21Dec 2023 by Post

To Understand Nature’s Intentionality, We Must Go Back to the Future

"God of the gaps", Aristotle, body, causation, Christianity, DNA, Evolution, Intelligent Design, Isaac Newton, Johannes Kepler, Jonathan Wells, Michael Behe, mind, Nicolaus Copernicus, Pierre-Simon Laplace, proteins, René Descartes, ribosomes, science of purpose, scientism, soul, Stephen Meyer, subject-object metaphysics, Thomas Aquinas, William Dembski
It required the truly inimitable intellect of Aquinas to Christianize and modernize what Aristotle had said 1,600 years before him. Source
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20Dec 2023 by Post

Making Sense of Christmas

3. Are Miracles Possible?, Apologetics, Bobby Conway, christian, Christianity, Christianity Still Makes Sense, Christmas, Culture, faith, Gospel, Jesus Christ, Miracle of Christmas, Theology and Christian Apologetics, truth
The Christmas season has a way of quickening the senses, doesn’t it? The taste of a kiss under a mistletoe tree, the flavor of nursing steamed Ghirardelli hot chocolate, or the sheer ecstasy of biting into that freshly made batch of flaky peanut brittle. Then there are the smells. Oh, the smells. The smell of Gingerbread houses, hot caramel apple pie, and the dreaded Turkish Delight. We cannot forget the sounds. The sounds of Christmas carolers, holiday bells and our favorite seasonal hymns and not so favorite ones too, like, Last Christmas. It’s also a sight fest. The sight of homes bedecked with multi-colored lights, lawns graced by nativity scenes, and Salvation Army volunteers ringing their bells for coins in the coffer. And of course, we cannot forget the touch…
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18Dec 2023 by Post

Is Christmas Pagan?

3. Are Miracles Possible?, Apologetics, Christianity, Christmas, Culture, faith, Gospel, Jesus Christ, Melissa Dougherty, Miracle of Christmas, Theology and Christian Apologetics, truth
Tree decorating. Repetitive Christmas music on the radio. Sleigh bells ringing. Chestnuts burning. (Like, what does this even mean? Do people actually do this?) And the incessant cyber throat-punching over Christians who celebrate Christmas are actually celebrating an evil pagan holiday. Ah… it’s the most wonderful time of the year. Christmas is that magical time of the year again, full of bright lights, joyful music, and the warm and fuzzy feelings of family and gift-giving. But every so often, you might hear a claim tossed around that Christmas is rooted in pagan traditions. There are many people, especially online, who take this time of year very personally and feel the need to remind Christians that we are, indeed, participating in a pagan holiday. This can be very confusing for some…
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13Dec 2023 by Post

Is Your Church A Personality Cult, Part 2

Apologetics, Christianity, Church leaders, Church leadership, Culture, faith, Jesus Christ, John Ferrer, Leaving the church, pastors, Theology and Christian Apologetics, truth, Wisdom Chronicle
In part one, we looked at how “cult” can refer to a group’s heretical theology (“theological cult”) or to its dangerous practices (“sociological cult). A personality cult is the second type, with personality-driven problems centering on central leader. To discuss the signs of a personality cult, we used the name named Al, as he sees himself as the Alpha, the #1, the head-honcho. And depending on how narcissistic he is, he might honestly believe he’s the only hope for this church’s success. Then we looked six signs of a personality cult: 1. One Charismatic Leader Is THE Face Of The Church 2. Narcissistic Leader 3. Authoritarian Leadership-Model 4. Other Leaders In The Church Are “Yes Men” 5. “Lone Wolf” Approach To Decision-Making 6. Vindictive Church Discipline Now let’s look at…
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11Dec 2023 by Post

What Babylon Teaches The Church About Discipleship

Apologetics, Apologetics for Parents, Babylon, Christianity, Culture, Daniel, discipleship, faith, Her Faith Inspires, https://shandafulbright.com/, Israel, Shanda Fulbright, Theology and Christian Apologetics
When you hear the word “disciple” does your mind go back to the first century where a group of twelve men followed Jesus and helped him pass out baskets full of loaves and fish? The word “disciple” is often associated with Christianity, and for good reason. The Great Commission in Matthew 28:19 commands every Christian to “go out and make disciples of all nations.” It’s no wonder that people’s idea of discipleship is linked only to religious groups. My goal isn’t to change your mind that discipleship is a must when it comes to Christianity. My goal is to get you to think more deeply when it comes to what it means to disciple and be discipled. I’ll start with the claim that discipleship is not isolated to Christianity. And…
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09Dec 2023 by Post

Against the Tide: John Lennox and Stephen Meyer

academia, Against the Tide, Atheism, C.S. Lewis, Cambridge University, Christianity, Culture & Ethics, Faith & Science, ID The Future, John Lennox, materialism, mathematicians, naturalism, New Atheism, Northern Ireland, Oxford University, Peter Atkins, philosophers, Richard Dawkins, scientific atheism, Stephen Meyer
Can one person push back against the strong currents of atheism, materialism, and naturalism so evident in academia and the public square today? Source
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07Dec 2023 by Post

When Natural and Super-Natural Explanations Work Hand in Hand

causal agents, Christianity, Faith & Science, Greco-Roman world, history, humanity, ID The Future, intelligent agents, Intelligent Design, knowledge, Medieval Europe, methodological naturalism, methodological pluralism, Michael Keas, natural causes, naturalistic causes, nature, origin of life, Podcast, scientism, scientists, supernatural causation, Unbelievable (book), unintelligent causes, universe
Methodological naturalism is the idea that scientists may only invoke unintelligent causes for nature’s history. Source
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04Dec 2023 by Post

Soon vs Suddenly: An Important Distinction on Jesus’ Return

1000 years, 4. Is the NT True?, Apologetics, Christianity, Christians, Christ’s Return, end times, eschatology, Jesus Christ, Kent Suter, Parousia, revelation, the Lord’s Day
The word “soon” can be quite ambiguous, if not misleading. When asked about homework, a teenager might reply that they expect to finish sometime soon. In my family, that word could equal 30 seconds for one child or 30 minutes for another. But despite these variations, the word “soon” still conjures up an idea of an approaching realization, like a progress bar on your phone that reads 99% complete. We’ve all seen the signs that read, “Jesus is coming soon.” Taken straight from the Bible, we see no less than three times in one chapter when Jesus mentions “I am coming soon” (Rev 22:6-7, 12, 20). To some readers, this is a source of great hope and encouragement, but to others it is a source of mockery since it’s been…
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16Oct 2023 by Post

Nature Reflects an Intelligent Design — But Also a Moral One

beauty, biochemical systems, C.S. Lewis, Christianity, Complexity, David Klinghoffer, Divine Hiddenness argument, divine image, evil, Faith & Science, fine-tuning, food, free choice, George Ellis, Good, humans, information, Intelligent Design, Irreducible Complexity, laws of nature, life after death, lifespan, living cell, Nancey Murphy, nuclear weapons, physics, physiological systems, Templeton Prize, universe
Human beings must have freedom of choice if our actions are to have any meaning beyond the impersonal and predictable outcomes governed by the laws of physics. Source
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