Christianity is founded on the idea that Jesus is the Jewish Messiah. Out of all of the requirements for the Messiah, being born in the House of David is the most important one. Yet in order to inherit that house in the Old Testament sense, Jesus would have to be counted as the son of a male descendant of David. Given the Biblical account (which I believe to be the true … [Read more...]
Argumentum ad Malum
“It’s not that I don’t accept God, you must understand,” said Ivan Karamazov, one of Fyodor Dostoevsky novel’s characters in The Brothers Karamazov, to his younger brother, Alyosha, “it’s the world created by Him I don’t and cannot accept.”(Dostoevsky 2007, 257) The world created by God is overflowing with horrifying and repugnant evils. Ivan vividly captured some of the moral … [Read more...]
Why Do We Believe The Gospel?
By Jon Bolie Introduction When it comes to the matter of faith, there is only one legitimate definition; knowing that something is true and trusting in that fact. You cannot have faith that is 'blind'. Now, you may not understand everything about God (we don't... we have limited [finite] minds, while God's is infinite), but we can know something. The Reason The reason the … [Read more...]
Answering Jewish Objections: “Jewish People Don’t Believe in a Suffering/Atoning Messiah”: Part Two
To See Part One, Click Here Peter uses Old Testament prophecy in Acts 3:18, where he declares: “But what God foretold by the mouth of all the prophets, that this Christ should suffer, he thus fulfilled.” Where in the prophets are we told that God’s “Christ (or Messiah) should suffer”? Isaiah 53 is probably what Peter is alluding to. Probably the most explicit case for Isaiah … [Read more...]
Eschatological Solution to the Problem of Pain and Suffering
The problem of pain and suffering is without doubt the most troubling paradox for Christians. How could a loving, maximally powerful and caring God allow his children to go through extreme and seemly meaningless pain and suffering? In times of suffering many Christians do, and correctly so I may add, find it difficult to imagine that God cares about their struggles. God appears … [Read more...]
Answering Jewish Objections: “Jewish People Don’t Believe in a Suffering/Atoning Messiah”: Part One
Introduction Over the years, I have had the chance to talk to several Jewish people about spiritual issues. A common Jewish objection that I continue to hear is that Jewish people don’t believe that a human can be sacrificed for sins. In other words, a human can’t atone for the sins of the Jewish people. First, let me give some background to the idea of atonement in Judaism. … [Read more...]
"Doth God Care For The Oxen?" – The Biblical View
John W. Loftus, in his recent book, attempted to make the case that the Bible does not value animals, and that the Bible and its authors would condone animal cruelty. The opposite is true. As I demonstrated in my recent debate with him, the Bible is very much concerned for the welfare of the animals, and Loftus’ view otherwise is founded in various misunderstandings regarding … [Read more...]
Paul – Apostle or Fraud (Part 10)
Opposition to Paul’s apostleship did not end at his death. The same group of Judaizers Paul warned about in his epistles continued to oppose the freedom Paul had preached to Gentiles. “Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage. Indeed I, Paul, say to you that if you become circumcised, Christ will … [Read more...]
Is There a Conceited and Arrogant God Forcing Us to Worship Him?
I love tough questions, and students who want to throw their "skeptical curveballs." Sometimes a skeptic will present an objection with the thinking that there is no way it can be answered. Such was case with one of our students who shared with me that he was given such an objection from a fellow college student. The student's objection was about believers worshiping an … [Read more...]
EQUIPPED: Vol. 1, No. 1 – Evidence for the Existence of God
Vol. 1, No. 1 Evidence for the Existence of God “In The Beginning” Appropriately, the first issue of EQUIPPED begins: “In the Beginning…” With much prayer, we invite you to find a comfortable place to sit, and fill your mind with the truth of Jesus Christ, so that you, too, may be EQUIPPED. —Glen Richmond, Editor Get more EQUIPPED Share EQUIPPED as you please with your … [Read more...]