Bible Teaching on Romans 6

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 1^st 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:

1. The penalty of sin (justification – at a point in time, when we trust in Christ)
2. The power of sin (sanctification – over time as we’re conformed to the image of Christ)
3. 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 many who 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:

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. 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?

Resources Used in Preparing this Teaching

1. MacArthur Study Bible
2. Romans 3:5-10 commentary: https://www.preceptaustin.org/romans_35-10
3. Romans 6:1-3 commentary: https://www.preceptaustin.org/pdf/61416/
4. What is Antinomianism?  https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/what-is-antinomianism-and-who-teaches-it/
5. ChatGPT (only regarding the summary of the “Romans Road”)
6. What is the Romans Road to salvation?  https://www.gotquestions.org/Romans-road-salvation.html
7. Americans Describe Their Views About Life After Death: https://www.barna.com/research/americans-describe-their-views-about-life-after-death/
8. Bible Study Tools – definition of Baptizo: https://www.biblestudytools.com/lexicons/greek/nas/baptizo.html
9. On the Mortification of Sin: A Readers Guide to a Christian Classic:  https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/on-the-mortification-of-sin

Verses to memorize for help combatting sexual temptation

Whenever, Christian, you have achieved a victory over your lusts–whenever after hard struggling, you have laid a temptation dead at your feet–you have in that hour a foretaste of the joy that awaits you when the Lord shall shortly tread Satan under your feet, and you shall find yourself more than conqueror through him who has loved you. – Charles Spurgeon (modernized language)

It is a fact of life that most men (and many women) battle against sexual temptation.

God has prescribed the way that He wants His children to live. He tests each of our hearts (not just what is on the outside). Here is what He expects to find:

1 Chronicles 29:17a

I know, my God, that you test the heart and are pleased with integrity

Not only is He pleased with integrity, but Jesus even said several times in the Scriptures, that He expects anyone who follows Him (Christians) to deny themselves, rather than to “give-in” to themselves:

Luke 9:23

Then He said to them all: “If anyone would come after Me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow Me.“

He wants us to put Him first, not our own evil desires. We need to have the attitude of John the Baptist:

John 3:30

He must become greater; I must become less.

So, to help us along in our quest for holiness, I have listed some verses for you to memorize to help you resist sexual temptation. The Psalmist stated the benefits of memorizing Scripture:

Psalms 119:11

I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.

The benefit is clear: “that I might not sin against” God.

I have memorized each of these passages myself and have found them to be of great benefit

Let’s start off the list with one that states God’s mandate very clearly and directly:

1 Corinthians 6:18-20

Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a man commits are outside his body, but he who sins sexually sins against his own body. Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body.

Let me provide a very simple definition of sexual immorality:

Any sexual gratification one gets from a source other than your spouse (in a biblical marriage consisting of one man and one woman).

Therefore, sexual immorality may include, among other things, pornography (or even feature films that portray sex between people on screen), masturbation, roving eyes / looking with lust at those in your eyesight, adultery, pre-marital sex (A.K.A. fornication), co-habitation which includes pre-marital sex, homosexuality, impure thoughts, flirting, fantasizing about the possibility of sex with someone other than your spouse, etc.

So, the passage above (1 Corinthians 6:18-20) tells me that I am not my own. I can’t just do whatever I want with my body. My body is a temple of the Holy Spirit. He is living in me and sees everything I do. Which leads me to the next verse:

Hebrews 4:13

Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.

He sees all and we will have to give account for all He sees. As Ray Comfort commented, “What happens in Vegas stays in God’s mind until Judgment Day.”

Ecclesiastes 12:14

For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.

Romans 14:12

So then, each of us will give an account of himself to God.

Am I saying that you’ll be thrown into hell for committing an act of sexual immorality? No. When you were saved, you were justified. All sins, past, present and future were paid for by Jesus’ shed blood on the cross. Yet, we as believers are expected to behave in a way that is “worthy of our calling” (Eph. 4:1). Sexual immorality is definitely not worthy of our calling!

God takes sexual immorality – especially the physical act of adultery – very seriously. So seriously, in fact in the Old Covenant with Israel, the penalty was the death sentence for both involved parties:

Deuteronomy 22:22

If a man is found sleeping with another man’s wife, both the man who slept with her and the woman must die. You must purge the evil from Israel.

However, sexual immorality is not an external, behavioral issue only (such as adultery). This sin starts in the mind with our own evil desires (James 1:13-14). In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus raised the standard of purity so that no one can escape the charge of guilt in this matter:

Matthew 5:27-28
You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.

Jesus is seeking obedience from those that call Him Lord:

Luke 6:46

“Why do you call Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say?“

Don’t be a hypocrite, one day calling Jesus Lord and then another day, committing sexual sin.

Job was a godly man and was certainly aware of this standard as he strove to avoid lust in this way:

Job 31:1

I made a covenant with my eyes not to look with lust upon a young woman.

Apparently, Job was successful in this covenant if you look at the way v9-11 of chapter 31 are worded:

Job 31:9-11

If my heart has been enticed by a woman, or if I have lurked at my neighbor’s door, then may my wife grind another man’s grain, and may other men sleep with her. For that would have been shameful, a sin to be judged.

Daniel was also a godly man, living in exile, in the midst of a vile, wicked, depraved and idolatrous culture. In the beginning of the account, we see his resolution:

Daniel 1:8-9

But Daniel resolved not to defile himself with the royal food and wine, and he asked the chief official for permission not to defile himself this way. Now God had caused the official to show favor and sympathy to Daniel

Have you resolved not to defile yourself by what your eyes consume? Daniel’s strong resolution here ought to challenge and inspire us to do the same. By resolving, he had made up his mind what he was going to do when he was put in that situation. Don’t just wait until that moment of temptation comes to decide what you’re going to do. If that is your approach, you will fail. Rather resolve ahead of time what steps you’re going to take to avoid defiling yourself in sexual sin.

David, a man after God’s own heart, a man acquainted with moral failure (see 2 Samuel 11), resolved not to let sin come through his eyes:

Psalms 101:3

I will refuse to look at anything vile and vulgar. I hate all crooked dealings; I will have nothing to do with them.

We need our minds renewed by Scripture so that we no longer conform to the pattern of this world, which is so full of sexual temptation:

Romans 12:2

Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is –his good, pleasing and perfect will.

Many of these passages can be summed up in this wise counsel from the Apostle Paul:

Romans 13:14

But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts.

What have you done to “make no provision” for your flesh? There are many practices and safeguards that one can implement, but the one thing we should all be doing is putting on the Lord Jesus Christ daily – that is the number one strategy in this battle. Don’t make it easy for your flesh to gratify its evil desires!

And, yes, this is absolutely a battle! It is not a battle against flesh and blood, but at the core it is a spiritual battle:

Ephesians 6:12

For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.

And since it is a spiritual battle, it needs to be fought with spiritual weapons from God:

2 Corinthians 10:3-5

We are human, but we don’t wage war with human plans and methods. We use God’s mighty weapons, not mere worldly weapons, to knock down the Devil’s strongholds. With these weapons we break down every proud argument that keeps people from knowing God. With these weapons we conquer their rebellious ideas, and we teach them to obey Christ.

Have you ever considered that when we are committing sexual sin, at that moment, we don’t fear God? Think about that… Even one of the thieves on the cross next to Jesus asked the other thief if he feared God, because it was evident by the way he was talking that he didn’t:

Luke 23:40

But the other criminal rebuked him. “Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence?“

Unknowingly, the first thief was affirming a great truth of Scripture, often repeated:

Proverbs 9:10

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.

And:

Isaiah 8:13

Do not fear anything except the LORD Almighty. He alone is the Holy One. If you fear him, you need fear nothing else.

Jesus told His disciples to fear God because of His ability to throw them into hell:

Luke 12:4-5

“I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do no more. But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear Him who, after the killing of the body, has power to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear Him.“

So, yes, the fear of God is a healthy attitude to have and can keep us from committing sexual sin!

Scripture also states that sin will hinder your prayers:

Psalms 66:18

If I had cherished sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened;

Do you stumble into sin? Or do you cherish sin? Our goal should be to avoid both, but worse by far is the one who cherishes (or relishes) sin.

Isaiah echoes the same sentiment about our sin causing separation from God. In the context of the following passage, God was speaking to His “people and to the house of Jacob” (Isaiah 58:1):

Isaiah 59:1-2

Listen! The LORD is not too weak to save you, and he is not becoming deaf. He can hear you when you call. But there is a problem — your sins have cut you off from God. Because of your sin, he has turned away and will not listen anymore.

But God gave us the solution for having our prayers heard again:

2 Chronicles 7:14

If My people, who are called by My name, will humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.

The essence of that phrase “seek My face and turn from their wicked ways” is the concept of repentance! There is no change and no transformation without repentance – and God commands it!

Acts 17:30

Truly, these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent,

By the way, after reading this blog, you can no longer claim ignorance.

In the midst of admonishing believers not to argue over foolish and stupid things, the apostle Paul talked about people who are held captive by the devil to do his will:

2 Timothy 2:26

and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will.

As believers, we ought not be held captive by anyone or anything except Jesus Christ (since we are His slaves). We are told specifically:

Colossians 2:8

See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ.

Additionally, we as believers ought to be discerning enough and acquainted enough with our own depravity to know what situations, places and people put us into temptation, and that we need to avoid those:

Proverbs 4:26

Ponder the path of your feet, And let all your ways be established.

We ought to be able to see the danger ahead and take refuge:

Proverbs 27:12

The prudent see danger and take refuge, but the simple keep going and suffer for it.

In addition to pondering where you go and what situations you put yourself into, you need to be intentional about your thoughts:

Philippians 4:8

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable–if anything is excellent or praiseworthy–think about such things.

And:

Colossians 3:2

Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.

Sexual temptation requires much more than casual action, it requires drastic action on our parts! Though we may be “pondering the path of our feet” and thinking about “whatever is pure”, we are still “in the world” (John 17:14-16) and therefore it is possible, with the best of intentions, that we may find ourselves in a tempting situation. The following verse tells me what to do when I encounter anything that stimulates lust – RUN!!!

2 Timothy 2:22

Run from anything that stimulates youthful lust. Follow anything that makes you want to do right. Pursue faith and love and peace, and enjoy the companionship of those who call on the Lord with pure hearts

It is also encouraging me who to hang out with – that’s really important too.

As usual, Jesus ratchets up the response even more with His teaching on how to deal with sin:

Matthew 18:8-9
If your hand or your foot causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life maimed or crippled than to have two hands or two feet and be thrown into eternal fire. And if your eye causes you to sin, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life with one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into the fire of hell.

The eye and the hand are are certainly used to commit much sexual sin… Jesus is not advocating self mutilation here, but this is to be understood as instructing us to take whatever actions are necessary to limit our access to those people, places, situations and technologies that give us opportunities to sin.

Another passage that is terrifying when you consider what is being said in it is this:

Hebrews 10:26-27

Dear friends, if we deliberately continue sinning after we have received a full knowledge of the truth, there is no other sacrifice that will cover these sins. There will be nothing to look forward to but the terrible expectation of God’s judgment and the raging fire that will consume his enemies.

Does that mean that if we continue to sin at all after having been saved, there we will experience the wrath of God? Well, it depends. One who is truly saved will not continue in an unrepentant pattern of sin for an extended period of time. I consider this a warning for us as believers to examine ourselves:

2 Corinthians 13:5a

Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves.

This should be a regular practice of all believers, to examine your life critically and see if it represents the life of a true born again Bible believing Christian.

The following passage is one of the key passages when it comes to sexual immorality:

1 Thessalonians 4:3-5

It is God’s will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality; that each of you should learn to control his own body in a way that is holy and honorable, not in passionate lust like the heathen, who do not know God

Not many places in Scripture tell you explicitly what God’s will is – the above passage is one of them. This passage tells me that I need to learn to control my own body. That tells me that it is not “natural” to control my body. I have to go against what feels natural and control my body. Likewise, Paul says:

1 Corinthians 9:27

But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.

Yes, this requires discipline. It is a spiritual battle and therefore demands your daily and even hourly attention so that you do not get caught off guard! In fact elsewhere Paul reminds us to be on our guard:

1 Corinthians 16:13-14

Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong. Do everything in love.

The Scriptures contain many other such warnings. For example, the apostle Peter warns us to be on our guard, using different words:

1 Peter 5:8

Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.

The Lord Jesus Christ Himself even strongly admonished His disciples to keep alert, but added prayer as a way to gain victory over temptation:

Matthew 26:41
Keep alert and pray. Otherwise temptation will overpower you. For though the spirit is willing enough, the body is weak!

So, how much sexual immorality is acceptable for the child of God?

Ephesians 5:3-6

But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people. Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving. For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person–such a man is an idolater –has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God’s wrath comes on those who are disobedient.

The above passage even speaks of God’s wrath as a consequence of these type of behaviors. You don’t want to go there…

The passage below has really helped me. It tells me that as a regenerated follower of Jesus Christ, I do in fact have the power and ability to not let sin reign in my body or to obey my body’s evil desires. What an encouragement that is!

Romans 6:12-14

Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires. Do not offer the parts of your body to sin, as instruments of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God, as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer the parts of your body to him as instruments of righteousness. For sin shall not be your master, because you are not under law, but under grace.

The above passage raises the question about who you’re letting reign, in other words, who are you serving? Jesus told us you can’t serve two masters:

Luke 16:13

“No servant can serve two masters ; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth.“

While the above verse is about money, the same principle applies to your illicit sexual desires.

You know that if you ask some people about why they continue to fall into sexual temptation, they’ll claim that that’s just the way God made them. They have these desires and they were meant to be fulfilled. That is human logic – that’s the way of thinking that “seems right”:

Proverbs 14:12 (&16:25)

There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death.

But that way of thinking really leads to death.

The following verse from Proverbs teaches that our behavior is a visible manifestation of our relationship with (and thoughts about) the LORD:

Proverbs 14:2

He who walks in his uprightness fears the Lord, But he who is perverse in his ways despises Him.

This directly ties “upright” behavior to fearing the LORD and “perverse” behavior to despising Him.

Next are some words from Jesus that hit me like a ton of bricks:

John 3:19-20
This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed.

These words are powerful because, in this passage the “light” which has come into the world IS JESUS. So, when it says “everyone who does evil hates the light”, its saying that everyone who does evil hates Jesus! Wow.

Here is a good one from Paul:

Titus 2:11-13

For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope–the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ,

This one tells us that God’s grace actually teaches us to “just say no!” to “ungodliness and worldly passions” – that would certainly include lust and sexual sin. But it doesn’t only tell us what to say no to, but it also tells us how to live: “self-controlled, upright and godly lives”. That is a picture of holy living. Notice the phrase “self-controlled”. According to this passage, you have the ability to control your participation in these forms of behavior.

Then, there is the most concentrated teaching on worldliness in all of God’s word:

1 John 2:15-17

Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For everything in the world–the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does–comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever.

Notice – this passage talks about 2 things that are directly related to lust and sexual sin: “the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes”. If anyone “loves” this kind of stuff, the love of the Father is not in him. By the grace of God and the power of the Holy Spirit who dwells in us, we need to distance ourselves and reject these kind of worldly affections!

John MacArthur, in his excellent sermon on Romans 7:14-25 says that one of the categories of sin is the “sin of remembrance”. Sometimes, the mind of the believer will wander back to ponder some past sin. We must not allow ourselves to fall into that trap. Peter admonishes us:

1 Peter 1:14

As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance.

Later on in the same letter, he encourages with the example of Christ Jesus’ suffering:

1 Peter 4:1-5

Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because he who has suffered in his body is done with sin. As a result, he does not live the rest of his earthly life for evil human desires, but rather for the will of God. For you have spent enough time in the past doing what pagans choose to do–living in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing and detestable idolatry. They think it strange that you do not plunge with them into the same flood of dissipation, and they heap abuse on you. But they will have to give account to Him who is ready to judge the living and the dead.

Notice, that we are not to live the rest of our earthly lives for “evil human desires” – this includes many things. He goes on to list some of those evil human desires: “debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing and detestable idolatry“. He ends up the passage by indicating that those who live like this will “have to give account to Him who is ready to judge the living and the dead“. If these behaviors are the impenitent, pattern of your life, it indicates you are not saved.

Then, this one from the author of 1 Kings regarding the prophet Elijah’s challenge to the people to “get off the fence“!

1 Kings 18:21

Elijah went before the people and said, “How long will you waver between two opinions? If the LORD is God, follow him; but if Baal is God, follow him.” But the people said nothing.

How is this applicable to illicit sexual desire? Just replace the phrase “if Baal is God, follow him” with “if [your sexual desire] is God, follow [it]”. That is what we’re doing when we’re giving in to sexual sin – we’re making it our God. Don’t do that!

Did you know that whenever you’re tempted to sin sexually, God will show you a way out? This is an iron-clad promise – you can take it to the bank. The following passage tells us not to be over confident when you’re in a season of strong obedience, but that we should be careful. Then it explains that we’re in the same boat with others:

1 Corinthians 10:12-13

If you think you are standing strong, be careful, for you, too, may fall into the same sin. But remember that the temptations that come into your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will keep the temptation from becoming so strong that you can’t stand up against it. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you will not give in to it.

Praise the Lord that He is faithful, and that He will not let the temptation become too strong!

Jesus was once asked what was the essential or most important teaching in the old testament:

Matthew 22:36-40

“Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.“

Notice that He summed up all the expectations of the believer into 2 concepts – Love God and Love others. We cannot do those 2 things while committing sexual sin!

The following verse may not seem to be related to sexual temptation:

Romans 1:25

They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator–who is forever praised. Amen.

But if you think about it. Your sexual desire is a created thing. If you worship and serve it (especially in an illicit manner), you are exchanging the truth of God for a lie…

Sometimes, you’ve gotta follow Jesus’ example and just tell Satan to “get lost” if you’re being harassed:

Matthew 4:10

Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’“

But notice – we not only should be telling Satan to get lost, but we need to be worshiping the Lord our God and serving Him only!

There is a favorite verse of many people that says:

Matthew 5:16
In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.

Again, what does this have to do with sexual immorality and sexual temptation? Well, if you think of it, you’ll realize that your behavior in the world affects God’s reputation in the world, either positively or negatively. But your behavior does not change whether He exists or whether He is glorious or good. So, if you are behaving in an immoral way you are bringing God into disrepute. Then it can be said of you, as in Romans 2:24 – “God’s name is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you.” Serious stuff! Don’t do it – you love God too much for that!

Finally, the passage that has been most helpful to me in battling sexual temptation is:

Matthew 23:24-28
You blind guides! You strain out a gnat but swallow a camel. Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence. Blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup and dish, and then the outside also will be clean. Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of dead men’s bones and everything unclean. In the same way, on the outside you appear to people as righteous but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness.

The reason this passage is so powerful for me is that, as a Christian leader and teacher, I receive those words from Jesus as directly applying to me. Especially the finishing line which says “on the outside you appear to people as righteous but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness”. That one cuts to the heart. Jesus knows what’s “on the inside” – no one else does. I may be able to fool other people, but I can never fool Jesus. Jesus hated hypocrisy with a holy hatred – probably more than anything else. This chapter records the greatest rebuke he ever delivered regarding sin – the sin of hypocrisy. And sexual sin in the life of a believer makes that person a hypocrite, professing one thing with your lips, but thinking and behaving in opposition to that. So, when I hear Jesus’s rebuke directed at me, my unrighteous desires immediately melt away – its like pouring cold water over me. Paul gives us some very good counsel about how we should be viewing our Christian walk:

Since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God. 2 Corinthians 7:1

Notice that we already have these promises (that he’d been talking about in the prior chapters – especially chapter 5). So, we are not avoiding sexual sin in order to get saved, but rather, now that we are saved (we have these promises), we are to live in a holy manner. Why? “Out of reverence for God”.

Brothers and sisters, I pray that you are convicted and cut to the heart like I am and that you would memorize each one of these passages so that you might be led away from sin when you’re at the moment of temptation. Remember God always provides a way out (1 Corinthians 10:13) if we are willing to take it. He is faithful and will protect you from the evil one:

2 Thessalonians 3:3

But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen and protect you from the evil one.

Appendix

Additional Verses

Psalms 119:9

How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to your word.

Psalms 141:4

Let not my heart be drawn to what is evil, to take part in wicked deeds with men who are evildoers; let me not eat of their delicacies.

Psalms 86:11

Teach me your way, O LORD, and I will walk in your truth; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name.

Psalms 119:37

Turn my eyes away from worthless things; preserve my life according to your word.

Psalms 23:3

he restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.

Psalms 19:14

Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart Be acceptable in Your sight, O LORD, my rock and my Redeemer.

Titus 1:15-16

To the pure, all things are pure, but to those who are corrupted and do not believe, nothing is pure. In fact, both their minds and consciences are corrupted. They claim to know God, but by their actions they deny him. They are detestable, disobedient and unfit for doing anything good.

2 Timothy 1:7

For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.

1 Corinthians 13:4-7

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

Galatians 5:19-21

The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.

