Here is a random quote (of over 2700) from Nuggets:
Nature can create patterns (e.g. ripples in the sand), but if you’re walking down the beach and you see “John loves Mary” with a heart around it and an arrow through it, you would never say “the waves did that!” Whenever we see information we know there’s intelligence behind it. If that’s true, what about the vast storehouse of information in every one of the cells of your body? – Lee Strobel
Is Our Faith Feelings or Fact? – Topical Studies – Part of the wonder and mystery of a relationship with the living God is that it is built on an understanding of things that cannot be seen with the naked eye, but of which there is much evidence. The Bible asserts that Creation itself testifies to the truth of who made it. Faith does not need to be built purely on an understanding of all the scientific evidence, or even all the historical evidence pointing to the veracity of the life, death, and resurrection of Christ. Nor is it purely an emotional relationship. It is grounded in reality, upheld by the hand of God. Pursue God in all things, and facts and feelings will not contradict each other.: https://www.biblestudytools.com/bible-study/topical-studies/is-our-faith-feelings-or-fact.html
The reason I include this article is not because I think you need to know about Aldosterone. I happen to have an interest because of a family member. But as I read this article, it just struck me that this system of hormones in the body signaling other systems in the body is amazing evidence of design. Yes, the system malfunctions and needs correction sometimes, but that may be due to either our behavior or diet or simply to the fact that we live in a fallen world… Aldosterone: What It Is, Function & Levels – Aldosterone (ALD) is a hormone your adrenal glands release that helps regulate blood pressure by managing the levels of sodium and potassium in your blood. Your adrenal glands are small, triangle-shaped glands that are located on top of each of your two kidneys. They’re a part of your endocrine system and produce hormones that help regulate several important bodily functions. Hormones are chemicals that coordinate different functions in your body by carrying messages through your blood to your organs, muscles and other tissues. These signals tell your body what to do and when to do it. Aldosterone’s primary function is to help regulate your blood pressure. Aldosterone contributes to this important function in a few ways: Aldosterone signals certain organs, like your kidneys and colon, to increase the amount of sodium they send into your bloodstream or the amount of potassium released in your urine (pee). Aldosterone’s effect on sodium increase causes your body to retain water in your blood, which increases blood volume. All of these actions are essential to increasing blood pressure levels to a healthy range once they drop. Indirectly, aldosterone also helps maintain your blood’s pH (acid-base balance) and electrolyte levels.: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/24158-aldosterone
Yesterday I taught a group of approximately 15 men for ~45 minutes over lunch at Mimi’s Café in Chandler, Arizona on the subject of Romans chapter 6. The session went very well and we had some great discussion over the 4 embedded questions in the teaching! Below is the content of what I taught (note – starting with end of Romans 5, since the first verses of Romans 6 seem to be referring back to Romans 5):
Romans 5:20-21
20 The Law came in so that the transgression would increase; but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more, 21 so that, as sin reigned in death, even so grace would reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Romans 6:1-23
1 What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin so that grace may increase? 2 May it never be! How shall we who died to sin still live in it? 3 Or do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus have been baptized into His death? 4 Therefore we have been buried with Him through baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life.
5 For if we have become united with Him in the likeness of His death, certainly we shall also be in the likeness of His resurrection, 6 knowing this, that our old self was crucified with Him, in order that our body of sin might be done away with, so that we would no longer be slaves to sin; 7 for he who has died is freed from sin.
8 Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him, 9 knowing that Christ, having been raised from the dead, is never to die again; death no longer is master over Him. 10 For the death that He died, He died to sin once for all; but the life that He lives, He lives to God. 11 Even so consider yourselves to be dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus.
12 Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its lusts, 13 and do not go on presenting the members of your body to sin as instruments of unrighteousness; but present yourselves to God as those alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God. 14 For sin shall not be master over you, for you are not under law but under grace.
15 What then? Shall we sin because we are not under law but under grace? May it never be! 16 Do you not know that when you present yourselves to someone as slaves for obedience, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin resulting in death, or of obedience resulting in righteousness? 17 But thanks be to God that though you were slaves of sin, you became obedient from the heart to that form of teaching to which you were committed, 18 and having been freed from sin, you became slaves of righteousness.
19 I am speaking in human terms because of the weakness of your flesh. For just as you presented your members as slaves to impurity and to lawlessness, resulting in further lawlessness, so now present your members as slaves to righteousness, resulting in sanctification. 20 For when you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness. 21 Therefore what benefit were you then deriving from the things of which you are now ashamed? For the outcome of those things is death. 22 But now having been freed from sin and enslaved to God, you derive your benefit, resulting in sanctification, and the outcome, eternal life. 23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. NASB
Here is where we’re at in the context of Romans:
Chapter 6 is transitioning from the topic of Justification (3:21-5:21) to Sanctification.
Verses 1-2
1 What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin so that grace may increase? 2 May it never be! How shall we who died to sin still live in it?
Paul starts by referring back to chapter 5:15-21 and anticipates the objection of his audience by asking a rhetorical question in v1-2: “Are we to continue in sin so that grace may increase?” He quickly dispatches that idea, using the phrase “May it never be”:
“May it never be” (me ginomai) is the strongest Greek idiom to indicate repudiation and outraged indignation. It is translated in the KJV as “God forbid” but the Greek does not contain “God”. This expression usually carried the connotation of impossibility. Paul uses this phrase frequently in Romans to denote an instant, even horrified rejection of a conception. (Other uses in Romans 3:4, 6, 31; 6:15; 7:7, 13; 9:14; 11:1, 11).
He goes on to explain (by way of another rhetorical question) that it is a contradiction to claim to be dead to sin and yet to continue living in it.
Some professing Christians think that once a person is saved, they can go on living in sin, a belief best known as antinomianism. The origin of the word ‘Antinomian’ (or anti-Law) goes back to the Reformation itself. In fact, it was Martin Luther who coined the word, in a book published in 1539 titled “Against the Antinomians”. In this work, Luther smashed together two Greek words to create a new derogatory nickname: ἀντί (anti ‘against’) + νόμος (nomos ‘the Law’).
1 John 1:6 – If we say that we have fellowship with Him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth
1 John 3:9 – No one who is born of God practices sin, because His seed abides in him; and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.
Q:What does it mean to practice sin as stated in 1 John 3:9?
However, it is foolish to believe that the Christian can be completely free of sin in this life. The Apostle John states as much in his 1st epistle:
1 John 1 – 8 If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar and His word is not in us.
It is important to remember that Christians are saved from:
The penalty of sin (justification – at a point in time, when we trust in Christ)
The power of sin (sanctification – over time as we’re conformed to the image of Christ)
The presence of sin (glorification – future state in heaven)
Verses 3-10
3 Or do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus have been baptized into His death? 4 Therefore we have been buried with Him through baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life. 5 For if we have become united with Him in the likeness of His death, certainly we shall also be in the likeness of His resurrection, 6 knowing this, that our old self was crucified with Him, in order that our body of sin might be done away with, so that we would no longer be slaves to sin; 7 for he who has died is freed from sin. 8 Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him, 9 knowing that Christ, having been raised from the dead, is never to die again; death no longer is master over Him. 10 For the death that He died, He died to sin once for all; but the life that He lives, He lives to God.
Paul teaches that, our “old self” has really died (been crucified) with Christ when He died on the cross and we were raised in newness of life with Him when He rose again!
Q:If the old self is dead, why do Christians still struggle with sin?
Though the Greek word for baptized (baptizo) can refer to water baptism that is likely not what is in view here. The following is from James Montgomery Boice:
When used in the New Testament, this word more often refers to our union and identification with Christ than to our water baptism. E.g. Mark 16:16. ‘He that believes and is baptised shall be saved’. Christ is saying that mere intellectual assent is not enough. There must be a union with him, a real change, like the vegetable to the pickle! Bible Study Magazine, James Montgomery Boice, May 1989.
Verse 11-14
11 Even so consider yourselves to be dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus. 12 Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its lusts, 13 and do not go on presenting the members of your body to sin as instruments of unrighteousness; but present yourselves to God as those alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God. 14 For sin shall not be master over you, for you are not under law but under grace.
Though the sanctification process is being enabled by the Holy Spirit, we’re told here to exercise our biblically informed wills to “not let sin reign” in our mortal bodies and to not let sin be our master. Here are a few quotes from John Owen on mortification (killing) of sin:
“It is the Spirit alone who can mortify sin—He is promised to do it, and all other means without Him, are empty and vain. How shall he, then, mortify sin—who has not the Spirit? A man may easier see without eyes, and speak without a tongue—than truly mortify one sin without the Spirit! All attempts to mortify any lust without the Spirit, are vain.”
“Without a sincere and diligent effort in every area of obedience—there will be no successful mortification of any one besetting sin.”
“Sin carries on its war by entangling the affections and drawing them into an alliance against the mind. Grace may be enthroned in the mind, but if sin controls the affections—it has seized a fort from which it will continually assault the soul. Hence, mortification must chiefly be directed to the affections.”
“The vigor, and power, and comfort of our spiritual life—depends on the mortification of the deeds of the flesh. …Believers … ought to make it their business all their days to mortify the indwelling power of sin. Do you mortify sin—do you make it your daily work? Be killing sin—or it will be killing you.”
The theme of mortification animated Owen’s pastoral heart because killing sin is a necessary tool in our pursuit of communion with God. Owen’s approach does not imply any sort of legalism or negative self-concept, although some have read him that way. On the contrary, he knew that, while God’s love for us, his people, is never contingent upon our faithfulness, our experience of communion with God can be helped or hindered by how we deal with our sins. (Kelly M. Kapic, professor of theological studies at Covenant College)
Verses 15-23
15 What then? Shall we sin because we are not under law but under grace? May it never be! 16 Do you not know that when you present yourselves to someone as slaves for obedience, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin resulting in death, or of obedience resulting in righteousness? 17 But thanks be to God that though you were slaves of sin, you became obedient from the heart to that form of teaching to which you were committed, 18 and having been freed from sin, you became slaves of righteousness. 19 I am speaking in human terms because of the weakness of your flesh. For just as you presented your members as slaves to impurity and to lawlessness, resulting in further lawlessness, so now present your members as slaves to righteousness, resulting in sanctification. 20 For when you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness. 21 Therefore what benefit were you then deriving from the things of which you are now ashamed? For the outcome of those things is death. 22 But now having been freed from sin and enslaved to God, you derive your benefit, resulting in sanctification, and the outcome, eternal life. 23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Paul summarizes it all in this famous verse that everyone should have memorized!
For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
“Wages” is what we deserve to be paid for our sins – that is death. Note the phrase “in Christ Jesus”, used liberally in Paul’s writings (“in Christ” 85 times). This is critical – the free gift of God is not just eternal life (heaven) for everyone, but “eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord”.
A Barna survey explored peoples’ views of Heaven and Hell. 76% of Americans believe that Heaven exists, and 71% believe Hell exists. Only 0.5% of Americans expect to go to Hell upon their death. Nearly two-thirds of Americans (64%) believe they will go to Heaven. One in 20 adults (5%) claim they will come back as another life form, while the same proportion (5%) contend they will simply cease to exist. Nearly half of those who say they are Heaven bound (43%) believe they will go to Heaven because they have “confessed their sins and accepted Jesus Christ as their Savior.” Others felt they will get to Heaven because “they have tried to obey the 10 Commandments” (15%) or because “they are basically a good person” (15%). Another 6% believed their entrance to Heaven would be based upon the fact that “God loves all people and will not let them perish.”
So most people think there is a Heaven and that they’re going there, whether they’re “in Christ Jesus our Lord” or not. Most believe in Hell, but almost no one thinks they’re going there! This is completely opposite of Jesus’s assessment:
Matthew 7:13-14 – Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are manywho enter through it. For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it.
Q:Have you talked with any non-Christians who think they’re going to heaven after death?
Verse 23 is used as part of the “Romans Road”. Following is from ChatGPT:
The Romans Road to Salvation is a method used by some Christian evangelists to explain the basic concepts of salvation through a series of verses found in the New Testament book of Romans. The Romans Road typically consists of a sequence of verses that outline key theological points regarding sin, salvation, and faith. The purpose is to present a clear and concise message about how individuals can be saved according to Christian belief.
Here is a typical sequence of verses used in the Romans Road:
Romans 3:23: “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” This verse highlights the universal condition of humanity, emphasizing that everyone has sinned and fallen short of God’s perfect standard.
Romans 6:23a: “For the wages of sin is death…” This verse explains the consequence of sin, which is spiritual death or separation from God.
Romans 6:23b: “…but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Here, the verse contrasts the negative consequence of sin with the positive gift of eternal life through Jesus Christ.
Romans 5:8: “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” This verse emphasizes God’s love and the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ on behalf of humanity, demonstrating God’s willingness to reconcile us to Himself despite our sinfulness.
Romans 10:9: “If you declare with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” This verse outlines the response required for salvation: confessing Jesus as Lord and believing in His resurrection.
Romans 10:13: “For, ‘Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.'” This verse assures that salvation is available to all who sincerely call upon the name of Jesus.
The Romans Road provides a systematic way to share the Gospel message, emphasizing humanity’s need for salvation, God’s provision through Jesus Christ, and the response of faith required for salvation. It’s often used in evangelism and personal witnessing to communicate these fundamental truths of the Christian faith.
Q:Do you have a method or way of witnessing to people that you favor?
