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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23Jul 2024 by Post

“The Anxious Generation”: How the Great Rewiring of Childhood is Causing an Epidemic of Mental Illness

Anxious Generation, Apologetics, Gospel, homeschooling, Jonathan Haidt, mental health, Scott Thor, Screen Addiction, Smart Phones, Theology and Christian Apologetics
“The more I make my life, my well-being, my enlightenment, and my success primary, the farther I step from reality. Thus the hell-bound do not travel downward; they travel inward, cocooning themselves behind a mass of vanity, personal rights, religiosity, and defensiveness. Obsession with self is the defining mark of a disintegrating soul (italics mine)” Jeff cook.[1] There’s this moment, you know, when suddenly it hits you that your kids are actually “growing up.” It’s like someone flipped a switch and bam! Your once adorable little munchkin, blissfully oblivious to the craziness and danger in the world, gives you a sneak peek of “maturity.” It’s a mix of thrilling and terrifying. As for me, picture this: a Christian homeschooling dad, doing his best to raise two little girls into future women of God, embracing a biblical worldview.…
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26Jun 2024 by Post

How to Talk with Your Teens about Sex and Love from a Biblical Worldview: Interview with Sean McDowell

Apologetics, Biblical Worldview, Christian Ethics, Christianity, Gospel, Legislating Morality, Culture & Politics, Love, marriage, Natasha Crain, Romance, sex, Theology and Christian Apologetics
Over the last several years, I’ve spoken on the subject of apologetics to many groups of parents at churches and conferences. Although none of my talks deal with the topic of sexuality, I can hardly think of a time when I wasn’t asked a question about it either in the Q & A or in private conversation afterward with an individual parent. In particular, parents always want to know what they should say to their kids about homosexuality and transgender questions. These are undoubtedly the most top of mind questions parents have today. Not the Sex Question Again! While I can appreciate that these specific questions are front and center in culture, I always feel a bit disappointed when I get them. Frankly, I feel like we’ve really missed the boat if…
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10Jun 2024 by Post

Andy Stanley’s Unbiblical ‘Affirming’ Stance

4. Is the NT True?, Andy Stanley, Apologetics, Christianity, False Teachers, gay christian, Gospel, Homosexuality, Jason Jimenez, LGBTQ, North Point Community Church, Stand Strong Ministries, Theology and Christian Apologetics
In the following piece, I will discuss the ongoing controversies surrounding Andy Stanley and the recent Unconditional Conference held at North Point Church — outlining clear departures from the scriptural teachings found in the Bible. I will spotlight three key concerns to illustrate how Andy Stanley promotes an approach and an ideology contradicting New Testament teachings on homosexuality. Say it Ain’t So! As followers of Christ, we strive to align our lives with God’s Word, maintaining unwavering faith in times of discord. It is disheartening to see influential Christian figures like Andy Stanley, who command extensive ministry recognition, endorsing views contrary to biblical Christianity. Even as I profoundly disagree with the path Andy Stanley and his church are taking, I remain hopeful for him to reconsider his wayward stance as…
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05Jun 2024 by Post

Church Matters

Annie Brown, Apologetics, Christian Living, Christianity, Church growth, Church Life, discipleship, Evangelism, Gospel, SES, Southern Evangelical Seminary, Theology and Christian Apologetics, Unity
Gospel-centered churches are as important as ever, with powerful worldly forces at work actively competing with Christ for the souls of men.[1] The world buys our attention and convinces us that purpose exists in tangibles, accolades, relationships, drugs, fame, and money. In the Bible, the book of Romans tells us that all of mankind has sinned and fallen short of the glory of God (Rom 3:23). There is no one exempt from this reality. At the root, we have a soul problem. The world and all that is within it will never fill the deep void that every human being is born with. Romans goes on to say that the wages for sin is death, but the free gift is eternal life in Christ (Rom 6:23). The only way ultimately…
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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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20May 2024 by Post

Unconditional Love or Unconditional Affirmation?

Adam and Eve, anthropology, Apologetics, Christian Scholarship, Christianity, Creation, Evolution, Faithful Thinkers, Genesis, Gospel, Human Identity, Human Origins, image of God, Intrinsic Value, Luke Nix, science, science and faith, scientism, theology, Theology and Christian Apologetics
Human origin 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 paradoxical doctrines together explain…
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15May 2024 by Post

Does the Bible Support Sexual Slavery? An Analysis of Numbers 31:15-18

2. Does God Exist?, Apologetics, biblical ethics, Christianity, Gospel, Immoral God, Jonathan McLatchie, Numbers 31:15-18, Sex Slavery, Theology and Christian Apologetics, Tough Passages
More than two years ago, I participated in a debate in Oxford, England, with atheist YouTuber Alex O’Connor (who goes by the online alias Cosmic Skeptic). The subject was “Why I Am / Am Not a Christian,” which was quite broad. Given the short time constraints of the debate and the breadth of the topic, we were regrettably unable to pursue an explication of our differences with the depth that I would prefer. Nonetheless, I very much appreciated my interaction that evening with O’Connor, including the dinner we enjoyed together before the event. I have long viewed O’Connor as one of the more philosophically nuanced atheist thinkers, and I have valued our ongoing private discussions subsequent to our initial public dialogue. My positive argument in the debate concerned the evidence for Jesus’s resurrection,…
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13May 2024 by Post

Hope Matters

Annie Brown, Apologetics, Christianity, Gospel, hardship, hope, problem of pain, SES, Southern Evangelical Seminary, Suffering, Theology and Christian Apologetics
Hope in the Promise Throughout Scripture, we acknowledge God as a promise-keeper. What he says will happen will always comes to pass in his perfect timing. Because of this truth about God’s heart, believers are drawn to extravagant hope in all circumstances. Upon sin entering the world in Genesis chapter three, God initiated hope by clothing Adam and Eve immediately following humanity’s downfall. After leading Noah to navigate a worldwide flood, God provided a dove from heaven as hope for a brighter future ahead. In calling Moses to lead the Israelites out of Egypt, God promised the hope of a land flowing with milk and honey on the other side of their trivial journey. Through the prophet Isaiah, God foretold the coming of Christ who alone would provide eternal hope.…
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08May 2024 by Post

How To Keep Your Job Without Losing Your Soul: A Survival Guide For Diversity Training

Apologetics, Christianity, critical theory, CRT, Culture and Politics, DEI, Diversity Training, Gospel, John Ferrer, strategy, Theology and Christian Apologetics
You’ve been at your job for almost a year. You enjoy your work. You’re planting roots. Soon you’ll qualify for a pay raise and new benefits. Things are looking up. Except, at today’s business meeting, the boss announced a mandatory diversity training[i] for all employees. He made it sound harmless, perfunctory, just a hoop to jump through. No one asked questions. Everyone just nodded. Since you’re new here, you held your questions. You don’t want to cause a stir. Still, something smells fishy. Maybe you’ve heard stories about DEI, SEL, CRT, or Unconscious Bias training.[ii] Maybe you’ve been through this before, and you know what’s coming. But whatever is bothering you, there’s a decision to make. What will you do about this diversity training? You’ve got options. But before picking…
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