Top Resources on the Marriage Debate from the Center for Strategic Apologetics

The Center for Strategic Apologetics writes:

"It's the most difficult and contentious issue facing Christians in the Western world today, and we all need the best possible information available. This is especially true in the U.S, now that the Supreme Court has made gay marriage the law of the land.

This page presents some of the best biblically-informed books, articles, videos, and podcasts on the topic. It's not a comprehensive list; there is much, much more that could be included. But it's a reliable list that covers the major facets of the debate."

Get equipped here.  I also encourage you to checkout our past posts on the topic here.

Courage and Godspeed,

Chad

HT: Amy Hall of Stand to Reason

Justice Kennedy's Arguments for Polygamy and Polyamory

Amy K. Hall of Stand to Reason posted the following on June 27.  You can see her original post on the Stand to Reason website here.

From Justice Kennedy’s majority opinion:

As all parties agree, many [polygamous and polyamorous groups] provide loving and nurturing homes to their children, whether biological or adopted. And hundreds of thousands of children are presently being raised by such [groups]. 

Excluding [polygamous and polyamorous groups] from marriage thus conflicts with a central premise of the right to marry. Without the recognition, stability, and predictability marriage offers, their children suffer the stigma of knowing their families are somehow lesser. They also suffer the significant material costs of being raised by unmarried parents, relegated through no fault of their own to a more difficult and uncertain family life. The marriage laws at issue here thus harm and humiliate the children of [polygamous and polyamorous groups].

[Polygamous and polyamorous groups] are consigned to an instability many opposite-sex [and same-sex] couples would deem intolerable in their own lives. As the State itself makes marriage all the more precious by the significance it attaches to it, exclusion from that status has the effect of teaching that [those with a polygamous or polyamorous orientation] are unequal in important respects. It demeans [those with a polygamous or polyamorous orientation] for the State to lock them out of a central institution of the Nation’s society. [Polygamous and polyamorous groups], too, may aspire to the transcendent purposes of marriage and seek fulfillment in its highest meaning.

The limitation of marriage to opposite-sex [and same-sex] couples may long have seemed natural and just, but its inconsistency with the central meaning of the fundamental right to marry is now manifest. With that knowledge must come the recognition that laws excluding [polygamous and polyamorous groups] from the marriage right impose stigma and injury of the kind prohibited by our basic charter.

These considerations lead to the conclusion that the right to marry [whomever one wishes to marry] is a fundamental right inherent in the liberty of the person, and under the Due Process and Equal Protection Clauses of the Fourteenth Amendment [polygamous and polyamorous groups] may not be deprived of that right and that liberty. The Court now holds that [polygamous and polyamorous groups] may exercise the fundamental right to marry. No longer may this liberty be denied to them.

No union is more profound than marriage, for it embodies the highest ideals of love, fidelity, devotion, sacrifice, and family. In forming a marital union, two people become something greater than once they were. As some of the petitioners in these cases demonstrate, marriage embodies a love that may endure even past death. It would misunderstand these men and women to say they disrespect the idea of marriage. Their plea is that they do respect it, respect it so deeply that they seek to find its fulfillment for themselves. Their hope is not to be condemned to live in loneliness, excluded from one of civilization’s oldest institutions. They ask for equal dignity in the eyes of the law. The Constitution grants them that right.

Now tell me, on the basis of the reasons given, why not?  Tell Amy (and Truthbomb) what you think.

Don't take my word for it, read the post - don't wait for the movie.

Have a little hope on me,
Roger

Sunday Praise: "From The Day" by I am They

Stand firm in Christ,
Chase

Tim Keller, Apologetics, and Preaching

Last Saturday I featured a post on 5 Ways to Incorporate Apologetics into Your Preaching.  In keeping with that theme, I stumbled across this interview with Pastor Tim Keller and in it he was asked the following question:

"Most of the people in this room preach to Christians regularly in churches.  How much should apologetics be worked into a sermon schedule?"

His response was as follows:

"What you ought to do is have apologetic sidebars.  You shouldn’t do apologetics as the main thing you do in a sermon, but when you get to a text or part of the text where non-Christians would probably object, then just take a little sidebar and mention the reasons why that is true.  Even if it’s all Christians, still do it.  No one will bring their non-Christian friends if you talk as if everyone in the room is a Christian." [1]

Amen!  My prayer is that God would raise up a generation of pastors who value the life of the mind and who equip their congregation to engage the world for Christ!  