Revelation 21:8

But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars –their place will be in the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death.”

Titus 3:3-7

At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.

John 8:31-32

To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

Acts 3:19

Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord,

Romans 7:18-19, 7:24-25a,

For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out. For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing…Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!

Hebrews 4:15-16

For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

1 Peter 2:24

He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed.

Philippians 2:3-4

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.

Hebrews 2:18

Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.

Hebrews 12:14

Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.

mid-week apologetics booster (3-28-2024)

Good morning friends,

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

To view more of these quotes, visit:

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

Now, here are your weekly links:

1. How naturalistic origin of life scientists feel about their hypotheses? | WINTERY KNIGHT: https://winteryknight.com/2024/03/21/how-naturalistic-origin-of-life-scientists-feel-about-their-hypotheses/
2. Earth’s Designed for life – A systems engineering masterpiece: https://creation.com/earth-designed
3. Official Mormon Church Doctrine- Quick Questions for Mormons (satire) – YouTube: https://youtu.be/mzypKxr9knA?si=RGwg0-UumkBYfj-z
4. More Inventions of the Roman Catholic Church: Limbo and Purgatory: https://facezoon.blogspot.com/2015/04/more-inventions-of-roman-catholic.html
5. Inventions by the Catholic Church over the years: and the dates of their adoption over a period of 1650 years. 45 non-biblical inventions are listed. This list of Catholic Inventions compiled by: Boettner, Loraine,Roman Catholicism, The Presbyterian and Reformed Publishing Company: Phillipsburg, 1962. Pg. 7-9. If you want to view Roman Catholic responses to some of these, visit these 2 links: https://www.catholic.com/tract/catholic-inventions and https://www.catholic.com/tract/the-anti-catholic-bible: https://studylib.net/doc/7368748/inventions-by-the-catholic-church-over-the-years-
6. Jesus Is A Myth, Just Like President Kennedy | Cold Case Christianity: https://coldcasechristianity.com/writings/jesus-is-a-myth-just-like-president-kennedy/
7. Verifiability Is A Christian Distinctive | Cold Case Christianity: https://coldcasechristianity.com/writings/verifiability-is-a-christian-distinctive/
8. A Brief Sample of Archaeology Corroborating the Claims of the New Testament | Cold Case Christianity: https://coldcasechristianity.com/writings/a-brief-sample-of-archaeology-corroborating-the-claims-of-the-new-testament/
9. An Eternal Perspective on the Losses of Aging – Christian Research Institute: https://www.equip.org/articles/an-eternal-perspective-on-the-losses-of-aging/
10. Problems with the Neo-Darwinian Theory of Evolution – Christian Apologist: https://christian-apologist.com/2020/06/06/problems-with-the-neo-darwinian-theory-of-evolution/
11. Isn’t the Bible Full of Errors? – bethinking.org: https://www.bethinking.org/is-the-bible-reliable/isnt-the-bible-full-of-errors
12. 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/
13. Is There Anything Good About Pain? | Answers in Genesis: https://answersingenesis.org/human-body/there-anything-good-about-pain/
14. Top three reasons people reject Christianity | Voice: https://www.christianpost.com/voices/top-three-reasons-people-reject-christianity.html
15. 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
16. Radiometric Dating and the Age of the Earth | Biblical Science Institute: https://biblicalscienceinstitute.com/origins/creation-101-radiometric-dating-and-the-age-of-the-earth/
17. The Best Evidence-Based Presentations on the Existence of God: https://www.lifestyleofpeace.com/2021/11/the-best-evidence-based-presentations.html?m=1
18. Christian Evidences by R.C. Sproul | Ligonier Ministries: https://www.ligonier.org/learn/series/christian-evidences
19. Sharing the Gospel With a Post-Christian World: Insights From Thessalonica: https://churchleaders.com/voices/exchange/408694-post-christian-thessalonica.html
20. Should You Force Your Kids To Go To Church?: https://crossexamined.org/should-you-force-your-kids-to-go-to-church/
21. Playground Apologetics Tactics Question 2: “How did you arrive at that conclusion?” – Mama Bear Apologetics: https://mamabearapologetics.com/pa2-how-arrive-conclusion/
22. 10 Challenging Truths about Sex and the Bible | Sean McDowell: https://seanmcdowell.org/blog/10-challenging-truths-about-sex-and-the-bible
23. The Trinity: A brief description and a table showing it biblically: https://carm.org/doctrine-and-theology/trinity-table/
24. Cursed Is Everyone Who Is Hanged on a Tree: https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/cursed-tree
25. 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
26. Silly Little Apologist – Stephen J Bedard: https://www.stephenjbedard.com/2014/09/05/silly-little-apologist/
27. Gay marriage debate: Michael Brown debates Eric Smaw on same-sex marriage | WINTERY KNIGHT: https://winteryknight.com/2024/03/24/gay-marriage-debate-michael-brown-debates-eric-smaw-on-same-sex-marriage-5/
28. 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

Blessings to you all

mid-week apologetics booster (3-7-2024)

Good morning friends,

Here is a random quote (of over 2700) from Nuggets:

God maintains a delicate balance between keeping His existence sufficiently evident so people will know He’s there and yet hiding His presence enough so that people who want to choose to ignore Him can do it. This way, their choice of destiny is really free. – J.P. Moreland

To view more of these quotes, visit:

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

Now, here are your weekly links:

1. The Case for Christ explained in 16 minutes – Lee Strobel, a former atheist turned Christian who wrote the book The Case for Christ, shares how he went from skeptic to believer. This 16-minute explanation explores the truth he uncovered about the resurrection, the gospel accounts, and the controversies he had to overcome to support the evidence for Christ and make a case for the foundational belief in Christianity: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OnJKQv5XkK0
2. Did the Universe Come From Nothing? John Lennox Explores – John Lennox (Oxford) explores the origins of the universe. | Arizona State University, 2016: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tQ5P0eOdruQ
3. How the Origin of Life Points to the Existence of God – YouTube – This video, excerpted from J. Warner Wallace’s presentation of the evidence for God, summarizes the case for Gods existence from the origin of life. Has science answered the question of life’s origin? How do philosophically natural scientists tackle the “chicken and egg” problems related to the origin of life? What is the best explanation for the information found in the genetic code? For a robust review of the collective case for God’s existence from eight pieces of evidence “inside the room” of the natural universe, please refer to God’s Crime Scene: A Cold-Case Detective Examines the Evidence for a Divinely Created Universe.: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iNNDa9DO36w
4. Short Video Clip of David Berlinski being interviewed by Mark Levin about the atheist creation myth: https://twitter.com/i/status/1763791324380385527
5. Luke – Why did Jesus begin his ministry at age 30? – Biblical Hermeneutics Stack Exchange. This is a fascinating discussion thread. I think there are several interesting answers given here, and also, one from Jeremy Castro that seems bizarre to me.: https://hermeneutics.stackexchange.com/questions/58351/why-did-jesus-begin-his-ministry-at-age-30
6. Why Biology Needs a Theory of Biological Design – Part 1 | The Institute for Creation Research – article highlights: Evolutionary selectionism was developed to explain the design in organisms without the involvement of a Creator. Without a viable alternative, selectionism has become the default framework for interpreting biological observations. Biology needs an alternative theory that is rational, is evidence-based, and doesn’t rely on the mystical personification of nature as a selective agent. An engineering-based theory of biological design offers a new framework to investigate biological phenomena.: https://www.icr.org/article/14536/
7. Jeff Durbin’s story and how his wife’s bold prayers changed things: https://www.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=10229188069918399&id=1595012236&mibextid=xfxF2i
8. Ganymede’s magnetic field supports young solar system – To planetary scientists, it has been a challenge explaining how an object of Ganymede’s size could still possess its own magnetic field after over 4 Ga.: https://creation.com/ganymede-magnetic-field
9. “Society Says” Relativism: https://www.str.org/w/-society-says-relativism
10. How These Parents Helped Their Son Reject Transgender Ideology: https://thefederalist.com/2023/01/03/how-these-parents-helped-their-son-reject-transgender-lies-and-affirm-his-real-identity/
11. Bill McKeever and the Gold Plates apologetic–condensed 5-minute version – YouTube: https://youtu.be/lIrMlAH_o9k?si=uDQ6ZgsNfGPNSlaC
12. New study: virgins have happiest marriages, more sex partners means more unhappiness | WINTERY KNIGHT: https://winteryknight.com/2024/03/01/new-study-virgins-have-happiest-marriages-more-sex-partners-means-more-unhappiness-4/
13. Acts & Facts | The Institute for Creation Research – March/April 2024: https://www.icr.org/aaf/index/
14. The Ark and the Darkness – Fathom Events (movie in theatres March 20, 21) – There is a tale over 4,000 years old, preserved in ancient writings from every major culture around the world. Many thought it was only a myth, but recent discoveries confirm what the Bible has said all along. From the Director of Genesis: Paradise Lost, Sevenfold films and Genesis Apologetics present The Ark and the Darkness. Geology, paleontology, the fossil record, ancient history, volcanism, earth science-all of these scientific fields converge on one simple truth: Noah’s Flood actually happened. Join our team of scientists from Answers in Genesis and Liberty University as we reveal the truth about Noah’s Flood.: https://www.fathomevents.com/events/the-ark-and-the-darkness/
15. A Closer Look at the Genre of the Gospels: Ancient and Modern Historiography: What are the Gospels? – THINKAPOLOGETICS.COM: https://chab123.wordpress.com/2024/03/05/a-closer-look-at-the-genre-of-the-gospels-ancient-and-modern-historiography-what-are-the-gospels-4/
16. Can people in heaven look down and see us? | GotQuestions.org: https://www.gotquestions.org/heaven-look-down.html
17. Tennessee allows officials not to perform same-sex marriages | Politics News: https://www.christianpost.com/news/tennessee-allows-officials-not-to-perform-same-sex-marriages.html

See what this godly sorrow has produced in you: what earnestness, what eagerness to clear yourselves, what indignation, what alarm, what longing, what concern, what readiness to see justice done. At every point you have proved yourselves to be innocent in this matter. 2 Corinthians 7:11

Blessings to you all

mid-week apologetics booster (2-22-2024)

Good morning friends,

Here is a random quote (of over 2700) from Nuggets:

C. S. Lewis warns against chronological snobbery – the “uncritical acceptance of the intellectual climate common to our age and the assumption that whatever has gone out of date is on that count discredited.”

To view more of these quotes, visit:

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

Now, here are your weekly links:

1. 10 Self-Refuting Statements You Must Know | Sean McDowell: https://seanmcdowell.org/blog/self-refuting-statements-you-must-know
2. John Piper: Are There Two Wills in God? A Response – John Piper’s chapter, “Are There Two Wills in God?”, found on his website Desiring God, and in the book Still Sovereign: Contemporary Perspectives on Election, Foreknowledge, and Grace (Grand Rapids: Baker Books, 2000), seeks to “show from Scripture that the simultaneous existence of God’s will for ‘all persons to be saved’ (1 Tim. 2:4) and his will to elect unconditionally those who will actually be saved is not a sign of divine schizophrenia or exegetical confusion.” This post is a response to (not an attack on) Piper’s theory of the two wills in God: https://evangelicalarminians.org/john-piper-are-there-two-wills-in-god-a-response/
3. Which Comes First, Faith or Regeneration? Brothers and Sisters, no matter which side of this debate you favor, I love you. We can discuss and not divide.  I’m sure you would say that you favor the “biblical” side of this debate and so do I. This article provides biblical arguments why faith precedes regeneration. You may disagree with the author’s hermeneutics, yet the arguments he makes are supported by biblical evidence. I ask you, as many of you have asked me, to consider these arguments with an open mind: https://evangelicalarminians.org/which-comes-first-faith-or-regeneration/
4. Weak Gospel Messages Like ‘He Gets Us’ Ultimately Lead To Empty Pews: https://thefederalist.com/2024/02/15/watered-down-gospel-messages-like-he-gets-us-ultimately-lead-to-empty-pews/
5. Christ-like Attributes of Born Again Christians – YouTube – When we got saved, God put some indelible marks upon us. 1 John 2:3-10 reveals three traits of those who are born again. In this message, Adrian Rogers reveals the birthmarks of the believer – Adrian Rogers sermon: https://youtu.be/2XkpRuwBa64?si=-Y9XIEp-Ab4uYnwa
6. Twenty questions about the Big Bang answered in less than 20 minutes | WINTERY KNIGHT: https://winteryknight.com/2024/02/21/twenty-questions-about-the-big-bang-answered-in-less-than-20-minutes/
7. America’s new religion… Stop calling yourself a Christian if you don’t believe in Christ. “This counterfeit religion is Moralistic Therapeutic Deism,” stated Ms. Bratton, “a worldview that has quickly gained prominence and given many Americans a theology that looks nothing like historical Christianity, despite what they may claim.” She then goes on to cite the recent work of George Barna, whose February survey showed that Moralistic Therapeutic Deism (MTD), or — watered-down, feel-good, fake Christianity — is the most popular worldview in the United States today. And what is MTD exactly? Mr. Barna answers: “The moralistic perspective is we’re here to be good people and to try to do good…The therapeutic aspect is everything is supposed to be geared to making me feel good about myself, ultimately to make me happy. Deism is the idea that God created the world but has no direct involvement in it. Basically, according to MTD, there is a distant God who just wants everyone to be nice, and the purpose of life is to be happy.”: https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2021/jul/25/americas-new-religion-fake-christianity/
8. Christians Must Get Serious If They Wish To Challenge the Godless Culture – American Thinker: https://www.americanthinker.com/articles/2024/02/christians_must_get_serious_if_they_wish_to_challenge_leftist_culture.html
9. Hand Back the Fruit: Trusting God with the Mysteries of Evil | Desiring God: https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/hand-back-the-fruit
10. Science, farming, and faith – Ron Neller interviews agricultural systems researcher, Dr Ken Rickert: https://creation.com/science-farming-faith
11. Gary Habermas Questions Why Atheists Believe in Alexander the Great, but Not Jesus’ Resurrection | Church & Ministries News: https://www.christianpost.com/news/gary-habermas-questions-why-atheists-believe-in-alexander-the-great-but-not-jesus-resurrection-221370/
12. A Case for the Bible 101: Manuscript Evidence Part 7 – Were There Books Left Out? – Truth, Faith and Reason: https://truthfaithandreason.com/a-case-for-bible-101-manuscript-evidence-part-7-were-there-books-left-out/
13. Renewing Your Mind | Do Christians and Muslims Worship the Same God?: https://renewingyourmind.org/2021/04/13/do-christians-and-muslims-worship-the-same-god
14. 9 Undeniable Prophecies of Jesus from the Old Testament – Christian Apologist: https://christian-apologist.com/2018/07/29/9-undeniable-prophecies-of-jesus-from-the-old-testament/
15. Popular Atheist Blogger, Leah Libresco, Converts to Christianity. – Bishop’s Encyclopedia of Religion, Society and Philosophy: https://jamesbishopblog.com/2016/12/28/popular-atheist-blogger-leah-libresco-converts-to-christianity/
16. What Kind of World Is Needed for Science to Work? – Reasons to Believe: https://reasons.org/explore/blogs/reflections/what-kind-of-world-is-needed-for-science-to-work
17. What’s the Christian Debate Over the Age of the Earth? | Cold Case Christianity: https://coldcasechristianity.com/writings/whats-the-christian-debate-over-the-age-of-the-earth/
18. An Atheist Explains the True Reason Religion Terrifies Him – Intellectual Takeout: https://intellectualtakeout.org/2018/06/an-atheist-explains-the-true-reason-religion-terrifies-him/
19. Biblical Morality Is A Necessity For Freedom, And Americans Have Known It For Centuries – Harbingers Daily: https://harbingersdaily.com/biblical-morality-is-a-necessity-for-freedom-and-americans-have-known-it-for-centuries/
20. Creation for Kids-The Earth: “Created to be inhabited” – The planet we live on is not the biggest, but it’s the most important by far. It is amazingly well designed to support a huge variety of life: https://creation.com/cfk-the-earth
21. Interview with Brett Kunkle – Christian Research Institute: https://www.equip.org/articles/cri-interview-brett-kunkle/
22. Stalin’s and Khrushchev’s Anti-Religious Campaigns – Christian Apologist: https://christian-apologist.com/2017/08/03/stalins-and-khrushchevs-anti-religious-campaigns/
23. Dinosaur Questions and Answers: https://creation.com/dinosaur-questions-and-answers
24. PBS Eons Teaches Nonsense about Evolution | Evolution News: https://evolutionnews.org/2019/08/pbs-eons-teaches-nonsense-about-evolution/
25. Loving God with all your mind: logic and creation: https://creation.com/loving-god-with-all-your-mind-logic-and-creation
26. Abortion Choices – Pro-choice advocates like to frame the debate as simply a matter of ‘choice’. The argument is that a woman has a right to choose what happens to her body and how dare anyone infringe on her personal freedoms by compelling her to do something that will have a profound impact on her life? Since it is considered to be entirely a woman’s decision, men aren’t even supposed to have an opinion.: https://creation.com/abortion-choices
27. The Christian View of Science and Faith | Explore God: https://www.exploregod.com/articles/the-christian-view-of-science-and-faith

He who belongs to God hears what God says. The reason you do not hear is that you do not belong to God. John 8:47

Blessings to you all

mid-week apologetics booster (2-15-2024)

Good morning friends,

Here is a random quote (of over 2700) from Nuggets:

Evil is the absence good. We can have good without evil, but we cannot have evil without good. Dr. Frank Turek explains it by saying that if you take all the rust out of a car you have a better car, but if you take all the car out of the rust you have nothing. In the same way, evil is the privation of good. It is the mistake in something, and if gone, if you have something better. – Ryan Pauly

To view more of these quotes, visit:

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

Now, here are your weekly links:

