The question of Jesus’ birth date has long been scrutinized in relation to Herod’s death and Luke’s census. This article draws heavily on the research done by Andrew E. Steinmann as it relates to Herod’s death, and the governor of Syria, which coincides with the astrological phenomenon seen by the Wise Men, as well as the in-depth study by Glen Miller of A Christian Thinktank … [Read more...]
Science Killed The Christian God? – Part 1
(pt.1) Is Richard Dawkins right in saying that science is the only real discipline that can give us reliable knowledge about reality? Has modern science buried the concept of the Judeo-Christian God? Many atheists and naturalists would respond with a resounding "YES!" This is an all important question to answer in today's rising culture of "Scientism," which states that if a … [Read more...]
Book Review: "From God to Us" by Norman Geisler and William Nix
From God To Us (hereafter FGU) by Norman Geisler and William Nix provides a general introduction to a number of topics regarding the origins of the Bible. The book explores the inspiration, canonization, transmission, and translation of the Bible from the earliest roots until the modern era. … [Read more...]
What is True Christianity(tm)? (part 3)
In part 1, I talked about how skeptics and atheists often complain when I (or another apologist) make the comment that such-and-so Christian is wrong. The skeptic usually says it means I have found “True Christianity™” and every other Christian who disagrees is going to go to hell. In part 2, I discussed degrees of wrong, using a traffic light as a guide. Green light is 99% … [Read more...]
Did the concept of monotheism socially evolve?
This post gives a glimpse of “Eternity in Their Hearts” by Don Richardson, who is recognized for his anthropological and linguistic work among the Sawi people of Irian Jaya. Edward B. Tyler’s theory that monotheism evolved has been refuted for a long time. The theory goes like this: Belief in the soul emerged from pondering dreams, etc.; spiritism/animism emerged when they … [Read more...]
Do the Gospel Resurrection Accounts Contradict Each Other?
How many women were at Christ’s tomb on that first Easter morning – 1, 2, 3, or 5? Were there two angels or only one that announced His resurrection? Did Jesus appear to His followers at Galilee or Jerusalem? Skeptics of Christ’s resurrection oftentimes claim that the various gospel accounts of Jesus rising from the dead in the New Testament contradict each other. Even some … [Read more...]
The Resurrection of Jesus – A Miracle in One of Three Ways
With Easter just around the corner, we all are reminded once again that the resurrection of Jesus Christ was a miracle. No matter if you believe in God or not, no matter if you’re an atheist or a Christian, the account and effects of Jesus’ resurrection are truly miraculous. Non-Christians may scoff at this claim, but let me explain. The resurrection is a miracle in one of … [Read more...]
A Look at the Carrier/Goodacre Debate: How Did Paul Receive the Gospel?
Clearing Up A Supposed Contradiction Between Galatians 1:11-12, and 1 Corinthians 15:3-5 Introduction Recently I was looking at some of the exchange of a debate between skeptic Richard Carrier and Marc Goodacre. Carrier said that one of the first places to start looking at the evidence for Jesus is Paul’s Letters. After all, they are the earliest documents we have for the … [Read more...]
Can the Gospels be trusted?
By Dan Barkman. Many questions are often raised regarding the reliability of the four Gospels of the Christian Scriptures. Who were their authors and how can we be sure that they were in a position to know what really happened in the life of Jesus? Did they witness every event they narrate? Who were their sources of information and how did they know the details of specific … [Read more...]
Emergent Christianity in Memphis, Part 1
2 Timothy 4.3-4 Earlier this month a meeting of Emergent Christians happened at St. Mary's Episcopal Cathedral in Memphis, Tennessee. The meeting was an event honoring Phyllis Tickle, a forerunner in Emergent thinking. Among the over 400 attendees were such emergent luminaries as Brian McLauren, Doug Pagitt, and Tony Jones. … [Read more...]