Here is a random quote (of over 2700) from Nuggets:
In a society that’s quickly turning away from God, kids will be exposed to claims against Christianity at exponentially increasing rates. When they start to see their beliefs in the context of such claims, they have to know how to evaluate those competing views. Think of it this way: Just because a football team knows what to do when they have a ball at practice with no opponents around doesn’t mean they’ll know what to do when thousands of pounds of force come at them in a real game. If they don’t know what the other team will do, and how to respond, they’ll fumble…they’ll make poor plays…they’ll be pushed back. Similarly, our kids won’t be living in a Christian vacuum. Thousands of pounds of force will be coming at their beliefs. You can ignore it, but statistics show your kids’ faith will likely not stand up again after it’s been tackled by today’s opponents. Why wouldn’t you prepare them for that? – Natasha Crain (from, The 5 Worst Beliefs a Christian Parent Can Have in an Imploding Society)
What is the Romans Road to salvation? | GotQuestions.org – The Romans Road to salvation is a way of explaining the good news of salvation using verses from the book of Romans. The Romans Road is a simple yet powerful method of explaining why we need salvation, how God provided salvation, how we can receive salvation, and what are the results of salvation.: https://www.gotquestions.org/Romans-road-salvation.html
Win the Next Generation with Love | Crossway Articles – Today’s young people do not want a cultural Christianity that fits in like a Baptist church in Texas. They want a conspicuous Christianity that changes lives and transforms communities. Maybe we would make more progress in reaching the next generation if we were making more progress in holiness (1 Tim. 4:15). We often hear about how dangerous college can be for Christian teens, how many of them check out of church once they reach the university. But studies have shown that most of the students who check out do so in high school, not in college. It’s not liberal professors that are driving our kids away. It’s their hard hearts and our stale, compromised witness that open the door for them to leave. One of our problems is that we have not done a good job of modeling Christian faith in the home and connecting our youth with other mature Christian adults in the church.: https://www.crossway.org/articles/win-the-next-generation-with-love/
On the seventh day, they got up at daybreak and marched around the city seven times in the same manner, except that on that day they circled the city seven times. The seventh time around, when the priests sounded the trumpet blast, Joshua commanded the people, “Shout! For the LORD has given you the city! The city and all that is in it are to be devoted to the LORD. Only Rahab the prostitute and all who are with her in her house shall be spared, because she hid the spies we sent. But keep away from the devoted things, so that you will not bring about your own destruction by taking any of them. Otherwise you will make the camp of Israel liable to destruction and bring trouble on it. All the silver and gold and the articles of bronze and iron are sacred to the LORD and must go into his treasury.” When the trumpets sounded, the people shouted, and at the sound of the trumpet, when the people gave a loud shout, the wall collapsed; so every man charged straight in, and they took the city. They devoted the city to the LORD and destroyed with the sword every living thing in it–men and women, young and old, cattle, sheep and donkeys. Joshua 6:15-21
Here is a random quote (of over 2700) from Nuggets:
Training is essential in law enforcement because officers deploy on a regular basis. If we could handle every call over the phone without leaving the station, none of us would need to exercise or train tactically. You don’t have to train if you have no intention of deploying. The same is true for us as Christians. Think about that for a minute. Most of us see our church buildings as places to gather on Sunday; seldom do we think of them as places to train in preparation for deployment. – J. Warner Wallace
Responding to the Bart Ehrman/Bauer Thesis THINKAPOLOGETICS.COM – we still have the skeptic community preaching that the Jesus story is the result of some sort of religious syncretism. In other words, supposedly there is nothing original about the Jesus story! Secondly, we have people like Bart Ehrman writing books like Lost Christianities: The Battles for Scripture and the Faiths We Never Knew which causes great confusion in the minds of many people.: https://chab123.wordpress.com/2019/01/30/responding-to-the-bart-ehrman-bauer-thesis/
Surprise: Jesus’s healings, exorcisms virtually undisputable – An absolutely amazing feature in recent critical New Testament thought is the significant alteration that has developed regarding the scholarly attitude concerning [Jesus’ miracles]. Due to the evidential application of historical considerations to the Gospels … critical scholars virtually across the scholarly spectrum acknowledge that Jesus was a healer and an exorcist.: https://www.christianpost.com/voices/surprise-jesuss-healings-exorcisms-virtually-undisputable.html
What about those who never hear about Jesus? – YouTube – Frank Turek talks about the subject of the salvation of those who never hear the Gospel.: https://youtu.be/Lc7nec1JOkE?si=6cZaGyEvz2Y17Qst
Infant Baptism – The Bible is silent on infant baptism, or pedobaptism. There is no record of a baby being baptized in the New Testament. An infant cannot repent and place his or her faith in Christ. A newborn cannot understand the gospel and consciously decide to obey and submit to Jesus.: https://www.facebook.com/reel/231667276648416
In the same way the chief priests and the teachers of the law mocked him among themselves. “He saved others,” they said, “but he can’t save himself ! Let this Christ, this King of Israel, come down now from the cross, that we may see and believe.” Those crucified with him also heaped insults on him. Mark 15:31-32
Here is a random quote (of over 2700) from Nuggets:
Christianity isn’t always going to feel good. Just ask the apostle Paul who was kidnapped, beaten, whipped, imprisoned, ridiculed, shipwrecked, and stoned-all before he was finally beheaded. Christianity isn’t always going to feel like it’s “working.” – Alisa Childers
Talking to Jehovah’s Witnesses? Start Here. This contains links to other articles about specific topics. The topics are categorized into these areas: Common Beliefs of Jehovah’s Witnesses Refuted, Common Challenges to the Deity of Jesus Refuted, Common Challenges to the Personhood of the Holy Spirit Refuted, Tools for Better Conversations with Jehovah’s Witnesses: https://www.str.org/w/talking-to-jehovah-s-witnesses-start-here
Why should you believe the Bible? It’s an important question, not only for those who don’t believe, but also for those who already do. It’s an important question because our culture is increasingly rejecting the Bible as the measure of truth and morality. As a result, our freedoms are eroding day by day.: https://caldronpool.com/why-should-you-believe-the-bible/
How the Irish Got Saved – Think Divinely – Patrick was a 5th century British missionary, but he didn’t start out that way. At the age of 16, he was captured by Irish raiders and forced into slavery (c. 430 AD). These Celts, or known back then as “Galatians” by the Greeks, were famous for their brutal, militaristic ways. The Romans spent a lot of money and men trying to repel their incessant attacks, and eventually won. So, the Celts retreated to the “end of civilization,” as it was referred to back then; areas we now call England, Scotland and Ireland. Patrick was taken from his homeland and forced to work for his slave-owner, tending pig herds on the hills of Ireland. He often lived like an animal himself, going months without human contact. Memories of the British missionaries who converted him to Christ got him through those long, lonely days. On those green, grassy knolls, he turned to God for comfort during those hard years of slavery.: https://thinkdivinely.com/how-the-irish-got-saved/
Speech, music-and Neanderthals – it’s interesting to hear of recent research showing that there is one area, to do with hearing, in which humans excel above any mammal.: https://creation.com/speech-music-and-neandertals
Designed for life – The fact that System Earth has these (and more!) design elements essential for life suggests it is a systems engineering marvel, one that shows all the hallmarks of incredible intelligence.: https://creation.com/earth-designed
All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance. And they admitted that they were aliens and strangers on earth. Hebrews 11:13
Happy Leap Day! What are you going to do with your extra 24 hours?
Here is a random quote (of over 2700) from Nuggets:
According to geneticist Michael Denton, even the smallest bacterial cell, which weighs less than a trillionth of a gram, is “a veritable microminiaturized factory containing thousands of exquisitely designed pieces of intricate molecular machinery, made up altogether of 100 thousand million atoms, far more complicated than any machine built by man and absolutely without parallel in the non-living world.” – Is God Just a Human Invention and Seventeen Other Questions Raised by the New Atheists
What About God of the Gaps? | CrossExamined.org – If you present the cosmological or design arguments to skeptics at least a few times, it’s extremely likely that you’ll hear the words “That’s a ‘God of the gaps’ argument.” This objection is rooted in the idea that because a number of things throughout human history have been wrongly attributed to the supernatural activity of God or gods, we can now safely dismiss God as a cause behind anything else we observe. These previous misfires include primitive myths like lightning bolts being signs from Zeus and Thor to the universally admired Isaac Newton positing God as a mechanic to straighten out errant orbits. We later learned that lightning has to do with electrical qualities, while wobbly orbits turned out to be the result of other bodies in orbit around the sun: https://crossexamined.org/what-about-god-of-the-gaps/
Young Christians are leaving the church – Here’s why – A 2018 Pew Research Center Report polled a growing group in America: “religious nones.” This group describes themselves as “nothing in particular” when asked if they identify with a specific religious group. The vast majority are ex-Christians, and most are under the age of 35. Pew asked a representative sample of these “religious nones” why they now reject any religious affiliation and provided respondents with six possible responses.: https://www.foxnews.com/opinion/young-christians-are-leaving-the-church-heres-why
5 Terrible Reasons Your Kids May Think They Can Outgrow Christianity – What on Earth would lead a kid to believe Christianity is something to be outgrown? Unfortunately, I think there are a lot of reasons why this happens, and much of the time it’s rooted in either the lack of effort many parents put into discipling their kids or their lack of direction (i.e., they may be putting in effort, but not the necessary kind of effort given today’s challenges). Here are some reasons that stand out to me: https://natashacrain.com/5-terrible-reasons-your-kids-may-think-they-can-outgrow-christianity/
Episode 091: Masturbation and the Christian – Christian Research Institute – Although masturbation (solo sex) is a nearly universal behavior, it is rarely discussed in the church. However, the increasing support in the media for solo sex as a healthy activity means the church must begin to address it. The moral legitimacy of this behavior has long been debated in Christian circles. To arrive at a biblical conclusion, we need to go beyond prohibitions to consider the positive teaching on sexuality with its profound theological implications. God intends sexuality to teach us what it means to be made in His image and, more importantly, what it means to be in relationship with Him. When we understand the design of biblical sexuality, coupled with the nature of Christian discipleship, it is clear this is not a legitimate sexual activity. The central New Testament passage discussing sexuality in marriage makes clear that the focus of marital intimacy is satisfying my spouse – not my personal pleasure. In this way, our sexuality should reflect the larger call of discipleship to self-denial and love for others.: https://www.equip.org/postmodern-realities/episode-091-masturbation-and-the-christian/
The Multiplexed Design of Neurons – Reasons to Believe – Researchers from Duke University have discovered that neurons employ time-division multiplexing to transmit multiple electrical signals along a single axon.1 The remarkable similarity between data transmission techniques used by neurons and telecommunication systems and computer networks is provocative. It can also be marshaled to add support to the revitalized Watchmaker argument for God’s existence and role in the origin and design of life.: https://reasons.org/explore/blogs/the-cells-design/the-multiplexed-design-of-neurons
Learning from Academics Who Left Mormonism – J. Warner Wallace – I have six half-brothers and sisters who were raised in the Mormon faith. When I first become interested in Christianity, I investigated the claims of the gospels simultaneous to my investigation of the Book of Mormon. While the gospels passed the test I typically apply to eyewitnesses, the Book of Mormon did not. My journey led me to trust the Jesus of Christianity but reject the Jesus of Mormonism. As a result, I’m interested in the stories of others who have become similarly convinced Mormonism is evidentially false. That’s why a recent book, Leaving Mormonism: Why Four Scholars Changed Their Minds, caught my attention. I had the chance to interview one of it’s authors, Corey Miller, to see what motivated him to write the book.: https://crossexamined.org/learning-academics-left-mormonism/
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=2
Athanasius of Alexandria – Wikipedia – Athanasius I of Alexandria, also called Athanasius the Great, Athanasius the Confessor, or, among Coptic Christians, Athanasius the Apostolic, was a Christian theologian and the 20th patriarch of Alexandria (as Athanasius I). His intermittent episcopacy spanned 45 years (8 June 328 – 2 May 373), of which over 17 encompassed five exiles, when he was replaced on the order of four different Roman emperors. Athanasius was a Church Father, the chief proponent of Trinitarianism against Arianism, and a noted Egyptian Christian leader of the fourth century.: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Athanasius_of_Alexandria
Should a Christian play video games? | GotQuestions.org – The question is not “Can I play video games?” but “Would video games be the best choice?” Will this edify me, show love to my neighbor, and glorify God? We are to pursue praiseworthy activities, not simply permissible ones. However He leads you, passionately follow Him above all else. Prepare for eternity. Every sacrifice will seem insignificant when we meet Jesus.: https://www.gotquestions.org/Christian-video-games.html
Jesus, Our Substitute – Ligonier – The word vicarious is extremely important to our understanding of the atonement of Christ. The late Swiss theologian Karl Barth once said that, in his judgment, the single most important word in all of the Greek New Testament is the minuscule word huper. This little word is translated by the English phrase “in behalf of.” Barth was clearly engaging in a bit of hyperbole in making this statement, because many words in the New Testament are arguably as important or even more important than huper, but he was simply seeking to call attention to the importance of what is known in theology as the vicarious aspect of the ministry of Jesus.: https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/jesus-our-substitute
William Lane Craig Q&A: If God Knows My Decisions How Do I Have Free Will? – YouTube – If God knows my decisions before I make them, does that mean I am not making free choices? What is Divine Fatalism? What impact does God’s foreknowledge have on decision making? This is a question that Dr William Lane Craig answered during the 2013 Apologetics Canada Conference question and answer period.: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7USxGUOefrg
Self-Discipline Is the Gateway to Christian Maturity – Redeeming Productivity – If you want to grow as a Christian, you must learn discipline. Because self-discipline is the gateway to Christian maturity. In the next article I will talk about how we can practically cultivate self-discipline and dispel some common misunderstandings about it.: https://redeemingproductivity.com/self-discipline-is-the-gateway-to-christian-maturity/
