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…
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08Apr 2024 by Post

Post-Christianity… What’s That?

Apologetics, Bible, Christianity, Culture, FreeThinking Ministries, Hedonism, J.R. Klein, Legislating Morality, Culture & Politics, Pluralism, Post Christian, postmodernism, Progressive Christianity, Syncretism, Theology and Christian Apologetics, utilitarianism, Worldview
There has been a new term floating around the Evangelisphere (if that’s a word, if it’s not, let’s coin it) in the last few years: “post-Christian.” FreeThinking Ministries[i] recently changed some verbiage on the website to indicate that the mission of the ministry is to equip the church to engage with the post-Christian culture. Some might say, “you (FTM) minister to all sorts of people all over the globe. You ought to relate to culture in general” not just the post-Christian parts of culture. Yes, this concern covers both pre- and post-Christian cultures and everything in between. But acknowledging that we live and operate within a largely post-Christian culture is still important if we are to equip the church in the West, and in America more particularly, with relevant strategies for preaching the…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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04Mar 2024 by Post

The True Meaning of ‘Headship’ and ‘Head Coverings’ for Women: A Theological Perspective of 1 Corinthians 11:2-16

1 Corinthians 11, Apostle Paul, Christian Marriage, Complementarianism, cultural apologetics, Culture and Politics, Egalitarianism, Ephesians 5, Feminism, Gender Roles, Head Coverings, Jason Jimenez, marriage, Patriarchy, Stand Strong Ministries, Submission, Theology and Christian Apologetics, www.standstrongministries.org
In 1 Corinthians 11:2-16, the apostle Paul addresses the topic of head coverings for women, a subject that has sparked much debate, confusion, and substandard interpretations throughout history. In order to truly understand Paul’s meaning, my goal is to provide a proper exegesis and interpretation that upholds the purity of the text and lends itself to how we are to show unity and equality among men and women. Respect the Context Contrary to misconceptions, Paul’s intention was not to demean women or diminish their role in the home or society. Instead, he addressed the issue of proper respect within marriage and worship. Before delving into 11:2-16, however, it is only appropriate to set the stage before turning back to the previous chapter. In 1 Corinthians 10:31-33, Paul writes, “So, whether…
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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…
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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…
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14Feb 2024 by Post

The Satanic Temple Abortion Clinic: A Critical Assessment

abortion, Apologetics, Christianity, Culture, Dobbs Decision, John Ferrer, Mifepristone, Pill Abortion, prochoice, prolife, Roe v. Wade, Samuel Alito, satanism, The Satanic Temple, Theology and Christian Apologetics, truth
The Satanic Temple (TST) is at it again. The atheistic left-wing activist group is already known for starting afterschool Satan clubs,[1] erecting unholy statues at government buildings,[2] and trying to carve out religious exemptions to pro-life laws.[3] Now they have opened an online abortion clinic.[4] Abortion clinics are not uncommon. And TST has a history of abortion activism. But this abortion clinic stands out for two reasons. TROLL LORDS First, the clinic is named “Samuel Alito’s Mom’s Satanic Abortion Clinic,” an obvious troll move.[5] TST is so well-known for trolling it is not just a side quest, but a lifestyle.[6] Their inception, according to the New York Times, was designed as “a mischievous thorn in the side of conservative Christianity.”[7] Stated positively, they could teach a masterclass on trolling. They…
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