Sunday Praise: "Come Thou Fount (Above All Else)" - Shane and Shane

Stand firm in Christ,
Chase

Worldview and Apologetics in the News

'Hobbit' species did not evolve from ancestor of modern humans, research finds

The ‘March For Science’ Shows How Carl Sagan Ruined Science

March for Science: Bill Nye rallies thousands in DC amid threat of Trump budget cuts

These mothers of suicides don’t think marijuana is harmless

Supreme Court justices side with church in playground dispute

Defense Department expands its list of recognized religions

ISIS Attacks Major Christian Monastery in Egypt

Once pro-life, Democrat Senator Joe Manchin now says he ‘stands with Planned Parenthood’

Three Christian Scientists Explain Why They are Marching for Science

Bill Nye dismisses Princeton prof as ‘climate change denier’

Bill Nye, Rachel Bloom Team for Transgender Anthem ‘Sex Junk’ (Video)

Report: German Jews Fear Growing Muslim Anti-Semitism

Lions Reportedly Save Pastor and His Friends from Attack by Islamic Extremists

Planned Parenthood founded on racism, belief in protecting society against ‘the unfit’

DNC Chair Calls for Abortion Rights Litmus Test for Democrats

Killing babies no different from abortion, experts say

Hobby Lobby CEO and Founder Releases New Book, Shares Inside Details of the 2014 Supreme Court Case

Experts urge caution in letting teens watch Netflix's ‘13 Reasons Why'

Templeton Prize Winner: Alvin Plantinga, Who Proved God’s Not Dead in Academia

The Real "Anti-Science"

The Genocide Of Down Syndrome Infants Continues Unabated

Ayaan Hirsi Ali: Female genital mutilation and what we're really talking about beneath the weasel words 'genital cutting'

Bill Nye’s View Of Humanity Is Repulsive

Zondervan Acquires Hannah Brencher, Entrepreneur and TED Talk Speaker

Courage and Godspeed,

Chad

You can find last week's edition here.

J. Warner Wallace on Seeking Understanding as Worship

"Interestingly, when Jesus was asked about the greatest commandment, He altered the Old Testament reference found in Deuteronomy:

'You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.'

All the gospel authors agree that Jesus used the word 'mind' in His summary of this Old Testament verse (instead of the word 'might').  The Greek word used by the authors is dianoia (Matt. 22:37): a word used to describe our 'minds,' our 'understanding,' or our 'intelligence.'

Here in Matthew's gospel, the word is used to describe the 'place where thinking occurs.'  Jesus's intentional word exchange raises the bar for us as Christians.  We are not only to love God with all our heart, soul, and might, but we are also commanded to us our mind and our intelligence to understand the truth of Christianity  This effort is an act of worship."1

You can learn about Jim's new book Forensic Faith here.

Order your copy here.

Our review is forthcoming...

Courage and Godspeed,
Chad

Footnote:
1. J. Warner Wallace, Forensic Faith, p. 34.   

Related Posts

Book Review: Cold-Case Christianity by J. Warner Wallace

Counterpoints: Lawrence Krauss and J. Warner Wallace

The Cold-Case for the Resurrection by J. Warner Wallace

Is it Egotistical for God to Command Us to Worship Him?

It is undeniable that the God of the Bible commands us to worship Him.  Jesus, quoting the Old Testament (Deu. 6:13), declared, "It is written, 'You shall worship the Lord your God and serve Him only."

As an unbelieving friend recently asked me, "Doesn't this make God arrogant?"  I believe that on a superficial level, one could certainly draw this conclusion.  However, as I shared with my friend, when all the details are considered, this assumption proves hasty.

First off, God commands us to worship Him, but He also gives us free will.  So while He surely commands it, He does not force us to worship Him.  Are there consequences for not worshipping him?  Yes.  But nonetheless we still have a choice.

Second, if God truly did create all things and sustains them by His will (Rev. 4:11), it seems the Bible is correct in asserting that He is worthy of worship.  Furthermore, if God has truly expressed His love through Jesus on the cross by paying for our sins, so we wouldn’t have to (and so that we could have eternal life), it seems that He is worthy of worship.  When one understands who God truly is and what He has done for us, the natural outward expression is thankfulness and worship.

Third, it should be noted that we all worship something.  It may be money, self, security or our spouse, but we all worship something.  God realizes (after all, on the Christian worldview, He created us!) that we can only find true, lasting fulfillment in Him; therefore, He commands us to worship Him so that we can experience the peace and security that comes with doing so.  I know I have experienced that in my own life.  So, on this view, God’s commands for us to worship Him are actually acts of love, not arrogance.

Ultimately, if God exists (and I believe we have good reasons to believe He does), then He alone has the right to command us to worship Him and He alone is worthy of that worship.

Courage and Godspeed,

Chad

For Further Investigation

Why does God demand, seek, or request that we worship Him?

Is God Vain?

Is God an Egotistical Maniac?

Related Posts

God in the Pews

Article: Are All Sins Equal? Are Some Sins Worse Than Others? by Matthew Slick

Featured Videos: 10 Most Common Myths about God

Did Jesus Appear to the Women First or to the Disciples?

