Wednesday, February 28, 2018

Book Preview: Mere Science and Christian Faith by Greg Cootsona

About the Author

Greg Cootsona (PhD, Graduate Theological Union) is a writer, researcher, and speaker. He directs Science and Theology for Emerging Adult Ministries (or STEAM) at Fuller Theological Seminary, and teaches religious studies and humanities at California State University at Chico.

Cootsona studied comparative literature at U. C. Berkeley and theology at Princeton Theological Seminary (MDiv), the Universities of Tübingen and Heidelberg, and Berkeley's Graduate Theological Union, where he received his PhD. He recently finished eighteen years as associate pastor for adult discipleship at Bidwell Presbyterian Church in Chico and Fifth Avenue Presbyterian in New York City. He has been interviewed by CNN, the BBC, the New York Times, and the Today Show.

About the Book

Many Christians have been brought up under the assumption that mainstream science is incompatible with genuine Christian faith—so when they see compelling evidence for biological evolution, for example, they feel forced to choose between science and their faith.  The devastating effects of this dilemma are plain to see, as emerging adults either leave the faith or shut themselves off to the findings of the scientific community.

But it's a false dilemma.  In this book, Greg Cootsona argues against the idea that science and faith are inherently antagonistic.  We don't have to keep them scrupulously separated—instead, we can bring them into dialogue with one another.  Cootsona brings this integration to a number of current topics in science and faith conversations, including hermeneutics, the historical Adam and Eve, cognitive science, and the future of technology.  His insights are enhanced by his work with Fuller Seminary's STEAM research project.

Emerging adults want to believe that science and faith can coexist peacefully.  Mere Science and Christian Faith holds out a vision for how that integration is possible and how it can lead us more deeply into the conversations around science and faith that confront the church today.
You can learn more about this new work here.

Order your copy here.

Courage and Godspeed,
Chad

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Thursday, February 22, 2018

In Memory of Billy Graham

November 7, 1918 – February 21, 2018

Famed preacher and evangelist Billy Graham passed away yesterday. Rev. Graham had dealt with a number of illnesses in his last years, including prostate cancer, hydrocephalus (a buildup of fluid in the brain) and symptoms of Parkinson’s disease.

It would be difficult estimate the full impact his life and ministry across the globe.  Southern Baptist leader Russell Moore called Billy Graham the "most important evangelist since the Apostle Paul."1

You can learn more about the Rev. Graham here and here.

As I conclude, I am reminded of Graham's own words:

“Someday you will read or hear that Billy Graham is dead. Don’t you believe a word of it. I shall be more alive than I am now. I will just have changed my address. I will have gone into the presence of God.” 

Amen

Courage and Godspeed,

Tuesday, February 20, 2018

Animated Video: Is There Meaning to Life?


Here is the latest animated video by Reasonable Faith [RF].   RF features the work of philosopher and theologian Dr. William Lane Craig and aims to provide in the public arena an intelligent, articulate, and uncompromising yet gracious Christian perspective.

You can view the other animated videos in this series here.  Moreover, you can find an article by Dr. Craig on this topic here.

As we shared here, these videos serve as great discussions starters for family apologetics discussions!

Enjoy!

Courage and Godspeed,
Chad

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Saturday, February 17, 2018

Friday, February 16, 2018

Asking hard questions with teenagers



In this video, Tim Schmoyer uses a scene from Desperate Housewives (a little over 2 minutes in) to discuss some good tips regarding questions about God and faith with teens.

As an FYI, the website Tim mentions in the beginning, MinsitryQuestions.com, does not appear to be available anymore.  But I thought the content of this video is still relevant. 

God Bless,

Thursday, February 15, 2018

Charles Spurgeon on Instructing Our Children

"To neglect the instruction of our offspring is worse than brutish.  Family religion is necessary for the nation, for the family itself, and for the church of God...Would that parents would awaken to a sense of the importance of this matter.  It is a pleasant duty to talk of Jesus to our sons and daughters, and the more so because it has often proved to be an accepted work, for God has saved the children through the parents' prayers and admonitions."1

Courage and Godspeed,
Chad



Footnote:

1. As quoted by Voddie Baucham, Jr. in Family Shepherds, p. 19.

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Tuesday, February 13, 2018

Article: Three Ways to Teach Your Kids Apologetics (Without Them Realizing It) by Paul Gould

In this featured article, Paul Gould, Assistant Professor of Philosophy and Christian Apologetics at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, offers 3 easy ways you can teach your children apologetics without them even realizing it!

He writes:

"Faith in God is a reasonable faith. I want my kids to see that Christianity is true to the way things are—that it corresponds to reality. I want them to see Christianity as good and beautiful too—that Jesus and the Gospel satisfy their longings in a way that nothing else can. I want them to know what they believe and why they believe it. I want them to love the right things in the right way. In short, I want to teach my kids apologetics. In this post, I share three ways my wife and I taught our kids apologetics without them knowing it."

You can read Gould's three ways here.

What about you?  What are some ways you teach your kids apologetics?  Please share in the comments below!

Courage and Godspeed,
Chad

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Wednesday, February 07, 2018

Article: 6 Things You Can Tell Your Kids When Trying to Explain Pain and Suffering in Our World by J. Warner Wallace

Suffering is a reality in lives of both believers and unbelievers. And it can be especially difficult to talk with suffering with our children.

In this featured article, author, speaker and cold-case homicide detective J. Warner Wallace offers 6 things you can say to your kids when you are discussing pain and suffering with them.


You can find the article here.

Courage and Godspeed,
Chad

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Tuesday, February 06, 2018

Video: Sean McDowell and Matthew Vines in Conversation- What Does the Bible Say About Homosexuality?


In this video, Sean McDowell and Matthew Vines, author of God and the Gay Christian, have a conversation about the Bible and homosexuality.  They discuss the teachings of Jesus in Matthew 7 and Matthew 19 as well as the creation account in Genesis.  They each present 20 minutes, interact for 40 minutes, take live Q&A, and then have 3 minute closing speeches.

Enjoy!

Courage and Godspeed,
Chad

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