Plenty has been written about Buzzfeed's viral video featuring people who address all the ways they believe Christians have been unfairly stereotyped. As much as I appreciate the spirit behind their attempt, I'm not as thrilled with every aspect of it. Though there are some solid observations, there are also a number of claims that reveal a fair amount of confusion about what … [Read more...]
Ecumenical 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: Often, skeptics and anti-theists will purport that Christianity is an invalid worldview due to the fact that many denominational variants exist. To the chagrin of such skeptics, all orthodox denominations adhere to … [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...]
Are We Born Evil?
In the book Isn't Religion Weird? Quotations for Atheists by Dave Lane, an anonymous quote reads: “Why does God punish us with suffering throughout life and an eternity in hell afterwards? Because we are born evil and depraved! But why are we born evil and depraved? Because God makes us that way. So God makes us a certain way and then punishes us for being that way!” … [Read more...]
What is True Christianity(tm)? (part 2)
In my last post, I said that we should bow to the weaker brother and let him have his ritual. If he thinks that we must be baptized by triune immersion in a lake, then let him get baptized that way. If he thinks all Christians should abstain from alcohol, then don’t crack open an ice-cold Corona with a lime wedge in front of him. In the non-essentials of faith, let the … [Read more...]
What is True Christianity(tm)? (part 1)
If one Christian is right on a matter of doctrine and this contradicts what another denomination believes on that same doctrine, then one is right and one is wrong. Not a radical notion, but we see the same response from the atheists. They sarcastically say that the one who thinks he's right must have found True Christianity™ and that he believes every other Christian will … [Read more...]
On an idiosyncratic faith
Bear with me as I offer some thoughts on why I think so many criticisms of Christianity – along with so many versions of Christianity – miss the mark. Consider this list: God (the Father, Son and Holy Spirit) exists God is uniquely revealed to us in the person of Jesus of Nazareth, whom God raised from the dead By having a relationship with God though Jesus, who is … [Read more...]