1. Christians may think they are marrying another Christian. But many are merely nominal. And after getting married, nominal evangelical men test out as the most toxic men–worse than secular men. Nominals are men who, in a survey, might check the Baptist box because of their family and cultural background, but they don’t actually attend church very often, if at all.: https://twitter.com/NancyRPearcey/status/1755302553061892344
2. IT’S NOT ALL ABOUT THIN MINTS: GIRL SCOUTS AND PLANNED PARENTHOOD – Intercessors for America: https://ifapray.org/blog/speak-now-girl-scouts/
3. 𝟏𝟎 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐰𝐡𝐲 𝐚 𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐞𝐫 𝐥𝐢𝐟𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐢𝐬𝐭 𝐛𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐆𝐨𝐝 𝐨𝐟 𝐂𝐡𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐢𝐬 𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐞: 1. The evidence for the resurrection of Christ is incredibly compelling, historically grounded, and well documented. 2. …¦ : https://twitter.com/darwintojesus/status/1755967872554144241
4. What is Hell, & is it Compatible with a Loving God? Dr. William Lane Craig | Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/reel/C3JgsS9MyGW/
5. Jesus wrestled us free from Satan’s grasp. We are born again, redeemed, free, and righteous in him! Greg Koukl | Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/reel/C3GqtJ0hsem/
6. Are you following Jesus? Not just his commandments, but his worldview? ¦ Greg Koukl | Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/reel/C28JzjVKSt8/
7. Bad assumptions lead to bad arguments. Gain a biblical perspective on transgenderism and how to respond to transgender friends and family | Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/p/C2dygdmKQTm/
8. 5 Discouraging Trends in Global Christianity – Lifeway Research: https://research.lifeway.com/2024/02/05/5-discouraging-trends-in-global-christianity/
9. Scott Klusendorf discusses right to life, assisted reproduction, and end of life | WINTERY KNIGHT: https://winteryknight.com/2024/02/10/scott-klusendorf-discusses-right-to-life-assisted-reproduction-and-end-of-life-2/
10. There’s a new small group curriculum for churches available, and you’re probably going to hear a lot about it this year because it’s both very timely and being produced and promoted by some big Christian names. It’s called The After Party, and according to its creators, it’s designed to counter the “dangerous trend” of Evangelicals having their political identity formed by “partisan forces, not by true Biblical faith.” The curriculum was developed by David French (who’s a New York Times columnist), Russell Moore (the Editor-in-Chief of Christianity Today), and Curtis Chang. Natasha and Alisa did an episode on their concerns about the After Party last March when the curriculum was first announced. The reason they’re talking about it again today is that it’s now been released and it’s getting high profile promotion with churches and pastors nationwide. In fact, they’re making it available for free through the 2024 election. Tune in to today’s episode for some things you should be aware of before your church considers rolling this out.: https://blubrry.com/1470671/130794860/31-russell-moore-david-french-and-the-after-party-curriculum-why-the-church-should-be-concerned/
11. Why Attending a Homosexual “Wedding” is Unbiblical, Part II: Implicit Endorsement of Sin and Compromise of Witness: https://disntr.com/2024/02/09/why-attending-a-homosexual-wedding-is-unbiblical-part-ii-implicit-endorsement-of-sin-and-compromise-of-witness/
12. This One Verse Contains Six Keys to Overcoming Lust: https://livingwaters.com/this-one-verse-contains-six-keys-to-overcoming-lust/
13. The First Thousand Years: Christendom from Pentecost to the First Millennium – Christian Research Institute: https://www.equip.org/hank-unplugged-podcast-and-shorts/the-first-thousand-years-christendom-from-pentecost-to-the-first-millennium/
14. Are There Over 300 Messianic Prophecies? – THINKAPOLOGETICS.COM – When I was a new Christian, I read several Christian apologetic books that stated there are over 300 Messianic prophecies that are all fulfilled in Jesus. At the time I thought this was a convincing evidential apologetic for the truth claims of our faith. But as the years have gone by, I have realized this approach to Messianic prophecy is not as effective as one might think. Now please let me clarify I do think there is Messianic prophecy. Prophecy was one of the primary ways the apostles spread the faith in the first century. However, I think we need to tweak our approach. I have taught on this subject on several occasions. In my opinion, here are some helpful tips: https://chab123.wordpress.com/2024/02/11/are-there-over-300-messianic-prophecies-6/
15. What’s the best explanation for the origin of life for atheists? | WINTERY KNIGHT – The challenge for naturalists posed by the origin of life makes it well worth your time to learn and understand. I used to explain this argument to my entire IT department on white boards when I was a young man. It’s fascinating, and more convincing than personal testimonies or abstract philosophical arguments. Although I read books on the origin of life, I learned how to present the information as an argument by watching the interviews above over and over. People sometimes ask me how I was able to survive 22 years in IT with my theism intact. It turns out that there are no shortcuts to a theistic worldview. You have to support it with evidence. You have to be able to show your work about how you reached your conclusions. I’m a theist today because I never found a single atheist in any software development job who could even begin to challenge the evidence that I collected from listening to all those lectures and debates that I started from in my early 20s. It was as easy to defeat them as taking candy from a baby. If only Christian parents and Christian leaders understood the importance of scientific facts when they talk to young people about Christianity. We need to be less worried about hurting the feelings of young people by making them “feel dumb”. Christianity isn’t supposed to be easy.: https://winteryknight.com/2024/02/11/whats-the-best-explanation-for-the-origin-of-life-for-atheists/
16. Taylor Swift’s Dangerous Descent into Witchcraft Sorcery & Casting Spells – YouTube – Taylor Swift seemed like a sweet professing Christian pop country singer. So what happened to her? During her Eras tour as you’ll see in this video, Taylor is clearly dancing witches’ coven ceremonies during her Willow song, and she is posting about witchcraft, sorcery and casting spells. A witch school even welcomed Taylor into their tribe. Tragically though – even if Taylor genuinely doesn’t believe she’s a witch – she is glorifying witchcraft and is influencing audience members toward witchcraft. You’ll also see and hear about Taylor’s bizarre post about sorcery and the video of an airplane appearing as she sang about a plane during her Labyrinth song. : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nm-gVYbvsE8
17. Are the Galapagos finch beaks evidence of Darwinian evolution? | WINTERY KNIGHT: https://winteryknight.com/2024/02/12/are-the-galapagos-finch-beaks-evidence-of-darwinian-evolution-5/
18. How did the apostle Peter die? | GotQuestions.org: https://www.gotquestions.org/apostle-Peter-die.html
19. 3 Ways to Misunderstand the Trinity – Lifeway Voices: https://voices.lifeway.com/bible-theology/3-ways-to-misunderstand-the-trinity/
20. Contend for the Faith | Reformed Bible Studies & Devotionals at Ligonier.org | Reformed Bible Studies & Devotionals at Ligonier.org: https://www.ligonier.org/learn/devotionals/contend-faith
21. “The Most Reluctant Convert in all of England”: Why Former Atheist C.S. Lewis Became a Christian | Reasons for Jesus: https://reasonsforjesus.com/the-most-reluctant-convert-in-all-of-england-why-former-atheist-c-s-lewis-became-a-christian/
22. Tacitus – Ancient Roman Historian – Reports on Jesus: https://crossexamined.org/tacitus-ancient-roman-historian-reports-on-jesus/
23. The Most Common Objection to God’s Existence on a College Campus – THINKAPOLOGETICS.COM: https://chab123.wordpress.com/2016/09/23/the-most-common-objection-to-gods-existence-on-a-college-campus/
24. 5 Proofs For The Existence of God | finding truth matters: https://www.findingtruthmatters.org/articles/apologetics/5-proofs-for-the-existence-of-god/
25. Can There Be Any Meaning in a Universe without God?: https://www.str.org/w/can-there-be-any-meaning-in-a-universe-without-god-#.Woq9LajwaUk
26. An Atheist Feminist Converts to Christianity, Nicole Cliffe. – Bishop’s Encyclopedia of Religion, Society and Philosophy: https://jamesbishopblog.com/2017/06/06/an-atheist-feminist-converts-to-christianity-nicole-cliffe/
27. When sceptics convert: 3 former atheists walking the path of CS Lewis | Testimonies | Premier Christianity: https://www.premierchristianity.com/stories/when-sceptics-convert-3-former-atheists-walking-the-path-of-cs-lewis/224.article
28. Parents Are Still the First Line of Defense | Cold Case Christianity: https://coldcasechristianity.com/writings/parents-are-still-the-first-line-of-defense/
29. Origin of Saint Valentine’s Day – American Minute with Bill Federer – AmericanMinute.com-William J. Federer – When Emperor Claudius demanded that Christians worship pagan idols and statues of deified Emperors, Saint Valentine refused. The name Valentine is derived from the word “valor,” which means, strength of mind or spirit that enables a person to encounter danger with firmness and personal bravery. Valentine was arrested and dragged before the Prefect of Rome, who condemned him to die. While awaiting execution, he preached to guards and other prisoners. His jailer, Asterius, asked Saint Valentine to pray for his blind daughter. When she miraculously regained her sight, the jailer converted and was baptized, along with his entire family. Right before his execution, Saint Valentine wrote a note to the jailer’s daughter, encouraging her in the faith, signing it, “from your Valentine.” Saint Valentine was beaten with clubs and stones, and when that failed to kill him, he was beheaded outside the Flaminian Gate on FEBRUARY 14, 269 A.D.: https://americanminute.com/blogs/todays-american-minute/origin-of-saint-valentines-day-american-minute-with-bill-federer
30. Lectures on science apologetics for a general audience | WINTERY KNIGHT: https://winteryknight.com/2024/02/14/lectures-on-science-apologetics-for-a-general-audience/

and after a while his master’s wife took notice of Joseph and said, “Come to bed with me!” But he refused. “With me in charge,” he told her, “my master does not concern himself with anything in the house; everything he owns he has entrusted to my care. No one is greater in this house than I am. My master has withheld nothing from me except you, because you are his wife. How then could I do such a wicked thing and sin against God?” And though she spoke to Joseph day after day, he refused to go to bed with her or even be with her. Genesis 39:7-10

Blessings to you all

mid-week apologetics booster (2-1-2024)

Good morning friends,

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  

To view more of these quotes, visit:

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

Now, here are your weekly links:

1. ‘Escaping Twin Flames’: Why People are Falling for the Love Cult – Christian Research Institute: https://www.equip.org/articles/escaping-twin-flames-why-people-are-falling-for-the-love-cult/
2. Would Jesus Use Razor Wire at Borders? Would He Gaslight People with Dishonest ‘WWJD’ Arguments? – The Stream: https://stream.org/would-jesus-use-razor-wire-at-borders-would-he-gaslight-people-with-dishonest-wwjd-arguments/
3. Objections to the Harvester vs. Gardener Approach – Stand to Reason: https://subsplash.com/standtoreason/media/mi/+vkq5sxb
4. 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/
5. How to Evangelize Muslims – Cross Examined: https://crossexamined.subspla.sh/n4jmksf
6. The Deconstruction of Christianity – Cross Examined: https://crossexamined.subspla.sh/gx49v9c
7. Good news: California loses battle against Christian preschool | WINTERY KNIGHT: https://winteryknight.com/2024/01/30/good-news-gavin-newsom-loses-battle-against-christian-preschool/
8. 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
9. Science Doesn’t Say Anything- Scientists Do – Cross Examined: https://crossexamined.org/science-doesnt-say-anything-scientists-do/
10. Is God Real? Evidence from the Laws of Logic | Cold Case Christianity: https://coldcasechristianity.com/writings/is-god-real-evidence-from-the-laws-of-logic/
11. Human Genome 20th Anniversary – Junk DNA Hits the Trash | The Institute for Creation Research: https://www.icr.org/article/Human-Genome-20th-Anniversary/
12. List of Factors of Fine-Tuning of Intelligent Life in the Universe: https://www.cltruth.com/2019/factors-fine-tuning-intelligent-life-universe/
13. Staying calm on social media with disagreements | The Domain for Truth: https://veritasdomain.wordpress.com/2020/06/05/staying-calm-on-social-media-with-disagreements/
14. 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
15. James Warner Wallace on “Is Your Transformational Religious Experience Evidence Enough?” – THINKAPOLOGETICS.COM: https://chab123.wordpress.com/2018/06/10/james-warner-wallace-on-is-your-transformational-religious-experience-evidence-enough/
16. 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/
17. The Case for the Eyewitness Status of the Gospel Authors | Cold Case Christianity: https://coldcasechristianity.com/writings/the-case-for-the-eyewitness-status-of-the-gospel-authors/
18. 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
19. As Science Frauds Go, Haeckel Beats Piltdown Man | Evolution News: https://evolutionnews.org/2020/11/as-science-frauds-go-haeckel-beats-piltdown-man/
20. A Case for the Bible: The importance of understanding how the Bible was translated when practicing Christian Apologetics – Truth, Faith and Reason: https://truthfaithandreason.com/a-case-for-the-bible-the-importance-of-understanding-how-the-bible-was-translated-when-practicing-christian-apologetics/
21. Four Truths About the Universe You Can Share with Your Kids to Demonstrate the Existence of God | Cold Case Christianity: https://coldcasechristianity.com/writings/four-truths-about-the-universe-you-can-share-with-your-kids-to-demonstrate-the-existence-of-god/
22. Should Apologists Quote the Bible When Trying to Prove it? – Josh.org: https://www.josh.org/apologists-quote-bible/
23. Islam: 3 Reasons Why You Need to Know About it – Think Divinely: https://thinkdivinely.com/islam-3-reasons-why-you-need-to-know-about-it/
24. DNA Battles – DVD documentary demolishes the deceptive claims of Biologos: https://creation.com/dna-battles
25. The Jewish Talmud And Its Use For Christian Apologetics – Christian Research Institute: https://www.equip.org/articles/the-jewish-talmud-and-its-use-for-christian-apologetics/
26. What does it mean to contend for the faith? | OnceDelivered.net: https://oncedelivered.net/2020/12/01/what-does-it-mean-to-contend-for-the-faith-2/
27. 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

Blessings to you all

mid-week apologetics booster (1-25-2024)

Good morning friends,

Here is a random quote (of over 2700) from Nuggets:

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

To view more of these quotes, visit:

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

Now, here are your weekly links:

1. How Do I Know I’m a Christian? Short clip from John MacArthur: https://www.facebook.com/reel/218169414693852
2. How to Evangelize Mormons and Jehovah Witnesses – Cross Examined: https://crossexamined.subspla.sh/ph875x7
3. 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/
4. What criteria do historians use to get to the minimal facts about the historical Jesus? | WINTERY KNIGHT: https://winteryknight.com/2024/01/20/what-criteria-do-historians-use-to-get-to-the-minimal-facts-about-the-historical-jesus-15/
5. What is replacement theology / supersessionism / fulfillment theology? | GotQuestions.org: https://www.gotquestions.org/replacement-theology.html
6. How the Cosmological Evidence Points to the Existence of God (Video) | Cold Case Christianity: https://coldcasechristianity.com/videos/how-the-cosmological-evidence-points-to-the-existence-of-god-video/
7. Are there Guidelines for doing Apologetics? | carm.org: https://carm.org/defending-the-faith/are-there-guidelines-for-doing-apologetics/
8. 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/
9. Teaching Apologetics to the Next Generation – Christian Research Institute (article from Sean McDowell): https://www.equip.org/articles/teaching-apologetics-next-generation/
10. How Can We Be Pro-Life and Pro-Death Penalty at the Same Time? | Cold Case Christianity: https://coldcasechristianity.com/writings/how-can-we-be-pro-life-and-pro-death-penalty-at-the-same-time/
11. 5 Regrets You Don’t Want to Have If Your Kids Walk Away from Faith: https://natashacrain.com/5-regrets-you-dont-want-to-have-if-your-kids-walk-away-from-faith/
12. 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/
13. You might wish to ignore the great trans social experiment on our kids, but it’s not ignoring you – LifeSite: https://www.lifesitenews.com/blogs/you-might-wish-to-ignore-the-great-trans-social-experiment-on-our-kids-but-its-not-ignoring-you/
14. 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/
15. Astronomer Guillermo Gonzalez lectures on intelligent design and habitability | WINTERY KNIGHT: https://winteryknight.com/2020/01/05/astronomer-guillermo-gonzalez-lectures-on-intelligent-design-and-habitability-6/
16. How Not to Teach Your Kids the Bible – JOHN WELLS – Though cheap gospel substitutes take many forms, they often revolve around misinterpreting narratives in four ways: https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/how-not-to-teach-your-kids-the-bible/
17. I Only Believe in What I Can See! | Whattaya Do? – New York Apologetics: https://www.newyorkapologetics.com/i-only-believe-in-what-i-can-see-whattaya-do/
18. 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
19. Ben Affleck opens up about becoming a Christian later in life, finds beauty in Jesus’ message | Entertainment News: https://www.christianpost.com/news/ben-affleck-opens-up-about-becoming-a-christian-later-in-life-finds-beauty-in-jesus-message-235551/
20. How to Overcome and Prevent Sexual Sins – Seeing God’s Breath – Good reminders…: https://godsbreath.net/2008/04/03/how-to-prevent-and-overcome-sexual-sins/
21. 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/
22. 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/
23. Frank Turek lectures on the case against same-sex marriage | WINTERY KNIGHT: https://winteryknight.com/2023/02/05/frank-turek-lectures-on-the-case-against-same-sex-marriage-7/
24. 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

Blessings to you all

mid-week apologetics booster (1-18-2024)

Good morning friends,

Here is a random quote (of over 2700) from Nuggets:

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)

To view more of these quotes, visit:

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

Now, here are your weekly links:

1. Parents in Scotland to face 7 years in jail for refusing to appease children’s gender identity – A radical new law proposed by Scotland’s left-wing government would criminalize parents who take steps to suppress their child’s desire to identify as their chosen gender: https://rmx.news/crime/parents-in-scotland-to-face-7-years-in-jail-for-refusing-to-appease-childrens-gender-identity/
2. How many Nobel-prize winning scientists support intelligent design? | WINTERY KNIGHT: https://winteryknight.com/2023/12/02/how-many-nobel-prize-winning-scientists-support-intelligent-design-2/
3. 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
4. 5 uncomfortable facts atheists need to hear | Opinion | Premier Christianity: https://www.premierchristianity.com/home/5-uncomfortable-facts-atheists-need-to-hear/2415.article
5. Nancy Pearcey Explains the Surprising Early History of Darwinism | ID the Future: https://idthefuture.com/1224/
6. The Inexplicable Fine-Tuning of the Foundational Forces in Our Universe | Cold Case Christianity: https://coldcasechristianity.com/writings/the-inexplicable-fine-tuning-of-the-foundational-forces-in-our-universe/
7. Mormonism’s “Angel of Light” – Living Waters: https://livingwaters.com/mormonisms-angel-of-light/
8. Old Testament Prophecies of Jesus’ Resurrection | Reasonable Faith: https://www.reasonablefaith.org/writings/question-answer/old-testament-prophecies-of-jesus-resurrection-1
9. Letter to An Aspiring Christian Apologist | Cold Case Christianity: https://coldcasechristianity.com/writings/letter-to-an-aspiring-christian-apologist/
10. The Prosperity Gospel and Biblical Promises: How should we understand them?: https://think-well.org/2019/07/28/the-prosperity-gospel-and-biblical-promises-how-should-we-understand-them/
11. Ozzy Osbourne visits the Ark Encounter, staff say they ‘paid some very nice compliments’: https://www.christiantoday.com/article/ozzy-osbourne-visits-the-ark-encounter-staff-say-they-paid-some-very-nice-compliments/121483.htm
12. How can you tell if Islam’s holy book – the Quran – is historically reliable? | WINTERY KNIGHT: https://winteryknight.com/2021/12/14/how-can-you-tell-if-islams-holy-book-the-quran-is-historically-reliable-2/
13. Francis Schaeffer: Pastor, Evangelist, Apologist, Prophet – Christian Research Institute: https://www.equip.org/articles/francis-schaeffer-pastor-evangelist-apologist-prophet/
14. Why sexual immorality should be repudiated rather than debated – Washington Times: https://m.washingtontimes.com/news/2018/mar/4/why-sexual-immorality-should-be-repudiated-rather-/
15. An ex-Christian musician rewrote the famous hymn “Amazing Grace.” @redpenlogic responds. #standtoreason #redpenlogic #apologetics… | Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/reel/C15Qk9kspmL/
16. A medical doctor shares on creation: https://creation.com/medical-doctor-creation
17. What does the Bible say about saving money? | GotQuestions.org: https://www.gotquestions.org/saving-money.html
18. Answering Ehrman: Why We Won’t Lose or Abuse Free Will in Heaven | Is Jesus Alive?: https://isjesusalive.com/is-there-free-will-in-heaven/
19. 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
20. List And Profile Of Famous Atheists Who Converted To Christianity – Believers Portal: https://believersportal.com/list-and-profile-of-famous-atheists-who-converted-to-christianity/
21. God and science | George’s Journal: https://georgesjournal.net/2020/10/09/god-and-science/
22. Settling In as Christians to the New Normal of a Post-Christian Society | Christianity 201: https://wp.me/pSfhz-4zF
23. Christian Evidences – Does God Exist by R.C. Sproul | Ligonier Ministries: https://www.ligonier.org/learn/series/christian-evidences
24. Correcting Carlin’s Caricature of God – YouTube: https://youtu.be/57E9JMksQO8?si=EaVuzAdjVqHvoP7D
25. Christianity Promotes Rational (and Evidential) Exploration | Cold Case Christianity: https://coldcasechristianity.com/writings/christianity-promotes-rational-and-evidential-exploration/
26. Should We Divide over Homosexuality? – Stand to Reason: https://subsplash.com/standtoreason/media/mi/+x47mdbv
27. William Lane Craig lectures on radical skepticism and the historical Jesus | WINTERY KNIGHT: https://winteryknight.com/2017/06/03/william-lane-craig-lectures-on-radical-skepticism-and-the-historical-jesus-3/
28. 6 Questions College Students Must Be Ready to Answer: https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/6-questions-college-students-ready-answer/
29. Apologetics 315 Podcast 008 – Thinking About Evolution with Fuz Rana – Apologetics315: https://apologetics315.com/2021/02/apologetics-315-podcast-008-thinking-about-evolution-with-fuz-rana/
30. Who is the Author of scientific truth? | WORLD: https://wng.org/roundups/who-is-the-author-of-scientific-truth-1624108585
31. Run Or Resist? – CultureWatch: https://billmuehlenberg.com/2021/11/22/run-or-resist/
32. Pascal’s Wager Made Easy (Part 2) – Apologetics315: https://apologetics315.com/2019/09/pascals-wager-made-easy-part-2/
33. Why Making a Case for the Bible Is More Important Than Arguing About Politics | Cold Case Christianity: https://coldcasechristianity.com/writings/why-making-a-case-for-the-bible-is-more-important-than-arguing-about-politics/

But you know that he appeared so that he might take away our sins. And in him is no sin. 1 John 3:5

Blessings to you all

mid-week apologetics booster (1-4-2024)

Good morning friends,

Here is a random quote (of over 2700) from Nuggets:

Mount St. Helens’ remarkable post-eruption recovery surprised conventional biological thinking. Counter to evolution-based assumptions, it appears that living things have the innate ability to colonize desolate areas. The way animals and plants worked together to repopulate Mount St. Helens demonstrates God’s design for them to multiply and fill the earth.  – BRIAN THOMAS, Ph.D (Acts and Facts August 2020 article “Biological Bounceback at Mount St. Helens”)

To view more of these quotes, visit:

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

Now, here are your weekly links:

