The idea that we’re living in a culture of relativism seems to be uncontested and accepted without question. Post-modernists and relativists assume that we've progressed past the rigid constraints of ‘truth’, ‘falsity’, ‘reason’, and other oppressive concepts that actually undergird the fabric of rationality in the universe. However, I’m not convinced that we are truly living … [Read more...]
Ender's Game: A Review
If the awards given to Orson Scott Card’s Ender’s Game are any indication, he has written a novel that may well become part of the canon of science fiction: Nebula Award for best novel in 1985 Hugo Award for best novel in 1986 Nominated for a Locus Award in 1986 American Library Association's "100 Best Books for Teens." Margaret A. Edwards Award in 2008 It’s been … [Read more...]
Ontological Arguments
[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: 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: … [Read more...]
The Virgin Birth
[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 account of the Virgin Birth is recorded in the Gospel of Matthew 1:18-25 and the Gospel of Luke 1:26-38. Matthew tells us in 1:23 that Jesus’ miraculous birth was to fulfill the prophecy of … [Read more...]
Arguments from Language
[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: The Argument from Language. The … [Read more...]
Arguments from Intelligent Design in Biology
[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: Information Argument Processes and programs require information to operate. Information requires intelligence. Biological life consists of processes and programs. Therefore, the biological life requires programming … [Read more...]
Arguments from Cosmological Fine-Tuning
[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: Information Argument Processes and programs require information to operate. Information requires intelligence. The universe consists of processes and programs. Therefore, the universe requires programming … [Read more...]
Arguments from Miracles and Providence
[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: Setting aside the miracles of the universe and life, the arguments from miracles and providence refer to more specific examples of things that could not have happened without God’s influence. Miracles are … [Read more...]
Arguments from Authority, Common Consent, Naturalness of Theistic Belief
[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: As Kreeft explains, “Most good, wise, reliable people believe in God” (Kreeft 1990, 64). If this is the case, then the common link is God. Alternatively: 1. Belief in God—that Being to whom reverence and worship are … [Read more...]
First Cause & Other Thomistic Cosmological Arguments
[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: Below are Aquinas’ “Five Ways” -- the third being the traditional Thomistic Cosmological Argument. The First Way: Argument from Motion Nothing can essentially change itself (i.e., grow wings or grow gills by one’s … [Read more...]