Apologetics is experiencing somewhat of a revival. Well, maybe a better term might be "rehabilitation." While the stereotype of the apologist as a well-coiffed white male who can bring an atheist to his knees through the power of his arguments alone is still very much alive (with good reason), there is a small minority of people (including myself) who tentatively embrace the … [Read more...]
Paul – Apostle or Fraud (Part 3)
This is the third part in a special series looking at the question of whether Paul was a true apostle of Jesus Christ or a fraud. We're investigating Paul because many people believe that Paul was a false teacher and opposed to Christ and His teachings. That has led those people to deny almost one half of the New Testament (Paul's letters). They say that what Paul wrote does … [Read more...]
Pure Land Buddhism (Pseudo Buddhism)
Before delving into how a post on Pure Land Buddhism relates to Christian apologetics, let me provide a brief introduction to the history and development of thought in this ancient Buddhist philosophy. INTRODUCTION Pure Land Buddhism is a Mahayana School of Buddhism; it focuses on the attainment of nirvana through the merits of Amitabha Buddha, who is the focus of this sect. … [Read more...]
Evaluating Panentheism
[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: Panentheism is distinct from Pantheism, which is the view that God is all and all is God. Panentheism is the belief that all is contained in God and God is contained in all, and also transcends … [Read more...]
Evaluating Oneness
[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: Oneness theology, also called Oneness Pentecostalism or the “Jesus Only movement” holds to a modalistic understanding of God. Modalism has been around for centuries and teaches that there is only one divine person … [Read more...]
The New Atheism
[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: “Atheism” is best defined as the belief that there is no God or gods. It is the positive denial that God exists. “A” is a Greek prefix meaning “not,” while “theos” was used by the Greeks for both God and the gods. It … [Read more...]
Concerning the “Nones”
[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: In current times, there is no doubt religious affiliation has at least leveled-off or worse, in sharp decline. Scores of data resemble what one can see, specifically in the church – a sea of grey. Many, … [Read more...]
Evaluating Atheism, Agnosticism, and Skepticism
[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: Atheism is the denial of existence of God. There is mounting scientific evidence for the presence of God from astronomy and biology, so much so that the once staunch atheist philosopher Anthony Flew became a … [Read more...]
Evaluating Judaism
[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: Judaism is the foundation of Christianity, and the religion practiced by Jesus, a Rabbi, and Paul, a Pharisee. Though it stems back to Creation, Judaism officially began with God’s covenant promise to Abraham, and … [Read more...]
Grace vs Karma
[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: What is the difference between Grace and Karma? Are they the same? It will be helpful to look at the purposes of both Grace and Karma to make a decision so first Karma. What is Karma? Karma is normally associated … [Read more...]