1. Dr. Walter Bradley lectures on scientific evidence the creation and design of the universe | WINTERY KNIGHT: https://winteryknight.com/2023/12/30/dr-walter-bradley-lectures-on-scientific-evidence-the-creation-and-design-of-the-universe-6/
2. Video: Answers in Genesis: Evolutionists, you support systemic racism: https://patriotandliberty.com/video-answers-in-genesis-evolutionists-you-support-systemic-racism/
3. Once Again, TGC’s “Best Movies” of 2023 is Filled With Sex, Foul Language, and Blasphemy: https://disntr.com/2023/12/30/once-again-tgcs-best-movies-of-2023-is-filled-with-sex-foul-language-and-blasphemy/
4. Which country is the most dangerous for Christians? | WINTERY KNIGHT: https://winteryknight.com/2024/01/02/which-country-is-the-most-dangerous-for-christians/
5. Who Has the Burden of Proof When Discussing God? https://strangenotions.com/who-has-the-burden-of-proof-when-discussing-god/
6. When Does God Identify “You” As “You”? Your identity, according to science and the Bible, began the moment you were conceived: https://coldcasechristianity.com/writings/when-does-god-identify-you-as-you/
7. Self-Discipline Is the Gateway to Christian Maturity – 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/
8. Gen Z (born anywhere between 1995 and 2015) is spiritually illiterate and abandoning church: How did we get here? Our society is in the midst of a massive cultural shift. According to the Barna Group, “rates of church attendance, religious affiliation, belief in God, prayer and Bible-reading have been dropping for decades. Americans’ beliefs are becoming more post-Christian and, concurrently, religious identity is changing.”  This is the environment in which Generation Z is growing up: https://www.kentuckytoday.com/baptist-life/gen-z-is-spiritually-illiterate-and-abandoning-church-how-did-we-get-here/article_ea994828-6cd4-5fbd-8352-496ef3eb9c8e.html
9. Why People Misunderstand the Old Testament – When you skip Old Testament scripture, you miss beautiful truths pointing to Jesus!  https://www.a-life-inspired.com/why-people-misunderstand-the-old-testament/
10. Evidence of Design in the Biological Realm – The body is vastly complex and highly engineered.  It is not a “god of the gaps” argument to infer design when looking at this marvelous system, with many irreducibly complex, interdependent, sub-systems: https://1peter41216.wordpress.com/2014/11/15/evidence-of-design-in-the-biological-realm/
11. Does Religion Really Matter in America?  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 Turek and Detective J. Warner Wallace tackle this issue and others in this episode: https://subsplash.com/crossexamined/media/mi/+hx2v9pw
12. How I Can Believe in a God Who Sends People to Hell? If the God who says, “For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son, he sent his son not to condemn the world, but to save the world,” we have no one to blame but ourselves if we turn away from trusting in this good and gracious Father and in his son, Jesus Christ. You have all these questions. At the end of the day, here’s the thing: the God who tells you that this is what lies up ahead for those who don’t trust in Jesus, is also the One who so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son. There really is no one else to blame but yourself if you don’t turn to him in faith right now: https://corechristianity.com/resources/articles/how-i-can-believe-in-a-god-who-sends-people-to-hell
13. Stephen Meyer Shatters the Myth of the Multiverse – Is our universe just an accident? Or does it display exquisite evidence of fine-tuning and intelligent design? This episode of Science Uprising investigates claims by scientific atheists like Lawrence Krauss and Bill Nye that our universe is nothing special and that the fine-tuning scientists observe can be explained away by the existence of multiple universes: https://evolutionnews.org/2020/06/stephen-meyer-shatters-the-myth-of-the-multiverse/
14. How Psalm 113 Changed My Life – By Rosaria Butterfield who is a former tenured professor of English at Syracuse University and author of The Secret Thoughts of an Unlikely Convert, Openness Unhindered, and The Gospel Comes With a House Key. She is a member of First Reformed Presbyterian Church of Durham: https://www.9marks.org/article/how-psalm-113-changed-my-life/
15. 5 Signs Your Church Might be Heading Toward Progressive Christianity: https://www.alisachildersblog.com/blog/5-signs-your-church-might-be-heading-toward-progressive-christianity

When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you truly love me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.” Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you truly love me?” He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.” The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my sheep. John 21:15-17

Blessings to you all

mid-week apologetics booster (11-23-2023)

Good morning friends,

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

To view more of these quotes, visit:

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

Now, here are your weekly links:

1. Why Civil Discourse is Vanishing and How to Bring it Back: https://apologeticjunkie.blogspot.com/2018/10/why-civil-discourse-is-vanishing-and.html
2. Answers to Arguments Against Christianity: https://www.christianciv.com/Answers.html
3. Atheism and Objective Morality: https://greatcloud.wordpress.com/2014/08/19/atheism-and-objective-morality/
4. 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/
5. Interview with Ken Samples – Classic Christian Thinkers: https://apologetics-notes.comereason.org/2019/06/interview-with-ken-samples-classic.html
6. Public Schools: What Christian Parents Need to Know, with Andy White: https://natashacrain.com/public-schools-what-christian-parents-need-to-know/
7. The Brief Case for Peter’s Influence on Mark’s Gospel (Bible Insert) | Cold Case Christianity: https://coldcasechristianity.com/writings/the-brief-case-for-peters-influence-on-marks-gospel-bible-insert/
8. 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
9. Book Review: 40 Questions About The Text and Canon of the New Testament by Charles L. Quarles and L. Scott Kellum – THINKAPOLOGETICS.COM: https://chab123.wordpress.com/2023/11/18/book-review-40-questions-about-the-text-and-canon-of-the-new-testament-by-charles-l-quarles-and-l-scott-kellum/
10. A Biblical Approach to Climate Change (part 1) – Media Center – Underlying assumptions and worldviews behind different approaches to climate change are summarized along with questionable scientific models.: https://creation.com/media-center/youtube/a-biblical-approach-to-climate-change-part-1
11. The No True Atheist Fallacy: https://apologeticsuk.blogspot.com/2012/12/the-no-true-atheist-fallacy.html
12. 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
13. Are You Taking the Word of God Seriously? | Paul Washer – YouTube: https://youtu.be/WhwnppXwxqM?si=8DOLGcoypDb1Mfdo
14. 6 Facts You Need to Know When You Read the Bible: https://www.biblegateway.com/learn/6-facts-you-need-to-know-when-you-read-the-bible/
15. Jonestown Mass Suicide: Revisiting The Cult That Ended With The Deaths Of 900 | TODAY – YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1zI9ub9AgF0
16. The Reason Arab Nations Reject Palestinian Refugees Might Not Be What People Think – RedState: https://redstate.com/jeffc/2023/11/19/the-reason-why-arab-nations-reject-palestinian-refugees-might-not-be-what-people-think-n2166561
17. The Forbidden Chapter: Isaiah 53 in the Hebrew Bible – YouTube: https://youtu.be/cGz9BVJ_k6s?si=ZeK-XHaMhxygHCZz
18. Who were the Philistines: https://creation.com/who-were-the-philistines
19. How Does the Old Testament Law Apply to Christians Today?: https://www.str.org/w/how-does-the-old-testament-law-apply-to-christians-today-
20. 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/
21. The Blessings of Doing Campus Evangelism and Apologetics – THINKAPOLOGETICS.COM: https://chab123.wordpress.com/2023/11/22/the-blessings-of-doing-campus-evangelism-and-apologetics/

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

Blessings to you all

mid-week apologetics booster (11-16-2023)

Good morning friends,

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

Believing in something doesn’t make it true; refusing to believe it doesn’t make it false.  – Paul E. Little

To view more of these quotes, visit:

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

Now, here are your weekly links:

1. What You Can Learn From the Pilgrims – Frank Turek interviews Bill Federer about the very interesting history of the pilgrims: https://subspla.sh/7277698
2. Many Christians ‘Utterly Unprepared’ to Defend Their Faith, Says Leading Christian Apologist | Church & Ministries News: https://www.christianpost.com/news/many-christians-utterly-unprepared-to-defend-their-faith-says-leading-christian-apologist.html
3. Diagnose before You Treat – Stand to Reason – What should you say to your non-Christian friend who rejects Christianity? In this episode, Alan explains an important principle to help him navigate this situation.: https://subsplash.com/standtoreason/media/mi/+8wzpswd
4. Four Truths About the Universe You Can Share with Your Kids to Demonstrate the Existence of God | Cold Case Christianity: https://coldcasechristianity.com/writings/four-truths-about-the-universe-you-can-share-with-your-kids-to-demonstrate-the-existence-of-god/
5. “A Summary of the Evidence for Intelligent Design”: The Study Guide | Evolution News: https://evolutionnews.org/2021/05/a-summary-of-the-evidence-for-intelligent-design-the-study-guide/
6. Refutation & Confirmation – by Jacob Allee – The purpose of the Refutation and Confirmation exercise is to teach students the means by which claims made within a story, narrative, or account, may be attacked or defended. The ability to successfully undermine one claim while defending another is a critical part of Rhetoric (the art of persuasion). In this exercise you will learn the various angles from which a claim or story can be attacked or undermined. Conversely, you will also be shown how to reinforce and demonstrate the soundness of a given claim or story. : https://stgb.substack.com/p/progymnasmata-refutation-and-confirmation
7. Should Rich Christians Downgrade Their Lifestyle? – YouTube: https://youtu.be/Dnmgib4GYfY?si=X6IL73emzJ6UAspf
8. Praying to Mary – YouTube: https://youtu.be/TiEmBl5AplI?si=USxHrRmo7gpav8Kc
9. Jesus Christ and Christmas | Paul Washer, Voddie Baucham, John Macarthur and R. C. Sproul #christmas – YouTube – For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; And the government will rest on His shoulders; And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. There will be no end to the increase of His government or of peace, On the throne of David and over his kingdom, To establish it and to uphold it with justice and righteousness From then on and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will accomplish this. Isaiah 9:6 NASB1995 These sermon clips were taken from these wonderful sermons, I encourage you to watch them: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cvpnwN7jwb8
10. If You Want Your Kids to Own Their Faith, Teach Them to Think Critically about Their Faith: https://www.str.org/w/if-you-want-your-kids-to-own-their-faith-teach-them-to-think-critically-about-their-faith
11. Why Do You Need a Fighting Faith? | Tim Challies: https://www.challies.com/sponsored/why-do-you-need-a-fighting-faith/
12. “But I only believe in things I can see”: Why Everyone Uses Inferential Reasoning – THINKAPOLOGETICS.COM: https://chab123.wordpress.com/2023/03/31/but-i-only-believe-in-things-i-can-see-why-everyone-uses-inferential-reasoning/
13. Should Genesis Be Taken Literally? – PatriotandLiberty – A Babylonian tablet fragment found at Nippur, an ancient Babylonian site in the same general location that Abraham came from. The area outlined in black is a record about the Flood. There are more than 300 known records of the Flood world-wide, with about 30 of them in writing. Some are remarkably close in their details to the original-the biblical account. Creationists are often accused of believing that the whole Bible should be taken literally. This is not so! Rather, the key to a correct understanding of any part of the Bible is to ascertain the intention of the author of the portion or book under discussion. This is not as difficult as it may seem, …: https://patriotandliberty.com/should-genesis-be-taken-literally/
14. Noah’s Ark – The Genesis Flood for kids: Noah’s Ark by Jonathan Sarfati: https://creation.com/noahs-ark-cfk
15. Aren’t Christians Just Arrogant Know-It-Alls? – Canon Fodder – note, the embedded video that is referenced at the bottom of the article can be seen here: https://player.vimeo.com/video/467430059: https://michaeljkruger.com/arent-christians-just-arrogant-know-it-alls/
16. Letter to Those Believing the Church Has Replaced Israel :: By Terry James – Rapture Ready: https://www.raptureready.com/2023/11/06/letter-to-those-believing-the-church-has-replaced-israel-by-terry-james/
17. Professor John Rist: Pope Francis is a heretic and has encouraged heresy in others – LifeSite: https://www.lifesitenews.com/opinion/professor-john-rist-pope-francis-is-a-heretic-and-has-encouraged-heresy-in-others/
18. Why do so many atheist historians think that 1 Corinthians 15 is reliable history? | WINTERY KNIGHT: https://winteryknight.com/2023/11/12/why-do-so-many-atheist-historians-think-that-1-corinthians-15-is-reliable-history-5/
19. How Did William Wilberforce Change Christianity? – Topical Studies: https://www.biblestudytools.com/bible-study/topical-studies/william-wilberforce-11630357.html
20. Plate Tectonics After Fifty Years | The Institute for Creation Research – In the last 50 years, much empirical evidence has been found to support plate motion and the reconstruction of Wegener’s supercontinent. But the origins of the continents and the mixing of environments remain puzzling to those who blindly believe there never was a global Flood. Only a biblical worldview provides us with the clear answers.: https://www.icr.org/article/plate-tectonics-after-fifty-years/
21. Speaker Johnson: Separation of church, state ‘a misnomer’ | The Hill: https://thehill.com/homenews/house/4308643-speaker-johnson-separation-of-church-state-a-misnomer/
22. Hamas vs. The Canaanites: Same Kind of Evil? : https://crossexamined.subspla.sh/q4fm6br
23. Are the Palestinians Wrong about Everything? (An Average Israeli Perspective) – YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R-x-cRReI1A
24. Follow the (Hamas) money trail | Voice – Either way, however, they came to power, their leadership has decimated Gaza and brought about great suffering on the populace, all while the leaders enrich themselves and countless hundreds of millions of dollars pour into anti-Israeli terrorist efforts. As the New York Post reported this week, While their people languish in poverty and are treated as human shields, the leaders of Hamas live billionaire lifestyles. “The terror group’s three top leaders alone are worth a staggering $11 billion between them and enjoy a life of luxury in the sanctuary of the emirate of Qatar.”: https://www.christianpost.com/voices/follow-the-hamas-money-trail.html
25. 53 People in the Bible Confirmed Archaeologically – Biblical Archaeology Society: https://www.biblicalarchaeology.org/daily/people-cultures-in-the-bible/people-in-the-bible/50-people-in-the-bible-confirmed-archaeologically/
26. You might wish to ignore the great trans social experiment on our kids, but it’s not ignoring you – LifeSite: https://www.lifesitenews.com/blogs/you-might-wish-to-ignore-the-great-trans-social-experiment-on-our-kids-but-its-not-ignoring-you/
27. Behind the Scenes with Nancy Pearcey: People, Books, and Life Experiences – YouTube – Who are the key people, books, and experiences that have shaped Nancy Pearcey? She is the best-selling author of multiple books, including Love Thy Body. In this video, I interview her about her story to faith and ask her to share some personal insights and experiences from her life.: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8bIJ25Snz04
28. The standard genetic code is “optimized” to reduce costly errors | Uncommon Descent: https://uncommondescent.com/intelligent-design/the-standard-genetic-code-is-optimized-to-reduce-costly-errors/
29. Bart Ehrman’s Latest Book: How Jesus Became God – note – the author of this article, Melinda Penner, recently went home to be with the Lord: https://www.str.org/w/bart-ehrman-s-latest-book-how-jesus-became-god#.W-t0RB5lA0M
30. What are the attributes of God? – YouTube – What are the attributes of God? What are God’s perfections? Which attributes of God are communicable or incommunicable?: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BJWn_c0n-3M
31. Who Was Athanasius? Includes a brief video clip a teaching series A Survey of Church History, W. Robert Godfrey: https://www.ligonier.org/posts/who-was-athanasius

Each day Jesus was teaching at the temple, and each evening he went out to spend the night on the hill called the Mount of Olives, and all the people came early in the morning to hear him at the temple. Luke 21:37-38

Blessings to you all

mid-week apologetics booster (11-9-2023)

Good morning friends,

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

If the world redirected the funds it spends on porn toward helping the needy, we could nearly eliminate poverty overnight.  – Allen Atzbi

To view more of these quotes, visit:

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

Now, here are your weekly links:

1. Why Would a Good God Allow Natural Evil? | Cold Case Christianity: https://coldcasechristianity.com/writings/why-would-a-good-god-allow-natural-evil/
2. Are natural disasters the result of evil being allowed into our world? – Christianity Stack Exchange: https://christianity.stackexchange.com/questions/1044/are-natural-disasters-the-result-of-evil-being-allowed-into-our-world
3. 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
4. Five Apologetic Topics Every Christian Should Learn About – THINKAPOLOGETICS.COM: https://chab123.wordpress.com/2017/06/09/five-apologetic-topics-every-christian-should-learn-about/
5. 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/
6. 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
7. The Absurdity of Life Without God: What if There Is No God – A Clay Jar: https://aclayjar.net/2020/06/absurdity-of-life-without-god/
8. Why Faith in God Is Not Stupid | Core Christianity: https://corechristianity.com/resources/articles/why-faith-in-god-is-not-stupid
9. John Lennox: The REASON We Exist & Scientific PROOF Of God | FULL INTERVIEW | Kirk Cameron on TBN – YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DXbcbyqOK60
10. 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/
11. Can Anyone Give An Example Of A Muslim Country Treating Members Of Another Religion Appropriately? – Manhattan Contrarian: https://www.manhattancontrarian.com/blog/2023-11-5-can-anyone-give-an-example-of-muslims-treating-members-of-another-religion-appropriately
12. How Can I Start a Conversation with the Jehovah’s Witnesses I see around town?: https://standtoreason.subspla.sh/rsd69t7
13. Talking to Jehovah’s Witnesses? Start Here: https://www.str.org/w/talking-to-jehovah-s-witnesses-start-here
14. 9 Reasons People Deconstruct – Sean McDowell : https://youtu.be/Ul8tjenO-xI?si=Ej3uqtKAKODQUucS
15. Forum on the Resurrection with William Lane Craig | Popular Writings | Reasonable Faith: https://www.reasonablefaith.org/writings/popular-writings/jesus-of-nazareth/forum-on-the-resurrection-with-william-lane-craig
16. Grounds for Belief in Biblical Inspiration | Reasonable Faith: https://www.reasonablefaith.org/writings/question-answer/grounds-for-belief-in-biblical-inspiration
17. 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
18. How Christian Case Making Impacts the Convinced, the Opposed, and the Undecided: https://coldcasechristianity.com/writings/how-christian-case-making-impacts-the-convinced-the-opposed-and-the-undecided/
19. Prophecy Fulfilled: 4 Prophecies that Jesus did that No One Else Could Have. – Adherent Apologetics: https://adherentapologetics.com/2018/12/25/prophecy-fulfilled-4-prophecies-that-jesus-did-that-no-one-else-could-have/
20. 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/
21. Is “Right” and “Wrong” Simply a Matter of “Human Flourishing”? | Cold Case Christianity: https://coldcasechristianity.com/writings/is-right-and-wrong-simply-a-matter-of-human-flourishing/
22. How can a loving God send someone to hell? | GotQuestions.org: https://www.gotquestions.org/loving-God-send-someone-hell.html
23. (Podcast 12.15.17) Did Jesus Celebrate Hanukkah? – Bellator Christi: https://bellatorchristi.com/2017/12/15/podcast-12-15-17-did-jesus-celebrate-hanukkah/
24. The Incarnation: The Athanasian Creed: https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/incarnation-athanasian-creed
25. The Case for the Historicity and Deity of Jesus (Free Bible Insert) | Cold Case Christianity: https://coldcasechristianity.com/writings/the-case-for-the-historicity-and-deity-of-jesus/
26. Building a Culture of Evangelism Takes Time, So Be Patient and Get to Work: https://ftc.co/resource-library/blog-entries/building-a-culture-of-evangelism-takes-time-so-be-patient-and-get-to-work/
27. Greg Laurie – Wipe Israel Off The Map: Israel, Apartheid, Hamas and The Bible – YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7bGk7KQmC0s
28. Anti-Christian Bigot Jen Psaki Warns Democrats that Speaker Mike Johnson Is Dangerous Because He Is a “Bible-Believing Christian” (Video) | Rumble: https://rumble.com/v3sk34h-bigot-warns-audience-that-speaker-mike-johnson-is-dangerous.html
29. Should Christians Get Involved With Politics Or Stay Out Of It? – Straight Talk with Claudia K: https://straighttalkwithclaudiak.com/2018/10/23/should-christians-be-involved-with-politics-or-mind-our-own-business/
30. Atheism Is Inconsistent with the Scientific Method, Prizewinning Physicist Says – Scientific American: https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/atheism-is-inconsistent-with-the-scientific-method-prizewinning-physicist-says/#
31. Does Jesus Believe in Immigration Restrictions? Absolutely: https://www.afa.net/the-stand/faith/2017/02/does-jesus-believe-in-immigration-restrictions-absolutely/

Better to be lowly in spirit and among the oppressed than to share plunder with the proud. Proverbs 16:19

Blessings to you all

mid-week apologetics booster (11-2-2023)

Good morning friends,

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

To view more of these quotes, visit:

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

Now, here are your weekly links:

