19:23-41

Blessings to you all

mid-week apologetics booster (4-7-2022)

Good morning friends,

Here is a random quote (of over 2200) from Nuggets:

Pastors will need to play a role in shoring up those they are called to shepherd. But there is another group that can help take some of the weight off our already overly burdened ministers: lay apologists. Lay apologists are Christians not already in full-time or paid ministry, but have the interest and equipping to carry out the task of apologetics. As a former lay apologist myself, I know how capable they are of carrying out this task. Unfortunately, too many of them are wasting their talents in endless debates with internet-based atheists. If you’re a lay apologist, I hope you’ll heed this call: This church needs your skills and training. – Joe Carter (from, New Age Beliefs Are Common in America and in Our Churches)

To view more of these quotes, visit:

http://www.ps11911.com/bible-app/browseQuotes

Now, here are your weekly links:

1. Jesus Is the Only Cure – People will go to hell not because they merely had a theological point wrong, but because they had a real disease (sin) and never got the only effective cure.: https://www.str.org/w/jesus-is-the-only-cure
2. Jesus: The Antidote – Jesus is an antidote to a deadly disease. Some people have the symptoms of the disease more obviously or in a greater manner than others. But everybody is sick.: https://www.str.org/w/jesus-the-antidote
3. Are You Telling Me I’m Going to Hell Because I Don’t Believe in Jesus? | Thinking to Believe: https://thinkingtobelieve.com/2006/04/12/are-you-telling-me-im-going-to-hell-because-i-dont-believe-in-jesus/
4. A Ten Minute Witness – bethinking.org – I had a conversation today that I wish you could have eavesdropped on. It was that precious. I was preparing for the show about an hour ago at my home and I heard a knock at the door.: https://www.bethinking.org/apologetics/a-ten-minute-witness
5. Persuasion the Centre Piece of Effective Evangelism – bethinking.org – Persuasion is a pivotal word in understanding evangelism, but it has for a long time been overlooked. I have been to countless training sessions and read numerous books on evangelism, where neither the word nor even the idea have been mentioned at all. Even a Dictionary of Apologetics and an Encyclopedia of Apologetics on my shelves do not have entries under the P word. Yet, if you take persuasion out of evangelism, you are left with unpersuasive evangelism.: https://www.bethinking.org/apologetics/persuasion-the-centre-piece-of-effective-evangelism
6. New video series on intelligent design starts off discussing the Cambrian explosion | WINTERY KNIGHT: https://winteryknight.com/2022/03/31/new-video-series-on-intelligent-design-starts-off-discussing-the-cambrian-explosion/
7. What if your science class contradicts the Bible? – YouTube – What if something you learn in science class seems to totally contradict something you read in the Bible? Does that mean either your professor or pastor can’t be trusted? Or is it better to separate the scientific data from our Biblical beliefs? So many questions! In this video, Frank breaks it all down and explains how we can believe both science and the Bible to be true.: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VjcQeBYmbhY
8. How Free Grace Theology Diminishes the Gospel – We can’t preach the full gospel without preaching repentance.: https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/reviews/free-grace-theology/
9. What is the difference between a Christian and a disciple? | GotQuestions.org: https://www.gotquestions.org/Christian-disciple.html
10. Disney Executives Admit: Of Course We’re Grooming Your Children: https://thefederalist.com/2022/03/30/disney-executives-admit-of-course-were-grooming-your-children/
11. What should parents think about Disney’s position on grooming children for sex? | WINTERY KNIGHT: https://winteryknight.com/2022/04/03/what-should-parents-think-about-disneys-position-on-grooming-children-for-sex/
12. What does it mean to take up your cross daily? Luke 9:23 commentary: https://activechristianity.org/what-does-it-mean-to-take-up-your-cross-daily
13. When Debating Biblical Inspiration, Let God Do the Heavy Lifting. A woman I once spoke with expressed frustration with a friend who had dismissed the Bible as only written by men. Her insistence that the words were inspired by God was no help. Instead, it led to a fruitless cycle: The Bible is God’s Word.  But it was just written by men. But God inspired those men. But men make mistakes. Round and round they went, going nowhere. Maybe you’ve encountered this problem, too. Here’s one way you might respond: Give specific reasons why it’s reasonable to believe the Bible is a supernatural book of divine authorship and not merely the musings of men.: https://www.str.org/w/when-debating-biblical-inspiration-let-god-do-the-heavy-lifting
14. Can We Trust the Bible? Brett Kunkle – Classically, Christians have defended their view of God not with mere appeals to subjective experience but from what they take to be Gods voice recorded in the Bible. Do Christians have good reason to think God has spoken through the Bible? Yes. Not only do we have overwhelming evidence the Bible has been reliably passed down for almost 2,000 years, but there is good reason to think it is covered with divine fingerprints.: https://www.str.org/w/can-we-trust-the-bible-
15. Can a Person Be Saved through General Revelation? Greg and Amy consider examples of salvation from the Old Testament next to what Paul writes about general revelation and salvation in Romans. (clip from the #STRAsk podcast – 12 min): https://www.str.org/w/can-a-person-be-saved-through-general-revelation-1