Powers of Ten (1977) – YouTube – Powers of Ten takes us on an adventure in magnitudes. Starting at a picnic by the lakeside in Chicago, this famous film transports us to the outer edges of the universe. Every ten seconds we view the starting point from ten times farther out until our own galaxy is visible only as a speck of light among many others. Returning to Earth with breathtaking speed, we move inward- into the hand of the sleeping picnicker- with ten times more magnification every ten seconds. Our journey ends inside a proton of a carbon atom within a DNA molecule in a white blood cell.: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0fKBhvDjuy0
He went on to tell the people this parable: “A man planted a vineyard, rented it to some farmers and went away for a long time. At harvest time he sent a servant to the tenants so they would give him some of the fruit of the vineyard. But the tenants beat him and sent him away empty-handed. He sent another servant, but that one also they beat and treated shamefully and sent away empty-handed. He sent still a third, and they wounded him and threw him out. Then the owner of the vineyard said, ‘What shall I do? I will send my son, whom I love; perhaps they will respect him.’ But when the tenants saw him, they talked the matter over. ‘This is the heir,’ they said. ‘Let’s kill him, and the inheritance will be ours.’ So they threw him out of the vineyard and killed him. What then will the owner of the vineyard do to them? He will come and kill those tenants and give the vineyard to others.” When the people heard this, they said, “May this never be!” Jesus looked directly at them and asked, “Then what is the meaning of that which is written: ‘The stone the builders rejected has become the capstone ‘? Everyone who falls on that stone will be broken to pieces, but he on whom it falls will be crushed.” Luke 20:9-18
Here is a random quote (of over 2700) from Nuggets:
Expressing concern that Paul’s letters include little biographical information about Jesus would be like a law student complaining because the author of a case study in constitutional law failed to include a biographical sketch of James Madison. – Timothy Paul Jones
Anchored 2024 (Apologetics Conference) – Biola University – Since 2009, Desert Apologetics has brought apologetics events and resources to the Coachella Valley. Desert Apologetics partners with Biola University’s Apologetics Department and other organizations to bring nationally known apologists, scholars, authors, and thought leaders to our valley. This year, we have an incredible line-up featuring ALISA CHILDERS, SEAN MCDOWELL, GREG KOUKL, CLAY & JEAN E. JONES, CRAIG HAZEN, LA NEJ GARRISON, JON NOYES, ROBBY LASHUA & OTHERS! Our theme “Anchored” comes from Hebrews 6:19a: “We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure”. We pray that this conference will be a time of refreshment, inspiration, encouragement, and hope!: https://www.biola.edu/events/2024/anchored
Greg Answers Questions from an Atheist – Stand to Reason. This is a great show as Greg dialogues back and forth in a cordial conversation with an atheist caller: https://standtoreason.subspla.sh/dvj859d
J. Warner Wallace – Joseph Smith history – YouTube. Great podcast exploring the evidence against Joseph Smith being a prophet of God and against the Book of Mormon being from God: https://youtu.be/ZfUOFQkv69k?si=gsW6qifJ8_nXIwqr
A Tough Question How could a loving God send anyone to hell?- Listen to Pastor Robert Morris Ministries with Pastor Robert Morris, Jan 29, 2024 – I don’t agree with several things the pastor says in this sermon, but in general, I think this is a question that we want to be prepared as Christian apologists to answer: https://www.oneplace.com/ministries/gateway-church/listen/a-tough-question-1143974.html
Focus on the Family – Are you concerned with the number of people leaving Christianity and losing faith in the Bible? It’s no wonder that countless young people have walked away from God when our culture constantly attacks the authority and reliability of Scripture. Jesus wants you to be bold and confident in your faith, knowing that what He says about Himself in the Bible is true. That’s why we want you to have this exclusive free 6-part video series with J. Warner Wallace, renowned speaker and author of Cold Case Christianity and Person of Interest. He will equip you with the overwhelming evidence pointing to the reliability of Scripture. After watching these short videos you will experience a bold confidence in the reliability of Scripture and be equipped to encourage someone struggling to trust in Jesus. Click now to get all 6 videos free in your inbox!: https://m.facebook.com/100044600372101/posts/6992606177466045/?mibextid=RtaFA8
If Evolution is True, Atheism is False – If a first change occurred, then it logically follows that a first change resulted from an unchanging, eternal, and beginningless state of affairs. Think of this as a frozen/static state where nothing happens and nothing has ever happened logically prior to the first change (I know this is hard to imagine). This might not seem like a “big deal” but the implications are enormous!https://crossexamined.org/evolution-true-atheism-false/
Breakpoint: Why Young People Leave the Church – According to Pew Research, four in ten Americans between the ages of 23 and 38 now say they are religiously unaffiliated. This is the biggest drop in religiosity between generations ever recorded. While part of the hemorrhaging is explained by the forty-year decline in mainline Protestant bodies, evangelicals are not off the hook. We cannot say that conservative theology, in and of itself, is enough to shrink-proof your church. Young people have left evangelical churches and are still leaving, and new data can fix some of our wrong thinking about it: https://colsoncenter.libsyn.com/why-young-people-leave-the-church
Do Your Kids Know Why They Need God? If God exists, we need Him. All things were created through and for Him; He is the Source and sustainer of everything by definition. Therefore, if God exists, it’s not a choice to need Him, it’s simply a fact that we do. Here’s a little experiment. Ask your kids tonight, “Why does God matter so much?” or, “Why do we need God?” Seeing how they respond can give you much insight into how they’re thinking about God at this point in their lives: https://natashacrain.com/do-your-kids-know-why-they-need-god/
Bible contradiction claims – Skeptics come up with Bible contradiction claims all the time—from the superficially plausible to the supremely preposterous. How do we deal with them?https://creation.com/bible-contradiction-claims
Why Aren’t People Convinced by Facts? | Answers in Genesis – In reality it is not about the facts. When it comes to creation vs. evolution, the age of the earth, or climate change, the issue is not the facts because these facts (just the observable evidence) don’t speak for themselves. They must be interpreted. Because we were not there at the beginning of the universe, we must interpret the evidence from the past to determine what happened. And we interpret the evidence through our worldview: https://answersingenesis.org/worldview/why-arent-people-convinced-by-facts/
Answer Like Jesus. Challenges still abound. Today, His followers face a myriad of tough questions. Our views are not popular and, in fact, are often hated. If we answer a pointed question biblically, it often makes people upset. Perhaps we can take a cue from Jesus. Given that He’s the smartest person in history, why don’t we learn to answer tough questions like He did?: https://www.str.org/w/answer-like-jesus
“Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.” When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” Acts 2:36-38
Here is a random quote (of over 2700) from Nuggets:
What then is the difference between conviction and condemnation? Conviction is like the work of the prosecuting attorney, proving his case against the defendant and exposing his crime. Condemnation is like the judge’s gavel coming down with a final, irreversible verdict of “Guilty!” Conviction says, “You have sinned. Come back to Me!” Condemnation says, “You are guilty. Get away from Me!” – Dr. Michael Brown
Are All Religions the Same? Part 1: Cosmic Origins | Knight & Rose Show– Wintery Knight and Desert Rose discuss the view that all religions are equally valid paths to God. We start by talking about what truth is, why truth matters, and the difference between objective and subjective truth claims. We discuss how different religions make different testable truth claims. We look at how different religions answer the question “How did the universe get here?”. And then we look at what science has to say about that question. This is the first episode of a five-part series.:https://knightandrose.podbean.com/e/are-all-religions-the-same-part-1-cosmic-origins/
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
Why did Lot offer up his daughters to be gang raped? Why did God allow Lot’s daughters to later have sex with their father? | GotQuestions.org: https://www.gotquestions.org/Lots-daughters.html
America’s Founding Fathers Influenced by a Christian Worldview – New York Apologetics – As the founding fathers set up a new government, they started from what scholars consider a Reformed Christian worldview. Of the 54 signers of the Declaration, 29 were ordained ministers, and most of the others were deeply religious men. : https://www.newyorkapologetics.com/americas-founding-fathers-influenced-by-a-christian-worldview/
Jesus in Islam – The Quran does not say the Bible has been changed. Just the opposite. It honors the Torah and the Bible. It mentions the Torah, the “Zabur” (the Old Testament and Psalms), and the “Injil” (the New Testament) many times. When Islam began in the 7th century, 600 years after Jesus Christ, the Bible was accepted as true. So, you might ask, has the Bible changed since the 7th century? No. All you have to do is compare today’s Bible with a Bible written long ago: https://www.everystudent.com/wires/jesus-in-islam.html
The LGBT endgame is to destroy Christianity – For too long, many Americans have misunderstood the goals of the LGBT community, particularly its activist leaders. Quarterback Drew Brees came under brutal attack recently for having the audacity to appear in a video encouraging Christian students to bring Bibles to school: https://www.lifesitenews.com/opinion/the-lgbt-endgame-is-to-destroy-christianity/
The one who received the seed that fell on rocky places is the man who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. But since he has no root, he lasts only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, he quickly falls away. The one who received the seed that fell among the thorns is the man who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke it, making it unfruitful.Matthew 13:20-22
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Parents need to prepare their kids for the college years or just the post-high school years. There will be skeptics that will get in their faces and ask them questions they have never heard before, challenging their faith. Unsurprisingly, they’ll return home after the first or second semester declaring, “Mom and dad, I don’t believe in God anymore.” What’s worse is that some of their “challengers” will be their own professors, since sixty percent of secular university professors are atheists. Here’s the irony; parents send their kids to college to learn about truths. Those same professors will be the ones telling your kids, “There is no truth,” and parents are paying for that! – Claudia Kalmikov
Did Pope Francis Authorize Priests to Bless Same-Sex Couples? – Christian Research Institute – “Orthodox Christians at this point will search the document looking for explicit exhortation that the couple repent and cease their sexual union, but no such exhortation exists.” “At the same time, almost the entirety of Africa and much of Eastern Europe has instructed their clergy and diocese not to implement these blessings.” “Lest you read FS and wonder whether it is really the case that same-sex couples in a sexual relationship might receive the blessing of the Church, your eyes are not deceiving you. “Notice that not only sinful persons are blessed here,” writes Cardinal Mueller, ‘but that by blessing the couple, it is the sinful relationship itself that is blessed.'”: https://www.equip.org/articles/did-pope-francis-authorize-priests-to-bless-same-sex-couples/
A Christian Rebuttal to Kaimatai, an Atheist – Christian Apologist – “I came upon the timeline of an atheist who calls himself Kaimatai on Twitter where I found a link to a blog he had created entitled “Ten reasons why I’m not a Christian.” The intention of this blog is to write a rebuttal to his ten reasons.”: https://christian-apologist.com/2017/04/13/a-christian-rebuttal-to-kaimatai-an-atheist/
The Trinity is Not A Problem, It’s A Solution | Cold Case Christianity – Some would say that the Bible presents an irreconcilable dilemma. Both the New and Old Testament declare that there is only one God. Verses like Deuteronomy 6:4-5, Isaiah 43:10, James 2:19, 1 Corinthians 8:4, 6 and 1 Timothy 2:5-6 make it rather clear; the writers of Jewish and Christian scripture proclaimed the existence of a single, solitary God. While this is the consistent message of the Bible, another thorny truth is also proclaimed: the Bible teaches that God the Father, Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit are all God: https://coldcasechristianity.com/writings/the-trinity-is-not-a-problem-its-a-solution/
A Sober Warning from the Earliest Christians | Tim Challies – The unifying principle that has risen to the top is tolerance-a new kind of tolerance centered around modern sexual ethics and mores. Where tolerance once called for respect despite disagreement, today it calls for far more. We are considered tolerant only when we advocate and celebrate new understandings of marriage, sexuality, and gender. Those who refuse to celebrate what they believe God forbids are seen as disloyal to the unifying principle of society. They are seen to be hindering rather than helping the strength and growth of this great new “empire.” People today are perfectly willing to tolerate the Christian faith as long as it doesn’t disrupt the unifying principle of tolerance. Christians in the early church were welcome to continue to worship Jesus, to sing their songs, and to preach their Scriptures, as long as they added just that one tiny nod to the Emperor. Likewise, we are free to continue to worship Jesus, to sing our songs, and to preach our Scriptures, as long as we accept these new definitions of marriage, gender, and so on…Those first Christians knew better and bore the consequences. We, too, know better, and may be forced to bear consequences.: https://www.challies.com/articles/a-warning-from-the-earliest-christians/
If God Exists, Why Does He Allow Evil? 48 minute video lecture | Watermark Community Church – Frank Turek joins us for part of the Apologetics series and builds the case that the existence of evil in the world does not disprove the existence of God but rather reinforces it.: https://www.watermark.org/message/2231-if-god-exists-why-does-he-allow-evil
Irreducible Complexity | Biblical Science Institute – One of the many scientific lines of evidence against neo-Darwinian evolution involves the concept of irreducible complexity. Microbes, plants, fungi, animals, and human beings all have bodies that are composed of extremely complex microscopic machinery. The different parts of a biological cell are interdependent. That is, each part of the cell depends on all the other parts of the cell in order to function properly. Remove any one essential part, and the cell dies. Hence, the cell is not just complex; it is irreducibly complex. That is, it cannot be reduced to a simpler functioning cell by removing any essential component. Yet, neo-Darwinian evolution requires that all life came about from simpler forms, with new components added over the course of time by mutations. Hence, neo-Darwinian evolution is incompatible with irreducible complexity.: https://biblicalscienceinstitute.com/origins/irreducible-complexity/
Study: the early Earth’s atmosphere contained oxygen | WINTERY KNIGHT – So here’s where we stand. If you are a materialist, then you need a reducing environment on the early Earth in order to get organic building blocks (amino acids) from inorganic materials. However, the production of these organic building blocks (amino acids) requires that the early Earth atmosphere be oxygen-free. And the problem with this new research, which confirms previous research, is that the early Earth contained huge amounts of oxygen – the same amount of oxygen as we have today. This is lethal to naturalistic scenarios for creating the building blocks of life on the Earth’s surface: https://winteryknight.com/2014/04/28/study-the-early-earths-atmosphere-contained-oxygen/
