Examining atheism from the vantage point of Christianity motivates a Christian to ask two questions. First, “what would I gain if I convert to atheism?” Second, “is there any value to the benefits stockpiled from atheism?” What would I gain if I convert to atheism? Thankfully, the “Creed” penned by the English poet and music journalist Steve Turner reflects the panoramic … [Read more...]
The Conflict Thesis-An Excerpt from The Dictionary of Christianity and Science
I am privileged to be one of the general editors of the upcoming Dictionary of Christianity and Science (Zondervan, April 2017). Paul Copan, Tremper Longman, Michael Strauss, and I--along with our excellent team at Zondervan--have endeavored to create a reference work that tackles the most important terms, concepts, people, and debates at the intersection of Christianity and … [Read more...]
Did Christianity Copy from Paganism? (Part 1 of 5)
By James M. Rochford Many skeptics claim that the resurrection of Jesus originated from pagan myths about “dying and rising” gods—commonly called the “copycat theory” of Christianity. James G. Frazer popularized this view in his book The Golden Bough (1914),[1] though more recently, others have followed in his footsteps.[2] … [Read more...]
Grace vs Karma
Do we reap what we sow? Do we get what we deserve when we die? Hinduism, Jainism, Buddhism and Sikhism, India’s contribution to the world, teach that our thoughts and actions have consequences, namely rewards or punishments. Goodness leads to rewards and bad thoughts and actions lead to pain and suffering. This, in a nutshell, is Karma. On the other end of the religious … [Read more...]
God Is Necessary & Not Necessary For Morality?!
“The Christian Post” recently published an article with a thought provoking title, “Atheist Sam Harris Partly Right That God Not Necessary for Morality, Christian Apologist Says.”1 A naïve reader of this article may think that Christianity endorses the atheistic notion that morality does not require God. Is it so? This is our first question. While discussing this subject … [Read more...]
One Fewer God?
There’s a popular quote by atheist Steven F. Roberts that many nonbelievers cite or paraphrase when debating Christians that says, “I contend we are both atheists. I just believe in one fewer God than you do.” The atheist is saying that since we Christians don’t believe in Baal, Zeus, Odin, Vishnu, Quetzalcoatl, or any other god other than the God of the Bible, then we … [Read more...]
Star Trek: Beyond
“Be yourself! Be who you are! You’re on the right track, baby; you were born that way!” Sound familiar? We hear these phrases (or some form of them) constantly. The idea is we can just find our real self and live it, all will be well. As compelling as that idea is in theory, it's often disastrous. I often think of Joss Whedon’s counter-commentary: “Remember to always be … [Read more...]
Religious Liberty: The Great Struggle of our Time
Part of the Oscar Straus Memorial in Washington, D.C. honoring the right to worship. "Without freedom of thought there can be no such thing as wisdom & no such thing as publick liberty without freedom of speech", Benjamin Franklin, 1722. Our country was founded on the belief that we have the freedom to disagree with one another. That simple edict … [Read more...]
Apologetics: Answering Atheism, Naturalism in the USA, and the Reliability of the Bible
Christian Apologetics is the reasonable defense of the Christian worldview. Many would have you think that religious thought exists in a vacuum and runs absolutely contrary to reality. That is not true. It's not true. Christian apologetics is where a lot of the fire for my evangelistic spirit comes from. People simply don't know, and no one is telling them. The media is … [Read more...]
A Beginners Guide to Understand and Answer Dr. Bart Ehrman
Dr. Bart Ehrman’s works could rattle the faith of naïve Christians. Hence, those who debate Christians frequently appeal to Ehrman's works. This is a beginner’s guide to comprehend Ehrman, and the scholarly response from Christian apologists to debunk his attacks against Historic Christianity. Who Is Bart Ehrman? “Dr. Bart D. Ehrman is the James A. Gray … [Read more...]