Vol. 1, No. 3 Evidence for the Resurrection "He was buried and He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures" Ready for an adventure? When was the last time you prayed, "Lord, make me willing to go, to serve, to do your will"? Jesus said to them, "My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to accomplish his work. Do you not say, 'There are yet four months, … [Read more...]
Why did God kill Uzzah for trying to protect the Ark of Covenant?
The Ark of the Covenant was the mercy seat of God, i.e. his throne on earth. God commanded the Israelites to build it shortly after they left Egypt. It was to reside in the Holy of Holies (the innermost chamber) of the tabernacle, and later the temple, in which God said He dwelt on earth. Only the High Priest could ever enter that chamber, and only once a year, on the Day of … [Read more...]
Would Muhammad Have Approved of the Islamic State? Part 2: Influence in Medina
In a previous article, I began a series of blog posts addressing the question of whether or not Muhammad would have approved of the Islamic state. In the first instalment, I discussed Muhammad's life in Mecca, and introduced the Islamic doctrines of abrogation and Taqiyya, both of which are found in the Qur'an itself. As I noted briefly at the conclusion of my earlier article, … [Read more...]
Black Mirror: The Future We Deserve
Black Mirror is a British TV sci-fi series that takes a serious and provocative look at the unintended consequences of technology. Though not prolific (seven shows in two seasons so far), Black Mirror has won numerous awards, and its viewership around the world is growing tremendously. At least one episode is being turned into a movie, and an American version is sure to show up … [Read more...]
Would Muhammad Have Approved of the Islamic State? Part 1: The Meccan Years
The Islamic State (ISIS) have been in the news a lot recently as a result of a series of barbaric atrocities committed in the name of Islam. The question that the western media has been, for the most part, very reluctant to address openly is, "How representative is ISIS of the Islamic ideology?" It is the elephant in the room. Note that I am not asking "How representative is … [Read more...]
Per Fillium: A Biblical Alternative to the Filioque Clause and a Via Media between Rome and Constantinople: Part 1 of 6
(Originally Presented at the 2014 Meeting of the Northeast Region of the Evangelical Society) Opening Remarks and Thesis The goal of this paper is threefold. First, I will provide an overview of the historical development of the Filioque Clause and the ensuing controversy for the purpose of rooting today’s discussion within the historical context of the theological … [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...]
Cosmological Dialogue Concerning God’s Existence
Jane: Leibniz stated that “[w]hatever is not from something else is from itself, or from its own essence.”1 Would you agree with the axiom that everything that exists has an explanation of its existence either in the necessity of its own nature or in an external cause? John: Yes. Given the Principle of Sufficient Reason, I would agree with that axiom. Jane: Would you also agree … [Read more...]
Convince Me There’s A God – Archaeology 21
"Now it came to pass in the ninth year of his reign, in the tenth month, on the tenth day of the month, that Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon and all his army came against Jerusalem and encamped against it; and they built a siege wall against it all around. So the city was besieged until the eleventh year of King Zedekiah." 2 Kings 25:1-2 According to the Bible's description … [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...]