All Posts by Mike

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Peter and Paul Die for Christ

Christian Apologetics , Other Essays , Resources

Dr Clay Jones from Biola University (my alma mater!) builds a defense on why Peter and Paul believed so much that Christ died and rose again that they went to their death for it.  He utilizes what we call the Two Minute Drill (he refers to it as the 200 word answer:

In apologetics we provide argument and evidence for the truth of historic Christianity. For example, consider Jesus’ resurrection. We know that Jesus’ disciples walked with Jesus, talked with Jesus, and ate with Jesus—they knew who Jesus was. They were with Jesus when he was arrested and they then scattered. The Romans then scourged Jesus, drove spikes through His wrists and His feet to nail him to the cross, and thrust a spear in His side to make sure He was dead. Then they buried Jesus.

But three days later, Jesus’ tomb was found empty and the disciples started testifying that they again walked with Jesus, talked with Jesus, and ate with Jesus. And what’s really amazing is that many testified to his resurrection even to their own torture and death. We know extra-Biblically that Nero beheaded the Apostle Paul and we know from the Jewish historian Josephus that the Sanhedrin stoned to death Jesus’ brother James, who had become a leader of the Christian church.

So here’s my question: if Jesus wasn’t raised from the dead, then why would the first disciples die for what they knew was a lie?

Then he proceeds to explain in wonderful detail WHY

God bless!

Atheists Position on Morality

Christian Apologetics , Debates , Resources

Ok – I have to admit, debating is one of my favorite things to do.  I love exploring both sides of a thought, and listening to smart people present and respond to criticism of their positions.  It generates and encourages deep thought, and forces us to really know what we're thinking.

Just discovered a new blog, and a great set of debates – True FreeThinker.com

Here's a fun debate with an atheist defending his moralilty – watch and learn.  It's a hoot!

Grace and peace…

Mike

Christianity and the Brain

Christian Apologetics , Current Events

A great website True Free Thinker has a wonderful post that explores our favorite militant atheist on their pursuit proving that people of faith are 'insane'.   “The Neural Correlates of Religious and Nonreligious Belief” – Sam Harris’ Neuroscientific Escapades

Pretty deep, cool stuff.  Here's an example…

In Sam Harris we are dealing with a person who has admitted that he did not get into the field of science in order to perform the ideal task of an unbiased researcher who is prepared to do away with a lifetime’s worth of research and published opinions when it is toppled by contradicting evidence. Rather, we are dealing with someone who holds to an a priori conclusion and has become a scientist in order to, as I will state it, seek to find evidence that will reinforce his conclusions and or place a thin veneer of scientific respectability as a façade around his militant atheistic opinions

Enjoy!

Grace and Peace

Matthew vs Mark

Christian Apologetics , The Bible

 

There's been a lot of conjecture about why the Gospels don't line up EXACTLY – and there are good reasons why.

Andy Naselli has a good diagram of the differences of the first two Gospels here

Is good use in a class you may teach about the intricacies of the Bible…

God bless!

 

Do We Need A Darker Christmas

Christian Apologetics , Current Events

 

 

The Evangelical Outpost has a different take for us to consider – that Christmas shouldn't be all happy and sweet!?

We Need a Darker Christmas is a little thought provoking…

We needn’t dwell on the darkness, but we need to recognize that we live in the midst of darkness, for it’s only the people who walked in darkness who have seen a great light.  Only then can we distinguish the true light of Christ from the cheap thrill of a string of lightbulbs, and only then can we begin to bring the wonder of that Light to a dark world.

The point is that Christmas needs to remember why Christ had to come – not just that He did come (if we even remember that, as a society.)  So what do you think?  Should Christmas be a joyous time, or a solumn time?  Can it be both?  Shouldn't it be joyous BECAUSE we know of the solemnity of the curse of sin? 

I think I get the point, but prefer to be happy about the coming of Christ…

Apologists in the Church

Christian Apologetics , Current Events , Evangelism

 

One of my profs at Biola has a blog, and has an excellent post entitled An Apologist In Every Church.

Ephesians 4:11-16: And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.

This is one of my goals, to help church's establish an apologetics ministry to enable those with questions and issues – even those IN the church.

Enjoy, and consider your role as an Apologist in YOUR Church!  If you're so inclined, Help me with this endeavor!  Give me some thoughts about how you would think we should proceed

Grace and Peace

Bill OReilly vs Atheism

Current Events

This just cracks me up.  O'Reilly takes on an atheist who thinks that all believers are scammed and know it!  Unbelievable hubris from this atheist.  O'Reilly tells the atheist that he can't explain the tides – and of course the dude thinks that the answer is 'the moon'.  He doesn't think too deeply does he?

Anyway – maybe not the most gentile of apologists – but for my money O'Reilly wins easily with the deeper argument that this dude just cant reach. 

 

 BUT WAIT!  It doesn't stop there!  Olberman takes up the charge and labels O'Reilly 'The worst person in the world'.  (huh?)

This guy gets apoplectic every day – and he does it again despite his ignorance of the real issue, just like the atheist above.

Oh well..

 So what do you think?  Is this any way to do Apologetics?  Seems he's trying, but just isn't clear and he certainly isn't doing it 'with gentleness and respect'.  But it is interesting to watch…

 

Gay Marriage and Christian Apologetics

Current Events

 

FIRST THINGS released an article entitled "Bearing Better Witness Evangelicals need to rethink what they do and say about gay marriage."

Begins like this:

When even Christianity Today is asking, “Is the Gay Marriage Debate Over?” the issue has become so critical that it demands close attention. Believing (wrongly) that the debate is over, some evangelicals have decided that Christians should let the state define marriage any way it chooses and focus their attention only on what the Church does. This would be a fundamental mistake. The debate is one in which we must be involved for the sake of our society itself

Contemplate as you move forward in your Apologetic baseline reasoning and execution

Grace and Peace

Mike

 

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