Category: Apologetics
Is nature in conflict with scripture? – Some reflections on the Gungor drama.
Well, last week was a typical week in a world where Christian celebrity, social media, and theological convictions collide. A well-known Christian musician voiced his evolving theological conclusions, convictions, and even doubts about things like a real first-couple named Adam and Eve, a six-day creation (which he was taught happened 6,000 years ago), and a version of […]
Toward a framework for a “Christian” Worldview
Three key ideas inspire my motives for writing this post. First – I recently read a series of posts asking the question, “Is there a ‘the Christian Worldview” by Roger Olson. You can read the first in the series here (then follow Olson’s links to the rest) if you want to enjoy them. Second – Three […]
Theological Face-Palm
Somebody recently posted a link to an intriguing article from the online version of Charisma: Remembering the Latter Rain. I’m not sure how recent the article is, but it’s fascinating — in a train-wreck sort of way. It’s amazing to me — a face-palm moment, if you will — that long after the Latter Rain […]
God sometimes changes his mind, but it’s only because he never changes!
One of the great struggles we have with the God revealed in Scripture has to do with texts that say, “God never changes,” and other texts that seem to say things like, “God changed his mind,” or “God regretted…” For instance — Malachi 3:6 – “For I the LORD do not change; therefore you, O children […]
How helpful is the Cosmological Argument?
There are multiple approaches to the Cosmological Argument. Here is my best simple explanation of it: Something exists (e.g. a universe) There is not, therefore, nothing at all – therefore “Nothing” does not exist. Only “something” exists. Something cannot arise out of nothing There must be a cause for the “something” that exists God is […]
Strange Fire Turns Toward Strained Polemics
So the firestorm from the Strange Fire Conference has been steadily building throughout the past few weeks and is now in full swing. When word got out that the conference was going to take place and that John MacArthur was releasing a book of the same name, Dr. Michael Brown appealed to MacArthur to embrace […]
Covenantal Apologetics, by K. Scott Oliphint
Much has been made of K. Scott Oliphint’s latest book, Covenantal Apologetics: Principles & Practice in Defense of Our Faith. Apologetics is the theological discipline of defending the Christian faith. Readers who are familiar with the subject will know that there are a variety of methods used in defending Christianity (for a survey, see Five Views […]
Random Question(s) on Creationism
My oldest daughter and I had a fun conversation this afternoon. She’s a 4th grader who is super smart and curious. I have a hard time keeping up with all of her questions. In fact, our new game includes her trying to ask me questions that I don’t know the answer to that she does. […]
Introduction to N. T. Wright: Books You Should Read
I’m often asked by pastors which books by Wright they should read and I used to always refer them to the Christian Origins and the Question of God series because, quite frankly, you can’t be into NT studies without having interacted with his works in that series. His book on the Resurrection is one of the […]
Learning, Listening, & Engaging: My Interaction with Jehovah Witnesses
Today I had a scheduled meeting with two Jehovah Witnesses (JW’s to save space) to discuss the Bible and our religious beliefs. A friend from the church I serve had been approach by them and invited me to come and to talk. I was excited to sit down and have a conversation with them and […]
Playing by a Different Set of Academic Standards: Responding to Mohler’s Comments on the Vineyard
There are some commonly held “rules of engagement” when scholars interact with each other and opposing ideas. And if those scholars happen to be Christians, I would assume that more care would be taken to be loving, gracious, and humble in how one approaches others and their views. Christian Scripture indicates that those qualities are […]
Good or Bad?: The Lowest Common Denominator in Theology
This is going to be a little bit longer post than usual. Stick with me and I think it’ll make sense in the end. Well, I certainly hope so. I’ve been teaching on the subject of eschatology for the past couple of weeks in the church I serve. It’s been really fun because it’s brought […]
The Chick-Fil-A Hoopla
So I was going to write a long post about what I thought concerning today’s “Support Chick-Fil-A” reverse boycott. I planned on explaining that I’m sure the intentions of those who started this idea and promoted it and took part in it were probably nothing but good. I was going to say that if I […]
Do Historical Matters Matter to Faith?, ed. by Hoffmeier & Magary
There are a lot of books that seek to expose problems in the Bible and many others that seek to defend its truthfulness. My shelves are full of books that address issues related to the historicity and truthfulness of the Bible. But there area lot of people, especially in today’s postmodern culture, who tend to […]
Advice for Helping Doubters…
J. I. Packer writes, “How can one help doubters? First, by explaining the problem area (for doubts often arise from misunderstanding); second, by exhibiting the reasonableness of Christian belief at that point, and the grounds for embracing it (for Christian beliefs, though above reason, are not against it); third, by exploring what prompts the doubts […]
Would Polygamists Discuss the Foundation for their Theology?
I’ve noticed that polygamy has become the latest craze in reality TV (TLC’s Sister Wives). Given that the interviews I’ve seen of these “plural marriage” advocates have stated that their “faith” is the reason that they are practicing this lifestyle, I was wondering where they come up with the foundation for that faith decision. I’m […]
God Will Wipe Away Every Tear: Interacting with Time Magazine on Revelation 21:4
Justin Taylor reports thatTime Magazine’s cover story is on Rob Bell and his latest book Love Wins. Surprise, surprise. As Denny Burk points out, “Every year during Easter season, the news weekly’s like to feature stories that tweak traditional Christian belief (for example, The Gospel of Judas, the tomb of Jesus, etc.). For these publications, […]
The Parable of the Talents: Are There Two or Just One?
This Sunday I’m preaching planning to preach on the Parable of the Talents. Yesterday my issue was which one to preach on. There are two: Matthew 25:14-30 and Luke 19:11-27. There’s a lot of similarities between the two passages, yet significant differences too. Since the gospel writers are less concerned with chronology, it can sometimes […]
The Best Response to Roman Catholicism I Have Ever Read
Dr. Keith Mathison has written a detailed response to the claims of Rome in what I’d consider to be perhaps one of the best responses ever (article here). I know that’s saying a lot, but the biblical, theological, and historical detail is simply incredible. It’s an essay, so it’s not as detailed as some of […]
Avoid Writing Off Essential Truths in the Quest for Relevance: Why the Virgin Birth Matters!
Awhile ago a lot of chatter occurred on the blogosphere due to a sermon that Rob Bell preached and something he wrote in Velvet Elvis. Bell basically suggested that the truthfulness of the Virgin Birth didn’t really affect his faith. In other words, if he found out that the story of the Virgin Birth was […]
CNN Falls for Ehrman Hook, Line, & Sinker
Is it just me or do most media outlets have an overly trusting infatuation with Bart Ehrman? I recently noted Ehrman’s overall role within NT scholarship (here) and now I just read an article at CNN.com – Former Fundamentalist ‘Debunks’ Bible. There is such a weird intriguing infatuation within most media outlets with this guy. But […]
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