Ligon Duncan on the Non-Negotiables of the Gospel

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- an excellent online resource for the development of the
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Skeptical Insights

Good Blogroll (from Pyromaniacs)

  • Colin Adams
  • Charlie Albright
  • Aletheuo
  • Scott Aniol
  • Tom Ascol
  • Derek Ashton (TheoParadox)
  • Zachary Bartels
  • Tim and David Bayly
  • Rick Beckman
  • Tyler Bennicke
  • Bible Geek
  • Big Orange Truck
  • Andy Bird
  • John Bird
  • Bob Bixby
  • Timmy Brister
  • Fred Butler
  • Calvin and Calvinism (Classic and moderate Calvinism)
  • Cal.vini.st
  • Bret Capranica
  • Nathan Casebolt
  • Lane Chaplin
  • Tim ("The World's Most Famous Christian Blogger"®) Challies
  • The Conservative Intelligencer
  • The Contemporary Calvinist
  • The Conventicle
  • Craig's Blog
  • Deliver Detroit
  • Daniel (Doulogos)
  • William Dicks
  • The Doulos' Den
  • Martin Downes
  • Connie Dugas
  • Doug Eaton
  • Nicholas Edinger
  • Brother Eugene
  • Eusebeia
  • Stefan Ewing
  • Eddie Exposito
  • Expository Thoughts
  • Faces Like Flint
  • Reid Ferguson
  • Peter Farrell
  • Bill Fickett
  • Fide-o
  • Foolish Things
  • Chris Freeland
  • Travis Gilbert
  • Ron Gleason
  • Go Share Your Faith!
  • God is My Constant
  • Phil Gons
  • Joel Griffith (Solameanie)
  • Matt Gumm
  • Gregg Hanke
  • Jacob Hantla
  • Chris Harwood
  • J. D. Hatfield
  • Michael Haykin
  • Tony Hayling (Agonizomai)
  • Steve Hays and the amazing "Triablogue" team
  • Scott Head
  • Patrick Heaviside (Paths of Old)
  • Marc Heinrich's Purgatorio
  • Sean Higgins
  • Illumination (Rich Barcellos and Sam Waldron)
  • Inverted Planet
  • Tim Jack
  • Jackhammer
  • Craig Johnson
  • Alex Jordan
  • The Journeymen
  • Justified
  • Lane Keister (Green Baggins)
  • John Killian
  • David Kjos
  • Ted Kluck
  • Patrick Lacson
  • A Little Leaven (Museum of Idolatry)
  • Janet Lee
  • Let My Lifesong Sing
  • Libbie, the English Muffin
  • Light and Heat
  • Greg Linscott
  • Bryan Maes
  • Brian McDaris
  • Doug McMasters
  • Allen Mickle
  • The incomparable Al Mohler
  • Jonathan Moorhead
  • Ryan Moran
  • Stephen Newell
  • Dean Olive
  • Dan Paden
  • Paleoevangelical
  • A Peculiar Pilgrim
  • Jim Pemberton
  • The Persecution Times
  • Bill Pershing
  • Kevin Pierpont
  • Matt Plett
  • Wes Porter
  • Postmortemism
  • The Red and Black Redneck
  • Reformata
  • Reformation 21
  • Reformation Theology (sponsored by Monergism.Com)
  • Reformed Evangelist
  • Remonstrans
  • Carla Rolfe
  • Tony Rose
  • Andrew Roycroft
  • Eric Rung
  • Said at Southern Seminary
  • Seeing Clearly
  • Sharper Iron
  • Kim Shay
  • Neil Shay
  • Brian Shealy
  • Ken Silva
  • Tom Slawson's "Tom in the Box"
  • Tom Slawson's other blog
  • Doug Smith
  • Richard Snoddy
  • Social Hazard
  • SolaFire
  • Rebecca Stark
  • Kevin Stilley
  • Cindy Swanson
  • Talking Out Of Turn
  • Justin Taylor's "Between Two Worlds"
  • Robert Tewart (StreetFishing)
  • TheoJunkie's Thoughts on Theology
  • Theology Bites
  • Through the Veil
  • Three Times a Mom
  • Voice of the Shepherd
  • Jared Wall
  • Adrian Warnock
  • David Wayne
  • Jeremy Weaver
  • Steve Weaver
  • Über-apologist James White's legendary "Pros Apologian" blog
  • Brad Williams
  • Doug Wilson
  • Writing and Living
  • Ryan Wood
  • Todd Young
  • Wednesday, September 30, 2009

