[This post is a work in progress as part of the CAA Catechism.] [Add the title only in the title field, not in the body of the post.] Summary in 400 words or less: The first ecumenical Council of Nicea was called by Emperor Constantine (the Great, or the First) around 20May or 19June to circa 25Aug 325. The primary issue was over the Arian heresy. We have the 20 canons … [Read more...]
Can Science Answer All Questions?
In the movie Contact? Ellie told her father that she loved him, but she couldn't prove it scientifically. That’s because science can't do that sort of thing. Science can't show that two people love each other. Science is simply a tool that we utilize to uncover facts about the observable universe. So here’s a fun fact: Science is not omniscient. It cannot answer all our … [Read more...]
On Inerrancy and Inspiration
[This post is a work in progress as part of the CAA Catechism.] [Add the title only in the title field, not in the body of the post.] Summary in 400 words or less: The (Evangelical Protestant) doctrine of Inerrancy pertains to the original autographs in their original languages (Hebrew, Aramaic, Greek). The doctrine states the originals (which are lost) were free from error or … [Read more...]
Defending the Trinity
[This post is a work in progress as part of the CAA Catechism.] [Add the title only in the title field, not in the body of the post.] Summary in 400 words or less: The doctrine of the Trinity is a cornerstone doctrine for the Christian faith. Although it is sometimes seen to be a contradiction, this could not be further from the truth. This accusation is often leveled because … [Read more...]
Undesigned Coincidences: Part 4
There are certain parts of Paul’s letters that we typically pass over in silence. The long lists of greetings, in particular, are flyover territory for expository preachers. “Greet Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermes, Patrobas, Hermas, ...” The congregation is probably snoring already. And yet such passages can, on occasion, furnish us with beautiful examples of coincidence without … [Read more...]
Christ Fulfills Prophecies
[This post is a work in progress as part of the CAA Catechism.] [Add the title only in the title field, not in the body of the post.] Summary in 400 words or less: Introduction One of the most prominent themes throughout the Bible is the kingdom of God. The framework of Israel’s existence and self-understanding was formulated from God’s covenant with Israel and Israel’s … [Read more...]
Undesigned Coincidences: Part 3
One of the benefits of having both Paul’s letters and a history of Paul’s activities from another hand is that we are able to compare points of contact across the two genres. Their overlap is all the more valuable since they appear to have been written largely or wholly independently of one another, with very little verbal similarity at any point. What should we expect from … [Read more...]
Answering Objections to Doing Apologetics
[This post is a work in progress as part of the CAA Catechism.] [Add the title only in the title field, not in the body of the post.] Summary in 400 words or less: Objections towards apologetics come in many forms, but one is a misunderstanding as to what apologetics ideally means. Douglas Groothuis defines apologetics and those who carry it out (apologists) as … [Read more...]
Scientific Confirmation of a Beginning
[This post is a work in progress as part of the CAA Catechism.] [Add the title only in the title field, not in the body of the post.] Summary in 400 words or less: Philosophically speaking there are only two choices when it comes to our universe; It had a beginning or it did not have a beginning. Thus the question arises, “Which choice is better supported by the scientific … [Read more...]
Evaluating Mormonism
[This post is a work in progress as part of the CAA Catechism.] [Add the title only in the title field, not in the body of the post.] Summary in 400 words or less: Latter-Day Saint (LDS) scholar Stephen Robinson writes, “Latter-day Saints and Evangelicals do not understand each other very well, and much of what we say about each other is untrue." … [Read more...]