28Jan 2026 by Post

A Case for an Eternal Hell (Part 1): A Biblical Defense

annihilationism, Apologetics, bellatorchristi.com, Brian Chilton, Christianity, ECT, end times, eschatology, eternal conscious torment, Gospel, Hell, Theology and Christian Apologetics
Recently, the Christian world was abuzz with the news that popular Christian star Kirk Cameron had considered switching his view of hell from the traditional view to annihilationism.[1] While I will not engage the specific comments made by Kirk Cameron on his podcast, I do think that it is important to discuss the topic of hell’s duration, annihilationism, and the traditional view known as eternal conscious torment (ECT). Also, we should note that Kirk is working through his beliefs about hell. Therefore, this article and series are not a response to Kirk Cameron or his beliefs. Rather, the series serves as a necessary engagement on a hotly contested issue. This article is the first of a three-part series defending the traditional view of hell, otherwise known as ECT. The series will…
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20Aug 2025 by Post

Four Ways that Middle Knowledge Helps to Explain Unanswered Prayer

Apologetics, bellatorchristi.com, Brian Chilton, Christianity, Gospel, Luis de Molina, Middle Knowledge, Molinism, Theological Apologetics, Theology and Christian Apologetics, unanswered prayer
Country singer Garth Brooks popularized the song, “Unanswered Prayers.” The song recounts how he prayed to have the love of a young woman earlier in his life. His prayer, however, was declined. While he didn’t understand why God did not allow him to have the love of this young woman when he was young, he later reflected on why God did not answer his prayer when he looked upon his wife and valued the love they had for one another. Brooks then sings, “One of God’s greatest gifts is unanswered prayer.” In his book Luis de Molina: The Life and Theology of the Founder of Middle Knowledge, Kirk MacGregor recounts the life and belief system of Luis de Molina. Unfortunately, much of Molina’s works are still left untranslated. MacGregor, who is able to…
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24Apr 2025 by Post

33 Defenses for the Resurrection of Jesus: Part 2

3. Are Miracles Possible?, Apologetics, Brian Chilton, Christianity, Easter, Gospel, historical apologetics, Jesus, New Testament, Resurrection, www.bellatorChristi.com
[Editor’s Note: In part 1 of this series on the Resurrection, Brian Chilton laws out five lines of evidence for the resurrection in the Acronym: RISEN – Records of Jesus’s resurrection, Irritating details about the resurrection that show its truthfulness, Sightings of the risen Jesus, Early testimony about the risen Jesus, and the Newfound faith of the disciples. He then presents and explains how ancient records and irritating historical details point to the bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ. In Part 2 of this series, Chilton will explore how early testimony, resurrection sightings, and the newfound faith of key Christians point to that same resurrection event.]    Sightings of the Risen Jesus The biblical texts reports many witnesses who saw Jesus alive. The resurrection appearances of Jesus were a very public affair.…
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16Apr 2025 by Post

33 Defenses for the Resurrection of Jesus

3. Are Miracles Possible?, 4. Is the NT True?, Apologetics, Brian Chilton, Christianity, Easter, Gospel, historical apologetics, Jesus, New Testament, Resurrection, www.bellatorChristi.com
I told someone recently that Easter (aka., “Resurrection Sunday”) is my favorite holiday. It holds a greater prominence for the child of God than even Christmas. Up until the commercialization of Christmas, Easter was the central holiday for the Christian. One of my good friends recently stated that her pastor called Easter the “Super Bowl for Christianity,” and for good reason. Easter celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Are there, however, good reasons for believing that Jesus of Nazareth literally arose from the dead on that first Resurrection Sunday? The historicity of the resurrection and the Gospels were a major sticking point for me in my time of doubt. If the resurrection was only wishful thinking, then believers have no genuine hope for their eternity. Yet if the resurrection is…
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26Mar 2025 by Post

Defense of the Immaterial Soul

Apologetics, bellatorchristi.com, Brian Chilton, Christianity, Gospel, materialism, personhood, philosophical anthropology, philosophy of mind, soul, spirit, theological anthropology, Theology and Christian Apologetics
The human body is a marvelous and complex system. Of special interest is the cellular mechanism of the body. Every 7-10 years, the cells of the body replace themselves, to the point that the body is essentially new every decade.[i] While the DNA remains the same over the course of a person’s life, the cells change at varying rates. A person’s stomach lining replaces itself every few days. The skin’s epidermis replaces itself every 2 to 4 weeks. The body’s hair changes every 6 years for women and 3 years for men. Liver cells rejuvenate every 150 to 500 days. Bones take around 10 years to change. Philosophically speaking, the materialist has a problem if he decides to claim that the body is all of human existence. If humans are…
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04Sep 2024 by Post