Hell Interrupted – Part 1 – there was more unanimity in the ancient church on Hell’s eternal torment than there was on Trinitarianism… …To sharpen the point, 24 verses into chapter 26 Jesus makes a dark appraisal of the fate of His betrayer: “It would have been good for that man if he had not been born” (Matt. 26:24). How does Jesus’ comment square with annihilationism? If Judas had not been born, then he would not exist. If he were annihilated in judgment, then he would not exist. The last condition would be the same as the first. How could the first be “good,” then, by comparison? No, nonexistence can only be good compared to the everlasting torment of eternal judgment.: https://www.str.org/w/hell-interrupted-part-1
When he was accused by the chief priests and the elders, he gave no answer. Then Pilate asked him, “Don’t you hear the testimony they are bringing against you?” But Jesus made no reply, not even to a single charge–to the great amazement of the governor. Matthew 27:12-14
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If you are placed in a situation where you suspect your convictions will be labeled intolerant, bigoted, narrow-minded, or judgmental, use Columbo to turn the tables. When someone asks for your personal views about a controversial issue, preface your remarks with a question that sets the stage — in your favor — for your response. Say, “You know, this is actually a very personal question you’re asking. I don’t mind answering, but before I do, I want to know if it’s safe to offer my views. So let me ask you a question: Do you consider yourself a tolerant person or an intolerant person on issues like this? Is it safe to give my opinion, or are you going to judge me for my point of view? Do you respect diverse points of view, or do you condemn others for convictions that differ from your own?” Now when you give your point of view, it’s going to be very difficult for anyone to call you intolerant or judgmental without looking guilty, too. This line of questioning trades on an important bit of knowledge: There is no neutral ground when it comes to the tolerance question. Everybody has a point of view she thinks is right, and everybody passes judgment at some point or another. The Christian gets pigeonholed as the judgmental one, but everyone else is judging, too, even people who consider themselves relativists. I call this the passive aggressive tolerance trick. The key to understanding this trick is knowing that everyone thinks his own beliefs are correct. If people didn’t think their beliefs were true, they wouldn’t believe them. They’d believe something else and think that was true. – Greg Koukl (Tactics)
What does the Bible say about motives? | GotQuestions.org – The Bible has a lot to say about our motives. A motive is the underlying reason for any action. Proverbs 16:2 says, “All a person’s ways seem pure to them, but motives are weighed by the LORD.”: https://www.gotquestions.org/Bible-motives.html
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.” : https://www.str.org/w/rubber-crutches
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While we are often willing to spend time reading the Bible, praying, or participating in church programs and services, few of us recognize the importance of becoming good Christian case makers. Prosecutors are successful when they master the facts of the case and then learn how to navigate and respond to the tactics of the defense team. Christians need to learn from that model as well. We need to master the facts and evidences that support the claims of Christianity and anticipate the tactics of those who oppose us. This kind of preparation is a form of worship. When we devote ourselves to this rational preparation and study, we are worshipping God with our mind, the very thing He has called us to do (Matt. 22:37). – J Warner Wallace (from, Cold-Case Christianity)
Stand to Reason’s Top Ten Posts of 2023 – As we near the end of 2023, it’s time once again for me to collect the ten most popular posts of the year for you. It’s interesting to see how the need to understand the issues surrounding gender and sexuality has grown radically since 2020. Just compare the top ten posts in 2020, 2021, and 2022 with this year’s list, and you’ll see a definite trend. The topics below indicate this has been a difficult and confusing time for many, and I’m thankful so many Christians want to understand the issues and respond to the culture in a way that reflects the truth and honors God.: https://www.str.org/w/the-top-ten-posts-of-2023
Mike Winger on X: “There are some modern Mormons who, after being confronted with the false teachings, fraud, and spiritual deceptions of Joseph Smith, have decided that Mormonism can still be true even if Joseph Smith did the following: False prophecy, secret polygamy, fraudulent ‘translation’” / X – Lot of comments on this post, take note of the replies from Brad R. Torgersen: https://twitter.com/MikeWingerii/status/1742983679583158451
Discover why evolutionists can’t explain how eyes developed. In this presentation, Dr. Tommy Mitchell exposes a number of issues with evolutionists’ perspectives on the development of eyes in various animals. He explains the exquisite design of the eye… – YouTube: https://youtu.be/hx6WQrmaQLY?si=UV5ur5q07sED0XeS
The Myth of Secularization – Organized versus Disorganized Religion – LEWIS UNGIT.. We have a myth in Western society. It is that the world was once magic and religious and that now it has become (with a few hold outs) largely secular and atheistic. But some historians have pointed out that this narrative doesn’t exactly hold. Poll after poll shows that populations, even in supposedly secular societies, tend to hold views in direct contrast with scientific materialism. If those populations don’t explicitly affirm belief in an organized religion or theology (such as Christianity) the people nonetheless tend to believe in ghosts, spirits, the eternity of the soul, prayer, and etc.: https://lewisungit.substack.com/p/the-myth-of-secularization
Bearing Witness to Christ Among Internationals – Christian Research Institute – Christians must now marshal the courage to open the door to relationships that were once reserved for sent missionaries. While there is no formula that guarantees a successful ministry to the internationals in our communities, there are at least three ways the church can engage the nations at home. This engagement happens 1) through invitation into fellowship, 2) through actively seeking to understand new cultures, and 3) through focusing ministry on the person and work of Jesus Christ rather than on secondary and tertiary matters.: https://www.equip.org/articles/bearing-witness-to-christ-among-internationals/
Defending The Faith – Defense of Christianity Pt.2 – John Roloson Sr. (Sermon Audio) – He talks about Suleiman the Magnificent, closing the eastern gate of Jerusalem and building a cemetery or graveyard in front of it because he believed the prophecies that the Messiah and the messiah’s forerunner were going to come back through that gate:https://sermonaudio.com/sermon/92181058352
From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work. Ephesians 4:16
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Jesus is the keeper of the gates of paradise and before every believing soul he setteth an open door, which no man or devil shall be able to close against it. What joy it will be to find that faith in him is the golden key to the everlasting doors. My soul, dost thou carry this key in thy bosom, or art thou trusting to some deceitful pick-lock, which will fail thee at last? – Charles Spurgeon
Here is a random quote (of over 2600) from Nuggets:
There is the problem known as ‘orphan genes’ – the genes that are found only in particular organisms – completely unique. If similarity means common ancestry, what do completely unique genetic sequences indicate? Moreover, the so called junk DNA that was thought by the Darwinists to be compelling evidence of ‘non-design’ and a results of the activity of the mutation-selection process – the junk DNA is now known to have many important functions, and overall the function of the junk DNA is much like an operating system in a computer that’s telling the other information in the genome when to turn on and when to turn off and when to be expressed and when to be suppressed. – Stephen Meyer – Darwin’s Dilemma
Inside Noah’s Ark – Cross Examined a review of the ark encounter in Cincinnati, Ohio, as well as addressing many of the skeptical questions that atheists or other skeptics ask about the feasibility of Noah’s ark: https://crossexamined.subspla.sh/s8zkpws
Why is God in my Bedroom? | Sexuality and the Bible – JC Lamont | Biblical Scholar & Author – The Bible teaches that our sexuality is intrinsic to our purpose and our ability to worship. God is “in the bedroom” because all human beings were created to reflect His ability to co-create through heterosexual, marital intimacy. Living in a way that is opposite to how we were created causes chaos. The bodies of Christians are temples of Yahweh. Only sexual sins can defile Yahweh’s temple. But all sexual sins can be repented of our bodies rededicated to Yahweh’s service.: https://jclamont.com/sexuality-and-bible/
Faithful Thinkers: Book Review: Person of Interest – In “Person of Interest” Wallace takes the reader through another one of his cold-case homicide investigations as he also takes them through his parallel investigation into Jesus as a person of interest regarding human history. In this investigation he had no body and no direct evidence of a murder, so he had to use a different method in his investigation. He explains that planned murders have a series of events that take place over time, a fuse of sorts, that lead up to the murder, the explosion. That explosion results in numerous impacts, or fallout, that can be traced back to the event. The fuse, looking forward, points to a person of interest; and the fallout, looking backward, points to a person of interest. This person is pivotal to the event in question (the murder), and if ignored, the investigator will not solve the crime, and the murderer will escape justice. J. Warner Wallace takes this same approach as he investigates the split in the timeline of human history. Historians refer to the “common era” and “before the common era.” Why this time in history and not another time in history? And, if it is centered on a specific person, who is that person that they could have such an impact on the entire world’s timeline? Wallace looks at several series of events in ancient human history before the split in the timeline (the fuse) and examines several series of impacts after the split (the fallout) in modern human history. He shows that if his approach to his murder investigation is legitimate for discovering the true identity of the murderer, then it is also legitimate for discovering the true identity of the person responsible for the split in the world’s timeline. If this person is ignored, then the investigator will never be able to solve the mystery of the split and the person responsible will escape their notice. Here is a collection of several quotes that will give you a quick view of some of the evidence, arguments, and conclusions in the book. : https://lukenixblog.blogspot.com/2023/07/book-review-person-of-interest.html
Religion, Gender-Dysphoria, and Truth – Sifting Reality – So here’s the rub: when it comes to religion/religious exclusivism, the skeptics are willing to allow the believer to play their little fantasy game so long as they don’t insist it’s a view of reality and all must assent and ‘play the game’: keep it private, it’s your view, not ours, don’t insist we all take part. However, when it comes to gender-dysphoria, its proponents make no bones about who must accept and believe it. But even more than that, we are all expected to participate in the person’s mental state. If they were born a biological male but now believes something different, we all must accept that and act according to their assertions.: https://siftingreality.com/2019/01/21/religion-gender-dysphoria-and-truth/
Does the Bible Teach Socialism? | Thomistic Bent – The vast majority of the passages in the Bible that speak of helping the poor and oppressed are commands to the individual. The central church is to give to the poor, but with several restrictions. Nowhere is a central government told to bring in resources and distribute out to increase fairness. Private property is always under the control of the individual, who is responsible to God for how it is handled. The poor, when they meet the test of truly needy, should be helped, but it is their responsibility to work. Nowhere in the Bible does it say for a government to take care of people’s debts.: https://humblesmith.wordpress.com/2019/07/11/does-the-bible-teach-socialism/
They Thought This Would Solve Evolution’s Biggest Problem. They Were Wrong. – YouTube – One of the most glaring issues of evolution since its inception is transitional fossils. In this video, Calvin Smith explores an idea that was crafted to solve this problem-humorously named the “Hopeful Monster Hypothesis“-and why only the Bible can account for the observations we see in the animal kingdom.: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w1Gx7wZnCsY
What is the Difference Between Mormonism and Christianity? | Summit Ministries – Mormons frequently claim to be just another denomination of Christianity. In this video, Brett Kunkle highlights two key differences that separate Mormonism from Christianity altogether: https://www.summit.org/resources/videos/difference-mormonism-christianity/
Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom the master has put in charge of the servants in his household to give them their food at the proper time? It will be good for that servant whose master finds him doing so when he returns. I tell you the truth, he will put him in charge of all his possessions.Matthew 24:45-47
Here is a random quote (of over 2600) from Nuggets:
If they say that all thoughts are thus tainted, then, of course, we must remind them that Freudianism and Marxism are as much systems of thought as Christian theology. . . . The Freudian and the Marxian are in the same boat with all the rest of us and cannot criticize us from the outside. They have sawn off the branch they are sitting on. If, on the other hand, they say that the taint need not invalidate their thinking, then neither need it invalidate ours. In which case they have saved their own branch, but also saved ours along with it. – C.S. Lewis
Who gave you the right? You’ve probably heard this question asked before: “Who gave you the right?” In everyday situations, the accused might just take the question as rhetorical, or a mere expression of puzzlement or frustration. After all, he might be certain that his right is absolute or a brute fact. Then who are other people to question it? Yet, rights claims conflict and are doubted all the time. Is there a right to life or a right to choose?https://cogitatingduck.com/2015/07/17/who-gave-you-the-right/
Salty seas – Many processes (see below) bring salts into the sea, while they don’t leave the sea easily. So the saltiness is increasing steadily. Since we can work out how much salt there is in the sea, as well as the rates that salts go into and out of the sea, we should be able to calculate a maximum age for the sea.: https://creation.com/salty-seas-evidence-for-a-young-earth
Christians Go to Amsterdam: Legal Prostitution, Drugs, & More | Way of the Master: Season 4, Ep. 42 – YouTube – in this episode, there are a few really good subsections. One is where Todd Friel is discussing the concept of imputed versus injected as it relates to righteousness during the reformation and Martin Luther’s 95 thesis’s. The other subsection is where Mark Spence from living Waters discusses why God would send people to hell: https://youtu.be/R5xVCkVFnM0?si=vy4DG_HEaxsKCF8h
An ”Early” Origin for Modern Echolocation in Bats | The Institute for Creation Research – contrary to what Smithsonian Magazine stated in 2020, it looks like bats were equipped with modern echolocation from the start-as predicted by creationists.: https://www.icr.org/article/modern-echolocation-bats/
And I will do whatever you ask in My name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father. You may ask Me for anything in My name, and I will do it. If you love Me, you will obey what I command.John 14:13-15