    Archeologists find 'Joseph-era' coins in Egypt

    Interesting discovery. Whatever one may think of "evidential" apologetics, this particular discovery, if valid, throws a wrench into the "Exodus was a myth" theory.

    From Archeologists find 'Joseph-era' coins in Egypt

    "A thorough examination revealed that the coins bore the year in which they were minted and their value, or effigies of the pharaohs [who ruled] at the time of their minting. Some of the coins are from the time when Joseph lived in Egypt, and bear his name and portrait," said the report."

    click here to see full post and any posted comments...

    Over 350 Public Schools Teaching the Bible

    More than 350 schools in 43 states have implemented courses on the Bible for the 2009-2010 academic year, a new report reveals.


    See the report in The Christian Post here.

    click here to see full post and any posted comments...

    Tuesday, September 29, 2009

    Truth about Hell

    It would be nice to think that hell does not exist, or that men and women may avoid it even if they do not have faith in Jesus Christ. But such thoughts are a delusion and, as J. I. Packer writes: "It is really a mercy to mankind that God in Scripture is so explicit about hell."


    Derek Thomas addresses the question: Will a Loving God Condemn People to Hell?

    click here to see full post and any posted comments...

    Pastor on ECLA Fallout / Homosexuality

    McDermott added, “The underlying issue is really the authority of Scripture. [Rejecting Scripture means] you have to come up with a different God, a different Jesus, a different gospel and a different salvation,” he said. “Homosexuality is simply the surface manifestation right now of that basic rejection. It will be different in the future.”


    Quote from Gerald McDermott, teaching pastor at St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church in Roanoke, Va. See article here.

    click here to see full post and any posted comments...

    Sunday, September 27, 2009

    Gay Marriage: Just Freedom of Choice / Equal Rights?

    "Unless question one [which overturns the movement to legalize gay marriage] passes, there could be real consequences for Mainers," he said in the advertisement. "Legal experts predict a flood of lawsuits against individuals, small business, and religious groups. Church organizations could lose their tax exemption [and] homosexual marriage would be taught in public schools, whether their parents like it or not."


    Quote taken from Boston College Professor's Appearance in Pro-Gay Marriage Ad Sparks Outrage.
    Here is one who sees beyond the initial issues to what occurs after the leak is sprung.

    ... just freedom of choice for some??? ... don't be misled.

    ... Is this writing on the wall??? ... depends on how many are deceived & sit back while it happens.

    click here to see full post and any posted comments...

    Saturday, September 26, 2009

    The Devil's Delusion

    ... we typically don't promote the works of agnostics, but...



    In The Devil’s Delusion, Berlinski turns the scientific community’s cherished skepticism back on itself, daring to ask (and answer) some rather embarrassing questions:

    Has anyone provided a proof of God’s inexistence?
    Have the sciences explained why our universe seems to be fine-tuned to allow for the existence of life?
    Are physicists and biologists willing to believe in anything so long as it is not religious thought?
    Has secularism in the terrible twentieth century been a force for good?
    Is there a narrow and oppressive orthodoxy of thought and opinion within the sciences?
    Does anything in the sciences or in their philosophy justify the claim that religious belief is irrational?


    Agnosticism vs. Atheism... and some good questions/critiques come out of it.
    In The Devil's Delusion, David Berlinski explores the limits of science and the pretensions of the New Atheists.

    click here to see full post and any posted comments...

    Signature in the Cell: DNA and the Evidence for Intelligent Design, by Stephen C. Meyer



    And that’s what DNA does. It contains and transmits the extraordinarily complex, precisely sequenced chemical code of life—a code that atheist Richard Dawkins has likened to computer code. Indeed, Bill Gates has said that “DNA is like a computer program, but far, far more advanced than any software ever created.”

