I recently did a debate on Unbelievable? on Premier Christian Radio, a show that airs every Saturday on British radio (also podcasted online), featuring debates between Christians and non-Christians. Last year on the show, I did a debate on whether Christianity is evidence-based, with British atheist Elliot George. The recording of that encounter can be found here. On Saturday … [Read more...]
Why Did God Kill the Midianite Boys in Numbers 31? Part One.
“And Moses was angry with the officers of the army…[and] said to them, ‘Have you let all the women live? Behold, these, on Balaam's advice, caused the people of Israel to act treacherously against the Lord in the incident of Peor, and so the plague came among the congregation of the Lord. Now therefore, kill every male among the little ones, and kill every woman who has known … [Read more...]
Age of Ultron: Human Visions, Second Chances and Filled Gaps
The Avengers have invaded your local theaters - and the public consciousness. Critics like it and audiences love it. It passed the $700million dollar mark only eight days after its release, and a spokesperson for Disney said it should pass the $1.5 billion that the first movie brought in. That billion, with a 'b'. The next Avenger movie is several years away, but between now … [Read more...]
A Queer Entanglement
The Codependent Conjunction of "Gay Christians" and the Gay-Affirming Church When Harvard sophomore Matthew Vines came out to his parents over Christmas break, both of them affirmed their unconditional love for him right away. But the news was hard for everyone. As Christians, they believed the same thing the church has held for 2000 years - that homosexuality runs contrary … [Read more...]
Book Review: Who's Afraid Of The Multiverse?
Introduction As a Christian who is deeply interested in the sciences and what they bring to the table for defending the existence of God (and the truth of the Christian worldview, specifically), I have often encountered the idea that multiple worlds may exist, which seems to explain away the beginning of the universe and its designed features. When I heard that astrophysicist … [Read more...]
Necessary Existence of God
Judeo-Christians understand God as a being that is perfect in knowledge (Ps. 147:5), power (Job 42:2), presence (Ps. 139), acts (Ps. 18:30) and has none greater (Heb. 6:13) nor equal (Ps. 40:6). Following Anselm’s "credimus te esse aliquid quo nihil maius cogitari possit"¹, God is understood to be a Being that exhibits maximal perfection. God is, borrowing Alvin Plantinga's … [Read more...]
Per Fillium: A Biblical Alternative to the Filioque Clause and a Via Media between Rome and Constantinople: Part 3 of 6
(Originally Presented at the 2014 Meeting of the Northeast Region of the Evangelical Society) Part 1 | Part 2 Systematic Objections A full discussion of my systematic objections would also involve an exposition of my Triadological commitments. As such, I shall be brief as many of my objections shall be illucidated, and I think resolved, in my constructive … [Read more...]
Book Review: Brian Morley’s ‘Mapping Apologetics’
I want to begin this book review by saying ‘BUY IT!’ Okay, now to the review. First, let’s meet the author: Dr. Brian K. Morley is professor of philosophy and apologetics at the Master’s College in Santa Clarita, California. He has been a member of the Evangelical Theological Society, the Evangelical Philosophical Society, and the Society of Christian Philosophers. He is … [Read more...]
The Positive Impact of Religion (Tolle Lege)
In chapter 20 of their recent book Did God Really Command Genocide? Coming to Terms with the Justice of God, Paul Copan and Matthew Flannagan take up the question, "Does Religion Cause Violence?" This is by now a well-worn trope of new atheist accusation, typically stated without explaining what "religion" is, or how it is uniquely violence-producing in comparison to any other … [Read more...]
Annihilation versus Eternal Torment: What Does the Bible Really Teach?
Entire books on this subject have been written, as well as innumerable articles, with both sides claiming Bible verses to support their interpretation. And while this topic will likely be debated until Jesus returns, it is one that I feel I cannot be silent on as the very character of God is at stake. Please note that my goal was to succinctly expound on why I believe what I … [Read more...]