Tag Archives for " christian apologetics "

Harry Potter and Sacraments

Christian Apologetics , Current Events

Is the world represented by Harry Potter developed from Christian roots?  David Nielson at The Evangelical Outpost desribes some 'history' in his post   Evangelicals And The Sacramental World Of Harry Potter

There's an odd thought.  Here's the authors main point:

 As long as we remember that we cannot actually do “magic” (even in a sacramentalized form), then we are free to appreciate the magical symbolism for the deep Christian themes that it expresses

Not sure what I think about this post

What do you think?

Grace and Peace

Mike

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