    Could such an “advanced” code, or “software for life,” have happened by chance? Well, as Dr. Meyer shows, given the vast complexity of information required to create the 250 proteins necessary to sustain the simplest living cell, the probability that life originated in the primordial soup by chance is beyond astronomically slim—only 1 in 10 to the 41 thousandth power!

    But here is your takeaway, and I’ll let Dr. Meyer do the talking: “Our uniform experience affirms that specified information—whether inscribed in hieroglyphics, written in a book, encoded in a radio signal, or produced in a simulation experiment—always arises from an intelligent source, from a mind and not a strictly material process.”

    “Indeed,” Dr. Meyer concludes, “it follows that the best, most causally adequate explanation for the origin of the specified, digitally encoded information in DNA is that it too had an intelligent source.”


    Signature in the Cell: DNA and the Evidence for Intelligent Design came out this year but some may have missed it. Here's more information about the book.
    About the Book
    Commentary on the book

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    Awareness of Assisted Suicide Situation in U.S.

    Two thousand and eight was a banner year for the assisted-suicide/euthanasia movement. It’s likely that no new states will legalize assisted suicide this year. But if the last 20 years prove anything, it is that euthanasia advocates are passionately committed, work hard, and feel that time is on their side. Are their opponents equally committed?


    Wesley J. Smith's post A Myth Is as Good as a Mile is a good resource for assessment and understanding where this movement stands.

    Mr. Smith is a Senior Fellow in Human Rights and Bioethics at the Discovery Institute and a consultant for the International Task Force on Euthanasia and

    click here to see full post and any posted comments...

    Justin Taylor on How Could God Command Genocide in the Old Testament

    Justin Taylor provides an answer to that often asked question here.

    click here to see full post and any posted comments...

    Friday, September 25, 2009

    Bradford Wilcox: Skeptical of "Good Divorce"

    Thirty years later, the myth of the good divorce has not stood up well in the face of sustained social scientific inquiry — especially when one considers the welfare of children exposed to their parents' divorces.


    Taking into account both divorce and non-marital childbearing, sociologist Paul Amato estimates that if the United States enjoyed the same level of family stability today as it did in 1960, the nation would have 750,000 fewer children repeating grades, 1.2 million fewer school suspensions, approximately 500,000 fewer acts of teenage delinquency, about 600,000 fewer kids receiving therapy, and approximately 70,000 fewer suicide attempts every year (correction appended). As Amato concludes, turning back the family-­stability clock just a few decades could significantly improve the lives of many children.


    While I do not know Bradford Wilcox (or his religious convictions), and do not suggest to stand behind all his research, his article entitled The Evolution of Divorce in National Affairs in not only informative but provides a good bit of evidence showing the "myth of good divorce" has been just that (a myth) ... and the consequences have been steep.

    In the end, should we be SURPRISED at this??? Even more, should we expect anything better from the new marriage amendments and adoption policies? Time will tell!

    click here to see full post and any posted comments...

    Helpful Post for Christian Apologists

    The Gospel Coalition (/Justin Taylor) has posted some notes from Peter Kreeft’s Socratic Logic. Read here.

    click here to see full post and any posted comments...

    Wednesday, September 23, 2009

    The Christian Post on Obama Seeking to Redefine Marriage

    In June 2009, President Obama declared the month of June to be LGBT month and he bragged about his intention to repeal the Defense of Marriage Act. Obama told the crowd at the White House, “I have called on Congress to repeal the so-called Defense of Marriage Act to help end discrimination against same sex couples in this country.”


    Christian Post columnist Dr. Tony Beam reveals the Defense of Marriage Act is being considered for repeal. See: Obama Administration Moves to Redefine Marriage

    click here to see full post and any posted comments...

    Atheist Delusions (New Book)




    New Book coming out...
    This one looks pretty promising to have some great insights and overdue points!