After Death: The Science Behind the Movie – YouTube – Is there life after death? Can science shed any light on this age-old question? And is the mind simply the workings of the brain, or is it something else? On this episode of ID The Future, host Andrew McDiarmid chats with Dr. Jeffrey Long, a radiation oncology physician and one of the scientists featured in the new Angel Studios feature film After Death. As founder of the Near-Death Experience Research Foundation, Dr. Long has investigated over 4,000 near-death experiences (NDEs), the largest number of near-death cases ever assembled and studied. The results of his research are published in the New York Times bestselling book Evidence of the Afterlife: The Science of Near-Death Experiences. In this interview, Dr. Long explains the hallmarks of a near-death experience and the common themes found in most near-death accounts. He also shares nine lines of evidence that support the scientific case for afterlife consciousness. And he explains why skepticism is a healthy part of science, while ideological rigidity can inhibit the scientific pursuit of truth.: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SBpHSqZE6hg
10 Biblical Reasons Jesus Is God | Answers in Genesis – Understanding the deity of Jesus is fundamental in defending the truth of the Christian faith. All major religions and cultic groups reject the doctrine of deity of Christ. Some of these objections are a result of rationalism (“reason” is supreme, not God) over revelation or a misunderstanding of what the doctrine teaches. Another more common objection results from revisionist history, which claims that Christ’s deity was invented at the Council of Nicaea in the 4th century and not something believed by the early church. The reason Christians believe in the deity of Jesus is that we are forced to come to this conclusion by the clear teaching of Scripture. It is important to get Jesus’ identity because if we deny the deity of Jesus then we do not have the Father (1 John 2:23; cf. John 5:23). Here are 10 Scriptural reasons for the deity of Jesus.: https://answersingenesis.org/jesus/jesus-is-god/10-biblical-reasons-jesus-is-god/
Christians Don’t View Jesus as a Means to an End. An atheist who called the podcast a few weeks ago wanted to reduce Christianity to the avoidance of Hell, saying it’s merely a “carrots and sticks” religion. There may be people out there who view their Christianity that way, but if there are, they’ve missed the point of Christianity.: https://www.str.org/w/christians-don-t-view-jesus-as-a-means-to-an-end
David Wood/Acts 17 Apologetics Interview/Discussion: Islam – THINKAPOLOGETICS.COM – Here is an interview with David Wood from Acts 17 Apologetics. David has done several debates with well known Islamic apologists and atheists as well. David’s videos have reached many Muslims and made a huge difference. Here we ask David questions and discuss about our experience with trying to talk with Muslims about our faith.: https://chab123.wordpress.com/2023/10/21/david-wood-acts-17-apologetics-interview-discussion-islam/
Should we trust the Bible? Since Creation Ministries International is based on the Bible, the question arises, why should the Bible be trusted? 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/should-we-trust-the-bible
The Seeing Eye | Answers in Genesis – Even Charles Darwin conceded that “to suppose that the eye, with all its inimitable contrivances for adjusting the focus to different distances, for admitting different amounts of light, and for the correction of spherical and chromatic aberration, could have been formed by natural selection, seems, I freely confess, absurd in the highest possible degree.”: https://answersingenesis.org/human-body/eyes/the-seeing-eye/
Here is a random quote (of over 2600) from Nuggets:
How often have I injured and not recommended my Redeemer! How few are those blessed through me! In many things I have offended, in all come short of thy glory; Pardon my iniquity, for it is great. – Valley of Vision
Raise Children in the Lord. We have a responsibility to do this. We cannot just pawn it off on teachers, or Sunday school teachers, or our pastor, or a Christian school, if we have one. They can help, but it is our primary job to raise our children in the Lord.: https://www.str.org/w/raise-children-in-the-lord
Professor Says We Need “Mass Movement” for Kids’ Right to Sex Work | Answers in Genesis. It seems that evil men and women prosper with no consequences while the righteous are treated with contempt and hostility—and it’s just getting worse! Seeing this is both discouraging and sobering as we consider the consequences of evil flourishing in our nation—consequences that most dramatically impact the most vulnerable among us. What can we do?: https://answersingenesis.org/culture/depraved-professor-movement-for-kids-sex-work/
Is the New House Speaker, Mike Johnson, a GENUINE Christian? – YouTube – October 25th, Mike Johnson just became the new House Speaker-the third highest position in America. But is he a genuine Christian? Ray Comfort gives some commentary on this topic, shows footage of Mike Johnson’s address from today, and uses the phrase, “In God We Trust” as a springboard to share the gospel with a college student.: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=obWEEKY117U
Ex-Muslim Once Chanted ‘Death To America!’ Now, He’s Saving Iranians | CBN News. One of the most remarkable parts of Shariat’s story is the roots from which his ministry emerged. A native of Iran and an ex-Muslim, he once chanted “death to America” in the streets. But Shariat’s entire life changed when he left Iran during the Islamic Revolution and arrived in America to study. In addition to newfound academics, he also discovered true faith. “I got saved in America,” he said, noting that his heart and mind profoundly changed. “I love America.” Shariat said his ministry took root after his 16-year-old brother was arrested and held for two years by Iranian leaders. Rather than release the teen, the government put him to death: https://www2.cbn.com/news/news/ex-muslim-once-chanted-death-america-now-hes-saving-iranians
Jurassic Coast Icon for Genesis Flood. Numerous geological sites across the world present the story of evolution, uniformitarianism, and rocks millions of years old. One popular site is the Jurassic Coast in southwest England, where millions of people a year visit and take a ‘185 million year walk through time’. However, the discerning tourist can readily see another interpretation from the rocks and fossils, namely evidence of rapid burial through many conformable (continuously deposited) sedimentary layers, which is far better explained by the Genesis Flood.: https://creation.com/jurassic-coast-icon-for-genesis-flood
Ancient Words, Ever True? The challenge can be reduced to a simple question: “What kind of book is the Bible?” I submit there are only two plausible answers. The Bible is merely a book by man about God, or it is a book given by God through man, to man. If the first, then the Bible is a record of human wisdom marked by human limitations. That’s all. If the second, then God is the ultimate author and his word is the last word. Further, being essentially a supernatural book, it would likely bear supernatural marks, God’s fingerprints in a sense. Do we have any good reasons to think God has spoken supernaturally in the Bible? Or have men merely opined? The way to answer this question is to look at the book itself. I want to offer six reasons I think the Bible is God’s book, six evidences of supernatural authorship conveniently paired with parts of the hand so you won’t forget.: https://www.str.org/w/ancient-words-ever-true-
Billions of Biological Nanomachines Point to Christ’s Workmanship | The Institute for Creation Research – The more we discover how the engineered workmanship in living creatures corresponds to the engineered workmanship of man-made things, the more we see Christ’s power, genius, and wisdom. When someone credits nature for creating itself and fails to credit God as Creator, as millions do, they show a lack of respect for and an irreverent disregard of Him.: https://www.icr.org/article/14321/
How to falsify a religion using scientific or historical evidence | WINTERY KNIGHT. What I often see among atheists is this tendency to set up expectations of how God would have acted and then complain that he doesn’t meet those expectations. I don’t think that this is a good way to argue against a religion, because it’s subjective. God isn’t obligated to comport with atheist expectations. A much better way of evaluating religions is to test the claims each makes against evidence: https://winteryknight.com/2018/02/06/how-to-falsify-a-religion-using-scientific-or-historical-evidence-3/
The Bibliographical Test Updated – Christian Research Institute – The bibliographical test examines manuscript reliability, and for more than a generation Christian apologists have employed it to substantiate the transmissional reliability of the New Testament. The bibliographical test compares the closeness of the New Testament’s oldest extant manuscripts to the date of its autographs (the original handwritten documents) and the sheer number of the New Testament’s extant manuscripts with the number and earliness of extant manuscripts of other ancient documents such as Homer, Aristotle, and Herodotus. Since the New Testament manuscripts outstrip every other ancient manuscript in sheer number and proximity to the autographs, the New Testament should be regarded as having been accurately transmitted. However, although apologists have stayed abreast of the dates of the earliest extant manuscripts and latest New Testament Greek manuscript counts, we haven’t kept up with the increasing numbers of manuscripts for other ancient authors that are recognized by classical scholars. For example, although apologists rightly claim that there are well over five thousand Greek manuscripts of the New Testament, they have reported the number of manuscripts for Homer’s Iliad to be 643, but the real number of Iliad manuscripts is actually 1,757.: https://www.equip.org/articles/the-bibliographical-test-updated/
Actions, Invitations, Storytelling-How Gen Z Approaches Evangelism – Barna Group. A major finding from Barna’s existing research on evangelism is that even Christian Millennials are conflicted about—if not opposed to—sharing their faith. Are today’s teens following their lead? A new Barna Group study among Gen Z seeks to find out. In an effort to better inform leaders about the emerging generation’s perceptions of evangelism, Alpha USA and Alpha Canada partnered with Barna to create two country-specific reports on Reviving Evangelism in the Next Generation: https://www.barna.com/research/gen-z-evangelism/
The Hiddenness of God: An Objection to God’s Existence – A Clay Jar. Some skeptics and atheists will argue that God, if there is such a being, seems to be in hiding. And they argue that the hiddenness of God is proof against the existence of God. In their minds, if God wanted us to know him, certainly he would be more obvious in revealing himself to us. But is that true?: https://aclayjar.net/2019/12/hiddenness-of-god/
The latest Gallup poll shows a continuing decline of religious influence in America. A dramatic shift has taken place in America related to the way we view religious beliefs. Hidden in the data from the Gallup research lies a clue to the reason for this change in public opinion. Why do fewer Americans think religion matters? Listen to the podcast to hear the answer to this question. Frank and Detective J. Warner Wallace tackle this issue and others in this episode: https://subsplash.com/crossexamined/media/mi/+hx2v9pw
Is Religion Just a Social Construct? | Strange Notions. One of the arguments against religion is that it’s a social construction – that is, that religion (particularly, belief in an interventionist or “moralistic” god, meaning a god interested in human affairs and morality) is something invented by society, in order to regulate its citizenry. One of the best arguments in favor of this is that more developed societies have more developed religious systems, and are more likely to believe in a god who cares about morality: https://strangenotions.com/is-religion-just-a-social-construct/
If Evolution Is True, Our Cognitive Faculties Cannot Be Trusted & Atheism Cannot Be Rationally Held | Reasons for Jesus. If human beings are a result of the evolutionary process then one needs to maintain that the main purpose of our cognitive faculties is for survival and reproductive fitness. In other words this process couldn’t care less for true belief, argues philosopher Alvin Plantinga. Evolution only cares whether or not our actions are adaptive and whether or not they contribute to our fitness. Therefore, the naturalist would be incorrect to expect that his faculties would be aimed at truth as they would solely be aimed at fitness.: https://reasonsforjesus.com/if-evolution-is-true-our-cognitive-faculties-cannot-be-trusted-atheism-cannot-be-rationally-held/
Islam’s Claims of Biblical Corruption Actually Impeach the Qur’an. Islam began in the early seventh century, when Muhammad supposedly received many revelations providing him with the Qur’an. Given that Christianity and Judaism had been in existence for centuries, it’s easy to see why Muhammad would have found it attractive to try and co-opt these monotheistic faiths as part of his own. To this end there are many places in the Qur’an that address Christians and Jews, and their holy books: https://apologetics-notes.comereason.org/2014/10/islams-claims-of-biblical-corruption.html
Does Suffering Disprove the Existence of a Good God? – Bible Gateway Blog. As I tried to imagine the depth of pain, the horror of suffering that so many humans have inflicted on each other, I began to have that most unwelcome feeling of having my paradigm shifted. Humans are not good. It’s the average member of society that commits genocide. I didn’t want this to be true, and to this day I don’t want it to be true.: https://www.biblegateway.com/blog/2019/10/does-suffering-disprove-the-existence-of-a-good-god/
On Worldviews by James Anderson – Ligonier Ministries. Abortion. Euthanasia. Pornography. Same-sex marriage. Transgender rights. Embryonic research. Genetic enhancement. Christians surveying the cultural landscape in the West have a clear sense that things are headed in a destructive direction. While most believers can easily identify the symptoms of decline, few feel competent to diagnose and address the root causes. There are many complex factors behind these developments, but one invaluable tool for better understanding and engaging with our culture is the concept of worldview. The sociological quakes and moral fissures we observe in our day are largely due to what we might call “cultural plate tectonics”: shifts in underlying worldviews and the collisions between them. What is a worldview?: https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/worldviews
Dogs breeding dogs? Museums, and school, college and university courses in biology, emphasize variation within a kind as ‘evidence’ for evolution. For example, the Natural History Museum in London says that breeding of dogs shows evolution. Presumably all you have to do is breed dogs for long enough and you will get something which is not a dog—something that is basically different. To the uninformed this can seem convincing—after all, there are many and varied breeds of dogs. However, the evidence from breeding and the science of genetics actually presents a huge problem for evolution. In spite of much breeding and the generation of many varieties of dogs, from chihuahuas to Great Danes, dogs are still dogs. Dogs have only ever bred dogs. Roses have only ever bred roses.: https://creation.com/dogs-breeding-dogs
Can There Be Any Meaning in a Universe without God? Reasonable Faith has a video explaining why the existence of God is necessary for meaning to exist and responding to the common challenges atheists offer against this claim: https://www.str.org/w/can-there-be-any-meaning-in-a-universe-without-god-
When a mocker is punished, the simple gain wisdom; when a wise man is instructed, he gets knowledge. Proverbs 21:11
Here is a random quote (of over 2600) from Nuggets:
One has pointed out that in every man, there are four different men: the man whom the neighbors see, the man whom one’s family sees, the man whom the person himself sees, and the man whom God sees. – J.R. Miller (“What God Thinks of Us” 1909)
Am I Going to Hell? I talked in the past about the difficulty in clarifying our communication of the need for salvation. Frankly, to a lot of people the message of Christianity is not going to be palatable, but at least we can make it clear. It will not be the kind of thing they will be happy with. Yet, at the same time, there are things we can do that make it clearer and not inappropriately put stumbling blocks in people’s way. – Greg Koukl: https://www.str.org/w/am-i-going-to-hell-