To learn more about how to preach to the non-believer's mind, go here.

Dear Lord, wake us up!

Courage and Godspeed,

Chad

Footnote:

1. http://willfjohnston.com/2011/05/05/dr-tim-keller-advance-the-church-qa/

Article: The New Age Worldview- Is It Believable? by Doug Groothuis

I confess that sometimes when talking to someone with New Age beliefs it can be like trying to nail Jell-O to the wall!  It seems they have visited a buffet of religions and they just pick and choose what they like.

In this featured article, philosopher Doug Groothuis highlights how Christianity is different from the New Age worldview and offers strategies for the Christian Case Maker to successfully navigate the maze of New Age beliefs.

You can check it out here.

Courage and Godspeed,
Chad

J.P. Moreland on the Command to Do Apologetics

"The word apologia means 'to defend something,' for example, offering positive arguments for and responding to negative arguments against your position in a courtroom.  It is important to recognize that this is exactly how the apostle Paul did evangelism (Acts 14:15-17; 17:2, 4, 17-31; 18:4; 19:8).  He persuaded people to become Christians by offering rational arguments on behalf of the truth of the gospel.  He even cited approvingly two pagan philosophers, Epimenides and Aratus (Acts 17:28), as part of his case for the gospel.  In 1 Peter 3:15, the apostle does not suggest that we be prepared to do this, he commands it." [1]



Courage and Godspeed,
Chad

Footnote:
1. J.P. Moreland, Loving God with All Your Mind, p. 54.

Video: What is a Four-Point Case for Christianity?

In this featured video, the "One Minute Apologist" Bobby Conway asks Frank Turek about what a
four-point case for Christianity would look like.  The case Turek briefly shares is as follows:

1. Does Truth Exist?

2. Does God Exist?

3. Can Miracles Happen?
4. Is the New Testament Reliable?

For those who are interested in learning more about Frank's case for Christianity, I highly recommend his newest book Stealing from God.  You can find our review here. 

Courage and Godspeed,

Chad

The Smithsonian on the Bible and the Book of Mormon

On the Book of Mormon:

"The Smithsonian Institution has never used the Book of Mormon in any way as a scientific guide.  Smithsonian archaeologists see no "connection between the archaeology of the New World and the subject matter of the book." [1]

On the Bible:

"....much of the Bible, in particular the historical books of the Old Testament, are as accurate historical documents as any that we have from antiquity and are in fact more accurate than many of the Egyptian, Mesopotamian, or Greek histories.  These Biblical records can be and are used as are other ancient documents in archaeological work.  For the most part, historical events described took place and the peoples cited really existed." [2]

Courage and Godspeed,
Chad

Footnotes:
1. As quoted by Mike Licona, Behold, I Stand at the Door and Knock, p. 16 which can be downloaded free here.
2. Geisler and Brooks, When Skeptics Ask (Wheaton: Victor Books), p. 198., as quoted by Mike Licona in Behold, I Stand at the Door and Knock, p. 13

Book Highlight: Why Trust Jesus? by Dave Sterrett

Chapter Nine:  Why Should I Trust Jesus When I Have Failed So Many Times?

In the concluding chapter of the book, Sterrett writes the following:

You and I will make mistakes. But God, through His grace, will help us to become wiser in the future and to avoid making similar mistakes. No matter what we do, God gives us an opportunity to respond to the love of Jesus.1

So when we fail, Sterrett encourages us to do these four things:

• Appreciate the grace of God - Christ’s love for us is immense and His grace limitless when we fail.
• Realize we can become better people - Sterrett writes, Sometimes failures can be our greatest asset. We can become more careful, more sensitive, and more willing to trust God rather than ourselves.2
• Get up, do not give up - In Scripture we have examples of people who got up after their failures. Peter is one such example. Sterrett also references Proverbs 24:16 which states that “though a righteous man falls seven times, he rises again.”
• Receive God’s forgiveness - This is the greatest gift He provides to us through Jesus if we only reach out and accept it. Sterrett writes, Through His death and resurrection, Christ offers us a free gift that will be far beyond anything we can imagine - abundant life right now and a life forever with God in heaven. God’s extravagant package includes complete forgiveness of sins, inner joy, peace, contentment, a constant and loving companion in Christ, and the power of His Holy Spirit to help us live a consistent, God-pleasing life.3

Sterrett then ends the chapter by encouraging the reader to place their trust in Christ. A fitting end to a book fit for describing and defending the uniqueness and greatness of Jesus.

