Ligon Duncan on the Non-Negotiables of the Gospel

Christian Skepticism endorses:

monergism.com

This site contains some of the most valuable God-centered resources a Christian Skeptic could ever want. Whether you peruse the copious free items or purchase something from their excellent online store, your worldview will never be the same!

Start Here to become a Christian Skeptic

We wanted to highlight this compilation by Paul Manata - The Philosophy of the
Christian Religion
- an excellent online resource for the development of the
well-considered Christian worldview.

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
  • Monday, April 27, 2009

    Ireland Against Abortion

    "My entire life I was pro-choice — who was I to tell another woman what she could or couldn’t do with her body? But when I was 18, I became a Christian and I dove into the medical books, I dove into science," Ireland told Tarts while promoting her insightful new book "Real Solutions for Busy Mom: Your Guide to Success and Sanity."

    "What I read was astounding and I learned that at the moment of conception a new life comes into being. The complete genetic blueprint is there, the DNA is determined, the blood type is determined, the sex is determined, the unique set of fingerprints that nobody has had or ever will have is already there."


    Quotes from Ireland Hammers Abortion

    Great to see a Hollywood person with the courage to speak out on the other side. I saw Ireland on the Huckabee show a few weeks ago speaking on this subject. While I'm no doctor I thought she handled the issue well including pointing out that while some women claim a right to abortion because of rights to their own body, that their argument fails when one discovers babies with male genitals (which normally are not associated with a woman's body) as well as distinct blood types.

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

    Monday, April 20, 2009

    Miss California USA comments on Gay Marriage

    "As co-director of the Miss California USA, I am personally saddened and hurt that Miss California believes marriage rights belong only to a man and a woman," said Lewis in a statement. "I believe all religions should be able to ordain what unions they see fit. I do not believe our government should be able to discriminate against anyone and religious beliefs have no politics in the Miss California family."


    Quote from Miss California Sparks Furor With Gay Marriage Comments on Miss USA Telecast

    Note the hypocrisy: Lewis states he believes "all" religions should be able to ordain what unions they see fit".... but I suppose in his view that doesn't apply to Miss California's heritage and faith.

    If this is the case, I'm SURE it wouldn't apply to mine! ... for I don't think the government has any business sanctioning that which God forbids!

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

    Friday, April 17, 2009

    Christianity Uninterrupted

    Many often suggest a future demise or end of Christianity, and some even speak of a " world without religion", but consider the following quote (which follows discussion of all the things which opposed Christianity and the truth of the gospel in it's early days)...


    All these things were arrayed against the truth, and yet it won its way. And if these things could not impede it when it was a streamlet, shall they succeed it now that it is a mighty river?" God is on the side of truth, and its early victories are a pattern and pledge of its constant and complete triumph over all antagonistic forces." (The Biblical Illustrator, vol. 15, p. 524)

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

    Monday, April 13, 2009

    Mother Nature and Deliberate Design

    Professor Francis McGlone, now based at Unilever after an academic career where he carried out research into nerve response, says this is likely to be a deliberate "design".

    "We believe this could be Mother Nature's way of ensuring that mixed messages are not sent to the brain when it is in use as a functional tool."


    Inconsistency or Blind Design?

    Above quote from BBC Article Scientists find 'pleasure nerves' suggests "Mother Nature" produces "deliberate 'design'".

    ... and they accuse Christians of believing a myth?

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

    Jesus Interrupted and Bart Erhman pwned on Colbert Report

    Pretty good apologetics...from an unlikely source!

    The Colbert ReportMon - Thurs 11:30pm / 10:30c
    Bart Ehrman
    colbertnation.com
    Colbert Report Full EpisodesPolitical HumorNASA Name Contest


    A good video response to scriptural critics:

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

    Wednesday, April 08, 2009

    Homosexual's Advocate's Attack on Leviticus ( Tony Blair Rejects Catholic Teaching on Homosexuality)

    Seems the latest attack by gay and homosexual advocates is an attempt to isolate verse in the book of Leviticus and suggest they are outdated.

    Here are two examples:
    Bishop: Religion hampers gay civil rights

    Justifying anti-homosexuality laws with presumed moral authority from the Bible's Book of Leviticus -- which says a man "shall not lie with a male as with a woman; it is an abomination" punishable by death -- ignores that life has changed since 400 B.C., Robinson said.


    Blair Rejects Catholic Teaching on Homosexuality
    "When people quote the passages in Leviticus condemning homosexuality, I say to them – if you read the whole of the Old Testament and took everything that was there in a literal way, as being what God and religion is about, you'd have some pretty tough policies across the whole of the piece."


    This is nothing but weak attempts by poor exegetes of Scripture who try to mold or discount Scripture to fit their beliefs, rather than submitting their beliefs to the authoritative Word of God.

    Here are fallacies these spokesmen commit:

    1. The fallacy that suggests that because all the laws found in Leviticus don't apply today that everything in Leviticus can be discounted.
    2. The fallacy that because the these verses are in the Old Testament or that they were written years ago that they no longer apply today.
    3. The fallacy that the verses in Leviticus stand alone as if there is not supportive and continuing testimony as to the continuing and abiding active and applicatory nature of those principles found (1) in the remainder of Scripture, and (2) at later time frames.
    4. The fallacy that eternal and biblical truths become outdated with time.
    5. The fallacy that the Bible is to be read in light of human culture rather than human culture being read in light of the Bible.


    In addition, Blair in particular commits the fallacy that even it if could be shown that many in Catholic congregations did not believe the way the church does that this would make their positions right when it comes to the matters related to homosexuality.

    Summary: These types of arguments should not be left unchallenged! Additionally, it proves once again that expertise in one area of life does not make one an expert in another (although many in the world today believe it does!)