9 Wrong Ways to Read the Bible (And One Better Way) | Crossway Articles – Many of us approach the Bible not as oxygenating, but as suffocating. We see the Bible lying there on the end table. We know we should open it. Sometimes we do. But it is usually with a sense of begrudged duty. Life is demanding enough, we think. Do I really need more demands? Do I have to hear even more instruction telling me how to live?That’s an understandable feeling. But it is lamentably wrong. And it brings me to the central thing I want to say about the Bible as we think about how real sinners get traction for real change in their lives. The Bible is good news, not a pep talk.: https://www.crossway.org/articles/9-wrong-ways-to-read-the-bible-and-one-better-way/
The Professor: Why Are You a Christian? Are our adults ready to give a defense of the gospel? When challenged, can they give a reasonable explanation of their faith? Dr. Bohlin presents a sobering view of this question based upon years of experience questioning high school and college-age students on the basis for their belief in Christ. By exposing their lack of cogent answers to questions they may be asked, he challenges them to spend time exploring the questions and developing biblical worldview-based answers.: https://probe.org/the-professor-why-are-you-a-christian/
Remarkable evidence of a designed young stable solar system – A further study has recently suggested that our solar system has built-in constraints on the degree of movement of inner planet orbits, preventing them from becoming increasingly chaotic and colliding.: https://creation.com/young-stable-solar-system
What is the Difference Between Mormonism and Christianity? | Summit Ministries – Mormons frequently claim to be just another denomination of Christianity. In this video, Brett Kunkle highlights two key differences that separate Mormonism from Christianity altogether.This video is part of a series titled “Answers to Your Questions”. These videos answer the questions that you’re asking, address the difficulties you’re facing, and they’re all from Summit’s world-class faculty members.: https://www.summit.org/resources/videos/difference-mormonism-christianity/
Brain = Mind? Craniopagus Twins Argue Otherwise | Evolution News – You can watch a CBC TV documentary on YouTube, “Twin Life: Sharing Mind and Body,” about craniopagus twins. They are joined at the head, and specifically, at their brains. The title of the documentary is wrong, though. As Denyse O’Leary points out at Uncommon Descent, Tatiana and Krista Hogan of British Columbia share a range of senses and can move parts of each other’s bodies, but their minds, their personalities, are separate: https://evolutionnews.org/2017/11/brain-mind-craniopagus-twins-argue-otherwise/
Being Tactical with Jehovah’s Witnesses – What frustrated me (in a recent conversation) was an illicit tactic that my Witness friends were employing throughout our conversation. Whenever I would raise a Bible passage that they couldn’t respond to, they would immediately jump to a different passage or a different subject. In logic, this is called the red herring fallacy. Specifically, this is when someone diverts the attention from the original argument. It’s a habit many critics of Christianity have in conversation, not just Jehovah’s Witnesses. You’ve probably had a similarly frustrating conversation trying to answer a question, only to have them hop to another question.: https://www.str.org/w/being-tactical-with-jehovah-s-witnesses
Stephen Meyer Interviews John Lennox about going “Against the Tide” – Intelligent design proponent Stephen Meyer sits down for a conversation with Oxford mathematician, and debater extraordinaire, John Lennox. Both have explored the intersection of science and faith, and challenged the atheistic materialism pushed by many scientists and scholars. Here they discuss the science that leads them to believe in a purpose driven universe from the origin of life to biological evolution to the fine-tuning of nature and the universe. The conversation came in advance of the forthcoming one night only film “Against the Tide: Finding God in an Age of Science.” The movie stars Oxford University mathematician John Lennox and actor Kevin Sorbo, and highlights debates between Professor Lennox, arguing the case for theism, supported by science, against prominent atheists including Richard Dawkins and the late Christopher Hitchens.: https://youtu.be/zD50_1kicw4?si=xu5vbk7f1cLfybRC
How to NOT shelter your kids from ideas: Make a case for Christianity’s truth, goodness, and beauty – The Benefit of the Doubt – In this series of posts, I’ve argued that we should not shelter our kids from ideas. Now I’m a big fan of sheltering our kids in a variety of ways (including literally with a roof), but I think we should, in age-appropriate ways, expose them to ideas while they are in our care. Or you can just shelter them and hope for the best…but I don’t recommend it!There are three strategies offered here to appropriately expose our kids to ideas. The first is to teach our kids how to think and not just what to think. The second is to present alternative ideas fairly and charitably. I recommend presenting these alternative ideas first without evaluation so that your child accurately understands them. Only then do we earn the right to evaluate these alternative views and evaluate we should. 3rd Strategy: Make a case for Christianity’s truth, goodness, beauty: https://www.travisdickinson.com/not-shelter-kids-ideas-make-case-christianitys-truth-goodness-beauty/
Communicating the truth of creation with grace – As biblical creationists, we can see how important the doctrine of creation is to the Bible’s ‘big story’ of Creation, Fall, Redemption, and Restoration. Many of us recall what it was like when the lights first ‘went on’ and we realized that Genesis could be trusted as an actual historical record. And especially when that revelation is fairly new to us, we can have great zeal when communicating that truth to others who have not yet had that ‘aha’ moment.: https://creation.com/truth-grace
The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice. Yes, and I will continue to rejoice. – Philippians 1:18
Here is a random quote (of over 2600) from Nuggets:
If a printed, meaningful menu cannot be generated by mindless natural processes but needs the input of a mind, what are we to say about the human genome? Does it not much more powerfully point to an origin in a mind—the mind of God? – John Lennox
Jesus nut – Wikipedia – The term Jesus nut may have been coined by American soldiers in Vietnam; the Vietnam War was the first war to feature large numbers of soldiers riding in helicopters. The term may also have originated with the PBY Catalina, which had two Jesus bolts holding the wing onto the fuselage. If the Jesus nut were to fail in flight, the rotor would detach from the helicopter and the only thing left for the crew to do would be to “pray to Jesus.” The nut/pin must be checked before the flight even though real examples of the Jesus nut/pin failing are rare.: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jesus_nut
An Assessment of Andy Stanley’s Unconditional Conference – I attended the Unconditional Conference put on by Embracing the Journey (ETJ). Hosted by nationally known pastor Andy Stanley and held at his church, which boasts a weekly attendance of nearly 40,000 people, the event sought to create a theologically neutral space where parents and leaders could learn how to minister to youth who identify as LGBTQ. In other words, the stated intent was not to change anyone’s theology. Despite these good aspects, the conference was deeply problematic because of the false and somewhat hidden premise that permeated most of the teaching: Followers of Christ can participate in homosexual sex, same-sex marriage, or transgender “transitioning.” That premise undergirds three serious concerns I have with the Unconditional Conference.: https://www.str.org/w/an-assessment-of-andy-stanley-s-unconditional-conference
About those objections to Hell – YouTube – Some of the confusion and problems that people have with the idea of Hell can be helped with these 8 facts.: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lFIKjt2WZ8w
The pitch for Noah’s Ark – Many geologists claim that Noah could not possibly have built the ark in the manner described in Genesis. They argue that pitch could not have been used to cover the ark and make it waterproof. Pitch, they claim, is derived from oil or coal, and if coal did not form until during the time of Noah’s Flood, he could not possibly have covered the ark with pitch.: https://creation.com/the-pitch-for-noahs-ark
Even Caesar Confirmed the Resurrection | Answers in Genesis – After Christ’s Resurrection, Claudius Caesar issued a decree for people to stop stealing bodies from Judah’s sepulchers. Without realizing it, he was confirming Christ’s Resurrection!: https://answersingenesis.org/archaeology/even-caesar-confirmed-resurrection/
RNA Ties and Unties Itself | The Institute for Creation Research – There are two types of nucleic acids (genetic molecules): DNA and RNA. DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) is a large linear molecule designed to store genetic information in all cells. RNA (ribonucleic acid) serves as a blueprint for proteins and occurs in three forms: transfer-RNA, ribosomal RNA, and messenger-RNA. It has been said that nucleic acids are like an onion. As biologists peel away a layer of complexity, underneath lies another layer waiting to be described. For example, in 2010 University of Toronto researchers “discovered a fundamentally new view of how living cells use a limited number of genes to generate enormously complex organs such as the brain.”: https://www.icr.org/article/rna-ties-and-unties-itself/
The Difference Between Islam and Christianity – Come Reason Ministries – My name is Adly. I am a 24 year old Muslim. I’m not very well versed in Islam myself but I’m learning. At the same time I am also learning (slowly) about Christianity. I would like to know sir, about what you think about Islam and Muslims. Do you think that we’re… what’s the word… lost? I would like to know if you have an opinion. I will not take any offence, heck, you might know more about Islam than I do! So if you have time, I would really appreciate it if you would give me your opinion.: https://www.comereason.org/difference-between-islam-and-christianity.asp
John Lennox: “Seven Days That Divide the World” – YouTube – Eric Metaxas and Socrates in the City present an evening with John Lennox, Professor of Mathematics at Oxford University, at the Union Club in New York City on January 31, 2013. Dr. Lennox explores a method for reading and interpreting the first chapters of Genesis without discounting either science or Scripture. Afterward Metaxas is heard asking, “Why didn’t I ever have any math teachers like this?”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0FmO2XKMe6g
Richard Rohr’s: 10 commandments of Progressive Christianity – Teresa (T.T.) McMillan’s Blog – The liberal understanding of Christianity is not just a variant version of the faith, nor does it represent simply a different denominational perspective, but is an entirely different religion altogether. Put simply, liberal Christianity is not Christianity.: https://teresamcmillan.theworldrace.org/post/richard-rohrs-10-commandments-of-progressive-christianity/
What You Need to Know About Wicca – Truths About Witchcraft Today – “There may now be more Americans who identify as practicing witches than there are members of mainline Presbyterianism.” Oh my. Even worse: “Wicca has effectively repackaged witchcraft for Millennial consumption. No longer are witchcraft and paganism satanic and demonic it’s a ‘pre-Christian tradition’ that promotes ‘free thought’ and ‘understanding of earth and nature.’”: https://www.crosswalk.com/blogs/dr-james-emery-white/more-witches-than-presbyterians.html
Motherhood: More Important than Rocket Science (according to Cathryn Buse!) – Mama Bear Apologetics – Why would a successful engineer leave NASA to be a mom, and apologist, and now a #mamabear apologist?: https://mamabearapologetics.com/motherhood-rocket-science/
Understanding Islam – New York Apologetics – With all of the talk about Islam in the news, we need to know what Islam is and what it teaches. The more we know about their ideology, the more we can reach out to them with the gospel. Here are several videos to help us to understand Islam and better explain how Christians can convey the gospel to them.: https://www.newyorkapologetics.com/understanding-islam/
Grounded Faith by Terrell Clemmons – Salvo Magazine – “It is better to debate a question without settling it than to settle a question without debating it,” said French philosopher Joseph Joubert. In my experience, the average churchgoer shrivels up at the prospect of an unsettling discussion. But as we have seen, our youth no longer accept as “settled” the basic tenets of the faith. Though they are only a start, reference guides like these will help all of us wrestle, for ourselves and together with our young people, with the monumentally significant questions of our time. If we ignore their questions, we effectively ignore them. And in so doing, we surrender them to the skeptics, whom we can fairly well count on to sweep them in, no questions asked.: https://salvomag.com/article/salvo44/grounded-faith
Can God Be in the Presence of Sin? – #3 Post of 2010 | Tough Questions Answered – The Bible teaches that God is opposed to sin and evil, that he is holy and righteous. We know that eventually he will quarantine evil from good when he creates the New Heaven and Earth (Rev. 21). At that time, God will physically separate those who love him from those who don’t. Those who love him will no longer be in the presence of sin from that point forward. Until then, God tolerates the presence of sin in order to accomplish his purposes with mankind. Thank goodness, because if God truly could not be in the presence of sin, none of us would be here!: https://www.toughquestionsanswered.org/2010/12/29/can-god-be-in-the-presence-of-sin/
Renewing Your Mind | The Birth of Jesus | Jun 26, 2017 Edition – Why was Jesus sent into the world as a baby? Today, R.C. Sproul considers the birth of Jesus as he continues his study of the New Testament.: https://renewingyourmind.org/2017/06/26/the-birth-of-jesus
How Can I Know Which Bible Promises Apply to Me? – Stand to Reason Blog – Here’s how I would apply that approach in the case of Jeremiah 29:11. In Jeremiah 29:11, we learn that God cares for His people and doesn’t abandon them, and that He hasn’t abandoned them even if it seems everything has gone wrong in their lives. We see that His good purposes are still moving forward, even when everything looks grim. This, we can cling to, because it’s an understanding of God’s character, which doesn’t change. What we can’t cling to is the specific outworking of God’s character in that unique biblical situation. That is, in that particular situation, God’s goodness and wisdom decreed that He would bring back those who were exiled to Babylon, saying, “I will restore your fortunes and gather you from all the nations.” : https://str.typepad.com/weblog/2016/09/how-can-i-know-which-bible-promises-apply-to-me.html
Eternal Life By Works: The Catechism of the Catholic Church on Salvation – CCC 2010, “Moved by the Holy Spirit and by charity, we can then merit for ourselves and for others the graces needed for our sanctification, for the increase of grace and charity, and for the attainment of eternal life.” There is a great deal wrong with what the RCC teaches. We must look to God’s word and not to what the RCC says we must do to be saved. Our salvation is not merited by our keeping the commandments!: https://carm.org/roman-catholicism/the-ccc-paragraphs-2010-2027-2068-and-gaining-eternal-life-by-works/
How Do You Disciple Teens About Biblical Sexuality? – Impact 360 Institute – In this episode, Jonathan Morrow interviews Dr. Christopher Yuan, the author of Holy Sexuality and the Gospel (2020 resource of the year for social issues by Outreach Magazine) and Out of a Far Country, which details his dramatic conversion from an agnostic gay man, who put his identity in his sexuality, to a pastor, Bible professor, and Christian author who now puts his identity in Christ alone.: https://www.impact360institute.org/podcasts/how-do-you-disciple-teens-about-biblical-sexuality/
Whoever acknowledges me before men, I will also acknowledge him before my Father in heaven. But whoever disowns me before men, I will disown him before my Father in heaven. Matthew 10:32-33
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You may press the words of Luke in a degree beyond any other historian’s and they stand the keenest scrutiny and the hardest treatment. – Sir William Ramsay, Scottish chemist (Nobel prize in Chemistry) A (1851–1939), Luke, The Physician (London: Hodder & Stoughton, 1908), pp. 177–179.