Thanks for your readership and thanks again to Dave Sterrett for the review copy!

Stand firm in Christ,

Chase

Footnotes:

1. Page 154.

2. Page 157.

3. Page 159.

Sunday Praise: "Nailed to the Cross" by Rush of Fools

Stand firm in Christ,
Chase

5 Ways to Incorporate Apologetics into Your Preaching

Every pastor should realize he is an apologist.  However, I know that sometimes pastors struggle with how to incorporate apologetics into their preaching.  The following are some ideas that have worked for me and that are easy to implement.

1. Discuss Authorship

When preaching from a certain book of the Bible, take the time to explain to your congregation some of the reasons why the church believes the listed author actually wrote the book.  Or, if you are preaching, for example,  from Philippians, share facts (such as New Testament Scholar Daniel Wallace contends) that "among NT scholars it is virtually unanimous Paul wrote the book." [1]  

Also, if you are preaching from a book in which authorship is unsure of or undecided, don't be afraid to explain that.  Then, when one of your parishioners hears an overblown claim such as the ones Bart Ehrman makes, they won't be blindsided, but informed and equipped to stand firm.

The Christian Apologetics Study Bible is a great resource that can will equip you to argue for traditional authorship and prepare you to discuss some of the challenges offered by skeptics against traditional authorship.

2. Offer a Resource

When you are preaching, you don't have time to discuss every issue you are addressing in exhaustive detail. Therefore, it can be helpful to offer resources for those in your congregation that might want to learn more about a given topic.

For example, if you are preaching from the Old Testament and come across a difficult passage involving OT ethics, offer a resource such as David Lamb's God Behaving Badly or Paul Copan's Is God a Moral Monster?.  These resources will allow those in your congregation who struggle with such matters the ability to seek answers to their questions.  You don't have to have all the answers, you just need to know where you can find them!

3. Share Archaeology

If you are preaching from a text that includes, for example, the Pool of Bethesda or the synagogue in Capernaum, show a picture of the location to your congregation.  This serves to ground the passage in reality.  It also helps the listener picture the historical event that occurred there.

Moreover, you might want to share with your congregation, when preaching from the Book of Luke for example, that scholar and historian Colin Hemer has identified 84 facts in the last 16 chapters of the Book of Acts that have been confirmed by historical and/or archaeological research.

You can find them here.

4. Share an Argument

When you are preaching, don't be afraid to share an argument for the existence of God or the reliability of the Bible.  Some of these arguments can be given in a short, memorable way that could affirm the faith of your congregation and possibly challenge the listening skeptic.

5. Share a Video Clip

Ministries such as Stand to Reason and the One Minute Apologist offer short video clips with credible answers to some of the most difficult questions aimed towards Christianity. These videos can easily be incorporated into your sermons.

Courage and Godspeed,
Chad

Footnotes:
1. Daniel Wallace, Philippians: Introduction, Argument and Outline, June 28, 2004.

Related Posts

Pastor Stephen J. Bedard on Apologetics in the Pulpit

Dayton Hartman on Pastors and Apologetics

Tim Keller, Apologetics, and Preaching

Arguments for the Pro-Life Position

In his book The Case for Life, Scott Klusendorf shares philosopher Francis Beckwith's argument in favor of the pro-life position:

1. The unborn entity, from the moment of conception, is a full-fledged member of the human community.

2. It is prima facie morally wrong to kill any member of that community.

3. Every successful abortion kills an unborn entity, a full-fledged member of the human community.

4. Therefore, every successful abortion is prima facie morally wrong.[1]

A simpler argument for the pro-life position is as follows :

1. It is objectively wrong to kill an innocent human being.

2. An unborn child is an innocent human being.

3. Therefore, it is objectively wrong to kill an unborn child.

What do you think of these arguments?  Please feel free to share in the comments below!

To learn how to make a case for the unborn, go here.

Also, have you taken the "Pie-Life" Challenge?  If not, go here!

