Can an atheist really be good without God? This seems to be an age old question and something organizations like the Illini Secular Student Alliance (ISSA) would have you believe with billboards and advertisements to boot. Well, what does God think? Does God agree with this sentiment that someone can be good while not believing in Him? Psalm 53:1 says, “The fool hath said in … [Read more...]
For Whom Did Jesus Die?
Recently, I was stunned to come across two verses in Revelation which claimed that not everyone’s name was once written in the Book of Life. In Rev 13:8, John writes: “All who dwell on the earth will worship him, everyone whose name has not been written from the foundation of the world in the book of life of the Lamb who has been slain,” and later in Rev 17:8, “The beast that … [Read more...]
God’s Omnipotence and Problem of Evil
“A wholly good omnipotent being," contended J. L. Mackie, “would eliminate evil completely; if there really are evils, then there cannot be any such being.” (Mackie 1982: 150) Is it necessarily true that a wholly good omnipotent being who is able eliminate evil, would eliminate evil? Is it necessarily true that a wholly good omnipotent being who cannot prevent pain and … [Read more...]
One Reason Why We Regard the Bible as God’s Words
When we think about how the Bible proves itself to be the Word of God, we usually think about the miracles and fulfilled prophecies of the Bible. We might also think in terms of the wisdom, unity and the power of the Bible to change lives. There is even a powerful case to be made for how biblical revelation had anticipated the findings of science and archeology. In addition … [Read more...]
Why won't God show Himself to the world?
Notice a lot of people arguing about religion these days? It’s nothing new. Arguments over the existence of God have been ongoing for thousands of years, and with good reason. Whether you believe in God or do not believe in Him, it is impossible to prove your position in such a way that everyone will be convinced. This is because God is not a part of the physical … [Read more...]
An Atheist Admires the Contributions of Religion
Atheist Alain de Botton believes that atheists and secularists can borrow a lot of good things from religion: Religions merit our attention for their sheer conceptual ambition; for changing the world in a way that few secular institutions ever have. They have managed to combine theories about ethics and metaphysics with a practical involvement in education, fashion, … [Read more...]
World War Z
"The monsters that rose from the dead, they are nothing compared to the ones we carry in our hearts.” Patient Zero, a 12-year-old Chinese boy, was bitten by an animal. That much is pretty clear. The how and why of the spread of the virus that reanimated the dead is a story of human ineptitude, greed, misinformation, and tragedy. In the aftermath of the war, the UN … [Read more...]
No God, No Good or Evil
The next presentation in the Essentials of Apologetics series I described in an earlier post is now available. The latest PPT focuses on why, if God does not exist, objective moral values and duties do not exist. You can find the latest presentation either on the PowerPoint Apologist website or on slideshare. Enjoy. … [Read more...]
"The Da Vinci Code" Critique – Part 3
(I continue my critique of Dan Brown's book - See Part 1 and Part 2) Brown’s second attack on Christianity is the claim that Jesus was not divine, nor claimed to be divine. Teabing alleges that in the 4th century Constantine, for business and political reasons, decided to adopt Christianity as the official church religion. He shifted the day of worship from Saturday to … [Read more...]
Ask the Alliance: What about those who have never heard?
:::Ask the Alliance Question #1::: Question submitted by Samuel: What happens to an individual who has never heard of Christianity or God at death? One CAA member submitted simply this verse: And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things … [Read more...]