I will bring distress on the people and they will walk like blind men, because they have sinned against the LORD. Their blood will be poured out like dust and their entrails like filth. Neither their silver nor their gold will be able to save them on the day of the LORD’s wrath. In the fire of his jealousy the whole world will be consumed, for he will make a sudden end of all who live in the earth. Zephaniah 1:17-18
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There is a God-shaped vacuum in the heart of every man which cannot be filled by any created thing, but only by God, the Creator, made known through Jesus. – Blaise Pascal
A Faithful Man Who Can Find? | Desiring God – I first got to know the man who became my father-in-law when I began to date his beautiful, godly daughter. That was half his life ago, and two-thirds of mine. It didn’t take me long to size him up; Glenn was a man of immense, transparent integrity. His reputation had preceded him. He was known in our church to be a man who loved Jesus, who loved his wife, and who loved his two daughters. He was also looked on and respected as a leader.: https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/a-faithful-man-who-can-find
Loving Christ | Reasonable Faith – You distinguish between “knowing and showing,” it seems like I can “show” but I don’t “know.” This has become especially clear to me recently when I came across what I think is the foundational question of Christianity: how do you know Christianity is true? I immediately realized that I don’t know that at all, and that the foundation of my “faith” is the arguments of reasonable faith. This is untenable, because arguments could just as easily sway me to atheism. I am, you could say, an unwilling evidentialist. I’ve looked into your and Alvin Plantinga’s work on reformed epistemology and your idea of “double warrant” and I find it very compelling. However, in absence of the witness of the Holy Spirit, how can I have double warrant? How can I get out of my evidentialist hole and find Jesus? How can I come to know my faith is true? I don’t know who Jesus is, I don’t feel Him in my life, I don’t feel that He is listening to my prayers, I find it very hard to believe in a personal God. I’m in a difficult place where I feel that my Christianity is dead. Can you offer any practical or intellectual advice for the predicament I’m in?: https://www.reasonablefaith.org/writings/question-answer/loving-christ
Lunar Recession | Answers in Genesis – Does It Support a Young Universe? Hopefully this short article will help to clarify the details of lunar recession and why it supports a young universe.: https://answersingenesis.org/astronomy/moon/lunar-recession/
Piers, When Did Jesus Say That? – The Stream – Speaking to a British doctor who affirmed that there are only two sexes, Piers Morgan said, “Jesus Christ told you to be tolerant of people as well and you seem to have failed that test.” With all respect, Piers, could you tell us exactly where Jesus told us to be “tolerant of people”? And would you be kind enough to let us know where you get the idea that Jesus differed with the doctor’s assessment?: https://stream.org/piers-jesus-say/
Did Jesus Actually Claim to be God? SeanMcDowell.org – YouTube – Does the NT present Jesus as God? How did Jesus understand himself? Sean briefly answers these questions.: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rUdcFQspHus
Did Jesus Have To Do Apologetics? – THINKAPOLOGETICS.COM – Recently a friend of mine wrote an article on the need for apologetics. Someone wrote a response that said the following: “If more Christians lived the faith and spent less time trying to figure it out. We could then have people see for themselves that the peace we have, can be there’s . Jesus did not have to defend his position, He spoke what the father said to speak. The defense of the Christian is to try and convert people and Jesus said all you have to do is believe. So by living it, people will see it and believe. “ So what is the truth here? Did Jesus have to defend his position? Was Jesus an apologist? : https://chab123.wordpress.com/2018/04/16/did-jesus-have-to-do-apologetics-5/
Be exalted, O God, above the heavens; let your glory be over all the earth. Psalms 57:5
The Information Codes Inside Your Body (Long Story Short, Ep. 10) – YouTube – Inside your body a massive amount of encoded information that makes your life possible. Your body also contains sophisticated computer-like hardware that reads this coded information and builds the things you need for a living system. Explore the mystery of the amazing information codes inside you in this first installment of the “Codes of Life” mini-series produced as part of the “Long Story Short” show on YouTube.: https://youtu.be/FjDc6jBtJSw?si=T8f-XcwG8KujkNV6
Atheist Myths and Scientism – Steve Cable exposes some atheist myths and the false ideology of scientism, all designed to destroy people’s faith.: https://probe.org/atheist-myths-and-scientism/
Napkin Theology 4 – Does God Exist? – YouTube – The three possible answers to the age-old question, “Does God Exist?” illustrated on a napkin.: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0xBCVe39tqU
Giving Up Darwin – Claremont Review of Books – Stephen Meyer’s thoughtful and meticulous Darwin’s Doubt (2013) convinced me that Darwin has failed. He cannot answer the big question. The origin of species is exactly what Darwin cannot explain.: https://claremontreviewofbooks.com/giving-up-darwin/
God vs Science – New York Apologetics – This is an edited extract from Can Science Explain Everything? by John C Lennox (January 2019). The book is the first of a series in a joint venture with the Oxford Centre for Christian Apologetics, Zacharias Institute, and The Good Book Company. “Surely you can’t be a scientist and believe in God these days?” It’s a viewpoint I have heard expressed by many people over the years. But I suspect that it is often the unspoken doubt that stops many from engaging seriously with serious thinkers about both science and God. In reply, I like to ask a very scientific question: “Why not?”: https://www.newyorkapologetics.com/god-vs-science/
The Deity of Christ in the Gospel of Mark – There are some who think the deity of Christ was a later invention that developed by the end of the first century. As evidence for this position, they assert that the Gospel written first-the Gospel of Mark-has a low view of Jesus, while the Gospel written last-the Gospel of John-has a high view of Jesus. Therefore, Jesus started out as a man in Mark’s Gospel but became God by the time John’s Gospel was written. This challenge rests on the assumption that the Gospel of Mark has a low view of Jesus. But is this true? Does Mark’s Gospel present Jesus as a mere man, or is the deity of Christ presented even in the earliest Gospel? In one of his many debates with Muslim apologist Shabir Ally, James White lays out sixteen places in the Gospel of Mark that point persuasively to Jesus’ deity when taken together.: https://www.str.org/w/the-deity-of-christ-in-the-gospel-of-mark#.WfM4hsqp7qC
Errors in the Bible? – YouTube – At SMU Dr. Frank Turek was asked, “How do we account for the errors of the scribes in the New Testament since these documents were handed down from one person to the next and what if these errors are not simple and interfere with the teachings of the scriptures.: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DB18or8bJ10
You may say to yourselves, “How can we know when a message has not been spoken by the LORD?” If what a prophet proclaims in the name of the LORD does not take place or come true, that is a message the LORD has not spoken. That prophet has spoken presumptuously. Do not be afraid of him. Deuteronomy 18:21-22
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The best restraint is self-restraint that comes from the inner prompting of the Holy Spirit through the person and presence of Jesus Christ in each individual life. It’s been my observation over the last 30 years that the vast majority of believers need to be freed, not restrained. Our job is to free people, God’s job is to restrain them. God is doing his job much better than we’re doing ours. – Chuck Swindoll (the Grace Awakening)
Allie Beth Stuckey (Relatable Podcast) – Can Christians Be Evolutionists? Today, we’re joined by Ken Ham, founder and CEO of Answers in Genesis, for part two of our discussion on creation, evolution, and dinosaurs. We start off with the question of why people get so emotional about their belief in the age of the Earth and what evolutionists really believe about evolving species. We also explain how life is meaningless from an atheist’s perspective and that things atheists claim matter, such as climate change, don’t actually mean much. We also talk about how non-Christians can never be consistent when talking about morality and how everyone believes in objective truth in some capacity, even if they claim they don’t. Then, Ken calls for a reformation, which he says needs to go back to Genesis 1-11. | Guest: Ken Ham (Part Two) | Ep 862 – YouTube: https://youtu.be/Mt_IsyqhyAs?si=VlC3gSOC21c_eD6q
Ex-Catholic Exposes the TWISTED Teachings of the Catholic Church | Mike Gendron – YouTube – this is a really good summary of the differences between Roman Catholics and Protestant beliefs and practices: https://youtu.be/jdlczbO5Csc?si=TxggdLtSznV8MH6E
Logic and the Christian Faith | Astronomy Reveals Creation and Q&A | Dr. Jason Lisle – YouTube – Dr. Jason Lisle is a Christian astrophysicist who researches issues pertaining to science and the Christian faith. Lisle earned a PhD in astrophysics at the University of Colorado in Boulder.: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=InsfZbGVlXg
Joseph Smith, the founder of Mormonism, secretly married multiple women, claiming that God told him to do it. It’s well known that his first wife, Emma Smith, wasn’t very happy with this situation. Conveniently, Joseph Smith “received a revelation” where God not only instituted polygamy but also gave a very specific threat to Joseph Smith’s wife that she would be destroyed if she didn’t accept these other women. : https://twitter.com/MikeWingerii/status/1699176851510567226?t=yFAxA44eC8dNYTxzu8jnXw&s=19
After this, Paul left Athens and went to Corinth. There he met a Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus, who had recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla, because Claudius had ordered all the Jews to leave Rome. Paul went to see them, and because he was a tentmaker as they were, he stayed and worked with them. Acts 18:1-3
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People are fond of repeating the Christian statement that ‘God is love. But they seem not to notice that the words ‘God is love’ have no real meaning unless God contains at least two persons. If God was a single person, then before the world was made, He was not love. – C.S. Lewis
I will not speak with you much longer, for the prince of this world is coming. He has no hold on me, but the world must learn that I love the Father and that I do exactly what my Father has commanded me. Come now; let us leave. John 14:30-31
Become Fluent in New Testament Greek | FluentGreek – A Leap Forward in Learning Koine Greek, the Language of the NT Build Fluency by Reading Greek New Testament Passages from the Beginning: https://www.fluentgreeknt.com/
Prominent New Atheist Wakes Up to His Main Error | Frank Turek | Rubin Report – YouTube – Dave Rubin of “The Rubin Report” talks to Frank Turek author of “I Don’t Have Enough Faith to Be an Atheist” about the collapse of the New Atheist movement; Richard Dawkins admitting that religion may be necessary for a flourishing society; the failure of atheism in providing a sense of purpose and meaning; what prominent atheists like Christopher Hitchens and Sam Harris overlooked; how only religions like Christianity and Judaism can protect a society from the worst elements of radical Islam; the spreading of social justice and woke culture in America’s churches; the case for intelligent design as a part of the story of evolution; how morality always ends up being legislated; Jordan Peterson’s utilitarian view of religion; and much more.: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ggnhLrnyPI
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Either Christ must die for me, or else I must die for myself the second death; if he did not carry the curse for me, then on me must it rest for ever and ever. – Charles Spurgeon
The God Who Speaks | FULL MOVIE – There is a war raging around us – in society, in our churches, and in our homes. It is not a battle over marriage, race, or the sexual revolution. Rather, it is a battle for the truth. Is God real? Does He speak, and if so, how would we know? While many churches are faithfully proclaiming the truths found in Scripture, others have lost confidence in the Bible’s divine authorship. The God Who Speaks is a 90-minute documentary that traces the evidence of the Bible’s authority through interviews with some of the world’s most respected biblical scholars. This film answers common objections about the Bible’s reliability and equips believers to confidently base their lives on the power of God’s Word. Contributors to this film include the following: Alistair Begg, Darrell Bock, D.A. Carson, Gareth Cockerill, Kevin DeYoung, Ligon Duncan, Norman Geisler, Karen Jobes, Michael Kruger, Erwin Lutzer, Conrad Mbewe, Josh McDowell, Alex McFarland, Albert Mohler, Bill Mounce, John Oswalt, Vern Poythress, R.C. Sproul, Carl Trueman, Frank Turek, Daniel Wallace, Jarvis Williams, and Ben Witherington.: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tye19ZjLnHk
Genius – Full Movie – YouTube – GENIUS is a chilling movie based on the life and tragic murder of John Lennon. It’s chilling because it reveals what people will do for money. There are ordinary people out there who would kill you. All they need is the right amount of money and the belief that they won’t get caught. Just before he was murdered, John Lennon told Playboy magazine that he didn’t want to die at 40. Ironically the famous singer was gunned down at the age of 40 by a man who killed him just because he wanted to become famous. Many think that John Lennon was a musical genius. His music has crossed cultures and even generations–the Beatles have sold more than 2,303,500,000 record albums, and in June of 2012 they hit number one on iTunes. They are as big now as they ever were and they’re half dead–with the tragic loss of Lennon and Harrison.: https://youtu.be/o7pe3_VQbUM
Micro-Refutations | Answers in Genesis – Another way Christians can refute a false belief or religion is by showing that the religion or belief is fallacious internally within its own story or set of beliefs. There are three ways this can be done: https://answersingenesis.org/world-religions/micro-refutations/