Courage and Godspeed,
Chad

Footnote:
1. Scott Klusendorf, The Case for Life, p. 29.

J.P. Moreland on Culture

"It doesn't take a rocket scientist to recognize that our entire culture is in trouble.  We are staring down the barrel of a loaded gun, and we can no longer afford to act like it's loaded with blanks.  The guidance counselor at a public high school near my home confessed to a parents' group that the teenagers who have attended the school during the last ten years are the most dysfunctional, illiterate group he has witnessed in close to forty years at the same school.  Our society has replaced heroes with celebrities, the quest for a well-informed character with the search for flat abs, substance and depth with image and personality.  In the political process, the makeup man is more important than the speech writer, and we approach the voting booth, no on the basis of a well-developed philosophy of what the state should be, but with a heart full of images, emotions, and slogans all packed into thirty-second sound bites.  The mind-numbing, irrational tripe that fills TV talk shows is digested by millions of bored, lonely Americans hungry for that sort of stuff.  What is going on here?  What has happened to us?" [1]

For those of you that are interested in learning "what has happened to us," I encourage you to checkout Moreland's book Loving God with All Your Mind or listen to his lecture with the same title here.

Courage and Godspeed,
Chad

Footnote:
1. J.P. Moreland, Revised and Updated- Loving God with All Your Mind, p. 14.

Lutheran Satire

In my search for a new church home over here on the Eastern Shore of Maryland, I have spent some time investigating different denominations across the internet and came across these videos from “Lutheran Satire”.  They are written and produced by Pastor Hans Fienes of the River of Life Lutheran Church in Channahon, IL.  Using satire, their catch phrase is “Teach the faith by making fun of stuff”.  While several of the videos focus specifically on Lutheran Theology, the following are a few examples I found to be of apologetic interest and one that just nails the funny bone.

But don’t take my word for it – watch the videos.

Have a little hope on me (and a little laughter, too!),

Roger

Studies Suggest that Atheists Intuitively Believe in God

Since becoming a follower of Christ 13 years ago, I have always found the following words penned by the Apostle Paul fascinating

"For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them.  For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse." - Romans 1:18-20, NASB

The claim here is that evidence is not the problem for the atheist, but their suppression of it.  And it seems that 3 studies from Boston University have suggested the very same thing!

You can read more at Mann's Word here.

What do you think of the research?  Please feel free to share below in the comments!

Courage and Godspeed,
Chad

HT: J. Warner Wallace via twitter

Book Highlight: Why Trust Jesus? by Dave Sterrett

Chapter Eight:  Why Should I Trust Jesus in the Midst of Suffering and Death

The answer to this question is as Sterrett writes:

Because of the resurrection of Jesus Christ, we can face any physical difficulties and sorrows with the assurance that our bodies will be transformed supernaturally after death so that we can spend eternity with Him.1

But why trust that the resurrection occurred physically; historically? Sterrett, referencing the work of Dr. Gary Habermas, presents twelve facts that virtually all scholars from a range of theological convictions agree are historically true regarding Jesus and His followers.  Here are some of them:

 Jesus died by Roman crucifixion.                                               

Jesus’ tomb was found empty very soon after His interment.
The disciples had encounters with who they believed was the risen Jesus.
The conversion of James the brother of Jesus and Saul of Tarsus.2

Sterrett also utilizes an acronym developed by Hank Hanegraff in defense of the resurrection of Jesus – FEAT.

Fatal Torment:  The death of Jesus by crucifixion “is as sure as anything historical can be” according to John Dominic Crossan.3

Empty Tomb:  The empty tomb is part of the early source material used by Mark. The early information transmitted by Paul in 1 Corinthians implies an empty tomb. The empty tomb account is simple and the testimony of women is included when it was considered worthless in first-century Palestine culture. A debate between Drs. William Lane Craig and Gurd Ludemann is the source Sterrett references for these pieces of evidence.4  

Appearances:  The appearances of Jesus alive are part of an early creed found in 1 Corinthians 15. 5

Transformation:  The transformation of the disciples from men running and hiding to men boldly proclaiming a risen Jesus is best explained by the resurrection.

Sterrett concludes the apologetic for the resurrection with the additional evidence of the martyrdom of the apostles. People will die for a lie they believe to be true, but people will not die for lie they made up. This is the position the apostles were in!