1. 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
2. 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/
3. 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
4. In this article, we’re offering “Quick Shot” responses to the objection, “I don’t need an imaginary God to forgive me of my ‘sins’. There is no such thing as sin.”: https://coldcasechristianity.com/writings/quick-shot-there-is-no-such-thing-as-sin/
5. 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
6. The 7 Signs of Josephus Reveal End Times Destruction | Keith Giles: https://www.patheos.com/blogs/keithgiles/2018/02/7-signs-josephus-reveal-end-times-destruction/
7. 2021 Apologetics Awareness Top Books (69 books): https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/166979.2021_Apologetics_Awareness_Top_Books
8. 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
9. Don’t Be Overcome by Statistics, Overcome Statistics with the Gospel: https://crossexamined.org/dont-be-overcome-by-statistics-overcome-statistics-with-the-gospel/
10. 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-
11. 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/
12. When Breaking Out of the Echo Chamber Doesn’t Stop Polarization: https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/trevin-wax/why-breaking-out-of-the-echo-chamber-doesnt-stop-polarization/
13. 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/
14. Trinity Help From C.S. Lewis – Chapter 23, 24, 26-33 of C.S. Lewis’s book Mere Christianity: https://www.ldolphin.org/CSLtrinity.html
15. 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/
16. 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/
17. 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/
18. 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
19. Why I’m no longer a young earth creationist | Magazine Features | Premier Christianity. Theoretical astrophysicist Luke Barnes explains how he changed his mind on the age of the universe: https://www.premierchristianity.com/features/why-im-no-longer-a-young-earth-creationist/5288.article
20. 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/
21. 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/
22. 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
23. 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/
24. 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
25. 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
26. Listening to Young Atheists: Lessons for a Stronger Christianity – The Atlantic. When a Christian foundation interviewed college nonbelievers about how and why they left religion, surprising themes emerged: https://www.theatlantic.com/national/archive/2013/06/listening-to-young-atheists-lessons-for-a-stronger-christianity/276584/
27. How church history will help you defend the faith – Southern Equip: https://equip.sbts.edu/article/church-history-will-help-defend-faith/
28. 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

Blessings to you all

mid-week apologetics booster (10-26-2023)

Good morning friends,

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)

To view more of these quotes, visit:

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

Now, here are your weekly links:

1. Why are Christians allowed to eat shellfish but not allowed to have sex before marriage? | WINTERY KNIGHT: https://winteryknight.com/2023/10/21/why-are-christians-allowed-to-eat-shellfish-but-not-allowed-to-have-sex-before-marriage-9/
2. The Dangers of Alone: Five Questions for Single Men | Desiring God: https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/the-dangers-of-alone
3. Physicist Michael Strauss discusses Christianity and science at Stanford University | WINTERY KNIGHT: https://winteryknight.com/2023/10/22/physicist-michael-strauss-discusses-christianity-and-science-at-stanford-university-15/
4. Since Jesus Took Our Punishment, Why Didn’t He Need to Go to Hell Forever?: https://www.ligonier.org/posts/jesus-took-our-punishment-why-didnt-he-need-go-hell-forever
5. Simple Suggestions to Challenge Young Christians Toward Spiritual Maturity | Cold Case Christianity: https://coldcasechristianity.com/podcasts/simple-suggestions-to-challenge-young-christians-toward-spiritual-maturity-cold-case-christianity-broadcast-s6e04/
6. Five Ways to Prepare for the Days ahead: https://www.frc.org/get.cfm?i=WA21A30&f=WU21A09
7. 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-
8. Prophecy Fulfilled: 4 Prophecies that Jesus did that No One Else Could Have. – Adherent Apologetics: https://adherentapologetics.com/2018/12/25/prophecy-fulfilled-4-prophecies-that-jesus-did-that-no-one-else-could-have/
9. IS OUR FAITH IN JESUS A BLIND FAITH?: https://mannsword.blogspot.com/2018/08/is-our-faith-in-jesus-blind-faith.html
10. The Bible Says, “Knowledge Puffs Up.” Does This Mean We Shouldn’t Study Too Much?: https://www.alisachildersblog.com/blog/the-bible-says-knowledge-puffs-up-does-this-mean-we-shouldnt-study-too-much
11. 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/
12. The Scary World of Truth: https://apologetics-notes.comereason.org/2015/07/the-scary-world-of-truth.html
13. Catch Countless Logical Fallacies with One Critical Thinking Hack | Answers in Genesis: https://answersingenesis.org/blogs/patricia-engler/2020/07/15/catch-countless-logical-fallacies/
14. How to Answer the 12 Strongest Objections to Christianity: https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/reviews/confronting-christianity/
15. Evangelizing in a World Drowning in Sexual Problems – Topical Studies: https://www.biblestudytools.com/bible-study/topical-studies/evangelizing-in-a-world-drowning-in-sexual-problems.html
16. What is the true meaning of Christmas? | GotQuestions.org: https://www.gotquestions.org/Christmas-true-meaning.html
17. 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/
18. 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
19. The Religion of Nature: Social Darwinism | Answers in Genesis: https://answersingenesis.org/charles-darwin/darwinism/religion-of-nature-social-darwinism/
20. 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/
21. What were the Inquisitions? | GotQuestions.org: https://www.gotquestions.org/inquisitions.html
22. Where Does it Say the Messiah Would Rise On the Third Day in the Jewish Scriptures? – THINKAPOLOGETICS.COM: https://chab123.wordpress.com/2020/01/05/where-does-it-say-the-messiah-would-rise-on-the-third-day-in-the-jewish-scriptures-2/
23. 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/
24. 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
25. 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
26. Is There Any Evidence for Jesus Outside the Bible? | Cold Case Christianity: https://coldcasechristianity.com/writings/is-there-any-evidence-for-jesus-outside-the-bible/
27. 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/
28. Why do so many atheist historians think that 1 Corinthians 15 is reliable history? | WINTERY KNIGHT: https://winteryknight.com/2021/10/22/why-do-so-many-atheist-historians-think-that-1-corinthians-15-is-reliable-history-4/
29. Have They Found Jesus’ Childhood Home in Nazareth? | Ben Witherington: https://www.patheos.com/blogs/bibleandculture/2020/12/23/have-they-found-jesus-childhood-home-in-nazareth/
30. 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

Blessings to you all

mid-week apologetics booster (10-12-2023)

Good morning friends,

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

He who affirms that Christianity makes men miserable, is himself an utter stranger to it. – Charles Spurgeon

To view more of these quotes, visit:

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

Now, here are your weekly links:

1. Why Sixty-Six Books? The Development of the Canon: Why We Trust the Bible with Stephen Nichols from Ligonier Ministries – YouTube.  Throughout history, some have questioned the Bible’s authority based on concerns about how its sixty-six books were recognized and compiled. Why are these specific books included in the Bible and not others? Who made these important decisions? In this message, Stephen Nichols explains the development of the canon of Scripture.  This message is from Dr. Nichols’ 6-part teaching series Why We Trust the Bible: https://youtu.be/W9gXNpWyizA?si=82q_yttBtJoKgRBR
2. Origin: Probability of a Single Protein Forming by Chance – Reasoned Cases For Christ: https://wp.me/pdW2q-6To
3. Why We’re Probably Alone in the Universe, Despite the Latest Planet Discovery | Cold Case Christianity: https://coldcasechristianity.com/writings/why-were-probably-alone-in-the-universe-despite-the-latest-planet-discovery/
4. RNA Virus Origins Fit Genesis Creation | The Institute for Creation Research: https://www.icr.org/article/rna-virus-origins-fit-genesis-creation/
5. A Singularly Christian View of the Transgender Problem – Daily Citizen: https://dailycitizen.focusonthefamily.com/a-singularly-christian-view-of-the-transgender-problem/
6. Darwin’s Doubt, the new New York Times bestseller by Cambridge-trained Ph.D., Stephen Meyer, is creating a major scientific controversy.  Darwinists don’t like it: https://crossexamined.org/darwins-doubt/
7. Darwin’s Doubt – Frank Interviews Stephen C. Meyer about is book of this title. Cross Examined: https://subsplash.com/crossexamined/media/mi/+4dda2bf
8. “I Thought Christians Were Stupid Bigots” | Core Christianity: https://corechristianity.com/resources/articles/i-thought-christians-were-stupid-bigots
9. Student Asks TOUGH Questions About The Bible – In this video, Frank Turek is faced with a series of challenging questions regarding the Old Testament and the commandments of God therein. YouTube: https://youtu.be/MHx5tJE6F10?si=zNl25DFzJ9kRn2Dt
10. Yes, Bart Ehrman, Jesus is Yahweh: https://crossexamined.org/yes-bart-ehrman-jesus-is-yahweh/
11. Original animal protein fossils – I first learned about original soft tissue fossils from Creation magazine in 1997. What looked like red blood cells and blood vessels from inside Tyrannosaurus bone did not fit what I had been told about how fossils are millions of years old. I immediately understood that the fossil, and therefore the rock layer that held it, could be no older than thousands of years: https://creation.com/original-animal-protein-fossils
12. Is Polygamy Condoned In The Old Testament? –: https://tentmakingchristianity.com/is-polygamy-condoned-in-the-old-testament/
13. Is the Bible True? The Cumulative Case for the Reliability of the Gospels (Free Bible Insert) | Cold Case Christianity: https://coldcasechristianity.com/writings/is-the-bible-true-the-cumulative-case-for-the-reliability-of-the-gospels-free-bible-insert/
14. What If We Lost Every Copy of the New Testament?-An Invitation to Consider the Evidence… | Tim Challies: https://www.challies.com/sponsored/what-if-we-lost-every-copy-of-the-new-testament-an-invitation-to-consider-the-evidence/
15. Will Your Kids Faith Survive YouTube? – Jonathan Morrow: https://www.jonathanmorrow.org/29-will-your-kids-faith-survive-youtube/
16. The Christian Apologetics Mandate – Reasons to Believe: https://reasons.org/explore/blogs/reflections/the-christian-apologetics-mandate
17. What is the difference between Israel and Palestine? | GotQuestions.org: https://www.gotquestions.org/difference-Israel-Palestine.html
18. Can the Bible Be Reliable if It Had Human Authors?: https://www.str.org/w/can-the-bible-be-reliable-if-it-had-human-authors-
19. What Is Truth?: The Classic Collection with R.C. Sproul – YouTube: https://youtu.be/dCl66uRHmFI?si=SZzYv8bVwFA6bW8-
20. Can We Investigate the Universe Like A Crime Scene? | Cold Case Christianity: https://coldcasechristianity.com/writings/can-we-investigate-the-universe-like-a-crime-scene/
21. 11 Reasons Most Biologists Accept Evolutionary Theory in Spite of the Evidence | WINTERY KNIGHT: https://winteryknight.com/2023/10/11/11-reasons-most-biologists-accept-evolutionary-theory-in-spite-of-the-evidence-2/
22. Will God continue to forgive you if you commit the same sin over and over again? | GotQuestions.org: https://www.gotquestions.org/forgive-same-sin.html

If you think you are standing strong, be careful, for you, too, may fall into the same sin. But remember that the temptations that come into your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will keep the temptation from becoming so strong that you can’t stand up against it. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you will not give in to it.  1 Corinthians 10:12-13

Blessings to you all

mid-week apologetics booster (8-10-2023)

Good morning friends,

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

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”

To view more of these quotes, visit:

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

Now, here are your weekly links:

1. Is the Bible’s definition of faith opposed to logic and evidence? | WINTERY KNIGHT: https://winteryknight.com/2023/08/02/is-the-bibles-definition-of-faith-opposed-to-logic-and-evidence-20/
2. What is the difference between miracles and magic? | GotQuestions.org: https://www.gotquestions.org/difference-miracles-magic.html
3. Where Did Baptism Come From? | Desiring God: https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/where-did-baptism-come-from
4. Scott Klusendorf defends the pro-life view on the Unbelievable radio show | WINTERY KNIGHT: https://winteryknight.com/2023/08/05/scott-klusendorf-defends-the-pro-life-view-on-the-unbelievable-radio-show-11/
5. Gay marriage debate: Michael Brown debates Eric Smaw on same-sex marriage | WINTERY KNIGHT: https://winteryknight.com/2023/08/06/gay-marriage-debate-michael-brown-debates-eric-smaw-on-same-sex-marriage-4/
6. How Was the Pronunciation of God’s Name Lost? Part 2: https://textandcanon.org/how-was-the-pronunciation-of-gods-name-lost-part-2/
7. 10 Christian Books That Everyone Should Read at Least Once: https://www.msn.com/en-us/lifestyle/mind-and-soul/10-christian-books-that-everyone-should-read-at-least-once/ss-AA1cXWIn
8. The Terrible Truth: Suffering Is Not For Nothing with Elisabeth Elliot – YouTube: https://youtu.be/CgfmKg642J0
9. Are Humans and Chimpanzees Basically the Same? – YouTube: https://youtu.be/NyinDO6hgQA
10. Why Would God Punish Jesus for My Sins? – YouTube: https://youtu.be/YeRPizoYiXw
11. Almost Saved: Four Reasons to Examine Yourself | Desiring God: https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/almost-saved
12. 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
13. 15 Ex-Gays, Lesbians ‘Come Out of Homosexuality’ in Documentary Film by Christian Ministry | World News: https://www.christianpost.com/news/15-ex-gays-lesbians-come-out-of-homosexuality-in-documentary-film-by-christian-ministry-216574/
14. Students challenge God’s existence – & get answers! – YouTube: https://youtu.be/uKCux1Dur_M
15. The Christian Parent Manifesto – Kristen Welch: https://wearethatfamily.com/2015/07/the-christian-parent-manifesto/
16. The Apologetics of Peter – A Logical Argument for the Deity of Christ: https://probe.org/the-apologetics-of-peter/
17. Conservatives on Campus with Charlie Kirk – 04/18/20 – Cross Examined: https://subsplash.com/crossexamined/media/mi/+r4fddgj
18. 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
19. Please Convince Me Blog: Debating Skeptics (1 of 5): https://pleaseconvinceme.blogspot.com/2016/12/debating-skeptics-1-of-5.html
20. Top Six Evidences for Intelligent Design | Evolution News: https://evolutionnews.org/2020/10/top-six-evidences-for-intelligent-design/
21. Jesus in Islam – The Top 6 Questions Muslims Ask about Jesus: https://www.everystudent.com/wires/jesus-in-islam.html
22. Evangelizing in a World Drowning in Sexual Problems – Topical Studies: https://www.biblestudytools.com/bible-study/topical-studies/evangelizing-in-a-world-drowning-in-sexual-problems.html
23. Luke Barnes on the fine-tuning of the strong force and fine structure constant | WINTERY KNIGHT: https://winteryknight.com/2019/05/31/luke-barnes-on-the-fine-tuning-of-the-strong-force-and-fine-structure-constant/
24. Testing the Gospels From John to Hippolytus | Cold Case Christianity: https://coldcasechristianity.com/writings/testing-the-gospels-from-john-to-hippolytus/
25. J Warner Wallace: Developing a Forensic Faith – YouTube: https://youtu.be/T_lyyw-x2Kk
26. Why the Puddle Analogy Fails against Fine-Tuning: https://www.str.org/w/why-the-puddle-analogy-fails-against-fine-tuning
27. Historian Josephus Mentions Jesus: How This Is A Genuine Source | Reasons for Jesus: https://reasonsforjesus.com/historian-josephus-mentions-jesus-how-this-is-a-genuine-source/
28. Muslim converts to Christianity after realising the Bible is true // The Profile – YouTube: https://youtu.be/Ry8K4sK3uDc
29. Dear Dr. Peterson: The Resurrection is Credible. Dear MSM: Just Stop It. – The Stream: https://stream.org/dr-peterson-resurrection-credible/
30. Does the Cumulative Case for Design Point to a Divine Designer? | Cold Case Christianity: https://coldcasechristianity.com/writings/does-the-cumulative-case-for-design-point-to-a-divine-designer/

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

Blessings to you all

mid-week apologetics booster (6-29-2023)

Good morning friends,

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

The hemorrhaging of youth from our churches won’t stop until we get intentional about solving the problem.  On the university campus, secular college professors are very intentional about indoctrinating your kids.  In a candid moment, prominent atheist professor Richard Rorty tells you exactly what college faculty like him plan to do with your kids: ‘…we try to arrange things so that students who enter as bigoted, homophobic, religious fundamentalists will leave college with views more like our own…we do our best to convince these students of the benefits of secularization….So we are going to go right on trying to discredit you in the eyes of your children, trying to strip your fundamentalist religious community of dignity, trying to make your views seem silly rather than discussable..’ Make no mistake, there are plenty Richard Rortys out there, waiting for your kids.  So, what are you going to do to prepare them for the serious challenges ahead?  – Brett Kunkle (Who’s Waiting for Your Kids?)

To view more of these quotes, visit:

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

Now, here are your weekly links:

1. If God is all-loving and all-powerful, why is there suffering in the world? | George’s Journal: https://georgesjournal.net/2023/06/23/if-god-is-all-loving-and-all-powerful-why-is-there-suffering-in-the-world/
2. Paul Washer sharing the sufficiency of Scripture from his book “The Essential Means of Grace” – gives a good answer for those who say they’ve tried to read the Bible, but they couldn’t understand it: https://www.facebook.com/reel/790094809282180
3. Purging the Inward Parts: Psalm 51 with R.C. Sproul – YouTube: https://youtu.be/8ECIBbklWQ4
4. The State of Theology – What do Americans believe about God, salvation, ethics, and the Bible? Ligonier Ministries and LifeWay Research partnered to find out. Every two years, we take the theological temperature of the United States to help Christians better understand today’s culture and to equip the church with better insights for discipleship. Read some of our key findings from 2022 below and explore the data for yourself.: https://thestateoftheology.com/
5. Decades-long bet on consciousness ends – and it’s philosopher 1, neuroscientist 0. Christof Koch wagered David Chalmers 25 years ago that researchers would learn how the brain achieves consciousness by now. But the quest continues. This article is full of the fallacy of Begging the Question. For example consider this quote: “Consciousness is everything a person experiences – what they taste, hear, feel and more. It is what gives meaning and value to our lives, Chalmers says. Despite a vast effort – and a 25-year bet – researchers still don’t understand how our brains produce it, however.” (that’s exactly the issue – whether our brains produce consciousness or whether consciousness resides in our non-material soul. The article assumes that it must come from our brain): https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-023-02120-8
6. Answering Farina on Behe’s Work: Irreducible Complexity – Jonathan McLatchie | Writer, Speaker, Scholar: https://jonathanmclatchie.com/answering-farina-on-behes-work-irreducible-complexity/
7. Apologetics Hub – Apologists – Apologetics Hub is a website dedicated to providing resources on Christian apologetics. Check out the vast array of resources covering apologists, podcasts, Youtube channels, Facebook pages, books, curriculums, online learning programs, college programs, conferences, camps, clubs, and much more! I found their “Apologists” page to be good (curated) list of the key names in this field.: https://www.apologeticshub.com/Apologists
8. Who Wrote the Gospels? Rabbi Tovia Singer Has No Clue! – Jonathan McLatchie | Writer, Speaker, Scholar: https://jonathanmclatchie.com/who-wrote-the-gospels-rabbi-tovia-singer-has-no-clue/
9. Before Your Kids Have Access to the Internet, Read This: https://www.str.org/w/your-kids-have-access-internet-read
10. Loving Christ | Reasonable Faith – This leads me my problem. I think I could defend Christianity against most objections and present a positive case for the truth of Christianity. However, there is something missing. While I affirm all the correct doctrine and have all the arguments in order, I’m not a Christian. It seems to me, that in order to be a Christian, there is only one criteria you need to meet: you need to love Christ. If you love Christ, proper doctrine will follow: https://www.reasonablefaith.org/writings/question-answer/loving-christ
11. Is Mormonism Christian? – YouTube: https://youtu.be/ijUc7NI2O28
12. Atheism and the supernatural – Conservapedia: https://www.conservapedia.com/Atheism_and_the_supernatural
13. Origin Stories – RNA, DNA, and a Dose of Imagination | Evolution News: https://evolutionnews.org/2020/06/origin-stories-rna-dna-and-a-dose-of-imagination/
14. Defending God’s Existence and Compatibility of Science and the Bible: Gentleness and Respect in Debate and Discussion: https://lukenixblog.blogspot.com/2016/10/gentleness-and-respect-in-debate-and.html
15. Puppies and Pandemics | The Institute for Creation Research: https://www.icr.org/article/puppies-and-pandemics/
16. How to Overcome and Prevent Sexual Sins – Seeing God’s Breath: https://godsbreath.net/2008/04/03/how-to-prevent-and-overcome-sexual-sins/
17. The Metaphysical Hurdle and The Minimal Facts Argument – THINKAPOLOGETICS.COM: https://chab123.wordpress.com/2023/06/28/the-metaphysical-hurdle-and-the-minimal-facts-argument/
18. How Can You Trust Christianity Is True When There Are So Many Unanswered Questions? | Cold Case Christianity: https://coldcasechristianity.com/writings/how-can-you-trust-christianity-is-true-when-there-are-so-many-unanswered-questions/
19. Lori Alexander is right: serious Christian men prefer debt-free virgins without tattoos | WINTERY KNIGHT: https://winteryknight.com/2023/06/28/lori-alexander-is-right-serious-christian-men-prefer-debt-free-virgins-without-tattoos-4/
20. To Be Sure….God Loves Us: WORKS OF 20TH CENTURY APOLOGISTS: Resources for Study: http://2besure.blogspot.com/2015/11/works-of-20th-century-apologiststhat.html
21. Oprah’s New Age ‘Christianity’ Exposed: Dangerous Heresy | Reasons for Jesus: https://reasonsforjesus.com/oprahs-new-age-christianity-exposed-dangerous-heresy/
22. (2018) What is the Most Recent Manuscript Count for the New Testament¦ | Sean McDowell: https://seanmcdowell.org/blog/what-is-the-most-recent-manuscript-count-for-the-new-testament
23. Apologetics As Conversation – Dr. Mikel Del Rosario | Apologetics Guy℠: https://apologeticsguy.com/2019/09/apologetics-as-conversation/
24. Cain’s Wife – Creation Moments: https://creationmoments.com/sermons/cains-wife/
25. Back to Basics: What is Truth? Is it Absolute or Relative? – Welcome to Rob Lundberg.org: https://roblundberg.org/2021/01/01/back-to-basics-what-is-truth-is-it-absolute-or-relative/
26. Atheist Computer Scientist Becomes Theologian Because Of Evidence | Reasons for Jesus: https://reasonsforjesus.com/atheist-computer-scientist-becomes-theologian-because-of-evidence/
27. No Matter How Painful the Situation, Ending a Disabled Child’s Life Through Abortion Is Never Right – Blog – Eternal Perspective Ministries: https://www.epm.org/blog/2019/Nov/1/disabled-child-abortion
28. The 4 “A”‘s of the Use of Scripture | The Domain for Truth: https://wp.me/p1OcQ-5WY
29. Everything is theological – Adam4d.com: https://adam4d.com/theologic/
30. Do Self-Replicating Protocells Undermine the Evolutionary Theory? – Reasons to Believe: https://reasons.org/explore/publications/articles/do-self-replicating-protocells-undermine-the-evolutionary-theory
31. (2016) The Story of Iran’s Church in Two Sentences: https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/the-story-of-the-irans-church-in-two-sentences/
32. Push To Legalize Polygamy Uses Same Arguments As Same-Sex Marriage: https://thefederalist.com/2020/02/17/push-to-legalize-polygamy-uses-same-arguments-as-same-sex-marriage/
33. The Virtue of Silence | The Apologers: https://wp.me/p5G3DB-kH

