A Facebook friend of mine (an old acquaintance from Bible College) commented on one of my posts the other day expressing the idea that Christianity was originally gnostic, that Paul was its only apostle, and that all his writings were rewritten by "literalists" during the time of Irenaeus (late 2nd Century). His original comments are below and my response follows. I would … [Read more...]
Plantinga's Modal Ontological Argument Explained by Sean Choi
In this post I'll explain both the motivation behind Alvin Plantinga's Modal Ontological Argument, as well as its various steps. For my purposes, I'll work with a simplified version of that argument which Plantinga presents in his book, The Nature of Necessity (Clarendon Press, 1974), pp. 216-17. … [Read more...]
Saint Odd
Odd Thomas has become perhaps the iconic name associated with Dean Koontz. The series has sold over ten million print copies and 900,000 ebooks just in the United States. There are also three graphic novel prequels, a couple novellas, and a movie based on the first book. Odd Thomas deserves the popularity – and the acclaim. Odd is a genuinely good guy, devoted to doing the … [Read more...]
3 Good Reasons To Question What You Believe
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...]
Bonhoeffer's Solution to The Problem of Pain
Dietrich Bonhoeffer saw and experienced the unmistakable face of pain and suffering during the reign of Nazism in Germany. During his time at Berlin-Tegel Bonhoeffer exchanged letters and wrote notes that are now known as Letters and Papers from Prison. It is in these letters and notes Bonhoeffer explored the problem of pain and suffering. His address of human suffering does … [Read more...]
The Persistence of Gnosticism (Tolle Lege)
Gnosticism in its various forms has been remarkably persistent in the history of the church. Both the apostles Paul and John dealt with early forms of it in their epistles, and Irenaeus of Lyons critiqued it in Against Heresies. A number of surviving "Gnostic Gospels" date from the second through fourth centuries. As Justin Holcomb points out in his recent book Know the … [Read more...]
Per Fillium: A Biblical Alternative to the Filioque Clause and a Via Media between Rome and Constantinople: Part 2 of 6
(Originally Presented at the 2014 Meeting of the Northeast Region of the Evangelical Society) Part 1 The Objections As established, there is a long tradition regarding the Filioque Clause, and better theologians than I have mounted both defense and critique of the doctrine. Among these are Anselm of Canterbury,[22] Thomas Aquinas,[23] and Karl Barth.[24] By and … [Read more...]
Convince Me There’s A God – Archaeology 22
“And the Lord God of their fathers sent warnings to them by His messengers, rising up early and sending them, because He had compassion on His people and on His dwelling place. But they mocked the messengers of God, despised His words, and scoffed at His prophets, until the wrath of the Lord arose against His people, till there was no remedy. Therefore He brought against them … [Read more...]
The Imperfections of the Quran – 2
In the last post we saw three quranic imperfections. In this second part we will conclude this series with a final discrepancy which also shows the case we have been making all along, that the Quran is imperfect, and therefore, not a revelation from God. THE REVELATION WHICH FAILED TO MAKE IT TO THE QURAN Sahih Bukhari Volume 4: 393 Narrated Said bin Jubair: That he heard … [Read more...]
Physician-Assisted Suicide and Consistency
It is interesting to see that society’s preoccupation with unhindered individual choice is continually extending towards decisions to be made at the end of life. As proponents of “Death with Dignity” argue, it is right for people to be able to decide the time and place of their own deaths. However, I would like to propose that first of all there are very few people who support … [Read more...]