The Gospels of Matthew and Mark state that the women were the first to see the risen Jesus.  However, in 1 Corinthains 15:5, Paul says that Peter or "Cephas" was the first one to see Christ after the resurrection.  Is this an example of a so-called Bible contradiction? I think not.

It is important to understand that in 1 Corinthians, it was not Paul's goal to give an ordered list of those who appeared to Jesus, but to list the most important appearances for the purpose of defending the resurrection.  We must remember that in the first century, only a man's testimony would have been considered legal or official.  Therefore, it makes sense that Paul would only list Peter and not the women.

For this reason, we can safely conclude that Jesus appeared first to Mary Magdalene, then to the other women (just as the gospels report), and then to Peter and the disciples.

Courage and Godspeed,
Chad

Related Posts

Article: Ten Principles When Considering Alleged Bible Contradictions by J. Warner Wallace

When Was the Fig Tree Cursed by Jesus?

How did Judas Iscariot Die?

Book Review: Dictionary of Christianity and Science

Introduction

To describe the historic relationship between Christianity and science as contentious would seem to many a grand understatement.  In defense of the view that Christianity and science are compatible, many would argue that the entire scientific enterprise was founded by those who believed in a Creator God and desired to learn more about Him.  Others, such as the late paleontologist and science writer Stephen Jay Gould, contended that "religion and science were two completely different realms of thought and action." [p. 337]  He referred to them as "non-overlapping magisteria," or NOMA.  And New Atheists such as the late Christopher Hitchens would have us believe that religion was our primitive first attempt at explaining the world around us, but that science now offers a superior explanation to the important questions of human existence.  Is it any wonder that the editors of the Dictionary of Christianity and Science write:

"Possibly more than at any other time in history, views about the relationship between science and Christianity in Western culture are both polarizing and confusing.  Thus reasonable dialogue about the intersection of these two topics and clarification of their respective concepts and implications is essential." [p. 11]

This reader could not agree more.  I know that in my own interactions with people of various stripes, Christianity is treated as a pre-science view that has been proven deficient.  This attitude has even crept into the church!  How can the Christian find common ground with someone who holds such a view?

Furthermore, there exist "in-house" debates that center around the intersection of Christianity and science that can be rather combative and potentially divisive.  As the editors point out, "Evangelical Christianity does not have a shared mind regarding science." [Ibid.]  It is important that believers learn to discuss these secondary issues respectfully and thoughtfully while striving to understand the various views within Christendom.  How can a believer learn to do so?

It is this reviewer's contention that the Dictionary of Christianity and Science answers these questions.  This volume will aid readers in developing the skills necessary to think clearly and factually about the most important scientific topics of the past and present.

Further, I would challenge the unbeliever who is under the impression that Christianity and science somehow contradict to consider the arguments therein.  At the very least, you will learn that Christians, while certainly not agreeing on everything, are serious about science.

Book Layout

This volume provides entries by more than 140 contributors on over 450 key terms, theories, individuals, movements, and debates at the intersection of Christian faith and contemporary science.   The entries are arranged alphabetically.

The dictionary includes three types of entires: 1) Introductions 2) Essays 3) Multiple-View Discussions.

The Introductions strive to outline the central facts about a topic in a summative format.  The Essays, as one would imagine, are longer entires that further explore a given topic and offer references to important figures and works related to the given matter.  Finally, the Multiple-View Discussions are different in that they "are not meant to be dispassionate." [Ibid.]  As the editors write:

"...on key subjects that have stimulated ongoing disagreement and have bearing on the broader relationship between Christian and scientific thought, representatives of significant viewpoints have written pieces that vigorously yet charitably propose their point of view.  Argumentation against and anticipation of opposing views' critiques are included.  It should be noted that the viewpoint authors did not read one another's entries prior to publication.  These viewpoint pieces rely on current research and attempt to present others views accurately, yet the thrust of each piece is to persuade rather than merely to inform." [p. 11]

Strengths of the Book

This volume is an invaluable tool for various reasons.

First, the work is comprehensive in scope.  The amount of topics covered are vast and many of the subjects dealt with are often overlooked in the church.  Examples include global warming, psychology, and quantum physics.  Whether we as believers recognize it or not, these types of issues directly impact our faith and how we think about the world around us.  This volume enables the reader to think clearly about these topics and even offers resources for further investigation.

Second, this volume goes out of its way to fairly represent those with opposing views.  One place this was especially evident is in Jonathan McLatchie's piece on atheist and biologist Richard Dawkins.  Dawkins, an outspoken public critic of religion, is treated with charity, and his notable accomplishments are highlighted.  Further, when speaking of Dawkins' refusal to debate philosopher William Lane Craig, McLatchie even allows Dawkins to have the last word by quoting the famed atheist speaker's response.

This type of balanced writing is evident throughout the work and should be modeled by all who desire to practice Christian charity.

Third, the "Multiple View Discussions" mentioned above are helpful.  The entries are fair-minded and for the most part focus on the key issues surrounding the topic being discussed.

