Many in the Western church are choosing experience over truth. Mysticism is now touted as the means to directly experience God, without our “divisive” doctrines. It is described as the hope of finding common ground among the various religions, through shared mystical experiences. In this regards, sociologist, Tony Campolo, writes: A theology of mysticism provides some hope … [Read more...]
Are We Ready to Deny Objective Morality? 3 Implications of Doing So…
The idea that we’re living in a culture of relativism seems to be uncontested and accepted without question. Post-modernists and relativists assume that we've progressed past the rigid constraints of ‘truth’, ‘falsity’, ‘reason’, and other oppressive concepts that actually undergird the fabric of rationality in the universe. However, I’m not convinced that we are truly living … [Read more...]
Can We Be Good Without God?
[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: This question needs to be approached in the context that the skeptic poses it. As a Christian, it is tempting to go right to Romans 3:10 and respond that there is no one who is good. However, taking this … [Read more...]
Essential DNA Required for Life
If one believes in evolution, it is important to know what is required for life. Not just what environmental conditions are needed, but also what biochemical conditions. It is often quoted that there are 250 essential proteins required for basic life. To have life, you need 250 proteins so it was thought. While those were previous guesses it is now possible to … [Read more...]
The Resurrection of Jesus: Investigation & Apologetic Approach
“... God is now declaring to men that all people everywhere should repent, because He has fixed a day in which He will judge the world in righteousness through a Man whom He has appointed, having furnished proof to all men by raising Him from the dead.” Now when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some began to sneer, but others said, “We shall hear you again concerning … [Read more...]
God or Godless? A Book Review
Special thanks to Baker Books for the free copy to review. This book has a very interesting premise. Instead of a book with one long debate about whether or not God exists, this book contains twenty short debates on a variety of topics, everything from whether or not life has meaning apart from God and whether science is a substitute for religion to whether or not God cares … [Read more...]
How to Examine Worldviews
[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: What is a worldview? A "worldview" refers to "what we see of reality," "world" here meaning not just this planet , but universal truth. Worldview is a partial synonym for "religion," in what sociologist … [Read more...]
Book Review: The Making of An Atheist
The Making of an Atheist by James Spiegel is a short book on the non-rational reasons that people may have for rejecting the existence of God. It was of interest to me because it doesn't address intellectual reasons, but emotional reasons. The book talks about the psychology of atheists. The book is divided into five chapters and is a mere 128 pages, so it makes for a quick … [Read more...]
Is Jesus the ‘Exclusive’ Way/Truth?
[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: In John 14, Jesus spoke about many rooms in his Father’s house, and that [Jesus] would be preparing a place for his disciples and that they know the way to where he is going. Then Thomas asked, “...How can we know … [Read more...]
Who Designed the Designer?
[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 question “Who created God?” (or sometimes, “What created God?”) is a common question posed by agnostics and atheists in internet discussion forums. After all, if we can follow the chain of causes all the way … [Read more...]