Introduction Many people like to ask questions, and not just basic questions that get us through day-to-day life, but questions that go beyond our basic routines. Questions that examine who we are, why we are here, from where have we come. Questions that are on all our minds, but many fear to ask. Some are afraid they may discover something they do not like; some are afraid … [Read more...]
5 Threats Of Demanding Certainty To Change Your Beliefs
Introduction With the continual exposure to scientific, historical, and philosophical evidence for God's existence, I am continually reminded of just how strong the case for God is, in general, and the truth of Christianity specifically. Often times I wonder how someone can have enough faith to be an atheist. It is often claimed by skeptics of God's existence, and specifically … [Read more...]
Are Christians Inherently Biased?
There seems to be the perception in society today that Christians are inherently biased. Of course Christians cannot be great scientists for example because they are going to bring a religious agenda to the table that will color their research. Is it true? Are Christians inherently biased when they approach a subject? … [Read more...]
The New Frontier in Apologetics – An Open Letter to the Apologetics Community
Dear Colleague: It’s time for Christianity to reclaim the intellectual high ground we once held. That means you and I have a lot of work to do. Chances are some of it will be different from what we've been doing. There is a new frontier in apologetics today. The big questions are no longer what they used to be. And most of us are just beginning to see it. It’s no longer … [Read more...]
The Value of Extra-Biblical Knowledge (Tolle Lege)
Christians are sometimes afraid of claims of knowledge that come from sources outside of the Bible, especially if those claims are being made by non-Christians. It's sometimes tempting to think that if a statement can't be backed up by a Scriptural reference, or if the speaker or writer hasn't been regenerated by the Holy Spirit, then whatever they say is suspect at best. … [Read more...]
Apologists, Christian Bookstores, and "The Boy Who Came Back From Heaven"
This week was a bad week for fans of the book The Boy Who Came Back From Heaven. Alex Malarkey, son of author Kevin Malarkey, issued a brief but brutal retraction of the events that took place in The Boy Who Came Back From Heaven, a book which has sold very well along with other books in the “heavenly tourism” genre. The publisher, Tyndale House, has agreed to take the book … [Read more...]
Søren Kierkegaard: A Christian Thinker
In my previous treatment of Kierkegaard (S.K., hereafter) as a relevant Christian thinker of our day, I drew upon basic themes in S.K. to illuminate an apologetic for the imagination, so to speak. One of these basic yet classic themes in S.K. was "truth as subjectivity." For such a phrase, S.K. has (wrongfully) been acclaimed a relativist, or a fideist. But my goodness! S.K. … [Read more...]
On the Importance of Studying Greek
By Dax R. Bennington Introduction The reasons for studying Greek are numerous. This essay will address a number of the benefits of studying the ancient language. Some of the benefits are intrinsically valuable, that is they are good in and of themselves, not sought out for any particular means, and some of the benefits for studying New Testament Greek (Koine) are meant for more … [Read more...]
Why Christian Discipleship Is Critical to Christian Survival
Just before leaving the disciples, Jesus gathered them together and commissioned them with an important task. He told them, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you…” (Matthew … [Read more...]
Is What They Said about Jesus True? A Call for Discernment
As Christmas is drawing near, the interest in talking about Jesus and Christianity is surely going to increase. It happens every year. Church attendance rises and radical articles begin to cover the Internet and even leading publications preaching the latest and most headline-worthy theory about who Jesus Christ was or was not. I don’t know about you, but it can be somewhat … [Read more...]