Fourth, simply put, the entries are very well written.  The shear amount of topics and the various authors make this work difficult to put down.  This reader sat down to read one entry and ended up reading several!

Fifth, this work succeeds in demonstrating how theological issues intersect with science by addressing challenges to the Christian faith through modeling a proper understanding of science and theology.  For example, in Paul Moser's entry on the so-called "problem of divine hiddenness," Moser demonstrates how a proper comprehension of science and God directly impacts this challenge.  He writes:

"According to various skeptics about God's existence...the claim that God exists must be evaluated along the lines of a typical scientific hypothesis.  If, however, God is a personal agent who has redemptive purposes in hiding from people at times, we are not dealing with a typical scientific hypothesis in the claim that God exists.  Instead, we are dealing with a claim about a unique personal agent who is no scientific object but is intentionally elusive at times and nonetheless worthy of worship."[p. 351]

Finally, it was nice to see a balanced view of science represented in this dictionary.  One frustrating aspect of secular scientific resources is that one never learns of the numerous contributions to scientific thought that theists have made.  Stephen Meyer's work on the information found in DNA or J.P. Moreland's extensive work on methodological naturalism and scientism are ignored simply because they have theistic implications.  In this work, that is not the case.  Both theist and non-theist scholars and thinkers are represented.

Conclusion

The editors of this work recognize that some may not be pleased with their work:

"Well-established camps, often with their own publications, organizations and events, disagree on fundamental issues.  While no book can claim perfect objectivity, the aim of this volume is to represent various evangelical camps and viewpoints as fairly as possible on their own terms.  Such an approach will not please everyone. Readers who would prefer settled conclusions might be disappointed."

And this illustrates all the more why this work is so very important.  We as believers need to learn how to discuss and even disagree on these important matters while maintaining unity within the Body of Christ.   As the editors continue:

"Yet the goal of this dictionary is to chart the outlines of evangelical thought on science and to suggest a framework for future discussions, not to bring such discussions to an end."[Ibid.]

This volume does precisely that.  It succeeds in providing a thoughtful framework to discuss these sometimes contentious issues, while equipping the reader with the necessary tools to learn more.

The Dictionary of Christianity and Science is a one-of-a-kind resource that will be useful for scholars, pastors, students, and any Christian wanting to better understand the most relevant issues and ideas at the intersection of Christian faith and science.  It is an indispensable resource for today's Christian case maker.

I highly recommend this work!  You can find sample entries here and here.

You can order your copy here.

Courage and Godspeed,
Chad

*** Many thanks to Chris Reese and Zondervan for the free review copy!

Related Posts

Common Objection #31- "Intelligent Design is not Science!"

Nicholas Rescher on Scientism

Video: Science, Scientism, and the Knowledge of God by Peter S. Williams

Zero Reasons a Fetus is Absolutely Not a Person

In the subject post on Life Training Institute blog, Clinton Wilcox responds to the article titled "14 Reasons a Fetus is Absolutely Not a Person" by Wendy Gittleson. In the article, Gittleson poses the following questions in order to affirm that fetuses are not person:

• If a fetus is a person then why don't they issue conception certificates?
• If a fetus is a person then why do they go to an OB/GYN for medical care instead of a pediatrician?
• If a fetus is a person then why can't we claim it on our taxes?
• If a fetus is a person then why do we count age starting from birth?
• If a fetus is a person then why is it often kept a secret for the first three months?
• If a fetus is a person why does "God" kill so many of them?
• If a fetus is a person then why doesn't it eat its own food?
• If a fetus is a person then why does medicine put the life of the mother before that of the fetus?
• If a fetus is a person then why can't it live outside the womb for several months?
• If a fetus is a person does that mean a pregnant woman is two people? Can she drive in the carpool lane? Can she buy two items when a store advertises "one per customer" sales?
• If a fetus is a person, why would a politician even consider a rape or incest exception?
• If a fetus is a person, why is no one (I shouldn't speak too soon) suggesting the death penalty for women who have abortions?
• If a fetus is a person then why is the smallest clothing size "newborn?"
• If a fetus is a person then why aren't adoptions finalized until after the baby is born?

Read how Wilcox responds here.

Stand firm in Christ,

Chase

Sunday Praise: "Crown Him" by I Am They

Stand firm in Christ,
Chase

Worldview and Apologetics in the News

Former atheist admits it was historical evidence that brought him to Christianity

North Korea threatens that ‘thermonuclear war may break out at any moment’

Pentagon announces review of nuclear posture amid North Korea tensions

Bill Nye: The Perfect Talking Head for a March Against Science

March for Science or March for Secularism?

Have Octopuses outsmarted Darwin?

Trump overturns Obama’s Planned Parenthood funding edict

Christians Homes Set on Fire in Muslim Mob Attacks on Believers in Egypt

Religious Freedom Endangered by LGBT Activism, Russell Moore, Rod Dreher Argue on 'Face the Nation'

Hank Hanegraaff's Conversion to Orthodoxy: Ken Ham's AiG Says Church Is Ritualistic, Lacks Gospel

Trump Signs Law to Let States Defund Planned Parenthood

Why don’t we care about the slaughter of Christians?