Early in the morning, all the chief priests and the elders of the people came to the decision to put Jesus to death. They bound him, led him away and handed him over to Pilate, the governor. Matthew 27:1-2

Blessings to you all

mid-week apologetics booster (4-27-2023)

Good morning friends,

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

Only those who are prepared to die are really ready to live. And when you live for Christ, you will accept Gods will for your life. – Greg Laurie

To view more of these quotes, visit:

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

Now, here are your weekly links:

1. Ready to Give an Answer | Answers in Genesis – The Question: Do you have any evidence that it is the truth? That is a fair question. In the marketplace of philosophies, ideologies, or worldviews, it is a question anyone must answer before putting their faith in any one particular system or pattern of thought. Now, I understood that we all have the same evidence and that how one interprets it depends on ones starting point. However, from his perspective he obviously wanted me to defend the Christian faith. As Christians we are commanded to give a reason for the faith that is within us. As a matter of intellectual honesty and practicality, what possible good is a worldview for which you cannot give a defense? If we cannot give a defense, we probably don’t know enough about our alleged worldview for it to be of much value to us either!: https://answersingenesis.org/is-the-bible-true/ready-to-give-an-answer/
2. Common Questions – a collection from bethinking.org These resources will get you started on thinking through common questions about issues like suffering, science and Christianity, the reliability of the Bible and many more. Follow the recommendations at the end of each resource to explore further.: https://www.bethinking.org/collection/common-questions
3. 4 Reasons Apologetics Benefits You – If you’ve ever tried to share your convictions with someone (and if you’re a Christian, I would hope that you had!), you know how intimidating it can be. I’ve been there. We don’t want to be the one getting tongue tied and fumbling for words. Getting a conversation started is usually the hardest part of evangelism. Most people’s biggest fear however is being asked a question you can’t answer. Apologetics can make a difference in these interactions. Apologetics How does apologetics solve this problem? Apologetics is essentially making a case for what you believe. But does Apologetics benefit us in other ways besides evangelism? Many Christians believe that Apologetics is too academic and requires too much study to be of value. I disagree. I believe the study of apologetics is essential not only for evangelism, but for our own growth as Christians. Here are four ways that being a good Christian case maker can be of value to you as a Christian.: https://tentmakingchristianity.com/4-reasons-apologetics-benefits/
4. Believing the Gospels Is Different Than Trusting the Gospel | Cold Case Christianity: https://coldcasechristianity.com/writings/believing-the-gospels-is-different-than-trusting-the-gospel/
5. Darwin, Africa, and Genocide: The Horror of Scientific Racism – YouTube – In the early 1900s, Social Darwinism helped fuel the first genocide of the twentieth century when Germany tried to eradicate the Herero people in southern Africa. Learn about this horrific chapter in modern history and the abuse of Darwin’s theory to justify colonialism and extermination. This short video is excerpted from the award-winning documentary, The Biology of the Second Reich. It starts by exploring the rise of Darwinism in Germany and then shows how this ideology impacted German colonialism in southwest Africa, leading to genocide.: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lQPrvPM38Ws
6. Staying calm on social media with disagreements | The Domain for Truth: https://veritasdomain.wordpress.com/2020/06/05/staying-calm-on-social-media-with-disagreements/
7. Three Goals in a Christian Apologetics Encounter Reflections – there are important goals to strive for in apologetics interactions. So whether its a television or radio interview, a formal debate, or a personal discussion with someone, I generally have three goals in mind when engaging in the enterprise of apologetics. If I can work toward accomplishing these goals, then I think my time of defending the faith has been well served.: https://reflectionsbyken.wordpress.com/2019/08/21/three-goals-in-a-christian-apologetics-encounter/
8. How We Got the Bible: The English Bible to 1611: http://truthbomb.blogspot.com/2014/03/how-we-got-bible-english-bible-to-1611.html
9. Misotheists Dehumanizing Christians and Creationists – Making fun of an institution through satire and parody can be found throughout millennia to illustrate perceived absurdities of belief systems. These are used for various targets, but the most common seem to be political or religious. So why attack individuals instead of ideas? It seems like practically everyone does it. Just ask the uncool kids in school. This is far beyond satire or persuasion. A quote commonly (but probably erroneously) attributed to Socrates is, “When the debate is over, slander becomes the tool of the loser”. This child sees a useful principle in that statement. Although it is common to encounter proponents of atheistic naturalism ridiculing biblical creationists in rallies, books, videos, and so on, it is greatly intensified on social(ist) media. With the option of anonymity, attacks increase with impunity and vitriol. Note that when a professing atheist makes demands on a Christian, there is usually a great deal of sneering and loaded questions.: https://www.piltdownsuperman.com/2020/11/misotheists-dehumanizing-christians-and-creationists.html?m=1
10. Peppered Moths . . . Evidence for Evolution? | Answers in Genesis – Stop me if you have heard this tale before. It’s about one of the sacred cows of evolution: the peppered moth. The story of this moth has been set forth for decades as the prime example of evolution in action. It is a fascinating story about how, due to a combination of environmental changes and selective predation, a moth turned into, well, a moth.: https://answersingenesis.org/creepy-crawlies/insects/peppered-moths/
11. Is Morality Determined by Its Popularity? | Answers in Genesis – Share But everybody else is doing it! Have you ever heard or made this argument? If everybody else is doing it, you should be allowed to do whatever it is too, right? A new study revealed that our view of what is morally right or wrong is shaped by how widespread a particular behavior is.: https://answersingenesis.org/morality/is-morality-determined-by-its-popularity/
12. Is Jesus Real and How Can We Know? – Is Jesus real? That is a big question. Well, not really. It’s a simple question with a simple answer. Yes, Jesus is real. However, it’s a big question to tackle with a skeptic. A lot of people will claim there is no proof that Jesus was a real person in history, so they use that excuse to stay in their disbelief. But I can’t help but wonder. How many other ancient historical figures do skeptics believe existed with little to no proof? I’m finding that in a lot of cases, people scrutinize the claims of the Bible with a higher level of skepticism than other texts presented to them.: https://myhumbleapology.com/2021/01/16/is-jesus-real-and-how-can-we-know/
13. Three Atheists Explain Why the Bible Should Be Taught in Schools – Intellectual Takeout: https://intellectualtakeout.org/2017/10/three-atheists-explain-why-the-bible-should-be-taught-in-schools/
14. Guidance and Gods Plan | Reasonable Faith – Let me suggest a nice Bible study to get you started: search for all the references in Scripture to the phrase will of God or Gods will. In each case ask yourself whether the expression refers to a general desire on Gods part or to a more specific intention.: https://www.reasonablefaith.org/question-answer/P10/guidance-and-gods-plan
15. Three Spiritual Journeys of Millennials – Barna Group – The trend of youth and young adult disengagement from Christianity seems to be picking up steam at a larger rate than normal generational trends.: https://www.barna.com/research/three-spiritual-journeys-of-millennials/
16. Taking Jesus to Work – Christian Research Institute – I was challenged to seriously consider the Christian message by a guy whose zeal for defending his convictions obliged me not only to reflect on his point of view but also to ask myself some serious questions about my own. He was someone who had taken the time to ponder the answers to life’s most serious questions. He was compelling, courteous, and confident. He didn’t knock on my front door, or hand me a pamphlet, or accost me on the street. He didn’t offer to wash my car. He didn’t invite me to go anywhere with him or encourage me to make a decision about what he had just told me. He just asked me questions that made me think.: https://www.equip.org/articles/taking-jesus-work/
17. Atheism: More Than Just a Non-Belief – All the beliefs that go along with an atheists lack of belief in God can be stated positively: The universe is random and purposeless, moral values and duties are illusory, a belief in human exceptionalism is species-ist, we have only instrumental value, human nature is malleable and can (and should) be reshaped and improved by society, etc. These are all positive claims that need to be recognized and defended.: https://www.str.org/w/atheism-more-than-just-a-non-belief
18. Why Do Parasites Exist? | The Creation Podcast: Episode 47 | The Institute for Creation Research – Try to get to the end of this episode without squirming! Almost everything on earth has some kind of parasite living inside of it – including humans. What are parasites, and how do they impact their hosts? Were they a part of God’s original “very good” creation? Some parasites produce effects terrifying enough to make your skin crawl; but did you know that some of them are harmless – or even beneficial – to their hosts? Host Lauren and biologist Dr. Frank Sherwin talk about these strange organisms – the good, the bad, and the ugly: https://www.icr.org/article/creation-podcast-episode-47/
19. Eugenics is back – In the 1880s, Charles Darwin’s cousin, Sir Francis Galton, gave the world a new word and a new quest, namely eugenics, meaning well-born (from Greek eu, well and genos, offspring). This is the concept of improving the human race by encouraging those individuals deemed fit to reproduce, while discouraging/preventing those deemed unfit from doing so. Darwin heartily approved and wrote: if the prudent avoid marriage, whilst the reckless marry, the inferior members will tend to supplant the better members of society.: https://creation.com/eugenics-is-back
20. The mystery of the moon. Evolutionists claim that our moon was formed by natural processes without the need for a creator. This view, however, is not supported by science, as all the explanations they propose have major problems.: https://creation.com/moon-mystery
21. Is Jesus God? | Answers in Genesis – There are many cults and false religions today that deny it. What is the truth about Jesus Christ? We turn to the Scriptures for the answer.: https://answersingenesis.org/jesus/jesus-is-god/is-jesus-god/
22. Is Euthanasia a Biblical Solution to Terminal Illness or Suffering? | Answers in Genesis: https://answersingenesis.org/sanctity-of-life/euthanasia/biblical-solution-terminal-illness-or-suffering/
23. Treating the Gospel Like a Cookie Rather Than a Cure | Cold Case Christianity – Some of us hesitate to share the Gospel because (whether we care to admit it or not) we’ve come to see religious truth as a matter of subjective opinion rather than objective truth.: https://coldcasechristianity.com/writings/treating-the-gospel-like-a-cookie-rather-than-a-cure/
24. Four reasons to think that atheism is inconsistent with scientific progress | WINTERY KNIGHT: https://winteryknight.com/2021/03/24/four-reasons-to-think-that-atheism-is-inconsistent-with-scientific-progress-2/
25. Bloom Where You’re Planted. Have you ever had the desire to be an apologist? Here is Greg’s sage advice to get you started on your way. I get asked a particular question fairly frequently. It’s not a question about apologetics. It’s a question about this kind of work. I thought maybe I’d take a few moments to give you the answer I give when I’m asked, How does one get into the line of work that you’re in? I take that as a kind of a compliment, in a way, that someone who is participating with Stand to Reason would be drawn to this kind work and want to be useful in terms of the Kingdom in this way. The simple answer is, It’s not easy to get into this business. If what you mean is, make a living at defending the faith, or speaking on these issues, or writing on these issues, it’s not easy. I’m going to give you a general response in just a few seconds that would be applicable to most people who want to make a difference for the Kingdom in this way, but don’t see an entre at the moment. The fact is, there is no career path for being a professional apologist because this isn’t a line of work, in the same sense as other careers.: https://www.str.org/w/bloom-where-you-re-planted
26. Granger Smith feels ‘relief’ leaving country music to ‘serve’ God: ‘I need to completely surrender’ | Fox News: https://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/granger-smith-feels-relief-leaving-country-music-serve-god-surrender
27. Should we expect to know what Gods reason is for allowing evil and suffering? | WINTERY KNIGHT: https://winteryknight.com/2023/04/20/should-we-expect-to-know-what-gods-reason-is-for-allowing-evil-and-suffering-7/
28. Planned Parenthood is Teaching Young Girls That Prostitution is OK – LifeNews.com: https://www.lifenews.com/2023/04/17/planned-parenthood-is-teaching-young-girls-that-prostitution-is-ok/
29. Researchers discover 1,750-year-old Syriac translation of Gospel of Matthew in palimpsest manuscript using with UV photography – SyriacPress: https://syriacpress.com/blog/2023/04/18/researchers-discover-1750-year-old-syriac-translation-of-gospel-of-matthew-in-palimpsest-manuscript-using-with-uv-photography/
30. Video illustration: What is FAITH? – YouTube – What is faith? What faith the Bible talks about? This video illustrates the Biblical view of Faith; how much faith you have?: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XfpOaNDNow0
31. How can I receive the protection of God? | GotQuestions.org – There are many verses in God’s Word that seem to promise Gods physical protection. At first glance, it does seem that God promises to protect His children from harm. But if that were the case, why do so many Christians around the world struggle with persecution, illness, loss, accidents, and injuries? We all know Christians whose foot has slipped. Is God breaking His promise, or are we missing something?: https://www.gotquestions.org/protection-of-God.html
32. Was Hitler a Christian? | GotQuestions.org: https://www.gotquestions.org/was-Hitler-a-Christian.html
33. Galileo ~ Myth vs Reality – This episode features Dr. Robert Carter and Dr. Jonathan Sarfati. They discuss in detail many of the facts surrounding the famous trial of Galileo and dismiss many of the associated urban myths (many of which are intentionally propagated by skeptics). They also delve more deeply into the intellectual background in the centuries leading up to Galileo, Copernicus, and Newton. Galileo was politically naïve, which got him into a lot of hot water. He was also overconfident about his ideas, while his opponents (correctly) pointed out the flaws in his reasoning. Yet, he did his best and most enduring work during those years of house arrest. The history of scientific progress and how it relates to Christian history is well worth studying and this episode will not let you down. Galileo Galilei (1564-1642) is often held up as the poster child of a supposed war between science and Christianity. The real history is much more interesting. The real clash was science vs. science, and the Church had the science of the day on its side. Several outstanding clergy-scientists in the Middle Ages discussed the earth’s rotation with no repercussions. Galileo’s observations were compatible with some geocentric models, such as the Capellan and Tychonian hybrid models. Kepler’s model with elliptical orbits was superior to all others of the day, including Galileo’s. The science that ended absolute geocentrism as a credible model occurred decades and even centuries after Galileo’s death.: https://creation.com/media-center/youtube/ct-galileo-myth-fact
34. Why are Christians allowed to eat shellfish but not allowed to have sex before marriage? | WINTERY KNIGHT: https://winteryknight.com/2018/07/06/why-are-christians-allowed-to-eat-shellfish-but-not-allowed-to-have-sex-before-marriage-4/
35. Miracle: Christian Who Graduated From Seminary Still A Christian | Babylon Bee: https://babylonbee.com/news/miracle-christian-graduates-from-seminary-still-a-christian
36. Is the Asbury revival a genuine work of God?: https://www.gotquestions.blog/Asbury-revival.html
37. Brothers and Sisters, We Are All Apologists Now – Spring 2023 Address to the Faculty of The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary TIMOTHY PAUL JONES. Apologetics is no longer a task that’s limited to biblical scholars and theologians. In some sense, it never was or at least it shouldn’t have been, but the scope of apologetics has necessarily expanded. Cultural and societal changes have turned apologetics into an unavoidable consequence of living publicly as a Christian. Pursuing a Christian way of life will inevitably require providing a defense of this way of being in the world, not merely for apologists but for all of us.: https://timothypauljones.substack.com/p/brothers-and-sisters-we-are-all-apologists
38. Migratory birds use magnetic GPS: https://creation.com/birds-migratory-gps

When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise. Proverbs 10:19

Blessings to you all

mid-week apologetics booster (4-13-2023)

Good morning friends,

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

The Christian ideal has not been tried and found wanting; it has been found difficult and left untried. – G.K. Chesterton

To view more of these quotes, visit:

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

Now, here are your weekly links:

1. Bible study: what difference does the resurrection of Jesus make? | WINTERY KNIGHT: https://winteryknight.com/2023/04/06/bible-study-what-difference-does-the-resurrection-of-jesus-make-6/
2. Simply explained: how does GPT work? | Confused bit – while this is not apologetics material, it does have some information about Artificial Intelligence models and the differences (limitations as compared with) the human brain. That’s why I’m including it: https://confusedbit.dev/posts/how_does_gpt_work/
3. Did the early church invent the divinity of Jesus over a long period of time? | WINTERY KNIGHT: https://winteryknight.com/2023/04/09/did-the-early-church-invent-the-divinity-of-jesus-over-a-long-period-of-time-7/
4. 50+ Results of Jesus Resurrection from the Dead | The Cripplegate: https://thecripplegate.com/50-results-of-jesus-resurrection-from-the-dead/
5. The Biblical View of Sex (2 Purposes) | Sean McDowell – What is the purpose of sex? In a culture that glorifies sex and freedom, perhaps we are called for something greater. Freedom doesn’t necessarily mean doing whatever we want, but developing the right wants and aligning our lives with God’s design. This video is a recent talk I gave in chapel at King’s Academy, Florida, and is based on my book Chasing Love.: https://seanmcdowell.org/blog/the-biblical-view-of-sex-2-purposes
6. What Does the Bible Say About Homosexuality? Dr. McDowell vs. Vines: https://crossexamined.org/what-does-the-bible-say-about-homosexuality/
7. How Scientific Discoveries Support Theism | Evolution News: https://evolutionnews.org/2023/04/qualified-agreement-how-scientific-discoveries-support-theistic-belief/
8. The Youth Awakening in America Has Begun – The Stream: https://stream.org/the-youth-awakening-in-america-has-begun/
9. Isaiah 33:22 – Our Form Of Government While researching quotes from our founders for the new site images, I learned something new (yes, us old folks can do that). It seems that the three branches of government found in our Constitution are the result of a scripture. “For the LORD is our judge (Supreme Court), the LORD is our lawgiver (Congress), the LORD is our king (Presidency); He will save us.” Isaiah 33:22 (parenthesis inclusions are mine). It seems that the verse inspired James Madison to separate the powers while attending the Constitutional Convention of 1787.: https://justfacts.votesmart.org/public-statement/191389/isaiah-3322-our-form-of-government
10. What is the King James Version (KJV)? | GotQuestions.org: https://www.gotquestions.org/King-James-Version-KJV.html
11. What ATHEISTS get WRONG most of the time about the moral argument! – YouTube: https://youtu.be/F49YyJCSwMc
12. The Average Person You Know Probably Isn’t Hostile towards Christianity: https://www.str.org/w/the-average-person-you-know-probably-isn-t-hostile-towards-christianity
13. Three Reasons Every Christian Should Attend A Christian Apologetics Conference Once A Year – Southern Evangelical Seminary: https://ses.edu/three-reasons-every-christian-should-attend-a-christian-apologetics-conference-once-a-year-2/
14. 5 Actions of Faithful Evangelists | Core Christianity: https://corechristianity.com/resource-library/articles/5-actions-of-faithful-evangelists/
15. Defending God’s Existence and Compatibility of Science and the Bible: Is It Arrogant To Claim That Jesus Is The Only Way?: https://lukenixblog.blogspot.com/2021/01/is-it-arrogant-to-claim-that-jesus-is.html?m=1
16. Why Is God So Hidden? – Cross Examined: https://crossexamined.org/why-is-god-so-hidden/
17. Research by Barna and Summit: Postmodernism and Secularism Influence Todays Christians – Summit Ministries: https://www.summit.org/resources/articles/research-barna-summit-postmodernism-secularism-influence-todays-christians/
18. A Proof of God from Reason: http://mannsword.blogspot.com/2017/11/a-proof-of-god-from-reason.html?m=1
19. Christian Evidences by R.C. Sproul | Ligonier Ministries: https://www.ligonier.org/learn/series/christian-evidences
20. Is Mormonism Christian? Are Mormons Christian? | carm.org: https://carm.org/mormonism/is-mormonism-christian-are-mormons-christian/
21. Historian Vs Mythicist: Is Jesus A Copy Of Pagan Gods? | Reasons for Jesus: https://reasonsforjesus.com/historian-vs-mythicist-is-jesus-a-copy-of-pagan-gods/
22. Tolerance on LGBTQ+ Issues: https://beardeddisciple.com/2019/10/22/tolerance-on-lgbtq-issues/
23. Is apologetics relevant to today’s Church? – Christian Week: https://www.christianweek.org/apologetics-relevant-todays-church/
24. 5 Ways Apologetics Strengthens Our Faith – JA Show Articles: https://jashow.org/articles/5-ways-apologetics-strengthens-our-faith/
25. Breakpoint: Scientism Isn’t Scientific: https://colsoncenter.libsyn.com/scientism-isnt-scientific
26. Three Reasons Why The Dangers of Illegal Abortions Argument Is Misleading, Deceptive, And Sexist: https://prolifetraining.com/three-reasons-why-the-dangers-of-illegal-abortions-argument-is-misleading-deceptive-and-sexist/
27. Staying Faithful to Jesus after Graduation | Sean McDowell: https://seanmcdowell.org/blog/staying-faithful-to-jesus-after-graduation
28. Does a Human Fetus Have a Soul? – YouTube (2 min 20 sec video) – Amy Hall of Stand to Reason shares why it makes sense to believe that a human has a soul at the moment of conception: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GTrEyx4hs1Y
29. Stop Teaching Young Christians About Their Faith | Cold Case Christianity – A compelling cumulative circumstantial case can be made to support the fact that young college aged Christians are walking away from Christianity in record numbers. What can we do about it? What can be done? Whenever people ask me this question, I always say the same thing. STOP TEACHING YOUNG CHRISTIANS. Just stop it. Whatever Christendom is doing in its effort to teach its young, the effort appears to largely be a failure. In fact, Ken Ham (in his book, Already Gone: Why Your Kids Will Quit Church and What You Can Do To Stop It) found that young Christians who faithfully attended Bible classes were actually more likely to question the authority of Scripture, more likely to defend the legality of abortion, same-sex marriage, and premarital sex, and more likely to leave the church! What’s going on here? I think I know. It’s time to stop teaching our young people; it’s time to start training them.: https://coldcasechristianity.com/writings/stop-teaching-young-christians-about-their-faith/
30. Debunking ‘Bible Secrets’ Television Shows | Every year before Christmas and Easter, the media turns to stories about religion to try and boost their audiences. Like clockwork, the History Channel has just begun a series titled “Bible Secrets Discovered”. This is the latest in a genre (including “The Bible’s Buried Secrets,” “Jesus Family Tomb” and others) that seeks to publicize some novel scriptural understanding that undermines the Bible’s credibility. Are their charges true? Below is a four-part audio series plus a two page downloadable PDF outline where I show how these ‘Bible Secrets’ shows engage ins a bit of misdirection to achieve their goals. More P.T. Barnum than true scholarship, when examining the facts thoughtfully, one can quickly see why these shows present an emperor who has no clothes.: https://apologetics-notes.comereason.org/2013/11/debunking-bible-secrets-television-shows.html
31. Christian Trinity – God in 3 Persons – Explained – YouTube – God has revealed Himself in Scripture as one God eternally existing in three Persons. Jonathan Edwards noted, after studying the topic, “I think [the doctrine of the Trinity] to be the highest and deepest of all Divine mysteries” (short animated video): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mvj87QCF0lg
32. The Real Murderers: Atheism or Christianity?: https://www.str.org/w/the-real-murderers-atheism-or-christianity-#.WmSJ4KinGUk
33. How Media Consumption Threatens the Future of Christianity (It’s Not What You Think): https://townhall.com/columnists/jwarnerwallace/2018/12/07/how-media-consumption-threatens-the-future-of-christianity-its-not-what-you-think-n2537120
34. Why Are There So Many Atheists on College Campuses? THINKAPOLOGETICS.COM: https://chab123.wordpress.com/2017/01/24/why-are-there-so-many-atheists-on-college-campuses-3/

The LORD rewards every man for his righteousness and faithfulness. The LORD delivered you into my hands today, but I would not lay a hand on the LORD’s anointed. As surely as I valued your life today, so may the LORD value my life and deliver me from all trouble.” Then Saul said to David, “May you be blessed, my son David; you will do great things and surely triumph.” So David went on his way, and Saul returned home. 1 Samuel 26:23-25

Blessings to you all

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

Good morning friends,

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

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

To view more of these quotes, visit:

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

Now, here are your weekly links:

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

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

Blessings to you all

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

Good morning friends,

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

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

To view more of these quotes, visit:

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

Now, here are your weekly links:

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

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

Blessings to you all

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

Good morning friends,

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

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

To view more of these quotes, visit:

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

Now, here are your weekly links:

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

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

Blessings to you all

mid-week apologetics booster (1-26-2023)

Good morning friends,

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

The current understanding of happiness identifies it as a pleasurable feeling. Pleasant feelings are surely better than unpleasant ones, but the problem today is that people are obsessively concerned with feeling happiness; people are slaves to their feelings. Feelings are wonderful servants but terrible masters. – J.P. Moreland (from, The Lost Virtue of Happiness: Discovering the Disciplines of the Good Life)

 To view more of these quotes, visit:

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

Now, here are your weekly links:

1. If you accept Jesus and become a Christian, will God make you happy? | WINTERY KNIGHT: https://winteryknight.com/2023/01/18/if-you-accept-jesus-and-become-a-christian-will-god-make-you-happy-8/
2. The universe of the lone brain. – Famous atheistic evolutionist Richard Dawkins has claimed: The universe we observe has precisely the properties we should expect if there is, at bottom, no design, no purpose, no evil and no good, nothing but blind, pitiless indifference. His remarks are no doubt provocative, but are they accurate? What would a universe of sheer randomness and chance really look like?: https://creation.com/universe-of-the-lone-brain
3. Why Everyone Should Believe that the Gospels are Reliable – Capturing Christianity: https://capturingchristianity.com/why-everyone-should-believe-that-the-gospels-are-reliable/
4. Avatar: The Way of Water – Plugged In – Pandora’s spiritual system that pushes away Christianity and hugs a nature-based pantheism. Forget the biblical model of stewardship: It sidesteps the Creator and instead worships the creation. And that is pretty much the definition of idolatry.: https://www.pluggedin.com/movie-reviews/avatar-the-way-of-water-2022/
5. How can we trust the New Testament writers weren’t biased? – YouTube – At this college event, a student asks Frank how we can prove who Jesus was using sources outside of the Bible. While there is certainly sufficient extra-biblical evidence for Jesus, such a question implies the following false assumption: “We can’t trust the New Testament writers because they were biased! Really? Are you sure about that? Does being at the scene of a crime automatically discredit your testimony as a witness? Or does it make you the most important person in the courtroom? In this video, Frank explains that the biased lens of the NT writers does NOT discredit the Gospel accounts. : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2E594useiNI
6. The Scandal of Biblical Illiteracy: It’s Our Problem – AlbertMohler.com: https://albertmohler.com/2016/01/20/the-scandal-of-biblical-illiteracy-its-our-problem-4
7. Is the State of Israel Supernatural or Coincidence? – Israel Today: https://www.israeltoday.co.il/read/supernatural-or-coincidence/
8. What is Bethel Church, Redding CA? | GotQuestions.org: https://www.gotquestions.org/Bethel-Church-Redding.html
9. Physicist for biblical creation. Jonathan Sarfati chats with theoretical physicist and biophysicist Dr. Christopher Ting: https://creation.com/christopher-ting
10. Who was First to North America? Creation Moments: https://creationmoments.com/sermons/who-was-first-to-north-america/
11. Losing their religion: why US churches are on the decline | US news | The Guardian – .. the younger generation just doesn’t feel like they’re being accepted in a church environment or some of their choices aren’t being accepted by those at church. WHO conditioned them to think church is about narcissistic affirmation, church-growthers? – comments by Janet Mefferd: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/jan/22/us-churches-closing-religion-covid-christianity
12. QB Brock Purdy Guides 49ers to NFC Championship: My Identity Is in Jesus – Right News Now: https://rightnewsnow.org/2023/01/24/qb-brock-purdy-guides-49ers-to-nfc-championship-my-identity-is-in-jesus/
13. Top Ten Biblical Problems for Young Earth Creationism Answered: https://creation.com/biblical-problems-creationism
14. Can Changes in DNA Explain Evolution? Douglas Axe explains – YouTube: https://youtu.be/0BYLrVWwjfU
15. Love People with the Truth, Even If They Hate You For It – Cross Examined: https://subspla.sh/j8y2d7h
16. 7 Tips For Apologetics Judo Intelligent Christian Faith: https://intelligentchristianfaith.com/2015/06/14/philosophical-judo-apologetics-as-a-martial-art/
17. J. Warner Wallace: practical advice on becoming an effective one-dollar apologist | WINTERY KNIGHT: https://winteryknight.com/2015/06/01/j-warner-wallace-practical-advice-on-becoming-an-effective-one-dollar-apologist-3/
18. What Is Hinduism and Hare Krishna? | Answers in Genesis: https://answersingenesis.org/world-religions/what-is-hinduism-and-hare-krishna/
19. How Do You Best Handle Challenges to Your Faith? | Sean McDowell: https://seanmcdowell.org/blog/how-do-you-best-handle-challenges-to-your-faith
20. The Challenge of Moral Relativism: Three Problems with Relativism: http://www.mandm.org.nz/2018/06/the-challenge-of-moral-relativism-three-problems-with-relativism.html
21. What is the difference between a Christian and a disciple? | GotQuestions.org: https://www.gotquestions.org/Christian-disciple.html
22. 10 Biblical Reasons God Allows Suffering | Sean McDowell: https://seanmcdowell.org/blog/10-biblical-reasons-god-allows-suffering
23. Seventh Day Adventist Doctrine and the Clear Word Bible: Sample texts | Carm.org: https://carm.org/seventh-day-adventism/the-clear-word-bible-and-miscellaneous-verses/
24. Christians Shaming Christians Over Voting for Trump: 3 Strawman Arguments That Need to Stop: https://natashacrain.com/christians-shaming-christians-over-voting-for-trump-3-strawman-arguments-that-need-to-stop/
25. The Bible remains a ‘powerful, transformative tool’ in American culture: Poll – Washington Times: https://amp.washingtontimes.com/news/2018/jul/14/the-bible-remains-a-powerful-transformative-tool-i/
26. Yale University computer science professor takes a look at protein formation probabilities | WINTERY KNIGHT: https://winteryknight.com/2020/09/14/yale-university-computer-science-professor-takes-a-look-at-protein-formation-probabilities-3/
27. How Hugh Hefner Hijacked Men’s Brains: https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/how-hugh-hefner-hijacked-mens-brains/
28. Intentional Faith Conversations, Easier than You Think: https://www.e360m.org/intentional-faith-conversations-easier-than-you-think/
29. Hijacking the Declaration in Defense of Abortion and Atheism – The American Vision: https://americanvision.org/posts/hijacking-the-declaration-in-defense-of-abortion-and-atheism/
30. Ways for Christians to Respond to Boghossion-style Street Epistemology Christian Apologist: https://christian-apologist.com/2018/06/26/ways-for-christians-to-respond-to-boghassion-style-street-epistemology/
31. Why Is Evidence Important for Faith?: https://faithgateway.com/blogs/christian-books/why-is-evidence-important-for-faith/
32. How the presence and quality of fathers affects belief in God | WINTERY KNIGHT: https://winteryknight.com/2015/10/04/how-the-presence-and-quality-of-fathers-affects-belief-in-god-3/
33. Did Jesus appeal to evidence when reaching out to skeptics? | WINTERY KNIGHT: https://winteryknight.com/2018/09/23/did-jesus-appeal-to-evidence-when-reaching-out-to-skeptics-2/
34. How Do We Know Who Wrote the Gospels in the New Testament?: https://www.timothypauljones.com/apologetics-how-do-we-know-who-wrote-the-gospels-2/
35. Every Mormons Need for Rest | Answers in Genesis – What goes through your mind when a Mormon knocks at your door? Oh no, I can’t remember all those technical answers I studied years ago! A former Mormon shares how every Christian already knows the answer to Mormons greatest need.: https://answersingenesis.org/world-religions/every-mormons-need-for-rest/
36. Here’s Why We Need to Be Able to Defend Christianity If We Hope to Influence a Culture – YouTube – Laura Ingraham interviews J. Warner Wallace about his book Cold Case Christianity (2013): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0p0eesos11M
37. Why It’s an Advantage to Know Christianity Is True – YouTube: https://youtu.be/YWLUpnAmnRw

Many have undertaken to draw up an account of the things that have been fulfilled among us, just as they were handed down to us by those who from the first were eyewitnesses and servants of the word. Therefore, since I myself have carefully investigated everything from the beginning, it seemed good also to me to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught.  –Luke 1:1-4

Blessings to you all

Message to my son, from 2009

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

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

Dear Son,                                                                                                                                      11-13-2009

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Love,

Dad

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

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

mid-week apologetics booster (1-5-2023)

Good morning friends,

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

True tolerance is where we extend to each other the right to be wrong. False tolerance, on the other hand, naïvely asserts that all ideas are created equal and this must be rejected. Not only is this obviously false, it’s unlivable. – Jonathan Morrow

To view more of these quotes, visit:

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

Now, here are your weekly links:

1. 7 Problems with the He Gets Us Campaign | Natasha Crain – In case you haven’t seen it yet, there’s a $100 million advertising campaign that launched this year across the United States and is aimed at helping rescue Jesus’s reputation from the damage done by His followers. It features a website, billboards in major cities, and ads that have been viewed 300 million times. He Gets Us, as the campaign is known, is funded by anonymous donors. If you haven’t seen the ads yet, you likely will soon.: https://natashacrain.com/7-problems-with-the-he-gets-us-campaign/
2. What is the purpose of the warning passages in Scripture? | GotQuestions.org: https://www.gotquestions.org/warning-passages.html
3. Reasons Why One Should Accept the Traditional Authorship of the Gospels – Bellator Christi: https://bellatorchristi.com/2016/11/14/reasons-why-one-should-accept-the-traditional-authorship-of-the-gospels/
4. The Circumstantial Case For Johns Authorship | Cold Case Christianity: https://coldcasechristianity.com/writings/the-circumstantial-case-for-johns-authorship/
5. Good Reasons to Believe Peter Is the Source of Marks Gospel | Cold Case Christianity: https://coldcasechristianity.com/writings/good-reasons-to-believe-peter-is-the-source-of-marks-gospel/
6. The First Characteristic of a Healthy Church: A Desire to Learn the Truth | Cold Case Christianity: https://coldcasechristianity.com/writings/the-first-characteristic-of-a-healthy-church-a-desire-to-learn-the-truth/
7. ‘Amazing Grace,’ Celebrates 250 Years Of New Mercies: https://thefederalist.com/2022/12/30/the-most-famous-new-years-day-hymn-amazing-grace-celebrates-250-years-of-new-mercies/
8. Why does the Bible describe the moon as a light? | GotQuestions.org: https://www.gotquestions.org/moon-light.html
9. Climate change models mistaken predictions – YouTube – Predicting future climate is difficult. Comparing climate data to the climate models reveals the inadequacy of many models.: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CyVhfUuZryQ
10. First Things First – Religious Freedom & Who Influenced Jefferson’s Vi AmericanMinute.com-William J. Federer: https://americanminute.com/blogs/todays-american-minute/first-things-first-religious-freedom-who-influenced-jeffersons-views-on-separation-of-church-state-american-minute-with-bill-federer
11. Mlange Part 1 – A mlange is a mixture, a medley, an array of miscellany combined together for a common purpose. That is what you will find in the next issues of Solid Ground-a potpourri of thoughts and reflections addressing issues I think will be relevant to you as an ambassador for Christ. This issue covers Practicing Prophecy, Skepticism about the Flood based on other flood myths, encounter on plane with someone reading over Greg’s shoulder, pro-life (abortion and death penalty), Transitional Fossils: https://www.str.org/w/melange-part-1
12. If a Fetus Isn’t a Human Being | Evolution News – At the heart of the abortion debate are two sets of questions: scientific questions and moral questions. They are both important, and much of the rancor and division in the abortion debate stems, I think, from conflation of scientific and moral issues. They are not the same.: https://evolutionnews.org/2022/12/2-story-of-2022-if-a-fetus-isnt-a-human-being-what-is-it/
13. Free eBooks – from Pastor Shane Idleman: https://westsidechristianfellowship.org/free-ebooks/
14. Why Leftists Like Nicholas Kristof Can Never Reconcile Christianity And The Sexual Revolution – The rules provided by Christian sexual ethics protect the weak from the selfishness of the strong. It’s an essential part of loving ones neighbor.. To begin with, Christians do not, and should not, focus on Jesus words to the exclusion of the rest of Scripture and common sense. Unenumerated sins are still sins. For example, orthodox Christians have rightly opposed the evils of eugenics, even though Jesus never specifically denounced them, and even when eugenics was seen as the scientifically proven wave of the future. Similarly, if human beings developing in the womb are included among those whom Christ called the least of these, my brothers, then the regime of elective abortion Kristof champions is a monstrous evil, and defeating it must be one of the top goals of Christians in politics. And, thanks be to God, we have won some victories against the violence of abortion, despite the efforts of Kristof to defend it.: https://thefederalist.com/2023/01/02/why-leftists-like-nicholas-kristof-can-never-reconcile-christianity-and-the-sexual-revolution/
15. Scott Klusendorf defends the pro-life view on the Unbelievable radio show | WINTERY KNIGHT: https://winteryknight.com/2023/01/01/scott-klusendorf-defends-the-pro-life-view-on-the-unbelievable-radio-show-10/
16. Sin Is Never Inevitable: How to Escape Overwhelming Temptation | Desiring God: https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/sin-is-never-inevitable
17. Gender, Marriage, and Sex: A Short Summary of What the Bible Teaches: https://think-well.org/2023/01/03/gender-marriage-and-sex-a-short-summary-of-what-the-bible-teaches/
18. Moral Relativism is One of the Defining Characteristics of Gen Z – Impact 360 Institute: https://www.impact360institute.org/articles/moral-relativism-one-defining-characteristics-gen-z/
19. How Accurate Is the Bible? | Ken Boa: https://kenboa.org/apologetics/how-accurate-is-the-bible/
20. Why Young Ex-Christians Are Ex-Christians, According to the Latest Research | Cold Case Christianity: https://coldcasechristianity.com/writings/why-young-ex-christians-are-ex-christians-according-to-the-latest-research/
21. Which side of the abortion rights debate is backed by scientific evidence? | WINTERY KNIGHT: https://winteryknight.com/2018/02/27/which-side-of-the-abortion-rights-debate-is-backed-by-scientific-evidence/
22. Privileged Species featuring Dr. Michael Denton – YouTube: https://youtu.be/VoI2ms5UHWg
23. What Are Some Differences Between The Buddha and Jesus Christ? Bishop’s Encyclopedia of Religion, Society and Philosophy: https://jamesbishopblog.com/2015/05/23/8-quick-differences-between-the-buddha-and-jesus/

Do not say, “I’ll do to him as he has done to me; I’ll pay that man back for what he did.” Proverbs 24:29

Blessings to you all

mid-week apologetics booster (10-27-2022)

Good morning friends,

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

Love is a choice, not a feeling. It is an initiated action, not an impulsive reaction. Choose today to be committed to love. – The Love Dare

To view more of these quotes, visit:

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

Now, here are your weekly links:

1. Is the RNA world hypothesis a good naturalistic explanation for the origin of life? | WINTERY KNIGHT: https://winteryknight.com/2022/10/24/is-the-rna-world-hypothesis-a-good-naturalistic-explanation-for-the-origin-of-life/
2. 6 Reasons Why It Takes Faith To Deny Jesus | Reasons for Jesus: https://reasonsforjesus.com/6-reasons-takes-faith-to-deny-jesus/
3. Four Truths About the Universe You Can Share with Your Kids to Demonstrate the Existence of God | Cold Case Christianity: https://coldcasechristianity.com/writings/four-truths-about-the-universe-you-can-share-with-your-kids-to-demonstrate-the-existence-of-god/
4. No, God Did Not Prescribe the Use of Cannabis in the Bible – The Stream: https://stream.org/no-god-not-prescribe-use-cannabis-bible/
5. Ten Easy Ways to Start Meaningful Dialogue – The key to entering a meaningful conversation is to look for opportunities, then start the conversation by building a bridge with a friendly opener. The following list gives helpful tips for striking up conversations with non-believers.: https://www.str.org/w/ten-easy-ways-to-start-meaningful-dialogue
6. 3 Evidences That Confirm the Bible Is Not Made Up | Answers in Genesis: https://answersingenesis.org/is-the-bible-true/3-evidences-confirm-bible-not-made-up/
7. Interview with Brett Kunkle on his book A Practical Guide to Culture: Helping the Next Generation Navigate Todays World: https://www.equip.org/articles/cri-interview-brett-kunkle/
8. If Christ Has Not Been Raised: Reasoning Through the Resurrection – Reasons to Believe – From a historic Christian perspective, both the nature and truth of Christianity rest upon Jesus Christs bodily resurrection from the dead. Jesus being raised to new life three days after His execution pumps the heart of the Christian gospel (doctrine), and is Christianity’s central supporting fact (apologetics). The truth of Christianity uniquely stands or falls on Christs resurrection. The apostle Paul explains: If Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith (1 Cor. 15:14). If Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile, you are still in your sins (1 Cor. 15:17). Since the truth-claims of Christianity hinge on the Resurrection, the New Testament accounts of Christs resurrection warrant careful analysis and reflection. The writers of these accounts not only report the Resurrection as a factual event but also provide a theological context and explanation of its overall significance to Gods historical redemptive plan.: https://reasons.org/explore/publications/articles/if-christ-has-not-been-raised-reasoning-through-the-resurrection
9. 3 Logical Fallacies to Avoid (and How to Tell When Someone Else is Committing Them) Apologetics for the Church: https://apolotheo.wordpress.com/2018/09/21/3-logical-fallacies-to-avoid-and-how-to-tell-when-someone-else-is-committing-them/
10. Ricochet Evangelism hen we are sharing the Gospel or defending the reason for our hope, we may not be sharing it with the person we are sharing it with. I mean, of course, we are but that’s not all. It may be bouncing off them and hitting someone else.: https://mrpatvincent.com/2018/09/25/ricochet-evangelism/
11. Jesus Specifically Said, I am God | Cold Case Christianity – As a skeptic, I was willing to accept a nice guy version of Jesus. You know, the wise sage from the past who was misunderstood and mythicized into something divine by leaders of a movement who were either mistaken or deceptive. Jesus might have been a nice guy and a great teacher, but did he ever really claim to be God? I had atheist friends who knew more about the Gospels than I did, and they said that Jesus never claimed to be God in any of the New Testament accounts. Once I began to examine the Gospels for myself, I discovered my friends were wrong; Jesus did say specifically that He was God. Now don’t get me wrong, Jesus didn’t use those exact words. But His listeners sure understood what He meant.: https://coldcasechristianity.com/writings/jesus-specifically-said-i-am-god/
12. THE CROSS NEWSLETTER Concerned Christians: https://concernedchristians.com/the-cross-newsletter-4/
13. Do faith in God and science contradict? | GotQuestions.org: https://www.gotquestions.org/science-God.html
14. Are Your Christian Students Ready for College? | Cold Case Christianity – Christian college students need to decide if they are serious about following Jesus or if they are going to drift into playing Christian. If they are serious about following Jesus, then they can set the destination they are pursuing early on, which will make all the difference. As Christians we are called to more than just surviving that’s the heart behind Welcome to College.: https://coldcasechristianity.com/writings/are-your-christian-students-ready-for-college/
15. A Stone in His Shoe: https://www.str.org/w/a-stone-in-his-shoe
16. Canadian landscape a testimony to the Flood – A remarkable planation surface in Canada: https://creation.com/cypress-hills-planation-surface
17. What I Wish I Knew Sixteen Years Ago About Sharing The Good News With Mormons Straight Talk with Claudia K: https://straighttalkwithclaudiak.com/2018/07/26/what-i-wish-i-knew-sixteen-years-ago-about-sharing-the-good-news-with-mormons/
18. The Challenge of Moral Relativism: Three Problems with Relativism: http://www.mandm.org.nz/2018/06/the-challenge-of-moral-relativism-three-problems-with-relativism.html
19. How Bacteria Help Our Bodies Survive | The Institute for Creation Research – Our relationship with our microbiome has been quite intimate from creation because the microbiota accomplishes vital tasks for us.: https://www.icr.org/article/10785/
20. One of the Most Common Objections to Gods Existence on a College Campus THINKAPOLOGETICS.COM: https://chab123.wordpress.com/2021/09/22/the-most-common-objection-to-gods-existence-on-a-college-campus-3/
21. 10 Biblical Reasons God Allows Suffering | Sean McDowell: https://seanmcdowell.org/blog/10-biblical-reasons-god-allows-suffering
22. 3 Reasons Why Christians Should Be Evidential Investigators Instead of Experience Junkies – Two men. Both grew up in Christian homes in suburban America. Both have famous Evangelical fathers. Both made personal decisions for Christ and became actively involved and well-known in ministry. One walked away from his faith and became a secular humanist. The other has become one of the top apologists and defenders of the Christian faith. Who are these two men? The first is Bart Campolo, son of evangelist and author Tony Campolo, and the other is Sean McDowell, son of evangelist and author Josh McDowell. Why did their fairly similar paths lead them to such radically different destinations?: https://www.alisachildersblog.com/blog/3-reasons-why-christians-should-be-evidential-investigators-instead-of-experience-junkies
23. Advice for Christians who discuss their faith with atheists from an atheist | WINTERY KNIGHT: https://winteryknight.com/2013/05/01/advice-for-christians-who-discuss-their-faith-with-atheists-from-an-atheist-2/
24. Studying the Works of Our Creator | The Institute for Creation Research – As believers, we enjoy the privilege of studying the works of the Lord. Creation reveals our Creators character. His work is honorable and glorious, and His righteousness endures forever. He has made His wonderful works to be remembered; the LORD is gracious and full of compassion (Psalm 111:3-4). One of His greatest works was sending redemption to His people because He cares for us (Psalm 111:9). His wonderful works remind us that He is indeed full of grace and compassion. Have you taken the time to study His works? All of creation reveals mysteries of the God who was here before the foundations of the world, allowing us to know Him more intimately. Have you pondered His works, displayed in the reliability of the seasons and demonstrated in the uniqueness of each created kind of animal? Have you wondered how the stars found their place in the heavens? Have you ever been in awe that the very breath of God is housed in humans made of dust?: https://www.icr.org/article/10434/
25. The Nature of Apologetics – The following summary will help people understand the nature of apologetics and why it is not merely for the edification of the saved, nor is it merely for evangelism and missions. In summary, (1) The Great Commission, as lived out by the earliest Christians, does not afford us the option of using apologetics with Christians alone. (2) Not all apologetics are the same; there are various methodsClassical, Evidential, and Presuppositional. Some are more effective with believers, and others are more effective with non-believers. (3) His claim is refuted by the verifiable testimony of believers such as Lee Strobel and Dr. Francis Collins, the head of the Human Genome Project, who became a believer in Christ after reading C. S. Lewis Mere Christianity. (4) While there are methods that favor those within the fold versus those outside the flock, the Classical method is a means to serve the believer and unbeliever by providing evidence for the faith that can convince the skeptic and assure the disciple. : https://ses.edu/the-nature-of-apologetics/
26. Benny Hinn Is My Uncle, but Prosperity Preaching Isn’t for Me | Christianity Today: https://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2017/october/benny-hinn-costi-uncle-prosperity-preaching-testimony.html
27. What do Christians mean when they say ‘God spoke to me?’ | Fox News: https://www.foxnews.com/opinion/what-do-christians-mean-when-they-say-god-spoke-to-me
28. The Scientific Evidence for Intelligent Design on Vimeo (Casey Luskin, 1 hr 17 min video) – The Scientific Evidence for Intelligent Design : https://vimeo.com/77175512
29. Young Earth Creation Science Argument Index – The purpose of this index is to list all the claims of young earth creationists, and provide rebuttals to those claims.: http://www.oldearth.org/young_earth_creationist_argument_index.htm
30. Sun Paradox Challenges Old Earth Theory | The Institute for Creation Research: https://www.icr.org/article/sun-paradox-challenges-old-earth-theory
31. Are Young People Really Leaving Christianity? | Cold Case Christianity – Much has been written about both the Biblical illiteracy of teenage believers and the flight of young people from the Church. Many have observed this trend, and I too have witnessed it anecdotally as a youth pastor (and shamefully, I contributed to the trend for some time before I changed course). Some writers and Christian observers deny the flight of young people altogether, but the growing statistics should alarm us enough as Church leaders to do something about the dilemma. My hope in this post is to simply consolidate some of the research (many of the summaries are directly quoted) so you can decide for yourself.: https://coldcasechristianity.com/writings/are-young-people-really-leaving-christianity/
32. What Is Hinduism and Hare Krishna? This is a great chapter from the book World Religions and Cults Volume 2: https://answersingenesis.org/world-religions/what-is-hinduism-and-hare-krishna/
33. Hinduism and other religions – Hinduism has Brahma, who is impersonal and pantheistic. The world is thought to be an illusion. Hinduism has no salvation, rather, the goal is to be dissolved into this ultimate reality which then leads to the absence of suffering. But I would say that the Hindu philosophy fails at the most basic level, because we can’t really live as if the world was an illusion. For instance, if I saw your message, and said, Oh well, guess I can delete it without responding, because N. J. is an illusion and I can’t answer it anyway, because I am one as well, that would be consistent with Hindu thinking, but inconsistent with how we actually live. No human actually wants to be dissolved into a ceaseless Nothingness where individuality is lost. What we want, what we long for, is to live forever, to see our dead loved ones again, to have a world free of the struggle and strife of this life. Christianity succeeds on this most basic level because it acknowledges that something is really wrong with this universe, and it presents the promise of a future restoration back to how each of us knows everything should be.: https://creation.com/hinduism-and-other-religions
34. 3 Reasons Your Evangelism Efforts Have Stalled – Lifeway Voices: https://voices.lifeway.com/uncategorized/3-reasons-your-evangelism-efforts-have-stalled/
35. Clarification on fossilized soft tissue reports – Soft tissue in fossils vs fossilized soft tissue. When a scientific report or an article commentary refers to soft tissue being preserved in a fossil, this could refer to one of two largely separate things: https://creation.com/soft-tissue-clarification
36. The Reliability of the Bible | Biblical Christianity – No book has had more said about it, good or bad, than the Bible. We now live in a time when many people passionately believe the Bible to be the word of God while many others strongly criticize the Bible as textually corrupt, scientifically nave, historically incredible, and morally backward. Many people who grew up accepting the Bible as true come to question, doubt, and even reject it. Yet there has never been more evidence in support of the reliability of the Bible than there is today. Recent advances in science and scholarship have answered many of the common criticisms of the Bible. It is unrealistic to try to prove every detail of the Bible or to vindicate all of its statements. However, we have very good reasons indeed to be confident in the Bible and to accept its message: that the God who created us has acted to reconcile estranged humanity to himself through the revelations given to Israel and especially through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.: https://bib.irr.org/reliability-of-bible
37. How to Use Questions & Tactics In Your Next Apologetics Encounter The Think Institute: https://thethink.institute/articles/how-to-use-questions-amp-tactics-in-your-next-apologetics-encounter

In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents. Luke 15:10

Blessings to you all

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

Good morning friends,

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

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

To view more of these quotes, visit:

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

Now, here are your weekly links:

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

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

Blessings to you all

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

Good morning friends,

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

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

To view more of these quotes, visit:

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

Now, here are your weekly links:

1. The King Follett Discourse | Times & Seasons – I’m including this in the apologetics booster not because it answers any objection to orthodox Christianity, but rather that it explicitly shows the heretical doctrines that the founder of the Mormons taught, and this material can be used to education LDS believers about what their founder really taught: https://www.timesandseasons.org/index.php/2022/05/the-king-follett-discourse/
2. 6 Ways You May Be Raising Your Kids with an Oversimplified Faith – If we raise our kids with an oversimplified faith, were building a ramp to eventual shame when difficult questions arise.: https://natashacrain.com/6-ways-you-may-be-raising-your-kids-with-an-oversimplified-faith/
3. Why Spiritual but not religious won’t solve your problems – YouTube: https://youtu.be/j6HkBGl9mOI
4. Who was Desiderius Erasmus? | GotQuestions.org: https://www.gotquestions.org/Desiderius-Erasmus.html
5. One of the Clearest (and Earliest) Summaries of Early Christian Beliefs – Canon Fodder: https://www.michaeljkruger.com/one-of-the-clearest-and-earliest-summaries-of-early-christian-beliefs/
6. Is Jesus Christ a Copy of Pagan Religions? Bishop’s Encyclopedia of Religion, Society and Philosophy – As Dan Brown in his book The Da Vinci Code (2003) writes, Nothing in Christianity is original. In recent times a number of people are claiming that the historical Jesus is simply a rehash of older pagan secretive religions, and of the religions of dying and rising gods. This is a view expressed in media such as Zeitgeist, The Da Vinci Code, and Irreligious which attempt to be factual and convincing. But how factually based are these claims? This article argues, in reference to reputable scholars, that these claims are false and, on many occasions, deliberately deceitful in their fabrications. : https://jamesbishopblog.com/2015/01/19/23-reasons-why-scholars-know-jesus-is-not-a-copy-of-pagan-religions/
7. Start teaching kids apologetics as early as possible, Young Defenders author says | Church & Ministries News: https://www.christianpost.com/news/start-teaching-kids-apologetics-as-early-as-possible-young-defenders-author-says.html
8. An 11-Day Study On Challenges To Biblical Authority – We want to know God and meet Him in His Word. But why is Scripture so confusing at times? In this 11-day Bible reading plan, you’ll walk through some of the most challenging aspects in Scripture, find a new confidence in the Bible and a deeper trust in God.: https://www.bible.com/reading-plans/17194-an-11-day-study-on-challengesto-biblical-authority/day/1?ret=1
9. What Is a Biblical Worldview? with George Barna | Natasha Crain: https://natashacrain.com/what-is-a-biblical-worldview-with-george-barna/
10. Take a Tip from Lt. Columbo – Have you ever taken a verbal beating when trying to talk about Jesus? If so, I’ve got a tip for you. It’s the simplest tactic imaginable to help stop a challenger in his tracks, turn the tables, and put you back in the driver’s seat. And it can be done almost effortlessly.: https://www.str.org/w/take-a-tip-from-lt.-columbo-
11. The Apologetics of Jesus: Asking Tactful Questions – Sometimes we apologists can forget that human beings are more than intellectual machines. That’s why it’s important to ask tactful questions that go beyond the surface of intellectual arguments. Three of Jesus questions in particular can be easily adapted to use in apologetic and evangelistic conversations. : https://wisedisciple.org/podcast-episodes/apologetics-of-jesus-asking-tactful-questions
12. How Media Consumption Threatens the Future of Christianity (It’s Not What You Think) | Cold Case Christianity: https://coldcasechristianity.com/writings/how-media-consumption-threatens-the-future-of-christianity-its-not-what-you-think/
13. Fearfully and Wonderfully Made – YouTube – Dr. David Menton from Creation Ministries international presents a stunning lecture on how babies are conceived in their mother’s womb. This presentation will leave you marveling at the awesome design of God in the mother’s womb.: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w9LKweRWpLk
14. Abiogenesis – creation.com – Fantastic claims highlight the scientific absurdity of this recycled philosophy of spontaneous generation: https://creation.com/abiogenesis
15. DNA and An Argument for God The DNA molecule (deoxyribonucleic acid) is a coiled ladder, two chains of sugar and phosphate running in opposite directions. And on the DNA base pairs, the rungs of this ladder, are segments of biological code called genes. This code is used in our cells for the production of proteins, the essentials components of life.: https://respondblogs.wordpress.com/2019/08/01/dna-and-an-argument-for-god/
16. Jay Richards answers the objection Who Designed the Designer? | WINTERY KNIGHT: https://winteryknight.com/2018/11/25/jay-richards-answers-the-objection-who-designed-the-designer/
17. Beyond Adaptation: The Human Brain Is Something New | Evolution News – Who or what are we? The materialist viewpoint is that we are matter in motion governed by our brains, a wetware operating system of three pounds of grey and white matter. Our identity is packed into our brains and if they die, so do we. There is no soul, and consciousness is an illusion. Is that what we are? From the materialist point of view our human brains are the product of evolution an ape-like brain grown larger and more sophisticated. Physically a human brain is three times the size of a chimpanzee brain, and uses considerably more energy. Our brain represents 2 percent of our body weight but uses 20 percent of the oxygen we breathe: https://evolutionnews.org/2018/09/beyond-adapation-the-human-brain-is-something-new/
18. The Four Miracles of Atheism | ReasonableTheology.org – Richard Dawkins stated that Faith is belief in spite of, even perhaps because of, the lack of evidence. However, even naturalistic worldviews also take some things on faith. For the purposes of this discussion, we will define a miracle as an event which occurs outside of the natural order and cannot be repeated or explained by the scientific process.: https://reasonabletheology.org/four-miracles-athiesm/
19. How can a Christian overcome the fear of witnessing? | GotQuestions.org: https://www.gotquestions.org/Christian-witnessing.html
20. Contradictions In The Life of a Christian – The Christian Church is no stranger to hypocrisy. The Church is comprised of sinners who do not always practice what they preach, and sometimes such practice is in stark contradiction to what we preach. Some of the most heinous acts have been committed by Christians while they speak truth. It seems that sexual misconduct within the Church is always on the radar. : https://crossexamined.org/contradictions-in-the-life-of-a-christian/
21. Dr. Michael G Strauss: An Introduction to the Anthropic Principle and Fine Tuning: https://www.michaelgstrauss.com/2017/04/an-introduction-to-anthropic-principle.html
22. 3 More Logical Fallacies to Avoid (and How to Tell When Someone Else is Committing Them) Apologetics for the Church: https://apolotheo.wordpress.com/2018/09/24/3-more-logical-fallacies-to-avoid/
23. Does having an extra forearm artery prove evolution? – creation.com: https://creation.com/extra-artery
24. How does fetal blood circulation differ from circulation after birth? – creation.com: https://creation.com/how-does-fetal-blood-circulation-differ-from-circulation-after-birth
25. Here are the companies that will cover costs for employees seeking abortion services: https://www.wsls.com/news/local/2022/06/25/here-are-the-companies-that-will-cover-costs-for-employees-seeking-abortion-services/
26. America After 9/11: Is Religion Evil? – Dr. Mikel Del Rosario | Apologetics Guy: http://apologeticsguy.com/2011/09/religion-in-america-after-911-is-religion-evil/
27. The Three Faces of Evil and a Christian Response Welcome to Rob Lundberg.org: https://roblundberg.org/2011/09/10/the-three-faces-of-evil-and-a-christian-response/
28. The Next Stage in Evangelism and Apologetics: | Sean McDowell – What is the next stage in evangelism and apologetics? I recently caught up with Lee Strobel to ask him about his new center for evangelism and apologetics. Check out the brief interview below for some insight as to how he, along with Mark Mittelberg, plan to equip people in the church to naturally share and defend their faith:: https://seanmcdowell.org/blog/the-next-stage-in-evangelism-and-apologetics-interview-with-lee-strobel
29. EVIDENCE FOR THE RESURRECTION OF JESUS THINKAPOLOGETICS.COM – this is a page full of links to other pages containing evidences for the resurrection: https://chab123.wordpress.com/evidence-for-the-resurrection-of-jesus/
30. If a person’s best efforts to believe the Bible fail, do they still deserve to burn in hell?: http://www.provethebible.net/T2-Objec/G5-002.htm
31. Is There a God? 6 Reasons Point to God’s Existence – Does God exist? Here are six straightforward reasons to believe that God is really there. Just once wouldn’t you love for someone to simply show you the evidence for God’s existence? No arm-twisting. No statements of, “You just have to believe.” Well, here is an attempt to candidly offer some of the reasons which suggest that God exists. But first consider this. When it comes to the possibility of God’s existence, the Bible says that there are people who have seen sufficient evidence, but they have suppressed the truth about God.1 On the other hand, for those who want to know God if he is there, he says, “You will seek me and find me; when you seek me with all your heart, I will be found by you.”2 Before you look at the facts surrounding his existence, ask yourself, If God does exist, would I want to know him?: https://www.everystudent.com/features/is-there-a-god.html
32. Index fossils – creation.com – For example, if dinosaur fossils are found in a rock layer, the rocks are assumed to be at least 65 million years old. So if a radiometric dating result indicates an age of 40 million years, it is interpreted as representing, not the age of the rock, but a later geological process, such as disturbance, reworking or contamination. The fossils always trump the supposedly objective radiometric dating!: https://creation.com/index-fossils
33. San Francisco Decriminalizes Psychedelics | DoubleBlind Mag – all I can say is, wow: https://doubleblindmag.com/san-francisco-decriminalizes-psychedelics/
34. Stealing From God – If you think atheists have reason, evidence, and science on their side, think again! Dr. Frank Turek shows how atheists steal reason, evidence, science, and other arguments from God trying to make their case for atheism. Sound contradictory? It is! Atheists can’t make their case without appealing to realities only theism can explain. Stealing from God exposes intellectual crimes atheists commit, then provides powerful reasons why Christianity is true.: https://www.bible.com/es/reading-plans/2928-stealing-from-god/day/5

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

Blessings to you all

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

Good morning friends,

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

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

To view more of these quotes, visit:

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

Now, here are your weekly links:

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

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

Blessings to you all