16. Has God Spoken? Evidence For The Bible pt1 – (Bible Thinker) – How could you prove that God has communicated to us? What would be a reasonable way to show that God has spoken? This video answers that question and deals with false prophecies in preparation for the next video in this series, where we will begin to look at fulfilled prophecy in the Bible as proof that God has spoken.: https://biblethinker.org/has-god-spoken-evidence-for-the-bible-pt1/
17. Building A Solid Christian Worldview – Focus on the Family – Greg Koukl helps listeners discover, develop, and nurture a Christian worldview by examining the story of the Bible. Based on his book The Story of Reality , Greg Koukl offers believers a glimpse of the bigger picture, along with their role in the overarching Christian Story.: https://www.focusonthefamily.com/episodes/broadcast/building-a-solid-christian-worldview/
18. Sing a Little Louder – Pro-life Version on Vimeo – This well-done, 10-minute video makes a powerful pro-life point.: https://vimeo.com/144427221?embedded=true&source=vimeo_logo&owner=45362802&fbclid=IwAR3H83oV8Dgfb0LNairYM-m6iVx989oo1Aw6tbfzuvkFLwtus7OOZgDaOzA
19. Kirk Cameron is joined by Greg Koukl and Allie Beth Stuckey to discuss the importance of discerning truth.: https://watch.tbn.org/videos/hd-kct0017?fbclid=IwAR10A5UVDgdThbMYp-UkCsO295nEIj9xKYxLxdUtlrZNulXSZIK1PeV2Xu4
20. How to Have a Conversation: Engaging Controversial Topics – YouTube – You’re in a conversation with a coworker and they’re pretty vocal about a controversial topic. You want to say something, but you’re having a hard time gathering the confidence to respond. What would you say? Questions are a risk-free way to engage in a conversation, giving you latitude, liberty and effectiveness, without assuming too much responsibility. They can be used to engage a close friend or a complete stranger. The next time you’re in a conversation and don’t know how to proceed. Here are three things to remember: First, don’t immediately try to answer the challenge or run from it. Second, gather Intel about the challenge. Third, always ask for clarification with some form of this question: What do you mean by that?: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sJSG6BOWiEI
21. How to Have a Conversation: Difficult Circumstances – YouTube – You’re in a conversation and someone keeps interrupting you or you’re in a conversation and someone complains it’s bigoted to think that Jesus is the only way to God or you’re in a conversation, and someone says, You’re a Christian because you live in America. If you lived in Iran, you’d be a Muslim. What would you say? Here’s some other tips to help you handle difficult circumstances you may run into as a follower of Christ. Number one: When someone keeps interrupting you, stop them gently and ask for equal time. Number two: When someone raises an issue that Jesus himself has spoken about, enlist him as your ally. Number three: When someone challenges Christianity based on something about you, ask So what? : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=64dZhJGmBgg
22. Does Science Argue for or against God? – YouTube – Why are we here? Literally. The latest science says we shouldn’t be. It says that the chance life exists at all is less than zero. So, is science the greatest threat to the idea of Intelligent Design or is science its greatest advocate? Best-selling author and lecturer, Eric Metaxas, poses this intriguing question and comes up with a very unexpected and challenging answer.: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UjGPHF5A6Po
23. Does God Exist? 4 New Arguments – YouTube – Science tells us that the universe came into being via The Big Bang. But how do you get from energy and matter to a self-aware human being? That takes three additional Big Bangs that science can’t explain. Noted theologian, Frank Pastore, unravels this compelling mystery and, in the process, poses the ultimate question that every thinking person must face.: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gIorXcloIac
24. God and Suffering – YouTube – Isn’t human suffering proof that a just, all-powerful God must not exist? On the contrary, says Boston College Professor of Philosophy Peter Kreeft. How can “suffering” exist without an objective standard against which to judge it? Absent a standard, there is no justice. If there is no justice, there is no injustice. And if there is no injustice, there is no suffering. On the other hand, if justice exists, God exists. In five minutes, learn more.: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cNtz5wgnopQ
25. Suffering and Evil: The Logical Problem – YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k64YJYBUFLM
26. Why does God let people suffer? Why is there so much evil in the world? | WINTERY KNIGHT: https://winteryknight.com/2022/04/05/why-does-god-let-people-suffer-why-is-there-so-much-evil-in-the-world-7/
27. How To Raise Kids When Leaving Public Schools Is Not An Easy Option: https://thefederalist.com/2022/04/06/how-to-raise-sane-kids-when-leaving-public-schools-is-not-an-easy-option/
28. Cambrian Explosion: More Woes and Dodges | Evolution News: https://evolutionnews.org/2022/03/cambrian-explosion-more-woes-and-dodges/
29. Monthly Report April 2022 – William Lane Craig: https://pages.e2ma.net/pages/1787618/34807?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_content=READ%20MORE&utm_campaign=April%20MR%20-%202022

For we are taking pains to do what is right, not only in the eyes of the Lord but also in the eyes of men. 2 Corinthians 8:21

Blessings to you all