Everyone Thinks The Unborn Are Persons. Saying Otherwise Is Just Denial

Christian university will sever ties with Planned Parenthood

Hobby Lobby founder says willingness to lose company for religious freedom ‘was real easy’

'Bible Answer Man' Booted From Bott Radio Network After Hank Hanegraaff Joins Orthodox Church

Five Reasons Why Some Christians are Shroud Skeptics

For many at violent Berkeley rally, it wasn't really about Trump or free speech: They came to make trouble

Blood from human babies makes brains of elderly mice young again

ISIS Claims Responsibility For Paris Terror Attack

Muslims to March on Amazon Over Prayer Breaks

Trump Confidante: Let’s Betray Pro-Lifers and Saddle Trump With a Used SCOTUS Pick

Power Ranger window washers thrill kid patients at hospital [Love this!]

March for Politics, Scientism and Scidolatry

Movie Review: The Promise

Planned Parenthood honors abortion “champions”

Shaken family tree: After decades, some scientists offer T. rex new relatives

Courage and Godspeed,

Chad

You can checkout last week's edition here.

Why Are Christians So Easily Offended?

Last evening, this brief video came across my Twitter feed.  The funny thing is, I was just thinking about this as I clicked on the link.

The only thing I would add is the points made should also be considered in conversations with Christian brothers and sisters as we can be just as susceptible to the attitudes described when talking with an atheist or skeptic.  Especially when it comes to topics such as doctrine, Biblical Interpretation, or even addressing issues within the church.

God Bless!

Book Preview: E-book- “The Apocryphal Jesus” by Ken Ammi

About the Author

Ken Ammi is an Argentinean-American , a Jewish-Christian, an essayist and lecturer who writes at True Freethinker.

He was raised in a 100% secular manner and did attend private Jewish school.  He had his Bar Mitzvah in Israel (only secular Jews may be able to understand this oddity).  He was also involved in the New Age Movement and was a practitioner of Reiki, Tai Chi Chuan, Chi Kung and the I'Ching.

About the Book

The purpose of this work is to review that which various apocryphal texts state about Jesus and to do so for various reasons. One reason is that some people have the idea that such apocryphal text, by any other name such as alternate gospels, portray Jesus in very different terms than does the New Testament (hereinafter “NT”) or subsequent Christian theology. Such idea are promulgated largely by pop-researchers and popularizers of Gnosticism, zeitgeist-style theorists, Jesus mythicists, et al.

The book is a consideration of how 35 apocryphal texts portray Jesus.

As a whole I would say that Jesus is such an undeniable figure that even those seeking to change our view of Him must admit various true facts about Him. Thus, there are portions of the apocryphal texts which portray a Jesus consistent with the NT canon. That being said, I point out where each text contains that which I term “unique features” which range from simply extra-biblical to actually contradictory.

You can get your copy of this work here.

To learn more about Ken and his work, go here.

Courage and Godspeed,

Chad

Related Posts

Featured Essay: The Euthypro Dichotomy by Ken Ammi

How We Got the Bible: The Apocryphal Books

How Historians Examine the New Testament Documents

Pt. 4- Four Dishonest Ways to Argue about Abortion

This post is the 4th (1st, 2nd and 3rd) and final in our series addressing dishonest arguments commonly offered by abortion-choice advocates.  The arguments featured come from Stand to Reason's "Pro-Life Defense" Quick-Reference Guide. This is an excellent resource that we highly recommend!

This week's featured argument is the one I have seen most commonly used.

4. Disguise your true position by appealing to the "hard" cases.

Rape is profoundly evil.  It is sometimes easy to forget this in a rush to oppose abortion.  But to truly arrive at a proper understanding of this, we simply cannot ignore everything we've discussed up to this point.  We've looked at a case for the full humanity of the unborn from the moment of conception.  If this case is correct, then are we dealing with one victim or two?

Can you think of any other situation where we would force-not ask, force-one innocent human being to give up his or her life so that someone else could feel better?  Does hardship justify homicide?

Can one horrible act of violence against an innocent human being-the woman-be redeemed by performing another act of violence against an innocent human being-the child?  Forget innocent people for a moment.  Would we allow the rape victim to shoot the guilty rapist to make her feel better?  If not, why allow the innocent child to be killed for the same reason?  Perhaps we simply do not believe the unborn are human.  If so, rape would no longer be the real issue.  The issue would be: What is the unborn?

Unfortunately, some abortion advocates will appeal to the "rape exception" not with the intention of protecting victims of sexual assault, but as a means of justifying abortion on demand for any reason at all.  Victims of rape deserve our best care.  However, the pain of such a violent act cannot be healed by destroying another innocent human being.  The child should not be punished for the crime of his father.