    ......
    Type rest of the post here
    ......

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

    Bill O'Reilly on Morals

    Last night, in response to someone who asked O'Reilly why he did not speak against the "gay" issue on his segment entitled "Gay Idol?", O'Reilly responded by saying "when it comes to morals, that's not his business, he leaves that to parents and preachers..."

    That's one of the problems today and one of the reasons why the homosexual movement is advancing ... people who oppose it are not willing to stand up and speak against it, rather they try to shift responsibility to others. While it's true that parents and pastors have a responsibility, so do all people (and especially those in places of influence) when it comes to opposing evil. On many issues O'Reilly is a "stand up" guy, but on this one, he laid down.

    Who is he kidding? If he couldn't talk about issues of morality, why does he talk about killing, adultery, greed, respect for authority, etc., the very things he speaks of every night!

    The point is simple to single out this comment in order to remind everyone both of the responsibility we all have (not just parents and pastors) when it comes to issues of morality and the important role common grace plays even through the influence of others and their speech in our lives.

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

    Quote from Al Mohler

    Do American Christians really believe that Christianity benefits by being associated with all that America represents in the Muslim world? To many Muslims, America appears as the great fountain of pornography, debased entertainments, abortion, and sexual revolution. Does it help our witness to Christ that all this would be associated in the Muslim mind with "Christian" America?(Quote from Al Mohler's Blog)


    Interesting point. Noteworthy.

    For full article, see here.

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

    Monday, April 06, 2009

    Obama and Muslim Faith

    While many Americans have historically failed to distinguish between the church and the state, perhaps Obama's latest claim will change that...

    Speaking on behalf of the country, Obama stated:

    "we will convey our deep appreciation for the Islamic faith, which has done so much over the centuries to shape the world."


    See video here.

    Additionally, if such an effort is made to ensure "separation of church and state" when it comes to the Christian faith, should not the same efforts be applied when it comes to the Islamic "faith" (note - President Obama expressed appreciation not for Islamic "nations" but the "Islamic faith".)

    This is all a reminder that one's hope and allegience should be found in Christ and his kingdom, and not in the things of this world.

    A reminder as well that democracy alone (or democracy apart from the gospel) is not the "savior" some think it is, but can be destructive and dangerous.

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

    Sunday, April 05, 2009

    The Resurrection of Jesus Christ

    Christianity is more than just a religion or a philosophy. It is more than just a few rules and platitudes to live by. Christianity is a worldview that is based upon the most important event in the history of the world, that being the bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.

    Read More...

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

    Saturday, April 04, 2009

    Population Debate Position

    On Wednesday, Malta’s delegation reiterated its stance that no position or recommendation should “create an obligation on any party to consider abortion as a legitimate form of family planning, reproductive health rights, services or commodities.” It added that the phrase “abortion should be safe” can lend itself to the interpretation “that abortion can be completely free of medical and other psychological risks, while ignoring altogether the rights of the unborn.”


    Quote taken from article entitled Population Debate

    Well put! Thanks for the input from the delegation from Malta.

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

    Islam and Legalism in the Bedroom

    One of the law's most controversial articles legislates the frequency of sexual relations between Shiite husbands and wives. Article 132 says the husband has a right to sex every fourth night unless the wife is ill.


    But the United Nations Development Fund for Women has said the law "legalizes the rape of a wife by her husband."


    Quotes taken from here.

    Isn't it sad when sexual relations within marriage come down to this ... legalism in the bedroom!

    If one is going to go so far as to be legalistic and define rights "to sex every fourth night unless the wife is ill", next will be the need to define what qualifies as sex (length of time, type of activity, the quality, etc., etc., etc.) ... And besides, where does God proclaim "every fourth night" as a right ... or only every fourth night as a right?

    How much better the ideal set forth in the Scripture of mutual and sacrificial love between a husband and wife where "The wife's body does not belong to her alone but also to her husband. In the same way, the husband's body does not belong to him alone but also to his wife." (1 Cor 7:14)

    Legalistic religion begets legalistic needs and restraints, but grace based relations and truth (as found in Christianity) leads to freedom and mutual self-offering.

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

    Friday, April 03, 2009

    Islam - A Religion of Peace

    I'm starting a new post listing illustrations...

    First Illustration

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

    Not a Bad Person

    I'm starting a new list of those who claim: I'm not a bad person or "he(/she) is not a bad person"

    First on the list:
    Randy Green who said he was "not a bad person" as he was sentenced Thursday for slitting Ray Pike's throat Aug. 15 on a trail in Gloversville. Story here.

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

    Thursday, April 02, 2009

    Christian Heros Engaging Culture

    I just finished reading an article by John Piper in World Magazine entitled Over My Dead Body Son.

    It made me pause and think why men such as John Piper and Al Mohler are heros in my book (though I may differ from them on a select few issues) and the reason is they not only display faithfulness and character within the Christian tradition but they are constantly applying the truth and engaging the culture. My hats off to them! ... and I point out their example hoping to encourage other Christians to follow their example!

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

    Why Does God Permit Evil (ByFaith Article)

    It is simply meant to illustrate a point: If our hearts tell us there is evil in the world—that certain acts are horribly wrong because they transgress our dignity and worth—then retreating to atheism doesn’t help us, since atheism—to be consistent—can’t provide a basis for human dignity in the first place. In this regard, evil is just as much a problem for the atheist as it is for the believer.


    Dr. Jay Sklar (Assoc. Prof. of Old Testament at Covenant Theological Seminary) has written an excellent article for ByFaith Magazine on the subject "Why Does God Permit Evil?" Here's the link. I commend it both for those who struggle with this questions as well as for believers for edification and a resource when called upon to provide an answer to this question.

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