Recently, in response to my blog, "What is Christianity without Apologetics and Missions?", I was asked why I believe churches are not able to connect apologetics and missions. My initial thought was how could churches not connect apologetics and missions and fulfill their purpose as the bride of Christ? Let me explain. … [Read more...]
Black 'Heart' Friday Shopping!
Thanksgiving is a wonderful tradition where we are able to give thanks (to God) for all that we have been blessed with, especially family and friends. The following day, Black Friday, is an over-excessive nationwide shopping spree in the US, paying homage to the gods of materialism and ourselves, stuffing our lives full of typically unnecessary merchandise with money that we … [Read more...]
Transgender Issues + Euthanasia = Tragedy!
A number of weeks ago, I stumbled across the tragic story of a Belgium transexual, Nathan Verhelst. She was born a female and given the name Nancy. Of Nancy’s birth, her mother said, “When I saw 'Nancy' for the first time, my dream was shattered. She was so ugly. I had a phantom birth.” She supposedly wanted a son. Another article speaks of the mother’s further rejection of … [Read more...]
What is Christianity without Apologetics and Missions?
I find being a cultural apologist and an engineer both confusing and beneficial. During the times when the two hemispheres of my brain are not fighting for supremacy against each other, I try to take advantage of the opportunity to observe, process, and analyze certain realities from different perspectives. During my recent investigations of higher education and my experience … [Read more...]
Are You an Expert?
Now more than ever, we seem to be surrounded by experts and intellectual giants on all corners. Throw out a question on Facebook and you will get a response, often from an "expert". Google a contentious question that has plagued philosophers for centuries and you will discover reams of pages linking to the blogs of "experts". I am also often told that you don't need to be a … [Read more...]
Boys in the Girls' Locker Room?
Last week in California, a news article reported that state legislation was passed to enable "students in California schools to compete on sports teams and use facilities, including restrooms, based on their gender identity, regardless of whether they are listed as male or female in official campus records." This basically means that if a boy believes he is a girl, despite his … [Read more...]
In The Cultural Apologetic Box?
If you are anything like me, you never really fit into a box. People try to put you in a box, and you search for the box you should fit into. This is what we do in Western culture; we identify people by their boxes. I am a Myers Briggs ESTJ, a senior engineering design technologist with an associate in theology and an MA in apologetics, an Australian with an American wife, a … [Read more...]
Dancing, Chanting and Apologetics?
Last night was Laylatul Qadr, or the Night of Power. It was the 19th night of Ramadan and the night that many Muslims believe the first revelations of Islam were given and the prophethood of Muhammed began. Usually the people stay up most of the night, waiting in hope for a special revelation from God to themselves. While I had planned to go uptown to spend time with the … [Read more...]
Should the State look like my Church?
What a week in politics (both US and Australian)! What was very evident to all was the passionate actions and reactions of individuals and groups within our communities on a range of topics including marriage of homosexuals and abortion. Rather than focus on the political, let me unfold a fascinating accusation that caught my attention during the war of words. … [Read more...]
Why does life have value, or does it?
As one who has lived in and studies multiple cultures around the world, I am often intrigued by how cultures observe and value life. In economically undeveloped or developing countries, life generally holds a low value. This view is not completely confined to these countries with first world countries now beginning to embrace a reduced value on human life as evident through … [Read more...]