10Apr 2024 by Post

Critical Thinking: The Secret Weapon of Confident Christians

Apologetics, Christianity, critical thinking, Discernment, Gospel, Jason Jimenez, Stand Strong Ministries, Theology and Christian Apologetics, wisdom, www.standstrongministries.org
As Christians, developing critical thinking skills and maintaining an informed understanding of our faith is crucial. The world is full of misinformation and uncertainty, making it difficult to distinguish truth from falsehood. It is not enough for Christians to blindly adhere to whatever traditions or practices they have inherited from the past. They should critically evaluate and discern the relevance and validity of these traditions in their present context. With so many different worldviews competing for our attention, staying engaged and equipped with our beliefs is essential. Without the intellectual stamina to navigate these opposing views, we risk becoming uninformed and ill-prepared to face the challenges of contemporary society. The Age of Competing Ideas In a recent interview with John Stonestreet, president of the Colson Center, I asked him why…
Read More
03Apr 2024 by Post

Truth Matters

1. Does Truth Exist?, Annie Brown, Apologetics, Biblical Inerrancy, Christianity, Gospel, relativism, Religious Pluralism, SES, Southern Evangelical Seminary, truth
The world defines truth as relative and subjective: “You have your truth, I have my truth.” It is customizable to one’s preferences and lifestyle. Definitive or absolute truth is considered offensive to the culture at large. This confusion over truth is further fueled by social media. Liking, sharing, retweeting, and posting happen with the click of a button. To promote and defend “your truth,” all you have to do is open an app on your phone. Though some may suggest that our culture is more unified based on the controversial matters of our day, I would argue that we are walking in greater disunity than ever before. Can’t We All Just Coexist? The Coexist bumper stickers often seen on the back of vehicles advertise that all religions are equal with…
Read More
01Apr 2024 by Post

Why Do You Call Yourself a Christian?

Apologetics, Christianity, christology, Gospel, identity in Christ, salvation, Theology and Christian Apologetics, What does it mean to be a Chrstian?, Who is Jesus?
Have you ever heard the tale of the elderly woman who wanted to restore an old painting and… well, didn’t? Meet Potato Jesus. The woman’s intentions were noble. I certainly respect her heart. But that doesn’t change the fact that she is not an artist and did not restore Martinez’s work. Just because she intended to do something and thought she was able, that didn’t turn her into an artist. Desire and good intentions aren’t enough. [1] Nowadays, anyone can set up a page and identify as whatever they want. But taking a name for ourselves doesn’t make us that thing. We still have to be it or become it.   Two Ways to Identify We can identify ourselves in two ways: “I’m x, and by that, I mean this,” and…
Read More
27Mar 2024 by Post

Dismantling Doubt

4. Is the NT True?, Apologetics, Christianity, Deanna Huff, Doubt, Evidence, faith, Gospel, John the Baptist, Matthew 11, miracles
Is God really there for me? God, do you see? Do you hear my prayer? Experiences such as job loss, broken relationships, mental illness, or any unyielding pain can stir up questions of doubt. Doubt is standing at your door desiring to chip away at your faith. During these seasons of sorrow and pain, many days can be filled with questions like: Why are you silent? Why didn’t you save them? Why won’t you show them they are wrong? Will you resolve the situation? When you feel as if there is no answer, doubt festers. Is what I believe true? Lest someone think that non-religious persons are different, C.S. Lewis’s personal comment is very instructive. “Now that I am a Christian, I do have moods in which the whole thing…
Read More
25Mar 2024 by Post

Here Comes the He Gets Us Campaign Again: Why Its Portrayal of Jesus is Still a Problem

Apologetics, Christianity, Culture and Politics, Evangelism, Gospel, he gets us, Jesus, Marketing, Natasha Crain, Practical Apologetics, Superbowl, Theology and Christian Apologetics
Last year, I wrote an article called “7 Problems with the He Gets Us Campaign,” in which I critically responded to the $100 million advertising campaign featuring a website, billboards in major cities, a book, and ads that have been viewed more than 300 million times. Perhaps most visibly, the campaign’s ads were featured in last year’s Super Bowl. When thousands of people went searching for more information on it, my article came up, and it went viral—actually pulling down my site at one point! Clearly, a lot of people are interested in knowing more about the nature of these ads. Fast forward to 2024. Super Bowl Sunday was on February 11. And He Gets Us once again ran ads generating widespread curiosity. Given the reach of the campaign and…
Read More
20Mar 2024 by Post

