I recently had a heart attack - 100% blockage in left anterior descending (LAD) artery that runs down the front of the heart and supplies the front and main wall. That kind of heart attack is commonly called a Widowmaker, which is a nugget of information I am glad I didn’t know that at the time. Why did it happen? Plaque dislodged and moved; that is the only thing that is … [Read more...]
A Cause Worth Dying For: Materialism, Millennials, & the Authentic Mission
Let me ask you something, very simple: Is the Christian God real? If not, then don't waste another minute of your time. There's the door. If the Christian God is simply a family tradition, a nice story, a cultural myth, or a moral teaching then we might as well toss it all aside. It's nothing. But, if the answer is yes then there is a desperate state of urgency. If … [Read more...]
Option C: The Time-Salvation Paradox
There is one aspect about God and our understanding of Him that I felt compelled to write about. This one area has divided Christians for centuries, and that is the subject of God's sovereignty in relation to man's free will. Now, I know this is a topic which has been perpetually argued, but it is because of this fact that I had felt so passionate about the subject. I would … [Read more...]
Days of Future Past: Do Our Choices Matter?
“So many battles waged over the years... and yet, none like this. Are we destined to destroy each other, or can we change each other and unite? Is the future truly set?” – Charles Xavier X-Men: Days of Future Past is a story about free will and human nature. It’s many other things as well – an excellently crafted movie, an equal rights parable, a commentary on human atrocities, … [Read more...]
Free-will and choice confusion
I'm writing this article as a plea for Christians and skeptics alike, but especially theologians and apologists, to use the term 'free will' more carefully. I hear mistakes and mis-speaks so often that it has become one of my pet-peeves. I'm also hoping that providing a bit of detail on the distinction will positively impact our theological and apologetics discussion. This … [Read more...]
Compatibility of Sovereignty and Free Will
[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: Scripture for YouVersion: Short audio/video: Three questions (1 fill-in-the-blank, 1 multiple choice, and one discussion question): References for further reading: Collaboration notes: Collaborators: [Add your name … [Read more...]
Book Review: Chosen But Free
One of the major debates in Christianity is the relationship between God's sovereignty and man's free will. Many people interpret the two to be at odds. Each side believes that the other side will result in compromising some essential doctrine of the faith. I wish I were immune to such a debate, but I'm not. I have found myself in the middle of it; not debating for one side or … [Read more...]
God Controls Everything–Good and Bad
If everything God does is GOOD, and if God controls EVERYTHING, then it would be BAD had one less child been gassed in Auschwitz. -Greg Boyd’s Twitter Status It was quite a while ago but when I read Dr. Boyd’s status I was very intrigued. I believe open theists deserve a seat at the table of discussion and despite my view that I think they’re wrong, their arguments are … [Read more...]