Courage and Godspeed,
Chad

Related Posts

When Pro-Abortion Choice Rhetoric Hurts

Late-Term Abortion, the Life of the Mother and the 3rd Presidential Debate

Live Action, Snopes and Planned Parenthood's "Prenatal Care"

Debate: William Lane Craig vs. James Crossley- Was Jesus Raised from the Dead?

This is most likely the best debate I have heard on the topic of the historicity of Jesus' resurrection from the dead.  Enjoy!

Apologetics315 has the audio is here.

Courage and Godspeed,

Chad

Related Posts

Resurrection Research Links

Article: If Christ Has Not Been Raised: Reasoning Through the Resurrection by Kenneth Samples

Common Objection #32- "The hypothesis 'God rose Jesus from the dead' is miraculous. Therefore, it is the least probable."

Is Out Preaching In Vain?

In the subject Southern Evangelical Seminary Blog post, Dr. David Haines uses the disciples' belief that Jesus rose from the dead to develop the following argument:

1. If the disciples did believe that Jesus rose from the dead, then something caused them to hold this belief.

2. The disciples did believe that Jesus rose from the dead.

3. Therefore, something caused them to hold this belief.

4. Either this belief (a) was caused by an intentional falsehood (a lie), (b) was caused by psychological wish fulfillment, (c) was caused by a psychological reaction based upon being incapable of dealing with the death of Jesus (such as a hallucination), or (d) was caused by a literal resurrection of Jesus from the dead.

5. The belief was not caused by options (a), (b), or (c).

6. Therefore, the cause of the disciple’s belief that Jesus rose from the dead is option (d) – that Jesus was actually resurrected.

He also defends premise 5, the key premise, in this piece. To read the entire post go here.

Stand firm in Christ,
Chase

Sunday Praise: "He Lives" by Chris Tomlin

Happy Resurrection Day!
Chase

Happy Resurrection Day from Truthbomb Apologetics!

Hello Everyone!

We here at Truthbomb Apologetics just wanted to wish you a Happy Resurrection Day! For those interested in learning more about the claims of Jesus Christ and the historical evidence for His resurrection from the dead, we encourage you to visit our Resurrection Research Links.

This page includes articles, audio, debates, and videos dealing with numerous topics that relate to the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Further, these resources include some of the top scholars in the field including Gary Habermas, Mike Licona, N.T. Wright, and Dr. William Lane Craig.

You can check it out here.

Have a blessed day! He is risen!

Courage and Godspeed,
Chad

Worldview and Apologetics in the News

Bangladesh Family: ‘Vogue’ Model Killed for Refusing to Wear Islamic Garments

Spectator: Egypt’s Palm Sunday Massacre Was ‘Attack on Christianity’

‘Bible Answer Man’ Converts to Orthodoxy
San Bernardino elementary school shooting: Teacher, 8-year-old student killed in murder-suicide

The Origins of the Easter Bunny: Where Did This Bizarre Tradition Begin?

Planned Parenthood honors Hillary Clinton as ‘champion of the century’

Meet the congressman who is pushing for a Charles Darwin Day

Texas Board of Education Under Pressure to Make It Harder for Teachers and Students to Evaluate the Evidence for Biological and Chemical Evolution

‘Fight for me’

Sounding the alarm

Just Give Me Jesus: A Closer Look at Christians Who Don't Go to Church

Muslim births projected to outnumber Christian births globally by 2035

Sister of American Pastor Jailed in Turkey: ‘We Believe God is with Him’

'The Case for Christ' in Top 10 at Box Office

Planet Earth II: Missing the Maker in the Majesty

Brazil: Evangelical Churches Growing in Poorest Communities

Actor Mr. T Shares Importance of Faith in His Life

Mainstream Conservative News Site Reviews the Case for Christ Movie

Judge Says Hospital Can Remove Baby’s Life Support Without His Parents’ Consent

UN Child Sex Ring Had Many Victims, but No Arrests for Peacekeepers

Trendy to be Transgender: Child Psychologist Says Many Kids Confused on Gender Identity

March For Science Descending Into Farce

7 Reasons You’ll Be Glad You Saw The Case for Christ

Princeton Seminary President: Tim Keller Controversy Showed 'Painful Fracture' Among Reformed Churches

My Philosophy of Mental Illness

The Exodus: Fact or Fiction?- Evidence of Israel’s Exodus from Egypt

Teens are becoming transgender because it’s trendy, expert says

Trump: ‘I authorized my military’ to drop the MOAB in Afghanistan

Christians in Philippines nail themselves to crosses and furiously whip themselves as act of penitence in Good Friday ritual

March for Science defends ISIS?


Courage and Godspeed,
Chad

Last week's edition can be found here.

Ca
Read more here:

Article: If Christ Has Not Been Raised: Reasoning Through the Resurrection by Kenneth Samples

In this featured article, philosopher and theologian Kenneth Samples explains why, "[f]rom a historic Christian perspective, both the nature and truth of Christianity rest upon Jesus Christ’s bodily resurrection from the dead."