Becoming Skeptical of Modern Skepticism

4. Is the NT True?, Apologetics, bellatorchristi.com, Brian Chilton, Charles Darwin, Christianity, cynicism, David Hume, Doubt, faith, Gospel, Michael Licona, rudooph Bultmann, skepticism, Stephen Meyer, Theology and Christian Apologetics, william lane craig
Some skepticism is warranted. None of us want to live within a paradigm of naivety. No one wants to blindly accept every foolish notion that comes down the pipeline. A quick glance at social media along with the acknowledgment of the tweaks and twists that artificial intelligence can bring to videos and audio files only intensifies our need for discernment. Even still, as believers, we must differentiate between discernment and all-out skepticism. Discernment evaluates data to see whether the information is valid and trustworthy. In contrast, skepticism doubts or denies claims that seem to be grandiose or beyond the status quo. Even more to the point, skepticism can deny propositional claims. When left unrestrained, skepticism could lead to doubt, which in turn can lead to the denial of propositions (i.e.,…
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12Aug 2024 by Post

How To Help Muslims Think Deeply and Differently About the Deity of Christ

4. Is the NT True?, Apologetics, Bellator Christi, bellatorchristi.com, Brian Chilton, Christianity, Islam, Islamic Apologetics, Koran, Muslim, Muslims, Quran, Sherene Khouri, Theology and Christian Apologetics
I was in a Global Studies conference a few months ago when a retired minister asked me an interesting question. He told me, “I like to take Christian young men to the local mosques so they can learn about Islamic beliefs; however, I’m wondering what would be a good question to ask our Muslim friends in order to get to know them and let them know about Jesus.” I believe this is a very important question I would like to answer here. Talk about Jesus Christ from A Christian Perspective One of the sharp differences between Islam and Christianity is the nature of Jesus. Who he is and what he did. Christians can approach their Muslim neighbors and tell them about Jesus in two ways: 1) What do the Gospels…
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24Jul 2024 by Post

Promise of Genuine Immortality: AI or the Divine

AI, Apologetics, Bellator Christi, Brian Chilton, Christianity, Gospel, Heaven, immortality, salvation, Theology and Christian Apologetics, transhumanism, Utopia, Utopianism
Do we have a genuine promise of immortality? This is a question that impacts all of us. When I was growing up as a kid, I wanted to be taken seriously. Therefore, I could not wait to grow up to have a seat at the intellectual table. It seemed like it took forever to get out of grade school and high school. My wise grandmother told me, “Don’t rush your life away. The older you get; the faster time passes.” She was absolutely right! Because it seems like life is passing by at light speed, especially the closer I get to 50. As we age, we begin to contemplate our own mortality, and rightfully so. The older we get, the closer we get to the time of our death. Our…
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29May 2024 by Post

How Apologetics Helps Through Times of Grief

Apologetics, Bellator Christi, Brian Chilton, Christianity, Comfort, evil, grief, Pastoral Care, problem of pain, Suffering, theology, Theology and Christian Apologetics
If we live long enough, grief is something that we will all experience at one point or another. Grief is difficult. Some have even said that “grief is a challenging beast.” It impacts each person differently. Grief is a sense of sorrow that one feels when a person experiences a form of loss. More frequently, this loss is associated with those who have had loved ones who passed away. However, grief can also include the loss of a job, friendship, hobby, or position. As I have dealt with loss in my personal life, I have surprisingly found how beneficial apologetics is when going through times of sorrow. Apologetics—that is, the defense of the Christian faith—may seem like an unlikely ally of bereavement and psychospiritual care, as many associate it with…
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12Jan 2023 by Post

Cómo Jeremías 29:11 es mucho mejor cuando se interpreta correctamente

Apologética, Bellator Christi, Brian Chilton, clama a mi y yo te respondere, Cristianismo, Español, Iglesia, jeremias 29:11
Por Brian Chilton Algunos versículos de la Biblia se han popularizado tanto que a menudo se sacan de su contexto. Al hacerlo, el pasaje bíblico pierde el impacto que tiene. Peor aún, el texto puede recibir un mensaje que nunca pretendió transmitir. Jeremías 29:11 es un ejemplo. El versículo es una promesa de Dios que dice: “Porque yo sé los pensamientos que tengo acerca de vosotros, dice Jehová, pensamientos de paz, y no de mal, para daros el fin que esperáis.” (Jer. 29:11, RVR60). El versículo se ha aplicado mal a menudo, ya que se ha convertido en un elemento básico de las tarjetas Hallmark, placas y chucherías de graduación. Para algunos, el versículo encierra la promesa de que Dios nunca permitirá que la persona sufra malas experiencias o problemas.…
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