The Need for Cognitive Closure in Dealing with Doubts

Apologetics, Christianity, Epistemic Warrant, Evidence, faith, Gospel, Intellectual doubt, Jonathan McLatchie, probability, Proverbs 3:5-6, Theology and Christian Apologetics
Over the years in my work as a public apologist, I have spoken with many dozens of ex-Christians who have renounced their faith and become atheists, as well as numerous individuals who still consider themselves believers but nonetheless are struggling seriously with intellectual doubts concerning the veracity of the Christian faith. In addition, I have watched literally hundreds of YouTube videos wherein a testimony is given of one’s journey out of the Christian faith towards atheism. Through listening to countless people in this situation, I have come to realize how difficult it is for believers to express to members of their church or Christian community that they are struggling with doubts (presumably because to express that one struggles with doubt carries a negative stigma in many churches today). Struggling with…
Read More
18Mar 2024 by Post

Why We Are Not Best Judges of What Is Good

Al Serrato, Apologetics, Christianity, condemnation, ethics, Gospel, Grace, Heaven, salvation, Sin, theology, Theology and Christian Apologetics
“Avast yer jabberin, ya bunch a bilge rats!” The voice sounded strange as it reached into the hallway. The speaker was apparently trying to make a point. “Yer division a booty must be… “ he paused to consider his words, “more equitable if ye be wanting to sail with me.” He had my attention. I was at a work conference in a hotel, wandering the halls during a break, when I happened across this conference room. I peeked inside. It could have been a scene from the latest Pirates movie. Men of various ages with lots of facial hair, many dressed in striped pants, with the occasional peg leg and hook hand. Yes, I had stumbled across a pirates’ convention, the 350th annual, it seemed, from the schedule which I…
Read More
11Mar 2024 by Post

Our Children: The Greatest Mission Field

Apologetics, Big Government, Christianity, cultural apologetics, family, Family law, Gender Pronouns, Gospel, Government overreach, Indiana, Legislating Morality, Culture & Politics, LGBTQ, Parental Rights, Parents, Phil Ginn, SCOTUS, Supreme Court
Be assured that when the knock comes at your door, it will be unannounced, it will be warrantless, and it will come at the most inconvenient time. The social service worker will be polite, but cool and business-like. Despite your confusion, fear, and even anger, you dare not lose your poise because that will ultimately be used against you. You will learn in short order that your refusal to cooperate will be futile; the social worker will just return with whatever government force is needed to remove your children from your home. They’re Coming for Your Children… After initial pleasantries, your children will be sent to a separate area where they will be questioned individually outside of your presence. You will not be told who made the accusation, only that…
Read More
28Feb 2024 by Post

In the Image of God: The Battle for Human Identity

2. Does God Exist?, Apologetics, Christianity, Faithful Thinkers, Gospel, Human Value, humanity, image of God, Luke Nix, Philosophy of Science, Theological Apologetics, theology, Theology and Christian Apologetics
By Luke Nix Introduction Human origins is a fascinating area of research today. With all the different models for the origins of humanity being proposed, I see an increase in the discussions, both scientific and theological. For everyone reading this post, this area of research should be of utmost interest for you as well. Two critical ideas about humanity are at stake depending on which model (or family of models) is true: intrinsic and equal human dignity and value, and the sinfulness of humanity. The age-old debate about God’s existence has great implications on this area of the debate about human origins. The Judeo-Christian claim that all humans are created in God’s Image and that humans possess a sin nature that will cause them to tend toward the immoral. These…
Read More
26Feb 2024 by Post

The Most Important Question

4. Is the NT True?, Apologetics, Christianity, christology, Deity of Christ, Gospel, Michelle Johnson, Theological Apologetics, theology, Theology and Christian Apologetics, Trinity
By Michelle Johnson It wasn’t too long ago we finally finished putting the Christmas decorations away at our house. The process caused me to reminisce about the time we had enjoyed with family and celebrations with our church family both this year and in years past. As each year passes, I am increasingly burdened by the chasm between the secular “Christmas” celebrated by society and the true meaning of Christmas–the incarnation of Jesus Christ. I ponder the great effort put forth by retail companies (think gifts and décor) and the entertainment industry (movies, concerts, and special events in the name of the “special season”) and can’t help but marvel at the effort to capitalize on the season all while wholly rejecting the reason behind it. This season, I was reminded…
Read More