    Here's a writeup: Reframing Human History

    Here's a sample from the article:

    If Hart is correct that "Christianity has been the single most creative cultural, ethical, aesthetic, social, political, or spiritual force in the history of the West," then we must ask ourselves: Why? Christian hands are by no means free of blood and wrongdoing. As Hart writes repeatedly, "human beings frequently disappoint." We are corrupt and callous, and the temptations of power and conquest have snuffed out the holiness of many. But through the darkness, a glimmer of hope shines, for unlike atheism, Christianity offers hope—a hope of transformation from beyond ourselves.

    As we survey modernity's rewriting of history, we must remember this hope as we look to shape the future. For it is the life and death of Jesus Christ that has transcended the ages: for Christians, faith is not merely "a cultural logic but a cosmic truth."


    Please read the article... for even the article provides enough to somewhat equip Christian apologists. Then read the book for greater depth.

    click here to see full post and any posted comments...

    Tuesday, September 22, 2009

    CS Response to "Letter to a Young Skeptic of Color"

    In Letter to a Young Skeptic of Color, Sikivu Hutchinson in seeking to evangelize those of color to the side of atheism commits several errors:

    1. She confuses the presence of continuing injustices to suggest God must either not exist or not care.

    Job deals with this issue in depth in Job 24 and points out that while God sets his own times for judgment, and while God may even let the wicked rest in a feeling of security, they have no assurance of life, & God's eyes are upon them!

    Point: We must not confuse God's timing with God's ability and intentions of bringing about justice/judgment!

    2. She fails to recognize that that turning from God and embracing athiesm is not going to change the oppression and injustice, it will only be to surrender the foundation for true justice as well as the one who brings true and abiding comfort in the midst of evil and injustice.

    3. Sikivu suggests God "justifies" the ritualistic killing of unarmed people, etc. This is false and nothing but a strawman.

    4. Sikivu makes an emotional appeal asking "if the Lord will be your shepherd" as he was for those who have been killed; but one should ask the question - which is better: to have a Redeemer and eternal judge who will bring justice and give life, or to be in the grave as a result of injustice having trusted in oneself?

    5. She insinuates that doubts raised by unrighteousness even in the church and among some clergy point to the truth of atheism and denial of religion's claims. To do so is to fail to distinguish between the sins of some and the truth of another.


    Seems the atheists now are picking up on the practices of the Muslims and others in reaching out to and preying upon the impoverished and oppressed. Unlike Christians who have and continue to reach to similar groups (with Christ, who is wisdom and truth), the atheists will lead them from bondage to greater bondage.

    click here to see full post and any posted comments...

    Catherine Deveney on Richard Dawkins

    Words like "wise" and "magisterial" appear of the front covers of his books, so don't even think about whispering: "Are you sure the emperor's wearing clothes?"


    There are, after all, so many other great intellectual disciplines: literature, music, art, philosophy and even – dare I say it – theology. But you often get the feeling scientists secretly put themselves at the top.


    The point is not whether he's right or not. The point is he assumed he was right. It's exactly the kind of reasoning he criticises in religious people.


    The evidence doesn't square with his theory that nothing is beyond the rational – so he discards the evidence and jumps to conclusions.


    A belief in a supernatural being that he has no specific evidence for and no absolute proof of? If you didn't know better, you might almost accuse him of a leap of faith


    Quotes are from Catherine Deveney in an article in Scotland Sunday about an interview with Richard Dawkins. The article is an interesting read both from the side of journalistic query and quips as well as discovering more about Dawkin's thinking.

    I suspect there are probably intelligences not only greater than ours but greater than anything anybody has ever imagined. I believe they probably exist."


    Evolution, he goes on to explain, shows that what looks designed is not designed at all but came about gradually, therefore the existence of a creator is unlikely.

    click here to see full post and any posted comments...

    Saturday, September 19, 2009

    Al Mohler: Skeptical of WSJ and "Man vs God"

    The Wall Street Journal may be an unusual venue for theological debate, but this past weekend's edition featured just that -- a theological debate of sorts. The "of sorts" is a necessary qualifier in this instance, because The Wall Street Journal's debate was not, as advertised, a debate between an atheist and a believer. Instead, it was a debate between two different species of atheists.