The Authenticity of the Bible | Reuben A. Torrey | Christian Audiobook– Is the Bible the Word of God? That is the most important question for humanity. If the Bible is the Word of God, if it is an absolutely trustworthy revelation from God Himself, of Himself, His purposes, and His will, of man’s duty and destiny, and of spiritual and eternal realities, then we have a starting point from which we can proceed to the conquest of the whole domain of religious truth. This book will show you the absolute trustworthiness of the Bible. Follow the Word of God, and it will lead you as it has led thousands of others. It will lead you out of the uncertainty and the restlessness and the ultimate despair of unbelief and into the certitude, the joy, the victory, and the ultimate glory of an intelligent faith in the Bible as the Word of God, and in Jesus Christ as the Son of God: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vKGAuxgQixo
In that day you will no longer ask me anything. I tell you the truth, my Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. John 16:23
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Every temptation is escapable – small temptations and big temptations, daytime temptations and nighttime temptations, familiar temptations and foreign temptations, inward temptations and outward temptations. All along the hallway, God builds a doorway of escape – even right next to the doorway of sin. And though the door may become harder to enter the farther we travel down the hallway, it is always open for those who will turn the handle. – Scott Hubbard, Desiring God Editor, from Article “Sin is Never Inevitable: How to Escape Overwhelming Temptation”
Murdering babies because they’re expensive is wrong. Responding to a letter from someone who wrote in asking if you anti-abortion people are willing to pay for the kids that are so expensive to raise : https://creation.com/babies-expense-abortion
Talking with Your Kids about God – Christian parenting is hard work–and it’s getting harder. Parents have a deep desire to pass on their faith but fear that today’s increasingly skeptical and hostile world will eventually lead their kids to reject the truth of Christianity. That leaves many parents feeling overwhelmed–uncertain of what they can do to help their children, given the difficulty and extent of the faith challenges they will face. Frank interviews author Natasha Crain about her book a practical and timely resource that gives parents the confidence of knowing what to discuss with their children and how to discuss it in order to facilitate impactful conversations that will form the basis of a lifelong faith.: https://subsplash.com/crossexamined/lb/mi/+jh8bkv7
Shout for joy, O heavens; rejoice, O earth; burst into song, O mountains! For the LORD comforts his people and will have compassion on his afflicted ones. Isaiah 49:13
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What are we to make of Christ? There is no question of what we can make of Him, it is entirely a question of what He intends to make of us. You must accept or reject the story. – C.S. Lewis, God in the Dock
To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law. To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God’s law but am under Christ’s law), so as to win those not having the law. To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some. 1 Corinthians 9:20-22
Why do men have nipples? | GotQuestions.org – The presence of nipples on males seems strange, given that males do not produce milk. Are these vestigial organs? Remnants of evolution? Examples of poor design? Actually, there are a couple of good reasons men have nipples.: https://www.gotquestions.org/why-do-men-have-nipples.html
What If They Don’t Believe the Bible? – YouTube – This video is part of a live Q&A with author and former devout Muslim Nabeel Qureshi on March 22, 2015 at Christ Community Chapel.: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g7LXcYzF12Q
Everything is Connected – Join Frank on a fascinating survey of history from 1453 to the Pilgrim to Thanksgiving with none other than historian Bill Federer. This episode for the Cross Examined podcast is packed with surprising historical data. Don’t miss it!: https://subsplash.com/crossexamined/lb/mi/+8mrcpnh
Why People Believe in Evolution | ChristianCourier.com – People do not believe in evolution because they have been led there by solid evidence. They are stampeded into the Darwinian community by superficial, emotional, and personal factors.: https://christiancourier.com/articles/why-people-believe-in-evolution
Nine Early Church Fathers Who Taught Jesus Is God – Many people think Emperor Constantine invented the deity of Christ in the fourth century, but a look at quotes from the early church fathers shows this is an egregious misrepresentation of the facts.: https://www.str.org/w/nine-early-church-fathers-who-taught-jesus-is-god
True Repentance, Real Change – Decision Magazine – What is repentance? It might be well to notice first what it is not. First, repentance is not penance. Penance is the voluntary suffering of punishment for sin and does not necessarily involve a change of character or conduct. People who lie on a bed of spikes or throw themselves headlong on the ground are doing penance, but this act does not mean that their guilt has been absolved.: https://decisionmagazine.com/true-repentance-real-change/
If Jesus Is God, Why Does He Call the Father “My God?” – When Jesus was dying on the cross, he cried, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me” (Matt. 27:46)? After Jesus resurrection from the dead, he appears to Mary Magdalene, and she immediately clings to Him. In response Jesus says to her, “Do not cling to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father; but go to my brothers and say to them, “I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God” (John 20:17; cf. Rev. 3:2, 12). In each case, Jesus explicitly calls the Father “my God.” Jehovah’s Witnesses conclude from these passages (and others like them) that Jesus cannot possibly be God.: https://www.str.org/w/if-jesus-is-god-why-does-he-call-the-father-my-god-
Three Possible Models for Cultural Engagement – THINKAPOLOGETICS.COM – Given the current cultural climate, I have noticed that Christians are still struggling to figure out how to exactly engage the culture around them. In other words, should a Christian care about governmental laws? Should they be involved with politics? Should they be trying to impact legislation? Should Christians just pray and let God fight the battles around them? As for myself, I have invested plenty of time trying to engage the university. Allow me to go ahead and expand on this topic with three models for cultural engagement: https://chab123.wordpress.com/2018/08/17/three-possible-models-for-cultural-engagement/
The Challenge of History: An Interview with William Lane Craig | Popular Writings | Reasonable Faith – The most distinctive claim about Christianity in relation to other world religions is that Christianity says that God has revealed himself in history. As British theologian, Alan Richardson, has stated: “The Christian faith is bound up with certain happenings in the past, and if these happenings could be shown never to have occurred, or to have been quite different from the biblical-Christian account of them, then the whole edifice of Christian faith, life and worship would be found to have been built on sand.” At this time of Christmas, we celebrate the central event in world-history that God became man in Jesus Christ. Today this claim is under assault in a variety of ways. Some claim it’s a myth; others assert that it’s a meaningless statement because it is impossible to really know the past. AP asked William Lane Craig, Research Professor in Philosophy at Talbot Theological Seminary, Los Angeles, what he thought about these views.: https://www.reasonablefaith.org/writings/popular-writings/jesus-of-nazareth/the-challenge-of-history-an-interview-with-william-lane-craig
Mann’s Word: DOES THE EXISTENCE OF SO MANY RELIGIONS ARGUE AGAINST THEIR TRUTH CLAIMS? There are many religions and many Christian denominations. Do these facts diminish the truth claims of Christianity? Let’s start with the question of many religions. Skeptics argue that since there are many religions, which claim to have a monopoly on the truth, none can be true. Of course, this conclusion does not follow logically from the facts.: https://mannsword.blogspot.com/2018/08/does-existence-of-so-many-religions.html
Logical Fallacies or Fallacies in Argumentation | carm,org – There are different kinds of logical fallacies that people make in presenting their positions. Below is a list of some of the major fallacies. It is a good idea to be familiar with them so you can point them out in a discussion thereby focusing on the issues where they belong while exposing error.: https://carm.org/defending-the-faith/logical-fallacies-or-fallacies-in-argumentation/
John MacArthur Defies The Government On The Babylon Bee – YouTube – Pastor John MacArthur of Grace Community Church fought Gavin Newsom and the State of California to keep his church open and won. He argued that the church was essential and there is a new movie about it: The Essential Church. The Babylon Bee shows him their award-winning journalism covering his exploits and tempts Pastor John with a beer.: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SRifKX_OvBM
Jesus called the crowd to him and said, “Listen and understand. What goes into a man’s mouth does not make him ‘unclean,’ but what comes out of his mouth, that is what makes him ‘unclean.’ ” Matthew 15:10-11
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It was to God that David carried his sorrow: it was to God that David confessed his sin. Observe, then, we must take our sorrows to God. Even your little sorrows you may roll upon God, for he counteth the hairs of your head. – Charles Spurgeon
11 Things You Think Are in the Bible, But Really Aren’t – this showed up on my feed from Windows and I looked at it. I would say, this information is partially correct, a lot of things it reports are truly not in the Bible, however other things (in the world, but not of the world) are definitely in the Bible, if not the exact wording, definitely the concept is accurately found in the Bible: https://www.msn.com/en-us/health/wellness/11-things-you-think-are-in-the-bible-but-really-aren-t/ss-AA1dPyEQ
The tyranny of ‘tolerance’ ,- One of the biggest battles we face concerns the way we use words. One of the most glaring examples is the word ‘tolerance’. Not long ago, this meant ‘bearing or putting up with someone or something not especially liked’. However, now the word has been redefined to ‘all values, all beliefs, all lifestyles, all truth claims are equal’.1 Denying this makes a person ‘intolerant’, and thus worthy of contempt.: https://creation.com/the-tyranny-of-tolerance
The breath of life. – The respiratory system has many distinctive design features, which show forth the providence of God. Breathing also illustrates our human vulnerability and complete dependence upon God. One easy experiment to show this is to try to hold our breath. For most of us, air hunger becomes painful well within a minute, and we would die in just a few more minutes if completely deprived of air. So, our breathing apparatus is one of our most vital systems-absolutely necessary to sustain us from moment to moment. How does it work?: https://creation.com/the-breath-of-life
Who was the most influential person in history? It was a person who never led an army, never held office, never wrote a book, never traveled more than 200 miles from where he was born. Yet today, he’s the center of humanity. How so? Because Jesus of Nazareth rose from the dead. If there was no resurrection, how could that life be the history’s most influential life? Join Frank as he presents evidence that Jesus rose from the dead, and reminds us, with a graphic account of the passion, the kind of suffering Jesus had to endure to buy our freedom.: https://subsplash.com/crossexamined/media/mi/+c8t5ywz
Do Extraordinary Claims Require Extraordinary Evidence? When dialoguing with skeptics, one phrase you can expect to see repeated time and time again is this: “Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence.” On the surface, this may seem quite reasonable. After all, how can we make an extraordinary claim if we don’t have the proper evidence to back it up? Upon closer examination, however, this statement turns out to be a clever sleight-of-hand; what counts as ‘extraordinary’ is subjective, and entirely dependent on your starting assumptions!: https://creation.com/extraordinary-claims
George Washington and Religion – A Christian Not a Deist – Kerby Anderson presents a compelling argument for the view that George Washington was a devoted Christian rather than a deist. He points to Washington’s insistence on the importance of services for his soldiers, his personal church attendance, his prayer life and his commitment to the spiritual upbringing of his godchildren.: https://probe.org/george-washington-and-religion/
Can You Pass the Test? – Forensic Faith by J. Warner Wallace – Are You Ready to Make the Case for What You Believe As a Christian? The Forensic Faith Readiness Review is a simple tool to help you determine if you’re “ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you” (1Peter3:15). This seven-question survey is designed to evaluate your strengths and weaknesses as a Christian Case Maker. Download it now, print it out and take the twenty-one minute test.: https://forensicfaithbook.com/can-you-pass-the-test/
A Look at Tactics: A Game Plan for Discussing Your Christian Convictions – YouTube – In this clip we discuss some of the material from the book Tactics: A Game Plan for Discussing Your Christian Convictions. We discuss issues of logic and some of the ways we can ask the right questions when we dialogue with others.: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dMp3lR0SDKU
Amazing admission – Professor Richard Lewontin (1929–2021), a geneticist (and self-proclaimed Marxist), was certainly one of the world’s leaders in evolutionary biology. He wrote this very revealing comment (the italics were in the original). It illustrates the implicit philosophical bias against Genesis creation-regardless of whether or not the facts support it.: https://creation.com/amazing-admission-lewontin-quote
So do not be afraid of them. There is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known. What I tell you in the dark, speak in the daylight; what is whispered in your ear, proclaim from the roofs. Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell. Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows. Whoever acknowledges me before men, I will also acknowledge him before my Father in heaven. But whoever disowns me before men, I will disown him before my Father in heaven. Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I have come to turn ‘a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law — a man’s enemies will be the members of his own household.’ Anyone who loves his father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves his son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; and anyone who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.Matthew 10:26-39
If any woman who is a believer has widows in her family, she should help them and not let the church be burdened with them, so that the church can help those widows who are really in need. 1 Timothy 5:16
1 Peter 4:12-16 