He writes:

"Jesus' being raised to new life three days after His execution pumps the heart of the Christian gospel (doctrine), and is Christianity’s central supporting fact (apologetics). The truth of Christianity uniquely stands or falls on Christ’s resurrection. The apostle Paul explains: “If Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith” (1 Cor. 15:14). “If Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile, you are still in your sins” (1 Cor. 15:17).

Since the truth-claims of Christianity hinge on the Resurrection, the New Testament accounts of Christ’s resurrection warrant careful analysis and reflection. The writers of these accounts not only report the Resurrection as a factual event but also provide a theological context and explanation of its overall significance to God’s historical redemptive plan."

To examine the 5 strands of historical evidence that support the resurrection of Jesus that Dr. Samples presents, go here.

He is Risen!

Courage and Godspeed,

Chad

Related Posts

Resurrection Research Links

Article: Did Jesus Really Rise from the Dead? by Mike Licona

Video: Did Jesus Rise from the Dead?

John M. Njoroge on Atheists and Morality

"The believer’s claim is that the world owes its existence to a moral God. All human beings are moral agents created in God’s image and are expected to recognize right from wrong because they all reflect God’s moral character. The fact that human beings are the kinds of creatures that can recognize the moral imperatives that are part of the very fabric of the universe argues strongly against naturalism. Unlike the laws of nature, which even inanimate objects obey, moral imperatives appeal to our will and invite us to make real decisions on real moral issues. The only other parallel experience we have of dos and don’ts comes from minds. Thus when the atheist rejects God while insisting on the validity of morality, he is merely rejecting the cause while clinging to the effect."

Courage and Godspeed,

Chad

Related Links

Article: 5 Common Objections to the Moral Argument by Paul Rezkalla

Article: Can Moral Objectivism Do Without God? by Peter S. Williams

Video: The Moral Argument- Good without God?

HT: The Poached Egg

Resurrection Research Links

Articles

5 Ways to Teach Your Children about the Resurrection by Dillon Burroughs

7 Unbiased Facts about Jesus’ Death by Tim Massaro

10 Reasons to Accept the Resurrection of Jesus as an Historical Fact by Brian Chilton
Apologetics Press- The Resurrection of Christ as a Fact of Science

Contemporary Scholars and the Historical Evidence for the Resurrection of Jesus Christ by Dr. William Lane Craig

Did Jesus Rise from the Dead? by Mike Licona

Evidence for the Historical Jesus by Gary Habermas [Free E-book]

Evidence for the Resurrection of Christ by Dr. Peter Kreeft

Evidence for the Resurrection by Josh McDowell

Explaining Away Jesus' Resurrection: The Recent Revival of Hallucination Theories by Dr. Gary Habermas

Investigating Easter: Did the Disciples Imagine the Resurrection? by J. Warner Wallace

Investigating Easter: Did The Disciples Lie About the Resurrection? by J. Warner Wallace

Jesus Validates the Bible (not the other way around) by Tim Stratton
Outlining the Historicity of the Resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth

The Case for Christ's Resurrection by Dr. Gary Habermas

 The Resurrection as a Historical Problem by N.T. Wright

Audio

Claims of Jesus and Resurrection by Doug Groothuis

Did the Resurrection Happen? (Radio Interview) featuring Dr. Gary Habermas

Evidence for the Resurrection with Mike Licona

Resurrection of Jesus: Interview with Gary Habermas

The Evidence for the Resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth by Dr. William Lane Craig

The Minimal Facts Approach by Dr. Gary Habermas

The Resurrection of Jesus by Tim McGrew

Debates

Debate Video: Did Jesus Rise from the Dead? - John Loftus vs. David Wood
Gary Habermas vs. Kenneth Humphreys: Resurrection- Religious Fiction or Historical Fact? (2008)

Michael Licona vs. Richard Carrier Debate: Did Jesus Rise from the Dead? (2010)

William Lane Craig vs. Bart Ehrman: Is there Historical Evidence for the Resurrection of Jesus? (2006)

William Lane Craig vs. James Crossley Debate: Was Jesus Bodily Raised from the Dead?

For more debates and outstanding apologetics audio, go here.

Video

Did the Disciples Lie about the Resurrection? by J. Warner Wallace

Did Jesus Rise from the Dead? by Impact360

Investigating the Resurrection by Chad A. Gross

Making a Case for the Resurrection of Jesus by J. Warner Wallace

The Top Ten Myths about the Resurrection featuring Mike Licona [10 video series]

Things Which Ought To Be Better Known about the Resurrection of Jesus by Peter J. Williams

Why the Resurrection is Important (1:30) by Dr. Gary Habermas

Courage and Godspeed,
Chad

Related Links

Craig Keener on Miracles

N.T. Wright on the Resurrection of Jesus

How Many Angels Were at Christ's Tomb?

Pt. 3- Four Dishonest Ways to Argue about Abortion

This post is the third (Pt. 1 and Pt. 2) in a series considering common arguments used by proponents of abortion and why they fail.  The arguments featured come from Stand to Reason's "Pro-Life Defense" Quick-Reference Guide.  This is an excellent resource that we highly recommend!