    The paper's "Weekend Journal" section front page for the September 12-13, 2009 edition featured articles by Richard Dawkins and Karen Armstrong set in opposing columns. The paper headlined the feature as "Man vs. God: Two Prominent Thinkers Debate Evolution, Science, and the Role of Religion." Well, the feature at least looked interesting.
    full article here

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    Thursday, September 17, 2009

    Jack Black leads a prayer to the Devil at the 2009 MTV Awards

    Christian Press files this report from the MTV music awards, which describes how Jack Black leads the audience in a prayer to Satan.

    "I was mortified when Jack Black lead everyone in a prayer to Satan. It was no joke." said Samantha Taylor of California. "The audience held hands and did it."

    Jack Black is definitely no friend of Christians, as has been seen from his previous antics. In fact, he is one of the many Hollywood stars who think it fit to insult and belittle Christians. So what can be said about this "prayer"?
    ......
    There are several answers to as to what his motive was. He could have meant it as a joke. He could have been semi-serious, meaning to offend Christians while not really believing in Satan, of course. Or he could have been 100% serious calling on the devil for help, and getting the audience to join in.

    Regardless of his motive, his behavior is typical of what we see from Hollywood. It is no longer "edgy" to propagate casual sex, meaningless murder or homosexual homes. Those things are so embedded in our culture that no-one barely notices any more.

    Christians and Christianity are the new targets, lead by blasphemy on almost every TV show and in every movie. And let's be clear, targeting Christians means targeting God.

    The joke may very well be on Black. His pathetic attempts to ridicule Christianity may buy him some support and adoration from his equally perverted colleagues, but for the rest of us he remains a sad example of what happens when man is corrupted. His actions serve as encouragement for the non-intellectuals, as fun for the shallow and as praiseworthy for the kindergarten atheist movement.

    The really sad part is that many young people watch that nonsense and learn to imitate such stupidity without realizing that actions hold consequences, and lead our country down a road of moral ineptitude and spiritual bankruptcy. Unfortunately people like Black has a pulpit from which to spout their arrogant ignorance, and while most Christians remain blissfully unaware or apathetically tolerant, it will continue.
    ......

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    Wednesday, September 16, 2009

    The Case For America's Christian Heritage

    Here is a preview of an upcoming series from American Vision.

    click here to see full post and any posted comments...

    Tuesday, September 15, 2009

    Whining Entertainers

    Can you imagine an industry that blames it's customers for not buying it's product? Imagine an ad saying "My product is great, and if you don't buy it, I'm not going to change it because there is something wrong with you for not buying it. Now get with it."

    As the arts and entertainment industry degenerates into social and political debris at the expense of quality writing and acting, it becomes apparent that writers and singers feel like they have a right to our money. When the Dixie Chicks got "political" in their stage shows, former VP Al Gore complained that they were being denied a right to make a living when people stopped buying their music (Maybe they could get real jobs). Now, the producer of the Darwin biography film "Creation" is complaining that American "religion" has caused his film to flop in the US.

    See 'Creation' Producer Blames American Evolution Flap for Film's U.S. Flop

    "People have been saying this is the best film they've seen all year, yet nobody in the U.S. has picked it up,” he added. "It is unbelievable to us that this is still a really hot potato in America...It's quite difficult for we in the U.K. to imagine religion in America,” Thomas stated. “We live in a country which is no longer so religious. But in the U.S., outside of New York and LA, religion rules."

    Mr. Thomas, you produced a flop. How about making a quality film that people want to see? It's your job to sell movies, not my job to buy them.

    click here to see full post and any posted comments...

    Friday, September 04, 2009

    New Book Out: The Making of an Atheist by James Speigel
















    The Making of an Atheist by James Speigel

    This quote was part of a blurb sent to me on this book:


    Could it be that their opposition to religious faith has more to do with passion than
    reason? What if, in the end, evidence has little to do with how atheists arrive at their
    anti-faith? That is precisely the claim in this book. Atheism is not at all a
    consequence of intellectual doubts. These are mere symptoms of the root cause-
    moral rebellion. For the atheist, the missing ingredient is not evidence but obedience.

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