"Beware the barrenness of a busy life." - Socrates (469-399 BC) I often get the impression that people - even those already interested in apologetics - feel they just don't have time for apologetics. It is as if I can 'hear' them thinking, "well, that is for you apologists, but the rest of us (with real lives) simply don't have time for things like that." What they may not … [Read more...]
The Resurrection of Jesus: A Christian Apologetics Cornerstone
Jesus' resurrection after his crucifixion and death is the cornerstone of the Christian faith. The apostle Paul, after giving an account (1 Cor 15) of this event, says that if it didn't happen, the Christian religion is useless. He adds that, then, Christians should be most pitied because they are still in trouble with the God of the universe. But even on a practical note, it … [Read more...]
Is intelligent design science?
Why is it that Christian apologists have to deal with this topic so often? It seems that whenever I'm in discussion over just about ANY apologetics related topic, I'll typically be challenged by someone over the topic of I.D. as a kind of 'gotcha' move. You see, (insert sarcasm) I must not be rational... after all, I (as a Christian) must believe the whole Intelligent Design … [Read more...]
Abortion mills and Kermit Gosnell: What is the real problem?
Despite a relatively low amount of media coverage, you have likely run across the case of Kermit Gosnell, the Philadelphia abortion doctor (labeled a monster) who ran what many have called a 'house of horrors' abortion mill. Last month, he was convicted on three counts of first-degree murder and one count of involuntary manslaughter, and was sentenced to life in prison. But, … [Read more...]
The Problem of Evil: Impact of theology. Part 3 of 3
Part 1 Part 2 The Impact of Theology (The rest of this article is a bit of an aside over the internal debate between Calvinism and Arminianism within Christianity, but is pertinent to the problem of evil discussion.) A bit more should probably be said about the debate within Christianity between the Calvinist and Arminian views (while noting that either thwart the atheist’s … [Read more...]
The Problem of Evil: Is it a problem? Part 2 of 3
Part 1 Is it a problem? Evil is certainly a challenge for anyone, including Christians, to answer sufficiently. However, we can show that it potentially fits within the Christian worldview, and I believe it fits well (especially compared to other worldviews). In other words, it is a challenge, but I don’t think it is ultimately a problem. Remember, while you as a Christian … [Read more...]
The Problem of Evil: Whose problem is it? Part 1 of 3
The ‘problem of evil’ in Christian apologetics is and has been one of the top apologetic issues throughout history. Many have pointed to the attacks on 9/11 (September 11, 2001) as a turning point in our generation concerning this issue. The ‘New Atheists’ (Richard Dawkins, Sam Harris, etc.) began writing their – soon to be popular – books not long after this event. For the … [Read more...]
Faith: ‘wishful thinking’?
I often hear people talk about faith as if it is ‘wishful thinking’. This is especially true in the ‘science vs. religion’ debates. “I have my reason…. you have your faith…” is the general sentiment. I have even heard Christians use a similar way of speaking. In some circles, there seems to be an attitude that you should ‘just believe’ and not question anything. These views of … [Read more...]
Is Apologetic Posting on Internet Sites a Waste of Time?
I have been posting apologetic type responses and material on the Internet now going on twenty years (on other types of ‘e-communication’ even before the Internet was popular). I don’t usually hang out in atheistic discussion forums, but instead try to inject some reasoned, and/or 'salt & light,' content into secular discussions when relevant. This often leads to discussion … [Read more...]
Has the Church Become an Atheist Incubator?
I suppose I should first apologize for baiting you into reading this article with a catchy title. No, I don't actually suspect the church is creating a huge number of atheists, as there simply aren't that many of them (as vocal as they may be!). While their numbers are on the rise, they are statistically few. What I am going to argue the church is often creating, might be … [Read more...]