3. Assume the very thing you are trying to prove.

Instead of proving that the unborn is not human, often it is simply assumed in a given argument.  So many arguments for abortion, in fact, make this incredible, indefensible assumption.  It simply doesn't make sense.

"My body, my choice."

What's the assumption in this assertion?  That there is only one body involved.  It assumes that the unborn is not a separate human body, but this needs to be proven with facts and arguments.

"We need abortion to stop overpopulation."

Assuming this claim could but backed up with legitimate evidence (and that is questionable), should we kill innocent human beings in order to solve a hunger problem?  If that were our choice, we would seem to have a problem a lot worse than hunger.  Following this logic, why not kill the hungry children already born?1

Courage and Godspeed,
Chad

Related Posts

Book Review: Aborting Aristotle- Examining Fatal Fallacies in the Abortion Debate by Dave Sterrett

"The Woman is the Final Arbiter in the Abortion Decision."

Article: 5 Reasons Everyone Should Reject Abortion by John D. Ferrer

Who Is the "Fool" that Denies God? Not Who You Think

In the subject post, Sean McDowell writes of how David, in Psalm 14:1, is not referring to the atheist as a fool and the theist as wise. McDowell writes of David:

He is not making a general condemnation of atheists, or any other particular group who rejects the God of Israel. He is making a different point.

To find out what that different point is, read the entire post here.

Stand firm in Christ,
Chase

Sunday Praise: "Resting Place" by I Am They

Stand firm in Christ,
Chase

Worldview and Apologetics in the News

I’m a gay man, happily married to a woman. And I’m not the only one

St. Petersburg metro explosion: 10 dead in Russia blasts

'The Zookeeper's Wife' Captures Horrors of Holocaust Without Being Overly Graphic

Genetic Difficulties for First Three-Parent Baby?

Syria gas attack reportedly kills dozens, including children

Ex-Atheist Lee Strobel Says 'The Case for Christ' Presents Evidence for Jesus Returning From Dead

Instagram Trolls Slam Candace Cameron Bure Over “Homophobic” T-Shirt—But Her Response Is Pure CLASS

Mom outraged when daughter, 16, gets birth-control implant after school arranges trip to clinic

How upgrading humans will become the next billion-dollar industry

Woman stabbed 32 times marries first responder who saved her life five years ago

Inside knowledge: Is information the only thing that exists?

Now Peter Singer Argues That It Might Be Okay To Rape Disabled People

Iran Sentences 21-Year-Old to Death for ‘Insulting the Prophet’ Online

Monk accused of child sex abuse 'was allowed to stay at leading Catholic school for years after claims emerged'

Father loses 9-month-old twins in Syrian chemical attack

A Swedish company has started implanting microchips under its employees' skin

Atheist Man In Australia Walks Into Christian Bookstore, Grabs A Christian Girl, Rapes Her, And As She Is Screaming, He Cries Out: “Where Is Your Jesus Now?”

Lee Strobel: Young people are ‘looking for something solid’ in today’s ‘post-truth’ culture

March for Science Is Going to Be a Hell of a Mess — Bring It On

Coptic Christian Refused to Deny Jesus Before ISIS Ruthlessly Killed Him

ISIS Leaves Behind Massive Hole Filled With Blood After Killing 33 Youth in Desert

US launches missiles into Syria in response to chemical weapons attack

Tim Tebow hits two-run homer in first minor league at-bat

March for Science or March for Scientism? Understanding the Real Threats to Science in America

British DJ sentenced to year in Tunisian jail for Muslim call to prayer remix

Suffer the children

Stockholm truck attack leaves two dead and many injured

Movie Review: The Case for Christ

Cecile Richards Comes Unglued After Gorsuch Confirmation: “SCOTUS Will be Hostile to Abortion”

Lesbian teacher: How I convince kids to accept gay ‘marriage’, starting at 4 years old

7 Reasons You’ll Be Glad You Saw The Case for Christ

Senate confirms Neil Gorsuch, Trump's Supreme Court nominee

3,000-Year-Old Donkey Dung May Prove the Bible’s Account of King Solomon

Courage and Godspeed,
Chad

Last week's edition can be viewed here.

Jesus' Last Week on Earth

As we embark on the week leading up to Resurrection Sunday, I believe as Christians it’s important to reflect on the events leading up to Jesus’ death on the cross on Good Friday and rising from the dead two days later.

Halley’sBible Handbook has a nice overview of the life of Jesus.  In Period 7 of 8, it provides summary information regarding the events of his last week, movements on his last night, the Crucifixion, and the Resurrection.

Below are two excerpts:

The Last Week of Jesus’ Life on Earth¹

Saturday: Arrives in Bethany (John 12:1)

Sunday: The Triumphal Entry as Jesus weeps over Jerusalem

Monday: The fig tree cursed.  Merchants are thrown out of the temple

Tuesday: Jesus’ last day in the temple, Judas bargains with the priests (or next day)

Wednesday: Day of quiet at Bethany

Thursday: The Last Supper and agony at Gethsemane

Friday: Trial and crucifixion

Sunday: Jesus rises from the dead

Jesus Resurrection²

If the four accounts of the Resurrection had all been identical, we might suspect that the four Gospel writers all used a single, agreed –upon story.  As it is, the four accounts bear all the marks of eyewitness accounts of an over-whelming experience. 