We have substantial reasons to trust that the resurrection occurred and thus to trust in Jesus.

Stand firm in Christ,

Chase

Footnotes:

1. Page 140.
2. Pages 141-142.
3. Page 142.
4. Pages 143-144.
5. Page 144.

Forthcoming:  Highlight of Chapter Nine:  Why Should I Trust Jesus When I Have Failed So Many Times?

Sunday Praise: "Boldy I Approach (The Art of Celebration) by Rend Collective Experiment

Stand firm in Christ,
Chase

Video: What is the Quran? (Introduction to Islam) by David Wood

For more from David Wood, see here.

Visit his YouTube Channel here.

Courage and Godspeed,

Chad

Article: 4 Key Points Christian Kids Need to Understand Evolution by Natasha Crain

How can we talk to our kids about evolution intelligently?

In this featured article, Natasha Crain explains how we should talk to our kids about evolution.

You can check it out here.  

Courage and Godspeed,
Chad

Alexander Vilenkin on a Cosmic Beginning

"It is said that an argument is what convinces reasonable men and a proof is what it takes to convince even an unreasonable man. With the proof now in place, cosmologists can no longer hide behind the possibility of a past-eternal universe. There is no escape, they have to face the problem of a cosmic beginning."

Courage and Godspeed,

Chad

Footnote:

1. (Many Worlds in One [New York: Hill and Wang, 2006], p.176).

Video: God, Science & the Big Questions- Leading Christian Thinkers Respond to the New Atheism

In this video, William Lane Craig, John Lennox, J.P. Moreland and Hugh Hewitt sit down and discuss a variety of topics including:

• science
• Christianity
• radical Islam
• Darwinism
• the Gospel
• and more!

Courage and Godspeed,

Chad

Greg Koukl on When Life Begins

In the process of the reproduction of any living being there is no beginning of life in general, because there is no period of non-life in the entire sequence of events from mating to birth.  The mother and father are alive. So are the individual sperm and egg. The zygote formed from their union is alive, as is the developing fetus during its entire term. Finally, the child delivered at birth is alive.

From beginning to end there is an unbroken continuum of life. Life doesn't begin at some stage of development; the unborn is alive at every stage. The fact that the fetus is growing biologically proves that it's alive, and biological growth is evident immediately upon conception.

Stand firm in Christ,
Chase

Footnote:
Koukl, Greg. Precious Unborn Human Persons. Page 11.

Sunday Praise: "Majesty" Covered by Leeland

Stand firm in Christ,
Chase

Resource: New York Apologetics- The Heartbeat of the Christian Mind

New York Apologetics recently hosted this debate between Frank Turek and Michael Shermer.

They offer numerous resources for the Christian Case Maker that wants to be equipped "to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you" (1 Peter 3:15).

Some of the resources they offer are as follows:

• NYA Blog
• Apologetics 101 Radio Course
• NYA Academy
• Resources
• Ask a Question
• Upcoming Events

I encourage our readers to checkout New York Apologetics.

Courage and Godspeed,

Chad

Video: The Trinity Explained (with Reason)

Here is another interesting set of videos from Inspiring Philosophy.  

Courage and Godspeed,

Chad

Frank Turek on Jesus and Politics

"Who were the Pharisees? They were not just the religious leaders but also the political leaders of Israel! You mean Jesus was involved in politics? Yes! Paul was too. He addressed the political leaders of his day and even used the privileges of his Roman citizenship to protect himself and advance the Gospel.

But didn’t Jesus say, 'Give unto Caesar.' Yes. So what? We all ought to pay taxes. But that doesn’t mean we ought not get involved in politics. In our country, you can not only elect 'Caesar,' you can be 'Caesar!'

Jesus told us to be 'salt' and 'light,' and he didn’t say be salt and light in everything but politics. Christians are to be salt and light in everything they do, be it in their church, in their business, in their school, or in their government." [1]

Courage and Godspeed,

Chad

Footnote:

1. Frank Turek, Jesus, Christians and Politics: Why They Go Together, Nov. 1. 2010.

"Taking the Roof Off" with Homer Simpson

When I became a follower of Jesus Christ, I had no idea that I would be having so many interesting conversations with so many different types of people with various beliefs.

