[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: Did Jesus Christ ever live? Some skeptics such as Richard Carrier, Earl Doherty, and Dan Barker have promoted Mythicism. Other skeptics such as Bart Ehrman, Tim O’Neill, and Neil Carter have rejected the theory, … [Read more...]
The Historicity of Jesus & the Resurrection
[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: If the resurrection of Christ can be shown as a real event in history, then the existence of God is demanded as an explanation for the resurrection. The resurrection of Christ is and can be shown as a fact of … [Read more...]
The Evolutionary Argument Against Naturalism
Notable atheist and Oxford biologist Richard Dawkins once remarked to A.J. Ayer at an Oxford college dinner that he couldn’t imagine being an atheist before 1859, the year Darwin's Origins of the Species was published: "[A]lthough atheism might have been logically tenable before Darwin, Darwin made it possible to be an intellectually fulfilled atheist.” However, according to … [Read more...]
Taking the Bible Literally (On Genre)
[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: The Bible is written by many human authors confluently with the Holy Spirit, across over 1500 years and three languages, using various literary genres. Some of these genres include selective biographies of Jesus’ … [Read more...]
The Reliability of the Bible
[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: Scripture for YouVersion: Short audio/video: Three questions (1 fill-in-the-blank, 1 multiple choice, and one discussion question): References for further reading: Collaboration notes: Collaborators: [Add your name … [Read more...]
Nietzsche’s Rejection of Darwinian Evolution
“The error of the Darwinist school has become a problem for me: ” wrote Friedrich Nietzsche, “how can one be so blind as to fail to see clearly here? … That the species represent progress is the most unreasonable assertion in the world:” (Nietzsche 2003, 258) In a period of ten years, Nietzsche drifted from admiring Darwin and his company as “great names of England” to … [Read more...]
Is Christianity Just a Wish or Crutch?
[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: Ludwig Feuerbach, Sigmund Freud and others, including late Christopher Hitchens have suggested that Christianity is just wish-fulfillment. Hitchens says: “Jesus is Santa Claus for adults.” (God is not Great: How … [Read more...]
Isn't God a placebo?
Consider the skeptical claim that “religion only serves to provide an empty hope that helps us manage our fears.”[1] God is a placebo. This all too common sentiment deserves a careful response, if only because of its proven rhetorical power to both discourage believers and bolster unbelievers against belief. Naturally as a Christian I agree that most religions offer false … [Read more...]
Faith, Reason, & Science
[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: Controversy-loving media, as well as New Atheists and Internet agnostics, have popularized the idea that a war exists between religion and science, between faith and reason. They redefine faith to be belief without … [Read more...]
Mysticism, Tony Campolo, and the Hope of World Unity
Many in the Western church are choosing experience over truth. Mysticism is now touted as the means to directly experience God, without our “divisive” doctrines. It is described as the hope of finding common ground among the various religions, through shared mystical experiences. In this regards, sociologist, Tony Campolo, writes: A theology of mysticism provides some hope … [Read more...]