A glance at the accounts as presented in the four Gospels shows how different the perspective of each is. 

Matthew:

The women visit the tomb

Jesus appears to the women

The guards are bribed

Jesus appears to the Eleven in Galilee

Mark:

The woman visit the tomb

Jesus appears to Mary Magdalene

Jesus appears to two disciples on the road to Emmaus

Jesus appears to the Eleven in Jerusalem on the first evening

The Ascension

Luke:

The women visit the tomb

Peter runs to the tomb

Jesus appears to the two; and to Peter

Jesus appears to the Eleven in Jerusalem on the first evening

Final appearance, 40 days later

The Ascension

John:

Mary Magdalene visits the tomb

Peter and John run to the tomb

Jesus appears to Mary Magdalene

Jesus appears to the Eleven on the first evening; Thomas is absent

Jesus appears to the Eleven a week later; Thomas is present

Jesus appears to the Seven at the Sea of Galilee

God Bless,

Footnotes:

¹: Halley’s Bible Handbook with the New International Version p. 539

²: Ibid p. 542

Video: What Good is Christianity?

Many in the past and present have contended that Christianity has had a negative influence on civilization as a whole.  The late Bertrand Russell called Christianity "...the principal enemy of moral progress in the world."  But what does history tell us?

In this new video, the Impact360 Institute argues that "2,000 years ago Jesus Nazareth turned the world upside down...the historical record is unmistakably clear...no other cultural influence, no other
social movement, no other teaching philosophy or religion, has done more to promote the well-being of more people than Christianity."

This video is a sound refutation of the contention that religion poisons everything.

Courage and Godspeed,
Chad

Related Posts

Article: Analyzing Christopher Hitchens' Case against God

Counterpoints: John Loftus and Frank Turek on the Death of Christopher Hitchens

Common Objection #2- "Religion is the most potent source of human conflict, past or present."

How Many Angels Were at Christ's Tomb?

Another supposed Bible contradiction skeptics commonly offer is the question of how many angels were at the tomb of Jesus after Jesus's resurrection.

In his gospel, Matthew only refers to one angel.  He writes:

"But the angel told the women, 'Don't be afraid, because I know you are looking for Jesus who was crucified."1



However, regarding the same event, John writes in his gospel:

"She saw two angels in white sitting there, one at the head and and one at the feet, where Jesus' body had been lying."2

So, was there one angel or two angels at the tomb that first Easter morning?  Or is this clearly a contradiction.

As Norman Geisler and Randy Douglass explain, it is all a matter of perspective:

"Just because two or more accounts of the same event differ, they are not necessarily mutually exclusive.  The reports in these passages are not contradictory.  We have already learned the infallible mathematical rule that explains this problem: wherever there are two, there is always one.  Matthew did not say there was only one angel.  He probably focused on the angel who spoke while John referred to how many angels they saw.  One has to add the word 'only' to Matthew's account to make it contradict John's.  Once again, the problem is now with the what the Bible actually says, but with the critic who adds to it."3

Courage and Godspeed,
Chad

Footnotes:
1. Matthew 28:5; HCSB, Emphasis mine.
2. John 20:12; HCSB, Emphasis mine.
3. Norman Geisler and Randy Douglass, Bringing Your Faith to Work, p. 173.

Related Posts

How did Judas Iscariot Die?

What about the Differences in the Resurrection Accounts?

Article: Ten Principles When Considering Alleged Bible Contradictions by J. Warner Wallace

Pt. 2- Four Dishonest Ways to Argue about Abortion

Last week, we began a series taken from Stand to Reason's "Pro-Life Defense Quick Reference God", answering 4 common arguments offered by abortion-choice advocates and why they fail.

This week, we share why it is dishonest for the abortion-choice advocate to, "Attack the person rather than refute her argument." STR responds:

"Instead of defending the act of abortion itself, all too often we hear personal attacks leveled at individual pro-life advocates.  This is intellectually lazy and a bad way to argue, because even if the personal attack is true, it in no way addresses the claim that abortion takes the life of an innocent, defenseless human being.  This attack is irrelevant to the argument.  For example:

'You're a man!  What right do you have to speak on abortion?"

Aside from being a sexist remark, this is a seriously flawed claim.  Arguments do not have gender; people do.  Since many pro-life women make the same arguments that men do, it would be more productive to refute their claim instead of attacking them personally.  Imagine saying to a psychiatrist: 'You have no right to help people with psychological difficulties unless you yourself have experienced those difficulties."1

Courage and Godspeed,
Chad

Footnote:
1. Pro-Life Defense Quick Reference Guide by Stand to Reason

Related Posts

Late-Term Abortion, the Life of the Mother and the 3rd Presidential Debate

Book Excerpt: Why Pro-Life? by Randy Alcorn

Arguments for the Pro-Life Position