After becoming a Christian, I had dinner with a friend of mine and his girlfriend.  They were both well aware of my recent decision to follow Christ and during the meal his girlfriend looked at me and said, "Can I ask you a question?"  I replied, "Sure."  She said, "How do you know that he (Jesus) is the one?"  I proceeded to share with her some of the evidence that had helped me conclude that Jesus was the Son of God and that He rose from the dead.  She seemed interested.  Then, I looked at her and said, "May I ask you a question?" She answered, "Yes."  I asked, "What do you believe about God?"  She thought about it for a moment and said, "I guess I think that whatever you believe, that is what happens to you after you die."  I found this fascinating.

The restaurant we were sitting in was in a mall and across from the restaurant was an FYE entertainment store.  In their window display they featured large cardboard stand-ups of popular movie characters and cartoons characters.  I looked up and saw Homer Simpson and had a thought.  I looked at the young lady again and said, "So on your view, if I sincerely believe that Homer Simpson is god and that when I die I will go to Springfield and worship him forever, that is what will happen to me?"  She paused for a moment, giggled a bit and replied, "Yeah...I guess...I guess that sounds kinda stupid..."  I assured her that I was not trying to make her feel foolish, but that I was only trying to understand her view better.

The tactic I used in this conversation is called, "Taking the Roof Off."  According to Greg Koukl, "First, adopt the other person's viewpoint for the sake of argument.  Next, give his idea a test drive.  Try to determine where you will end up if you follow his instructions faithfully.  If you arrive at an odd destination, point it out and invite the person to reconsider his starting point." [1]

This is a great tactic to have in your evangelist tool belt.

If you are interested in learning more tactics like the one above, I highly recommend Koukl's book Tactics: A Game Plan for Discussing Your Christian Convictions.  Our review is here.

Courage and Godspeed,
Chad

Outline of the Kalam Cosmological Argument

1. Whatever Begins to Exist has a Cause.

a. Something cannot come from nothing.

b. If something can come into being from nothing, then it becomes inexplicable why just anything or everything doesn't come into being from nothing.

c. Common experience and scientific evidence confirm the truth of premise 1. [1]

2. The Universe Began to Exist.

Philosophical Evidence

a. An actual infinite number of things cannot exist

b. You can't pass through an infinite number of elements one at a time [2]

Scientific Evidence 

a. Second Law of Thermodynamics

b. The Universe is Expanding

c. Radiation of the Big Bang

d. Great Galaxy Seeds

e. Einstein's Theory of General Relativity [3]

3. Therefore, the Universe has a Cause.

For those interested in learning about what makes a good argument, see here.

If you are interested in learning more about the Kalam Cosmological Argument, go here.

Courage and Godspeed,

Chad

Footnotes:

1. William Lane Craig, On Guard, 75-78.

2. Ibid.
3. Norman Geisler and Frank Turek, I Don't Have Enough Faith to be an Atheist, 76-83.

Book Highlight: "Why Trust Jesus?" by Dave Sterrett

Chapter Seven:  Why Should I Trust Jesus More Than Any Other Spiritual Leader?

Because of who He is; because He is the God-man sacrificed for the sins of man. Sterrett points to the following:

Jesus claimed to be the great “I AM.”

Jesus claimed equality with God the Father.
Jesus claimed to be the “Son of Man,” a Messianic term.1

The human nature of Jesus is seen in the Gospel accounts and other New Testament writings (e.g. John 19.28 and Philippians 2:6-8) and yet He was without sin (Hebrews 4:15).

Sterrett writes:

We should not trust Jesus because we think He’s going to make life easy for us, or because we hope He’ll make us healthy and wealthy. We trust Jesus because of who He is-His deity and humanity, His atoning death on the cross, and His demonstration of love.

Jesus’ atoning death on the cross separates Him from Mohammed, Buddha, Moses, Abraham, Gandhi, and every other spiritual leader. Christ’s blood shed on the cross was the atonement for the sins of every man and woman on earth.2

Jesus understands us more than any other; loves us more than any other; and is worthy to be exalted above any other.

Stand firm in Christ,

Chase

Footnotes:

1. For more on Jesus’ claims to deity go here.
2. Page 123. 

Forthcoming:  Book highlight of Chapter Eight:  Why Should I Trust Jesus in the Midst of Suffering and Death?